Treatise Of A Failed Knight Chapter 12: I Would Rather Die

"Javi, thank you so much for today!"

Selicia’s voice oozes sincerity, despite it being so childlike. She seemingly can’t help the wide grin that keeps playing on her face despite the training already being over.

I have already given a few more pointers, and we sparred for a few more tis after that so she could put them into practice. Her movents are still crude and largely predictable, but I can say—without a shred of doubt—that she has made significant progress compared to a few hours ago.

It’s already getting late into the night, and I know we’ve both spent too long in the training area.

Any longer, and we can get into serious trouble.

’But it was worth it...’

As I think this, Selicia hugs once again and beams brightly. "Fighting with you today was so much fun! You have no idea how much I dread of this mont. It’s even better than anything I could have imagined."

’This silly girl... is that what you’re supposed to be dreaming about?’

Despite having this thought, I simply stroke her head and chuckle silently. I also enjoyed myself a lot. Without a doubt, I’m glad I ran into her this evening.

’I wasn’t a good older brother to you in the past, but this ti I will do my best, Selicia!’ My fists clench as I stare at her with unshakable resolve.

’I promise you that!’

"What are the two of you doing here?" A deep voice suddenly fills the air, causing everything around to seemingly tremble.

I can feel Selicia’s body shake, and my own body also exhibits the sa reaction uncontrollably.

There’s only one person in the world who can elicit this kind of reaction from .

—Luther Aditi, Head of the Aditi Household.

Also...

... My father.

"F-father..." Selicia slowly draws away from , her previously energetic body now radiating with timidity. The broad smile that seed permanently etched on her face is long gone, replaced with an anxious look on her pale face.

"... I-I was just, Javi and I were..."

I sigh, placing my hand on her shoulder while taking a few steps forward.

’You don’t need to say anything, Selicia...’ My thoughts solemnly trail as I glance at her and smile warmly. She’s only thirteen. I won’t subject her to sothing like this.

’As your big brother, I’ll take care of it.’

"I wanted to show Selicia so moves. We got a bit carried away and didn’t realize how much ti passed."

"So moves?" My father arches a brow in displeasure. "Why does a girl like her need to be shown so moves? Why do you feel qualified to be the one to show them?"

"F-father, I—!"

"Silence. I am speaking to your brother now."

Selicia shudders even more and shrinks back. All of us in the family possess a certain fear for our father, since he is the most powerful man in the Household.

He is a very strict, detached, and incredibly cruel man—especially to those who fall below his expectations. Despite the overwhelming fear that must be assailing Selicia, she still tried to defend in her own way.

How admirable. Yet, I never did the sa for her in my past life.

’Instead of protecting you, I sided with the family and forced a path you didn’t want upon you.’

For that... this is my penance.

"Selicia desires to be a Knight. I support her dreams, and since I no longer want to be a Knight, I have decided to impart all of my knowledge onto her in hopes that she can attend the Knight Academy in my place when she cos of age."

"Again with this nonsense..." My father growls, his frown growing deeper. "It seems your mother was unable to talk so sense into you. What an incompetent woman."

"Do not talk about my mother like that!" I would like to say those words, but that will be too out of line. Even I won’t be able to handle the repercussions.

’Besides, as much as I want to help my family... my main obligation lies with my siblings.’

I failed them in the past, and I do not want to make that mistake again.

But, I never failed my parents before. They failed .

’As such, I owe them very little. I love my mother, but it isn’t in my place to stand up for her unless things beco extre. I can only hope that she is eventually able to see the world the way I see it one day...’

"Javier, I will give you one last chance to recant your words." My father’s voice shatters my train of thought and drags back to reality.

Hearing it, I sigh.

"I won’t."

"If you don’t recant your words, I will strip the Heir position from you." His tone depicts his clearly aggravated state, but it remains calm.

My eyes widen in surprise, but only for a mont.

After the initial surprise, my face returns to its deadpan state, and I shake my head.

"No, you won’t."

"Oh? And what gives you so much confidence?"

"Craig is too young. Selicia is a woman. I am the perfect choice. If you delay my Heir declaration, you give more room for the Minor Families to make their moves and try to obtain the position of Main Family."

"If you know all this, why are you still being disobedient and small-minded?"

"It is not I who is small-minded," I speak very bluntly. "I see beyond the Aditi Household, beyond even the Randalorion Kingdom. My life will not be restricted by any of them, and only I will choose the direction I will walk in."

I glance at Selicia for a mont, watching how her eyes widen in shock at my rebellion.

A smile creeps up on my face.

’Watch and learn, Selicia! To achieve your dreams... You too will have to stand up to our parents like this one day!’

"What an insolent child. You really have no manners. No regard for your family. No respect for your father. It seems I haven’t disciplined you enough."

"...."

Judging by the atmosphere, I can already tell where this is going.

It isn’t good.

"Last chance, Javier..."

"I said no!" My voice remains firm, despite the fear slowly rising within regarding what is about to happen.

"Very well... you leave no choice."

My father slowly unsheathes his blade, causing a sharp sound to ring through the night.

Its obsidian surface glints ominously, reflecting shards of the moonlight. I watch him wield his sword with dread, witnessing his eyes suddenly switch from detached coldness to reveal a more vicious side.

"Draw your sword, Javier."

I sigh helplessly, unable to refuse those words.

If I do not equip my weapon, there is no chance I will get through this. In fact, I could actually die in a fight with this man. However, even if I have very little confidence in my skills—at least, compared to him—I should be able to last a little longer.

’Since it has co to this...’ I slowly unsheathe my blade and take a fighting stance.

Personally, I don’t think my father intends to kill .

He needs too much for that.

However, I can sense an unbelievable amount of bloodlust from him right now, so I refuse to take any chances.

’Is he rely trying to threaten ?’

Right as I have this thought, I suddenly see him right in front of .

His blade is already swung.

Within a second, it will reach my neck!

’W-what?!’ My eyes bulge as my body rapidly takes action, instantly blocking the strike right before it hits that vital point.

My bones rattle under the weight of his casual swing, but even before I can acclimate to the sensation, I feel imnse pain rise from the center of my stomach.

"Gah!" Saliva rushes out of my lips as my father’s kick sends sprawling on the ground.

"J-Javi!"

Selicia’s concerned cry reaches .

"Stand back, child!" My father barks at my sister, completely ignoring her presence as he walks past her shivering form.

He approaches with an imposing aura, his eyes still filled with indescribable malice.

"You will learn to submit and obey. If not... You will suffer."

Before I even partially recover from his earlier blow, he kicks once more and sends my body rolling on the ground.

I grit my teeth, trying my best to endure the pain.

But this is ridiculous!

Just how much strength does this man plan to put into his attacks?

He imposingly walks towards again, like an unstoppable force after my life. I struggle to get up, but collapse on one knee due to the weakness that assails my lower body.

My father raises his blade and glares at .

"You pitiful, useless boy. Your mother failed in her duty, but I will not."

Right as he is about to swing his blade down, my sister rushes to intercept it, standing right between us. She is out of breath, her hair is all roughened up, and her body still trembles violently... but she still stands ahead of !

—Right in front of my father!

"Stop hitting Javi! It’s not his fault! He isn’t—"

"I warned you to be silent." My father waves his hand and hits Selicia on her face, instantly sending her body flying away.

Her unconscious body powerlessly rolls in the dirt before finally stopping a few ters from .

My eyes bulge.

"Stupid girl. Why did you stand in my way?"

My fingers twitch.

"Is it because of that silly dream to be a Knight? What kind of nonsense goes on in the minds of these overgrown fetuses?"

My lips tremble and my teeth grind.

"You shouldn’t even be thinking or dreaming. Your only purpose is to exist for the sake of the Aditi Household. That ans doing whatever it is I say..."

The only thing that remains still is my body—at long last.

"All of you are such problematic children..." My father mumbles. "Did your mother not train you at all? Since when do children defy their parents to this extent? Hmm?"

CLANG!

I send a powerful strike straight at my father, causing him to express mild surprise at my sudden attack. Before he can say or do anything more, I twist my body and deliver flurries of consecutive strikes, each having its own variations, at him.

He deflects all of them, while taking a few steps back, unable to hide how stunned he is.

"Javier, you..."

My body straightens, and I give my father a fierce look.

Far fiercer than before.

"You pathetic, insignificant little man..." My voice quakes as I let out my true thoughts. "You’re nothing but the Head of a Mid-Rank Knight Household that occupies a Mid-sized Kingdom."

In the grand sche of things, who is Luther Aditi?

What is the Aditi Household?

"For the sake of sothing so petty, you’d hit your daughter, abuse your wife, and assault your son? How idiotic... how disgraceful..."

"JAVIER—!"

"You can keep your Heir title. I don’t even want it anymore..." I tell him, taking on a fighting stance different from the others before.

"You can break all the bones in my body, tear off all my limbs, and show the greatest kinds of pain you are capable of inflicting, but it won’t change anything. Never again will I let you control how I live, and the sa goes for Craig and Selicia. I will resist you with all of my strength, and if living as an Aditi will an forever remaining under your shadow, then..."

With fire burning in my bloodshot eyes, I scream to the top of my lungs and point my blade at the man standing before .

"I would rather die!"