Ch.104104. In the Wild

I don’t know all the details.

But I could tell that the topic of conversation between Charlotte and Vivien was about “new talents.” Rex glanced at the papers on the table. Flying blade, light sword, heavy strike… all unfamiliar terms, but he recognized the words written after them.

Holy flame and radiant light.

Most were holy flame, with very few noted as “entry-level radiant light.”

Vivien thought Rex didn’t properly understand his own worth.

That was a misconception. Rex was well aware of just how special he was, beyond imagination. He simply had high standards because he aimed to become an Apostle, but he knew that even his current abilities were formidable anywhere.

Radiant light is a realm that only talented sacred artists can reach through consistent effort and luck. In a world where becoming radiant light at forty makes you a genius, he had risen to radiant light at merely fifteen.

His perspective on the world had become more objective during his three years at Edenhar. The knights and disciples of Edenhar were relatively superior to those of other domains. Yet even those knights and disciples hadn’t achieved as quickly as Rex had.

To be honest, he didn’t believe he could lose.

The problem was…

“What a cheeky little brat. Are you certain of victory before we’ve even begun?”

A voice cutting into his ear interrupted his thoughts. Rex looked at Vivien and opened his mouth.

“Yes.”

“I think so too. The outcome of the match is obvious. But what I want is for the newcomers to gain experience, not victory. The win or loss doesn’t particularly matter.”

Even hearing that didn’t make him feel any better.

A towering wall breeds inferiority. Three years had been enough to make Rex a proper member of Edenhar. His exceptional skill at a young age, his status as a free knight, and his humble personality despite his abilities—the servants, maids, and butlers showed goodwill toward Rex, while disciples and knights who had sparred with him even sent him admiration.

Not everyone, though.

A gap that seems surmountable breeds inferiority, and inferiority becomes the driving force for effort. But before an overwhelming wall that can never be overcome, people become frustrated. This happened more often with youths of similar age to Rex rather than knights who had perfected their inner selves.

They would put down their swords, give up on progress. Though they didn’t show it outwardly, they exuded sticky jealousy. He had seen such scenes several times.

That was their problem, not something Rex needed to concern himself with. Still, he couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable about it.

“Actually, I want you to thoroughly crush these newcomers.”

Vivien clicked her tongue and grumbled.

“Everyone’s been praising them as geniuses, and their noses have gotten too high. They need to be put in their place. But if other knights or I were to do it directly, they wouldn’t feel anything from the defeat. It would be a fight they’d expect to lose.”

The human heart softens easily. People might harbor fierce determination when they’re at the bottom, but once things get a little comfortable, they quickly lose their initial resolve. Geniuses are no different. Rather, because they’re geniuses, they often become even more arrogant.

Why can’t others do this? Why are they still struggling at the bottom? Ah, I see. I’m different from those ordinary people. I’m noble and special. I’m unique in this world.

The longer such thinking persists, the less brilliance their genius emits. Eventually, they become obsolete.

“It’s a kind of shock therapy, you could say. If they lose to someone much younger than themselves… wouldn’t that wake anyone up?”

Rex couldn’t understand such psychology. He didn’t even want to try.

“If that’s the case…”

“I could summon the newcomers right now, but it would be too sudden from their perspective, so they should have time to prepare. How about tomorrow?”

“Understood.”

Rex nodded with a disgruntled expression. Vivien clapped her hands with a bright smile and looked at Charlotte.

“Now that that’s settled, I’ll be imposing on you today.”

“Is that necessary? You could stay in the city.”

“I don’t want to part so soon after meeting again after so long. Besides, the facilities here are more luxurious than in the city. Why bother moving when there’s a more comfortable and cozy accommodation available?”

Charlotte replied with a disgusted expression.

“I’ll be charging you properly.”

***

There were three opponents set for the match.

Heavy Strike Daros.

Wild Wolf Jaide.

Raging Fire Maya.

They seemed like such grandiose titles. In fact, Rex had only learned about the concept of titles today. A designation given to promising new talents, they said. It sounded impressive on the surface, but Rex didn’t want to earn one. Being called a “new talent” ultimately meant being treated as a prospect, no better than a tadpole before true masters.

He didn’t think that perhaps one of them might become an Apostle. What mattered was the present. And they were no match for him.

That was enough.

“……”

Right in front of the Edenhar mansion was a garden where colorful flowers bloomed profusely. Sadly, it was now the middle of winter, so all the flowers had died, leaving only thin branches. A girl was crouched blankly in front of them. Rex cleared his throat and spoke to her.

“What are you doing?”

“…Rex.”

Elin looked up. Not much had changed in the three years since coming to Edenhar. That means something had changed a little. Rex and Chloe had grown both as sacred artists and physically. Their limbs had lengthened, and the baby fat had completely disappeared from their faces, making them look like adults to anyone.

Elin hadn’t changed at all. The red sunset light flowed down her transparent silver hair. Her fairy-like beauty remained the same as when he first saw her. So did her expression and voice, which never revealed what she was thinking.

“I’m looking at the flowers.”

Elin raised her finger with an indifferent face. I can’t see any flowers, not even a leaf. Rex scratched his cheek with a bitter smile.

He always felt sorry toward Elin.

While Rex and Chloe had achieved much at Edenhar, Elin had gained nothing. A magician’s training follows a different path from that of a sacred artist. She seemed to be researching on her own, but the result was that Elin had been neglected all this time.

To say neglected—they actually exchanged greetings daily and shared meals together. Still, from Elin’s perspective, life at Edenhar must have been boring. When Rex and Chloe were absorbed in their training, Elin would sit alone in the garden, watching the flowers. Even now in winter, that routine hadn’t changed.

“Are you done for today? With training.”

“I’ll eat dinner soon, and then do a bit more before bed.”

“You’re working hard.”

Elin said with a faint smile. She had never once complained. Even though she must have felt frustrated. Her unconditional goodwill made his heart ache. Rex cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“The sun is setting. Shall we have dinner together?”

“Yes.”

Elin smiled.

***

“How boring.”

A room gilded with glittering gold in all directions. No windows to look outside, no alcohol to wet one’s throat. While food and water are essential for human survival, such constraints don’t exist here.

Mugan Treasure Repository. A subspace constructed by Vivien’s ability. The numerous riches and treasures she owns are stored in the Mugan Repository. But they can’t be touched.

That’s because the area for storing treasures is different from the area for “humans.” Not only is access not permitted, but it’s impossible to leave the designated area in the first place.

Thanks to the immense size of the space, it wasn’t uncomfortable even with several people together.

“How long do we have to be locked up here?”

However, there was no way to alleviate the stuffiness that came from the enclosed environment itself. Daros spat out curses with a grim face. Wine and women. If he couldn’t enjoy at least one of the two for even a day, he would get irritable, and it had already been a week. By now, he would normally be fondling the breasts of a prostitute he had his eye on.

“Bringing us here without warning and not telling us what’s going on. I feel like I’m losing my mind. Don’t you agree?”

No answer came. Daros tilted the corner of his mouth and continued.

“It seems I’m the only one with complaints. Miss Maya, you must rather like this place.”

“If you’re so dissatisfied, tell Vivien directly. Don’t take it out on innocent people.”

Maya retorted in a bored voice. She was clearly reluctant to talk, but Daros burst into hearty laughter and licked his lips. For the past few days, she had consistently ignored Daros’s words. It pleased him that her patience had reached its limit. And breaking down a sharp-tongued woman is always rewarding.

“You must also find it boring to wait for orders here. How about enjoying some recreation? Though your freckles aren’t to my taste, your buttocks are quite luscious. I’m confident in my lower body too. I swear I’ll give you a woman’s happiness that you’ve never experienced before.”

“Fuck. Can’t you shut your mouth?”

“Your rough language is charming too. Though my lower body may be light, my heart is not. I feel like I could abandon my long-standing lifestyle and devote myself to a family with you.”

“If you spout nonsense one more time, I’ll burn you to death.”

Whoosh. Flames rose above Maya’s hand. Though small in appearance, that flame had enough power to devour a person in an instant. Knowing this, Daros still snickered and sneered.

“I am bound by contract to Lady Vivien. You can’t burn me as you please.”

“I’d rather die and pay the penalty fee than associate with a lowly man like you.”

“Your reaction is too harsh to a joke I made to lighten the mood as future comrades who will share joys and sorrows. Alright. I was wrong. I apologize. So please calm your anger.”

Maya glared at Daros, gritting her teeth, then clenched her fist. The flames that had been flickering as if about to burst out were extinguished. Daros smirked and turned his head.

“What do you think?”

The man who had been crouching silently all along looked at Daros with gloomy eyes.

“Sir Jaide.”

“…Nothing.”

“What?”

“I think nothing. When Lady Vivien commands, I simply follow. No further thought is necessary.”

“What a boring man.”

Jaide silently closed his eyes.

“With a title like Wild Wolf, you look more like an ascetic monk on the outside.”

Daros let out a hollow laugh and shook his head. Maya muttered with a tired face.

“Can’t you please just shut that mouth?”

“My mouth is wide open, so words leak out. If it were blocked, perhaps not. Yes, if you blocked my mouth with your ripe breasts, I could certainly stop talking.”

“You son of a—”

“Are you all getting along?”

A small voice cut through the commotion. That alone abruptly ended the conversation. Maya looked to the side with round eyes.

“I told you to be friendly with each other.”

Vivien was standing a short distance away, having appeared without a sound. Daros immediately erased his playfulness and averted his gaze. Vivien glanced at him with a deep sigh, then spoke with a strange smile.

“Something has come up.”

“What is it?”

It was Jaide who asked. His eyes were still dark, but his tone toward Vivien was extremely polite.

“A match. Charlotte is raising a child with excellent skills, so it would be a good experience for you all.”

“By child, you mean…”

“Eighteen.”

Daros replied with an incredulous expression.

“Are you serious?”

Though they didn’t express it in words, the others showed similar emotions on their faces. Have a match with an eighteen-year-old greenhorn? No matter how excellent their skills, isn’t that too far beneath their level? At eighteen, even with excellent skills, they would be at most at the revelation stage.

Vivien shrugged her shoulders.

“Would I assign you, whom I hired for thousands of gold, to a useless task?”

“What if we break him? Charlotte is the Apostle of the Sword, isn’t she? I’m afraid of incurring her wrath by meddling unnecessarily.”

“Don’t worry. If she gets angry, I’ll shield you.”

“Well then.”

Daros revealed his white teeth with a grin.

“I’ll have some fun for a change.”

***

“Nice to meet you. I am Heavy Strike Daros. You’ve heard of my name, right? I’ve come to teach you a lesson today, but don’t be too scared. You might break a bone or two… but you won’t die.”

Rex thought with an awkward face.

What a piece of trash.