A single day.
That's how long it took Orion, the failure of the Ashbourne family, to get recognized as an official member.
There was no need for some type of complicated ceremony or even approval from the elders, all it took was a command from the Patriarch, Magnus Ashbourne, himself.
Now, was Orion willing to go back to the main mansion and live together with those assholes again?
Hell no.
Besides, the manor he was in, was big enough to accommodate him, his maid and Luna.
So he saw no need to return to the main estate...even though the room there were bigger....and the servants were a bell ring away....and he would have had easy access to the family library.
"Damn it," Orion muttered as he placed a hand on his face, "maybe I should've returned after all."
But a moment after, he shook his head.
If he was living in the main estate, he'd have too many eyes on him, most of which would be hostile eyes.
And he wasn't strong enough to keep himself safe just yet, and although his summon, Luna was more than strong enough, it hurt his pride a bit to be protected by her all the time.
Besides, what was the point of a reincarnation in a fantasy world if he wasn't going to be personally kicking asses and using magic.
So, as stated before, his goal right now was getting stronger, hence the destination he was headed.
"Where are we going?" Luna who, as usual, was clinging on ti him, asked.
"The Library," Orion replied, already used to his clingy summon.
Besides, it kinda felt nice.
'Get your damn mind out the gutter, Orion!' he reprimanded himself, shaking his head.
Why the library? And how was it useful in his goal to get stronger?
Well, despite receiving memories from the previous Orion, they were considered just surface level information, one everyone knew.
Orion needed a lot more than that.
He needed to know the norms, what type of strength was considered acceptable, what summon rank was considered genius and what would attract the wrong type of attention.
The first step to getting stronger was surviving long enough to get stronger.
He had seen the look on the faces of the elders the previous day when they found out that Luna was Elite rank, and that told him that this was way beyond the limit of a genius.
Hell, Orion was certain that he had already had unwanted eyes on him and they were only hesitant to make a move because of the patriarch.
But then again, given the Grand Duke's personality, there was no way he'd protect him from any assassination attempt even if he was aware.
After all, a true Ashbourne was one that was strong enough to handle any situation, unexpected or not.
So yes, Orion was going to the library to avoid more of those eyes on him due to his actions.
The Ashbourne family library was, fortunately, location in a place separate from the main estate.
The duo continued walking forward, with Luna's tail happily swaying behind her.
The path to the Ashbourne Library was far quieter than the rest of the estate.
There were fewer servants and fewer guards, which meant fewer eyes.
Exactly what Orion needed.
The further they walked, the more the luxurious atmosphere of the main estate faded, replaced by something a lot calmer.
Tall trees lined the stone path, their branches forming a natural canopy overhead. Sunlight filtered through the leaves in scattered rays, dancing across the ground as a gentle breeze passed through.
"…It's quiet," Luna muttered, her voice softer than usual as her eyes scanned their surroundings.
"Yeah," Orion replied, "that's the point."
Unlike the main mansion that screamed power and authority, this place was deliberately mad to feel reserved.
As if knowledge here held more value than status.
After a few more minutes of walking, the library finally came into view, it wasn't as grand as the main mansion, but it carried a different kind of pressure.
It was a large, circular building made of dark stone stood before them, its surface etched with faint glowing runes that slowly glowed and dimmed.
"This place," Orion muttered, narrowing his eyes slightly.
He could feel it.
Mana.
It was so dense and potent here that one could feel their reserves refilling without even trying to activate absorb it.
The duo soon reached the door and spotted two figures that stood there.
They were guards, but not the usual kind.
Both were dressed in simple robes rather than armor, their presence calm yet suffocating in a way that made it clear that they weren't ordinary guards.
They were dangerously strong ones.
The moment Orion stepped closer, both of their eyes landed on him, and a brief silence followed before one of them spoke.
"Halt."
Orion stopped.
"State your name and purpose," of course they knew him, but this was standard procedure.
"Orion Ashbourne," he replied calmly, "I'm here to access the family library."
The two guards exchanged a glance.
"…Orion?" the second one muttered, confirming that he recognized him, but not in a good way.
Before yesterday, that name would've meant nothing more than disappointment.
But now?
Now it carried… they weren't quite sure.
"Token?" the first guard asked.
"Here," Orion said as he tossed a plaque towards them, one handed to him personally by the Grand Duke himself.
That alone was enough and the first guard stepped aside, handing him the token again.
"You may enter."
Orion nodded slightly and walked forward without another word.
Luna followed closely, her gaze lingering on the two guards for a moment longer before she looked away.
The moment Orion stepped past the entrance, he felt a certain ripple, almost as if he had passed through a layer of reality.
The interior of the library was massive.
Far bigger than what the outside suggested.
Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched endlessly, filled with ancient texts, scrolls, and records.
Floating orbs of light illuminated the space, drifting lazily through the air.
And scattered across the hall were a few individuals.
Some reading, some meditating, and some simply sitting there, eyes closed.
But one thing was clear, each and every one of them was dangerous.
And that's when Orion recalled, this place wasn't just a library, it was a gathering place, for the truly capable members of the Ashbourne family.
People who had no need to show off in the main estate and of those who preferred knowledge… or rather power gained through it.
It was obvious enough why he hadn't gotten access to this place, but funnily enough, not even Seth had been granted access to it.
It was all thanks to Luna that h was currently here, after all, even if he had awoken and Luna turned out to be a bronze rank,
He'd still remain the disappointment he was, his presence here was only because his summon was at Elite rank.
"Let's get to work," Orion said as he walked towards a certain section of the library.