Chapter 48

Although the Sieghart family is primarily a family of knights, they operated an independent magic tower due to various necessities. The treatment of the magic tower's mages was quite good, but because they could not take the lead, they were often ignored by the knights. Jake, a 5th Circle Mage affiliated with the magic tower, also regretted this point.

Despite the high salary, free time, and research funds, it was frustrating to be ignored by the knights and not be a key member of the group. For the first time, he was invited to the main hall where Carun Sieghart, one of the main figures in the Sieghart family, resided.

Swallowing hard, Jake lifted his head. Carun Sieghart was emitting an overwhelming presence as he looked down at him, making his throat tremble involuntarily.

'Why did he call me here?'

The difference in status between Carun and himself was like the difference between heaven and earth, and they had no significant relationship. He couldn't understand why Carun had summoned him.

"Next week, you're supposed to support the live training at the 5th Training Ground, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Jake bowed his head, his voice trembling. He was to go to the 5th Training Ground for live training support at the behest of the deputy tower head, Berwin.

"I called you here because there's something I want to ask of you."

"Ask...?"

Carun is one of the real powers in the Sieghart family. If he helped Carun, it would definitely be a great help to his future.

"Please, speak."

Jake bowed his head, his words slightly stuttering.

"This live training. You're going to summon orcs to fight the children, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you strengthen those orcs?"

"That's already been requested by the chief instructor of the 5th Training Ground. The trainees' strength is so high that regular orcs won't do for training."

"No, I mean, can you strengthen them to the point where they can't be defeated?"

'To the point where they can't be defeated?'

Jake swallowed hard.

'Is there a specific target?'

It seemed that Carun wanted to kill or injure one of the children at the 5th Training Ground.

"It's possible! If you tell me which trainee to target..."

"Target? Your words are strange."

Carun's cold voice echoed through the spacious and high main hall.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Sometimes my magic goes awry and I need to be careful. Which trainee should I pay attention to?"

"Hmm, Raon."

Carun nodded slowly, seemingly pleased with his answer.

"Raon Sieghart..."

Jake's eyes lit up. Raon had once defeated Carun's son, Baren. Now he understood Carun's intentions.

'He's targeting Raon.'

Raon had recently defeated the third prince of Owen Kingdom and was considered the best among the trainees. It was clear that Carun's target was Raon Sieghart.

"Even in training, injuries are common during live practice. Sometimes, they can even be permanent."

"That's true. I've seen it a few times."

"That's why I've found a good monster."

Carun snapped his fingers, and a butler on the right side brought forward an orc over 2 meters tall.

Swallowing hard, Jake knew from his experience with many orcs that the one in front of him, though it looked ordinary, was of extraordinary strength.

"It's an orc brought from the Dolan Mountains."

"Dolan Mountains..."

The Dolan Mountains were a rugged area teeming with strong monsters. An orc that had survived there was far stronger than a regular orc.

"I want you to send this orc to ensure that nothing happens to that child."

Carun's lips curled up. Though he said to take care, he meant to use the orc to inflict a permanent injury.

"If the orc causes any problems, deal with it immediately to avoid any repercussions. If you handle this well, I'll recommend you for the position of deputy tower head in the future."

"Thank you!"

"Then go ahead."

"Yes! I will follow your orders."

Jake bowed so low that his nose touched the ground. After storing the orc from the Dolan Mountains using a summoning monster magic, he left Carun's room.

"Did anyone see you on the way here?"

Carun turned to the butler who had brought the orc.

"Since he came in from the inside, no one knows that the mage was here."

"You're a quick one. If you handle this well, I'll push for your promotion."

"To deputy tower head?"

"That's unlikely. Just make sure he's grateful enough to give you his liver and gallbladder."

"Understood."

The butler smiled, bowed, and left the room.

"Raon Sieghart..."

Carun muttered Raon's name softly.

He had defeated Carun's son Baren, bested Marta, and even made the third prince of Owen kneel. While it wasn't a significant achievement from Carun's perspective as the head of the main hall and the leader of the knight corps, Raon's actions were starting to irritate him.

The most important thing was that the head of the family, his father, was gradually shifting his attention to Raon.

While it wouldn't threaten his position as the head, it was best to remove the irritant quickly.

'Best to deal with it before he grows any further.'

This was the way he had grown up here, the method he had learned in this cold land.

* * *

After finishing the night training at the training ground, Raon returned to the annex. It was late, and as he quietly walked down the corridor, Sylvia's door suddenly burst open.

"Raon!"

As the door hit the wall, Sylvia burst out with fiery red eyes.

"Ugh!"

"Seeing your mother and saying 'Ugh'? Ugh?"

"No, that's not it..."

"Didn't we have a garden walk planned today? Didn't we?"

"Ah!"

Raon's mouth dropped open.

'I forgot.'

He had been so focused on training due to the events of the previous day that he had completely forgotten.

"You forgot! You forgot!"

"That's not it."

"It is! I haven't seen your face while you're awake for three days!"

Sylvia strode over and raised her hand.

"Mom?"

Raon frowned and stepped back.

"Why did I suggest a garden walk?"

"Huh?"

"Training is important, but so is rest. Rest is part of training."

Sylvia smiled softly and began to stroke Raon's head.

"You've been training every day at the training ground. Take a break here. Even for half a day."

"Ah, okay."

Raon bowed his head deeply.

'I don't know what to do in front of her.'

Sylvia, Helen, and the maids weren't unpleasant.

If he really disliked them, he would have run away long ago.

He was trying to keep his distance because he was afraid of the growing affection he felt for them, which had been growing since he met them as a child.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

"You always ask that."

"Of course, I have to ask! Your goal is to become a knight!"

Before he could answer, she examined his face and body. Even if he said he was fine, she ignored him and only let go after her inspection was complete.

"I said I'm not hurt. I'll go in..."

"Not yet."

Sylvia shook her head and hugged Raon tightly.

"You smell of sweat."

He hadn't showered after training, so he was in a terrible state, but Sylvia didn't let go.

"Don't worry, I don't smell at all."

"Hmm..."

"It feels good to hug you after so long. I can see how much you've grown."

Sylvia held him for a long time before letting go. Her eyes sparkled like stars, filled with joy.

"Have you eaten?"

"Of course, I've already eaten."

"Good job on your training. Go rest now."

Sylvia mumbled that she would sleep well after hugging her son and went into her room.

As Raon shook his head and was about to return to his room, he met Helen's eyes at the end of the corridor.

"Master. I'll prepare your bath, so please wash and rest."

She smiled and disappeared like a ghost. The sound of her footsteps faded, and a smile slipped out.

"Ha..."

Whenever he came here, he couldn't control his abilities or emotions. It wasn't that he disliked it, so it was an ambiguous situation.

Feeling more tired than after his training, Raon entered his room.

"Ah, I'm so tired..."

As he sat in a chair to rest, a knock sounded, and the door opened a moment later.

"Master. Your bath is ready."

Thinking it was Helen, Judiel's head popped in.

"Understood."

"I have something to tell you."

As he nodded and was about to stand, Judiel closed the door and entered the room.

"It's about the main hall."

"Main hall?"

The main hall was Carun Sieghart's castle and the place where Judiel had been sent.

"Speak."

Raon sat back down, his red eyes glowing.

"Yes."

Judiel knelt before Raon and bowed, looking like a subject before a king.

"The main hall has given the order to report every move of Master Raon if he returns to the annex."

"They're up to something."

"It seems so."

"...Live training."

Raon repeated the word Limier had mentioned today.

"Live training...?"

"Limier instructor said there would be live training next week. It seems they're planning to interfere with that training."

"Ah!"

Judiel's head snapped up.

"From what I've heard, live training for trainees often involves duels with monsters."

"I've heard that too."

He remembered Dorian's scream at the end of today's training, saying they would be dueling monsters.

"So, they might interfere with the monsters or the mage controlling the monsters, or..."

Raon closed his eyes and continued.

"Both could be possible."

* * *

The following Monday.

Jake arrived at the 5th Training Ground an hour earlier than the scheduled time.

'I have to do well.'

To succeed in this cursed land, one must walk the right lines.

Until now, even rotten lines hadn't fallen, but this time, it wasn't just a solid line but a ladder that could take him to the heavens.

To secure his future, he had to ensure Raon suffered a serious injury. Only then could he gain Carun Sieghart's favor.

'There's no need to worry about the aftermath.'

Raon Sieghart had no significant background, and Carun was a man who might become the next head of the family. It was already decided who he should serve.

"Phew..."

Jake took a deep breath and opened the door to the 5th Training Ground. Through the thin layer of sand, he could see the trainees practicing with their swords.

Since the training hadn't started yet, he walked to the edge of the training ground and observed the trainees.

'That boy is Baren, and the one next to him is Marta.'

Jake identified the key trainees he shouldn't touch based on the descriptions he had heard before.

'That one is the youngest of the Slieron family, Runan, and...'

Finally, his gaze fell on a blond boy striking a sword on the right side of the training ground.

'Is that Raon? He's incredibly handsome.'

His movements, as he spun and struck his sword, were like a painting.

'I'm sorry, but I have no choice. I won't kill him.'

Jake bit his lip, a tiny spark of malice rising towards Raon. It was so faint that even a skilled knight or a wild animal wouldn't notice it.

But.

One person reacted.

Raon, who was focused on his sword, turned his eyes towards Jake.

"Ah!"

Jake gasped, his back hitting the wall as he fell to the ground. The moment he saw Raon's red eyes, his heart tightened.

"Ugh..."

He felt as if he were standing naked before a predator, unable to move a single finger.

'What is this guy...?'