Mastering A Thousand Arts From Infancy

As the retainer directed the carriage to the front of the imposing Sixth House, a few groomsmen immediately stepped forward. The retainer heeled the Demonbeast horses, bringing the carriage to a smooth stop.

With practiced efficiency, a couple of the groomsmen grabbed ahold of the bridles, deftly maneuvering the headgear as they prepared to detach them. They worked in harmony, ready to lead the horses back to the stables where they would be fed and rubbed down.

Meanwhile, another groomsman approached the carriage and opened the door, his movements graceful and full of respect.

Mo Seris picked up the cradle, and stepped out readily. He had already shaken off the feelings of inferiority that emerged from not greeting the captain, and was settling into his usual routine.

"Welcome back, Deputy Seris," the groomsman greeted him warmly.

Mo Seris nodded back politely. "I brought back an unusual one."

"Unusual? What do you mean?"

Mo Seris paused, as he debated internally whether to elaborate. "It's quite agitated, but we'll have to wait to see if it is something to celebrate," he finally said. It wouldn't be too late to brag after the testing was over. 

"Oh, very mysterious," the groomsman said, his cheerful attitude unaffected by the noncommittal answer.

At the front of the carriage, the Demonbeast horses were already removed from their harnesses. They were beginning to be walked towards the stables. The groomsmen were extremely efficient, an indication of the rigorous requirements that were in place even for the servants of the Mo Family.

Mo Seris looked towards the front door of the Sixth House and then looked down at Naro, who was moving around in his cradle.

"Pleasure working with you, Steward."

"Hmm," Mo Seris looked over at the retainers. They were leaving for the servants quarters, which were located near the Sixth House in a small community of servant residences. "The pleasure was mine," he replied coolly. He did not pretend to like them.

There was still a status gap, after all.

In the cradle, Naro was following the changes in his environment. Although he had not stopped accumulating points, he tried to understand what was happening around him.

Shortly after the carriage had begun moving again, they stopped again in front of a huge gate. Naro had not seen exactly what occurred.

All he knew was that the man had stepped outside of the carriage for a moment, before returning. Afterward, the speed of the carriage was reduced.

At the time, Naro had wondered if it was an indication that they were getting closer to their destination. Now, seeing that they were leaving the carriage behind, those suspicions were confirmed.

The feeling of danger seemed to loom even larger than before, and he fought the urge to increase the speed of his moving and breathing.

A few minutes earlier, Naro had found that his body's ability to recover had improved. He could work longer without tiring, and it only took a short break for him to regain his energy.

It wasn't difficult to guess that this came from his current accumulation of points. It was likely caused by 'breathing' and 'moving.' 

The discovery had given Naro a small thrill. It was a mark of progress.

However, the realization that they were getting close to their destination killed his joy. All that remained was the solemn fear of what was to come.

While Naro moved around, and focused his senses, he actively took in his surroundings. The place they had come to was a gargantuan building. From the exterior, it looked less like living quarters and more like an office.

The man who was holding his cradle moved towards the front doors. Naro focused intently.

What was on the other side?

Some part of him still held out hope that there would be a home, a place where he could develop in peace.

The man pushed the doors open.