Whenever a person became absorbed in something, time passed with unbelievable speed.
It had surely been morning only moments ago, yet by the time Ian came to his senses, evening had already arrived, and he was lying in bed staring up at the ceiling.
Then morning came. He woke, remained dazed for a moment, and washed himself. After changing into clean clothes and eating breakfast, he sat at his desk.
There, he spent several hours studying the Evilbane theory manual Diol had given him.
It was far more abstruse and difficult than he had expected. As he read, he sometimes wondered whether the contents could truly be correct.
Only then did he understand why Diol had suddenly ordered them to create the outward shape of a Meteor Spear at the training ground.
After studying until noon and eating lunch, Ian began training at the practice ground.
Manifesting, maintaining, and adapting the technique were far from simple. However, the experience from his previous life allowed him to learn quickly.
By the time he finished, evening had already arrived. He would drag his exhausted body into bed, fall asleep almost immediately, and awaken to another morning.
“…Hmm.”
Sitting at his desk, Ian leaned back and sighed. He idly flicked the pen in his hand.
He watched the shaft spin between his fingers, then raised his head. The branches visible beyond the window had become bare.
All the leaves that had once covered them had fallen away, and an ominous wind howled outside.
Only then did Ian realize that three months had already passed since he began repeating the same routine of study and training.
‘I wonder whether I can afford to take things this slowly.’
However, growing anxious would not allow him to accomplish anything immediately.
Ian stretched to loosen his body, which felt unusually stiff that day, and began studying.
He had been concentrating for quite some time when someone knocked on the door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Three knocks rang out, and the door was immediately flung open.
Ian did not even need to look to have a reasonable idea of who it was.
There was only one person in House Berger rude and discourteous enough to behave this way.
“Were you studying?”
Diol approached with an exceedingly lighthearted voice. He placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder, glanced at the desk, and took the theory manual Ian had been reading.
“What? You are already this far into it? That was fast… Do you understand it?”
“A little.”
“Truly? Impressive. You possessed such remarkable talent all along, so what made you feel so miserable that you lived like a ruined man?”
“I was merely immature.”
Diol chuckled.
“Anyone listening would think you had matured by now. Do not delude yourself. You are still immature.”
Ian frowned and glared at him, but Diol calmly closed the book in his hand and set it on the desk.
“Let us go eat.”
“Did you come here merely to say that?”
“Watch your words. You should be grateful that your kind elder brother is looking after his useless younger brother.”
“Yes, how very kind of you.”
“So you are not coming?”
“…Let us go.”
It was earlier than Ian usually ate, but Diol’s intrusion had already broken his concentration, so he agreed without further protest.
Ian assumed they would eat inside the main castle, but Diol said he wanted to eat his fill and headed toward the separate dining hall used by the knights.
Ian had no choice but to follow him. As they walked, Diol suddenly spoke.
“Oh, you will be alone today.”
“What do you mean?”
Ian looked at Diol in confusion.
“Your afternoon training. You will be training alone today.”
“What about Mael and Marie?”
“Them? They were dispatched. Their proficiency with the technique is still somewhat lacking, but they are full members now. They have duties to perform. They cannot spend all their time training forever.”
“They were not merely dispatched. They were sent to gain practical experience.”
“Why? Do you wish to go as well? Just say the word. The east is overflowing with Monsters, so I can take you whenever you like. Although, hmm… I wonder whether someone with a record of killing both Hyullang and a Dark Mage would need my help.”
“Who knows? Perhaps not now, but the day may eventually come when I need it. No one can live entirely alone. I will tell you when I need help, so do not use being busy or inconvenienced as an excuse to flee.”
As they exchanged idle remarks, they arrived at the dining hall.
It was lunchtime, so a considerable number of people were entering and leaving the building.
Most of them were knights. Some brightened when they saw Diol, only for their expressions to turn awkward when they noticed Ian beside him. They offered brief bows before continuing on their way.
“Pay them no attention.”
“I never did.”
Ian was not merely saying that. He truly had no interest in their attitudes.
The same was true of everyone else.
Three months had already passed since he began staying at the family estate. Aside from his brothers, Mael and Marie were the only people with whom he maintained a close relationship.
However, that was not a problem.
No matter how useless they considered him, he still carried the blood of the family head. They might speak behind his back, but they behaved respectfully in his presence.
That was enough.
Diol seemed displeased with their lukewarm attitudes and clicked his tongue.
Just as they were about to enter the dining hall, Diol inadvertently overheard a nearby conversation.
He stopped walking, stretched an arm sideways to block Ian, and raised a finger.
“Shh.”
“……?”
Ian looked at him in confusion. Diol pointed toward his ear.
At that moment, Ian heard someone speaking.
“I heard he has changed.”
Ian instinctively realized they were talking about him.
Concealing his presence, Diol quietly approached a nearby window. Ian followed him.
Other people looked at them suspiciously, but neither brother paid them any attention.
“Yes, that is what I heard. Apparently, he is completely different from how he was during his Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
“Who told you that?”
“The rookies.”
“Hmm. I remember how he used to run wild like an unbroken colt before his Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
“To be honest, was he not rather endearing back then? He was arrogant, but every noble is like that. At least he never crossed the line.”
“That is true, but after his Coming-of-Age Ceremony… To be honest, I did not care for what he became.”
“Ah, that. Neither did I. He would shrink whenever our eyes met and lower his head whenever anyone spoke to him. At first, I pitied him, but eventually, he became utterly pathetic. Why did he behave that way? I could never understand it. To be honest, the rookies and everyone else who went through the Coming-of-Age Ceremony that year were geniuses. There was no reason for him to feel so intimidated.”
Ian frowned.
“Do we have to continue listening to this?”
“Shh. Let us hear a little more. They happen to be my subordinates.”
Diol appeared deeply interested in the conversation. The faint smile on his face looked exceedingly devious.
Ian sighed quietly and waited.
“Anyone who calls himself a knight of Berger—no, anyone carrying the family head’s blood—should have used defeat as nourishment and risen again.”
“According to the rookies, that is exactly what he did.”
“What do you mean?”
“He used his defeat as nourishment and rose again, just as you said. They claim he has grown. I told you at the beginning that he had changed beyond recognition. Have you already forgotten?”
“How was I supposed to understand when all you said was that he had changed?”
“How could you not? I heard he killed Hyullang and even a Dark Mage. The rookies also said they sparred with the young master and lost.”
“They did? Truly? Are they not lying?”
“Anyone can win or lose during a spar, but they said they have not defeated him even once since meeting him again. Apparently, the young master fights like a seasoned mercenary.”
“A mercenary… Does that mean he fights dirty?”
“It could mean he is damnably good at fighting.”
“If they praise him that highly, I would like to test him myself.”
“Good.”
Diol murmured as though he had finally found the opportunity he had been waiting for.
“Forget it. No matter what, he is still the young master. Besides, I heard he spends all his time at the training ground. How would you even challenge him?”
“He visits this dining hall from time to time, does he not?”
“You intend to request a spar when he does?”
“Why not? If we fought using nothing but our physical abilities, would it not be a reasonably even match?”
As though he had been waiting for those exact words, Diol straightened his bent body and flung the half-open window wide.
A startled gasp came from inside.
“Good! We gladly accept that challenge!”
“Vice-Captain? I believe there has been some misunderstanding. We were merely…”
“I know. I happened to overhear you unintentionally, but you were saying that you wished to challenge Ian, not me.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Do not worry. Ian happened to be standing beside me.”
Diol wrapped an arm around Ian’s shoulders and pulled him closer from where he had been leaning against the wall.
When the knights saw Ian’s face, they could not hide their alarm.
“Y-Young Master…”
“It is fine. I have absolutely no intention of accusing you of insulting a noble. Is that not right, Ian?”
Before Ian could even nod, Diol continued.
“He says it is. However, it would be a shame to let the matter end here, so he suggests that you spar, just as you discussed. What do you think? Are you interested?”
The look in Diol’s eyes made it clear that he would force them to spar even if they refused.
Moreover, Diol’s position as vice-captain was by no means insignificant.
He had not obtained the position merely because he was the second son of House Berger. Regardless of his age or status, every member of the order had acknowledged him solely because of his ability.
That was why the knights could not refuse and merely exchanged uneasy glances.
Eventually, they reluctantly nodded.
“Whatever happens, we will not be held responsible, correct, Vice-Captain?”
“Of course. However, you should be more concerned about yourselves. Ian is stronger and more skilled than he appears.”
“Hmm…”
“Good. Gather at the training ground when lunchtime ends.”
Ian had not been given a choice either.
With the spar arranged, they entered the dining hall, placed food on their plates, and sat down.
“What are you thinking?”
Ian asked Diol.
“What are you thinking? How long will you allow them to look down on you? It is time to show them what you can do.”
“……”
“Do not be afraid. I will not pit you against anyone beyond your ability. I am not trying to torment or humiliate you either.”
“I am sure you are not.”
Diol was not the sort to devise and execute such a scheme.
He had probably acted on impulse merely because the situation looked amusing.
“You killed Hyullang and even a Dark Mage. What is there to fear? Fight them as you usually fight Mael and Marie.”
If they fought using only their physical abilities, Ian was confident he could win.
Even if mana were allowed, he could still hold his own in a short bout.
After leisurely finishing their meal, Ian accompanied Diol to the Red Spear Knights’ training ground.
The knights were already waiting in formation, fully armed.
They trained as though every exercise were an actual battle. Aside from mealtimes, they always wore their armor, so their mere presence gave the training ground a solemn atmosphere.
Diol strode to the front of their formation.
“Anything to report?”
No one raised a hand or answered.
“Then only the Level 3 members will remain. Everyone else, continue training according to the schedule.”
As though they had been waiting for those words, most of the knights withdrew with the distinctive clatter of armor.
Even so, approximately twenty people remained.
“Some of you may have heard already, but others may not, so I will explain briefly. I kept only you here because it appears that some among you are greatly interested in Ian’s abilities. You must have had your doubts. A man who left the family estate and lived like a ruined shell suddenly killed Hyullang and then a Dark Mage—a Level 5 one, no less. It must have sounded like a lie. That is why I arranged this.”
“Are we truly going to spar with Young Master Ian?”
“Why? Are you afraid?”
Diol grinned as he asked.
The Red Spear Knight who had spoken clearly bristled, though his helmet concealed his expression.
“…Is this truly acceptable? He could be injured.”
“He will wear a spare suit of armor. Unless you use mana, he is unlikely to suffer any serious injury, so you need not worry. Should any problem arise, I will take responsibility. I assure you, this will be entertaining. Far more than you expect.”
“……”
“Any more questions? If not, let us prepare.”