The Extra who regained his past life memories

So now I was finally an F-Ranker.

If everything went according to plan, I would probably reach F Rank Proper within the next few days.

At tonight’s dinner, I intended to ask Mother for permission to enter a low-rank dungeon. Until now, all of my training had been conducted within the safety of the estate. It had helped me build a solid foundation, but no amount of practice could replace real combat experience.

I looked toward Astrid and smiled.

”My swordsmanship improved a lot today.”

I glanced down at my hands.

”My mana control became much better too.”

”Thanks to your guidance, I gained a lot of new insights into swordsmanship.”

Astrid simply smiled.

”You’ve worked hard, little Gray.”

She folded her arms.

”I’ve shown you the path.”

”The rest depends on your own effort.”

I nodded.

”I understand.”

With today’s training finally over, I walked over to the nearby bench and sat beside Amy’s training area.

Astrid continued instructing Amy while occasionally giving me a few additional pointers whenever something came to mind.

I listened at first.

But after today’s training...

Mana practice.

Darkness experiments.

Body Reinforcement.

Swordsmanship.

Every part of my body—and especially my mind—felt exhausted.

I leaned back against the chair.

My eyelids slowly grew heavier.

Clang.

Clang.

Clang.

The rhythmic sound of Amy’s sword echoed across the training grounds.

Unlike the loud crashes from earlier sparring sessions, these strikes were smooth and controlled.

Almost...

Relaxing.

Without realizing it...

I slowly drifted off to sleep.

About an hour later...

Amy finally finished her training.

She lowered her katana before wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Only then did she notice me.

I was sleeping soundly in the chair, one hand hanging loosely by my side.

The moment she saw me, her expression softened.

She quietly raised a finger to her lips and signaled Astrid not to make any noise.

Astrid glanced toward me before nodding in understanding.

Amy walked over and sat beside me.

For several seconds...

She simply watched my sleeping face.

Then a gentle smile appeared.

”He looks peaceful, doesn’t he?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Astrid looked at me for a moment before nodding.

”He does.”

A faint smile crossed her face.

”Young Master has always been adorable.”

”And ever since he was little...”

”He’s always been kind.”

Amy slowly nodded.

”He changed a little after that accident.”

Her gaze never left my sleeping face.

”He became much more attached to Mother and me.”

”He always wants to spend time with us now.”

A small laugh escaped her lips.

”Honestly...”

”It makes it impossible not to enjoy being around him.”

Then her smile gradually faded into something gentler.

”But I know why he works so hard.”

She lowered her eyes.

”He’s afraid.”

”Afraid that one day...”

”He’ll become a burden.”

Astrid remained silent.

Amy continued softly.

”Before the accident, he was carefree.”

”He laughed all the time.”

”He didn’t think about responsibilities.”

”But after everything happened...”

”He started believing that if he stayed weak...”

”He’d only hold everyone back.”

She sighed quietly.

”I don’t like him thinking that way.”

Her expression softened again.

”But...”

”It also helped him mature.”

”That’s why Mother and I support him.”

”I’ll become stronger too.”

”So if something ever happens...”

”I’ll be the one protecting him.”

She reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.

”He’s the most precious person in my life.”

”The best little brother anyone could ask for.”

She smiled warmly.

”No schemes.”

”No hidden motives.”

”No malice.”

”He only wants affection from the people he loves.”

”How could anyone not love someone like him?”

Astrid quietly listened to every word.

Her crimson eyes rested on my peaceful sleeping face.

Then she nodded.

”Young Master feels things deeply.”

”When he cares for someone...”

”He gives them his whole heart.”

A small smile appeared on her lips.

”That is both his greatest strength...”

”And his greatest weakness.”

”If he ever places his trust in the wrong person...”

”He’ll suffer more than most.”

She paused.

”But he understands that.”

”That’s why he doesn’t trust people easily.”

”He chooses carefully.”

Amy nodded slowly.

Then she looked at Astrid.

”Astrid...”

”He looks exhausted.”

”Could you carry him to his room?”

”Let him sleep for as long as he wants.”

Astrid smiled gently.

”Of course.”

Without making the slightest unnecessary movement, she carefully lifted me into her arms.

Even while asleep, I instinctively leaned slightly toward her warmth.

Amy couldn’t help smiling at the sight.

The two of them quietly left the training grounds.

As they walked through the mansion, every servant they passed silently stepped aside.

Not a single person made unnecessary noise.

No one wanted to disturb my sleep.

It wasn’t fear that guided their actions.

Nor was it simply respect.

It was genuine affection.

Many of the servants had once worked for other noble families.

Families where servants were treated as disposable tools.

Families where noble children considered maids nothing more than toys.

When they first entered the Starlight household...

They expected more of the same.

After all...

The Starlight Family was one of the most powerful and feared families on the continent.

Instead...

They were treated like people.

The Matriarch never abused her authority.

Young Lady Amy always greeted them politely.

Young Master Gray smiled at every servant he met and thanked them whenever they helped him.

Neither sibling had ever acted superior simply because of their birth.

Over time...

Respect gradually became admiration.

Admiration became loyalty.

And eventually...

Many of the older servants began seeing the two siblings almost as their own children.

Though none of them would ever forget their place as servants...

Their affection for the family was completely genuine.

Soon...

Astrid arrived outside my room.

Before she even reached for the handle, a nearby maid quietly stepped forward and respectfully opened the door for her.

Astrid nodded in thanks before carrying me inside.

The room was immaculate.

The decorations were simple, elegant, and dominated by shades of charcoal gray and white.

Nothing was excessive.

Nothing felt extravagant.

Several framed portraits rested neatly along the walls.

One showed Mother.

Another showed Amy.

One captured the three of us together.

The room radiated warmth.

It truly felt like home.

Amy quietly walked over to the bed and gently pulled back the blanket.

Astrid carefully lowered me onto the mattress, making sure not to wake me.

Even after setting me down, she adjusted my position slightly so I would sleep more comfortably.

Amy smiled softly before pulling the blanket over me.

For a few silent moments...

The two simply watched me sleep.

Then Amy gently patted my head.

”Sleep well, Gray.”

Neither of them spoke another word.

They quietly left the room, softly closing the door behind them.

Leaving me to enjoy a well-earned rest.