Wein sat at the table before him with breakfast that Astra had prepared. The food was delicious, just like the night before.
Earlier, he had gone on a tour around his estate, jogging from one edge to another, and he got a great understanding of how vast his new home was.
As he sat behind the long dining table, Wein marvelled at the sunlight streaming through the tall windows of the room. The space was luxurious yet familiar-- polished wooden floors, elegant drapes, and high ceilings that made the room feel just the right amount grand.
The breakfast before his was in itself a meal fit for nobility, fresh from across various planetary systems made most of the portions. There were also eggs seasoned with exotic spices that brought the full tastes to light, adding to that were the flaky pastries that only Astra could make.
Wein savoured the meal, each bite bringing him to the time in the army which was defined by rationed packs and hurried meals between drills, barely eating in that time of war.
Now he could sit back and take his time enjoying the food he had.
As he finished his plate, Astra's voice filled the room, gentle and slightly echoing.
"Sir, your schedule is clear for the day. However, I have taken the liberty of preparing a few suggestions for activities and tasks that may interest you."
Wein reached for the cup of brew on the side and sipped it.
"Go on," he said.
A holographic display flickered into existence on his right side, showing all the options Astra had prepared.
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Tour the Estate Grounds: … Visit your neighbours: …. Review investment options: … Combat Training: …
…..
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Wein raised an eyebrow, there were so many options that he had to scroll to get to all of them. "You have put some thought into this, haven't you Astra?"
"It is my duty to help you live more comfortably as your AI assistant."
Wein smirked. "Thank you but I'll just stick to the basics for now. I'll have a tour of the estate grounds."
….
As Wein left the dining hall, the estate android moved to clear the table. He walked down the main hallway, the sound of his footsteps echoing lightly against the floor. The sheer scale of the mansion still hadn't quite sunk in.
Every detail, from the intricate carvings on the walls to the subtle glow from the ambient lighting, spoke of wealth and high standing.
Only the truly connected and fortunate people could get access to this estate, and Wein had been that lucky.
The doors to the estate's back garden swung open as Wein approached, and the cool morning air rushed in to greet him. He had already witnessed it in the morning during his jog.
The garden was a masterpiece of artistic design, meticulously trimmed hedges formed geometric patterns, vibrant flowers from across the galaxy bloomed in perfectly arranged beds, and the big fountained added to the touch under the morning sunlight.
Wein could see sprinklers being set off at the distance and some close by along with a few androids that were tending the garden in the place of the gardener.
Wein was wearing his slippers, a short and a vest from his military days as he walked into the garden. He could see the beauty of the estate, before he didn't fully grasp the majesty of the estate because he was occupied with his jog but now at a slower pace, he could appreciate the finer details.
There were shaded groves, a small orchard in the distance, and even a pond just ahead with crystal clear water. A small one-man path led him to these structures in between perfectly cut green lawn.
Wein reached the edges of the pond and crouched to inspect, running his fingers through the water. It was cold and refreshing a contrast to the warmth of the sun above.
The pond was quite big but given his estate's size it was smaller in comparison to the ones from the other homes around the area. The pond was deeper than it seemed, and he suspected it held fish beneath the surface.
The fauna inside was well-maintained and exotic but Wein could tell, it was not native to the area.
"Astra," he called, a small spherical drone came flying over his head.
"What's the history of this estate? How long has it been here?"
"The property has been established for decades now and has been used by various high ranking and influential people across the years. Previously before you arrived, it was used by his lordship's son. Before it was converted into a mansion it was once a cultural hotspot for centuries."
The information was eye catchy, Astra divulged more information about the history of the estate mostly the people who lived there before Wein but the only name that caught Wein's attention was the Baron's late son: Tarin Voss.
There was not a soul in the galaxy who didn't know the name Tarin. Throughout the vast stars of the galaxy, that name was revered, just as the popularity of House Voss was respected in not only the Empire but beyond.
He was revered as a hero and credited with helping to end the Great War.
….
Wein stood up and brushed the dampness from his shorts. "So, I have inherited the estate that was once used by the Baron's son?"
"That is correct" replied Astra. "The Baron had ensured the estate was maintained regularly over the years."
Wein was amazed at the severity of this gift, he knew that Baron would get him a good house, but this was too much even for him. The love Nielson had for his late son was a well-known fact, so for him to grant Wein this estate.
The rest of the tour passed in a daze, Wein was unable to be fully there after realising this gift. After touring through the estate grounds, Astra led him through halls and rooms he hadn't seen before.
One of these was the garage which was located at the basement level.
In there he saw a hover car that once belonged to Tarin along with a medium sized personal ship. The ship was as expected for a noble, more advanced even compared to the ships he had been on and the ones he saw throughout his mission.
The ship which was named Kylax-22 was a model ship from a decade ago, it was outdated but still outclassed many current vessels Wein had seen. It was far bigger than the Transport and dropships that Wein had flew in, but it was between those sizes.
The ship was shaped like a horseshoe with a small, pointed front in the centre and weapons mounted on the sides. It was built for both travel and combat being perfectly balanced.
The ship was locked within a hook in the garage, holding it in place as it towered over the hover car beside it.
The car in comparison was very small but Wein could also tell it was an expensive model among cars. It however was not as eye catchy as the ship it could only be labelled as a classic car.
"These are also mine?" he asked, wondering if the Baron was not mistaken.
"Yes, his lordship has given you ownership of everything in this estate, including the vehicles."
Wein nervously chuckled.
This was too much, he had thought he would use his own money to buy himself a car or ship and go on a tour in the galaxy or the planet, but Nielson had given him this much a gift.
"Send my thanks to his lordship."
He approached the car, running his hand through its smooth. It had a black paint job but was smooth with no sign of scratches, its past owner took good care of it. Classic and convenient, the car felt like it belonged in a museum and the open road at the same time.
The logo on the hood read KYX, the top vehicle brand in Velmora and one of the most prestigious across the noble territory.
Wein opened the door which swung open the normal ordinary way. Wein entered inside and tested the car, checking the sound and state. After he was done, he smiled imagining all the things he would accomplish with a new car.
Next, he went to the ship, which towered over him. The defining trait about the Kylax-22 was that it was massive for a personal ship. The basement which was big itself was almost filled, that Wein had no chance of seeing the top of the ship even if he climbed on the car or three cars staked together.
At the rear end by a platform waited a interface, Wein pressed it, and a scanning commenced before the doors opened. There was a hum, and the ramp of the ship slowly descended opened.
The ramp rested in front of Wein who had been used to the process now after his time as a pilot in the army.
Wein walked up the metallic ramp inside the rear of the ship.
First was a small compartment that separated the inside of the ship and the outside so to stabilise air pressure and oxygen. The rear was empty with a huge open space in the middle, there were space suits, weapon lockers, and projection-capable walls lining the sides.
Ahead there was a ladder that led Wein to the cockpit of the ship.
There was a central pilot seat surrounded by sealed control panels and screens, other than then were two more seats for passengers behind the pilot seat.
The view through the cockpit was commanding, everything from interior design to seat leather and the features and technology was fitting for a noble's son.