Kaiden clenched his fists as he t Zephyrion’s steady purple eyes.
"Fight ."
He had no idea what had happened during the battle, but if he could... if he could face him again, the result would be different.
"No."
"...what?"
Kaiden’s eyes widened, as if he had misheard.
"I won’t repeat myself."
"...why? Don’t tell ... you’re scared to fig—"
"I gain nothing from fighting you. It’s a waste of ti."
Kaiden’s jaw tightened. He was basically calling him worthless.
"...so that’s it? You won’t fight because there’s nothing in it for you?"
"Yes."
"Fine... then tell what you want. I’ll make it worth your while—"
"You have nothing I want."
"Hah..."
Kaiden’s expression twisted as he t Zephyrion’s unmoved gaze. A dynasty heir... what could he possibly offer him?
His fingers curled tighter.
"...then I’ll offer myself. Let’s fight. If you win, I’ll serve you—"
"I’m not interested."
"...what?"
"You’d be useless to . You’re wasting my ti. Leave."
"...you..."
Kaiden simply stared, eyes wide. To be so blatantly dismissed... he had never been humiliated like this in his entire life.
A mont later, Zephyrion tilted his head slightly, his gaze turning cold.
"Leave."
Kaiden remained there for what felt like an eternity, a strange numbness spreading through him. He swallowed, then turned and began to walk away.
Yet his fists remained clenched so tightly that his fingers dug into his palms, drawing blood.
...
"Urk..."
Garrick pressed a hand to his head as he made his way toward the iron training ground.
’Looks like I overdid it.’
He had celebrated far too hard last night, drowning himself in enough alcohol to put powerful n to sleep.
His mouth felt dry. He pulled out a container from his pocket and gave it a brief glance, then shrugged.
’Gotta stay hydrated.’
He took a long gulp and let out a satisfied breath a mont later.
"Haa... this is the life..."
As he reached the entrance, he spotted a man standing by the gates, waiting.
Garrick’s lips curled into a sneer.
"To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"...."
Kastor regarded him in silence for a mont. Then he sniffed lightly and frowned.
"You’ve been drinking."
"Of course I have. All real n drink."
"...I don’t drink."
"That proves my point."
Kastor’s frown deepened, and Garrick tilted his head, amused.
"Well? What do you want? I’m a busy man. The future of Calderalth won’t raise itself."
"...you should learn so respect. Do you even know who you’re speaking to?"
"Kastor Calderalth. Head of House Calderalth. mber of the Ten Thrones. Did I miss anything?"
"...."
Garrick smiled as he calmly t Kastor’s heavy glare.
A mont later, Kastor exhaled then tossed sothing toward Garrick.
"Hm? What’s this?"
Garrick caught it and opened the sack. Inside, a small vial filled with a colorless liquid ca into view, and his expression shifted into a faint frown.
"The trainees showed improvent during the evaluation. I’m rewarding each head trainee."
Garrick stared at Kastor for several seconds, speechless.
"Heh..."
He had never heard such a load of bullshit in his life. Since when did Kastor hand out rewards for evaluations? And an elixir at that, sothing valuable even to dynasty houses, just like that?
As he t Kastor’s steady gaze, Garrick’s sneer deepened.
"Let guess... this is just an excuse to give Zephyrion an elixir."
Kastor furrowed his brows slightly.
"No. Every top trainee received one. It’s to motivate them."
"Motivate them my ass." Garrick shook his head. Even if I believed you, which I don’t, you could’ve sent soone. The great head of house showing up in person? That’s new."
"...I did the sa for the other division."
"Hmm..."
Garrick stepped past him with an amused grin.
"So no special treatnt?"
"None."
"Then you won’t mind if I announce you?"
"...I won’t."
"Good."
Garrick turned and drew in a sharp breath.
"Zep—"
Whoosh.
Before he could finish, Kastor’s weighty presence vanished.
Garrick paused for a second, then chuckled, shaking his head.
"Heh... figures."
...
"Gather around!"
As the trainees hurried over and gathered before the platform, Garrick swept them with a heavy gaze.
One by one, they lowered their heads under it, as though bracing for what was coming.
"You’re all weak, pathetic excuses for Calderalth warriors. I’ve seen drunk n swing better than you, and most of them were blind."
The trainees clenched their fists and dropped their gazes, unable to et his eyes.
"...but your performance during the evaluation wasn’t complete trash. At least you showed so grit. That ans there’s still hope."
The trainees lifted their heads, eyes widening.
"Huh? Did we hear that right?"
"Did Instructor Garrick just complint us?"
"Wooo! He did! We’re not completely useless!"
Whispers spread quickly as they clenched their fists and raised their chins. Compared to the constant barrage of insults they were used to, this felt like a reward in itself.
"Enough!"
Garrick waved his arm.
"This doesn’t an you can slack off. We’re doubling your training, no, tripling it! I’ll drag you all into shape even if it breaks every bone in your bodies."
A hush fell over the training ground. The trainees swallowed hard under the weight of his words.
"Anyways, since you didn’t completely embarrass yourselves, the head of house has decided to reward the top trainees of each division... with an elixir."
"Woah, an elixir!?"
"You’re joking, that’s insane!"
"Argh, I’m so jealous of Kaiden."
A chorus of gasps rippled through the trainees as their gazes snapped toward Kaiden, staring at him with envy.
"Co get your reward, head trainee!"
At Garrick’s call, Kaiden stepped forward with a composed expression.
"Oi, Zephyrion! Move. I don’t have all day."
"What...?"
Kaiden’s eyes widened as he turned toward Garrick, who was now gesturing for Zephyrion to step forward.
The surrounding trainees froze as well, their gazes snapping between the two.
As the young heir began to approach, Kaiden’s fists slowly tightened.
"Instructor... that’s not who you’re supposed to give it to."
"Hm?"
Garrick’s gaze settled on Kaiden for a brief mont.
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