Gray walked down the long corridor of the Ravenwood mansion, his footsteps reverberating softly against the polished marble. Each step was deliberate, measured, as if he were savoring the final moments of his confinement. His mind was a tumultuous whirlpool of memories and revelations, but his expression remained inscrutable, a mask of serene detachment.

Just moments ago, he had been disowned, a fate that might have seemed shocking to others but felt eerily familiar to him. The memories of his recent actions at the academy flashed vividly before him, clear as if they had happened yesterday. A smirk curled at the edge of his lips. The expected grief or anger never materialized. Instead, a cold, emotionless calm settled over him. The disownment, while initially burdensome, had surprisingly liberating undertones. It was like being handed a blank canvas and a single brushstroke, the vibrant hues of his previous life stripped away to reveal a fresh, uncharted path.

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. The lack of oversight meant he could maneuver unobserved, an opportunity he intended to exploit to its fullest. His plans for the future were ambitious, and chaos, he decided, would be his ally. 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, their silent judgments inconsequential to him. He could almost taste the bloodlust rising within him, though he stifled it. 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.

"Wait!"

Gray turned slowly, his gaze icy as it fell upon Albert, the butler, who was hurrying towards him, breathless yet resolute. He watched Albert with a mix of curiosity and guarded anticipation. As the butler reached him, he extended a hand, palm open, revealing a pendant that glinted in the sunlight.

"Here, Young Master. Take this," Albert panted, his face etched with a mixture of urgency and sincerity.

Gray's eyes narrowed as he examined the pendant, suspicion flaring within him. "What is this?" His voice was flat, betraying no hint of gratitude.

"It's an artifact," Albert explained, his tone earnest. "I spent all my savings on it. It's an A-rank artifact. In moments of danger, it will teleport you to a safe location."

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. "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 from someone he had always seen as merely a loyal servant. "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, a tear escaping down his cheek. "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.