" Why would they go that far?"
" They said a warp scroll was too precious for me."
Cahill gritted his teeth.
"Just because I'm stronger...Those lowly bastards!"
His blood was boiling just thinking about the time he was betrayed.
Cahill was the youngest in the whole guild and also far too skilled than the average. This sometimes provided him with opportunities to go on high ranking missions with a crucial role. Gazes teeming with envy followed him everywhere. The others would bully him in the name of disciplining him because they cannot beat him fair and square.
Cahill was aware but still endured it silently. There was no need to be provoking them more, those unnecessary grudges would only get in the way of missions.
But , still lacking in hands-on experience he did not expect them to pull such a stunt.
The dining hall was silent. Only the noise of cutlery was ringing throughout.
Carseain broke the ice nonchalantly.
"Now that I think about it, your etiquette is impeccable. "
" I was trained for this separately. There were missions where I had to infiltrate noble houses as a son of a fake noble or merchant."
"Oh ...I see."
" So, just ask what you want to and let me go."
Carseain put down his fork and knife.
" Before that, Rovenin"
Rovenin brought out Cahill's stuff that was confiscated along with a black pouch.
Cahill suspiciously looked at it and glanced at Carseain. He simply smiled and gave a signal to open it. When Cahill lifted it he heard a Jingle.
He opened it carefully and found gold coins in them. Cahill frowned. Carseain was a little concerned.
' He doesn't seem pleased in the slightest.'
"That's the price for you to open your mouth."
Cahill was still silent trying to figure out Carseain.
"Say it if you've got a problem." Carseain frowned.
" Just so you know, I'm not letting you meet my mom."
Rovenin burst out laughing.
" Puh..haha...Pardon me, Young Master."
Rovenin cracked up.
A vein on Carseain's neck was throbbing.
"This brat..."
The worst part was Carseain couldn't even stay angry as Cahill seemed completely serious.
" I won't...I won't meet her, okay?! "
Carseain scratched his head but Cahill wasn't completely convinced.
"So, spill anything you know."
" Well, the request was made at the Mevernica branch where I work. We didn't get many missions that month. I remember a man of Kalik race, a very strong soldier and a woman with red hair dressed in black."
Carseain and Rovenin glanced at each other and nodded.
They knew it was the current Marchioness. Mevernica town is not too far from the Marquessate, she could travel back and forth in a day. As the Marquis keeps a watch on her, she could say she went to a tea party.
"Tell us more about the red-haired woman."
"She was there for an hour. Though she came alone, a weak man escorted her back."
Cahill stuffed his mouth with caramel pudding.
"Huh...a man? Describe him more ."
" Be bas bery beak. Y cod weat hib , iez koshed"
(He was very weak. I could beat him, eyes closed.)
" Haha... is that so? What did he look like?"
Nox was puzzled. ' Young Master can comprehend that nonsense.'
Cahill kept the glass down he drank milk from.
"I don't know. I couldn't see."
Carseain stood up and walked towards Cahill. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth covered with milk and pudding leftovers. Cahill was flushed.
" Now that we're done with our meal. Let's spar, Cahill."
Nox froze and stared with stone dead eyes.
'Really? Out of nowhere?'
Cahill snapped back.
"Huh? With me? Why?"
"Oh come on, it's Revenge, kid, Revenge. You called my precious Butlers weak flat out. I just can't let it slide, you know."
Carseain shrugged. Rovenin defied him.
" Don't lie, Young Master. You're just itching to fight."
"Oh my, I got caught. Anyway, Let's go."
" I don't mind," said Cahill and followed Carseain.
"Oh Cahill, I take back what I said about etiquette. You're just a brat." Carseain said as he put the handkerchief aside.
Cahill remembered Carseain wiping his mouth like a child and getting embarrassed.
" Shut up! " he growled.
...
Carseain was on his way to the training grounds.
' Cahill, a name strangely familiar. An unpolished gem, a daunting identity as a nightmare and that will to survive. I want him but no rush. Let's find out more.'
The sun was almost set. The ground was lit up with luminous magic stones. Knights nearby were sent back to their quarters.
Only Rovenin and Nox stood there to assist and observe. Carseain unsheathed his sword and Cahill drew out his twin daggers.
"Will we not be using magic?"
Nox screamed internally.
'Of course not, you monsters! That is unless you want to destroy the mansion'.
"Yup, that's right, no magic. But by the way, what about me? You said I had two attributes. Am I strong?"
Carseain grinned. Cahill flinched a little.
" I wanted to avoid it since I can't lie. But you're very strange."
Carseain tilted his neck.
"Huh? Strange?"
Cahill scratched his head.
"It's like you're very very strong but you're weak also. Yeah, you're weak but that's strong."
He said, flapping his hands in confusion. Carseain laughed.
" You know that's you're spouting nonsense, correct?"
Cahill stomped his foot.
"That's why I said you're strange!"
"Okay, okay. Let's keep it simple. I win, I'm strong. I lose, I'm weak "
"No complaints."
They took their positions and with Rovenin's signal they began.
Cahill sprinted and pounced at Carseain like a beast.
With one slight swing, he fended him off.
Building his momentum, Cahill jumped and aimed for Carseain's neck with one dagger, he dodged it but Cahill's other hand was already attacking. Carseain sent the dagger flying.
Cahill's eyes widened.
'How does he even react to that?'
Cahill stepped on Carseain's sword, using it as footing he launched himself up. He caught the dagger and landed 2 feet away.
He changed his stance and took a deep breath.
Carseain noticed that the look in his eyes changed.
"Oh..ho.. getting serious now are we?"
Cahill swiftly pranced and they started exchanging blows seriously.
Carseain started grinning with excitement and the feeling was shared by Cahill too.
Rovenin gasped, astonished.
"This is...."
Nox suddenly yelled.
"That's Aether's way of daggers"
"We can see that, Nox. Keep it down."
" Is he perhaps -"
" No, the child is a human. But.."
They both just observed in silence.
Aether's ways of surviving.
Sword, Arrows, spear, dagger and physical combat.
The set of unique techniques rendered Animal Tribe into a fearsome species. It is thought of as one of the basic life skills to them.
It's not some great secret to be hidden; they are taught to anyone regardless of species.
However, other species don't simply because they can't. These techniques rely too heavily on innate instincts.
Humans, who are inherently capable of using logic, the moves seem completely illogical.
Nevertheless, the same moves seem insurmountable when executed by the Animal tribe.
Nox squinted his eyes.
"They're so fast, my eyes can't keep up with their moves. How are you faring, Sir Rovenin."
" Barely keeping up. I'm pretty sure those two fighting, are completely moving based on instincts."
Rovenin smiled while clenching his teeth.
' Young Master aside, the kid's a total nutcase. Humans weren't born to fit to use Aether's ways yet he executes it with such finesse.
Moreover, he's able to stand his ground against Young Master! Just barely though.'
Carseain was enjoying it.
'Looking at him, I am reminded of a certain someone in the memories of the future.
The only human who is known to use Aether's ways, also the one who clawed his way to the Guild Master of Nightmare guild at the Young age of 22 and brought out its golden age.
"Empire's best Assassin"
"Cold beast with Human skin"
" Worst Nightmare" were just a few nicknames.
I received a report on that guy from the Esselgarde Information channel.
One of his many names was 'Cahill.'
Cahill was pushed back. He clicked his tongue.
Cahill threw one of his daggers at Carseain while attempting to attack him simultaneously.
'And he's here right in front of me. I definitely want him!'
Carseain fended both in a single breath.
"Hey hey now, Why is the little beast suddenly using his brain? Don't tell me you pissed your pants?"
Cahill caught his breath.
" You sure like talking, huh?"
"You don't?"
"Assassinations are supposed to be quiet."
"Makes sense. You develop this habit when you fight a lot of weaklings. You need to keep yourself entertained."
"Are you implying I'm weak?"
Carseain shook his head with widened eyes.
"Oh no... Don't misunderstand. I'm only talking 'cause I'm interested in you."
Cahill twisted his lips and squinted his eyes.
"My mom told us to stay away from such people."
Carseain struggled to smile while a vein throbbed on his forehead. Rovenin eyes sparkled.
"Young Master, that's very immoral of you to have such interests."
Nox scratched his cheek.
' Sir Rovenin is thoroughly enjoying himself.'
" Is that so? She taught you well. But I ain't one of those."
Carseain turned to Rovenin and glared.
"Shut your trap, Rovenin.
...
Huh? Hey, wait. What do you mean by 'us'? You had siblings? "
Cahill flinched.