Chapter 24

Raon woke up feeling the warm sunlight seeping through the window.

‘It’s tough.’

During the vacation, he tried to practice diligently, sparing no sleep, but he couldn’t generate an aura.

‘This isn’t a normal practice method.’

He felt this when he saw Glen’s expression and when he examined the manga gong that was etched in his mind. This practice method is not something that can be obtained with a colored badge, let alone a silver or even dozens of gold badges.

‘Why did he just give it to me?’

Glen clearly dislikes him and Sylvia, yet he can’t understand why he handed over such an incredible aura practice method.

The most surprising thing is that he didn’t take any measures even though the book turned to dust and the knowledge is only in his head.

‘Is there a problem with the aura practice method?’

It might be an incomplete practice method with some flaws, given to him for experimentation.

“Hmm….”

Raon carefully reviewed the contents of the manga gong stored in his mind.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any major issue.’

Although there were no obvious problems, he felt he should be cautious.

-That’s a problem.

Ras leaped out of the ice flower bracelet, trembling.

-If you don’t consider me, your soul and body will be consumed by anger.

“Is that so.”

Raon nodded, looking at the agitated Ras.

-Your arrogance is unprecedented, even in the demon world. This time, I will crush your pride.

“Keep talking. If you can, do it.”

Waving his hand, he left the room. He mustn’t show any weakness to Ras. He needs to maintain a calm and composed mind, like a still lake at night.

“Raon.”

“Master Raon.”

Sylvia and Helen, along with the other maids, were waiting in the lobby.

“It’s only been a few days, and we didn’t get to talk much. You didn’t even eat much….”

Sylvia’s eyes welled up with tears as she listed her regrets.

“You can come every weekend now.”

Unlike when he was a temporary trainee, he can visit the annex on weekends as a formal trainee.

“Still….”

Sylvia’s melancholy seemed to affect the other maids, making the atmosphere in the lobby heavy.

“I’ll be back.”

This awkward emotion and situation are like poison. He quickly waved and walked towards the annex door.

As he opened the door, his eyes met Judele, who was standing at the end of the line of maids.

“Suck!”

Judele tried to scream but covered her mouth. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead, and her eyes trembled like a leaf. She looked like a typical human consumed by fear.

‘No need to worry.’

Although things turned out as he wanted, he doesn’t like dominating humans through fear.

If she brings important information from the Heavy Hall where Carun Zighart is, he will properly deal with her.

-What a monster.

Ras sighed, looking at Judele’s expression.

‘Even a monster’s praise from another monster isn’t bad.’

Raon smiled faintly as he headed to the 5th training ground where he had been for a week.

* * *

Raon arrived at the training ground about 10 minutes before the assembly time.

The number of children had clearly decreased. Out of 160, only 42 remained, making the training ground look almost empty.

Only a quarter remained, showing that Rimer, despite his usual carefree attitude, is as strict as a knife when it comes to results.

“Raon Zighart….”

“Hmm!”

“Something seems different….”

The children’s gazes towards Raon had changed significantly.

Six months ago, their eyes were filled with mockery, ridicule, and a bit of pity. Now, they were filled with envy, surprise, and admiration.

However, Raon wasn’t interested in them.

While loosening up his body, thinking only about the manga gong, he heard light footsteps and a snuffling sound.

‘These footsteps….’

Turning around, he saw Lunan, as expected, with her eyes wide open.

-That girl is now sniffing and following. Is she a cat or a dog?

‘I’m not sure. She seems both like a dog and a cat.’

Raon met Lunan’s eyes awkwardly. She had taken a step closer than usual and stopped.

“Thank you.”

“Huh?”

What?

He doesn’t understand why she suddenly said thank you.

“…”

Lunan’s eyes, which usually lacked luster, now sparkled like a cat waiting for food.

“Eh, yeah.”

Responding with a bewildered expression, Lunan nodded slightly and took a step back, returning to her usual distance.

“Hmm!”

Then, she clenched her fist as if she had accomplished something.

“Why did you say thank you?”

“Because I’m grateful.”

“Ah….”

Lunan tilted her head, finding him strange. From her expression, it seemed further questions would be futile.

-What, what is that girl doing?

‘I don’t know either.’

In both his past and present life, he had never encountered a child like Lunan. Looking into her blank purple eyes, he felt a sense of calm, as if staring into a bonfire.

Since she wasn’t causing trouble or provoking him, he had nothing to say. Even though he didn’t understand why, she had said thank you.

‘Is it because I don’t understand emotions?’

He thought his inability to understand Lunan’s gratitude was due to his lack of understanding of emotions. Ras was also flustered, but he was a personality disorder and no help.

‘I’m learning what it means to be flustered.’

Raon sighed. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t find an answer. He turned his head to clear his mind.

“Master!”

Dorian ran over, his green hair fluttering like wings.

“Oh, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you!”

He bowed deeply, as if meeting a teacher.

“Are you well? I almost died. Even as a temporary trainee, I thought I would die, but now as a formal trainee, I can’t even imagine how hard it is. I only had nightmares during the break. Ugh….”

Dorian, without waiting for a response, rambled on. He seemed more afraid than proud of becoming a formal trainee.

“Still, it’s fortunate that Master Raon is the top. If Master Barren were the top, I wouldn’t even be able to breathe. It would be better to fail the exam….”

As Dorian spoke, Barren and the other cadets entered the training ground.

“Eek!”

Barren’s cold gaze made Dorian jump and fall to the ground.

“Hic! Hic!”

Dorian began to hiccup, trembling.

“Raon Zighart.”

Barren walked up to Raon, ignoring the frightened Dorian.

“A week ago, I showed you a shameful face and admitted defeat. I’m sorry.”

Without hesitation, Barren bowed deeply.

“Huh?”

“Huh!”

“Master Barren!”

The other trainees, standing beside him, gasped in shock.

“But!”

Barren’s eyes, as he lifted his head, burned with determination.

“I haven’t given up. I will stand before you again, no matter what effort it takes. I won’t back down or give up. Of course, I have no intention of losing to you.”

Barren pointed at Raon and then at Lunan before walking to the left.

“I thought I was going to die.”

Dorian, shivering as if he had a chill, stood up.

“What should I do? Should I go and beg for forgiveness?”

His eyes, which were already shaking, now moved twice as fast. It was surprising how he maintained his composure in that state.

“No need to worry.”

Raon shook his head. Barren’s focus was only on him and Lunan; he wouldn’t care about others.

-What a shameless brat. Go and tear out his eyes.

‘That’s impressive.’

For a 13-year-old to admit his mistake and speak of a rematch is not easy. It showed the qualities of a direct descendant of the Zighart family.

-It doesn’t matter if it’s impressive. Since I don’t like him, kill him.

‘Ha!’

Raon chuckled. As one fell silent, the other started talking. There was no moment of peace.

Whoosh!

While letting Ras’s anger flow out of one ear, he turned his ankle, and a green wind rose over the wall.

“A bit late, aren’t you? I drank a bit yesterday and overslept. Sorry.”

Rimer appeared with a refreshing green wind, scratching his head like a bird’s nest and laughing.

Crunch!

A grinding sound came from behind. It was Barren.

-How dare he make me wait! That arrogant pointy-eared brat has lost his mind! Tear off his ears immediately!

Ras, unable to contain his anger, began to gather his fury. Looking at Barren and Ras, they seemed to match well.

Rimer whistled and climbed onto the platform.

“Did you rest well?”

He waved his hand, still looking groggy.

“Yes!”

The children, in contrast, shouted loudly enough to shake the training ground.

“First, congratulations on becoming formal trainees.”

“Thank you!”

“Well, you probably already know, but those who failed have decided to participate in the 6th training ground’s training according to their own will. Don’t worry too much if your friends failed.”

Rimer smiled, saying they would meet later.

“From today, we start the formal training. The overall structure remains the same. You will undergo training that pushes your limits, whether it’s mental, physical, or martial arts. This is the fastest and highest path you can take.”

He continued, saying there’s no end to basic training.

However, his lazy, yawning appearance made his words less convincing.

“Several new training methods will be added. The first is aura practice. Starting tomorrow, you will practice aura in the early morning and evening.”

Everyone nodded, knowing that the best times for aura practice are dawn and dusk.

“Swordsmanship and martial arts training, which you’ve been looking forward to, will also begin.”

“Oh!”

“Finally!”

The children’s eyes sparkled like jewels at the mention of swordsmanship and martial arts.

“And….”

As Rimer was about to continue, the training ground’s door burst open.

Whoosh!

A cloud of sand rose, and a girl, who looked to be in her mid-teens, stood at the door.

Her jet-black hair fell over her left shoulder, and her eyes, with a clear contrast between black and white, sparkled like pearls. Her skin, in contrast, was as white as snow.

“Oh?”

“Eh….”

The boys in the training ground were speechless at her elegant beauty, different from Lunan’s.

However.

“Damn it! Why won’t this door open!”

Her curse made the boys’ mouths open in a different way.

“Just in time.”

Rimer chuckled, pointing at the approaching girl.

“She wasn’t my responsibility, but she’s a dropout from the previous batch. You’ll be training together, so introduce yourself.”

“I’m Marta.”

The girl, introducing herself as Marta, lifted her chin and frowned. Despite her elegant appearance, her words and actions were like those of a street thug.

“She may look tough, but she’s a good kid. If you get along….”

“I’ll take care of my own business.”

“Sure, sure.”

Rimer chuckled and shrugged, while the trainees’ mouths remained open.

“Today, we’ll just warm up. Regular training starts tomorrow. Got it?”

He scanned the children and smiled.

“Run. At full speed.”

“Of course.”

Raon nodded and was about to push off the ground when three shadows darted forward.

Lunan, Barren, and the dropout, Marta.

“Master.”

As he was about to chase after them, Dorian approached.

“What’s that person doing here? What should I do?”

“Do you know that woman?”

“Don’t you know? She’s also a direct descendant.”

“Direct descendant? I haven’t seen her in the selection ceremony.”

“No, she’s not a typical direct descendant. She was adopted. Only for her talent.”

Dorian explained that Marta was adopted by Glen’s third son, Denier Zighart, solely for her talent.

“Talent, huh.”

Raon nodded, watching Marta, who was ahead of Barren and Lunan. She was a year older, but her talent was clearly exceptional.

“As far as I know, Marta was also the top trainee in the previous batch, like Master Raon.”

“Then why did she fail?”

“She beat them up.”

“Huh?”

Dorian, with his arms crossed, continued, trembling.

“Not long after the training started, she almost killed five trainees. Two of them were direct descendants.”

“Two direct descendants….”

“She has a bad temper, so be careful.”

Raon nodded slightly and pushed off the ground.

‘I need to be careful.’

Of her.

He had no intention of hiding his strength. If she challenges him, he will crush her.

* * *

“Pant….”

Raon exhaled heavily after the endurance training that lasted until evening.

“Ugh….”

“I’m dying.”

“After a week off, this is….”

Most of the trainees collapsed on the training ground, letting out weak groans.

“Don’t overdo it; it might affect tomorrow’s training. That’s it for today.”

“Good job.”

“Thank you.”

The children bowed to Rimer and the instructors and collapsed again.

“As I said, we’ll also start aura practice from tomorrow. I’ll distribute the practice books now. If you haven’t learned aura, come forward.”

A thin book, the size of a thumbnail, rose to the platform at Rimer’s gesture.

“Don’t be disappointed; it’s a basic practice book. The Linden Aura Practice Method is recognized throughout the continent.”

Most remained still, while a few commoner trainees stepped forward to receive the book.

“Hmm?”

Rimer’s gaze turned to Raon, who, despite not having an aura, didn’t step forward.

“Raon Zighart.”

“Yes.”

“I thought you don’t have an aura?”

“I’m planning to learn the aura practice method I obtained recently.”

“Hmm!”

It seemed he had received a practice book from the head of the family using a badge of the same level.

‘He must have given a practice method better than a silver badge.’

Glen, despite his outward appearance, cares for Raon. He must have given a practice method better than Linden.

“Those who have already learned the aura practice method will practice in their rooms in the morning. Those who received the book today and Raon Zighart will come here in the morning.”

“Me too?”

Raon tilted his head.

“You haven’t learned the aura practice method yet.”

“I understand.”

“Good. That’s it for today….”

“Wait. I have something to say.”

Marta, who hadn’t broken a sweat even after the endurance training, raised her hand.

“Who’s the top here?”

She placed her hands on her hips and scanned everyone.

“It’s me.”

Raon met Marta’s black gaze and spoke.

“To be beaten by a kid without an aura, the direct descendants and the noble families must be dead.”

She mocked Barren and Lunan, standing in front of Raon.

“I can’t stand being above someone weaker than me.”

Marta’s cold aura enveloped him.

“Let’s have a match.”