Chapter 8

Chapter 8“I guess my hopes were not in vain.”

House of Reinhafer.

The corner of Theo von Reinhafer’s mouth lifted ever so slightly as he spoke. It was such a small change that if you weren’t paying attention to his usual expression, you’d never notice it.

Rodwell, the head butler, could do nothing but listen to him.

For a moment, the outcome of the duel had gone exactly the opposite of what he had expected.

It was a surprising result for Rodwell, who had anticipated Knox’s outbursts, wondering how many he could withstand.

Knox won, and he did it against both of his twins at the same time.

It’s hard to comprehend, but it happened right before his eyes.

“...It’s hard not to believe.

“How did you see it? Knox’s talent?”

“I’m still trying to figure out why he was hit in the first place, but...... certainly, at his age, he’s in a class of his own, even among the old masters.”

Rodwell, though a middle-aged man sitting as a butler, was originally a knight. Born into a prestigious knightly family that was quite famous on the continent.

He had been abandoned by his family as a child and had taken up the sword to avenge it, destroying his entire family.

It was during this time that Theo helped him, and he swore allegiance to House Reinhafer.This chapter's initial release occurred on the n0vell--Bjjn site.

He never forgot those who helped him.

Loyalty.

It is the very essence of who Rodwell is.

That’s why he never lies to Theo. He is always transparent in sharing his opinions and giving advice.

Theo nodded at Rodwell’s answer.

“I think so, too. Knox... he’s definitely got talent, and for some reason, I have a feeling the youngest is hiding it more.”

More hidden talent.

Deep down, Rodwell had expected that.

Otherwise, he couldn’t explain the mysterious phenomenon of Knox suddenly moving up two or three levels. He can’t explain the mysterious phenomenon.

But there was nothing he could pinpoint right now.

That meant it was best to observe him more closely.

“Keep an eye on the youngest’s every move, but whatever he does, watch him. Then report everything to me.”

“Understood.”

Theo didn’t say much, but he was slowly starting to get excited about the youngest. The fact that he’d given Rodwell the same mission again was telling.

He rarely gave Rodwell the same task multiple times.

As Rodwell was collecting his thoughts, Theo shifted the conversation to the next item on the agenda.

“How’s Grine doing? I hear he’s on his way back to the family home.”

“He’ll probably be back in half a year.”

Rodwell bowed immediately at Theo’s words.

Grine was Theo’s second son.

He was not the brightest of Theo’s sons, but he had recently graduated from the Eldain Academy.

He is currently in the process of training to become a knight.

It is customary for him to stop by the family home once during his training period to report on his quest, so he will likely return to the family home in the near future.

Theo leaned back in his chair, hoping that Grine was old enough.

Theo was lost in thought for a moment.

“My sword. To whom should the Supreme Black Sword be handed down from my ancestors?

It had been a major issue of his lately.

Not having a single child with the talent to meet my standards.

At this rate, he would have to take in a talented child from the lower realms to pass on his sword.

This was not something that even Theo, who valued skill, wanted to do.

No matter how blunt a father he is, Theo can’t help but favor his child’s ascension to the family name.

In effect, the collaterals are strangers, even if they are bound by family.

In fact, they are no better than anyone else in that they covet each other’s rice bowls.

“I don’t have much time left. Your role is important, Rodwell.”

“I will do my best.”

Rodwell could only bow his head at Theo’s meaningful words.

* * *

Before I could process what was happening now, I decided to take a moment to think about yesterday.

Yesterday was a day of many gains.

First of all, I raised my health to 4, finally succeeding in the first flowering of the genius trait, and secondly, I was granted admission to the Elysian Academy.

It didn’t stop there, and I earned a few more rewards.

[Completed the tutorial quest].

[You won your first battle!

[Rewards are given].

It was an unexpected reward.

I wondered how many of these game elements would remain in a world that had become real, but apparently, achievements and challenges would remain.

“This is... honey.”

And it wasn’t just one reward.

[There are three rewards in total].

[1] Multi-Clear (27) perk for completing the tutorial.

[2] You have earned the Stat Free Distribution (1 point) X3].

“Crazy.”

I’ve gotten the multiple-clear reward quite a few times, but I never thought they’d give me a free stat. As we’ve seen before, the importance of 1 stat cannot be overstated.

“I’ve been running around for a month trying to get 2 health... if X asshole is going to give it to me, I’ll take it early.”

I invested all three of my “stat free passes” into one stat.

It was luck.

“Because... Luck is a stat that’s worth more than any other in Inner Lunatic.

It’s the only stat in Inner Lunatic that can’t be increased through effort.

It was also the only stat in Inner Lunatic that was capped at 10.

“......Haven’t you been watching me train for a month from the sidelines?”

I was speechless.

I didn’t realize she was spying on my training in the first place.

Every day, Talia trained in swordsmanship with the vassals of Rineharbor House, and when she was done, she would immediately come to the training grounds looking for me.

And then she stares at him with an evil eye.[2]

Will this guy really be as good as he claims to be...!

She looks at me like I have some kind of secret.

But it’s unfair.

I was just running like crazy to get it to bloom, trusting in the [Genius] trait. I borrowed a bit of artifact power, but it wasn’t enough to upset the balance.

This means that whatever this talented kid is telling me is a deception...!

I couldn’t help but use another sharp tone.

“Think about your talent before you ask me something like that.”

With that, I quickly walked away and out of her sight.

Talia was important right now, but I had to think of the other side.

I had a whopping 331 days left to live.

Shit. With each passing day, the smile fades from my face and dark circles settle beneath my lavender eyes.

I don’t know if I need to explain this to you.

But I’ll say it anyway...

“Because I don’t want to die...!

Because I don’t want to die.

“I have to live somehow.”

I walked down the long hallway, repeating that to myself.

Then I heard the bustle of many maids and butlers.

“Did you hear, Master Nox won his duel with Master Hartz and Master Allen yesterday!”

“Oh, you’re lying when you say I didn’t see it, aren’t you?”

“No. Why would I lie about something like this, kid? It’s real, I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I saw it, too. He was beating the shit out of them, and then all of a sudden, he was like, “Oh, my God!”

Lately, I’ve noticed a slight shift in the way people look at me.

In many ways, the fight with my brothers has helped.

But.

“Wow... I thought you were just a lazy, talentless bastard, but you’re actually quite powerful?”

The guys who talked about me behind my back were still there.

Perfect!

...By the way, the maid who spoke at the end was Rona, and she was sourly dissing me as if she was desperate to get even with me.

I managed to catch her in the act right behind me.

If I let her off the leash a little bit, she’d climb up.

I glared at her for a moment and cleared my throat.

“I beat my twin brothers, that’s for sure. There’s no doubt about that, and... you’d better watch your back.”

“...Yeah.”

She replied, running a hand through her hair, having just received a slap on the forehead.

She looks a little ragged, but subtly avoids my gaze, apparently scared to death.

“Especially you, Rona, and I won’t forgive you for one more slap.”

“Hmph! Yep. Got it.......”

I purposely told her with cold sarcasm.

I had only recently realized that this scumbag had to be reigned in with a hawk.

And so, a few days passed.

As a result.

I decided to put my plans for life extension on hold.

There were a few reasons, the two biggest of which were as follows.

First, Talia has been following me around and bothering me for days.

She seemed to think she was following me, but it was impossible for me to hide my every move.

He’s still a fourteen-year-old kid.

‘Even though 15 is considered an adult in this world... in my eyes, you’re still a kid.

Anyway.

The last thing I wanted was to show her, who might kill me, how I got the Hidden Piece.

So I had to move more cautiously than usual.

Secondly...

Theo von Rheinhaber, the head of the family, had suddenly found me.

Not just me, but my two other brothers. The twins, Hartz and Allen, were also summoned to the same place.

In that moment, I was certain.

A new skill I’d acquired through a one-time skill confirmation. The time had finally come to use it to get the Hidden Piece.

Hee hee hee!

I hear the cries of wild foals.

That’s right. This is the stable.

Next Chapter

TS Notes

[1] : “Godgem”

[2] : “Axe-eye”

No idea on these

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