Lord Leonidas spoke without even turning around, his voice cold and commanding, getting right to the point. "I've heard that you've been expelled from school. Is this true?" he demanded.
Leon, visibly nervous, replied with a stutter, "Y-Yes, Grandfather. To be precise, I withdrew from the institution."
"Ah, withdrawn, have you?" Lord Leonidas responded with an icy and emotionless tone. "And what, may I ask, was the reason for this unfortunate turn of events? What grievous error did you commit this time?"
As he spoke, it became clear that this wasn't the first time he had caused trouble at the school.
Leon's gaze remained fixed on his feet, unable to muster the courage to raise his head.
"Did my words not reach your ears the first time?" Lord Leonidas said, his tone icy and unforgiving.
"I-I heard you," Leon stuttered.
"Then speak. Your silence accomplishes nothing and only serves to waste my precious time, which I have far better uses for."
The tone of Lord Leonidas's voice was so chilling that it sent shivers down my spine. Leon attempted to speak, and although his words were quiet, they were still audible even from a considerable distance.
"I...um, I wanted to make Marcus apologize for his uncouth remarks about my dear parents. I simply cannot allow such slurs to go unchallenged. Thus, I challenged him to a duel, and he agreed, but with a wager proposed. He suggested that if I emerged victorious, he would apologize for his words, but if I lost, I must withdraw from our esteemed school. The stakes were terribly imbalanced, and I hesitated to agree, but I saw no other way to hold him accountable. With a heavy heart, I accepted the terms, but alas, I was defeated. And so..."
"That's enough." Lord Leonidas placed his hand on his forehead and let out a deep sigh. "What were you thinking, you imbecile? Your actions have brought shame upon our family. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Leon remained silent, as Lord Leonidas spoke with an icy tone.
"Your conduct was nothing short of disgraceful, bringing shame upon our family in front of all those present. Your actions have been nothing but a constant source of headache and vexation. Do you even comprehend the severity of your transgressions? You dared to draw your sword against the head of the Lios house, for heaven's sake!"
Lord Leonidas's voice turned icy, causing Leon to shrink in fear and appear even smaller in stature.
"You are not merely an individual, but a member of this family. With this membership comes a great responsibility to uphold not only our values, but also our traditions and reputation. Yet, what have you done? Instead of bringing honor and respect to our family, you have done precisely the opposite. You have tarnished our name and everything we hold dear. You should feel nothing but shame for your actions."
Leon remained silent, his gaze fixed on the ground before him. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he managed to stutter out a single word.
"S-Sorry."
Lord Leonidas gave a sharp scoff at Leon's feeble attempt at contrition.
"Your apology is a paltry gesture," he said, his tone icy and stern. "The gravity of your transgression runs far deeper than a mere utterance of regret can hope to amend. You have brought shame upon our family by raising your sword against the head of the Lios house. I am at a loss as to how to address this affront to our honor."
Leon found himself speechless. There seemed to be no words that could adequately express the gravity of his situation. He was painfully aware that he had committed an unforgivable transgression, one that went against the very principles and expectations of the Asura house. His behavior was simply unacceptable, and he knew it.
However, he never reflected on his actions to consider any potential wrongdoing. In his mind, he believed that his actions were justifiable and the correct course of action to take.
"I-I'm truly sorry, Grandfather. However, I felt compelled to take action. T-They made disparaging remarks about my parents, and it was something that couldn't be ignored. So, I did what I believed was the right thing to do."
Lord Leonidas fixed his gaze on Leon, his eyes narrowed in a piercing glare. "What is the point of your actions? While they may be justifiable, it does not mean that they were not wrong. You failed to consider the consequences of your actions, and as a result, you have besmirched our house's name," he said in a voice filled with cold rage. "How much further will you go to betray my expectations? I had very little faith in you to begin with, but this incident has left me thoroughly disappointed."
Lord Leonidas's words struck at Leon's heart like a sharp blade. And even though the rebuke was not directed at me, I too felt a sense of shame and the urge to offer an apology.
"I am also informed that you challenged Marcus to a duel last month. Do not attempt to deny it," Lord Leonidas turned around for the first time and spoke in a cold tone, his piercing gaze fixed upon Leon as if he sought to see into the very depths of his soul.
Leon remained silent, his head bowed low, refusing to meet his grandfather's penetrating stare. Lord Leonidas continued, his voice unyielding. "What could have possibly driven you to engage in such a foolish and reckless act? Speak truthfully and do not waste my time with any excuses or falsehoods."
"I... I wished to prove my competence and dispel the notion that I am incapable," Leon replied, lowering his head in shame.
"And what did you achieve by your actions? Did you succeed in proving your competence?" Lord Leonidas's piercing gaze bore into Leon's downcast face.
Leon shook his head, unable to meet his grandfather's steely gaze. Instead of showcasing his skills, he had only succeeded in making a complete and utter fool of himself.
"Well, it seems you have only proven your incompetence further."
As I glanced at Lord Leonidas's face, a chill ran down my spine as I observed the intensity in his eyes. Those same eyes were fixed on Leon, and the expression on his face was all too familiar to me. I had been on the receiving end of that same look before, one filled with disappointment and contempt.
"Your resemblance to your father is precisely why you can never be considered as my successor. Both of you have been nothing but a perpetual nuisance in this household."
Leon fell silent for a moment, his head hanging low in deep thought. After a brief pause, he managed to raise his head slightly and inquired, "Am I not good enough to be your successor? Do I really not have the talent for it?"
"You don't. Your lack of talent in this regard is an undeniable fact. No matter how much effort you put in or how much time passes, you will always fall short. It is simply impossible for someone as incompetent as you to lead the Asura House. The qualities and traits necessary for such a position are sorely lacking in you. If an incompetent person were to lead, it would only lead to suffering for those beneath them.
Lord Leonidas's words were merciless and weighed heavily upon Leon's heart. Strangely, I too felt the sharpness of his words piercing me.
"Cease your fanciful aspirations of becoming my successor. You lack the necessary qualities to inherit the estate. It is imperative that you acknowledge this fact without delay."
As Leon stood before him, head bowed in shame, tears began to flow down his cheeks. Finally, he managed to stammer out, his voice shaking with emotion, "I shall strive to do better and prove myself to you in the future. I vow to apply myself diligently, so that I may earn your favor."
Lord Leonidas let out a deep sigh. "You truly are persistent, aren't you?" he remarked in a cold tone. "However, your feeble efforts will not suffice. Your disgraceful conduct has brought shame upon our house, and I cannot allow it to continue any further."
With a cold and unforgiving gaze, Lord Leonidas continued, "Therefore, I have no choice but to debar you from our house. Your presence here is no longer welcome, and you are no longer considered one of us. I suggest you leave immediately and never return."
Leon was taken aback. "W-What do you mean, Grandfather?" he asked, confusion and shock evident in his voice.
"You know precisely what I mean, Leon," Lord Leonidas replied icily. "Effective immediately, you are no longer one of us."
Leon appeared to struggle with comprehending Lord Leonidas's words, his gaze fixated on the floor for a prolonged moment. Finally grasping the implication, he raised his head and uttered a feeble "Huh?"
"Does...Does that mean you are disowning me?" he asked, his words barely audible.
Lord Leonidas turned his back to Leon once again. Without a hint of emotion, he spoke, "I cannot allow a grandson like you to remain in my household. Effective immediately, you are no longer a member of the Asura family."
Leon's voice quivered as he asked, "P-pray tell, grandfather, what have I done to deserve such a fate?"
"You dare inquire as to why? Your behavior has brought shame and dishonor upon this household, Leon. That is reason enough."