At that moment.
The Rehinar family was in chaos.
"Let go. I'm going out to find my brother myself!"
"No, my lady. Your fiance, Lord Rivan Dyer, will be arriving soon."
The head maid desperately tried to stop the woman with long silver hair.
Her name was Sara Rehinar.
She was the eldest daughter of the Duke family known as the Guardians.
With a slender height of 173 cm, flawless skin, and perfect features, she was a prodigy who had reached the 3rd class at the age of 18.
The only thing lacking was her family's declining status.
The House of Rehinar had once been a cornerstone of the Fresia Empire but now only guarded the eastern border of the Empire.
Perhaps because of this, lower-ranked families dared to propose marriage.
Rivan Dyer was among them.
"My brother's life is at stake in the demon forest, so why should I care about that man?"
"Camilla went to find him, so we will hear news soon."
"Camilla can't handle it alone! I have to go myself."
She shook off the head maid's hand.
"My lady!"
Ignoring the maid's call, she strode towards the castle gate.
"Open the gate."
She shouted at the soldier on the wall.
"Ah, my lady."
"If you don't open it, I'll break it down, so hurry up."
This was Sara Rehinar, known for her temper.
"It's not that, but—"
"Does my order to open the gate not make sense?"
Clang—
She drew her sword.
Immediately, water droplets began to form around her.
It was the manifestation of Rehinar's mana, using the Water Rune.
Just as she was about to swing her sword!
The soldier on the wall shouted.
"Th-The Young Lord and Lady Camilla have returned!"
Sara stopped, sword still in hand.
"What!?"
"S-see for yourself."
The firmly closed castle gate opened.
A pair of figures emerged through the mist.
"Brother?"
"It seems Camilla has rescued the Young Lord."
The head maid's eyes quickly scanned Camilla and Kane.
Both were covered in wounds, but none appeared fatal.
She was puzzled and turned her attention away from Sara's cry.
"Anna! Fetch the healing priest. Now!"
"Yes, my lady."
While the head maid went to summon the priest, Sara supported the injured Camilla and spoke.
"Leave my brother to me. You should get treated first."
"I will escort the Young Lord to his quarters and receive treatment."
"Then let's go together."
Sara headed towards Kane's quarters with Camilla.
***
"Hmm…"
"Is he okay?"
"Yes. It's an unusual recovery. It looks as if he used mana to constantly heal himself…"
The priest trailed off.
Even if Kane knew how to use the mana breathing technique, everyone in the Rehinar family and their subjects knew he was a clumsy fool who couldn't use it properly.
So, it was indeed strange.
"All he needs is to regain his strength, right?"
"Yes."
Kane smiled faintly.
'I used Blue Tiger's Breath the entire way here, so of course I'm fine.'
'Kane Rehinar' had several minor traits that other characters didn't possess.
Specifically, Endurance (B) and Concentration (B).
Kane might have been a clumsy fool, but he was also tenacious.
He had worked himself to the bone to overcome his clumsiness, which naturally led to acquiring these traits.
Although these were merely B-rank common traits, they were very useful for using breathing techniques.
Thanks to them, he had managed to heal all his injuries on the way back.
"Understood. You may leave now."
The priest glanced at Kane.
His reaction was similar to Camilla's.
As if he were looking at something strange or unbelievable.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
"No, sir."
"Then go."
"Yes."
The priest started to leave the room but then turned back.
"Young Lord."
"What?"
"Please, don't venture into the demon forest recklessly again. You were incredibly lucky to come back alive."
His voice was filled with concern.
He was just an ordinary priest, like an NPC with only a single line of dialogue.
Yet, even such a character was worried about Kane Rehinar.
A person with almost no abilities to speak of.
"I'll remember that."
As the priest left the room, Sara glared at Kane.
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?"
Sara's brow furrowed at Kane's tone.
"From the way you spoke to the priest, something seemed off. Why was your tone like that?"
There was suspicion in her voice.
But her concern quickly overshadowed her suspicion.
I looked at Sara with curious eyes.
[Sara Rehinar (Lv.1)]
Grade: ★★★☆☆
Age: 18
Occupation: Eldest Daughter of Rehinar
Mana Affinity: Water Bond (A)[3 Runes]
Affection: 51 (Friendly)
– Base Stats –
[Stamina: D-]
[Mana: D]
[Body: B]
[Strength: D-]
[Agility: D-]
Traits: Twin Sword Ghost (B-), Impulsive (A+), Swordsmanship Genius (S)
Skills: Blue Tiger's Breath (A), Water Flow Twin Sword Technique (B)
'The woman who tormented Hatzfeld to the end. Reaching 3rd class at 18, she's truly a monster.'
Despite being at the 3rd class beginner level, her traits and skills were all B level or higher.
Moreover, she had already reached the third stage in elemental runes. In this game, the runes, which were the most crucial elements, progressed through the following stages:
One Rune – Rune:
Just beginning to handle mana.
Two Runes – Mark:
Able to infuse mana into the sword to unleash sword energy.
From this stage, one could be considered a proper knight or mage.
Three Runes – Bond:
Capable of wielding perfect sword energy and having mana flow effortlessly.
There were also fourth and fifth runes, but very few reached that level.
Anyway, from the three runes onward, one could instantly kill dozens of 2nd-class knights.
'No wonder Hatzfeld was wary of her.'
Of course, now that monster was his sister.
"I nearly died, that's why."
"You seem like a different person."
"The old me and the current me are both the same Kane."
Sara's stern expression softened into a bright smile that lit up her surroundings.
"Why didn't you act like this before? Speaking with confidence looks so good on you."
"How was I before?"
"Absolutely the worst."
"I knew it was bad, but not that serious."
"At least you're trying to change your attitude."
Sara welcomed Kane's transformation.
The Rehinars had always been on the front lines, facing the enemy first.
They lived on a knife-edge, where only the strong survived. For the timid, there was only death. Kane, who had been timid, was first in line for the abyss.
"But still!"
Sara was about to start nagging when noise erupted outside the room.
– "Please wait in the lounge room, the lady will be here soon…"
– "Lord Rivan, you mustn't!"
At the sound, Kane looked at Sara.
"It seems an unpleasant guest has arrived."
Sara's face hardened again at the voice coming from outside the door.
"Go check it out."
Sara hesitated, unsure whether to stay by her brother's side or leave the room.
"It's hard to rest comfortably with all the noise outside."
"I'll go handle it."
As she was about to leave, Sara turned back and started scolding again.
"But why did you go into the demon forest? You can't even fight."
Kane suddenly remembered why he had entered the forest.
'He went into that dangerous place to find a gift for his sister's engagement, didn't he?'
What a troublesome character.
Kane found Sara's anger somewhat endearing.
'A truly vexing existence.'
But with his return, the Kane of the past no longer existed.
"Don't ever do anything so reckless again! I won't forgive you!"
"Got it, now go."
She stormed out of the room, fuming, but to Kane, her behavior was quite cute.
'Unlike me, she lived surrounded by everyone's concerns.'
In Hatzfeld, no one had ever worried about him like this.
'Not bad.'
He found himself smiling.
He felt fortunate to have returned to the body of Kane Rehinar.
Then a wave of self-reproach hit him.
'Did I really annihilate this place?'
To gain the trust of the man he believed was his father, he had committed terrible acts.
Now, as Kane Rehinar, he saw Hatzfeld as a despicable group that should not exist.
'That guy started the downfall of Rehinar. He needs to be eliminated quickly.'
He knew the unwelcome guest outside well, someone connected to the Hatzfeld family.
***
"How dare you block my way?"
A man with light green hair shouted angrily.
But the maids did not step aside.
"Lady Sara is currently tending to the Young Lord. Please wait in the lounge room; she will see you shortly."
"Even if the Young Lord is in a critical condition, she must see me immediately! Move!"
Despite the maids' attempts to stop him, the green-haired man acted as he pleased.
"You cannot pass."
"How dare a maid block me twice?"
The green-haired man swung his hand.
Slap!
The maid blocking his path had her head turned to the side.
"Still blocking me?"
"I cannot—"
Slap!
"Agh!"
He struck the maid again, this time harder, causing her cheeks to swell and redden.
"Who do you think you are to defy me?"
His assault continued even after the maid collapsed. He lifted her up only to strike her again.
"Do you not know who I am? I am Rivan Dyer, the second son of the Dyer family, known as the House of Wolf. You have no right to stop me!"
As he continued beating the maid, the door to the room burst open, and Sara stepped out.
When Rivan Dyer saw Sara he greeted her cheerfully.
"Oh, Sara, it's been a while."
However, Sara ignored him, lifting the bloodied maid and pulling a vial from her cloak to pour its contents into the maid's mouth.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know this scoundrel would beat you like this. It must have hurt a lot."
"I'm… I'm fine, my lady…"
"Get some rest; you'll feel better."
Sara infused mana into the maid's body, soothing her into a peaceful sleep.
"Take her to her quarters."
"Yes, my lady."
Other maids carried away the unconscious maid.
Sara slowly rose from her seat, her eyes glinting with murderous intent.
"Do you understand the implications of your actions?"
"Why so scary? It's just a maid."
Rivan shrugged. He showed no remorse.
Sara was aghast at his shameless attitude. She clenched her fists as she struggled to contain her anger.
'If it weren't for this engagement!'
In the past, she would have already slapped him.
However, she had to think of her family first.
Marrying Rivan Dyer was the only way to save her declining family, as it would instantly resolve their debts.
Therefore, she couldn't afford to provoke him. Rivan knew this well so he acted with impunity.
"You shouldn't turn against me over a mere maid. If you play nice, I can always be your financial lifeline. Isn't that right?"
Rivan smirked as he approached her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Sara's face twisted in disgust.
"I told you not to touch me!"
"You'll be my wife soon; a little practice doesn't hurt."
He replied, ignoring her warning.
"If you don't take your filthy hands off me, I'll cut them off."
Sara snarled through gritted teeth.
Despite her threat, Rivan didn't let go.
"Acting high and mighty can be amusing only for so long. This isn't fun anymore."
Rivan said, belittling her once again.
Finally, Sara's patience was no more.