Grey changed into a plain black robe, a style that allowed him to move freely—unrestricted and unburdened.
There was no longer any reason to stay in this mansion. Nothing here was worth taking. Nothing held him back.
With that thought, he left his room.
Servants watched him pass, their gazes dripping with disdain as they murmured and smirked among themselves.
"Did the lord finally decided throw him out?"
"Hehe… good riddance."
They must have heard the news.
Ignoring them, Grey walked on.
As he walk farther their mockery faded into the distance, meaningless to him.
He felt no anger, no need to retaliate. he knew it all to well, People like them only dared to whisper behind his back, too cowardly to speak their insults to his face. And even if they did—so what?
Their opinions meant nothing.
He had no obligation to meet anyone's expectations—not the servants', not even his so called parents'.
The only person he answered to was himself.
If he wanted to leave, he would leave.
If he wanted to stay, he would stay.
His decisions wouldn't waver under the weight of others' judgment.
He would not stop.
With that resolve, he stepped out of the building, into the estate's gardens, and strode toward the mansion's main gate—never looking back.
Gray approached the garden, the burst of colors from the flowers a stark contrast to the monochrome shadow that loomed in his heart.
Freedom lay before him, and with it, a new set of challenges.
His plans for the future were ambitious, He mused darkly about how the absence of prying eyes would allow him to reshape his destiny with greater ease.
The staff's whispered giggles and veiled smirks followed him even in the garden, their silent judgments inconsequential to him.
But even then his heart remain calm. Their insignificance rendered them mere insects in his grand scheme.
At the mansion's imposing gates, the guards, statuesque and indifferent, opened them without a word.
Just as he was about to step into the unknown, a voice called out from behind him.
"Young Master—please, wait!"
He stopped. Slowly turning his head.
Butler Albert hurried toward him, his usually immaculate appearance slightly disheveled from the rush. Yet, within seconds, he composed himself, straightening his coat with practiced ease.
His breath, however, remained steady—unnaturally so.
"Young Master, please reconsider," Albert pleaded. "The outside world is dangerous. The lord didn't mean what he said—he was only angry because of what happened. If you just—"
Grey raised a hand, cutting him off. He placed it on the old butler's shoulder—not harshly, but with finality.
"It's fine, Albert." His voice was calm, detached. "You don't need to worry about me anymore."
Albert had been one of the few who treated him with kindness before he had taken this body. But that was all it was—a fleeting courtesy. Grey felt no attachment.
He turned to leave.
"Young Master, wait!"
Grey exhaled, irritation flickering in his dull, bored eyes. "What?"
Albert extended a trembling hand. In his palm lay two objects—a small pendant and a glass vial filled with a shimmering blue liquid.
"Here, Young Master. Take this," Albert panted, his face etched with a mixture of urgency and sincerity.
Grey studied the items.
"What is this?"
"The potion will heal your injuries," Albert said, his gaze flickering to Grey's shoulder "And this pendant… it's an artifact. It will shield you in dire moments. The world beyond these walls is unforgiving. Please… take them."
Gray's heart skipped a beat at the mention of such a rare and valuable item.
He scrutinized Albert's expression for any hint of deceit. "Why are you giving this to me?"
Albert met his gaze with a bittersweet smile, his eyes reflecting a deep-seated regret. "I wasn't able to help you when you needed it most. I only watched you suffer…"
He paused, then shook his head with a sigh. "Well it doesn't matter anymore... Don't think too much of it. I always wanted to give you a birthday present. Consider this as such, Young Master."
Gray was taken aback.
The gesture was unexpected, especially since the Original grey hasn't have good personality and everyone seem to hate him "Thank you, Albert," he said simply, accepting the pendant with a firm grip. "And call me Gray. I am no longer a Young Master."
Albert's eyes widened in surprise, then he smile.
A sad smile...
"Goodbye,"
he whispered, his voice breaking as he watched Gray's silhouette fade into the distance.
In the vast emptiness of the mansion, he was left alone, a silent witness to the departure of the boy who had once been the heartbeat of these halls.
Stepping beyond the gate, Gray felt the cool breeze kiss his skin, an invigorating sense of rebirth.
He was no longer tethered to the past, nor did he wish to linger in its shadows.
A new journey awaited him, untamed and filled with potential.
As the wind swept through his hair, he murmured, "I hope this journey won't be a boring one."