The War Festival finally came to an end.
Naturally, the entire process and details of this War Festival spread widely afterward.
Sefaz emerged victorious over Marilyn, telling the world that this Frenzel family's eldest son was still a prodigy.
Since becoming a Sword Master five years ago, his strength had not stagnated but made significant progress instead. He was now considered a powerful Sword Master with the potential to become a Sword Saint.
Yuri, on the other hand, defeated Alderman, showcasing not only her prowess as a Strategic-Class Magician but also her adept use of combat-class magic. She had surpassed her father and was now capable of holding her own in battles.
Of course, the most talked-about event was the third round between Riezel and Jill, which was full of unexpected twists and turns.
Technically, Riezel should have been considered the loser in this War Festival since he killed Jill, which was expressly prohibited by Alderman before the War Festival began. Riezel knowingly violated this rule, which should have led to his disqualification or even his judgment being sought by the Frenzel family.
However, Jill was a Demon Swordsman, a dangerous swordsman proficient in Demon Sword Style. Not only did he attempt to kill Riezel at the beginning of the battle, but he also targeted Yuri, who was not only the head of the Frenzel family but also a Strategic-Class Magician and a Marquis of the kingdom.
Therefore, If anyone had violated the rules first, it was Jill.
Murder attempts against Riezel could be overlooked since Jill hadn't succeeded and had almost been killed by Riezel in retaliation. Furthermore, in a fighting competition, Jill's actions could be seen as a miscalculation or accident in the heat of the moment, a perspective shared by most of the audience.
Apart from Yuri, who sensed trouble early and dispatched people to disperse the audience, everyone else thought like that, allowing the War Festival to continue uninterrupted.
However, Jill's attack on Yuri was undoubtedly a clear violation of the rules, leaving no room for discussion. Because of this, Riezel could be considered the winner from that moment onward. His immediate action of killing Jill on the spot was merely seen as a way to protect Yuri.
Hence, the ultimate victor of the War Festival was Yuri's group.
As for Jill's status as a swordsman who practiced Demon Sword Style, it didn't cause much of a stir.
People were more interested in Riezel, who managed to excel in both swordsmanship and magic, achieving significant feats in both. He was not only a powerful Sword Master but also a Tactical-Class Magician.
"I never imagined there could be someone in this world who excels in both swordsmanship and magic."
"Same here."
"You know, swordsmen typically stick to swordsmanship because their magical energy isn't enough to become magicians. But someone with ample magical energy to be a magician chooses to dive into swordsmanship as well? That's wild, y'know."
"And yet, Sir Riezel not only pursued both but also excelled in them... What a legend."
"Having him join the Frenzel family is great."
People continued to discuss these matters enthusiastically, indicating that this topic would be one of the hottest this time. Even those with ulterior motives couldn't help but join in the excitement.
"Let's head back and report on Riezel Brynhart first. Afterward, we'll find a way to contact him."
"Yeah, we need to find a way to bring him to our country."
"A Sword Master and a Tactical-Class Magician, huh... Tch, tch, makes you wonder how he pulled that off."
"Such a skilled magician, yet still focusing on swordsmanship. First time seeing someone like him."
"Alright, let's stop chatting. Time to head back and deliver the news. I'm sure the higher-ups will want to hear about this."
And so, some were biding their time, others were finding ways to contact their superiors, while some were keeping a close eye on Riezel, attempting something.
Among them was the young nobleman from the royal capital.
"Send an invitation to the Frenzel family." The young nobleman ordered his attendant. "I must meet this incredible guy."
"Yes." The attendant responded immediately.
It could be said that Undine was both lively and filled with hidden movements. Countless people were watching the Frenzel family, watching Riezel, unsure of what action would be taken.
As for Riezel himself, he also sensed the changes happening around him.
===
On this day, the weather was clear.
Even though the War Festival was already yesterday's news, the discussions it sparked remained lively. While Undine was still bustling, the Frenzel family had returned to a brief calm.
Riezel walked through the corridors, encountering many servants, guards, and knights along the way.
"Sir Riezel."
"Sir Riezel."
"Lord Brynhart."
Like this, whether they were servants, guards, or knights, they all stopped in their tracks and respectfully bowed to Riezel as soon as they saw him.
Their attitude and level of respect had undoubtedly become much more intense and sincere compared to a week ago when they treated Riezel as a guest. Some even went as far as to regard him as a noble, addressing him directly as 'Lord Brynhart'.
"Hello."
Riezel nodded in acknowledgment to them, returning the gesture, but inwardly, he felt somewhat displeased.
After all, he didn't like being treated as someone important, respected, or even feared excessively by others. Such situations were something he had had enough of in his previous life, and he certainly didn't want to see them again in this world.
Unfortunately, there was no way around it.
The social class consciousness in this world was deeply ingrained. Given Riezel's demonstrated strength, the servants would undoubtedly worry about being disrespectful to him and whether they would face consequences if they didn't act properly.
Even though Riezel was not a noble and was currently just a commoner, as a Tactical-Class Magician, becoming a noble was just a matter of time. Any commoners in the Frenzel family who understood this point already regarded him as a noble. Coupled with his intimidating strength, they wouldn't dare to show any disrespect.
'Hahh... I miss Loki Familia...'
Riezel couldn't help but think of Twilight Manor.
In there, although he gradually earned the respect of familia members with his growing strength and was no longer treated as a rookie, they never placed themselves beneath him. They simply respected, admired, and supported him as the backbone of the familia, akin to a family member.
He had felt uncomfortable with these displays of respect at times, but it was just that—discomfort. He didn't feel averse to it or reject it.
Members of the same familia were like family, connected by the blood of their god. They didn't share blood ties, but their blessings came from the same god who, like their own parent, inscribed the same sacred text on their backs. Therefore, considering they shared the same blood, it was entirely appropriate.
In such circumstances, familia members respected him but didn't fear him. If they were to sit together at a drinking table, ninety percent of them would dare to come over and toast him until he was flat out.
That was what he had always dreamed of—a true family and home'.
'I've become more sentimental lately...' Riezel chuckled, shook his head, and continued walking ahead.
However, as he walked, he quickly bumped into the familiar boy, who popped out from a bush nearby.
"Teach me magic!"
Isaac blurted out immediately upon appearing, just like before. However, unlike his previous arrogant demeanor, this time his eyes were shining as he looked at Riezel.
Those eyes resembled those of a passionate young man who had found his goal.
Yes, after witnessing Riezel's battle, Isaac also regarded Riezel as his role model and someone to take inspiration from.
Yet, Riezel still had not changed his mind.
"No."
He mercilessly rejected the boy.
"Why not?" Isaac said extremely disgruntledly. "What's your problem with me?"
"It's not that I have a problem with you..." Riezel squinted his eyes. "It's just that I don't want my first disciple to be a dumb little twerp like you."
"Who are you calling a dumb little twerp?!" Isaac exclaimed breathlessly. "I'm very smart, okay?! And I'm not little!"
"Sorry, didn't see that in you..." Riezel said with no trace of politeness. "You seem dumb to me, and you are indeed little, kiddo."
"Don't call me kiddo! You disrespectful jerk!" Isaac yelled angrily.
He was furious and quickly charged toward Riezel.
*BANG*
Isaac was thrown back, landing on the ground.
"..."
Watching him lying there without moving an inch, Riezel didn't know what to say.
"Alright, stop messing around, Isaac." Mediste chimed in as if timing her entrance perfectly. "Don't mind him, he's just fooling around."
She nodded to Riezel and then gave a slight bow. Her gaze, no longer evasive, now sparkled with an inexplicable radiance.
However, this clearly made Riezel hesitant to meet her eyes directly. For some reason, he felt that after the War Festival, something was off in the way this girl looked at him.
Previously, Mediste was a well-mannered, courteous girl, but these past couple of days, she seemed to have become a bit mischievous and would often do things that made him feel awkward.
"Just came out from your father's room?" Riezel decided to change the subject.
"Yes..." Mediste nodded, sighing. "He still refuses to come out of his room... Seems like he took a big blow this time."
Alderman's condition was one of the changes after the War Festival.
After the War Festival ended, he locked himself in his room, refusing to see anyone.
It was understandable.
"Losing miserably to his own daughter with countless eyes watching, while the attendant he favored turned out to be a dangerous man almost destroying his carefully revived family tradition—one blow after another... Considering his overly conservative views and pride, it's normal for him not to cope well."
Mediste explained her father's condition, surprisingly serious.