'And what does it mean to you in the end?'
[Name] watched her leave before falling back on the bed with a sigh. He felt awfully tired and wondered if this was all worth it in the end. It seems as if it's been so long now since he started, and those memories have become a hazy blur.
He wondered if he'd be able to ever get home. Or if he was just clinging to false hope, either way, [Name] thought to himself and closed his eyes. Drifting off…
Lucian didn't want to send over the information tonight, so he just silently hopped offline as [Name] fell asleep.
(Time Skip)
The sun came in through the half closed curtain, the breeze was cold, with a mild softness that laid over [Name] as he started to wake up. Slowly rubbing his eyes, he blinked the sleep away from his eyes, as he sat up with a grunt.
He looked around, taking in his surroundings against and reminding him of where he was, this time, he felt nothing, running a hand through his hair he sighed.
'Lucian?'
'Good morning, Host.'
'You're here.'
'Why wouldn't I be?'
'You weren't here last night.'
'I had some matters to attend to. You were also asleep, Host.'
'Those classified ones?' [Name] tried to keep his annoyance to a minimum. Lucian seemed none the wiser.
'Yes, Host. Do you wish for me to send you the background of this world then?'
'That'd be preferable,' [Name] responded dryly.
'Alright then, Host. Sending it over.'
[Name] braced himself as he felt the information flood his head, causing a heavy pounding in his head, and he lay back down with a pained groan.
"Fuck," he hissed as he cradled his head in his hands, curling up into a ball as he waited for the pain to fade. As it started to fade, [Name] lay there for a moment, regaining his bearings.
'The Bianchi family was one of the powerful families in the area, making their wealth from providing security for the local businesses in the area from the strict checkings of the legal authorities, and often clashed as the authorities themselves were more often than not cruel to the local businesses. The Bianchi family took on this role because the head of the family, Delano Bivanchi, had seen many businesses and families torn apart in his teen years. Since then who has been organised these areas under his surveillance and protection with a few other close, family friends at a lower price for better protection, as well as building wealth from setting up some extravagant hotels, sweet shops around the area to cover up some other facets of the business, ranging from high-class escorting services and forging government papers, respectively; to make the money they made, clean. The father always spoiled the second son, Leo, as he felt guilty as the mother died after giving birth to Leo, his older brother, Declan, however, blamed Leo for it. Consequently, this whole empire later fell apart due to Leo, who had gambled heavily and was living a vice-filled life, and was spending exuberantly. Later, he resorted to underhanded means and dabbling in human trafficking, where he ended up trying to sell the family maid, Olena Saxe, failing and earning the wrath of her younger brother, Henry Saxe. Who is the stealth protagonist of this story, later rising to prominence and then taking out the whole Bivanchi family. Leaving Leo to bear witness to the destruction of his family, before keeping and torturing Leo to insanity, keeping him for a few years, before finally killing him.'
'Thanks, Lucian. But, Jesus Christ.'
'...'
[Name] grimaced at the lack of response but continued, slowly getting up and going to the bathroom. Freshening up for the morning, and as he stood under the strong spray of the shower, he wondered how he was going to even avoid his fate. Debts are tricky, he thought.
'Lucian?'
'Yes, Host?'
'How old is Leo?'
'He is currently 20. You will be attending his classes.'
'Classes?'
'Yes, university classes.'
'More schooling?' [Name] thought with a groan.
'Yes.'
'You're enjoying this, aren't you?'
'I don't know what you mean, Host.'
[Name] groaned once again and continued rinsing himself off, washing off the bubbles before stepping out and wrapping a towel around his waist. He rummaged through the wardrobe, a different array of flashy clothes, something [Name] huffed slightly at. Although, [Name] can't really blame the original for, since he grew up with money, and his father spoiling him.
[Name] sighed again, before opting for a single white shirt and some dark jeans, then brushing his hair slightly before he headed downstairs – looking around slightly, then walking tentatively further and then found two men sitting at the table, food out and waiting, one of them, [Name] noted was Delano Bivanchi and Declan, sitting there. The father was reading a newspaper, and Declan was looking at something on his phone.
[Name] grimaced internally and turned to leave, but jumped slightly as Olena greeted him, with a small smile, tone quiet, "Good morning, young master. It's a surprise to see you joining for breakfast today."
"I- uh, yes. Morning to you, too."
His father and brother looked up, Delano looked surprised, and a sweet twinkle appeared in his eyes, "Leo. Good morning, you're joining us, I assume?"
The expectation and hope in his voice made [Name] wince internally and nod stiffly, "Yes, Dad."
If anything, Delano's expression got brighter, he smiled and motioned for [Name] to sit, "Come, come, you haven't spoken to us in a while."
Declan was still stony-faced as ever, speaking briefly, with an unenthusiastic, "Morning."
Once everyone was situated again, Delano motioned for Olena to bring some more coffee to the table. [Name] looked around again slightly, taking in the decor – it was tasteful and well-done, clearly it wasn't Leo who had chosen to decorate the house. [Name] grimaced again as he thought to himself, pouring himself a cup of black coffee. Oblivious to the surprised looks of his father and Declan.
'Lucian, is this before the main part of the story? I'm not too late, am I?'
'Correct. Additionally, to remind you, if you do not perform well in your studies and turn your life around, you will be susceptible to deduction of points and potential punishment for failure to complete.'
'Alright, alright, I got it,' [Name] huffed.
"So, Leo, how are your studies going?" Delano asked warmly but tentatively.