Granod listened to Berdan’s report in silence for a moment before speaking.
“What is the possibility that the report was fabricated?”
“That is impossible. They truly brought the Dark Mage’s corpse back in a coffin.”
“Did you identify him?”
“It was not difficult. He happened to be someone the Pantheon had placed on an urgent wanted list not long ago. His name was Jan Etodi, aged thirty-nine. His disciplines were necromancy and curses, and he was a Level 5 Master. Champion Abella gravely wounded him while raiding and subjugating a Dark Mage’s hideout, but he reportedly escaped using Teleportation Magic.”
Upon reaching his office, Granod opened the door, entered, and sat behind the desk positioned beside the window.
The cushioned chair welcomed his body, which had grown weary from the long march. Granod looked at Berdan standing across from him and gestured with his chin.
“Explain it in greater detail.”
Berdan recited the report he had received from Mael and Marie. Granod listened in silence before letting out an incredulous laugh.
“Had Ian learned Evilbane?”
“As far as I know, he learned only the basic cultivation method.”
“That would make sense. The techniques are taught only after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
However, as Granod remembered it, Ian had become a ruined shell of a man after his Coming-of-Age Ceremony and had failed to learn even the fundamentals of Evilbane.
Granod had summoned him several times, reprimanding and encouraging him in an effort to make him come to his senses. When Ian showed no sign of improving, Granod had ultimately judged him hopeless.
Yet Ian had killed a Dark Mage?
Although the two Red Spear Knights had assisted him, they had only dealt with the summoned creatures. In effect, Ian had fought the Dark Mage alone and emerged victorious.
“It is difficult to believe. A mere Level 2 defeated a Level 5…”
Even if the man had been injured by a Champion, it was a tale that would make even the most credulous gossipers laugh.
It was no different from a lion being killed by a rabbit.
“I sent people to the village to verify the testimony, so we should know within a few days whether it is true or false. Of course, there is a possibility that the villagers were bribed. However, in my personal opinion, Mael and Marie are not foolish enough to dare deceive House Berger.”
“Berdan.”
“Yes.”
“You cannot know that. Who is to say they are not fools merely wearing the guise of sensible people?”
“……”
“Diol and Ian may be different, but you will become the head of the family. You must not trust others so easily. The world is full of men who will drive a knife into your back the moment they see an opening. That does not change even though we share the Outer Sea as a common enemy.”
“I will remember that.”
Granod leaned back in his chair and briefly closed his eyes. He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips.
Regardless of the circumstances, Ian had killed a Dark Mage who had escaped from a Champion.
Coincidence and luck had undoubtedly played a part, but it was still a feat that had elevated House Berger’s reputation. It deserved praise.
“Is Ian staying in Lampas?”
“Yes. Shall I summon him?”
“Do so. I should meet with him.”
***
Ian swallowed the sigh rising to his throat and raised his hand. He lightly knocked on the antique dark-brown door.
KNOCK KNOCK—
The sound was quiet, yet it rang clearly in his ears. Ian waited silently for an answer.
“Enter.”
When the weighty voice granted him permission, Ian turned the handle and stepped inside.
The office was far too large for a single person. A middle-aged man sat behind a desk positioned beside the window.
Granod Berger.
He was the head of House Berger, the family that wielded the greatest influence in the eastern region of the El Karda Empire.
He was also a Level 7 Completer whom even Level 6 Ascendants, each known as a One-Man Army, regarded with reverence.
That man was Ian’s father.
Granod lifted his head from the documents he had been reading. Ian’s gaze met a pair of red eyes that seemed to contain blazing flames.
“……!”
It was almost miraculous that Ian managed to suppress the groan that nearly escaped his lips.
At the same time, he felt heavy mana coil tightly around his body.
The pressure made him feel as though his entire body were being crushed. Even breathing was difficult, and Granod’s gaze was piercing.
It did not feel like a father looking at his son. It felt like a predator watching its prey.
However, the pressure was not unbearable.
Granod was probably holding back. Had he not been, it would not have been strange for Ian to lose consciousness and collapse immediately.
“Come closer.”
Ian carefully controlled his expression, pretending that nothing was wrong. He approached the desk and respectfully bowed his head.
He struggled to maintain his composure, but at such close range, it was difficult to conceal his tension.
A short while later, Granod gave a faint laugh.
“Hah.”
The pressure binding Ian’s body vanished as though it had never existed. Cold sweat ran down his back.
“It appears you did not spend all your time at the villa idling.”
“I could not continue living that way forever.”
Granod let out a quiet laugh.
“I am glad you realized that, even if it was late. As your father, hearing that my son has finally come to his senses eases my mind somewhat.”
“I apologize for causing you concern.”
“It is enough that you understand. I only hope those are more than empty words.”
A brief silence followed.
Granod lifted the teacup beside him, took a sip, and set it back down.
“I heard what you did.”
It seemed Mael and Marie had submitted a proper report. Then again, they were the sort who might add to another person’s achievements, but they would never steal them.
Ian silently listened as Granod continued.
“You witnessed an Outer Gate that appeared without warning and immediately responded. You shot and killed Hyullang with a bow, and even slew a Dark Mage, I hear? Frankly, it is difficult to believe.”
“……”
That was understandable.
It was not a feat anyone would expect from a ruined man who had shut himself away in a villa.
“The Dark Mage was a wanted man pursued by the Pantheon and a Level 5 Master. He may have been gravely wounded, but he was not so weak that a mere Level 2 should have been able to kill him.”
“I was fortunate.”
“Yes. You were extremely fortunate. One wrong move, and you would have been the one who died.”
“…At the time, I judged that confronting him was the only viable course of action.”
Ian immediately realized that he had spoken too sharply, almost as though he were challenging his father.
Fortunately, Granod did not seem offended. Nevertheless, Ian hastily apologized.
“I am sorry.”
“Continue.”
“Pardon?”
“Explain why you reached that conclusion.”
Ian swallowed.
“…Had the Dark Mage been powerful, he would not have used the corpses of Hyullang. He would not have needed them. He could simply have stormed into the village and slaughtered its residents. Yet he did not do that. He moved very slowly, as though he were deliberately trying to inspire fear. He took no action even while the villagers armed themselves with pitchforks and other farming tools and gathered at the entrance to their crude wooden palisade.”
“He may simply have been taking his time.”
“Of course, that was possible. However, had that been the case, there would have been no point in fleeing. He would certainly have pursued us, and we would have been killed. On the other hand, had he been weak enough for Mael and Marie to defeat, we could have escaped. However, my already miserable reputation would have fallen even further, along with the reputation of House Berger. People would have talked over their drinks, saying that the third son of House Berger was a coward who mounted his horse and fled the moment he saw a Dark Mage. That story would then have spread far and wide.”
“You could not tolerate that?”
“Yes.”
Ian did not know whether Granod approved of the answer, but his father nodded.
“Good. Then explain the course of the battle. The combat report written by Mael and Marie of the Fourth Squad of the Red Spear Knights was incomplete. They were occupied with the pile of corpses before them, so they could not have observed everything properly. You were directly involved, so explain it yourself. Tell me how you defeated the Dark Mage.”
Ian blinked several times before calmly beginning his explanation.
Before his regression, he had worked as both a Treasure Hunter and a mercenary. With the storytelling skills he had developed during that time, recounting the incident was easy.
However, he was not speaking to a random crowd in a tavern, so he chose his words carefully and maintained the calmest voice possible.
Without any embellishment, his explanation was concise and brief.
“…You did well.”
“Thank you.”
“But it was reckless.”
“…I apologize.”
“Is there anything you desire? This matter cannot simply be overlooked. You accomplished something far beyond your current abilities and elevated the name of House Berger. You deserve praise. If there is something you want, I will grant it.”
Ian considered the offer. After hesitating briefly, he answered cautiously.
“There is nothing I desire at this moment. May I speak to you about the reward separately in the near future?”
Ian worried that Granod might ask why or refuse him, but his father readily granted permission.
“Very well.”
“Thank you.”
Ian thought their business was finished and expected Granod to dismiss him. However, his father continued staring at him, apparently having something else to discuss.
For a moment, Ian felt a pang of longing at the sight of his father after so many years. Nevertheless, the situation remained deeply uncomfortable.
The only reason he had endured it this well was that Granod’s gaze and tone were not as cold as Ian had expected.
Of course, neither were they warm.
“Ian.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any plans for the future?”
“……?”
It was a completely unexpected question.
Caught off guard, Ian could not answer immediately and merely stared at his father.
“If you do not, why not enter Akashic? I will give you the choice.”
Akashic.
The name belonged to the foremost educational institution in the El Karda Empire, where the empire’s finest talents were gathered and trained.
“…Would it not be rather late for me to enroll?”
“Yes, it would. Most students enroll in the year of their Coming-of-Age Ceremony. However, age does not matter greatly. Some enter a year or two later than the others.”
The offer was tempting.
Attending Akashic would undoubtedly help Ian establish valuable connections.
More than one or two notable figures immediately came to mind. Some of them had even belonged to the Champion’s party.
However, knowing who they were did not mean he was confident that he could become close to them.
He did not know the details of each person’s circumstances. Approaching them carelessly might accomplish nothing at all.
Ian did not need much time to consider the question.
“No, thank you. Attending Akashic would be a good choice, but I wish to use this opportunity to learn Evilbane properly.”
“Evilbane?”
“Yes.”
Before his regression, all he had learned was the Inner Cultivation Method.
That alone had been immensely valuable, but with only the method, all he could do was produce flames. He had adapted it and created his own techniques.
They had been useful in their own way. However, compared to the formal techniques that had been refined through countless battles over many years, Ian’s creations were hopelessly crude.
It was only natural that he coveted the true techniques.
The corner of Granod’s mouth rose slightly.
Ian could not determine what it meant.
Was his father proud of him, or did he find the request laughable?
Ian sincerely hoped it was the former.
“Very well. You are also of Berger blood, so you have the right to learn Evilbane. Do as you please. You are an adult now, are you not? The time has come for you to make your own decisions and accept responsibility for them.”
Fortunately, Granod granted him permission, though his words carried considerable weight.
Ian bowed his head once in gratitude.
“I have said everything I wished to say. You may leave.”
Ian had wanted to escape the office as quickly as possible. Yet when Granod finally dismissed him, he felt strangely disappointed.
He had expected them to exchange at least a few casual words.
However, there was nothing more.
Ian had only himself to blame. He should instead be satisfied that they had spoken at such length.
“Yes.”
Ian turned and left the office. After carefully closing the door, he stepped away.
Only then could he release the sigh he had been holding.
“Whew.”
He felt completely drained.
They had only spoken briefly, but perhaps because he had been so tense, his back felt damp with sweat.
‘I need to rest.’
At the very least, he could not rest here.
He felt that he would recover his composure only after leaving this place.
Ian hurried his steps, but unfortunately, it seemed his chance to rest would have to be delayed a little longer.
A man was walking down the corridor ahead of him.
Tall enough to stand out even from a distance and possessing a handsome face, the man approached and stopped before him.
“It has been a long time, Ian.”
It was his eldest brother, Berdan Berger.