Chapter 46

Chapter 19. Banquet (1)

Three weeks have passed since Jin returned to the family.

Jin did not take care of the brothers Kajin and Has, who were left in the cave on the way back, but they were fortunate enough to return to the Garden of Swords a few days later.

After that, Mew and Anne completely abandoned the three of them. Not only the three, but also the rest of the factions in the intermediate class.

Especially, Kajin and Has brothers were not just expelled from the faction; they were completely stripped of their status as students at Runkandel.

It was a harsh punishment, especially since they had officially completed the mission at the Kolon ruins with Jin.

However, the students all knew the real reason Kajin and Has brothers were expelled from Runkandel was the price they paid for belonging to the wrong faction.

"You must think I'm pathetic now."

Before leaving, Kajin shouted at the intermediate class students. He particularly focused his gaze on Mesa Milcano, the leader of the youngest squad.

"But you will soon be in the same position as me. We are different from the purebloods. No matter how hard you try, you'll just be a raised dog, and you'll end up like this... Haha. Take care."

None of the students felt sympathy for Kajin Romero.

No one had forgotten the evil deeds he committed while reigning as the king of the intermediate class.

"What a moron."

Mesa snickered and waved at Kajin.

* * *

Clang!

Clang!

Every time Jin struck the blue jade stone, a beautiful sound filled the secret training ground.

"Enough. Your blue jade stone training ends today. From tomorrow, only the Tona brothers will come."

Although Jed spoke calmly, he found it hard to hide his amazement. Jin was the first to completely finish the blue jade stone training in less than half a year.

'Besides, he perfectly completed the Kolon ruins mission. Whether it was due to luck from Marmite or his own abilities, I can't tell... But Brother will no longer keep this kid tied with the other students.'

Jed found it strange that every time Jin went on a mission, something coincidental happened. There was a mage's terror attack in Marmite, and this time, a fire followed.

However, he did not consider it a problem. How the mission was completed was not important. What mattered was that it was neatly finished, in whatever form.

After Jin stole the relic, Ziph announced that a fire accident had occurred at the Kolon ruins as expected.

There was not a single word about the theft of the artifact. No mention of the bio-golem or forbidden magic.

Jin also did not inform the family of these facts.

"Jin. Youngest."

"Yes, Uncle."

"Morning training with the students is no longer necessary for you. Next week, the head of the family will give you some instructions."

The Tona brothers perked up their ears.

Although they were somewhat slow on the uptake, they understood what Jed was saying.

'Is Father going to give Jin the qualification to be a reserve knight?'

'Already?'

The minimum qualification to become a knight of Runkandel is a 6-star knight. Jin is still a 5-star, so he does not qualify. However, age was a factor. At 5-star, he was young enough for Siron to take a personal interest.

Of course, because of his age, he barely qualified for the succession structure, which had its pros and cons.

"Do you understand? Whatever the head of the family requires of you, I believe you will do well."

If Jed said this much, the qualification as a reserve knight was certain.

Before becoming a knight, one must build the appropriate 'honor.' This was the test given to a reserve knight of Runkandel.

Honor cannot be built in a moment. Therefore, a reserve knight usually leaves the family for a considerable time to act independently.

Jin is a super rookie among the students, but outside, few people recognize him. Mary only became a knight after becoming a 6-star knight at nineteen and earning the nickname 'Mary of the Southern Continent, the Stormwind Mary.'

One must elevate their reputation to a level that everyone acknowledges to become a knight. Of course, there was no support from the family during this process.

"Yes! Uncle. Thank you."

This time, Jin did not hide his joy.

Until now, staying in the Storm City and the Garden of Swords was a significant constraint. Here, he could only train in swordsmanship.

He had to cultivate magic and spirit energy like a criminal in hiding. But if he had the opportunity to live outside Runkandel,

'I can strengthen my power as I wish, without worrying about anyone’s opinion.'

Of course, after proving his qualifications and returning to the Garden of Swords, he would have to hide his power again. But after the test as a reserve knight, he would obtain the qualification to be a knight, and there would be no obstacles.

From then on, a significant crack would begin to form in the succession structure.

* * *

June 1795.

The Garden of Swords has been in a state of high tension since early morning. Notable figures from all walks of life are visiting to see the youngest of Runkandel, so everything must be meticulously prepared.

Most importantly, the only Creation Knight in the world and the head of the Runkandel family, Siron, is coming to the Garden of Swords. It is an official event, and there are many eyes watching.

Over 500 guardian knights are currently escorting Siron. He has been traveling from the Black Sea for a week, and he is using land routes instead of a teleportation gate.

From the Black Sea to Runkandel, it takes at least two weeks by sea and land, even if one moves as quickly as possible.

For two weeks, 500 guardian knights must protect Siron, and the cost is astronomical. Additionally, the remaining guardian knights must cover for the 500 who are absent, adding to their workload.

Nevertheless, Siron chose to travel in person for a reason.

To announce the prestige of Runkandel to the entire world.

For the past two weeks, the outside world has been buzzing with stories of Siron's grand procession.

Every time he and his guardian knights passed through a city, people naturally bowed their heads in the face of Runkandel's brilliant authority.

"Lord, we will arrive at the Garden of Swords in two hours."

"This son keeps interfering with my training. I planned to stay in the Black Sea for ten years, but this is the how many times now?"

Although he spoke with displeasure, a smile hung on Siron's lips.

"From the Storm City, I felt that Young Master Jin was extraordinary... But I didn't expect this much. Especially, his actions in the Garden of Swords are quite shocking."

"Competitiveness. That kid has it in spades. Even when I first visited the Storm City, he had a look of resentment in his eyes. He thought he was hiding it, but... Ha ha."

Jin Runkandel, his third son. Even to Siron, the youngest was distinctly different from his other children.

Receiving Solderet's attention and handling a bit of spirit energy is not a significant issue. Siron was watching Jin because of the competitiveness mentioned earlier.

Without anyone telling him, the youngest instinctively knew how to crush and dominate his opponents.

Dominating the Tona brothers in the Storm City might have been due to spirit energy, but Siron could not forget Jin's provocative behavior towards his brothers as soon as he arrived at the Garden of Swords.

"Among my children, how many are just talk? When I saw the youngest provoke his brothers as soon as he arrived, I was secretly curious. But look, every time the brothers tried to send him to his death, he returned and is already a 5-star knight."

"I find the results of the first mission Lord assigned more surprising than the Marmite and Kolon ruins incidents. The kidnapping of Mesa Milcano was unexpected, but Young Master fought and defeated the White Wolf tribe one-on-one."

"It was a strange situation. I expected the youngest to use his subordinates as a shield to kill the White Wolf tribe, but I didn't expect him to take them down alone. He even rescued the kidnapped student. It proved the weight of his beliefs."

Recalling that moment, Siron nodded in satisfaction.

"Do you really believe Young Master defeated the White Wolf tribe alone?"

"Yes. Well, strictly speaking, not alone, but he is an interesting kid. I should ask him about it when we meet this time."

Siron suspected Jin used spirit energy when he captured the White Wolf tribe.

The procession arrived at the Garden of Swords at noon.

All the guardian knights at the Garden of Swords had already lined up three hours before Siron's arrival.

The guardian knights, dressed in shining ceremonial armor, raised their swords in unison.

"Allegiance!"

"Allegiance!"

Siron, who had momentarily stopped his horse, nodded as he looked down at them, and hundreds of swords returned to their original positions.

Then, Rosa and the family's knights walked out among the lined-up knights, followed by the purebloods who had not yet become knights.

Jin, being the youngest, even among his cousins, was positioned at the very back.

"I have been waiting, Lord."

"Rosa, you must have worked hard."

"Not at all. My grown children prepared everything, so I had nothing to do."

Rosa's gaze subtly fell on Joshua.

She firmly believed that fighting and competition were essential virtues of Runkandel. She had developed some expectations for the youngest, who had recently shown promise.

Nevertheless, she hoped Joshua would become the next head of the family if possible. What she expected from her second daughter Runtia, second son Diphus, third daughter Mary, and youngest Jin was the head of the family after Joshua.

Siron saw through Rosa's thoughts but did not show it.

However, he found the determined expression of his eldest son, who firmly believed he would become the successor, annoying.

After Luna was excluded from the struggle for power, Joshua essentially inherited the position of successor by default.

Siron honestly thought that his second son Diphus or third daughter Mary would be more suitable for the position, although they were not entirely satisfactory.

"If my grown children could handle things well, I wouldn't need to leave the Black Sea. The guests visiting Runkandel today are watching me, not our children."

Siron emphasized the word 'children.'

"That's true. Please come inside. I have prepared your favorite food by hand for the first time in a long while."

"That must have been a lot of work. I look forward to it."

Siron did not even glance at Joshua as he passed by. He did not give a particular look to his other children either, but Joshua could not help but feel humiliated in front of the entire family.

As he passed by his children, Siron said only once:

"Ran, Bugo."

"Yes, Father."

"Did you give the swords I allowed you to take as gifts to the youngest?"

Siron pointed to the two swords tied to Jin's waist, his tone slightly scolding. If they had dared to give away what he had given them, they should not expect to receive anything from the family in the future.

Ran and Bugo were in a dilemma.

If they had given the swords as gifts, they could hope to appease their father later, but if they said the swords were 'taken,' their future would be bleak.

Still, they had no choice but to be honest.

"…The youngest took them."

"What? Did you lose to the youngest?"

"No, that's not it. We agreed to give them to him if he successfully completed the Kolon ruins mission…"

Ran and Bugo were in a terrible state. They were humiliated, and they feared their father would withdraw all his expectations from them.

"Ha ha ha!"

However, Siron only laughed and patted their shoulders.

"Yes, yes. Take them back next time. The youngest is quite cunning, isn't he? Sometimes I wonder if he's really my son. Ha ha."

Ran and Bugo sighed in relief. They were grateful that no harsh punishment was given, and the joke made it clear there was no need to worry.

However, they did not know that when Siron said, "Sometimes I wonder if he's really my son," he was referring not to Jin, but to Ran and Bugo.