Reborn As Noble

They both crashed to the ground in a loud thud, the tree shuddering as branches snapped and leaves scattered.

”Ouch! Ugh...” Javier groaned, rubbing his back as he sat up from the dirt.

”Cuquawked!!” Buddy let out a loud, laughing squawk, like a seagull mocking its prey.

Javier glared at him. ”Damn you, Buddy. I told you, you’re not a sparrow! Look at this mess! Now everything’s broken, and soon someone’s going to come running here because of the noise... shit.”

Grumbling, he pushed himself to his feet, dusting off his clothes. He lifted his palm slowly, mana swirling faintly at his fingertips.

”Restoration.”

The shattered trunk and fallen branches glowed softly, cracks sealing, bark mending, leaves reforming as if time itself reversed. Within moments, the tree stood tall again, whole and unbroken, as though nothing had happened.

Javier lowered his hand.

There. Clean. Father won’t even know.

Buddy tilted his head, letting out a softer ”cuquawk” that almost sounded like he was praising Javier.

”Yeah, yeah... don’t act all innocent now,” Javier muttered, rolling his eyes.

”Now because of you”

Javier jabbed a finger at him, ”Puffy, big, huge body... my peaceful night is ruined.”

”Cuquawked?” Buddy tilted his head, feigning innocence.

”Don’t pretend you don’t know,” Javier muttered, narrowing his eyes.

”Cuquawk...” Buddy squawked again, softer this time, but his gaze shifted aside as if he hadn’t done anything wrong.

”I know that look, Buddy. Acting guilty while pretending you’re not.”

The pekko blinked once, then twice, before ruffling his feathers and letting out a low squawked.

Javier’s eyes narrowed, a faint ripple of mana flickering in his vision. His tracker skill pulsed quietly. Dots of light moving closer.

Oh crap... someone’s coming. A lot of them.

He clicked his tongue and glanced at Buddy.

”Alright, Buddy, let’s go.”

”Cuquawked!” Buddy squawked in agreement, ruffling his feathers with excitement.

Javier smirked, slipping the wine bottle back into his storage.

I’m not going to the grand hall for the party. Too loud, too stiff. Not my style.

His grin widened as he hopped onto Buddy’s back.

Ehehehe... better to vanish before they drag me into round of fake smiles and noble chatter.

With a soft tug on the reins, Javier leaned forward. ”Let’s move before they catch up.”

Buddy let out a sharp ”Cuquawk!!” and started dashing off into the shadows of the estate, carrying Javier away from the approaching lights.

Javier glanced around the dim, quiet stretch of land as Buddy carried him forward. His brows furrowed.

”Buddy? Where exactly are we going?”

”Cuquawked!!” the pekko answered proudly, as if that explained everything.

Javier narrowed his eyes, staring at the bird’s bouncing head.

”...That better not mean you’re taking me too far from the estate. I don’t want Father nagging me again, Buddy.”

Buddy only squawked again, this time with a stubborn tone, his pace steady and strong as he barreled along the path.

Javier groaned, leaning back slightly.

”This oversized puffball. Always does whatever he wants.”

Despite his grumbling, a small smirk crept over his lips. Well... maybe I’ll see something interesting.

Just don’t push me into Father’s line of sight, Buddy.

They finally slowed to a stop. Javier blinked, looking around.

The scene before him was nothing like the bustling courtyards or the orderly training grounds he knew so well.

The moon hung high above, silver light spilling gently over the estate. Stars twinkled like scattered jewels, their reflection shimmering faintly in a narrow stream that wound its way through the grass.

The water was shallow, running clear over smooth stones that glistened like polished glass. A lone tree stood nearby, its branches swaying softly in the night breeze.

Javier slid off Buddy’s back, his boots crunching lightly on the grass. His eyes roamed the quiet haven, and for once, his smirk faltered into something closer to awe.

Wow... this place is beautiful.

He crouched by the stream, running his fingers lightly through the cool water. Clean.

Natural. Beautiful... especially under the moonlight.

His brows furrowed slightly.

I’ve never seen this place before. Do we really have this inside the estate?

He glanced around again, almost suspicious.

Even after living here all this time... a place like this?

Guess even I still don’t know everything.

The ground beneath the tree caught his attention. The grass there was unlike the rest, smooth, soft, almost too perfect. Like someone had carefully tended to it.

This... is being maintained? But for who?

Javier narrowed his eyes, scanning the small clearing.

Strange. Just one tree here, standing alone by this little stream. No others around. Why?

He stepped closer, curiosity pulling him in, and set his boot upon the grass.

The moment his foot touched the ground, a soft wind stirred.

It brushed against him gently, cool and calming, carrying a faint fragrance of fresh earth and water.

Javier froze for a second, his body tingling at the sensation.

A gentle... breeze? At night?

The branches of the lone tree swayed lightly, leaves rustling as though greeting him. The stream itself seemed to sparkle brighter under the moonlight, ripples catching the starlight like scattered silver.

Javier then slowly lowered himself onto the grass and leaned back against the tree. The surface was smooth, soft, almost welcoming.

This is comfy.

He let out a small sigh, tilting his head back to watch the stars through the shifting branches.

Well... I don’t know who maintains this place. But if Buddy was the one who brought me here, then I’m sure it’s good.

He raised his palm and flicked his fingers. His magic storage shimmered open, and out came the wine bottle he’d stolen earlier along with the elegant crystal glass.

He smirked, pouring himself another drink as the quiet sound of the stream filled the night.

Well then... time for some peaceful time.

He raised the glass, and drank slowly, savoring the taste as the calm of the hidden grove wrapped around him.

He tilted his head back, eyes tracing the endless night above.

Beautiful...

The stars shimmered faintly, their light weaving with the gentle moonlight. The rustle of leaves, the soft trickle of the stream.

It was all so calm.

Serene...

Slowly, his eyelids grew heavier, the weight tugging at him.

Hmm?

He blinked, trying to shake it off.

Am I... getting drunk already?

But... I’ve only had two glasses...

His hand loosened slightly on the crystal cup, the warmth of the wine sinking deeper into his body. The soft grass beneath him, the gentle rustle of leaves above, and the cool breeze brushing against his face... all of it lulled him further.

He drifted off to sleep, his head resting against the tree, glass still cradled loosely in his hand, the hidden grove silent except for the gentle trickle of water.

( End Of Chapter )