At the training grounds of the Broon territory, a few figures could be found there already, and the sight of them, immediately made Irma stop, and hold those with her in place.
The training grounds felt oddly quiet despite the faint clatter of wooden weapons and the murmurs of the surrounding maids. Lutious stepped into the open space, his purple eyes scanning the area.
"Please stop, Young lord, I would recommend we come back at another time, or better yet another day." She said with a slight frown on her face and a shaky tone to boot, her whole body slightly trembling from the shock.
Whatever it was, had her rather troubled.
"Don't push the young master, are you trying to get yourself in trouble?" Evenica was quick to complain about her rough handling of the situation.
"My deepest apologies! It's just complicated to handle such a case calmly." Irma had cold sweat on her face as she replied realizing that she made a mistake in her panic.
"Just explain what's going on. If it's a good enough reason then it's fine." Lutious said shrugging his shoulders completely unbothered.
Though he knew that if he just forgave without a proper reason, Evenica would make a big deal out of it.
"I saw the young princes there, and they are known for not being fond of lower-standing nobles, or anything less..." Irma explained with a forced smile hoping the boy in front of her was not just another spoiled brat.
(Great, so I'll have to deal with that… It's not like I can hide from them the whole time, and even if I could, why would I? There's no need to waste my time on that. Whatever they do, it's unlikely they will bother enough with me for it to be a real problem.) Lutious thought to himself upon hearing the maid's worries.
"Tch! So be it, young master, I recommend we don't engage, this could be very troublesome if we do." Evenica was the first one to react upon listening to what the girl had to say.
"No need to panic over this, I'll meet them regardless, and if they want trouble they will cause it, even if I hide now. So, I'll stick to my plans, let's go, Eve." Lutious walked passed Irma not bothering to worry about her warning.
While Evenica rolled her eyes and sighed. "Such a troublemaker, this young master of mine." Though she didn't sound mad in the slightest.
"Wait! You can't just-" Irma could not believe he was this reckless and tried to stop this, but it was far too late.
As she grabbed onto the boy to stop him, Irma was dragged onto the frey as well.
"Why are you so strong?!" Irma questioned as she was being dragged by a 6-year-old child.
"Don't bother, he's even more stubborn than both his parents combined, it's pointless to try and change his mind when he's like this." Evenica giggled watching the new girl struggle similarly to her once Lutious started getting way stronger than he should be.
Meanwhile, in the training grounds, two battle stages could be found to the side at the end of the room, after a row with 10 training dummies, facing a wall that had wooden variants of about every weapon exposed on the wall, and in barrels.
In this room, 4 kids a couple of years older than Lutious, were surrounding another kid his age, and they seemed to be entertained by his predicament.
"Come on, sing for us, Aric!" the tallest boy sneered. His golden hair caught the light like a crown, and his smile carried no kindness. "Your precious hymn can't even save you, can it?"
"Right! I bet he can't even do it for real." Another boy added with a similar but more distant attitude, though there was some hesitation in his voice.
"Just beat him up already, he can't do it anyway." A third boy, who sounded more so bored than anything said, though he covered his mouth after the words escaped him.
"It's always like this, he's not going to do it, can we do something else?" While the fourth boy sighed, kicking some dirt to the side. There was even an air of tiredness in his voice.
This caused the other three to turn to the fourth one, the first boy frowning as he looked at him. Then the first boy walked up to the fourth one and grabbed him by the head.
"Look at this? Do you want to be with him?" The first boy asked as he forced the fourth to look at the boy they were surrounding, sitting there on the ground hugging his legs with his eyes closed.
The response was immediate when the fourth boy shook his head.
"Then shut up, and just do what you have to…" The first boy added, and the fourth boy obliged being dropped with a slight push.
Then the first boy stepped on the head of the surrounded boy.
"It's your fault! Always your fault! Since you won't sing, you're going outside and walking around the mansion until the guests arrive. Ok?" The first boy declared as he repeatedly stomped on the surrounded boy.
In response, the surrounded boy nodded his head without much of a reaction, and as soon as the foot was off his head, he began walking off, and just as he was doing so.
"Oh, and since you pissed me off today, here you go." The first boy walked up to the surrounded boy and circled him once.
As soon as he did so, all of the surrounded boy's clothes exploded off his body into shreds, leaving him naked.
"Hahaha! What a loser." The second boy laughed.
"Ewww!" The fourth was not as amused.
"Pfff… It's not that funny… Hahaha!" The third boy tried to contain his laughter but could not.
At that same time, Lutious came in while Irma was trying to pull him back, completely unable to stop him, and Evenica was right behind them laughing at the antics in place.
Irma stiffened, clutching at Lutious' arm. "Young lord, we really shouldn't—"
However, the moment was not quite the best as the three of them stopped upon seeing the surrounded boy's state, and the boy himself had droplets of water stream from his eyes down his cheeks before running past them, his sniffles cutting through the silence.
Evenica crossed her arms, her ocean eyes sharp. "So this is how princes spend their time. How… inspiring." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she murmured, but her face remained neutral.
(What just happened?… Did they do that to him? Why?… Judging from that reaction it didn't seem like he deserved that… I need answers… No… I don't… It's none of my business anyway. Can't be getting my family into trouble.) Lutious knew something was off, but having no context decided to ignore it, clenching his fists before sighing it off.
While Evenica silently looked at the four boys left with disapproval, and Irma began hiding behind Lutious acting "normal" as best as she could.
Not minding the odd event that just transpired, Lutious just kept walking to the dummies, while the maids continued to follow him.
"Hey!" The first prince asked as he noticed the three intruders casually pass by. "Who are you and why are you here?!"
Irma froze, while Evenica tilted her head slightly, a smirk appearing on her face.
"I'm just here to train," Lutious said not answering the questions.
The first prince blinked a few times, then chuckled in amusement before turning to Irma.
"Who's this rascal, Maid? Answer immediately. My patience was already tested today. Don't push me further." The first prince said with an eyebrow raised, almost curious about this.
This caused Irma to shake and after taking a deep breath, she responded. "Ugh… This is Lutious Okanu of the House of Lust…"
A bout of silence was met after that, it was as if the four princes were hit with buckets of cold water for a second of pure shock, then as if the floodgates had opened frantic laughter echoed throughout the place.
"You can't possibly be serious? You're telling me you let a wannabe noble interrupt me? Hahaha!" The first prince could not contain his laughter and the other three followed suit.
This caused Evenica to roll her eyes, while Irma was trembling before Evenica held her hand behind her back discreetly, helping her calm down a bit.
At the same time, Lutious grabbed a wooden scythe, from the exhibit weapon as he chose a dummy for himself.
"So you, from the house of lust, a house of skirt chasers and harlots, you want to train? Hahahaha! Tell me, what could someone like you possibly hope to learn?" The first prince was amused by the whole situation, curious eyes looking at the training fiend.
(So, he's the first Prince, Lucian… Not what I expected, but I can't make a fuss or this could escalate to unnecessary highs. So let's keep it mild.) Lutious shook his head internally.
"Not to act like a fool," He answered as he focused on swinging the scythe maneuvering it almost like it was part of him.
In the face of such a response, more silence came to be. The first prince, Lucian had his eyebrow raised, more so surprised than anything else, with no signs of anger in sight.
The second prince smiled for a few instants, the kind of smile that would have made people think he was the one to say it to the first prince before immediately defaulting with an expression of shock.
Then the third prince frowned his eyes locking on Lutious more intensely as if the matter at hand concerned him personally, but there was a flame I'm his eyes burning.
Finally, the fourth prince seemed entirely disinterested in the situation, as if it was happening in a different place, before forming himself to put on what was supposed to be an expression of shock.
Meanwhile at the same time, looking through the door of the training grounds hiding against the wall, Aric peeked through his eyes, focused on the boy his age.
Not forgetting the maids, Irma was pale almost ready to faint, while Evenica was holding her, and smiling at her young master's antics.
"You've got quite the sharp tongue here, so tell me, do you think yourself to be better than me? The Crown Prince?… Lust boy?" Lucian asked looking at the boy with an amused expression.
Lutious tilted his head and kept his expression blank. "I don't think about you at all."
(It's not technically true, but he's starting to push my buttons, I already wanted to get an explanation about that kid, and now he's trying to bully me for being low nobility? He's asking for trouble.) He thought to himself starting to get tired of this, but not stopping his training even as he was talking or thinking.
Evenica chuckled not surprised in the slightest as a sigh escaped her, while Irma fainted into her arms.
While the second prince looked on as if he were watching a performance, the third prince looked ready for a fight, and the fourth prince stepped backward slowly.
However contrary to the expectations of those present, the first prince began laughing.
"Hahahaha! I like it, you talk big. So how about you put some weight on those words? Think you can handle the weight of a crown, prove it." Lucian pointed at one of the battle stages, with a wide smile.
(I probably should refuse, but this guy is getting on my nerves…. If I just don't go too far, it should be fine.) Lutious thought to himself sure that he could handle things.
"So, be it, your highness." He walked to the arena that was composed of white tiles that stood higher than the floor.
Following that, the first prince walked to stand in front of him, in a 5 by 5 meters arena with a smug on his face as he looked down at Lutious.
Meanwhile those around gathered to watch this, Evenica carrying the unconscious Irma, and the three other princes standing there, with curious eyes, ready to see what happens.
Hidding much further away behind the entrance door, looking in like a shadow even Aric, the black-haired prince found himself interested to know what would happen next.
"I don't know if a low-standing like you will have any real knowledge of the world, so let me educate you just in case. You are standing in a training arena, also known as an arena of equals, it's made with special materials, but if you wish to know more about that, research it yourself.
"What you do need to know is that while standing on it, all present are brought down to the level of the weakest link, in other words, I'm being limited to your level. It's made to help improve skill, rather than relying on brute power. Of course, the one we are standing on is an iron-rank one, after all, we have no expenses to spare." Lucian went on a lecture, a mocking tone accompanying each word.
"So, are we going to fight or not?" Lutious could not be bothered to entertain this taunt, he had to get back to training so, he had to end this quickly.
"Judging from that response, I guess you knew. Oh well, come on, show me what makes you believe you can ignore a prince." Lucian extended his hand and called for him to attack, but he just stood there, with no stance or apparent intent to defend himself.
If one were to enter at this exact moment, what one would see, is Lutious quickstepping right in front of the First Prince, his center of gravity low as he presented a strong blow, carrying the weight of his body in a jaw to the stomach.
Only confusion would be left, as the first prince did nothing to defend himself. If those around didn't see the events unfold, it would be easy to think, that Lutious simply attacked Lucian by surprise.
However, that was not the case at all.
Lucian was fully aware of the attack coming his way, so why do nothing? Only he knew his thoughts after all, and Lutious could not be bothered with such, he had much more important matters to worry about.
Seeing the opening did not close as the first prince's face wrinkled from the strong blow, he immediately followed it with a barrage of hooks, the momentum of one leading right into the next.
And just when the first prince finally reacted his face having already been pushed around punch after punch, and now one of those fists was grabbed, unable to escape, but that wasn't a problem, instead it was a whole new opening.
Taking this chance, Lutious did a body throw slamming Lucian against the arena, for all to see while the first prince gritted his teeth.
Everyone saw it, it was one-sided, in a way none expected, at least something some fight was thought to be about to take place, however, they got a beat down.
Of all the watched, that who's eyes widened the most was Aric, he leaned on to watch it all happen, even forgetting to hide at all.
"No way… No… This makes no sense… It doesn't, right?… Even if they are fighting as equals… Maybe…No, it can't be, can it?" He murmured to himself unable to fully believe the outcome he just witnessed.
"I guess that's that if you don't mind, I'll get back to training," Lutious said, looking almost disappointed that was it, he had expected to win, but wasn't it a little too easy? How weak.
"Hahaha, of course, the child of a sl*t and a man wh*re would just leave as quick as he can, who told you could declare anything much less holdback against me? That's why vermin like you don't deserve respect, much less rights, you are just like the Sloth bastards." Lucian responded still on the ground, just as mocking as before maybe even more, was it spite, anger at his weakness, or mere proof of insanity, only he knew.
"Young master, wait don't-" Seeing this Evenica was the first to speak, but she was far too late.
Keeping up the pace, the training fiend got on the first prince's stomach and began wailing on him, his punches no longer measured, as he coated them in mana and just let it go.
The atmosphere immediately began to change as the three other princes prepared to get involved, all quickstepping to surround Lutious and preparing to take him out in unison, while Evenica let go of Irma, and stepped in just in time to stop them, until…
"Hahahaha! It's even better than I expected. I've made my decision." Stopping Lutious' punch with his hand coated in mana, Lucian laughed before punching his aggressor's stomach with a fist full of mana.
This sent the training fiend flying until he hit the roof, and so he stood up his face bearing no injuries as it too was coated in mana.
The four people now surrounding him, the three other princes and Evenica looked at him more so in confusion than surprise, after all, why do any of this?
At that time, Lutious was falling back on the arena trembling as he hugged his stomach from the previous blow, coughing out some blood as his face wrinkled.
"Young master!" Evanica caught him right before he hit the ground, hugging him tight, before checking his body to see the damage.
"I knew it… It's completely impossible… Just like Dad said…" Aric who was watching at the point got up and left running.
"That was a bit crazy, did you need to do that? Though it was quite funny to watch." The second prince asked though amused.
"Tch! If you were just going to do that, you should have let me fight him, I would have at least had fun." The third prince responded not impressed with the display.
"It's still impressive, that would have been enough to kill or at least cripple your average Lust house kid, even your typical Gluttony house kid would be out cold from that. Not that any of the sin houses members our age can do anything against us anyway." The fourth prince looked at the Lutious with a small smile intrigue filled his eyes.
"Your Highness, I will now retrieve him, since he was incapacitated and can no longer continue, thank you for your time." Evenica put on a business smile as she began carrying her young master, away before grabbing Irma from the ground to take her too.
"So be it, but when he wakes up, tell him, that I've decided, I'll have him serve me directly. He will be my personal knight." Lucian nodded before responding with a wide smile as if what happened before was just a dream, maybe even a whole other person.
This caused all eyes to turn to him once more, even Evenica who was in a hurry.
There were many things he could have said, but that was not one anyone in the room expected, especially not him to say personal knight, maybe personal sl*ve, or servant, subordinate, butler, even maid, would have made more sense than what he said.
All royalty has a personal knight that they must eventually select, and they have until they are 18 to do so, while they can have as many knights as they all, the personal knight is their most important and closest one, their right-hand, and one who must stand on their side under all circumstances no matter what.
An Oath they take under the very Gods, and before the royal court.
Even though Evenica wanted to say something, it was not her place nor the right moment to do so. As such she left, carrying both Lutious and Irma in her arms.
"Hahaha! That's it, you officially went crazy! A member of the lust house as your personal knight? Might as well tell the world you think with your lower half in the introduction ball, it would have a less damaging effect. Please do it, this would be hilarious!" The second prince responded genuinely shocked at what he was hearing.
"Don't you dare do that, if both my older brothers are crazy that damned throne would fall on me, no thanks. I wanna live my own life if you don't mind." The third prince shook his head in disbelief with a side of frustration.
"Honestly, I would like to see that, such a situation would create great moments to observe, maybe I would even get to learn something interesting, what a marvelous thought." The fourth prince nodded with a smile in apparent full support of the idea.
At the same time, Lutious was just about to be taken back to their guest house.
(I can't believe I lost this badly… I guess I was too arrogant… I still have a long way to go. Still! I'll surpass you too!) He thought to himself as he frowned taking in the pain, and shame of this defeat.
It was a long journey ahead, but it was a path he had long accepted.