Reincarnated With a Cheat System

Chapter 4: A Day in the Capital

A few hours had passed since Phyro's sparring session with his father, but his body still throbbed with soreness. He had pushed himself to the limit, and the bruises forming along his arms and torso were proof of that. Still, he couldn't help but feel a bit proud. Even if he had lost, he lasted longer than he expected.

As he lay on his bed, contemplating the fight, a sharp knock at the door startled him.

"Young Master Phyro, you can't stay in bed all day," came the familiar voice of Mei, the Nishiki family's head maid.

The door opened before he could answer, and Mei stepped inside, carrying a fresh set of clothes over her arm. She was as composed as ever, her brown hair neatly tied back, her green eyes sharp and unreadable.

"You have a trip to the capital today, don't you?" she asked, setting the clothes down on his chair.

Phyro groaned as he sat up. "That's today?"

"Yes. Lady Ayaka and Lord Klein are waiting for you," Mei said before giving him a once-over. "You look like you got tossed around quite a bit in training."

"I'd like to see you fight Father and not look like this after," Phyro muttered, rubbing his sore shoulder.

Mei smirked slightly. "That's why I don't fight Lord Kaien." She turned toward the door but paused before leaving. "Hurry up and get dressed, young master. You shouldn't keep your mother waiting."

With a sigh, Phyro pulled himself out of bed and quickly changed into the fresh clothes Mei had brought him—a simple yet well-made tunic and pants suitable for going into town. Once he was ready, he left his room and made his way downstairs.

The main hall was lively as servants moved about, tending to their tasks. Phyro found his mother and brother waiting by the entrance.

Lady Ayaka Nishiki stood in a flowing red and gold robe, her hair styled into an elegant yet simple bun. She exuded an air of warmth and grace, but there was always an underlying authority in her demeanor. Beside her was Klein, dressed in casual noble attire, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorway.

"You're finally here," Klein said with a smirk. "Thought you passed out after training."

Phyro rolled his eyes. "I needed a minute."

Ayaka smiled at the banter between her sons. "Now that we're all here, let's not waste any more time. The market will be busier the later we arrive."

With that, they stepped outside, where a carriage awaited them at the front of the estate.

The capital city of Argenia, Velthrys, was a bustling hub of commerce and culture. As their carriage rolled through the cobbled streets, Phyro peeked out the window, taking in the lively market square filled with vendors selling everything from exotic spices to hand-crafted weapons. The scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the aroma of sizzling meats as merchants called out to passersby.

"This place is always so noisy," Klein muttered, watching the crowd.

"That's part of its charm," Ayaka said with a small smile. "Now, let's find what we need."

They stepped out of the carriage and into the heart of the market.

Phyro followed closely behind his mother as she led them to a vegetable stall. The elderly vendor, a plump man with a graying beard, greeted them warmly. "Lady Nishiki! It's an honor as always."

"Good afternoon, Loran," Ayaka greeted in return. "I'll need fresh onions, carrots, and a selection of herbs."

As she discussed ingredients with the vendor, Phyro glanced around, taking in the various stands. His eyes landed on a nearby weapons stall, where polished swords and daggers gleamed under the sunlight.

Klein noticed and smirked. "Already thinking about your next fight?"

Phyro shrugged. "Just looking."

Klein chuckled. "You should worry more about dinner. If Mother catches you slacking off, she'll make you carry all the bags."

Before Phyro could respond, Ayaka turned to them. "We're almost done here. Klein, help me with the baskets. Phyro, why don't you pick out some fruit?"

Phyro nodded and made his way toward a nearby fruit stall. As he browsed, a voice called out to him.

"Oi, kid! Looking for something sweet?"

The vendor was a lively woman in her forties, holding up a ripe red apple. "This one's fresh. Try it."

Phyro took the apple and bit into it. The burst of sweetness made him nod in approval. "I'll take a few."

As he paid, a sudden commotion caught his attention—a group of children running past, laughing as they weaved through the crowd. One of them, a small girl with messy blonde hair, bumped into him before quickly apologizing and darting off.

"Street kids," the vendor said with a chuckle. "They run around all day causing trouble, but they're harmless."

Phyro watched them disappear into the crowd before returning to his family, where his mother and brother were waiting.

"Did you get the fruit and potatoes?" Ayaka asked.

He held up the bag. "Yeah."

"Good," she said with a satisfied nod. "That should be everything."

With their shopping complete, they made their way back to the carriage, ready to return home.

The ride back to the Nishiki estate was quieter than the journey into the capital. The evening sun dipped lower, casting a golden hue across the countryside as the carriage rolled along the well-trodden paths. Phyro gazed out the window, reflecting on the sights and sounds of the bustling market. There was something exhilarating about being in the heart of Velthrys, the city alive with commerce and culture. But as much as he appreciated the vibrancy of the capital, a part of him was grateful to be heading home.

Klein, who had been mostly quiet during the ride, shifted in his seat and glanced at Phyro. "You still thinking about the fight with Father?"

Phyro raised an eyebrow. "What fight?"

Klein smirked. "The one you lost, remember?"

"Who says I lost?" Phyro shot back, though he couldn't suppress a grin. "I just wasn't trying hard enough."

Klein chuckled. "Sure, sure. Just don't let Father hear that, or he'll challenge you to a rematch."

"I'm not afraid of him," Phyro said, though he knew full well the power his father wielded. Even if he wasn't afraid, the sparring session had been humbling.

Klein leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. "I'll give you this—you did last longer than I expected. I thought you'd be on the ground after the first minute."

"Yeah, well, next time I'll be ready," Phyro said, feeling the adrenaline from the fight still buzzing in his veins.

The ride continued in comfortable silence until they arrived back at the estate. As the carriage rolled up the long driveway, Phyro could already smell the delicious scents of dinner wafting through the air. It was always a comforting reminder that no matter how chaotic the world might seem, home would always be a place of peace.

Inside the estate, Mei and Nico were already in the kitchen, preparing the evening meal. The warm, inviting aroma of sizzling steaks filled the air, and Phyro could hear the faint sound of the cooking oil popping as the meat cooked to perfection.

"You're back," Nico greeted her brothers as they entered the kitchen. She was wearing a simple apron over her dress, her hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. Her bright, curious eyes glistened as she stirred a pot of something on the stove.

"Did you get the potatoes?" Mei asked as she flipped a steak in the pan. Her movements were graceful and precise, as though she had cooked this meal a thousand times before.

"We got everything," Phyro said, putting the bag of food down on the counter 

It contained fruits vegetables and potatoes.

"Good," Mei said with a smile. "Then dinner will be ready soon."

The sounds of the kitchen continued as the two women worked in sync, Mei seasoning the steaks and Nico preparing a rich cheese sauce to pour over the crispy potatoes. The combination of flavors would be the perfect way to end the day, a comforting and hearty meal to unwind from the bustle of the capital.

Meanwhile, the other maids had set the dining hall. Candles were lit on the long wooden table, and the room had taken on a warm, inviting glow. The maids worked together to place elegant plates and silverware, ensuring every detail was just right.

Phyro's stomach growled as he caught the scent of dinner. He had been looking forward to this moment all day. With a sigh of relief, he turned to Klein. "Let's go play a game of chess while we wait for dinner. I'm not as good as you, but I'll give it my best shot."

Klein smirked, clearly entertained by the challenge. "Alright, but you're going to lose again."

"Don't be so sure," Phyro said, a competitive glint in his eyes. "I'm getting better."

They moved to the side of the dining hall, where a small chess set was already set up on a nearby table. The pieces were simple but finely crafted, each one a work of art. Phyro sat across from Klein, the two brothers settling into the rhythm of the game.

As the pieces moved back and forth, Phyro couldn't help but enjoy the moment. In his previous life, he had always been surrounded by people who kept their distance, too absorbed in their own lives to connect. But here, in this world, with Klein across from him, it felt different. There was something comforting about having a brother—a true sibling to share these simple moments with. The thought of playing chess together, of laughing at each other's mistakes and celebrating small victories, was something Akira Hitoshi had always wished for in his old life.

Klein raised an eyebrow as he moved his knight. "You sure you know what you're doing?"

Phyro grinned. "Of course. I'm just letting you win for now."

Klein laughed. "Right. I'll believe that when I see it."

Their game continued, the back-and-forth of the pieces mirroring the easy conversation they shared. With every move, Phyro felt more and more at home—more than he had ever felt in his previous life.

It wasn't long before the sound of the dinner bell echoed through the halls, signaling that the meal was ready. The two brothers stood up, the chess game temporarily forgotten, and made their way to the table where Ayaka, Nico, and the maids had already gathered.

Dinner was served. Sum steaks, perfectly cooked and tender, rested on the plates next to golden-brown potatoes smothered in rich, melted cheese. The warmth of the meal matched the atmosphere of the room—comfortable, cozy, and filled with the laughter of family.

As Phyro dug in, he couldn't help but feel grateful. This world, with all its mysteries and challenges, had already begun to feel like home. And for the first time since he had been reincarnated into this body, he realized just how lucky he was to have this family.

For a moment, everything felt right. He had a family. A home. A place where he belonged.

End of Chapter 4