As Cedric stared at the smug look on Max's face, He recalled that fateful night.
That was the night the Rion Family received the greatest humiliation.
He could still remember what happened.
It was his birthday, yes… Max's coming of age ceremony.
The fanfare, the stately discussion, and the food…ah, the wonderful meals.
Even though he had some conflict with Max because of his mother's grudge toward Lara, young Cedric saw the look on his father's face and knew that today was indeed a special day for him.
As a child growing up, Cedric always had a special place in his heart for his father. It was a sort of reverence.
Thus, he was also happy to his father in high spirits but who would have thought that things would turn out badly.
The one that was meant to fulfill their father's dream not only shattered those dreams but also dragged their family name through the mud.
Even after he left, what happened that night continued to affect the family.
Cedric recalled the number of times he got wounded by his father as the latter sort to groom him as his successor.
After all, Lord Frederick blamed himself for not putting more effort, else he would have realized that Max was a cripple and wouldn't have allowed such a thing to occur, nipping the problem in the bud.
So he turned even stricter with Cedric. The pains he felt, the sleepless nights.. the days filled with nothing but rigorous training flashed through his mind.
Thankfully when the time finally came to prove himself, Cedric's efforts paid off.
He was touted as a genius after he caused the measuring orb to glow with incandescent light.
With a smile on his face and deep accomplishment in his heart, Cedric vowed to restore the pride of his father.
He vowed to wipe out the stain that his useless elder brother caused and ensure that their family honor would remain for ages.
Of course, he still held grudges toward his brother for everything he had to go through but what was the point of thinking about it?
He was most likely dead after all. Now he could only do what his father had wished for Max.
As a genius, he left home and was sent to the Empire's capital to study under one of the most illustrious scholars to hone his magic.
With meticulous teachings and rigorous training, Cedric managed to reach the level he was at today in so short a time, that even his teacher was left astounded.
The forced desire to make a name for himself amongst the new generation in order to make his father proud were coming to fruition.
Wasn't that why he was in Tudor County at this time?
He saw the tournament as an opportunity to officially begin his plans and he reached out to grab it.
But who would have thought that at this critical moment, the reason he had to suffer for so long, toiling and working would dare to show himself… what's more, with that stupid look on his face.
Cedric could not stand it. "How dare you smile like that?... Do you know what I had to go through just because you were not good enough?"
Max remained silent as the smug look on his face slowly vanished. He could sense the pain in Cedric's heart.
"I have already taken it upon myself to do everything you should have done, so why did you have to show your face again!" Cedric's grievance was understandable.
He was so young with barely any preparations to be a leader yet the responsibility was forcibly given to him and for five years, he had to struggle to ensure he did what was required of him.
Max stared into his eyes and spoke softly. "I know you hate me for leaving all those years ago… I was incompetent and for that… I am sorry."
Cedric snorted. "No, sorry doesn't cut it. Since you decided to leave, then you should have stayed gone."
"…What do you mean?" Max asked.
"I will kill you, Max. I have already taken what was meant to be your birthright, all that's left is for me to take your life." Cedric said in the most detached way possible even his companions shuddered as they backed out in fear.
In truth, they weren't exactly close. Merely nobles with similar interests in coming for Tudor county's magic tournament.
They met with Cedric and decided to ask him to join them which he accepted.
Their reason for such a kind gesture was not because he was a fellow noble, after all, the nobility made fun of the Rion family for the debacle that was Max's coming of age ceremony.
If not for Lord Frederick's attempts to gain back some face since that time, they would have surely ganged up to put their family down even further.
So why did they try to rope him into their group?
It was because of his strength. A sixteen-year-old Advanced level magician, it was amazing no matter how they looked at it.
Surely they had to kiss his golden thighs and ensure a good relationship with such a promising prospect.
Only a fool would antagonize him.
So right now, as they felt Cedric's killing intent build up, they immediately stepped back since they could be sure that he would not bother to help if they made the mistake to get involved in what was about to happen.
Max stared down Cedric. "…As I said before, brother. Do what you want, I will not try to change what is in your heart. But know that I will fight back."
In his heart, he felt slightly pained. This mischievous and troublesome brat had turned into a slave of destiny as he struggled to do what was required of him and now, he held a grudge against him for pushing such a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.
Cedric was right to be angry, Max could not deny but he obviously wouldn't sit back and do nothing.
If Cedric turned out to be stronger, then he could only flee, if not, then he would just have to show his little stepbrother that his revenge had come a bit too early.
Cedric blinked before revealing a sinister smile. "A cripple like you wants to fight back?... Sure, let me see you do so!"
Without warning, Cedric attacked.
Boom
Due to his raging emotions, he didn't bother to control his strength, resulting in a crater in the area he stood.
Before Laura could finish blinking, Cedric was already in front of Max, a cold, murderous glint in his eyes as he sort to finish everything with one blow.
She could just about make out the energy fluctuations on Max's fist. It was even stronger than when he attacked her!
She gulped as she stepped back instinctively while turning to find that Max was… crying?
"I am sorry I failed you," Max muttered in a low breath as he formed a fist and struck out as well.
A single moment passed, after which… Their fists collided.