The next morning, I was awakened by a knock on the door.
"Young Master, may I enter?"
"Come in, Elisha."
As I replied, the maid entered the room.
"Elisha, bring me some warm water and a towel. I will take a quick bath before eating breakfast."
"Huh? ...Are you not going to practise today?"
"Ah, no. Today's a special day, so I will take it easy today."
"I see."
After Elisha left the room, I quickly took a shower.
"Young Master, here's your towel."
"Thank you."
I took the towel and wiped myself clean, before putting on my clothes.
"If you don't mind me asking, where are you going?"
Elisha asked as she buttoned my shirt.
"Um... I was planning on visiting the knight's training ground. I wanted to see how talented the new recruits are."
As I stood up, Elisha asked, "May I come with you?" with a worried tone she continued, "I might be able to help you recruit some talented knights or mages."
'She misunderstood me.'
"You don't have to worry Elisha, I am not going to recruit anyone, I am just curious to see how strong the recruits are. If you want, you can tag along."
Well, her worries are quite justifiable as children of big families like Caesar fight each other for the position of the head and to win the fight they have to have strong people supporting them.
But, unlike others, I don't want a position that brings a lot of trouble and responsibility. My only goal for now is to become strong. Besides, this family would perish in the future anyway, so what's the gain by becoming the leader?
"Oh-h ok then, I'll do as you say."
And with that said, Elisha finished dressing me up, and we both headed out towards the knight's training ground. As we walked, I couldn't help but think about the future of my family and the weight of their expectations. Today, though, I wanted to put all those thoughts aside and focus on observing the recruits' training.
-Stomp! Stomp!
As my footsteps resounded through the empty hallway. I couldn't help but notice the empty surroundings. I could hardly see a maid or two walk by.
Zephyr really was isolated from the family. To live in such an isolated place. Well, no need to think about it for now. I should quickly meet that person.
"Don't Look Away!!!"
"Read the direction of the blade!"
"Get your mind together!"
"Ah… it seems the knights have begun training."
As I and Elisha reached the knights' training ground, the scene before me was a sight to behold. Bulky men were engaged in rigorous training, their swords clashing and their grunts filling the air.
"Hey, you! If this was a battlefield, you'd already be dead!"
A man wearing heavy armour, who seemed to be around his mid thirties shouted at the newbie knights training.
"Don't hesitate and follow through!"
From a distance, I and Elisha inspected the knights training.
"Young Master… This is the knights training grounds of the Third Command Knight Corps."
"Yup, I know. I was watching because it was interesting."
"If you know that, then you'd also know that this corps supports the second lord."
"Yup."
"Then why are we here? Shouldn't we have gone to the Open training ground if you wanted to recruit someone?"
To her question, I just simply nodded.
"But I am not here to recruit someone. I wanted to meet a person here and maybe try to befriend them to help me."
"But isn't that what they call recruiting, though?" Elisha muttered under her breath, as she looked at Zephyr.
The man who was instructing the newbie knights glanced at where Zephyr and Elisha were.
'I know that maid but who's that white haired brat? I don't seem to have seen him before? Wait… white hair, red eyes and a body that looks like it would break by even the softest touch. I-isn't he…'
Just then a grin crossed his features.
"Who are you?"
Anavel, the third batalian newbie captain, stepped forward.
"If you have no business here, please leave. You're disturbing the knights."
"They are bothered by your gaze and can't train properly." He said with a mocking grin.
"Show your respect! This is the Youngest Lord, Lord Zephyr!"
"Ah~ is that so? So you're the Young Master Zephyr. And I thought… you were some snot-nosed kid who was trying to take a peek secretly."
'Hah… what the hell is this now?'
"You're in front of the lord! How dare you say something so imprudent-"
"I said I "Almost mistook" him, though. Why are you being so sensitive about it? Look, even the prince isn't all that bothered."
"Yes, he's right." If it was the old Zephyr, he would have been a coward and would have taken his side instead. But I am not him, am I? "Kekek… Why would I be bothered by a mere guard dog who forgot who the owner was and started barking madly."
With a grin I replied leaving both Elisha and Anavel speechless.
"Pfft… Hahaha…!!!" Although Elisha was surprised by my comeback, she couldn't hold back her laughter.
"You…" Anavel was left speechless.
"3rd Batalian Captain Anavel, Let me ask you something… What is your duty?"
"Umm…" Sweat dripped down Anavel's forehead as he wasn't able to think of a reply.
'He was a weak-ass, discreet child and yet… What's up with the new found spirit of his?'
Just as he was thinking, a group of newbie knights came.
"Captain, is something the matter?"
"Huh? Isn't that the Youngest lord?" One of them whispered after noticing Zephyr.
"What the hell is he doing here? What a nuisance…"
'...That's right. He's just a nuisance that even the knight's look down on!'
As Anavel regained some confidence, he decided to mock Zephyr further, emboldened by the presence of the newbie knights.
"As you can see, we're in the middle of training, so I can't answer you. Young Master, Go continue your task," Anavel sneered, trying to provoke Zephyr.
The group of newbie knights glanced at Zephyr, and some of them chuckled at Anavel's comment. They didn't seem too impressed by Zephyr's presence.
Elisha stood by Zephyr's side, a bit worried about how this situation was unfolding.
Zephyr, however, remained calm and unfazed. He looked at Anavel with a sly smile and said, "Commander Anavel, I'm here to observe and perhaps learn something valuable. After all, even a lord should never stop learning, right?"
Anavel was taken aback by Zephyr's composed response. He hadn't expected such a calm reaction. The newbie knights also seemed surprised by Zephyr's attitude.
Zephyr continued, "But don't worry, Captain Anavel, I won't interrupt your training any longer. Carry on with your valuable instruction."
With that, Zephyr turned and started to walk away, leaving Anavel and the newbie knights in a state of confusion. Elisha followed him, and as they walked away, she couldn't help but whisper, "That was quite impressive, Young Master."
Zephyr just grinned and replied, "Sometimes, Elisha, the best way to deal with arrogance is to show it doesn't bother you at all."
As Zephyr and Elisha continued to walk away from the knights' training ground, their steps were accompanied by the fading sounds of clashing swords and frustrated shouts. Zephyr couldn't help but reflect on the encounter with Anavel and the newbie knights.
"Did I overdo it back there?" Zephyr wondered aloud.
Elisha, walking beside him, replied, "I think you handled it quite well, Young Master. You stood your ground without losing your composure. It's important for them to understand that you're not just a pushover."
Zephyr nodded and continued walking away from the training ground, but back there, Anavel greeted his teeth, seemingly feeling humiliated.
"Fucking Bitch…! Just you wait…"
.
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