“Sir Elric, here are the sleeping pills you requested.”

Elric watched as Mina carefully placed a tray with pills and a glass of water on the desk near his bed. 

“Thanks, Mina.”

Seated on the edge of his new bed in the Humes Manor, Elric raked his fingers through his hair, attempting to massage the pain away. Ever since he discovered his ability to manipulate mana, a good night’s sleep had become a distant memory. Excruciating headaches, like fiery brands, seared through his skull every night. While Leonard’s torture had taught him how to conceal his pain, it did nothing to lessen the torment itself.

Mina’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink. She was still not used to Elric’s handsome face. “If that’s all, I shall take my lea– Ah…” Her eyes fell to the newfound scar on Elric’s throat. 

Elric caught her gaze and touched his scar. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

It was a polite dismissal, but Mina could sense the underlying sharpness in his voice. She gave a reluctant bow. “...Understood. Have a good night’s rest, Sir Elric.”

As she left the room, Elric let out an exhausted sigh. “What a long day,” he muttered. He had managed to kill several mana beasts, save a noble lady, and secure a sponsorship—all in one day.

Throb. Throb.

His head continued to pound with pain. With a quiet groan, he reached for the glass of water and the pills. Swallowing them quickly, he lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. 

Why did my body react like that when the viscount entered the dining room?

The feeling was too unsettling for Elric to forget, especially since it wasn’t his familiar mana that was reacting—but rather the other, unknown energy within him.

Kyro clearly stated that he was transferring mana. I first experienced this strange feeling four years ago. Does that mean I’ve had this unknown energy even before I met him? 

Elric attempted to manipulate it as he would have with mana, but the odd energy remained unmoving. A disappointed sigh escaped his lips. 

If my body is reacting to the viscount, it must have reacted to someone else back then, too. Elric immediately ruled out Leonard. Throughout all those years of his torturing, my body never reacted to him in such a way. So, who else could it be?

Despite the pounding in his head, Elric combed through his memories.

“…!”

Leonard’s friends! They were also there that day! A fuzzy memory surfaced in his mind—two figures: one green-haired and the other rotund. It has to be one of them, he concluded. And speaking of noble children…

“Alacia Academy. I would like the viscount to sponsor me.”

Elric’s own words echoed in his mind. There are many reasons why I must attend Alacia, but the most important one is Princess Lucina. I must meet her, he thought urgently. Currently, he has no idea what truly took place in the palace that led to his parents’ deaths; therefore, his best recourse was to get in contact with the princess, whom his mother adored. 

Even if it turns out that the princess betrayed my parents, any information is better than none. And it’s not like I can just break into the palace... I have to meet her inconspicuously. What better guise than a fellow classmate?

From his conversations with his mother, Elric was aware that he and the princess were the same age and that she would be attending Alacia the following year. A serious expression soon crossed his face.

“Reside at the Humes Manor for a year.”

I wasn’t expecting the viscount to suggest that, thought Elric. And if I refused, it felt like he would kill me right then and there. Another sigh escaped him. He knew whether he remained on the Humes Estate or not, the viscount would look into him.

Fortunately, my ability to manipulate mana leaves him no choice but to see me as a commoner, so even if that notice letter resurfaces, he can’t connect me to my parents simply based on family name.

Elric sank deeper against the soft pillows.

“I made other preparations, but…”

The sleeping pills began to take effect, halting his words. 

I’m glad. Even if this revenge is unsuccessful, it is better for me to die with the Sinclair name than without.

With that last thought, Elric closed his eyes, the weight of the day finally settling upon him.

* * *

“Explain everything. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Marcus swallowed hard, his eyes filled with nervousness as he looked at the imposing figure of Viscount Humes.

“Yes, my lord.”

The viscount, shrouded in a haze of cigar smoke, listened intently as Marcus recounted the events that transpired hours earlier in Feywild Forest. Each drag of his cigar was measured and silent, his sharp gaze never wavering from Marcus. When the young knight finished speaking, a tense silence settled in the viscount’s office, punctured only by the soft crackle of the cigar’s ember. The viscount leaned back in his chair, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.

“Frost Hounds, double in size and with red eyes, you say?” he finally murmured.

“Correct, my lord.”

The viscount’s eyes flickered to his trusted Knight Commander, Baron Vance Tilbert. “What do you think, Vance?”

Standing silently beside Marcus, Vance rested his large hands on his hips, his face contemplative. “There have been sightings of red-eyed mana beasts in the eastern and southern parts of the kingdom. Their numbers were small; thus they were deemed insignificant; however, now that they’ve been sighted in the central region, things are different. Feywild Forest is only a few hours away. It’s only a matter of time before these beasts become a threat to the Humes territory. If they are indeed growing in size and boldness, we must take immediate action.”

The viscount nodded slowly, his thoughts mirroring Vance’s assessment. “Then I trust you understand what I expect of you?”

Vance sighed. “I will send out a few soldiers to investigate and report back with any significant changes.”

“Good,” replied the viscount. He turned his gaze back to Marcus. “Vice Commander.” 

Marcus flinched.

“I expect nothing less than absolute competence from those who serve me. You knew the dangers lurking within the depths of Feywild Forest, yet you permitted Alyvia to venture forth. Convince me now why I should not end your life at this very moment.”

As the viscount finished speaking, a horrifying green energy poured out of him. 

“Keuk…!”

Marcus gasped, clutching his throat as the viscount’s aura intensified. The killing intent seemed to leech life from the air, making it nearly impossible for him to draw breath. Viktor Folcaro Humes, he thought fearfully, the continent’s only spearmaster. A wall I can never hope to climb... Marcus could feel his strength waning and the crushing weight of the viscount’s displeasure bearing down on him, but still, he managed to choke out a response.

“I am... without excuse... I will accept... any punishment…”

Vance observed the hostile exchange with a conflicted expression. Marcus was not just any knight under his tutelage; he was his sole disciple and the only thing he brought back from the North. He cared for him deeply; however, it was obvious that the young boy, whom he molded from a mediocre soldier to a skilled knight, harbored feelings for the young miss that surpassed mere chivalry. While such emotions were natural between a man and a beautiful woman, Marcus’ unbridled affection had nearly cost Alyvia her life. It was unfortunate, but the viscount was right to punish him. 

“So you’re competent at times like this,” said the viscount with a sarcastic sneer. 

Marcus’ eyes pitifully fell to the floor. I deserve this, he thought.

With an overwhelming power, the viscount’s aura twisted and curled like it had a mind of its own, ready to snuff out Marcus’ existence at a whim. But then, as if nothing happened, the deadly atmosphere abruptly receded.

“Cough. Cough.” Marcus collapsed to his knees, gasping for air as the suffocating pressure lifted. Vance looked down at him, a mixture of relief and concern in his eyes.

“...You will be suspended for two weeks,” the viscount calmly declared. “Use that time to reflect on your failure and ensure it does not happen again.”

“...?!”

“...?!”

Vance and Marcus both looked at the viscount in bewilderment.

Two weeks?! panicked Marcus. Why is the viscount being so generous? What I’ve done is grounds to be fired permanently! No. Even worse! Anxiety churned heavily in his chest. The viscount was known for not giving second chances, yet he had chosen to spare his life. Marcus forced himself to stand. “I-I will not disappoint you again, my lord,” he stammered.

The viscount replied after a tense moment. 

“That kid that saved you and Alyvia… What do you think of him?”

“…?”

Marcus was unsure why the conversation was flowing in this direction, but just the mention of Elric replaced his anxiety with anger, prompting him to immediately voice his concerns. “My lord! We should be careful! I believe Elric’s more dangerous than he’s letting on!”

The viscount took another drag of his cigar and smirked coldly. “You think so too, huh?”

What?! thought Marcus. He knows Elric is dangerous? Then why is he letting him stay as a guest?

The viscount turned away, dismissing Marcus with a wave of his hand. “See yourself out, Vice Commander.” Still unsure of the viscount’s intentions, Marcus obeyed, deeply bowing his head before he staggered out of the room. 

As soon as Marcus left, Vance stepped forward, his expression firm. “Viktor, if you’re being lenient with Marcus out of consideration for me…” 

“Don’t even say something so ridiculous,” scoffed the viscount.

“.....”

“Then why?”

“He’s the perfect bait.”

“Bait…?” Vance paused, trying to piece everything together. “For that kid?! Who is that boy for you to act so discreetly?!”

The viscount chuckled darkly. “I’m not sure.”

“???”

Vance’s brows furrowed in confusion. This is just like then… he thought. She would always talk vaguely about her connection with the Humes family, and now Viktor is doing the same with this Elric kid. Vance sighed with weariness. “I don’t understand what you mean. And knowing you, you have no intention of clearing it up.”

“You would be correct,” replied the viscount. “Now go and console your disciple.”

Vance hesitated, his eyes searching the viscount’s face for any hint of an explanation. Finding none, he relented and gave a slight bow. “As you command.”

Once he could no longer sense Vance’s mana near his office, the viscount took another drag of his cigar and then uttered a name.

“Zayn.”

A shadowy figure emerged.

“You called, master.”

The figure’s shadowy form had materialized beside the viscount and revealed a tall man with tanned skin. His eyes were droopy and the color of midnight blue. 

“Earlier… you sensed it too, right?” 

“Yes, master.”

When the viscount had entered the dining room earlier, Zayn, his shadowkeeper, accompanied him, concealed by a shadow spell. Together, they both sensed Elric’s unique mana condition. Typically, mana is something that can’t be stored in places other than one’s mana core. However, Elric was strange. Not only was there a huge concentration of mana within him that they couldn’t quantify, it freely flowed throughout his body, as if his entire being was a reservoir.

The viscount pondered aloud.

“Sinclair... Does that family name sound familiar to you?”

Zayn paused as he tried to recall the name. “Ah… I remember now. Just before the king passed away, the royal palace sent a notice letter about the execution of neric traitors. Their surname was Sinclair.”

“Hahahaha.” 

A cynical laugh escaped the viscount’s lips. “Nerics… Purple eyes… A strange mana condition…”

“Master, didn’t she recently send a letter saying that the mana barrier has broken? Elric might really be…”

The viscount couldn’t believe it. Haven’t I been punished enough?! he thought indignantly. Why show up now? To me?!

“Haa…” He let out a breath to calm himself. “It’s too soon to say anything for sure. I’ll dispatch some men to investigate Elric in both the Neric and commoner villages; surely something will surface. Since I got him to stay at the estate for a while, keep an eye on him. Until we have more than just speculation, I won’t notify her just yet.”

Zayn lowered his head. “Yes, master.” Then, just as abruptly as he had appeared in the viscount’s office, Zayn had disappeared back into the shadows.

“Psssssss.”

A soft sizzle echoed through the room as the viscount placed his cigar on an ashtray.

“…”

“He might really be…”