Chapter 51: Instant Camera
"...so this is the final result of that scenery-image locking device?"
An old researcher from the Volsver’s domain mana engineering development department mused in pure awe as he looked at the prototype of an instant camera on the table. His eyes shone with curiosity as he looked at the sample picture it developed.
Eren nodded, fully satisfied with the result. He grabbed the camera off the table and aimed the lens at the elderly man.
"By the gods... I never expected a mana device that could instantly draw a perfect portrait using nothing but light and reflective glass. This will completely rewrite the entire tracking and documentation industry! I will not disappoint you, Young Master! I will start the mass production cycle exactly according to your guidance and—"
Thud!
The door shut as Eren walked out of the room before the old man could even finish. He had zero interest in sitting through a lengthy, cliché monologue from an elderly NPC.
He reached the Volsver manor, strolling through the corridor. Eren lazily tossed the prototype camera in his hand; he had created this in his spare time before returning to the academy.
It’s already been a full week since he woke up from the coma, and roughly one month since his soul got dropped into this trash body. Yet, it honestly feels like it all happened just yesterday for him.
He glanced out the hallway window, watching the staff begin to pack the luggage into the carriage.
He stepped into his room that was currently occupied by a spectacularly busty girl who was carefully packing his clothes into a travel trunk. Mira was currently wearing a stylish, form-fitting casual dress that did absolutely nothing to hide her curves.
’Damn,’ Eren murmured, his eyes performing an involuntary sweep of her figure. ’The girl looks devastatingly sexy even without the maid dress.’
Mira caught him staring, face lighting up in milliseconds as she ran over to him. "Young Master! What took you so long? The luggage is already loaded in the carriages, and I’ve packed your remaining clothes."
Suddenly, she began bouncing on her tiptoes, her massive boobs jiggling spectacularly with every leap. "It’s finally the day we leave for the Royal Academy! I still can’t believe it! It’s going to be so incredibly exciting to actually study right alongside you!"
Eren raised the camera and pressed the trigger.
Flash!
The bright, magical light erupted on her face, halting her energetic movements instantly. Mira blinked rapidly, her hands flying to her chest in a dramatic, cute bewilderment. "A-Ah! Young Master! What was that?! Are you using some kind of weird curse on your sugar baby?!"
Eren merely chuckled as the device rolled out a print.
"Calm down," Eren teased before showing the result. "I just wanted to lock your excited face forever. Look."
Mira’s eyes widened as she stared at the thin sheet. Captured on the paper was a perfectly detailed portrait of her mid-bounce—her lips parted in a joyful laugh, her hair floating in motion, and her expression was pure, unfiltered happiness.
She was completely mesmerized.
"... is this another one of your secret inventions? It looks exactly like me! It’s like a piece of my soul just got cloned onto this!"
"Yeah," Eren said softly as he looked down at her awestruck face. "It’s a camera. And consider this portrait as a permanent treasure of mine."
Mira’s cheeks burned pink at his sincere words as he carefully secured it inside his coat pocket, picking up the last leather travel case from the bed.
"Let’s go," he murmured, offering her a wink. Mira nodded quickly, her eyes still shining as she fell into step right beside him.
Their next mandatory stop was the grand entrance of the manor, where the farewell party was already fully assembled. Duke Alfric stood like an unyielding stone pillar near the door, while right beside him sat Liora in her specialized wheelchair, still undergoing daily physical rehabilitation. As the little girl’s eyes locked onto his figure, her face lit up.
"Brother!" she squeaked excitedly, reaching her arms out toward him.
Eren immediately dropped down onto one knee to catch his adorable little sister in a protective embrace one last time. He gently ruffled her silver hair as he pulled back.
"I’m so incredibly sad you have to leave so quickly," Liora whimpered, puffing out into a tragic little pout. "I only got to spend one short week with you after waking up."
"Trust me, Liora, I gladly wanted to stay right here and spend the rest of my days idling away with my cute little sister," Eren replied, bopping her nose. "But your older brother has a few mandatory semesters he needs to clear first."
"Then promise me!" she demanded, her ruby-red eyes locking onto his with absolute, childish seriousness. "Promise me you will spend every single day with me the exact moment you graduate!"
"I promise," Eren said softly, sealing the contract with a gentle pat on her cheek.
Liora then looked at the red-haired girl standing right behind him. "Mira... please make sure you take extra good care of my brother while he’s away. He can be incredibly reckless."
"Rest easy, Lady Liora! There is absolutely no one in this entire kingdom who knows how to properly manage and take care of your brother better than me!"
Eren chuckled at her shameless self-promotion, pushing himself up from the stone floor to face the lord of the domain. "Goodbye, father."
Duke Alfric’s face softened, placing a grounding hand onto his changed son’s shoulder. "Take care of yourself out there, Eren. And do try to refrain from brawls over petty disputes like you did last time."
"I’ll try," Eren replied with a highly deceptive smile.
"Oh, by the way, where’s Emma? I thought she would at least show up to throw one last insult in my face before sending me off. Even Norelia has been completely missing since morning."
The Duke let out a mysterious chuckle, gesturing toward the exit. "Who knows? Perhaps both of them are already waiting for you out there."
Eren raised an eyebrow at his father’s highly cryptic dialogue script, but he simply nodded, walking past the entrance of the building towards the carriage waiting for him.
But as he walked closer, his pace gradually slowed down before coming to a halt as he saw who was standing directly ahead of him.
Standing right beside the carriage door was a petite girl with dark brown hair and striking ruby-red eyes—Norelia. She offered him a knowing smile.
And leaning casually against the vehicle was a fiercely attractive, tanned, pink-haired tomboy in flawless casual attire, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Well, look who finally decided to show up. What exactly took you so long, Young Master? We’ve been burning through daylight waiting for you."
"Good morning, Eren," Norelia greeted him smoothly.
’Okay, cool. My three beautiful girlfriends are all gathered in one location; that’s great,’ Eren monologues in deadpan. ’But... why the hell do they have their own heavy luggage right alongside mine?!’
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