Valerius quickly stepped forward, pulling Ragnariel into a kneeling position. "Forgive me, Your Grace, for failing to raise my child properly. He is only 1 year and 5 months old, so he doesn't yet understand his actions."
Duke Kaelthorn approached Ragnariel, his imposing presence looming over the small boy. "Stand up," he commanded.
Valerius rose cautiously, helping Ragnariel to his feet.
"Only a year old and already walking and speaking fluently? Your child is remarkable," Duke Kaelthorn remarked with a smirk.
Valerius bowed his head. "Thank you for your kind words, Your Grace."
The Duke turned his gaze directly to Ragnariel. "What is your name, boy?"
Meeting the Duke's sharp eyes, Ragnariel replied with confidence, "My name is Ragnariel, Your Grace. I apologize if my actions earlier offended you." He bowed slightly, then looked back up at the Duke with unwavering resolve.
The Duke's expression shifted slightly, his interest clearly piqued. "I like the fire in your eyes, boy. Tell me, what do you aspire to do in the future?"
Without hesitation, Ragnariel answered, "I apologize, Your Grace, but if I were to reveal my future goals, I would surely make the world my enemy."
The room fell silent, and Duke Kaelthorn tilted his head, a curious grin spreading across his face. "Interesting. Very interesting. The ambitions of a child not even two years old could make the world his enemy? Hahaha!"
The Duke's hearty laughter echoed through the courtyard, startling even his guards. "I knew visiting here wouldn't be dull. Compared to my own son, who's the same age as you and can barely string words together, here you are, not only walking and talking fluently but already envisioning goals that could shake the world!"
Valerius stood frozen in panic, unsure of how to respond. Duke Kaelthorn's sharp gaze shifted back to Ragnariel, but instead of anger, there was intrigue in his voice as he said, "I must admit, my curiosity has been piqued. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything you said, so now, boy, indulge me, what exactly is this grand ambition of yours?"
Ragnariel's lips curled into a confident smile as he looked directly into the Duke's eyes. Without hesitation, he extended his small hand forward, his presence defying his age. "I will make this world kneel before me," he declared, clenching his hand into a tight fist.
A tense silence gripped the courtyard. Everyone present held their breath, dreading the Duke's reaction. 'Would this audacious statement result in punishment?' said one of the Duke's knight.
Instead, Duke Kaelthorn's booming laughter shattered the tension. "Hahaha! Extraordinary! Valerius, you've raised a truly remarkable child! I envy you! Compared to my own children, this one is overflowing with ambition!" He looked back at Ragnariel, his smile turning sharp. "Very well, boy. Prove to me that your actions will match these bold words in the future. If you do, I will lend you my support."
Ragnariel lowered his head respectfully, the confident smile never leaving his face. "Thank you, Your Grace. You won't be disappointed."
The Duke chuckled in satisfaction before turning to Valerius. "Good. Now, Valerius, show us to our rooms."
Valerius let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that the Duke seemed to dismiss Ragnariel's words as the fanciful declarations of a child. "Of course, Your Grace. Please follow me."
As the Duke and his entourage began to move, his family trailed behind. One of the younger sons sneered as he passed Ragnariel. "Conquer the world? Hah! You won't even survive here, let alone rule anything."
Ragnariel didn't react with anger. Instead, he simply smiled at them, his expression unnervingly calm, as if their insults were beneath his notice.
The Duke's daughter, walking at the back of the group, glanced at Ragnariel with an icy gaze. For a brief moment, their eyes met, but her expression betrayed no emotion. Ragnariel, unfazed, thought to himself, "Interesting. This one might be worth watching."
As the Duke's family disappeared into the castle, Ragnariel noticed Lysandra standing nearby, her face clouded with worry and sadness. He walked up to her, bowed his head slightly, and said, "I'm sorry for my behavior, Mother."
Lysandra pulled him into a gentle hug and replied, "Please, don't do that again, my dear. I was so worried about what the Duke might do to you."
"I understand, Mother," Ragnariel said softly. "I just couldn't stand watching Sister Serenya act all polite like that."
Lysandra chuckled, covering her mouth. "I understand. I was holding back my laughter the entire time too."
"Mother, why are you laughing at me as well?" Serenya huffed from the side, clearly flustered.
At that, Kaelen couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Honestly, I was holding it in too! Serenya, acting polite just doesn't suit you at all!"
Fuming, Serenya delivered a solid punch to Kaelen's stomach before stomping off toward the castle. "Hmph! For your information, I am a graceful young lady!" she declared indignantly.
Her words only made Lysandra and Ragnariel laugh harder.
But Lysandra's expression turned thoughtful, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Ragna," she asked gently, "was what you said to the Duke just now... true?"
Hearing this, Serenya froze mid-step and turned back, while Kaelen, clutching his sore stomach, leaned in closer to listen.
"Yes, Mother," Ragnariel replied firmly, his voice steady and resolute. "I promise you, Brother Kaelen, Sister Serenya, Father, and even Brother Lucien, I will make the entire world bow before us."
Lysandra, Kaelen, and Serenya were momentarily taken aback, their hearts moved by Ragnariel's words.
"You're amazing, my boy," Lysandra said, smiling warmly. "But to make that dream come true, you'll need to study and train hard. Starting tomorrow, I'll have Aunt Nayla begin teaching you."
"Really, Mother?" Serenya's eyes lit up with excitement.
Lysandra nodded, and Serenya couldn't contain her joy. "Yay! Finally, I'll have someone to study with!"
Ragnariel sighed inwardly. "Damn, I think I talked too much. What can a one-year-old even learn at this age?" Outwardly, however, he simply said, "Yes, Mother."
Lysandra gave him an approving nod before glancing toward the castle. "Alright then, let's go find your father. He's probably overwhelmed with hosting duties right now."
"Yes, Mother!" they all replied in unison, their voices ringing with energy.
Several hours passed, and Duke Kaelthorn, along with his family and knights, left the Caeltheris estate. From inside his luxurious carriage, the Duke glanced at Ragnariel and muttered, "I hope your words are true, boy, and that you can achieve the dream I've long hidden in my heart."
***
Four years later.
Ragnariel was summoned to the special training hall by Valerius.
"I'm here, Father," Ragnariel announced as he entered the room.
All the family members and the estate's key personnel were gathered there.
"Come closer, my son," Valerius called.
"Yes, Father." Ragnariel stepped forward and stood opposite everyone in the room.
"I heard you defeated a new knight in a duel last week," Valerius began.
Ragnariel's mind replayed the events from a week ago.
***
A week earlier, at the knights' training grounds.
"Hey, kid," one of the knights called out mockingly. "Are you training to become the ruler of the world?" He laughed, drawing attention from nearby knights.
Ragnariel ignored the man and continued his training, unfazed.
But the knight wasn't done. "Tch. The dreams of a mere baron's son are as high as the heavens, huh?"
This time, Ragnariel stopped, turned to the knight, and locked eyes with him. "Are you a spy within this estate?" he asked, pointing his wooden sword at the knight.
The knight smirked. "And what if I am?"
Without another word, Ragnariel charged forward with remarkable speed and struck the knight's head with his wooden sword. The force sent the man stumbling to the ground.
"Pick up your sword, spy," Ragnariel commanded coldly.
A crowd began to gather around the scene, murmuring.
"What's going on?"
"Lord Ragnariel struck that knight."
"Really? What did the knight do?"
"They say he mocked the young lord, calling him names. Then the young lord accused him of being a spy, and the knight brazenly confirmed it. That's when Lord Ragnariel attacked."
Sir Garran, hearing the commotion, approached swiftly. "That's enough, young master," he said firmly.
Ragnariel's icy gaze shifted to Sir Garran. "Are you an accomplice to this spy, Sir Garran?"
With a sigh, Sir Garran replied, "I will handle his punishment, young master. If you continue, you might get hurt."
But Ragnariel emitted an almost tangible aura of pressure and retorted, "You'd best keep quiet, Sir Garran. How dare a knight like him..." he gestured sharply at the fallen man, "insult his lord, and you stand there as if shielding him. Here and now, I declare, anyone dissatisfied with my actions is free to step forward and challenge me to a duel."
Sir Garran exhaled heavily, thinking to himself, "Fine, let him learn the hard way. He'll soon realize the world isn't as idealistic as the books he reads."
The fallen knight stood up, glaring at Ragnariel. "Don't take back your words when you're the one hurt, brat."
Ragnariel locked eyes with him. "Of course, come at me. I'm tired of training alone."
Ragnariel and the knight ascended to the combat arena, with all the knights gathered around to watch, including Dheo and Sir Garran.
"What are you waiting for, spy? Attack me!" Ragnariel taunted, beckoning with his right arm.
"You arrogant brat," the knight muttered, charging at Ragnariel and swinging his sword.
Ragnariel easily dodged every strike, then, as the knight lunged, he jumped high into the air and slammed the hilt of his sword into the knight's head.
"And now you're dead. Imagine if this was a real sword, your head would've been pierced and you'd be dead right where you stand."
The crowd gasped, stunned by Ragnariel's swift movements.
The knight, feeling the sting of humiliation, gathered himself and attacked again. Ragnariel dodged effortlessly, smirking. "You never learned, did you?"
With a swift sidestep, Ragnariel kicked the knight in the stomach, sending him flying out of the arena, knocking him unconscious.
"Next, please," Ragnariel yawned. "The knights here are too weak. I'm getting sleepy."
Dheo, who had been watching in awe, raised his hand. "Young master, may I spar with you?"
Ragnariel smiled. "I'd be happy to, Sir Dheo."
Dheo blinked, surprised. "You remember me?"
"Of course," Ragnariel replied. "I enjoyed your fifth-rank fight five years ago."
Sir Garran, hearing this, was shocked and thought to himself, "Five years ago? Was that when he was five months old? He remembers that event? Incredible. Such an extraordinary memory."
Dheo, flattered, replied, "I'm honored that you remember me." He then ascended to the arena.
"Alright, Sir Dheo, will you attack or shall I?" Ragnariel asked, preparing himself.
"I'll let you attack, young master," Dheo replied.
"Very well, here I come," Ragnariel said, a grin tugging at his lips.