Snap!
The moment Glenn flicked his fingers, the audience chamber shook a little.
The flow of mana, which used to resemble a calm lake, rapidly became choppy waves and a gigantic iron door rose from the floor.
The majestic iron door was large enough to almost reach the ceiling, and it was burning with golden flames.
"M-my lord?"
Roenn strained his eyes. That door was the Zieghart repository, which could only be summoned by the Lord of the House. It was the first time in ten years that Glenn had summoned that door.
"I shall return later."
As Glenn raised his hand, the golden iron door opened smoothly.
He turned around to check the golden flames burning over the sword once more, before entering the repository.
The repository was heaped with innumerable treasures.
Elixirs and weapons of the highest level, gems that could buy a whole castle, and various books. They were treasures that could incite war throughout the continent should they be exposed.
Neither weapons nor gemstones, nor the neatly stacked elixirs that fervently revealed themselves attracted Glenn's attention.
He went straight towards the large bookcase, deep within the repository.
The cylindrical bookcase shot up at the end of the repository as if it were a World Tree, and there were various books of all sorts on every shelf.
Tap.
When Glenn lightly kicked the floor, his body began to rise into the air. He stepped through the air and headed towards the first shelf of the bookcase.
The first shelf was unlike the others, and only had two books.
He tried to grab and take the old and yellow book in front of him. However, the book was unmovable, as if pinned down by a boulder.
"It doesn't move, as expected."
Glenn clicked his tongue and took the red book right next to it.
The second book fell out smoothly, unlike the first one, and there was no problem reading it as it was preserved very well.
Tap tap.
Glenn was flipping through the book when his hands suddenly stopped.
"Hmm…"
He frowned as he read the words on the page.
"The aura of the first leader of Zieghart had a golden color like the sun, and its tremendous firepower was capable of melting devildom's flames…"
Glenn closed his eyes, recalling the golden flame that Raon summoned.
"Golden mana, golden flame."
Yellow aura wasn't uncommon. But there was only one occurrence of mana with a dark gold color throughout the history of Zieghart.
"Raon, what on earth…?"
***
"Mommy is sorry."
As soon as Sylvia entered the annex building, she hugged Raon tighter than usual—to the point that it was difficult to breathe.
"It's okay."
Noticing Sylvia's back trembling, Raon patted her shoulders.
'I'm not sure yet.'
In his previous life, he didn't know what emotions were.
He killed if he was asked to kill, he kidnapped if he was asked to kidnap, he stole if he was asked to steal. There were only relationships of order and obedience, a handler and a dog.
However, it was different now.
Sylvia, Helen, and the maids gave to him unconditionally, without anything in return.
It was the first life where he only received, so he couldn't explain what type of emotion the tingling sensation that he was experiencing in his chest was.
But there was one thing he knew.
He didn't want Sylvia or the maids to cry. Even if they couldn't always smile, he didn't want them to be sad.
'I wouldn't have felt anything if they had laughed at me, instead.'
However, the people at lord's manor laughed at Sylvia.
The collaterals under the platform blatantly cackled, and the direct line on the platform frowned as if they were observing a hateful bug.
'I will show them.'
Everyone who laughed at Sylvia would be taught a lesson. Their nasty behavior would be returned in full.
***
It was a sunny afternoon.
A young boy was sitting on the grass in the garden.
With his dark blonde hair fluttering in the wind, his facial features had a nearly perfect proportion, despite looking childlike.
If there was one flaw, it would've been the way his pale face suggested his poor health.
"Sigh…"
The boy, who had stayed seated for a long time with his eyes closed, finally opened his eyes.
'I'm about to have three rings of fire.'
Raon smiled slightly. He had already grown enough to be called a young boy, rather than a child.
'It has already been seven years.'
Seven years had passed since the first Judgment Ceremony, and he was now twelve years old.
Thanks to his regular training, the two rings of fire were about to become three.
'It's a bit sad.'
If the coldness wasn't spread throughout his body, he would've already gotten three stars. But training alongside the coldness inevitably slowed down his progress.
Still, it wasn't all in vain.
'Status window.'
He thought the now-familiar words to himself.
Name: Raon Zieghart
Title: None
State: Curse of Frost (Nine Strands), Poor Stamina, Decline in Athletic Ability, Decline in Mana Affinity
Trait: ???, Ring of Fire (Two-Star), Water Resistance (Two-Star)
*Additional Abilities have not been unlocked.
His water resistance had reached two stars, and the symptoms of his hand and feet becoming stiff had vanished once the 'Cold Body' disappeared from 'state'.
It was still difficult to move his body because of his other constitutions, but the problem would be solved naturally once the 'Ring of Fire' reached a higher star rating.
"Hmm."
Raon closed the status window and stood up on the grass.
'I need to start physical training now…'
Sylvia and the maids worried less now since he didn't get cold as easily, but they would always stop him whenever he tried to move his body.
Since physical training was necessary to reach the higher star of 'Ring of Fire', he needed to find a way to train without hiding.
'Is there any way that I can train openly?'
He could force it, but it was difficult to go against Sylvia. Even though she didn't give him any orders, he had no choice but to obey her.
"Young master!"
* * *
* * *
While he was pondering what to do, Helen came running out of the annex building.
"What are you doing? We must participate in the Judgment Ceremony! You are just like milady."
"Ah, that's true."
Except for those who were outside or were on a mission, everyone had to participate in the Judgment Ceremony, so he wasn't an exception.
"I'm gonna have to see those annoying stuffed-shirts again." Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs NoveI-Fire.ɴet
He was blatantly laughed at again at the second Judgment Ceremony a few years before. It was obvious that they would spout incomprehensible nonsense about 'cowards' or 'fugitives' again.
"Y-young master, please keep your voice down…"
Helen put her finger to her lip while looking around.
"Because there might be other people listening?"
"The eyes and ears are already open inside this household."
"You worry too much, but alright."
With a tut, Raon went back inside the annex building, where Sylvia was waiting in full dress.
"You can rest in the room if you're tired. Mommy can go on her own."
Sylvia, who had a bit more wrinkles around her eyes, stroked his head.
"It's okay."
Raon shook his head and went into the room.
'I need to check how the people who laughed at us have changed.'
For an assassin, observing one's target's changes was the top-most priority.
Raon gladly decided to participate in the Judgment Ceremony.
***
Along with Sylvia and Helen, Raon entered the audience chamber where the Judgment Ceremony was held.
"He's still short."
"He's so skinny. If you didn't see his golden hair and red eyes, you'd believe that he's from another family."
"That handsome appearance is the only thing he has that befits Zieghart."
"His pale face doesn't look that handsome, though?"
It was as expected. Just as always, those of the direct line ignored him as if they had no interest in him, and the collaterals were whispering sarcastically.
'It's a relief.'
They were still laughing at him and Sylvia. He felt rather satisfied at their unchanging attitude.
'Joanna, Henry, Denier…'
Looking around from top to bottom of the platform, he reiterated the names of direct line and collaterals.
Lord Glenn Zieghart entered after about thirty minutes of waiting, sitting at the backmost seat under the platform.
He was as dignified as seven years ago. No, he was even more dignified than before. Glenn went to the platform and began the Judgment Ceremony.
Because there were only children from collaterals and vassals who went through the Judgment Ceremony this time, the ceremony didn't even last three hours.
He ignored the mocking words that he heard, comparing him with the collateral children with high mana purity.
"Today's Judgment Ceremony is now over. Thank you for…"
"Wait."
Glenn raised his hand to interrupt the moderator, who was about to announce the end of the ceremony.
"Raon Zieghart."
The gaze directed at Raon for the first time was that of an absolute being, one who sat on the throne to overlook the world.
The room fell silent, and everyone's attention fixated on him.
'Me?'
Raon swallowed. He was confused because he didn't think he was going to be called.
"My… My lord?"
"Hmm…"
Sylvia shook her head in panic, and Helen held her hand tightly.
"You must've received the order to participate in the basic training, as a member of the family. Why have you not responded when it's already been a month?"
'Participating in the basic training?'
He had never received such a thing. When he looked next to him, he saw Sylvia biting her lips. She must have known.
"My… My lord. Raon is different from other children. He still has coldness in his body…"
"There is no exception nor refusal for one who has received the name of Zieghart."
"He has difficulties walking normally. He won't be able to handle the training."
Sylvia firmly shook her head.
"If you can't walk, then crawl and train. That is Zieghart."
Resting his chin on his right hand, Glenn closed his eyes.
"I… I can't accept it. No, please give me some time…"
"If you can't accept it, are you going to run away once again? Along with that child?"
"Th-that's…"
He could feel Sylvia's hand getting wet, as she was grabbing his right hand.
"In this land, you can only live as a Zieghart. If you don't like it, then get out."
Glenn's voice was cold, as if they weren't related by blood.
"Isn't she going to run away again at this rate?"
"That's going to be amusing, but she doesn't have an energy center nor a mana circuit to break anymore."
"To think such a person is from the direct line, tut tut."
"…"
Observing Sylvia, Glenn, and everyone in the room, Raon calmed down his glare.
'I get it now.'
He could understand the reason Sylvia received this kind of treatment, despite being from the direct line. The reason that she was looked down upon by not only the direct line but also the collateral…
'It's because she left the household.'
She didn't have an aura, despite having learned martial arts. That meant that she had either broken her energy center, or had never learned to use aura, and the former appeared to be the case.
She must have broken her energy center and her mana circuit and left the household, where she met Father and married him.
'And she must have returned reluctantly because father died after she got pregnant with me.'
It was understandable.
Because she threw away her position in the direct line and came back, she received inferior treatment than a member of the collateral line.
'However.'
That was other people's point of view, and their circumstances. As Sylvia's son, Raon couldn't bear her treatment.
Tap.
Raon released Sylvia's hand and took a step forward.
"Y-young master!"
"Raon, Mommy will take care of it…"
"It's okay."
After shaking his head at them, he stood in front of Glenn.
"My lord, I will participate in the training starting next month, as you have commanded."
Facing his gaze, which looked like he was looking at a bug rather than his grandson, Raon lowered his head.
"But you didn't even know that there was training."
Glenn's third son, Uncle Denier Zieghart, spoke. He was the only person among the direct line who looked apologetic.
"Indeed."
"Despite what it is called, basic training isn't on a level that a patient can manage. You should withdraw for now."
"It's alright."
Raon looked at Glenn, instead of Denier.
"I've received the name Zieghart, so I shall pay for it. I will participate in training."
Because his resolute voice wasn't befitting a child, people's gazes changed.
They seemed to recognize him as a small pebble, but that was enough for now.
He had the experience of becoming the greatest assassin, starting as a hunting dog at the rock bottom, and he could use the legendary 'Ring of Fire'.
Becoming the best in the household wasn't an impossible feat, not if he made use of his abilities.
His revenge would be delayed? No. This way could end up being quicker.
Raon clenched his small fist.
'I will show you how hard the pebble that you look down on is.'
Do you understand how serious it is to mention the name Zieghart?"
Glenn Zieghart employed a small amount of pressure into his gaze.
"Kuh!"
Raon bit his lip so hard that it nearly bled.
'It feels like my flesh is being crushed.'
The pressure that Glenn was exerting was a small amount, a cup of water against the vast ocean. However, it felt as though his heart was being squeezed.
He could feel his clothes become sticky because of the cold sweat he broke into. If he hadn't practiced the 'Ring of Fire', he might have fainted already.
'Is this the warrior, the Destructive King of the North…?'
Considering his gaze alone held such pressure, his prowess surpassed Derus Robert. It was impossible to raise his head.
"Try saying it again. Can you take responsibility for what you've just said?"
"My… my lord! Raon is still young. He doesn't know what he is talking about."
"That's true! Raon has lived in the annex building all this time, so he doesn't know about the name of Zieghart…"
Sylvia and Helen ran next to him and knelt.
"My lord, he is just a child who doesn't know anything. Please withdraw your pressure."
Denier Zieghart stood up and defended them against the pressure.
"Sir Denier!"
"As expected of Sir Denier, he would even care for an insolent kid like him."
"The broadness of his mind is even greater than his might."
The collaterals praised Denier's behavior.
"I am speaking right now."
"Ugh!"
"Kuh…"
Denier and Sylvia both stepped back at once, hearing Glenn's mighty voice. They didn't move on their own; Glenn pushed them back with his voice alone.
"I'm s-sorry."
Denier lowered his head, but Sylvia was different.
"F-father…"
She approached Glenn, enduring his pressure with her frail body, which didn't even possess aura.
"Raon is not yet ready to train…"
Sylvia's eyes reflected that she was solely worried about him.
It pulled at Raon's heartstrings.
'I don't understand.'
He was choked up, but he couldn't tell if that emotion meant compassion, or worry, or something else.
He just wished that she would always smile happily, instead of being in that state.
'I was an assassin.'
An assassin was a being that lived in the darkness. Being closer to death than life, they would never show themselves.
'However, I no longer am one.'
'I'm not going to live as an assassin anymore.'
As Raon Zieghart, and not as Raon the assassin, he resolved that he would return Sylvia to her original place.
Crash!
At that moment, he could hear a sound similar to one of the chains around his neck falling.
"I do not know."
Raon forced himself to raise his head, facing Glenn's overbearing gaze directly. Suppressing the urge to close his eyes, he continued.
"I've been raised in the annex building, and not in the main building. I don't know how high and mighty Zieghart is."
"R-Raon!"
Sylvia desperately called for him, but he didn't look back.
"That's why I want to see for myself what kind of place is Zieghart, by participating in training."
Once Raon finished talking, everyone held their breath and looked at Glenn.
"…"
One of Glenn's eyebrows raised slightly.
"Do you mean that you will judge Zieghart from basic training?"
"That is the only way I can learn about Zieghart right now."
"Then I will have to make sure that the instructor is fully prepared, so that you won't be disappointed."
The room of audience became as quiet as a mouse, as Glenn's red eyes blazed.
"Kuh…"
Being unable to withstand it any further, Raon finally bowed his head. He was only twelve years old, a child who couldn't endure a thousandth of Glenn's pressure.
Yet he didn't give in.
If he kept cultivating the 'Ring of Fire', and learned an efficient way of handling aura, he would be able to properly stand in front of him one day.
Deciding that he would show that with action instead of word, he clenched his teeth.
'One day.'
***
Once everyone had left, only Glenn and his butler Roenn remained in the silent audience chamber.
"Did you see?"
"Yes, I saw it clearly."
Roenn nodded his head firmly in response to Glenn's question.
"That boy sure is something."
The corners of Glenn's mouth lifted.
"A twelve-year-old child that confidently talks back while withstanding my pressure. I have never seen something like that."
"It's my first time seeing it, as well."
Roenn smiled, tidying his hair.
"Not only his appearance, but his spirit is also just like my lord's in his childhood."
"Don't say strange things."
Glenn snorted, as if telling him to stop spouting nonsense, but the corners of his mouth lifted even more—like a leaf blowing in the wind.
"Are you going to increase the difficulty of basic training?"
"I shall, because many people have heard."
"Can young master Raon really pass?"
"Participating would already be difficult."
Glenn shook his head without hesitation.
"His condition is better thanks to the elixir, but neither his constitution nor his health is good enough. Maybe he can once he recovers a bit more, but it's impossible for now."
"Then why…?"
"I've already mentioned it. There are no exceptions for those inheriting the name of Zieghart."
"Hm."
Roen licked his lips.
'He is still not honest.'
He could tell, as he had been with him for several dozen years. The reason Glenn called for Raon wasn't to pressure him, but to protect him by showing others that he didn't discriminate against him.
Once Raon failed the training, he would probably give him an elixir and pretend to spare the rod and spoil the child.
Although even Glenn shouldn't have expected Raon to come forth.
"I like young master Raon's personality, but one thing worries me."
"It must be about the collateral and direct line's children."
"Yes. They won't have a considerable reaction, but he will be noticed in a way he hasn't been before. He withstood my lord's pressure, albeit a small amount. Measures should be…"
"There is no need to provoke them. Just watch over him."
"Understood."
Roenn nodded immediately, despite his opinion being different, because Glenn was like a god to him.
"My lord, may I ask a question?"
"Hm?"
"If, by some chance, Raon manages to pass the basic training… What are you going to do?"
"Pass?"
Resting his chin on his hand, Glenn recalled the Judgment Ceremony from seven years ago.
'Golden flame.'
He wasn't sure if it was a coincidence or an accident, but Raon set ablaze the golden flame that only the first head of Zieghart could use.
"That's impossible. However, if there is a one in ten thousandth chance that it could happen…"
He smirked and stood from the throne.
"I will have to reward him accordingly."
* * *
* * *
Upon entering the annex building, Raon was immediately dragged into Sylvia's room.
"Raon."
Sylvia firmly grasped Raon's shoulders.
"Why did you do that?"
"Hm…"
"Zieghart's training doesn't go easy on children. Your current health won't be able to handle it. You will just get hurt."
Sylvia's voice was faint. Her worries for him made her hands tremble.
"I couldn't bear it."
"What?"
"I'm not sure what emotion made me act like that."
Raon closed his eyes. It was true. Despite living with Sylvia and Helen for twelve years, his emotions were still light, like a pastel blue color.
"But my chest tightens whenever Mom gets scorned in the main building. That's why I wanted to say something."
Because he didn't want to lie to Sylvia and Helen, Raon replied honestly.
"Ah…"
"Young master Raon."
Sylvia's lips parted, and Helen's lips trembled.
"Sigh."
Sylvia released his shoulders and slowly closed, then opened, her eyes.
"Raon, thank you for your consideration. However, you are still young. You don't need to be so thoughtful, not when you are at an age where you should be pampered."
"But—"
"You might not know, but Mommy is pretty strong. I can endure a lot more."
Sylvia bit her tongue to stop her tears from spilling over.
'To such a child…'
Raon was too kind to her. As if he noticed the atmosphere in the household, he didn't act like a spoiled child. He endured by himself, even while sick.
Because he was such a kind and considerate child, she couldn't let him bring hardship upon himself.
"Mommy will talk to Grandfather. If I ask him to postpone the training for just a single year, even he would…"
"I will try… No, I can do it." Fresh chapters posted on ⓝovelFire.net
Raon shook his head. He did stand up for Sylvia, but there was also another reason.
Basic training was an opportunity for him to train without being considerate to Sylvia and Helen. It would've been absurd to throw away this chance.
"It's true. I can do it, so trust me."
"Whether you can do it or not isn't important! The problem is that your health can get worse."
"Hm…"
Raon narrowed his eyes, seeing Sylvia's worried gaze.
'That's what she meant.'
Their point of view was different.
He was talking about being able to handle the training, and Sylvia was worrying about his health.
Because only the results were important when he was an assassin, he didn't understand Sylvia's heart.
"Then I will give up as soon as my health becomes worse."
In order to lessen Sylvia's worries, he gave her a new answer.
"You don't even say anything when you are sick. How am I supposed to trust you?"
"I promise."
"Haah…"
Sylvia grabbed her head and sighed.
"Lady Sylvia, how about trying to believe in young master Raon for once?"
"Helen, you should also know what kind of child Raon is…"
"It's true that the training is harsh, but the current head instructor has the best insight in Zieghart. He should be aware of the young master's condition, so he will stop him before it gets any worse."
"Haah…"
Sylvia sighed at Helen's words, and gently looked down at him.
"Raon, can you really promise? You must tell me as soon as anything feels weird in your body, okay?"
"Okay."
Raon nodded firmly.
"I will believe you this once."
"Thank you."
"However, I can't sit here doing nothing."
"What?"
"I'll visit the fifth training ground. I need to give them a warning, at least."
After saying that, she ran from the room.
"Young master Raon."
Once Sylvia left, Helen knelt and met his eyes.
"Never, never push yourself! If it becomes difficult, you must give up immediately. Do you understand me?"
"I understand. You've already said it multiple times."
"It isn't enough, even if I say several thousands of times, let alone multiple times. Young master must remember that you are weaker than other children and abandon your overconfidence."
"I understand."
Because Helen was just as worried as Sylvia, he simply nodded.
'I'm sorry, but I'm never going to be the one to give up first.'
Even if he died from his lungs exploding, he wasn't going to stop. The higher the difficulty, the higher the level the 'Ring of Fire' would grow. It would make both his mind and body stronger.
***
Raon headed to the small garden behind the annex building.
"It feels so empty after visiting the main building."
Unlike the main building, which had multiple facilities—including an expansive training ground and a fashionable garden—the annex building only had a small garden and a lake.
It was so small that it was impossible to train without being noticed by Sylvia, but it was still an elegant place.
Raon sat down on the chair in the garden.
'The training should be quite difficult.'
Just as Sylvia and Helen worried, his body was still not perfect. Coldness remained in his mana circuit, his development was slow, and his stamina was lacking.
Considering how widespread the notorious Zieghart training was, it was safe to assume that even a child's basic training was going to be difficult.
However, he had the memories from his past life, where he went through a hell worse than that. With that memory, he was never going to crumble.
'This is the real beginning.'
If learning the 'Ring of Fire' was the preparation of the land, then the training he'd begin next month was the foundation work to build a house.
In order to construct a tall building later, the foundation needed to be solid.
"I will show them."
'I will accomplish a greater achievement than anyone else from the direct line, so that everyone who laughed at us will shut their mouth.'
'And that bastard, Derus Robert.'
His revenge would be delayed a little, but his real objective was Derus Robert, the Sky Sword Saint.
Until the day he unmasked him and cut his throat, he would never stop.
"Haaaah…"
After looking at the golden sun setting down to the western mountain, he closed his eyes and took the mana into his body.
The 'Ring of Fire' surrounding his heart started spinning violently.
Every single one of them were first-rate organizations, but if asked "which one is the most gallant of them all?", five people out of ten would answer the Striding Steeds.
That Striding Steeds' division leader Karoon Zieghart, who was also the second son of Lord Glenn, tutted with a frown. Zieghart owned multiple powerful armed organizations, befitting their reputation as ruler of the north.
"Didn't you say that he was a patient, one who can't even move properly?"
"Many maids heard the conversation between the Ragged Saint and my lord. He is suffering from a severe illness, for sure."
"I have heard that as well. Just like the last time I saw him, his body wasn't normal today, either. However…"
Karoon Zieghart tapped the desk, which caused not only the desk, but also the whole office, to tremble.
"He withstood Father's pressure."
The pressure that Glenn had emitted at the ceremony could be compared to a firefly, while his full pressure was like the sun.
However, a twelve-year-old, and a sickly one at that, managed to withstand it. It was an unbelievable sight, despite seeing it with his own eyes.
"Would Burren have been able to withstand it?"
"…"
There was no response, as Karoon seemed to be talking to himself.
"No, he wouldn't."
Burren was his son, who had started to train at the age of seven, and he had frequently fed him high quality elixirs.
And even with such an upbringing, Burren wouldn't have withstood his father's pressure. So the fact that Raon did kept bothering him.
"Sylvia was also very talented, more than anyone."
She was disabled because of her energy center and mana circuit breaking, but her talent was undisputable.
"Is it possible to send someone to the annex building?"
"It will take some time, but it's possible."
The butler, who was waiting in front of the door, nodded.
"Then do it."
Karoon turned away with sparkling eyes.
"Report everything that happens there."
***
Raon left his room before morning light. After a quick warm up in the garden, he started running near the annex building.
He had said that he would work out in preparation for the training, so no one should've bothered him.
"Huff…"
Although he hadn't been running for a long time, he was already out of breath. His body was much weaker than in his previous life.
"Haah."
He held his breath as he got short of breath. He handled the 'Ring of Fire' while focusing on the simple action of inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth.
Nature's mana was entwined in each breath that passed his lips.
The mana particles, which were fluttering like pollen, ran through his mana circuits to give vitality to his body and suppress the emerging coldness.
'It's a good flow.'
Raon nodded. The 'Ring of Fire' was most effective when combined with physical activities. That was why he was able to handle the mana at a level and purity much more superior than usual.
"Huuu…"
His clothes were wet with sweat, and he felt burnt out. However, he couldn't stop himself from smiling from the vitality the 'Ring of Fire' was generating.
"Raon!"
While he was trying to focus more on the bliss of training that stimulated his whole body, Sylvia's head poked out of the window that burst open.
"Why are you overdoing it from the first day?"
"Huff… huff…"
Raon slowed his steps and started panting.
"You're sweating so much! That was way too much!"
"It… It just started."
Breathing heavily, he lowered his head.
'It wasn't a bother. She did well stopping me.'
Sylvia was correct this time. He was more like a patient, so he would've gotten sick if he kept running, despite the vitality from the 'Ring of Fire'.
'I still have plenty of time.'
There was still a month before the start of basic training.
It was enough time to raise the two-star 'Ring of Fire' up to three-star, so he needed to proceed slowly, without haste.
"I'm going to rest in my room."
"How is your body? Does it feel bad anywhere?"
He shook his head at Sylvia, who was looking around his body with concerned eyes.
"No. I think I need to stop for today and rest."
"If you overdo it again tomorrow, I'm going to forbid you from training."
"Don't worry."
Raon smiled lightly and went to his room.
'Now, I shall practice with the vertical ring.'
The 'Ring of Fire' that rotated horizontally developed the body, while the 'Ring of Fire' that rotated vertically developed the mind.
He had been practicing with the horizontal 'Ring of Fire' up to that point, so it was time to practice with the vertical one.
Raon closed his eyes while sitting on the floor. He took in nature's mana with a greater mental focus than when he was running.
Bzzt!
A flimsy shadow started to form next to the two rings of fire that were rotating around his heart.
***
Glenn Zieghart left the lord's manor and headed to the fifth training ground, alone.
Upon entering, he could see the instructors strengthening the yellow ground that hundreds of trainees would use.
"Greeting my lord!"
Glenn waved his hand to the instructors' greetings and entered the head instructor's room, located on the periphery of the training ground.
There was a rocking chair in the middle of the messy room, and a man was lying on top of it as if he was dead, a straw hat covering his face.
"Stop pretending to sleep and get up."
"Ugh…"
The man on the rocking chair took off his straw hat with a cloudy voice. The handsome man, appearing to be about twenty years old, got up while yawning. His red hair was loose around his face.
His ears, which pointed up like blades of grass, were different from a humans'. His mysterious appearance seemed otherworldly.
With a beautiful appearance and pointy ears, the head instructor of the fifth training ground wasn't a human, but an elf—the race of nature.
"My lord is the only person against whom my sleeping technique doesn't work."
"The other instructors are busy hardening the ground, yet the head instructor…"
"They are merely following my orders. I'm working with my brain, and they are working with their body, so it's fair.'
"Rimmer, it's been fifty years, but you are still so childish."
"Like the saying goes, humans never change. Oops, I'm an elf."
The elf named Rimmer stood from his chair, giggling.
"Why did you bestow your presence upon me today? Is it because of your youngest grandson, by any chance?"
"…" Updates are released by novęlfire.net
Without responding, Glenn stared at Rimmer. As comrades in arms, they seemed to understand what each other was thinking just from meeting each other's eyes.
"Sylvia came to beg, but I didn't expect my lord to also come."
"Did Sylvia?"
"She asked me to take care of Raon, so that he won't get hurt. If my lord also came to make such a request, then you've wasted your time."
Rimmer's playful green eyes became dispirited.
"My lord said that, even as the head of the house, you wouldn't interfere with this training ground. I'm not going to make any exceptions, even if he is your youngest grandson."
"Then so be it."
"I'm sorry?"
Rimmer's jaw dropped as Glenn nodded.
"Don't lower the training's intensity, and raise it as much as you want instead, so that a weakling would drop out."
"You want me to increase the intensity, instead of decreasing it?"
"Yes."
"Then your grandson will fail… ah!"
Rimmer clapped his hands and smiled.
"Wow, it looks like you love your grandson more than I thought. The love that you couldn't give to Sylvia is now going to that child…"
"If you weren't my comrade in arms, your head would be flying right now."
"Uhuhu!"
With a creepy grin, he touched his neck.
"Clearly discriminate gems from pebbles, so that only those who deserve it can receive your training."
"Are you asking me to do a selection test?"
"Use whatever method you prefer."
"Understood!"
"Then I'm leaving."
"Yes, sir!"
Glenn left the place as Rimmer saluted. The instructors were still strengthening the ground as he left.
"…"
Glenn looked in the western direction where the annex building was located, then turned around to walk towards the lord's manor. His steps looked heavier than usual.
* * *
* * *
Raon was sitting in his room with his closed eyes. Golden smoke started to rise from his shoulders, which had remained immobile for more than three hours.
The third
"I did it."
Raon clenched his fist, looking at the translucent message that appeared in front of him.
Name: Raon Zieghart
Title: None
State: Curse of Frost (Eight Strands), Poor Stamina, Decline in Athletic Ability, Decline in Mana Affinity
Trait: ???, Ring of Fire (Three-Star), Water Resistance (Three-Star)
*Additional Abilities have not been unlocked.
'Three-star is on a whole different level.'
His body became more perceptive, as if his entire body had been swept up by the refreshing mana, and his mind had become clearer.
With his mana circuit becoming broader, the coldness was less painful and the muscles in his arms and legs had started to take form.
'This is certainly more effective now that it's past the novice stage.'
'Ring of Fire' was at its apprentice stage now that it had reached three stars. Even though he had barely reached that stage, he could feel the huge improvement in his mind and body.
'The status window must have played a crucial role as well.'
The magical message and status window were probably helping the 'Ring of Fire' become way more effective than in his previous life.
'One strand of the Curse of Frost has disappeared, as well.'
He stood and casually moved his body. Feeling as light as a feather, he was confident that he could handle basic training, no matter how difficult it was.
'No, it's more than that.'
It wasn't just about handling the training. He felt like he wouldn't even lose to the so-called genius children of Zieghart.
"Hm?"
While he was so thrilled about it, his stomach rumbled. He realized that he had skipped both lunch and dinner.
'Shall I go eat?'
He left the room and made his way to the dining room. Inside the dimly lit dining room, Sylvia was sitting at the table.
"Why is mom here at this hour…?"
"I've been waiting so I can eat with my son."
Sylvia smiled and patted the chair next to her.
"But it's late."
Although it was way past dinnertime, since he had been forming his third ring of fire, Sylvia pulled out the chair while smiling.
"It's okay. Sit down, quick."
Raon sat down next to Sylvia with an awkward expression on his face.
"Helen."
"Yes!"
Helen's voice could be heard from the kitchen. Soon after, the maids brought out the food, all of which were his favorites.
"Raon."
Sylvia smiled awkwardly, all while pushing dishes towards him.
"Mommy has something to tell you today."
"Something to tell me?"
"Yes…"
She nodded and stayed silent for a while.
"Because Raon is smart, you must've thought it was weird. Why do we live separately, and why do others insult us?"
"Hm…"
Raon put down the fork he was holding. It looked like Sylvia wanted to tell him about the past before training began.
Even though he had a rough idea of what it was, he pretended that he didn't.
"Mommy is a criminal. Despite running away from her responsibilities, she returned and begged for her life."
The start of Sylvia's story was heavier than he thought.
She fell in love with his father, who she happened to meet during her mission. In order to be with him, an average knight, she ran away from the household after breaking her mana circuit and energy center.
"Actually, you had a big sister. She was two years older than you and was named Shia."
"Then, my big sister is…"
"Yes."
Her voice became more subdued, like flowing water at the bottom floor of an underground cavern.
"A cadre from 'Eden' recognized my face and attacked us. There was nothing we could do, as your father wasn't that strong, and I was pregnant with you."
Eden was one of the Five Demons that opposed the Six Kings, where Zieghart belongs. Despite its warm name, it was a monstrous organization with lots of strong people, even more than the kingdom itself.
"Then how did Mom return?"
"My father had secretly assigned a guard for me. Because they stayed away from us, they only managed to arrive after your father and sister were killed."
"Grandfather did?"
Raon narrowed his eyes. He couldn't have imagined that the cold-blooded Glenn would have assigned a guard.
"That's why Mommy is a criminal in this household. I really have no excuse for your grandfather.'
Sylvia lowered her head, and Helen and the maids clenched their fists.
"…"
Raon gently looked at Sylvia.
'Selfish.'
Sylvia was selfish. She ran away from her household's responsibility for her own happiness and came back to beg for her life.
It was understandable why both the direct and collateral lines treated her so harshly.
'However…'
She was the one who gave him a new life, and a love that he had never felt before.
Even if everyone else called her selfish, she was the only mother he had ever known—throughout two lives.
"Mom."
Sylvia raised her head as Raon called her name.
"Do you regret it?'
"Regret?"
"Do you want to return to before you left the household?"
"No, I don't regret it."
Sylvia firmly shook her head. She said that she lived like a human for the first time after meeting father and my sister, contrary to how she had lived like an invisible person in her household.
"But I'm sorry for what I did to you. Because your mom is such a bad person…"
"Were you happy?"
"Yes. I was happy back then, and I'm also happy now."
"Then it's okay."
"Ra-Raon?"
"I'm okay. Don't mind me."
Raon smiled and grabbed the fork once again.
'It's okay to be selfish.'
It was fine if others called her selfish. Even if they called her a runaway, a coward, it was okay if she got insulted.
'But I'm going to take it all back.'
The position of Zieghart's direct line, which she had lost. He decided that he would first get that position back to her, before finishing the revenge that he planned to get.
Sylvia sobbed.
"Young master Raon…"
As a teardrop fell from Sylvia's big eyes, Helen and other maids who standing next to them also started to silently cry.
Rattle.
Inside the annex building's dining room, the rattling of tableware and sniffing sounds formed an unusual harmony.
***
After sending Sylvia and the maids back with puffy eyes, Raon returned to his room.
'I should check before going to sleep.'
It seemed to be a good idea to clean his mind and body with the 'Ring of Fire', which had become three-star, before sleeping.
Whir.
The rings surrounding his heart rotated and throbbed, as if they were alive.
It certainly looked like the three stars made the rings rotate faster, and the effects on his body and mind were further enhanced.
'This is good.'
Three stars were so effective, despite being the start of the apprentice stage, so it was worth looking forward to how impressive the intermediate stage was going to be.
Raon rotated the rings of fire five times, then went to bed. Just as he was about to close his eyes, after turning off the lights, messages that he had never seen before appeared.
Trait has been activated. Trait
Wrath?'
Raon swallowed hard and looked around.
'There is somebody here…'
Although it wasn't visible or audible, a presence had appeared in the room where he used to be alone. It must have been the
Flash.
A blue flame ignited before his eyes as he stayed vigilant.
From the fist-sized flame, a terrifying wave emerged, resembling the eminence of a volcanic eruption.
Finally.
From the inside of the blue flame, a chilly voice sounded. It sent shivers down his spine. A madness that could explode at any moment was contained in the voice.
"What is this…?"
He had a considerable amount of knowledge due to his previous life, but he had never heard nor seen a talking flame.
The wrath that you have nurtured has reached the King of Essence. Under the name of the second monarch of devildom, Wrath, I will grant your revenge. Offer your mind and body… Hmm?
The blue flame that introduced himself as Wrath, the monarch of devildom, dropped its jaws after looking him up and down.
A child? Why is a child…?
"What are you?"
Who are you? The wrath that reached me wasn't an emotion that a child still wet behind his ears could possess.
Wrath's voice was low but contained turbulent feelings.
"Wrath?"
Raon frowned. He might have felt it in his previous life, but he had never been infuriated in his current life.
'Hold on, previous life?'
When he thought about it, he had obtained the mysterious ability called status window after being reincarnated with the memories of his previous life. That had occurred after he had died.
He came to the realization that it could've been Wrath that gave him those special abilities.
"Was it you who gave me the status window?"
Status window? You can use it?
"Yes."
Nonsense! Hmm?
The blue flame surrounding Wrath convulsed.
The… The connection was lost! Why…
"Who are you, and why did you show up here?"
You are the one who called the King of Essence.
"I called you?"
You blazed out in anger. You said you would kill someone at any cost. The advent of the King of Essence was to grant your wish.
"Ah…"
He remembered swearing he would kill Derus Robert at any cost. From what he said, it looked like the flame had appeared in front of him because of his anger back then.
'But it's too late.'
There was two years of time lapse between his previous and current life, and it had been twelve years since he was born. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, being fourteen years late.
"Did you say you would grant me revenge?"
Indeed.
"What is the cost?"
Passionate flames ignited in Raon's eyes.
"Nothing is free in the world. From what you said earlier… Are you going to take my body and soul?"
If you crave your revenge, it is only natural to offer your paltry mind and body.
"…"
He patiently looked down at Wrath. Something could be seen, confined inside the blue flame. An inhuman existence was giving a wicked smile.
'Did this happen because I was reincarnated?'
If he had to guess, it must've been because he had died in his previous life—before Wrath could take over his body.
"Revenge is meaningless if not achieved by me."
He had been played by Derus his entire life, but finally got a new chance after dying. He couldn't accept somebody else granting him revenge.
'I have to do it myself.'
No matter how difficult it was, he was going to cut off Derus' head by himself. He had no intention of leaving it to others.
Excuse me. You're right.
Wrath glared at him with eyes hidden inside the blue flame.
You are hiding a deep and dark wrath at the bottom of your heart.
He smiled with his teeth.
I don't care what happened. The King of Essence has already decided, so you just have to offer your body.
As anger burned up from Wrath's voice, the blue flame struck him.
"Kuh!"
Raon grabbed his chest, bending at the waist.
It was cold.
Not only his body, but his mind was also frozen. Wrath's affinity wasn't fire, but ice.
Think of him and increase your anger. The King of Essence will kill him for you, even if he is a god.
His heart was pounding because of Wrath's creepy voice. It felt as if his heart was pierced by an icicle.
Water Resistance (Three-Star) is activating.
'Water Resistance!'
The water resistance that he had obtained from absorbing the coldness was reducing the pain from Wrath's icy power.
However, Wrath's attack wasn't just ice.
"Kuh…"
Raon moaned painfully. He remembered Derus' face, the way he laughed while looking down on him like a bug, making him gasp.
Leave your body to the King of Essence. I will break his skull and chew on his flesh.
Raon gasped for breath.
As Wrath's voice incited his emotions, Raon wanted to explode with his anger towards Derus.
'Absolutely not…'
Raon bit back his emotions as hard as he could. If he left his body to Wrath, he could do terrible things to Sylvia and the maids.
Even if he were to die there, he couldn't give him his body.
'I have to endure.'
He clenched his fist to bleed. He was an assassin, and the best one at that.
Patience and emotionlessness were the qualities of an assassin.
You are enduring better than I thought, but for how long? No one can win against the icy power of the King of Essence.
As if Wrath was mocking him, he released an icy power capable of freezing his mind and body.
"Huff…"
It was a relief. It was going to be difficult to hold on if he kept inciting his emotions, but he chose to enhance his icy power instead. Raon caught his breath and withstood the icy power penetrating to his bones.
A mere human dares!
Wrath's burning voice was irritated and angry.
I wanted to avoid harming the body that the King of Essence was going to use, but it can't be helped. I'm going to devour you alive.
It wasn't an exaggeration. As his flame grew bigger, the intensity of the icy wave assailing his mind and body increased immensely.
"Kuh!"
Unable to withstand it, Raon groaned. His lip parted as he felt the pain of his flesh being torn apart and organs being severed.
Raise your anger and accept the King of Essence. Are you planning to die?
"I'd rather die than give my body to someone like you."
He bit his tongue to come to his senses. The moment he resolved to die rather than giving Wrath his body, he had an idea.
'Wait. If 'Water Resistance' can block his icy power…'
Then the 'Ring of Fire' might be able to lower the pain in both his body and mind.
Even if it didn't, he had to give it a try.
Raon forcefully calmed his mind and started rotating the rings of fire. The three rings of fire around his heart started to spin violently.
It went as expected.
The 'Ring of Fire' was a cultivation technique that could develop and protect the mind and body. Therefore, it was also effective at enduring external stimulation.
The 'Ring of Fire' rotated rapidly, bringing vitality to his body and mind. The emotions that were about to explode started to subside.
The willpower that he had built up from his previous life, the 'Ring of Fire', and 'Water Resistance' combined, greatly reducing the pain and stimulus that Wrath was inflicting.
Wh-what are you…
Wrath's voice was astonished.
Woosh.
His barrage of icy power gradually became weaker. It looked like he couldn't stick to him if he didn't increase his anger.
How did a mere human child?!
"I am a human, but I am not a child."
Casting off the subsiding icy power, Raon responded calmly.
This doesn't make any sense. Not at all!
Wrath came away from his body while screaming furiously. His lips were shaking like a scared colt.
Even though it hasn't been long since I woke up, for the King of Essence to be pushed back by a mere human!
"Haaaah…"
* * *
* * *
Raon exhaled and glared at Wrath. His flame wavered like a lamp in the wind.
"Revenge is mine to take. I'm not leaving my body to a minor demon."
Minor demon? You dare call a monarch of devildom a minor demon!
"You can't even deal with me, and yet call yourself a monarch of devildom. I guess all the other monarchs are dead."
You! Are you for real…?!
Wrath amplified his flame once again, but only the size increased. The icy power was a lot weaker than before.
'He said he just woke up.'
Waking up from a sleep, or a seal… Either way it looked like he couldn't use his full force.
As Raon shook it off violently, Wrath's fire was thrown off, fluttering away like a paper.
The sound of Wrath grinding his teeth could be heard from the inside of the blue flame.
Im-impossible! How are you controlling your emotions?!
"There is no need to tell you. Now disappear."
You took the power of the King of Essence! How can you ask me to leave?!
Wrath glared at him with rage and hate.
And the King of Essence has already decided. Before you died, I couldn't separate from you even if I wanted to. Ah!
Raon aimed a punch at the mumbling Wrath. Although the flame dispersed, he couldn't feel the blow—it was as if he'd punched empty space.
"Then…"
He gathered mana on his fingertips. It was lousy compared to aura, but still better than nothing.
Swoosh!
He slashed with the mana enhanced hand-knife, but Wrath just revived like a candlelight that had managed to withstand the wind.
Wh-what are you doing?!
"Tsk, this won't work, either."
Wrath was like a soul and didn't have a physical body. Because of that, it didn't seem like he would disappear even if he used an aura.
'Now that I think about it…'
Even though Wrath let out his intense power, the swordsmen who were guarding the annex building didn't barge in.
It must've been because Raon was the only one who could see or feel him.
"How do I make you disappear?'
Give your body to the King of Essence. Then…
"You must be crazy."
As Raon sneered, a message popped up.
Ding!
An additional ability has been unlocked.
"An additional ability?"
Raon immediately opened the status window.
Name: Raon Zieghart
Title: None
State: Curse of Frost (Eight Strands), Poor Stamina, Decline in Athletic Ability, Decline in Mana Affinity
Trait: Wrath, Ring of Fire (Three-Star), Water Resistance (Three-Star)
The question marks that occupied the first slot of the trait were replaced by Wrath.
But that wasn't the important part. There was new information under the status window.
Strength: 13
Agility: 13
Stamina: 12
Energy: 12
Perception: 40
The abilities, such as strength and agility, were evaluated with numbers.
Y-you've really got the status window!
Cold frost spilled from Wrath's mouth. It seemed that he couldn't see the contents of the status window, as he murmured that he could only see the silhouette.
"What is this status window and the message?"
… It's a system that the King of Essence created.
"System? For what?"
I have no reason to tell you.
"To accelerate growth?"
How… How did you…?!
"I knew it."
Like a reflex, he responded as soon as he felt him out. Just like his name suggested, Wrath couldn't hide his feelings.
'It's as I expected.'
Raon nodded. He thought it was weird that the 'Ring of Fire' was more efficient than in his previous life, and it was because of the system.
Give it back. Your body, my power, give them all back!
Wrath started to throw a tantrum. He looked like a baby sitting on a massive throne.
"I don't know how to give them back, nor do I have any intention to do so."
He obtained the ability to grow faster, to a higher peak. There was no reason to give it back to the madman that tried to take his body.
It's not yours!
"And you tried to take my body, which is not yours."
Th-the King of Essence heard your wishes…
"I did desire revenge, but that is something I must do myself. It's meaningless if I realize it by giving up my body to something I don't understand—like you."
Kuh…
Wrath ground his teeth but couldn't open his mouth, as he had nothing to say.
"Go away, now."
Raon turned away as he finished the conversation.
I can't go. I won't leave until you give me back my power!
Wrath screeched and assaulted Raon. The moment Raon clenched his fist, thinking he would cope with it as much as he wanted, Wrath's body started to shine blue.
The blue flame flowed like water to wind around his wrist. Raon prepared for the incoming pain, but it didn't hurt at all.
Zoom.
The blue flame around his wrist disappeared and a bracelet appeared. It was a flowery bracelet made from ice.
I'm going to stick with you until the day you die!
Wrath provoked him by shaking the flower hanging on the bracelet.
It hasn't been long since I woke up, but my power will soon return. When that happens, you won't be able to stop me, no matter what you do.
"Sure."
Raon tried to take off the bracelet, but just like when he tried to touch the flame, it just dispersed instead of being caught.
Hmm…
But it didn't look completely ineffective as the bracelet vibrated, and Wrath stopped talking each time he touched it.
Kuh, it's useless. The King of Essence will never be chased away!
"Let's try it, then."
He tried to scratch, pull, rub it against the wall, and trample on the bracelet. However, Wrath didn't disappear. He was very tenacious.
"Tsk."
He tutted. The flowery bracelet didn't disappear, no matter what he did.
'Even though I do want to remove it…'
It might be better to just leave it be.
The system could disappear if he forcefully took it off, and there was a chance that the demon would transfer to Sylvia or Helen.
Like the saying goes, keep your friends close, and enemies closer. It would be better to keep him nearby, instead of having him plotting somewhere unseen.
Counting on the 'Ring of Fire' and 'Water Resistance' to keep growing, he decided to keep Wrath under control.
"If you aren't going to get off, then change your appearance at least. A bracelet with flowers doesn't suit you."
Raon frowned. He could at least understand if it were a skull, but he didn't want to wear a flowery bracelet.
Respect my taste.
"Haaah…"
He was at a loss for words at how the taste of this violent and impatient guy was a flowery bracelet.
The King of Essence has never let go of his prey. Your body and mind are mine.
"I'd better ignore it."
Kuh! You damn brat!
Raon blocked his hearing and went to bed. Wrath whimpered, but he ignored him.
'But if Wrath is the system's owner, and doesn't know that I was reincarnated, then who reincarnated me?'
Raon murmured the new question and closed his eyes.
***
Creak.
Wrath ground his teeth, looking at the sleeping Raon.
'How can a human like this exist?'
Even though he wasn't at full power, he had never thought a human could stop his possession, let alone a ten-year-old child.*
'It doesn't make any sense…'
Although he was from a different age, he had seen countless humans. Among them was a hero that founded a country with his sword, and a villain that made the whole continent tremble in fear. Thıs text ıs hosted at novel⟡fire.net
But it was the first time seeing a human like him. It was as irritating as if he was looking at 'that guy'.
Just you wait. The day the King of Essence's power returns, I'm going to devour your soul.
Wrath declared, unable to hold in his rage.
"That won't happen, stop dreaming."
The young human shook his hand, as if he was driving away flies.
The King of Essence never gives up…
"I said it won't."
T/N: Raon is small for his age, and Wrath doesn't seem to actually know much about him, or how much time has passed. Otherwise, he'd realize that he hadn't been a child when he 'summoned' him.
The day dawned.
Raon left the annex building with the luggage he had prepared beforehand. Sylvia and the maids were lined up in the garden, waiting for him.
"See you later."
Sylvia got dewy eyed as Raon waved his hand under their worried gaze.
'I'm glad that I'm going alone.'
If Sylvia tagged along, he wouldn't have reached the training ground. It was a relief that only trainees were allowed on the training ground.
"Lady Sylvia, are you going to part with the young master with that expression?"
"Hmm…"
Sylvia's expression loosened up at Helen's remark.
"Raon."
Sylvia fidgeted as she stood in front of Raon. She was still worried, but she couldn't tell him to give up anymore.
'Because I saw what kind of child he is.'
Raon didn't skip training for a single day over the past month, even as he withstood the coldness coming from his mana circuit.
He ran over and over, every day, while breathing out that painfully cold breath. She couldn't send off a child who strived so earnestly with a sad look.
"Good luck, Raon."
Sylvia smiled, trying to control her wavering mind and her worries.
"Thank you."
Raon nodded, then turned back. Without delay, he started walking towards the fifth training ground.
"Is he going to be alright?"
"He got a lot better. He might even pass the training at this rate."
"I'm not even wishing for that. I just want him to come back safe and sound."
"That would be for the best."
Sylvia and Helen didn't stop looking at Raon's back, which got farther and farther away. They prayed for his safe return, regardless of the result.
***
The fifth training ground looked like a long box, as tall walls preventing the view from the outside formed a rectangle around the area.
To the right side of the entrance there was an outdoor gymnasium, covered in fine soil. And to the left side there was an indoor gymnasium with a roof.
Raon looked around the training ground, then looked at the children lined up at the center.
'Just like I've heard, there are a lot of them.'
Despite it being still early, over a hundred children were warming up all around the training ground.
He had heard that there were that many people every time because there were children recommended from the outside or vassal families, on top of Zieghart's direct line and the collaterals.
'They said there were more people than usual this time.'
Helen had told him that the sixth training ground could also be used that year because of how many people there were.
Crunch.
He turned around at the snapping sound. A round-faced child with green hair was eating crackers.
"Do you want some?"
As Raon stared at him, he took more crackers from his pocket and held them out.
"No, thank you."
"Alright."
He nodded, then put his hand back to his pocket. This time, he took out a piece of rectangular bread.
As Raon was about to warm up, thinking that it was interesting, he heard a cold voice speak.
"That's him, right? Look at those frail limbs. They look like they'll break if you touch them. Can he really train?"
"A patient should take it easy and give up. I don't understand why he is being so annoying."
"I closed my eyes when I saw him arguing with the clan leader. It looks like he thinks he is from the direct line. He really doesn't know his place."
Collateral children were loudly criticizing him. It looked like the rumor had already spread, since many children were glaring at him.
"Look at that bracelet?"
"A flowery bracelet?"
"What is he, a baby?"
Collaterals giggled, looking at the bracelet on Raon's wrist. It seemed like the bracelet could be seen by the others.
Are they perhaps speaking about the King of Essence?
Wrath shuddered, after having been quiet up to that point, as if asleep.
'That's why I told you to change the way the bracelet looks.'
They are trash with no taste. What are you doing? Smash their skulls already.
Wrath's voice was boiling with anger.
'For what?'
They aren't only mocking the King of Essence, but also picking a fight with you. Are you saying that you are tolerating them?
'You don't even know what happened.'
I don't care! If they looked straight at the King of Essence, that's enough reason to pluck their eyes out…
'I'm not crazy like you.'
He was relieved that he didn't give his body to that madman.
"Hmm."
Raon turned around and looked at the collaterals, who were still running their mouths. Although they flinched a little, they provocatively stuck their chins out.
'I would've ignored it in my previous life.'
Since an assassin shouldn't draw any attention, he would've turned away, pretending that he hadn't heard anything.
However, he had decided to live his current life as Raon Zieghart, not as an assassin. There was no reason to ignore them.
"What did you just say?"
Raon menacingly approached the children. They looked flustered, as they hadn't expected him to come up to them.
"Huh?"
"Wh-what are you saying…?"
"Stop buzzing like a mosquito and speak clearly."
"Hmm."
"Th-that is…"
The children from the collateral line didn't know what to do, so they awkwardly looked at each other.
'I knew it.'
Those children were just repeating what their parents said. It was the kind of situation that didn't even need a proper solution.
"Haven't you learned not to talk about people behind their back if you cannot speak to their faces?"
"Sh-shut up!"
"How dare you, when you were ruined and forced to live in the annex building!"
"You are collateral, not of the direct line!"
"You are also collateral. The word 'dare' is used when you are talking to someone in a lower position than you. You don't have the right to say that to me."
Raon's voice wasn't loud, nor quiet, as he was simply stating the facts.
"Kuh!"
The three collaterals spread their feet and clenched their fists, as if they were going to strike at any time.
Snap.
Raon stretched his fingers. It wasn't a bad idea to warm up and attract some attention before the training started.
"Screw you…"
"Stop!"
When the collaterals were about to charge, a stern scolding was heard. It was from a handsome, blue-haired boy in his early teens.
Who does he think he is to get in the way? Break his skull.
'Is that Burren?'
He was of the direct line, the one who had the best talent at the Judgment Ceremony.
"What are you all doing when the training is about to start? Are you planning to blacken the name of Zieghart in front of outsiders?"
He'd expected he would take the three brats' side, but he scolded everyone instead.
"Bu-Burren!"
"I apologize!"
A single word from Burren was enough to make the collaterals bow like mice in front of a cat, despite how they were about to charge at Raon.
"And you still don't know your place."
After getting the apology from the collaterals, Burren approached Raon.
"You are like dust that can be removed at any time. If you don't want to be cast out of the annex building as well, then stay as quiet as a mouse."
Burren frowned with obvious contempt.
'Good for nothing!'
The foolish guy in front of him had taken the undivided attention of the head of house a month before, using the circumstances instead of his own abilities.
Incompetence was what he hated the most, and arrogance that doesn't know its place was second to that.
And Raon Zieghart had them both.
He was a loser that was going to drop out from the training, and the fact that he had drawn the head of house's attention made him irritated.
"If you aren't planning to participate in the training, then get out of here. No, just get out of my sight, since there is no way you will manage to pass the training."
As Burren admonished him, the collaterals sneered. When they were about to return with satisfied expressions, Raon took a step ahead.
"That's such a boorish way of talking rubbish."
Raon inclined his chin. With a tilted gaze, he looked straight at Burren.
"Who do you think you are?"
"What?"
"You are of the direct line, but you don't have any rank. You're going to cast me out of the annex building? Do you think you can do that when you aren't even a trainee yet? Oh, I guess you might have a chance if you cry to your father."
"How dare you, collateral…"
Green wind covered Burren's fist. When he approached Raon with bloodthirsty eyes, the door to the training ground cracked open.
Slam!
* * *
* * *
A red-haired man walked past the door, which was still vibrating. With pointy ears and heavenly appearance, he had both a mysterious and cheerful atmosphere around him.
"Are you fighting already? You have a lot of guts, I guess it's because you're still young. Too young, actually."
He grinned and moved to the center of the training ground.
'That guy works here?'
Raon narrowed his eyes. There was no way he wouldn't know him, since he was Zieghart's Sword of Light, the elf swordsman Rimmer, who was extremely famous.
'I heard he had retired…'
There was news that he was injured in a dungeon and ended up retiring, so he hadn't expected to meet him there.
"Hmph!"
Rimmer glanced at Raon and Burren, then went to the platform that allowed him to look down on the whole training ground.
"Ahem…"
Burren bit his lips and turned around. His expression seemed to imply that he would forgive Raon this time, but that he should be careful next time.
"Nice to meet you."
Rimmer smiled from the platform.
"I'm the head instructor Rimmer, who is going to oversee your training." The rıghtful source is novel~fire~net
His voice was bright, not in a frivolous way, but cheerful. Keeping a laid-back smile, he continued.
"There are a hundred sixty trainees, but only eight instructors. As you must also be thinking that there are too many trainees, let's reduce that number. A quarter would be ideal."
Rimmer's laid-back smile became slightly mischievous.
"Re-reduce?"
"To a quarter?"
"What are you talking about…?"
The children's faces went ashy pale. It was the first time they'd heard of trainees being weeded out before basic training.
"We will distinguish between gems and pebbles, quite literally. I'd rather train some quality swordsmen over quantity. "
Rimmer waved his finger at the children, as if he were choosing products.
"Eh? I came here because I was told to…"
The green haired child who held out a cracker earlier dropped the bread he was holding.
"I'm a Zieghart collateral! It's nonsense to weed me out before becoming a trainee!"
"That's true! We were all ordered to participate by the family!"
"Ah. I'm dumb, so I don't know about the direct line or collateral lines."
Rimmer frowned while picking his ear with his pinky finger.
"I'm the law on this training ground. If you aren't happy about it, complain to the lord who made me the law."
Despite looking like a ruffian rather than a head instructor, his good-looking appearance still managed to make him look cool.
'Weeding out…'
Raon scratched his chin. He heard that Rimmer was extremely talented at feeling his opponent's spirit and potential. It seemed that he was going to use that to make a selection.
Who is that arrogant guy?
'What?'
He dares to look down on me! I don't like it. Pluck off that elf's ears.
'Is there even anyone that you do like?'
As his name suggested, Wrath was angry at everything. It didn't seem like he liked anything at all.
Back in the devildom, nobody could see my eyes. As the true monarch that every demon admired… Y-you!
'Shut up.'
Because Wrath started to talk for too long, he tapped the bracelet.
"Then let's start the test."
Rimmer blew away the earwax on his pinky finger.
"What do you think the most important thing is when learning martial arts?"
"It's talent!"
"It's a strong and flexible body!"
"A steady energy center!"
"The way of training for swordsmanship and aura is the most important!"
The children seemed to think that the test had already started, as they shouted what they thought was the most important with their hands raised.
"Talent, body, energy center, swordsmanship, those are all correct. However, those are just the walls and roof. There is a groundwork that needs to be laid under them. It's stamina and willpower."
"Ah…"
"Hm…"
The children lowered their hands and nodded, believing that he was right.
"Some of you have already learned martial arts, and others haven't. As such, I'm going to use the simplest, yet the most certain, method to evaluate you."
Rimmer's finger, which had been pointed at the children, moved to towards the outdoor gymnasium.
"Run laps in the gymnasium until I tell you to stop. At full speed!"
As soon as he finished speaking, two people moved. It was Burren—from the direct line—who was at the Judgment Ceremony with Raon, and Runaan, from the vassal family Sullion.
"Eek!"
"Let… Let's go!"
"Run!"
The other children followed the two and started running in the gymnasium.
Don't move. Nobody is allowed to order the King of Essence…
Raon ignored Wrath and filled his lungs with fresh air. He kicked the ground, following the children running in front of him.
'They are indeed different.'
Runaan and Burren were running way ahead already. Despite looking like they were casually running, they were at a speed that nobody else could catch up to.
It wasn't because of their aura being high quality or having a special attribute, but simply because they had trained their minds and bodies from an early age.
Ahem. If you have started running, then go to the front. Why are you at the very back?
'I don't even know what you want anymore.'
I just don't want to lose.
'This is not a competition.'
Raon looked at Rimmer, who was whistling on the platform. He probed others' potential and spirit. What was visible to the eyes wasn't going to be the only criteria.
"Huu…"
Raon exhaled with shining eyes.
'The winner of this test is whoever lasts the longest.'
And that was something that he was confident about, more than anyone in the continent.
***
"Lord Burren and Lady Runaan are clearly peerless."
"It's not just their speed, but they are also stable. They aren't at their full speed, so they should be able to run for hours like that. To be so accomplished at that age, I'm afraid of what they will become. It's scary."
The two instructors standing under the platform were chatting while looking at the running children.
"The collaterals this year are also quite capable. They must've been well educated."
"Same goes for the recommended trainees. There are many competent ones. It looks like they have been picked carefully."
They didn't only look at Burren and Runaan. They evaluated every single child, including those running at the back.
"Hmm…"
The instructors that were observing every child frowned as they looked at Raon, running among the group in the back.
"As expected, he can't catch up."
"He is a patient. That much is already amazing."
"Hm, he looks tired already. He is going to drop out soon."
The instructors calmly looked away to other children, as they had already expected.
However, Rimmer, who was humming behind them, had his eyes fixated on Raon.
'How curious.'
Rimmer's green eyes shone brightly.
'It's my first time seeing someone like him.'
He had received a blessing of nature brighter than any other race, and he was excellent at discerning others' condition and potential.
He thought the only people he couldn't analyze with his talent were the continent's strongest.
'However…'
He had to change his mind for the first time.
Neither Runaan and Burren, who were running at the front, nor the collateral and recommended trainees who were running behind them, could go beyond his insight.
He could see how they would grow, and how much stronger they would become.
Except for one person. Raon Zieghart.
'Why can't I see it?'
As if hidden behind a cloud, he couldn't see his future, nor his potential.
Because he had no potential? It wasn't something like that. It meant that he was outside of his perception, like when he was looking at those stronger than himself.
"This is funny."
Rimmer smiled. A really interesting human had appeared in such a boring era.
***
"Look at that."
"Is he really in last place after acting all cocky?'
"You can't even call him last place, since he will drop out soon."
The collaterals smirked, looking at Raon running among the slowest group.
"There's no way a guy who grew up comfortably in an annex building can run properly."
"Look at his face, he's so flustered."
"He isn't even going to last ten minutes."
Children other than the three collaterals also started laughing.
But Raon didn't have a serious expression because of being worn out.
'Are they really only going to run when it's training?'
In his previous life, hungry beasts were released behind them when they were training their stamina.
Just running until their stamina ran out was too easy to be true in comparison.
It was too easy.