“I’m ashamed to say Viscount, but I don’t think my services are needed after today.”

Orlan stood confidently before Viscount Humes, no longer feeling overwhelmed by his presence.

The viscount raised an eyebrow. “What?” 

“The practice exam… Elric received a perfect score. I’m still in shock. He answered every question perfectly. And in only thirty minutes! He is definitely ready for Alacia. No, it would be a disservice for him not to attend!”

After grading the exam, Orlan once again gazed at Elric in shock. Three times. That’s how many times Elric showed him something impossible. 

“He will be residing with you for six months, right?” asked Orlan. “I shall send a new practice exam each month so he can continue practicing on his own. My teaching will only limit him.”

The viscount’s fingers tapped lightly against the arm of his chair, absorbing Orlan’s words. “If you’re the one saying so, I guess I should respect your decision,” he replied. “What about his mana potential?” 

Orlan’s eyes brightened. “My lord… You’ve certainly found a gem. Elric broke the mana capacity measurement device—his mana capacity surpasses that of a white core rank! And his abilities were even more shocking! Internal mana manipulation alone should tear an auror apart, but Elric’s somehow mastering it. But the most astounding part? His internal mana manipulation manifests celestial power!” Orlan paused, his excitement palpable. “Is this what you meant by ‘unusual’?”

The viscount sighed. I didn’t find Elric. He found me. “Something like that,” he answered.

Orlan inwardly frowned. How can his reaction be so dull? This is a monumental discovery!

“I will take what you have said into consideration,” continued the viscount. “Thank you for your time today.”

“It was no problem,” replied Orlan.

And it truly was. 

If the viscount can’t see the brilliance of what’s right in front of him, then I’ll just have to show the world what the viscount can’t.

Orlan was going to tell the world about Elric. 

With a formal bow, he dismissed himself and exited the room. As the door closed behind him, the viscount’s expression stiffened. 

Things are getting complicated.

Reaching out to Orlan was no small gesture. It signaled more than just seeking counsel for Elric—it was an implicit decision of the viscount to re-enter the hell that was noble society. 

It was necessary. 

The situation demanded more than discretion now. He couldn’t hide in the shadows forever, not with the growing complexities surrounding Elric.

The abilities he holds are beyond coincidental, he thought.

The viscount possessed a gold-rank mana core, allowing him to sense Elric’s exceptional mana capacity from their very first meeting. And he didn’t need Orlan to tell him; he was already made aware of Elric’s ability to manifest celestial power through Zayn’s reports.

And now, the kingdom’s most esteemed tutor tells me he received a perfect score on the country’s hardest exam.

The viscount leaned back, staring at the ceiling. He’d recently sent out some of his men to investigate Elric, but it would be a while before he received any useful information. Even though there were still many unknowns about him, one thing was clear: it was time to inform her.

Elric is smart and is definitely hiding something. Confirming things won’t be easy. Good thing I already cast out that bait. 

With a deep sigh, the viscount opened his mouth.

“Thomas. Bring Elric here.”

* * *

Taking his time walking to the viscount’s office after being summoned, Elric allowed his thoughts to drift.

It seems Master Orlan has already left. I hope he does a good job spreading what he witnessed today. There’s no way he’ll keep quiet, right?

The viscount was not the only one who planned to step foot in noble society. While poring over books in the library, Elric had come across the names of the most influential nobles in the kingdom, and Orlan Reinhard was among them. Realizing just how impactful his tutor was, Elric saw an opportunity. If rumors of his abilities could circulate through someone like Orlan before he set foot in Alacia, it would set the stage for what he was planning. 

I intended to reveal everything to Master Orlan, but it seems he didn’t even notice the other energy within me. He only noticed my mana. And it’s not just Master Orlan. No one, not even the viscount, has perceived this other energy. What is it? Why am I the only one aware of it?

A faint frown tugged at Elric’s lips. It seemed that no matter what, he would never uncover what this strange, unknown energy truly was. 

I don’t want to, but I’ll have to keep this other power a secret. At least for now. Until I figure out what it is...

Elric finally arrived at the viscount’s office, and the familiar, cold voice of the viscount commanded him to enter. As Elric stepped into the room, the faint scent of wax hit him. 

Did he just finish sealing a letter? 

“You’ve done well, Elric,” said the viscount.

“Thank you, my lord,” responded Elric. By now, he was used to the unsettling feeling that always sprouted while he was in the viscount’s presence and no longer showed any discomfort.

“Master Orlan insists that you’re fine on your own; therefore, rather than being your teacher, he will send you new practice exams once a month so you can continue preparing for the actual exam. Be sure not to slack.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The viscount’s eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ve also heard about your abilities.”

“...Is there anything you are curious about?”

“Your celestial power. Do you know of its origins?”

“No,” Elric answered truthfully. “I’m still discovering the full extent of it myself.” 

Elric didn’t know how it was possible, but the viscount’s unreadable expression became even more unreadable after he answered him.

“Alright then,” the viscount replied. His tone was measured, and his gaze drifted down to the stack of documents on his desk. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll begin your training with the soldiers.”

Elric could tell by the abrupt change in topic that the conversation had reached its conclusion.

“Yes, my lord.”

The viscount gave a brief nod but didn’t look back up, already engrossed in his work. Stepping back, Elric gave a slight bow and left the room.

He would finally learn proper combat. 

* * *

The next day. 

CLANG! CLANG!

The sharp sound of clashing steel echoed across the training grounds of the Humes Manor.

“This is our largest training ground. It’s reserved for our soldiers, as they make up the most of our army. They’re trained by Vice Commander Marcus, whom you’ve already met.”

Thomas, who had been tasked with guiding Elric through the training grounds of the manor, was explaining the layout as he and Elric walked alongside the edge of the field.

“Do knights make up the rest of the army?” asked Elric.

“Most noble armies are divided into two units: infantry and magic. The infantry unit consists of soldiers and knights, while battlemages make up the magic unit. Although our magic unit is small, House Humes follows this standard army structure as well.”

“I see…” replied Elric. His eyes scanned the field with a quiet curiosity. Training dummies stood in neat rows, their burlap skins weathered from countless strikes. Soldiers in the distance sparred, their shouts and loud rings of weaponry cutting through the air. This place felt foreign to Elric. His training had always been in the wilderness, hunting beasts with a spear in hand.

Suddenly, the sound of cheers erupted from the center of the grounds, pulling Elric’s attention.

“What’s going on?”

Thomas looked at the growing circle of soldiers in the middle of the field. “The soldiers are greeting the Vice Commander, who has just returned from a two-week suspension.”

Suspension? The information caught Elric off guard, but then he thought of the day of the Frost Hounds’ attack. I suppose failing to protect Alyvia would lead to some sort of punishment. But only two weeks? The viscount must favor him a lot.

Just as Elric finished his thought, Marcus glanced up from the center of the field, his gaze locking onto Elric’s.

“Well, let’s inform him of the lord’s order,” said Thomas. He and Elric cut across the large field and made their way towards Marcus.

The clamor of cheers slowly faded as they approached, and Elric could feel the soldiers’ heavy looks of disdain on him. What was their issue?

“Vice Commander,” called out Thomas.

“Thomas. What brings you to the training grounds?” Marcus was speaking to Thomas, but his sharp gaze was directed towards Elric.

“The viscount has given Elric permission to participate in soldier training.”

“Ah.”

The two young men regarded each other.

I haven’t seen him since I first arrived at the manor, thought Elric. His eyes fell to Marcus’ right arm. He seems to have fully healed at least.

“Please take care of him,” continued Thomas. 

Marcus’ mouth straightened into a thin line. “Yes… I shall do as the lord commands.”

With that, Thomas gave Elric a parting glance and then left.

“It’s been awhile, Elric,” said Marcus. 

“It has.” 

Elric was surprised at his cordialness. Does he no longer dislike me?

Marcus turned his back, his eyes settling on the running track in the distance. “Since you’re new, you’ll need to build up your stamina if you want to keep up with the others. Start with 100 laps.”

“100 laps?!” repeated Elric.

“If you are unable to do so, I suggest you give up trying to train with us. It will only get more difficult from here.”

Elric was silent for a moment. Then he finally spoke, his voice unbothered. “That’s not it. I shall do as you say, Vice Commander.” Without further hesitation, he made his way toward the running track, and as he walked, he overheard the voices of soldiers.

“The nerve of him. Showing up here after he got Marcus suspended for two weeks.”

“He’s a pretty boy who only gets along with the maids. He won’t last long anyway.”

So that’s what they were thinking, Elric mused. Brushing off the mocking jabs that came his way, he finally made it to the running track and began to run. 

He’ll give up soon.

That is what Marcus thought as he watched Elric complete his first lap. His dislike for the boy hadn’t faded in the slightest, and Elric’s current actions only made him dislike him more.

How dare he take advantage of Lady Alyvia just to get a sponsorship! 

It was all the servants in the manor would talk about once Marcus returned from his suspension. If he could, he would’ve refused training Elric, but the order had come from the viscount, and Marcus couldn’t afford to disappoint him again. 

I’ll make him run 100 laps every day this week, thought Marcus. He’ll surely collapse from exhaustion and quit all on his own.

And then a week passed.

What the hell?!

Marcus stared at the running track with an exasperated expression. After running 100 laps for seven days straight, Elric was still perfectly fine! 

And… 100.

Finishing counting his last lap, Elric looked to his side and observed Marcus’ frustrated face. 

He smirked.

Things didn’t go as expected, huh?

Over the course of the week, it didn’t take long for Elric to figure out that Marcus did, in fact, still dislike him. Whenever he suggested joining in regular training after finishing his laps, Marcus blatantly ignored him. The other soldiers took note and began mocking him freely, knowing there would be no consequences. 

I’ve had enough of this.

Realizing there was no point in trying to gain Marcus’ attention, Elric stopped approaching him altogether, continuing his laps without complaint. What Marcus didn’t know was that 100 laps was nothing to Elric. During his hunting training with Tip, he’d been pushed to run twice that amount. For a neric, failing to develop that level of stamina meant death in the wild. And now, thanks to eating proper meals provided by the Humes Manor, Elric’s body never felt better! 

While running his laps throughout the week, Elric would also watch the soldiers spar against each other. And just by looking, he could tell that they were far, far weaker than Leonard.

Training with them would only stunt my growth. I need something more. 

It was then that Elric decided he must train with the knights.

But how? 

He briefly considered reporting the mistreatment to the viscount, but a better, more strategic idea formed in his mind. Using his ability of “getting along with the maids,” Elric discovered through them that soldiers could only join knight training with Marcus’ approval and recommendation. It was also because of the maids that he learned about Marcus’ one-sided love.

Walking away from the track, Elric approached him.

“Vice Commander, I would like to join training with the knights.”

A prominent scowl appeared on Marcus’ face.

“What?”

“Considering you’ve only made me run for a week straight and completely ignored my presence otherwise, I’ve deduced there’s nothing else to learn from the Vice Commander if this is how you train new recruits.”

“You–”

“Or will you admit you’re treating me like this because of Alyvia?” Elric cut off. 

Marcus’ eyes flared with anger. “You dare mention Lady Alyvia without her title?!”

“Eh? But she gave me permission?”

Marcus’ entire body shook with anger. Elric’s blatant disrespect and the rapid intimacy he’d developed with Lady Alyvia gnawed at the edges of his already fragile pride. Without a word, he stepped forward, his boots heavy on the ground, drawing his sword and pointing it at Elric’s neck once more.

“Let’s settle this with a duel.”

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