A warehouse located deep within the mansion.
Sharon opened one eye.
— Clang Clang
The chains around her wrists and ankles rattled.
She blinked again.
One eye wouldn’t open.
Must be the area where Herman hit her.
“…Tsk.”
A trickle of blood came out of her mouth.
Everything seemed normal.
“Thank goodness…”
Even with healing magic, it takes time for wounds to heal. Unlike other bones that may break or be damaged, they have to grow back entirely. This kind of injury greatly hinders training. It would be more efficient and convenient to injure a different part.
— Clang
They’ll probably release her in an hour or two.
Considering how yesterday’s banquet was ruined, Herman was likely to be angry. He always got rough when he was in a bad mood like this.
Nevertheless, Sharon had never been broken even once.
She complied with the family. She didn’t resent anyone. She just took it upon herself to become stronger. She thought that was the rational and right path.
…Or so she thought.
“Am I really overthinking this?”
Why does Ian Blackangers’ name come to mind even in a situation like this?
Thanks to the anger that erupted whenever she thought of him, she was certain of one thing.
That this anger wasn’t solely directed at him.
◆
“It seems the participants in this tournament are of a high caliber.”
“Surely it’s because Lord Herman himself is personally hosting it, haha.”
Herman Pierce, seated in the VIP box, with nobles on either side, was busy receiving praise for the tournament. Since yesterday’s banquet was practically ruined because of Yerina, it was an attempt to lift Herman’s spirits.
“Oh. Some rare talents indeed have shown up.”
Of course, it was true that the participants were of a high standard.
Nobles from across the continent coming here beyond the north, it was to assess promising talents in advance. It wasn’t common to have an opportunity to see young promising individuals from various families at once.
“By the way, Lord Herman, who from the Pierce family will be participating this time?”
Starting from the quarter-finals of the tournament, a member of the Pierce family would participate. It was called the Northern Duke’s teachings. One young noble nearby spoke without reserve.
“Surely it’s Lady Sharon Pierce?”
“Hey. Miss Sharon is… that…”
An elderly noble whispered to him.
Sharon is the only exceptional child among the four children of the Northern Duke. Her mother was practically a commoner and is rumored to be dead. Herman laughed at the gradually pale face of the young noble.
“Don’t worry too much. Even if her background is different, she’s still my sister.”
“Yes, indeed, Lord Herman’s heart is truly generous.”
“No, it’s just natural. But anyway.”
“…?”
“I will be participating in this tournament personally.”
“”!””
The fact that Herman himself would participate.
Of course, he couldn’t participate in the final of the tournament, which is primarily a place for the ‘teachings’ of the Pierce family, but still.
“As this is the first event hosted by the sponsor, I should pay a little more attention…”
While Herman was explaining.
— Whoaaaa!
A cry erupted from the unarmed section, interrupting his words.
Among the participants being announced, it seemed Ian Blackangers’ name was called.
Herman, whose speech was cut off, furrowed his brows.
The oily noble sitting beside him didn’t miss a beat and waved his hand, followed by the others.
“Don’t worry too much. Such a clown-like person, the children of the Limmksh family will neatly bend their knees.”
“If it’s Limmksh, you can trust them. The Lady of Something or Other? Those parasites are liked by the journalists, aren’t they?”
“That’s right. If they make a fuss, the masses will gather around.”
Meanwhile.
Journalist Schwab of the Imperial Gazette, who was listening to their conversation from the front row of the audience seats, smiled.
‘How clueless these people are. Even I was invited by the Northern Duke himself. They have no eye for talent. Ian, that guy, has talents to the point where he can pull that heavy iron train with just magic. Their faces will be quite a sight later.’
The tournament was about to begin.
Schwab stopped eavesdropping and raised his camera.
He captured Ian standing alone far away, expressionless, through his magical lens.
‘Well captured.’
Excitement welled up inside him.
What kind of performance will Ian show this time?
And not just today, but in the days to come as well.
◆
— Kwang!
“Wooohoo!”
The victorious participant brandished his sword and cheered.
His gaze turned towards the ‘dignitaries’ watching from the stands.
– “Hahaha! As expected of the Anior family, the swordsmanship runs deep.”
-“Oh, no, no. The Gram family’s participant was also remarkable.”
As the situation was wrapping up, the momentum of those sitting mainly around Herman was high.
‘It seems almost like a noble’s playground.’
Ian nodded, realizing the situation was winding down.
While some participants had come with the goal of genuine ‘growth’ through the tournament, there were also those who had participated to uphold their family’s prestige.
Watching the nobles who were flattering Herman, a knight next to him struck up a conversation.
“Are you also participating in the tournament?”
“Yes.”
“It must be exciting to compete against the Princess’s man. From what I see, you don’t seem like someone who has lived just to show off.”
Ian glanced at him briefly.
He was in his late twenties to early thirties.
He could still be considered promising at his age, but at the same time, he showed a seasoned experience.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“Thank me later. You’re too modest.”
‘…Who is this guy?’
A tone of voice that makes it seem as if he can see through your skills.
Ian casually checked the tournament bracket.
“Well, unfortunately, if I want to meet you, it’ll have to be in the finals.”
“Are you worried?”
“Haha. No need to worry about you. I just have to deal with the Pierce family in the semifinals. I wonder who will come out. Tsk.”
With a sarcastic tongue, the knight swaggered off to the opposite side of the arena.
‘…He’s an interesting one.’
It wasn’t clear whether he was just playing the role or if he had a talent for seeing through others’ abilities. Ian would have to keep an eye on him.
As he was thinking this.
“You’re not even funny. Do parasites like you even know your place?”
Men dressed in finery approached.
Before the start of the tournament, he remembered them mocking him, saying they could easily break his leg with a low kick.
Ian wasn’t one to forget a slight easily.
“Hey, parasite. Isn’t it too early to think about going to the finals already? With a weakling like you, it looks like it’ll be over in three seconds.”
“If anyone thinks they’ve got the victory secured, it’s me.”
“You’ll need a few low kicks to come to your senses.”
They kept babbling one after another.
Ian glanced at the stands.
The noble sitting next to Herman was gesturing towards him, whispering something to Herman.
‘Those guys seem to be the instigators.’
He could roughly understand why they appeared like this.
Ian’s lips curled up slightly.
“Are you so envious of me talking to the ladies?”
“What?”
“Whenever I talk to the ladies, you keep glancing at them.”
“What are you implying!”
“If your stomach hurts so much, can I at least introduce you to someone? It looks like you’re very lonely. But, if you’re a man, just try to get in touch with him. That way he’s more popular.”
“…you-!”
“If your stomach hurts so much, shall I introduce you to someone? Seems like you’re quite lonely. But, if you’re a man, just make a move. That’s more popular. Even though you’re a knight, you only have eyes for your sword, huh? Yeah. If you’re still lonely, I can give you some tips. I recently developed a method called the confession attack…”
Ian’s cheerful response caused the faces of the three to contort in anger.
“Hey, you b*stard!”
“How dare you insult our honor—!”
The commotion drew attention.
Among them, the eyes of the female participants were also drawn.
Their shoulders twitched simultaneously.
“You, you dare to challenge us!”
They spewed out clichéd lines and backed away.
Ian chuckled as he watched their retreating figures.
‘That guy isn’t scared of me. It seems like a flag for something interesting.’
A tempting breadcrumb in a favorable direction, after a long time.
It was a satisfying moment.
◆
“The next match, representing the Third Princess, Ian Blackangers. His opponent, a knight from the Limmksh family —”
“Whoaaaaa—!”
The enthusiastic cheers of the audience erupted immediately.
Somehow, the screams of women seemed to stand out more, was it just an illusion?
Ian ascended the stairs of the arena.
In the meantime, an announcement was heard.
[Now that everyone’s attention is focused, let’s explore the interior of the mansion.]
Click.
Ian, with a slight clench of his fist, stepped onto the arena.
“Now you’re finally feeling nervous, huh? Parasite.”
A man wearing plate with a sneering face, one of the knights who had been provoking.
‘Not your typical villain with a low kick.’
Instead, he’s a three-second villain who’d be beaten in three seconds.
Ian picked up the sword placed in the corner of the arena.
“It’s quite amusing to see you holding a sword. Knight of the Limmksh family, Krimhild Reeshich…”
“Just a moment.”
Interrupting his self-introduction, Ian raised his hand towards the judge.
“What’s the matter?”
The judge asked.
“Is it allowed to wear plates while fighting with a sword? Isn’t that cheating?”
“It’s fine. As long as you don’t harm your opponent’s life, equipment is free. Holding a wooden sword instead of a weapon is just symbolic.”
“Then, is magic allowed as well?”
“Of course. Consider the sword just symbolic.”
Ian nodded towards the judge and turned to Krimhild.
“Sorry. I thought it was cheating again.”
Grinning, Ian’s lips curled upwards.
Krimhild’s eyes rolled.
“I won’t go easy on you!”
“As you wish.”
The judge’s shout signaled the start.
And at the same time.
Shaa!
Ian disappeared from Krimhild’s sight.
