In the luxurious Wycliff family mansion, the training ground was adorned with opulent chandeliers that bathed the polished marble floors in a warm glow.
The air resounded with the clunking and clicking of swords, as individuals dedicated to mastering combat clashed and displayed their determination.
Ting! Ting! Clung! Clung!
Amidst the rhythmic clash of weapons, a young man stood, drenched in sweat, his tousled hair sticking to his forehead from the intensity of his exertion.
He felt unwell, concerned about Sir Palest Souls stone. Despite his confidence in Sir Palest's ability, a gnawing feeling consumed him — a sense that something bad had transpired.
But he couldn't take any action; all he could do was hope that nothing untoward had occurred.
When the fight ceased, the young man knelt down, diverting his attention to two adults: a striking woman with flowing black hair and a man who exuded nobility.
The woman possessed regal allure, her dark locks cascading around her shoulders like ebony silk, accentuating her radiant complexion. Her eyes, akin to pools of obsidian, conveyed both wisdom and kindness, as if she had witnessed the wonders and sorrows of the world.
Beside her stood a man adorned in noble attire, emanating authority and dignity.
"You seem unsettled..." the man remarked, his expression tinged with worry.
His strong jawline and well-groomed beard were complemented by piercing eyes that exuded both confidence and scrutiny.
Kneeling before them, the young man struggled to catch his breath, speaking earnestly to the woman and the man.
"I sincerely thank you for continuing to train me. I'm worried because of the recent conflicts with your son, and I'm at a loss for what to do," he expressed genuine concern.
His eyes revealed vulnerability and a deep appreciation for the opportunity he had been given.
The woman offered a gentle smile, her noble countenance softened by empathy.
"Don't worry, it's merely a minor misunderstanding," she replied, her voice soothing.
"I trust that you won't harm our son; instead, I believe you will protect him, even in the midst of your own struggle against him."
Bowing even lower, the young man's voice quivered with earnestness.
"If I ever find myself in a duel against your son, I promise to ensure his safety," he declared, his words resolute in his commitment to fulfill his duty.
Meanwhile, the Baron himself, positioned by the woman's side, observed the interaction with unwavering attention.
Clad in attire befitting his noble lineage, he exuded an austere elegance that commanded respect.
His salt-and-pepper hair, impeccably styled, hinted at the wisdom and experience accumulated over the years.
"In that case, I will place my trust in you," the Baron spoke with measured tone, his voice carrying the weight of his authority.
"However, I urge you not to solely focus on our wayward son, but also on the imminent event that awaits us. It is there that your true abilities will be tested."
The young man's gaze shifted to the Baron, reflecting both deference and determination.
Bowing once more, he replied with unwavering resolve.
"I will strive to heed your advice, my lord," he said, his words infused with loyalty and dedication.
A warm smile graced the Baron's lips as he extended his hand, a gesture of camaraderie and trust.
"Please, let go of formalities," he said, his voice filled with paternal warmth.
"Consider us your guardians, for our connection is not merely rooted in duty, but in loyalty and a shared purpose."
As they engaged in casual conversation, the peaceful atmosphere was abruptly shattered by an urgent voice emanating from the end of the hallway.
"Sire!!"
The voice called out to the Baron, tinged with desperation and fear, growing louder with each repetition.
"Sire!!" "Sire!!" "Sire!!"
The urgency in the person's footsteps became evident as they hastened toward them.
The Baron, Lady Sophia, and the young man all turned their heads in unison, their gazes fixated on the source of the commotion.
It was Fred, the loyal and trusted Butler, rushing toward them with a panicked expression on his face. He usually stayed calm, but now he looked scared and worried.
"What's wrong, Fred?!" The Baron asked, sounding concerned and worried. He looked at the Butler, hoping to find answers in his troubled face.
Lady Sophia and the young man also felt the seriousness of the situation and exchanged worried glances, feeling a sense of foreboding without knowing why.
Fred took a moment to catch his breath and calm down.
Then, with fear in his voice, he finally spoke. Each word sounded urgent and filled with fear.
"Sir, your son... He..."
Fred's voice shook as he struggled to find the strength to tell them the distressing news.
The Baron stood up straight, his face becoming serious and his forehead showing lines of worry. It was no secret that he had mixed feelings about his son.
The young man had been rebellious and disrespectful, constantly disobeying his father's orders. In fact, the Baron had been forced to kick his own son out of the house sometimes but her mother didn't want to, so he just confined him to his room, never leaving until he changed his ways.
But just a few days ago, the son had managed to escape under their watchful eyes for some unknown reason and disappear into the night.
Despite his flaws and lack of talent, the Baron still worried about his safety.
After all, he was their own flesh and blood, and the Baron and Lady Sophia felt the need to send a team to bring him back and make sure he was okay.
Now, as Fred's voice trembled with emotion, the Baron's worst fears were about to come true.
"What happened to my son?" He asked, sounding anxious and worried as a father. Deep down, he knew that his son's reckless behavior and bad choices had put him in danger. So he prepared himself for the news he was about to hear.
The room became silent and tense, as everyone felt the weight of the moment. Lady Sophia reached out and held the Baron's hand, silently showing that they shared the worry and pain.
The young man, who had seen the troubled relationship between the Baron and his son, felt empathy for the family and also felt anxious.
Fred took a deep breath and mustered the courage to speak.
His voice quivered with fear as he said, "Sir Baron, your son... he destroyed the castle door and the Library door."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the gravity of the situation, and Fred's heart pounded in his chest.
A bead of sweat trickled down Fred's forehead, a sign of his anxiety. He knew the consequences of delivering this news and understood the potential wrath that awaited him.
Yet, despite his trembling voice and fear, he pressed on, determined to explain the situation.
With a wavering voice, he added, "He said that if we have a problem with him, then we can stop him, but… but… he's so strong."
As Fred spoke, a shiver ran down his spine, and his hands trembled uncontrollably. His anxiety intensified, threatening to overwhelm him.
He felt a weight settled heavily on his shoulders, almost crushing him.
He anxiously awaited the Baron's response, dreading the inevitable reaction to his son's destructive actions.
The Baron, a person of authority, stood before Fred, his face filled with disbelief and anger.
"What!?" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room. His wide eyes showed shock and anger, a volatile mix of emotions ready to explode.
In that moment, memories flooded the Baron's mind. He remembered a time when his son, as a child, had wanted to enter the personal library.
It was a sanctuary of knowledge, a place reserved only for noble minds. But the Baron had forbidden his son from entering, keeping it exclusively for himself, after all, his son was too young at that time.
Plus, although his son is a noble, he didn't have a title bestowed by the kingdom yet, and only those who have a title can enter. So the Baron had built a strong door to keep his son out forever.
Now, faced with the revelation that his son had defied his decree and destroyed the very barrier meant to keep him out, the Baron's mind spun.
Disappointment and fury swirled within him, his heart burdened by betrayal.
"That bastard!" He shouted, frustration evident in his voice.
The sanctity of the library had been violated, and his son's audacity had shattered his trust.
Fred, having revealed the extent of his son's actions, watched as the Baron's emotions played out on his face. Tension filled the room, broken only by the Baron's labored breaths.
"I will take care of him," he said and strode forward, determined to see his audacious son and teach him a lesson that would surely be remembered forever.