3 Sylvestria [2]

"So, this is the uniform."

Looking at my reflection, I found myself dressed in a crisp, navy-blue blazer adorned with silver trim, paired with matching trousers and a white shirt underneath, complete with a cobalt blue tie—a classic French school uniform, reimagined for Sylvestria.

Exiting my bedroom, I made my way downstairs, each step bringing me closer to the heart of the home.

As I descended, an aromatic scent wafted through the air.

It's probably Mother's breakfast.

Guided by the inviting smell, I moved toward the dining room, where I found my mother seated.

"Ah, Dominic, let's eat some breakfast, shall we?"

I nodded, my appetite piqued and approached the table.

Spread out on the table was a delightful array of French breakfast cuisine: a freshly baked baguette, golden and crisp, alongside a selection of cheeses and a bowl of fruit. 

There was also a pot of rich, aromatic coffee and a plate of buttery croissants, their flaky layers practically inviting me to indulge. 

A small dish of soft-boiled eggs completed the ensemble, offering a perfect balance of simplicity and elegance.

The sight of the breakfast alone confirmed my whereabouts. 

It seems I'm in Verdant Haven, a region of Sylvestria inspired by the charm and culinary finesse of France.

It's fascinating how each of the five nations of Sylvestria draws inspiration from different cultures and locations on Earth.

Verdant Haven mirrors the elegance and gastronomic excellence of France.

Ember Citadel, with its majestic pyramids and vast deserts, echoes the ancient mystique of Egypt.

Celestria, with its advanced technology and serene landscapes, is reminiscent of China.

Frostheim, home to rugged landscapes and hardy folk, is inspired by the Scandinavian region.

Lumina Falls, with its vibrant festivals and lush landscapes, brings to mind the Philippines.

I quickly took a seat, overcome by the sight and smell of the sumptuous breakfast before me. 

Without thinking, I grabbed the fork and eagerly stabbed it into the food, my actions more reflexive than deliberate.

"Dominic, where are your manners?!" 

My mother's exclamation snapped me back to reality.

Oops, I didn't mean to do that.

The realization hit me that my actions were driven by a past where luxuries like this breakfast were beyond my reach. 

In my previous life, French cuisine was something I could only dream about, a symbol of a lifestyle far removed from my own.

"I'm sorry, Mum." 

My apology was genuine as I scratched the back of my head, offering her a sheepish smile to convey my remorse.

Carefully, I pulled out the fork, now mindful of my manners. 

Sitting here, in this new life, I was reminded of the simple joys and privileges that I once longed for.

"Dominic, are you okay? It's unusual for you to stab the food and proceed to eat without saying 'Bon appétit'."

Her observation took me by surprise. 

So, Dominic is known for his good manners. 

It dawned on me that my actions might raise suspicions, and maintaining the façade of being Dominic was crucial.

"Yes, Mum, I'm fine. I'm just excited to eat breakfast, that's all." 

My response was measured, aiming to reassure her while reflecting the enthusiasm a young boy might have for a delicious meal laid out in front of him.

"Fufufu…"

Mother let out a soft, amused chuckle and her smile widened. 

"I'm glad you're excited to eat, Dominic. It's not often you show such enthusiasm for meals."

That comment made me pause. 

So, Dominic isn't much of an eater? 

That explains his slender frame.

In an attempt to smooth over my earlier faux pas, I quickly added, "Well... I'm especially looking forward to your cooking today, Mum. Something tells me it's going to be exceptionally good."

"Oh, so my food only looks appetizing today? Is that why you don't usually look forward to meals?"

Despite her smile, I sensed a hint of mock offense in her tone, and her smile seemed a bit strained. Suddenly, I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead under her gaze.

Did I just step into a minefield?

Creak!

Just then, the sound of the door creaking open provided a welcome distraction. Turning around, I saw the man from the photo in my bedroom.

"Celine, I'm home!" 

His presence immediately filled the room with a sense of warmth and familiarity, unmistakably marking him as Dominic's father.

So, Dominic's mother is Celine. 

The pieces of my new life were slowly fitting together.

"Ah, André, welcome back home!"

Celine's voice carried a blend of affection and relief.

So, Dominic's father is André.

Noticing me, André's face broke into a welcoming smile as he approached me. 

With a friendly gesture, he ruffled my hair.

"Good morning, Dominic, how are you?" 

His question, simple and filled with genuine concern, offered me another glimpse into the kind-hearted nature of the family I had found myself a part of.

"I'm doing okay, Dad. How about you?"

"I'm also doing okay," André replied, settling into a seat.

Celine, looking interested, leaned forward. 

"How was the Stargate raid, André?"

"It went well, and the Shadow Sentinels rewarded us handsomely for our performance."

Wait, Dominic's father is a Stargate Raider? These elite Magicians are tasked with the dangerous job of raiding Stargates, portals that are known for being gateways to challenges and threats.

This revelation sparked an idea in me. 

"Dad, can you train me?" 

In the Sylvestria I knew from the Webnovel, there is a lesser-known way for becoming a Manaficial: defeating monsters in ancient temples or Stargates and extracting their essence orbs, which are key to their powers.

However, consuming these orbs directly was dangerous, as they could corrupt a human due to the incompatibility between human and monster souls. Fortunately, I remembered a Magician in the story capable of purifying these orbs, making them safe to absorb and gain mana and magical abilities.

My question seemed to take both André and Celine by surprise, their expressions a mix of curiosity and astonishment.

"Why?" André asked.

"Well, I want to enroll in Verdant Arcanum!"

Exchanging glances, they seemed to weigh my sudden declaration. 

"Dominic, what happened to your dream of becoming a Magitist?" Celine asked.

So, Dominic aspired to be a Magitist? These are akin to scientists but with a focus on blending magic with their studies, a noble and respected path indeed. 

However, knowing the challenges that lay ahead in Sylvestria's future, I felt a more direct approach to strength was necessary.

"I...thought about this for a long time, and I realized that being a Magitist isn't the right path for me." 

My words were chosen carefully, aiming to maintain my guise while steering my new life toward a direction that could make a difference in the times to come.

Their exchange of glances transformed into smiles of agreement.

"If that's the case, then I'll start training you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Dad."

"However…" 

André's voice trailed off as he reached for an apple from the fruit bowl and, with a swift motion, flicked it towards me.

Caught off guard and unable to react in time, the apple made a direct hit on my forehead.

"Gah!" 

The impact sent me reeling back in my chair, more from surprise than pain.

Rubbing my forehead, I looked up to see André's serious yet concerned face. 

"Since you're Manaless, I will make sure to train your physical status to the max so you can catch up with the Magicians and Manaficials."

From the web novel, those who are Manaless can attend Verdant Arcanum. However, it's widely known they would encounter significant challenges and prejudice, given that the curriculum heavily revolves around the use of magic.

After the surprising apple incident, I quickly stood up, brushing off my clothes, a determined spark igniting within me.

"I will take on whatever you throw at me, Dad."

My goal was clear: to gain strength and prepare for the challenges outlined in the novel's future events.

"I'm glad that you want to become stronger, Dominic, but you should eat breakfast first."

Celine's gentle reminder nudged me back to reality.

"Okay, Mum." 

Acknowledging her advice, I repositioned the chair and took my seat once more.

"Bon Appetit!" 

This time, I remembered the proper etiquette, signaling not just a start to the meal but also my commitment to adapting to this world and its customs.

Gently, I picked up a piece of the croissant, pausing to appreciate its flaky exterior before taking a bite. 

The taste was sublime, a perfect blend of buttery richness and delicate texture. 

It was, in a word, delicious.

Munch!

Unable to resist the temptation, I eagerly consumed the rest of the croissant in one go and reached for another, my enthusiasm momentarily overshadowing decorum.

"Dominic, what did I tell you about manners!?" 

Celine's voice cut through my culinary bliss, a reminder of the balance I needed to maintain between my old self and the role I was now stepping into as Dominic.

With a croissant halfway to my mouth, I paused, a sheepish smile forming as I was reminded once again of the small yet significant adjustments I needed to make in adopting Dominic's identity fully.

"Hahahaha! It looks like Dominic is finally at that phase, huh?" 

My father's laughter filled the room, his comment light and full of understanding.

I knew exactly what he was referring to. It's common knowledge that teenagers, especially during puberty, tend to have increased appetites to fuel their growth spurts. 

And at 15, I was right at the age where such changes would start to manifest.

However, my eagerness to indulge in the breakfast before me wasn't just about satisfying the typical teenage hunger. It was also about experiencing the French cuisine I never got to enjoy in my previous life. 

Moreover, this new body of mine seemed to have its own demands, compelling me to eat more than I might have expected.

Munch!

Unfazed by the light-hearted teasing, I continued to enjoy the meal before me. Each bite was a delightful experience, a celebration of flavors I had longed to taste.