Chapter 66

Raon narrowed his eyes.

'Grateful?'

I can't understand this.

He easily shattered the strategy I carefully set up, won in the one-on-one duel, and even punched me in the chest, yet he bows his head in gratitude. I can't fathom the reason.

"You look puzzled."

Kain Zieghardt chuckled as if he had expected this.

"I thought I could definitely beat you in this full-scale battle. I was prepared to win whenever we faced off. I had already analyzed your personalities and combat styles before the duel was even decided."

"Indeed, it was quite threatening."

After analyzing Marta and Baren's personalities and sword skills, he presented effective strategies and opponents. If I hadn't sent Runan, both of them would have fallen there.

"You're right. But it was only threatening. I didn't actually win. I thought a small victory would be enough, and I never imagined you had better senses than me, or that you could hide your presence so well. I also didn't expect Marta and Baren to change so much."

Kain sighed deeply.

"I never imagined I would lose to you in the final one-on-one. I was confident in my aura, having only practiced during my recovery, but I still can't believe I was defeated by such a small spark."

He still thought the aura was weak. It was a misconception, but there was no need to correct it, so he remained silent.

"I learned a lot from this battle. I need to always consider that there might be outstanding individuals younger than me among the enemies, and I must always be on guard."

He looked into Kain's eyes. They were filled with satisfaction, as if he had just enjoyed a delicious meal. It seemed that everything he had said was genuine.

'Not bad for a direct descendant.'

As he said, he must always assume that enemies might hide their abilities and act accordingly. This was why he was called the best during his assassin days, always prepared for every situation.

"Right."

Raon nodded at Kain and scanned the restaurant. Now, the 5th and 6th training ground students were laughing and chatting like old friends, enjoying their meal.

"What do you think about when you swing your sword?"

"What do you mean? I just go with the flow. And get lost, will you?"

Marta, who had been irritated, seemed to soften a bit after receiving some praise. Just a little...

"A Zieghardt swordsman should have that kind of determination."

"Of course. For victory, a Zieghardt swordsman would even give up his left side if stabbed in the right."

Baren and Dekal were laughing with red faces, as if they had been drinking.

Crunch, crunch.

Runan finished his conversation with Karin and was eating fruit. He seemed to enjoy it, piling it up in front of him like a squirrel.

'Interesting.'

It was strange how they had become so close after fighting each other to the death.

When they first decided to have a group dinner, he thought it would be like a funeral, but it was completely the opposite. The restaurant was like a small festival.

"You're also unique."

While he was thinking about this, Kain, who was eating chicken, chuckled.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you curious why the guys who were just fighting are now so friendly?"

"Hmm..."

"Sure enough."

Kain nodded, as if he had expected this.

"Want to know why? It's because they fought."

"I know that. But why did fighting...?"

"No, it's not just because they fought, but because they fought under the name Zieghardt."

He pointed to the students who were talking about today's battle.

"We are all Zieghardt. We didn't use any dirty tricks; we clashed with all our might to defeat each other. Everyone who crossed swords knows this."

Raon's eyes darkened. It was true. He could feel Kain's determination when their swords clashed. He had only wanted to win.

"Since they've poured out everything they could, they can't help but feel relieved, whether they win or lose. They're not just pretending to be friendly; they've actually developed a bond, even if it's a small one."

Kain said this and drank his juice like it was beer.

"Is that so..."

He felt a little of it. Why they seemed so close and why he couldn't understand it.

'In my past life, it wasn't like this.'

During his assassin training, there were also full-scale battle drills.

However, unlike here, even in training, the weak would lose their lives, so building friendships was out of the question. He was grateful and desperate just to survive each day.

'This is the right way.'

When people are bound by the same name and clash in the same space with all their might, without leaving any regrets, this is the result that should be achieved.

In contrast, in his past life, the instructors wanted obedient dogs, not humans. With training that involved killing and being killed, it was natural that they would end up suspecting and resenting each other.

"You seemed so calm and experienced like a veteran in battle, but now you look your age. It's a strange quality."

Kain laughed while chewing his meat, more amused than teasing.

"Is that so?"

Raon smiled back. Of course, his smile had a different meaning.

'I really know nothing.'

His combat skills are getting stronger, and his assassination techniques and experiences are still in his head, but in terms of human relationships, he is far behind anyone here. It was a bitter smile.

"Hmm..."

He slowly exhaled and looked out the window. The setting sun pressed heavily on his eyes.

Is it because of this situation? Or because the words reminded him of his past life?

Old memories resurfaced.

The days before he had the codename Raon. The days he clutched a dagger and fought for survival. The children who tried to kill him in the live training. Even those who wore masks and didn't know each other's faces might have lived the same life if they hadn't been captured there.

They would have met close friends and laughed and chatted happily. No matter how hard it was, it would have been a better life than dying. His hands trembled with regret.

'Right. All of this...'

Darius Robert.

The former king of the south, the scoundrel known as the Thousand Sword City. Anger towards him welled up in his chest after a long time.

"Raon?"

When he clenched his teeth, Runan's clear voice rang out. He snapped back to reality.

-Tsk. That damn brat is interfering!

Lass's voice echoed from the bracelet, sounding disappointed. It seemed he had been subtly stirring up emotions.

'You, as always.'

-Now, wait! Why are you suppressing that good anger? Raise it more! You have to take revenge! Your Majesty...

'Back off.'

-Grr! This guy...

Raon put Lass back into the bracelet.

"Hmm."

Although Lass had stirred up the emotions, they were genuine. He would kill Darius Robert no matter what.

"I'm fine."

"Okay."

He gave Runan, who was staring at him blankly, a faint smile, and he started eating fruit again. He looked just like a squirrel.

"Raon Zieghardt."

Kain, who had already finished a whole chicken, tapped the table and called his name.

"I have a proposal."

"A proposal?"

"What do you think about having inter-training ground duels occasionally? One-on-one is good, and I think full-scale battles like today also have meaning."

His voice was a bit loud, and the restaurant fell silent. All the students who had been chatting looked over.

"Hmm..."

Looking around, he didn't see anyone who was particularly unhappy.

Marta frowned as if saying not to, but it was just one opinion, so he ignored it.

"Sure, it sounds good."

"Sure, that's refreshing!"

Kain slapped the table and stood up.

"Ooh!"

"It'll be fun from now on!"

"I won't lose next time!"

"What are you talking about? I'll win next time too!"

The students' voices grew louder. They were all excited about the new connections they had made.

"Damn it!"

Only one person, Marta, cursed and glared at Raon.

Raon ignored her gaze and looked to the far end. In fact, the most important people to decide Kain's proposal were lost in their own thoughts.

"Isn't this meal the price of losing the bet?"

"Of course not. Have I ever asked you to pay for the meal because I lost a bet? I just told you to pay. Here, pay for the meal and the bet."

"But you already gave me the money."

"That was a deposit."

Rimer and Metun were not discussing the students' performance or areas for improvement but the bet.

"Where is that rule...?"

"This is this, and that is that. The price of a bet is gold coins. Come on, pay up. And pay for the meal too."

Rimer grinned and held out his hand.

"There's no elf who loves money like you."

"Ah, that's a compliment."

"Ugh, it's making me sick."

Metun slammed a heavy bag of gold coins into Rimer's hand.

"Thank you, sucker. I mean, customer. Please come again."

Rimer pocketed the money, picked up a beer, and stood up.

"Good job today, everyone. Rest tomorrow, and see you at the training ground the day after."

He spun his hand and left the restaurant.

'Where is he going?'

Raon snorted and followed him.

'I can't let him keep all the benefits to himself.'

* * *

"Raon is a sure bet."

Rimer walked briskly towards the gambling den.

'Raon is a lucky charm. A lucky charm.'

The students being overwhelmed made him a bit nervous, but it was as expected.

As soon as Raon moved, the disadvantageous situation was reversed, and he could achieve a perfect victory. He would never lose if he only bet on Raon from now on.

"100% sure bet, golden calf, golden calf! I wish I could do it every day."

"There's no such sure bet in the world."

"Eh?"

He turned his head quickly at the clear voice from behind. Raon was looking at the bag of gold coins in his hand with a cold gaze.

"R, Raon? Why are you here? Go eat more...?"

"It seems you've made a lot of money betting on us."

"Uh...?"

"More than once, right?"

"Ugh."

Both were true. He had indeed benefited a lot from Raon. No, a lot.

"Half."

Raon pointed to the bag of gold coins with his finger.

"Half?"

"Since you made it because of us, use half of it for us."

"Half! That's too much!"

"By tomorrow, it won't be half, just dust."

"You could win three times as much!"

"I didn't see you win at the gambling den."

The kid snorted. It was frustrating, but it was true. However, this time was different. He had a strong feeling.

"This time feels good. I'll win ten times and give half of it... "

"Enough. Half is enough for us."

"No! I'll keep it all... "

"Then I won't cooperate in the future."

"What?"

"You know where the instructor bets, so you might lose on purpose."

"You wouldn't do that... Hmm."

Rimer swallowed. Raon's dark eyes meant he was serious.

'You went too far.'

Now that he thought about it, he had only won and cleaned up during the duels with Baren and Marta.

"I'm not asking for it for myself, but to buy things for the students."

"Ah, fine. What do you need?"

"Watching the 6th training ground students today, I realized something."

Raon smiled faintly for the first time and continued.

"What the students need is... "

* * *

Two days later.

"Huh? What's this?"

"A doll?"

"This is a sword practice dummy."

The students' eyes lit up as they looked at the dummies installed on the left side of the training ground.

"Sword practice dummy?"

"Right. When you strike the dummy, it returns a force greater than the impact. It's very good for practical training."

"Really? But why did it suddenly appear?"

The students tilted their heads, looking at the dummies.

"The instructor bought them."

"Huh?"

"Really?"

At Raon's words, the students looked at Rimer, who was lying on the podium, with surprised eyes.

"From this practical experience, you might have noticed that when you clash swords with an opponent, the counterforce can make you lose your sword or injure your wrist. This is probably to address that."

"Wow!"

"That gambler... "

"So he used the money he won the other day?"

"Instructor... "

The students approached Rimer with grateful eyes.

"Hmm..."

Even Baren, who openly disliked Rimer, was surprised and wide-eyed.

"Right. Use them well."

Rimer waved his hand and smiled weakly.

'They're damn expensive.'

The dummies were more expensive than he thought. After buying a few, he was left with only half the gold coins. And in a fit of anger, he lost the rest. As Raon said, he was left penniless.

However, a thin smile appeared on Rimer's lips as he watched the students happily striking the dummies.