"Teacher Cedric, what do you think of Harry's actions?"
After Harry departed, Reggie turned to the middle-aged man beside him, a mixture of curiosity and concern in his gaze.
Cedric, usually serious and reserved, allowed a rare smile to break through his demeanor. "It's definitely a positive development. Harry has distanced himself from Alfie's influence and is ready to join us. That speaks volumes about his shifting loyalties."
Reggie nodded, processing the implications. "Alfie's guards have been creating chaos all around. It's stirred up a lot of discontent among the others."
"Exactly," Cedric replied, his tone turning grave. "Right now, it's just Harry, but if things don't change, your other brothers might follow suit. Even Baron Ethan himself could find it hard to overlook Alfie's growing incompetence. He's managing too much chaos."
Reggie smirked at the thought. "Yeah, the mess is piling up. It's just too much to handle."
As they discussed, Reggie couldn't help but reflect on the dynamics within the manor. He, Alfie, and Harry were all children of Baron Ethan, but the differences in their treatment were stark.
Harry's mother had been an ordinary woman; unremarkable and undervalued, who had died shortly after giving birth. In contrast, both Reggie and Alfie were born to Baron Ethan's official wives, with Alfie's mother coming from a powerful noble family. Reggie was the eldest, followed by Alfie, while Harry was the illegitimate son, always overshadowed by their lineage.
According to the rules of primogeniture, Reggie should have been the heir to Baron Ethan's legacy. But Alfie's mother was not about to relinquish power so easily. This tension had always existed, complicating their relationships and ambitions.
Now, with Alfie and his mother holding the majority of the influence in the manor, they were systematically squeezing out the other siblings. For Harry, this meant a life of relative obscurity, his impact muted. But for Reggie, it was more pressing. He had moved out of the estate, a clear signal of his precarious standing in the family hierarchy.
"But how did Harry gain such strength?" Reggie wondered aloud, confusion etching his features. "I didn't know him well, but I thought I had a good grasp on his abilities. Now he's shown a level of power that completely exceeds my expectations."
"Clearly, he's undergone significant changes," Cedric mused, his brow furrowing in thought. "Perhaps this awakening is just the beginning. If he's aligned himself with us, we need to prepare for whatever comes next."
Reggie nodded, determination settling in his chest. "We'll need to keep a close eye on him. If he's truly ready to stand against Alfie with us, then this could change everything for us."
"Being able to kill Mathew in an instant, that's the mark of a top apprentice knight, at least on par with me," Reggie remarked, his brow furrowed in contemplation. "In the entire manor, aside from my father, I doubt there are more than three people capable of that."
As the eldest son of Baron Ethan, Reggie had proven himself a formidable talent on the path of knighthood. At just under thirty years old, he had already attained the status of a top apprentice, and if fortune favored him, he might even rise to knighthood one day.
"That's precisely why I've had to tread carefully," he continued, his tone grave. "Such talent can be both a blessing and a curse."
"Perhaps he's wary of Madam Glinda," Cedric suggested, his voice low and serious. "After all, this isn't without precedent."
Reggie nodded slowly, recalling the stories of past siblings. "You mean those unfortunate souls? Yes, I remember." Baron Ethan had many children, and while Reggie and Alfie were among the favored, several others had shown promise only to meet untimely ends shortly after revealing their knightly abilities. Whether those incidents were mere accidents or orchestrated misfortunes was a matter of perspective.
"Given that history, it makes sense that Harry would be cautious," Reggie conceded, though a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. "So, should we accept him into our circle? What's Alfie's stance on this?"
"Absolutely, we should bring him in," Cedric replied with conviction. "A top apprentice knight is a valuable asset, one that even Lord Ethan would recognize. Plus, he's not just any of your brother; he's an illegitimate son. Blood ties mean he can be trusted more than outsiders. And as an illegitimate child, he poses no threat to your inheritance."
Reggie leaned back in his chair, considering Cedric's words. "And as for Al…"
Cedric sneered, "If we reject Harry, do you really think Alfie will let us off the hook? It's all the same; we have to accept him. No point in hesitating."
Reggie nodded slowly, the weight of the decision settling in. "You're right. We can't afford to ignore this opportunity."
Meanwhile, outside, Harry waited, his mind wandering as he sat in silence. The surroundings felt starkly different from the opulence of the manor. Reggie's place was simple, lacking the lavish decorations that defined their home, yet it possessed a certain understated beauty that he appreciated.
"I just hope they don't make any rash decisions," Harry murmured to himself, glancing back toward the entrance. After eliminating Mathew and Klaus, there was no turning back. He knew he could no longer remain in the manor without risking further conflict.
But that didn't matter now.
Since staying in the manor was no longer an option, Harry had turned to Reggie. He was acutely aware of the rivalry between Reggie and Alfie, and he believed that given the strength he had just demonstrated, he had enough value to ensure Reggie would accept him. Still, there lingered the possibility that Reggie could be stubborn and refuse him outright. If that happened, Harry would have no choice but to leave and that would be a disappointment.
There were still things he wanted from the manor, most notably the complete Knight's Aura Technique passed down through the Cecil family. The technique he currently possessed was only at the apprenticeship level, and he had already maximized its potential. To progress further, he needed the full version of the Aura Technique, and the manor was the most accessible place for him to acquire it.
As the son of Baron Ethan and a member of the Cecil family, Harry had the right to seek instruction. If he could impress Baron Ethan with his newfound strength, there was a strong chance his father would agree to teach him the next stages of the breathing method upon his return. That was why Harry waited here, hoping for the best.
But he was also prepared for the worst. If Reggie showed any signs of rejecting him, he would draw his sword and leave without a second thought, ready to seek his fortunes elsewhere. He believed in his potential; the Knight's Aura Technique would come to him eventually, whether now or later.
As it turned out, his worries were unfounded. When he stepped back into Reggie's room, he was greeted by a completely different atmosphere.
"Harry, my brother! Welcome to the fold!" Reggie exclaimed, his face brightening with a genuine smile. He stepped forward and enveloped Harry in a hearty embrace. "With all the turmoil outside, I'm in dire need of fighters like you. Your timing couldn't be better!"
Harry returned the embrace, feeling a swell of relief. "Your command is my will," he replied, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What do you have in store for me?"
Reggie's eyes gleamed with excitement. "How about starting with a mission to the hunting grounds? There's plenty of opportunity there, and we could use your skills."
Harry's heart raced at the prospect. A chance to prove himself and gain Reggie's trust! "I'm ready. Just say the word, and I'll follow your lead."