As soon as Elisabeth stepped into the annex building, her embrace tightened around Klaus, to the point where it almost stole his breath away.
"Mommy is so proud of you," she whispered, her voice quivering with emotion.
Ludovic, standing nearby, couldn't help but tremble at the sight of the heartwarming moment. Klaus, in response to his mother's affectionate hug, gently patted her shoulders.
'I'm not entirely certain yet.'
In his previous life, emotions were an enigma to him, but things were different now. Elisabeth, Lina, and the maids had showered him with unconditional love, without expecting anything in return. It was the first time he had experienced a life where he was only on the receiving end, and he couldn't quite put a name to the emotions swirling within him—a tingling sensation in his chest, something entirely foreign but not unwelcome.
However, one thing was clear: he didn't want Elisabeth or the maids to shed tears. Even if they couldn't always wear smiles, he wished to shield them from sadness.
'I wouldn't have felt anything if they had laughed at me.'
But it seemed the denizens of the lord's manor had other plans. They were visibly taken aback by the spectacle Klaus had just unfolded.
The collaterals, stationed beneath the platform, openly ridiculed him, while those from the direct line on the platform regarded him with disdain, as if he were nothing more than an unpleasant insect.
"I'll surprise them even more."
***
On a sunny afternoon, a young boy sat on the grass in the garden. His silver hair fluttered in the breeze, and his features, though childlike, were almost perfectly proportioned. But his pale face hinted at his fragile health.
"Sigh…"
After sitting in quiet contemplation with closed eyes for a prolonged moment, the boy finally let his eyes flutter open.
'I'm on the verge of unlocking the third eye of the Ten Eyes Mantra.'
Klaus allowed a small, knowing smile to grace his lips. He had grown considerably since his reincarnation, no longer a mere child but now verging on the cusp of young adulthood.
"Seven years have passed."
Seven years had elapsed since the momentous Sword Selection Ceremony—a pivotal event that had set his destiny into motion. He was now on the cusp of twelve, and thanks to rigorous training and dedication he was close to unlocking the third eye.
Still, there lingered a tinge of sorrow.
'If not for this peculiar affliction…'
Klaus knew that if the pervasive darkness in his mana circuit didn't persist, he would have already unlocked the third eye. Yet, his path to mastery was obstructed by the shadowy presence within him, a testament to the complex nature of his existence.
Nevertheless, he wouldn't be deterred.
'Status window.'
Those familiar words rolled off his mental tongue.
~STATUS WINDOW~
Name: Klaus Lionhart
Title: Gluttony Apostle, Youngest Mage in the Continent
State: Poor Stamina, Decline in Athletic Ability, Decline in Mana Affinity
Trait: Gluttony Lv1, Ten Eyes Mantra (Two-Eyes), Second Circle Mage
*Additional Abilities have not been unlocked.
He had succeeded in opening a second magic circle within the second eye of the Ten Eyes Mantra, effectively eliminating the stiffness in his extremities that had plagued him earlier as a first-circle mage. Physical limitations persisted, but Klaus knew that he could overcome them by unlocking more eyes of the Ten Eyes Mantra.
"Hmm."
With a thoughtful hum, Klaus closed the status window and rose from the grassy ground.
'It's time to commence physical training…'
While Elisabeth and the maids had become less overprotective due to his improved constitution, they still intervened whenever he attempted physical exertion.
Physical training was essential to unlocking more Eyes of the Ten Eyes Mantra, but Klaus needed to find a way to do so openly, without hindrance.
'Is there a way to train openly?'
Even though Klaus had excelled in the Sword Selection Ceremony, Elisabeth had confiscated the sword he had chosen, citing concerns about his frail physique. While he could have insisted, going against Elisabeth's wishes was a futile endeavor.
"Young master!"
Deep in thought, Klaus was roused by Lina, who came bounding out of the annex building.
"What are you doing? you must attend the Sword Selection Ceremony!"
"Ah, that's right."
Everyone, except those who were away or on missions, was obligated to attend the Sword Selection Ceremony, including him.
"I suppose I'll have to endure those insufferable stuffed shirts again."
"Young master, please keep your voice down…"
Lina cautioned him, glancing around nervously.
"Are you worried about someone eavesdropping?"
"Eyes and ears are always open within this household."
"You fret too much, but alright."
With a dismissive tut, Klaus returned to the annex building, where Elisabeth awaited, dressed in her formal attire.
"If you're tired, you can rest in your room. Mommy can manage on her own."
Elisabeth, her eyes betraying traces of age, gently stroked Klaus's head.
"I'm fine."
Klaus shook his head, then entered the room.
'I wonder how the people who once ridiculed us have changed.'
***
Together with Ludovic and Elisabeth, Klaus entered the audience chamber where the Sword Selection Ceremony was to take place.
"He's still quite short."
"He's awfully skinny. If not for his silver hair and blue eyes, he could pass as someone from another family."
"The only thing that suits Lionhart is his handsome appearance."
"But with that pale face, his looks leave much to be desired."
"He certainly doesn't seem worthy of wielding the sword of our Founding Ancestor."
As expected, nothing much had changed. The members of the direct line ignored him as if he were invisible, while the collateral relatives whispered sarcastic remarks amongst themselves.
'Well, at least some things never change.'
They still laughed at him, just as they had done seven years ago. Surprisingly, this constancy brought a strange sense of satisfaction.
The Sword Selection Ceremony continued as Klaus took his place. The critical gazes that had once dismissed him now bore a different weight, a newfound recognition of his resolve. It was a subtle shift, but it marked a small victory
'Raoul, Charles, Derik…'
He scanned the platform, committing the names of the direct and collateral relatives to memory.
Lord Roman Lionhart entered the chamber after a half-hour's wait, taking his seat at the farthest end below the platform. He exuded a regal aura that had only grown more imposing since Klaus last saw him.
Because there were only children from collaterals and vassals who went through the Judgment Ceremony this time, the ceremony didn't even last three hours.
"Today's Sword Selection Ceremony is now over. Thank you for…"
"Wait." Roman raised his hand to interrupt the moderator, who was about to announce the end of the ceremony.
"Klaus Lionhart."
For the first time, Roman's gaze fell squarely on him, bearing an air of undeniable authority.
The chamber fell silent, all eyes converging on Klaus.
'Me?'
A lump formed in Klaus's throat. He hadn't expected to be summoned in this manner.
"My… My lord?"
"Hmm…"
Elisabeth, panic-stricken, shook her head vehemently, clutching Ludovic's hand.
"It seems you've received orders to participate in the basic training for family members. Why have you not responded for three years?"
'Basic training?, three years?'
Klaus was utterly unaware of such instructions. He glanced at Elisabeth, who stood nearby, her lips tightly pressed together. She must have known something about this.
"M-My lord. Klaus is different from other children. He still carries Dark impurities within him…"
"But there are no exceptions or refusals for one who bears the Lionhart name."
"He struggles to walk normally and won't be able to handle the training."
Elisabeth vehemently shook her head.
"If you can't walk, then crawl and Train. That is what it means to be a Lionhart."
Roman leaned on his right hand, closing his eyes as he spoke.
"I… I can't accept this. Please, give him some time…"
"If you cannot accept it, do you intend to return to your own family? Along with that child?"
"T-That's…"
Klaus could feel Elisabeth's hand growing damp as she clung tightly to his right hand.
"In this land, you can only live as a Lionhart. If you don't like it, then leave."
Roman's tone was cold.
"Why doesn't she take the boy and her useless husband to her family?"
"It would be quite entertaining. Ludovic doesn't even have an energy center or mana circuit left to break, after all, even there he will be useless"
"To think that such a person was once part of the direct line. Tut-tut."
"…"
As Klaus surveyed Ludovic, Elisabeth, Roman, and everyone else in the room, his intense gaze held a hidden determination.
'I understand now.'
He comprehended the reason for Ludovic's maltreatment, despite being from the direct line. He understood why both the direct and collateral relatives looked down upon him.
'If Damien hadn't killed me, I'd have met the same fate.'
It made sense.
Despite being a son of the Lord of the Lionhart family, he was treated worse than even some collateral relatives. It was understandable.
'However…'
These were their perspectives and circumstances. Klaus, who had shared Ludovic's experiences and conditions, couldn't bear to watch his family suffer this way.
Tapping his foot resolutely on the floor, Klaus took a step forward.
"Klaus!"
"Klaus, Mommy will figure something out…"
"It's all right."
With a reassuring shake of his head, Klaus positioned himself in front of Roman.
"My lord, I will commence the training as you have ordered, starting next month."
Meeting Roman's stern gaze, Klaus respectfully lowered his head.
"But you were unaware of the training."
Roman's tenth son, Uncle Raphael Lionhart, chimed in. He was the only member of the direct line who seemed apologetic.
"Indeed."
"Basic training, despite its name, is beyond the capabilities of someone in his condition. I must request a withdrawal."
"It's all right."
Klaus redirected his gaze to Roman.
"I bear the Lionhart name and will honor it. I shall participate in the training."
His unwavering voice, uncharacteristic of a child, sparked a change in the expressions of those present. While they still regarded him as a pebble, there was a subtle shift in the way they perceived him.
It was enough for now.
With a quiet determination, Klaus clenched his small fist.
'I'll show them the strength of this "pebble" they underestimated.'