Chapter 50 The Trial of the Balheim Lineage

Chapter 50 The Trial of the Balheim Lineage

At the Green Pine Mansions training ground, Kraush stood alone, eyes quietly closed.

Since returning from Danphelion, he had significantly increased his training hours and was now focused on delving into his inner self. With the increased total aura quantity, he felt the need to become even more adept at handling it.

Expert high-level is now just on par with the Belorkin standard.

In Balheim terms, it was a mid-level standard. Kraush wanted to reach at least the threshold of a master before entering the academy. To achieve this, training his aura was essential.

Master Kraush.

However, his concentration was disrupted before long, as Aliod appeared at the training ground. And Kraush knew well why his butler would come, interrupting his own training session.

The Head Butler is here?

Yes, that is correct.

The Head Butler had come to retest Kraush. The Head Butlers examination was akin to a test that could alter ones future in the direct line of Balheim. Kraush had his reasons to properly take on this test.

Bring The Head Butler here.

Yes, Master Kraush.

Aliod bowed and left. As Kraush finished checking his aura, two figures appeared at the entrance of the training ground.

White hair and a face marked by wrinkles. This was clearly an aged person, yet the intensity in her deep blue eyes did not match her age, burning fiercely. Those eyes were identical to Kraushs, which was not a surprise since she was none other than Kraushs great-grandmother, Keselin Balheim.

Its been a while, Kraush.

Keselin greeted him with a kindly smile. However, Kraush knew well that her kindness was feigned. Behind that smile, she had always been calculating his value from the beginning to end.

You have been briefed by Aliod, I assume.

Yes, you must have come for the re-examination.

Im glad you are aware.

She said so and, tapping the ground with her cane, approached Kraush.

Ive heard of your recent actions. They say youve taken down the Butcher Dog that caused trouble in the Empire.

It was simply good fortune.

Good fortune is also part of ones skill, as you well know.

That was indeed the case. It was that sliver of luck he needed to be born more than a half-penny, which was Kraushs life.

She had always been the kind to relentlessly probe where it hurts.

Lets skip the pleasantries.

Keselin pointed the cane at Kraush, her gaze fixed upon him. Before those eyes, any of the Balheim direct line would instinctively shrink. But Kraush simply met her gaze head-on.

If you cannot stand on equal ground with Charlotte, you should abandon the position as the head of the family.

At those words, Kraush blinked. Then slowly, a smile began to creep across his face.

Seeing his smile, Keselin wondered if he had lost his mind.

Why fuss over the head of the Balheim family? No need to talk of giving up.

But the reply that came next caused Keselins eyebrows to twitch.

Ones rank naturally follows the strong.

Just like Arthur, who was not of royal blood, was absurdly elevated to Emperor, in a world where power defines ones rank.

Isnt it far too early to discuss such matters?

Kraush said with a relaxed smile. Realizing something, Keselin thought.

The reports werent exaggerations after all.

Kraush had changed. He was entirely different from the person she had met a year ago.

What had changed him, she did not know. One thing was certain: a new turmoil was about to rise within the Balheim direct line ranking.

Let us proceed with the examination.

His response held an arrogant readiness. Keselin snorted and spun her cane before drawing a sword from it.

Just one step.

She issued a challenge as the blade slowly emerged.

Drive me back merely one step, if you can.

Hearing this, Kraush made a strange expression.

Are you really sure thats all?

Feeling scared now?

Keselin taunted. She was a master-class fighter. Though age had prevented her now from facing the World Erosion directly, her skill had not waned. To Keselins eyes, Kraush was only just reaching expert high-level.

Her eyes holding the sword shone clearly.

Though she hadnt planned to show off such skill before a boy of merely fourteen years, it seemed unlikely that she could block that attack with ease.

I dont know where youve snatched such a chance from.

As Keselin drew breath, an illusion of petals scattered from her sword seemed to blow away.

The blue petals swiftly covered her blade and thrust out towards Kraushs approaching sword.

The two collided amid Keselins smirk.

It seems you really intend to become a dragon.

Boom!

With her words, a tremendous roar rang out.

The billowing smoke muffled sight and sound simultaneously.

In the midst of this, Kraush, maintaining his precarious stance, heavily gasped for air.

And slowly, as the smoke cleared, there stood Keselin, significantly pushed back from her initial position.

Her blade, met head-on with Kraushs attack, quivered too overwhelmed to take the full impact.

Crack!

A fracture started to form along her sword.

Clang!

And with that, the blade shattered, clattering to the ground.

Keselin reached out, lifting the broken blade.

An old blade, yes, and my response was somewhat sluggish from the shock, but for it to break

A hollow chuckle escaped her lips.

Though his total aura was still a fair distance from reaching master-class, that strike alone seemed worthy of the rank.

The examination

Keselin glanced at her original position.

More than ten steps were between her and that spot.

The result went without saying.

Youve passed.

Since she became the Head Butler, had any direct descendant driven her back this much before adulthood?

Regretfully, even Charlotte had only managed seven steps.

Kraush had managed to drive her back three steps further.

Keselin turned to look at Kraush. That strike was clearly one that could only be executed with his full power.

Honestly, it wasnt far from self-destructive.

But a result was a result.

Take some rest.

Just a moment, please.

As Keselin prepared to leave to report back, Kraush, still catching his breath, called to her with effort.

I would like to join the Red Towers Sea of Balheim Knightly Order.

As the Head Butler, she could pass a direct word to the general of the Balheim Knightly Order.

Why the Knightly Order of the Sea, specifically?

The Sea of Balheim Knightly Order was only of moderate status within Balheim itself.

If it were to gain support for a future as the family head, then perhaps a higher-ranked knighthood to build credibility, but the Sea of Balheim seemed an odd choice even to Keselin.

Yes, particularly.

Since he insisted so, she begrudgingly nodded. It was also her role as the Head Butler to facilitate the growth of the direct lineages.

Understood. I will relay your message.

Thank you.

With that, Kraush collapsed in a sprawl onto the ground. Standing was at its limit for him.

Such an odd one.

Thinking that the latest in the Balheim succession was quite a peculiar individual, Keselin left Green Pine Mansion.