Kaito blinked. The transparent overlay, shimmering with its cryptic label, remained fixed above Kenjiro’s head. He blinked again, hard, then rubbed his eyes. No change. Was he still dreaming? The smell of expensive fabric softener and Kenjiro’s nauseatingly sweet cologne was too real for a dream. He focused his gaze on the crimson silk tie Kenjiro had abandoned on the vanity. Before he could even consciously think to examine it, a new string of text materialized. [Crimson Seraph Tie – Value: 1,800,000 Zenith-Yen – Investment Rank: B – Weakness: Highly susceptible to oil-based stains, delicate dry-clean only.] Corporate currency? Appraisal tiers? This was abnormal. Kaito’s heart gave a strange thrum. His mind, usually a chaotic mess of ramen recipes and scam ideas, latched onto the 'Value' like a starving man to a feast. He quickly averted his gaze from the tie and swept it around the opulent suite. A gleaming obsidian statue of a soaring griffin in the corner caught his attention. [Gryphon Aegis Sculpture – Value: 850,000,000 Zenith-Yen – Investment Rank: A – Weakness: Base unstable, prone to toppling with strong vibrations. Structural integrity compromised.] Eight hundred and fifty million? For a stone raptor? And it listed a flaw? This wasn't just some visual quirk; this was a complete, data-rich assessment. The world had just unveiled a cheat code, and only he could see it. “Attendant Kaito, are you quite finished admiring the decor?” Kenjiro’s voice was soft, laced with amusement. “We have that rather important meeting to prepare for, don’t we?” Kaito snapped back to reality, a flush creeping up his neck. “Apologies, Master Kenjiro. Just… noting the finer details of the Zenyth aesthetic. My duties, of course, come first.” He bowed slightly, schooling his features into a mask of subservience. Inside, his mind raced. This power… 'The Sovereign’s Eye', he decided to call it. It was going to change everything. He spent the next few hours in a daze, performing his assigned tasks while constantly, surreptitiously, testing his newfound ability. He saw the 'Asset Value' of every painting, every antique clock, even the pristine porcelain of the toilet in Kenjiro’s private commode (`[Value: 50,000 Zenith-Yen – Investment Rank: D – Weakness: Hairline crack near base, risk of catastrophic leak.]`). It was overwhelming, exhilarating. Finally, Kenjiro was settled in a quiet study, poring over documents that looked suspiciously like comic books disguised as financial reports. Mr. Roric, the Head Butler, was nowhere in sight, likely managing the estate's complex logistics. Kaito seized the opportunity. He slipped away to the small, sterile room designated as servant quarters. It was spartan compared to Kenjiro’s suite, but it had a heavy, lockable door. Once inside, he fumbled for his beat-up, cracked-screen phone, a relic from his previous life that he’d somehow managed to keep hidden in his uniform pocket. His fingers trembled as he dialed Nami’s number. The phone rang three times before her voice, sharp and anxious, cut through. “Kaito?! Where the hell are you? Do you know how long I’ve been calling? The landlord just came by, threatening to evict us! I thought you’d been kidnapped by loan sharks, or worse, joined a cult!” Kaito pressed the phone to his ear, settling into the familiar rasp of his sister's tirade. “Nami, calm down. I’m… fine. Mostly.” He lowered his voice, glancing at the plain walls, half-expecting hidden microphones. “I’ve landed a… unique employment opportunity. Very exclusive. High-end clientele.” “Exclusive? Kaito, you just vanished! No note, no call, just a pile of dirty dishes and a half-eaten cup of instant ramen! What kind of exclusive job makes you disappear off the face of Apex City?” Her voice was laced with a venom Kaito knew was born of fear. “Look, I can’t explain everything over the phone. Not yet. Just know I’m safe. And I’m going to make sure we never have to worry about rent or ramen again. Seriously.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “I’m at… an estate. A very, very big one. Think of me as… a strategic asset. A mole, if you will.” Nami was silent for a moment. “A mole? Kaito, what hare-brained scheme have you cooked up now? Are you stealing something? Because if you get caught, I am *not* bailing you out.” “Not stealing. Reclaiming. Look, I need you to be my eyes and ears out there. Stay low, don’t do anything risky, but I might need you to look into things for me. Research. Connections. Whatever I can’t do from in here.” He didn’t mention the Zenyth Group by name. Not yet. Better safe than sorry. “Research? Kaito, I have midterms next week. And a part-time job that actually pays me.” “This will pay better. Trust me.” He tried to inject as much confidence as possible into his voice. “Just… keep your phone on. And if anyone, *anyone* asks about me, say I moved out of the city for a distant relative’s medical emergency. Got it?” “You’re insane, Kaito. But… fine. Just don’t get yourself killed. And don’t you dare forget about us.” Her voice softened slightly. “I’ll be here. Waiting.” He hung up, a small, resolute smile on his face. Nami was skeptical, but loyal. That was all he needed. Later that afternoon, as Kaito was laying out Kenjiro’s evening wear, Mr. Roric strode in, his posture as rigid as a reinforced steel beam. “Attendant Kaito, a moment.” Kaito straightened. “Yes, Mr. Roric?” “Master Kenjiro has a critical family dinner tonight. With his esteemed Aunt Kyoko.” Mr. Roric’s voice held a note of warning. “This is not a social call. This is an evaluation. His competence, his grasp of corporate affairs, his very suitability as heir, will be judged. You are to ensure he is impeccably prepared. His address is already being finalized.” Kaito felt a chill. Aunt Kyoko. The name resonated with a latent sense of danger. He’d barely glimpsed her profile in a magazine once, her sharp features and calculating eyes leaving a lasting impression. He decided to test his power. [Mr. Roric – Asset Value: 250,000,000 Zenith-Yen (as Head Butler) – Investment Rank: A – Weakness: Undying loyalty to the Zenyth patriarch’s memory, susceptible to emotional manipulation concerning family legacy.] Interesting. An asset rather than an ordinary man, and vulnerable through his loyalty. Kaito filed that away. “I understand, Mr. Roric,” Kaito replied, his voice even. “I will ensure Master Kenjiro presents himself flawlessly.” He immediately sought out Kenjiro, who was rehearsing before a tall mirror, muttering lines under furrowed brows. Kenjiro held a sheaf of papers, mumbling about market projections and quarterly growth. “Ah, Butler Kaito! Just in time. How do I sound? Do I project confidence? Gravitas?” Kenjiro gestured with the papers. “It’s about the upcoming acquisition of the Chronos Data Labs. Aunt Kyoko is very keen on its potential synergy with our digital assets.” Kaito focused his 'Sovereign’s Eye' on the papers Kenjiro held. The text flashed, almost instantly. [Kenjiro Zenyth’s Prepared Speech (Chronos Data Labs Acquisition) – Value: -500,000,000 Zenith-Yen – Investment Rank: F – Weakness: Contains multiple factual inaccuracies, over-optimistic projections, and a glaring omission of competitor threats. Guaranteed to trigger Kyoko’s ‘Hostile Takeover’ protocol.] The air went dry in his throat. This wasn't just a bad talk. This was an ambush scripted on paper. It was designed to fail, to expose Kenjiro’s incompetence and give Aunt Kyoko the leverage she needed to strike. The 'Hostile Takeover' protocol… It sounded exactly like the kind of move she would make to seize control of the Zenyth Group.

The Sovereign's Eye