As the party began, the nobles said their congratulations to Lyraena on her birthday. The servants started cutting the cake and distributing it to everyone in the Grand Hall. Everyone in the grand hall looked at the colourful layers of the cake and tried a bite each.
The reaction was surprised. They did not expect the colourful layers of the cake to be ice cream.
Lyraena, who was disappointed that her original cake was ruined, was instantly in joy as she savoured the ice cream cake. Everyone in the grand hall also enjoyed the cake.
Soon, the servants also brought the slices of the cake to the chefs in the kitchen.
All the chefs who took a plate and took a bite of the cake were also impressed.
I also took a bite of the cake, though my reaction was more of a decent one.
It is alright, I guess...
I just continue eating my cake quietly while the chefs discuss that this cake should be one of their dessert menu items for the Destenebres' mansion. As they were discussing, Seraphina walked towards me.
"You did a good job today," Seraphina said calmly with a gentle smile.
"Since I did a good job today, surely I will get a bonus," I replied calmly.
"Sure, I will give you a bonus later," Seraphina said calmly with a gentle smile.
"By the way, I have been curious. When did you learn how to peel vegetables, wash dishes or even know how to make an ice cream cake? Could it be—" Seraphina continued as she asked me a question, but was interrupted.
"I cannot tell you. It is something I learnt secretly that my mother and everyone else in the manor in the forest do not know," I said calmly, trying to make her not think of any misunderstanding, as it was a past life experience.
Seraphina did not say anything after that. She simply ate the slice of cake beside me, as I also ate my slice of cake, savouring the ice cream.
After finishing the cake, I left the kitchen and went into the room where I changed and put on my outfit before coming here. Looking at the mirror in front of me, I looked like a servant.
Finally, I can go back now.
"You still have not received your bonus yet, though," Greed reminded calmly.
Yeah, I know. I will meet with Seraphina later about this. I want to meet my mother first.
Once I exited the room, I decided to walk towards the Grand Hall. As I walked, I slowly looked around the mansion. It felt like the decorations were too excessive in my eyes, but then again, this is a noble mansion, so it is understandable to show the wealth of the family in order not to be looked down on.
Soon, after walking for quite a while, I encountered a huge group of noble children playing around with the knights at the training ground. They were showing off their family's technique, as well as each showing their magic or aura.
...
"I think you got lost," Wraith said boredly.
I think so too. Let's turn ar-.
As I turned around, I saw a child. Wait, no, he looks too big to be a child around my age. Looking at his appearance, I could somehow remember who he was. After all, I have seen him many times on my phone in my original life. He was-
"Hello, I am Helion, Helion Basturandor." He said excitedly.
Seeing him in front of me, I only had one thought.
I did not ask nor care...
"I see, pleasure meeting you, Helion, Helion Basturandor. If you have anything to ask, please ask. If not, I will just—" I said calmly, trying to move past him, but was blocked by him.
"Pleasure meeting you too. I wish to know, what's your name? Also, would you like to be my friend?" Helion said excitedly.
Can't you see that I do not wish to chat with you...?
"My name is Ragnar, and no—" I said calmly with an indifferent expression, introducing myself and trying to reject his request to be his friend, but was interrupted as I was dragged away by him.
"Wow, look at that fireball!" Helion said excitedly as he dragged me towards a kid who was showing his magic ability as a mage, surrounded by many other children.
The noble children around the kid were staring at the kid's magic in amazement as well, as the flame he conjured was the size of his head.
Helion, who was staring at the fireball, was still holding me. Even if I wanted to escape, his hand that was gripping me was too strong for me to escape, as I am still an ordinary child and have not awakened, unlike the others, who I could feel the mana or aura within their bodies circulating in their bodies and are awakeners.
Though most of the children here have a formless aura, showing that they have either not fully grasped their family's breathing method or have not decided on a breathing method to grow.
Since I had no way to escape from this, I may as well just watch, as I cannot escape.
"Woooow, it looks so bright."
"It is so big."
"It is very hot."
All the children shared their opinions as they stared at the fireball. The kid, who is a boy, was smiling proudly as he received praise from the children around his age.
Just as everyone was staring at the fireball, a voice broke the entire mood.
"Lysander, I wish to compete against you in a duel." Said a voice that was outside the group.
Everyone turned their heads towards the voice. The speaker was revealed to be a child with long red hair and golden eyes.
He was Zyvaris Aremflaris. He was looking at Lysander with a bright expression, while Lysander, who had an indifferent expression, looked back at Zyvaris.
"Alright, I accept," Lysander said with an indifferent expression.
Hearing Lysander's answer, Zyvaris smiled, hearing that the boy in front of him accepted his duel request.
Everyone who also heard Lysander's answer felt excited and moved away from the kid who was showing his magic proudly, leaving him alone.
I also moved away from the kid who was showing his magic proudly as well, not because I was excited or anything, but because I was dragged away by Helion, who was excited to watch the duel between Zyvaris and Lysander and was still grabbing me by the hand.
"Hey, could—" I asked calmly, wanting to tell Helion to let go of my hand, but was interrupted.
"Oh, it's starting, the battle between the heirs of the hero families competing with one another. Who do you think would win?" Helion said excitedly and asked for my opinion while looking at the two kids who were going to compete against one another.
Hearing his words, I just gave up resisting since I am always being interrupted.
Aren't you also an heir of another hero family?
"Why are you being pushed around..." Pride said calmly.
You think I want to be pushed around like this?
"Yes," Wraith said with a declaration.
...
I did not answer Helion's words and just watched the battle that would unfold soon.
Soon, a knight who heard the commotion wanted to prevent the duel from happening, but as he tried to converse with the two kids, he gave up after the two kids declared that they wanted to compete against one another.
Seeing that he gave up trying to prevent the duel and just decided to be the referee, the match between the two of them started.
As soon as the duel started, Zyvaris, who had a wooden lance, charged towards Lysander with his magic wooden lance, lit on fire.
Seeing this, everyone had an amazed expression as they watched Zyvaris with his flaming wooden lance and cheered. Especially the female noble children who are watching are cheering excitedly, though the male noble children who saw the female noble children cheering just cheered for Lysander to defeat Zyvaris.
Helion, who was watching, was amazed by the flaming wooden lance and cheered for Zyvaris. Though my reaction was different.
Isn't that quite stupid? With a few clashes, your only weapon will become a destroyed weapon, considering that it's a flame on a wooden weapon!
Lysander, my half-brother, who saw the incoming attack from Zyvaris, raised his wooden sword and cloaked it with darkness that was wreathing aggressively and also cloaked his body with a dark aura.
Seeing this, I simply just watch and observe how the two children would fight.
Lysander charges towards Zyvaris' flaming lance attack with his sword head-on.
Thudd!
As soon as their attacks clashed against one another, it created a resounding sound. As their weapons clash, it also knocks back both of them a bit further from one another, but after being knocked back, they charge against each other again.
"Go, Brother! You can win this," a female voice cheered loudly.
I did not need to look at the direction of the voice to know who it was. I just continue watching the boring duel between the two children.
Though she was not the only one, others were cheering for either of them as the two were duelling one another. Even Helion, who was still grabbing my hand, shook my hand around as he was excited at the two children duelling as they clashed again and again, which makes me suspect that he does not know that he was still holding onto my hand.
After a while, the duel between the two children ended in Lysander's victory. Both were exhausted as they were panting for breath, though Zyvaris' weapon was destroyed while Lysander's weapon was still intact, which allowed the knight who was the referee to end the match.
"The match goes to Young Lord Lysander Destenebres," the knight announced calmly.
"Great match..." Zyvaris said weakly, as he was frustrated that he lost, but he decided to congratulate the victor in front of him by extending his hand towards Lysander.
"Great match too," Lysander said calmly, shaking Zyvaris' hand.
All the children watching this also gave their praises to both children, though most of them went to Lysander.
"Wow, that was incredible. Although Lysander won, Zyvaris was also strong enough to compete against him," Helion said excitedly.
Hearing his words, I accidentally stated my opinion.
"It is sad that Zyvaris lost. If it were an actual battle, Zyvaris would have won." I said calmly without thinking, with an indifferent expression.
"But the match was ended in Lysander's victory, so how would Zyvaris have won if it were an actual battle?" Helion asked curiously.
"Zyvaris' attack was much stronger than Lysander's attack. And if it wasn't for the weapon being wood, he would have been able to fight longer with his weapon still intact. Also, judging by their combat-" I said calmly with an indifferent expression and glance at Helion, then I stopped talking.
Helion, who was listening to my words, had a troubled and confused expression. Trying to understand what I was saying.
I almost forgot that in the game, this kid is a muscle-brain idiot.
"Aren't you also a muscle-brain idiot?" Wraith said mockingly.
What did you just say about-
As I was chatting with Wraith in my mind, I was pushed by someone, and I ended up falling towards the ground.
I looked at the culprit who pushed me, who ended up making me fall, was actually Lyraena with an angry expression.
"Can you hear me now?!" Lyraena shouted in anger.
Hearing her words, I was dumbfounded. I looked around, just to see the other noble children staring down at me.
"What is going on?" I asked calmly, confused about the situation that I am in.
"Erm... Lyraena pushed you down because you did not answer what she had asked earlier." Helion said weakly.
Listening to his answer, I got back up on my two feet and looked Lyraena in the eye and decided to ask.
"So what did you ask earlier?" I asked calmly, not caring what she did to me.
"I asked what makes you think that my brother would lose, my brother is the coolest and the strongest. Also, you saying my brother would lose, is saying that the Destenebres' family would lose against the Aremflaris' family!", Lyraena shouted angrily.
Listening to her shout, I could understand what was happening now. She must have heard me talking about why I would think Zyvaris would have won if it had been an actual battle.
Just before I could even reply to her. She threw a white glove at my face.
"I challenge you to a duel for your insult against the Destenebres' family!" Lyraena shouted angrily.
Everyone around us looked at Lyraena as she declared a duel against me, angrily, nervously. The knight who was the referee for Lysander's and Zyvaris' match was stunned by what to do.
Is this my bad day or something?
"Erm... I refuse?" I said calmly, with an awkward expression.
"You cannot refuse!" Lyraena said angrily as she pointed at me for my refusal.
...
"I still refuse..." I said calmly.
"Are you a coward? Scared that you would lose to a girl?!" Lyraena screamed at me angrily, hearing my refusal, and decided to taunt me.
Everyone who heard her taunt looked at me. Wondering how I would react to such a taunt.
The other devils shared their own opinions, each stating that they would not let such taunts affect their reputation, while some would ignore them.
Everyone around me who was looking at me was still waiting for my answer till I raised the corners of my mouth and looked at Lyraena.
"Yes, I am afraid of losing to a girl", I said calmly with a smile.
...
Everyone was silent when they heard my words. Well, not everyone.
"Why are you scared of losing to a girl? If it is you, you should be able to win," Lust said boredly.
All the other devils in my mind were silent, especially me, because we all know that the reason why I did not want to fight was because of Lust.
Before I could reply to Lust, a wooden sword was thrown at me, like literally.
"Pick it up", Lyraena said angrily.
I looked at the wooden sword and looked back at her.
"Why? I did not accept the duel request. So why would I need to pick it up?" I asked calmly.
"If you are not going to pick it up, I will force you to pick it up!" Lyraena shouted angrily as she raised a wooden sword, which looked slightly thinner than the one I was given, at me.
Seeing her action, I quickly picked up the wooden sword and raised it at my head to block the attack. After that, she swung her wooden sword like crazy at me, forcing me to be defensive.
"Are you crazy! Don't nobles have to be proper and not tarnish their reputation?" I screamed in panic as I blocked each of her attacks.
"You have insulted my dearest brother! Insulting him also leads to insulting the Destenebres, so I am actually protecting the Destenebres' reputation," Lyraena screamed in anger as she swung her wooden sword.
If insulting him leads to this, wait till you learn that I am also a bloodline member of the Destenebres...
Knowing where her wooden sword would come from, I raised my wooden sword to block it with ease as she was just swinging her sword with her normal strength.
Seeing me blocking her sword with ease, she started using her aura and mana. Her body was cloaked in a dark aura, and her sword was coated with a wreathing darkness around it.
"From one to ten, how dead are you?" Wraith said calmly.
Well, if we were to go for the rating, I would say ten.
"I disagree, I would say a hundred because I think you might be going to be dead soon", Wraith said calmly.
Then why would you say one to ten...
"Just to mess with you", Wraith said calmly.
I hate you...
I held the wooden sword firmly and aimed my wooden sword at her with a nervous expression.
"Hahahaha... Can I surrender?" I laughed nervously.
"You will die!" Lyraena screamed as she charged with her attack at a fast speed.
I use the accumulated mana in my body to my sword and swing my sword to perform a slash.
"Boom!" Wraith said childishly, mimicking a sound effect as our sword's blade clashed.
After our first clash, Lyraena did a follow-up attack, and I also did a follow-up defence against it. Our swords clashed and clashed again, though if there was a difference. It would be that my attacks are neither equal nor stronger than hers, which leads me to stagger back from each attack.
Lyraena, who felt like she was winning, suddenly increased her mana and aura output and swung her sword with all her might at me, leaving herself exposed.
To heat up in the moment, I reflectively dashed back from her attack with the mana reinforcing my legs and did another dash to counterattack her after her sword was swung towards the ground.
Lyraena, who saw me, dashed towards her at a fast speed, tried to raise her sword to block, but was too slow as I hit her first with the wooden sword I am holding, aiming at her at a fast speed.
Thud...
...
Everyone was silent, especially Lyraena. They did not expect the attack that I just did to cause an almost silent sound. Lyraena, who was hit, did not feel any pain from my attack.
Though I cannot say the same for me, my body was shaking and denying my control in hurting Lyraena.
Damn it! Damn your authority, LUST!
I cursed at Lust for this situation in my mind.
"What do you mean? I do not understand what you are saying," Lust said, confused, as if he were being framed.
"Lust... Did you perhaps forget about your Authority's side effect?" Pride asked curiously.
"What do you mean? Of course I remember, my Authority's only side effect is... Oh, I remember now. Now I understand why you did not want to fight this fight," Lust said calmly as if he remembered everything.
Every Sin's Authority have its benefits and its drawbacks. Lust Authority's drawbacks were not able to face against opposite gender of mine, which led to not being able to hurt them even a single bit. And that if I were to try to defy that, the authority would use the mana in my body to reduce the impact of the weapon. And that was not the worst, as one of the other drawbacks of denying this drawback was now my current situation.
Lyraena, who was surprised that she was not hurt, suddenly realised that my body was shaking. The mana in my body is rampaging in my body, preventing me from being able to continue fighting. I could only stay still with my entire body shaking.
Seizing the opportunity, Lyraena stepped back and raised her weapon, then proceeded to unleash a fury of attacks on me.
Since I was defenceless and could not do anything against it, I fell to the floor while my body was shaking like crazy, and I endured blow after blow as she continued to release all her attacks at me. One of the attacks hit the back of my head, causing me to fall unconscious.
I hate your authority... Lust...
Those thoughts were conveyed as my last message before I fell unconscious.
The knight, who was supposed to be the referee, steps in and tries to stop Lyraena from continuing, who managed to stop her from continuing to attack me.
"Victor, Lyraena," the knight announced.
All the noble children were clapping for Lyraena's victory. Though one cared as he ran towards me.
"Are you alright, Ragnar?" Helion asked urgently, seeing my battered state.
My body was now covered with many bruises all over, and some corrosive marks on my body stings due to the wreathing darkness that she used for her sword.
"That's what you deserved for-" Lyraena said her words towards me, wanting to say that I deserve it for insulting her brother, but was interrupted by a loud voice.
"RAGNAR!" A loud female voice was heard.
Everyone turned their heads towards the voice, who was revealed to be Cesline. Behind her, their parents were looking at Cesline, wondering why she shouted.
Cesline simply rushes towards the group of children. Lyraena, who saw that it was Cesline who shouted, ran towards her in excitement with her arms apart, wanting a hug.
"Auntie Ces-" Lyraena said with excitement as she ran towards Cesline.
"RAGNAR!" Cesline shouted in worry as she rushed past Lyraena.
Lyraena turned her head towards where Cesline was actually heading. She was heading towards the boy whom she had beaten up in the duel.
Though in reality, it was not a duel but just bullying.
Cesline, who saw the bruises and the corrosive marks, was panicked. She lifted my entire body and rushed out of the area while carrying my body, shouting in panic.
"Where is the medical room?" Cesline shouted panickly.
"Madam Cesline, I can lead you there", one of the servants said calmly.
"Guide me!" Cesline said firmly with a worried expression.
The servant who heard her reply led her to the medical room in a rush.
Elara, who was one of the bystanders who watched everything, saw her mother, Cassandra, and walked towards her.
"Mom, do you know where the medical room is?" Elara asked calmly with a worried smile.
"No, why? Are you injured? Did anything happen to you?" Cassandra asked coldly, but there was a worried expression.
"Nothing happened to me, but the boy who saved me was sent there. I am worried about him instead," Elara said sadly.
"I see, then I will accompany you there", Cassandra said coldly as she went to ask another one of the servants where to find the medical room.
The servant guided Cassandra and Elara to the medical room after that.
"What happened?" Caedros asked coldly.
Lyraena, who heard her father, weakly raised her hand.
"I beat the kid in a duel because he insulted Brother Lysander..." Lyraena said weakly, fearing she might be in trouble.
Caedros, who heard his daughter's explanation, wanted to comfort her, but before he could do that. Thalindra went towards her daughter and hugged her.
"You did a good job, Lyraena. You know what, maybe we can reconsider letting you learn combat like your brother," Thalindra said with a smile.
"Really?" Lyraena asked calmly, not sure why her mother was saying this.
Lyraena always wanted to learn combat like her brother, but could not due to her mother's decision in wanting to nurture her as a noble lady.
"Of course, I realised that what you had done for your brother was a good thing, especially what you did for our family reputation. Isn't that right, dear?" Thalindra said with a wicked smile.
Seeing his wife's smile, Caedros nodded and agreed with Thalindra's thinking.
"So, from now on, you get to study with your brother in combat lessons, isn't that a good present for you as well?" Thalindra said with the same smile.
Lyraena, who heard that, smiled happily, feeling proud of what she did today. Lysander, who heard that, also smiled for his sister, but then looked at the sky with a deep thought about how the boy who fought against his sister could not continue after landing a hit on his sister.