Rin had never known what it truly meant to have a friend.

  In his past life, he had spent his days as a faceless office worker, overlooked and forgotten. The world had never been kind to him, nor had it ever offered him a hand to hold. He had tried—oh, how he had tried—to form connections, to be noticed, to be wanted.

  But in the end, he had died alone.

  So, when he looked at Lucien, it wasn’t just about finding a butler with a perfect memory. It was about something deeper—something he had never had but had always longed for.

  "I will definitely make you my friend, Lucien."

  And as if the world itself acknowledged his resolve, a familiar screen appeared before him.

  [Regret Quest: A First Friend]

  Objective: Make friends with Lucien, not as a Young Master and Butler, but as two individuals.

  Rewards: Gain a friend and a loyal butler.

  Failure Penalty: Lucien will not become your butler.

  [Accept] [Decline]

  Rin chuckled softly. Interesting.

  "Of course, I accept."

  Lucien, who had been observing the young master’s sudden pause, tilted his head in confusion. "Are you okay, Young Master?"

  Snapping out of his thoughts, Rin nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." Then, with a curious expression, he asked, "But why do you keep calling me Young Master?"

  Lucien lowered his gaze slightly. "Because

  you are a noble, and I am just a commoner."

  Rin sighed. Even at this young age, Lucien had already internalized the difference in status. It wasn't just a habit—it was ingrained in him.

  Gesturing for Lucien to sit beside him under a nearby tree, Rin began to weave a tale—a story of two warriors from different worlds, bound by fate, who became inseparable despite their differences.

  They had saved each other, fought side by side, and suffered together.

  By the end of the story, Rin posed a question.

  "If they both saved each other's lives, suffered together, and fought side by side… which one is superior?"

  Lucien opened his mouth but hesitated. He tried to answer, but no matter how he framed it, something felt off.

  Rin smiled knowingly. "You can't answer

  because you're still dividing friendships based on ranks."

  He stood, brushing off his clothes, and extended his hand toward Lucien.

  "Friendship is strange. It can be stronger than steel or vanish like smoke. It can heal you… or break you beyond repair."

  Lucien's silver eyes reflected the moonlight as he stared at the outstretched hand.

  "Lucien Hawthorne, if you become my friend, we will go on a journey where you can simply be you."

  For the first time, someone spoke to him—not as a noble to a servant, but as one human to another.

  Slowly, he reached out and shook Rin’s hand.

  "I will trust you, Young Master."

  Rin smirked. "Call me Rin."

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  Lucien hesitated for a second, then allowed himself a small, rare smile.

  "...Then, I will trust you, Rin."

  [Quest Completed! Rewards Granted]

  Three months had passed since that day.

  Rin and Lucien had become inseparable. They trained together, played together, and often got into trouble together—much to the exasperation of the Everhart household.

  One afternoon, as they lay on the grass after a long game of sparring sticks, Lucien sighed dramatically.

  "Rin, you're terrible at this."

  Rin scoffed. "I am strategically terrible. That way, my opponent underestimates me."

  Lucien gave him a blank stare. "That… sounds like an excuse."

  "Shut up. It’s called tactical incompetence."

  Before Lucien could retort, a voice chimed in.

  "Are you two fighting again?"

  Both turned to see Seraphina Everhart, Rin’s mother, watching them with an amused smile. She was relieved. Her son, once withdrawn and overly mature, was now laughing, running, and forming bonds.

  Lucien stood immediately, bowing. "Lady Seraphina."

  Rin waved lazily. "Mom, tell Lucien that I’m right."

  Seraphina chuckled, shaking her head. "I’m sure you’re both wrong."

  Lucien smirked while Rin groaned.

  The Everhart estate was abuzz with activity. Today was the annual recruitment for new maids and servants, and dozens of hopefuls had gathered.

  As Rin and Lucien walked past the applicants, a particular sight made Rin frown.

  There were children.

  Some as young as eight or nine.

  Rin clenched his small fists. "Why are kids working? Isn’t that cruel?"

  Lucien’s expression darkened. "Rin, commoners' lives are much harsher than you think. Many of these children have Life-Oriented Class Awakenings. They work because they have to, not because they want to."

  His voice grew bitter. "We are lucky. Your father treats his people well. But in other places, commoners aren’t even considered human."

  Rin’s heart ached. He had lived two lives but never experienced this kind of suffering firsthand.

  "I will change this," he vowed. "Even if I can't change the whole world, I will change our county."

  Lucien glanced at him. I know you will.

  As they continued walking, Rin’s breath hitched.

  His Tyrant of Commerce talent pulsed, and suddenly, the world around him shifted.

  A faint golden aura surrounded a small girl among the recruits.

  [Tyrant of Commerce Activated]

  [Eye of the Merchant sees the true potential of the target.]

  A status screen appeared before him.

  [Evaluation of Target]

  Name: Elysia Vale

  Age: 3 years, 9 months

  Race: Human

  Class: (Locked until Age 5)

  Talent: Eternal Handmaid (Legendary)

  [Talent: Eternal Handmaid]

  Unwavering Dedication: Her loyalty to her master cannot be broken by magic, persuasion, or torture.

  Perfect Service: She instinctively knows her master's needs before they are spoken.

  Graceful Hands: Can perform any maid-related task with supernatural efficiency and precision.

  Soothing Presence: Her mere presence calms stress and reduces fatigue for those she serves.

  Rin's eyes widened.

  A legendary-tier servant talent?

  Even royalty would kill for a handmaid of this caliber…

  And yet, she stood there in tattered clothes, completely unaware of her worth.

  Lucien noticed Rin's expression. "Something wrong?"

  Rin ignored him, stepping toward the girl.

  She was petite, her golden hair unkempt yet oddly regal, her violet eyes sharp despite her age.

  Sensing his presence, she straightened and bowed. "Young Master."

  Rin crouched, meeting her eyes.

  "What is your name?"

  She hesitated before answering softly, "...Elysia Vale."

  Rin’s talent pulsed again, confirming her potential.

  "Elysia, why do you want to be a maid?"

  She lowered her gaze. "Because I have nowhere else to go. If I serve well, I can have food and shelter."

  A common answer. A logical answer. But Rin sensed something deeper—an unspoken desperation, a quiet resolve beyond mere survival.

  Lucien crossed his arms. "If it's just for food and shelter, there

  are orphanages."

  Elysia shook her head. "Orphanages only take in children under five, and they cannot always afford to feed everyone. Here... I can earn my place."

  Rin's eyes narrowed.

  She wasn't lying. This was her choice.

  And yet, she had no idea of her own worth.

  Rin extended his hand.

  "Elysia Vale, I don’t want just a maid. I want a friend. From today onward, you are my personal maid. We will grow together."

  Elysia froze, her violet eyes widening.

  The other maids-in-training gasped. Even Lucien raised a brow.

  He’s offering… me?

  She lowered her gaze. Her hands clenched the hem of her tattered dress. This had to be a joke. Nobles didn't make friends with people like her. Nobles didn't even see people like her.

  Was this some cruel game? Was he just playing with her like other aristocrats did? Was he testing her?

  And yet… his expression was sincere.

  "...Me?" she whispered, barely believing her own voice.

  Rin nodded. "Yes. Do you accept?"

  She hesitated. If she accepted, what would happen? Would he throw her away when he got bored? Would she regret this? But…What do I have to lose?

  Slowly, hesitantly, she placed her small hand in his.

  "...I accept, young master."

  Rin said call me Rin

  Elysia hesitant but accept said I accept, Rin.

  [Quest Triggered: A Bond of Eternal Service]

  Objective: Befriend Elysia and gain her trust.

  Rewards: An unbreakable bond and a lifelong ally.

  Failure Penalty: Potential loss of trust.

  [Accept] [Decline]

  Rin smirked. With Lucien as his butler and Elysia as his handmaid, his journey was truly beginning.