Chapter 89. The First Boss, Leang (7)

"Quick, tell me what you want. I'm a busy man, unlike you."

As I fell into thought, Caron began to nag.

And it hadn't even been a minute yet.

Well, it doesn't matter since I just finished thinking.

I put on the most respectful expression I could and spoke.

"Hehe, no, I don't think this is right. It seems I shouldn't be asking for something in return for such a small favor."

"…What are you up to now?"

Caron frowned.

It seems he became even more suspicious when I said I didn't want anything in return.

"I'm being serious. Don't you know, Mr. Caron? I'm not that kind of person."

"…Was the guy who threatened to teach Luna the First Form a different person?"

Ah, at that time, I was more focused on getting something in return. Sorry about that.

But that was then, and this is now, right?

"Hehe, it's because you left so coldly. Even if we have a business relationship, that's too cold, isn't it?"

"Being on those terms with a guy like you is just right. It's really uncomfortable. I'll just give you the favor. Tell me what you want. Money? An artifact? Or something else?"

No, you lunatic! I don't want anything!

What kind of guy is this?

"Hehe, then let's put it on hold. I'll take it with the next important information I provide."

'This is neither taking a reward nor not taking one!' strategy.

Caron clicked his tongue.

It means he doesn't like it but will let it go.

"…Do as you please. You have nothing more to say, right?"

"Hehe, I have a purely curious question, though."

"Doesn't seem very pure to me. I'll be going now."

Caron put his hand on the training ground door handle.

But stopping him was incredibly easy.

"Even if it involves Lady Renia?"

He paused.

Caron immediately turned around.

"Tsk, I knew it wasn't pure. Stop stalling and tell me. What is it?"

"Mr. Leang seems to know the First Form, and quite well."

"Leang?"

Caron showed interest.

It's going according to plan. Using the Lester family to ask about Leang.

For Caron, this is something he can't just let go, and this should be enough to prevent him from dismembering Leang.

Well, maybe he'll just go to vent a little.

"Explain in detail."

From the outdoor class a few days ago, Yuridia's obsession, to recent events in the classroom.

When I finished, Caron nodded slightly.

"Such things happened. Leang… He could use the First Form, but I've never heard that he learned it from the Lester family."

He paused for a moment, thinking.

Finally, when Caron's lips moved, our mouths opened simultaneously.

"Probably a lie."

"Most likely a lie."

We came to the same conclusion. Well, I've been thinking this for quite a while.

'The Lester family is a very strict family.'

This is the conclusion I reached by combining the information I knew from playing the game and the information I heard here.

They are not closed off, but they are not open either.

A family that can be described as conservative.

There's no way they would teach swordsmanship to an outsider like Leang directly.

That was our conclusion.

"Did you know this and still ask?"

"Hehe, just in case. There might be other special cases like mine."

"True, you are the first non-Lester family member to use the proper First Form."

"Hehe, then please look at me favorably…"

"I would have killed you on the spot if I hadn't seen the First Form with my own eyes. It's a shame."

Caron licked his lips as if he truly regretted it.

What's wrong with asking to be looked at favorably?

Even a psychopath wouldn't go that far.

'Hmm? Now that I think about it…'

There was something strange.

I thought he would be angry at Leang for lying about receiving direct instruction.

But he doesn't seem to be.

"You're not angry?"

"Why would I be angry? I get angry just seeing your face, but I can tolerate it."

…This guy?

I wanted to call Luna over to show him what for, but I held back.

Because I thought information about Leang might come up.

"He, hehe… Mr. Leang used the Lester family's technique and even lied about learning it directly. And you're not angry?"

"Ah, that's what you meant. I should have explained it better. I thought it was because of your ugly face."

Click, click.

I have to hold back. I'll die if I attack.

Caron had a look of amusement on his face, as if daring me to attack.

If I attack, it's at least a 12-week injury. A serious one.

I decided to hold back. I'm an adult, after all.

"What? You're not going to attack?"

"Hehe, why would I? It's Mr. Caron I respect."

"Boring guy."

Caron, who had been looking disappointed, opened his mouth.

"Leang is a hard worker. That's why I don't dislike him. Well, I don't particularly like him either."

"A hard worker?"

"Yes. Using another family's swordsmanship isn't easy. He has a keen eye and talent for analysis, but… it's impossible without effort."

The evaluation of Leang is quite good.

If Caron praises him to this extent, others would be obvious.

'Well, I felt it during class too.'

I knew from the beginning that Leang was the boss who would end the first chapter.

I was very tense during the first class, but the tension melted away as soon as the class ended.

Diligent, passionate, and doing his best.

He was a model of an excellent teacher.

It's also why I couldn't casually object when he was favoring the Teron faction and giving out penalty points.

'He's a good teacher. I believe he has a good reason for giving out penalty points.'

Leang was that passionate about teaching.

'Hard worker… Could this be the keyword to make Leang repent?'

I was organizing the information in my head.

"And it's possible that he did have a sparring match with Renia."

"Really? Is that true?"

"Renia isn't the type to avoid sparring. If there was nothing special, she would have accepted. Well, she wouldn't have sparred with those who weren't worth it… but Leang wasn't that kind of person."

Caron's eyes moved and then focused on me.

"You didn't know this information? The guy who dreamed of being a Lester family rat."

It was a casual remark, but a question I hadn't considered.

I can't panic. I'll be bold, very bold.

I pouted and said,

"I spent more time away than with him. I had to listen to Lady Renia's requests."

"Requests? What kind of requests?"

I covered my mouth with my hand as if I had said something I shouldn't.

"Hehe, I told you in the ant nest. It's your job to find out, Mr. Caron."

"…Don't worry. I will find out."

Caron smiled.

Oh, cool? Is it Luna's influence?

I smiled back, but Caron's face suddenly hardened.

"I'll find out even if I have to dissect your body."

Scary. No, really scary.

Dissecting a person? He's not in his right mind.

"He, hehe… You're joking, right?"

"Try to find out. Whether I'm serious or not. It will be an interesting quiz, thanks to you."

No, it's not an interesting quiz at all.

And you're serious about dissecting me. Whether I guess right or wrong, you'll dissect me. I'm not happy at all!

"Anyway, Leang's class level is good, so don't skip it. He's on the wrong path… but you'll realize it on your own while living here."

"On the wrong path? What do you mean?"

"Do you think the swordsmanship of a prestigious family is strong because they are a prestigious family?"

Isn't that obvious? That's why they are a prestigious family.

"Isn't that so?"

"Tsk, of course not. Do you think you'll become strong by learning the swordsmanship of a prestigious family? That's ridiculous."

"Why?"

"Because everyone has a different body structure."

Strength, muscles, height, weight, gender, and so on.

"Everyone has different conditions. Do you think a standardized swordsmanship will fit everyone? It would be strange if it did."

That's right. From the length of arms and legs to strength.

Everyone has a different body structure. Even if they learn the same swordsmanship, there will be differences.

Even if the differences are minor, they are still significant.

The differences will only grow larger over generations.

"Then why do large families maintain their positions?"

"Isn't it obvious? Because they work hard."

In front of others and behind their backs.

They maintain their positions because they work hard continuously.

That's what Caron was saying.

"Well, the legacy, honor, and trust built by their ancestors also have an impact."

"Doesn't that have a greater impact than effort?"

"Well, it could. But if the next generation is incompetent,