About seven years ago, Ian Ward enlisted in the army.
He was promising.
Tall, athletic, great body build, and sharp.
In four years, he surpassed his yearmates, getting recruited into the Iron Regiment. It was a subdivision, the lowest division under the Phantom Division.
But still he took it as it was a lifelong dream of his to join the Phantom Division, so he trained harder than anyone else, doing everything to impress his superiors.
He was arguably the best in his class and rarely lost a one-on-one fight. Yet here he was, sprawled on the ground after being taken by surprise by this… idiot?
Unable to even recall how he got on the floor, his brain temporarily shut down from the shock and he laid there, wide-eyed, while Dante suddenly burst into laughter, teasing him like the maniac he was perceived to be.
"Brother-in-law, is that all you've got? Dante only stretched out his hand, and you're already on the ground? Are you that weak?"
"You bastard! He took it easy on you, and instead of being thankful, you laugh at him? Ian, don't take it easy on this fool, beat him to a pulp!" Megan fumed, gritted her teeth.
Then she clicked her tongue at Benjamin in disdain. "Uncle, not only did you fail at raising your daughter, but she also married a man with no manners."
"What am I saying? She married a madman. Of course he has no manners. How disappointing. It's almost as if you have no child."
Realizing Selene had long passed out on the floor, Barbara immediately dropped to her knees and began slamming her head against the floor, pleading to Alaric, "Father-in-law, please forgive Selene. She's still a child, and her father and I are doing our utmost best to raise her properly."
At that, Alaric Ward threw a stern gaze her way. "Shut up. She's my eldest grandchild, yet she brings me more trouble than the younger ones. This goes far beyond poor upbringing!"
"Don't worry, Grandfather. Since she refused to grow up, I'll continue teaching her the manners my parents taught me. But for now, allow me teach this bastard a lesson," Ian sneered, hopping to his feet again as he snapped of his reverie.
He had bullied Dante for five years, tossing and beating him like a ragdoll. Even when Dante tried to fight back, it was no use.
So how could the same person who was powerless for five years suddenly throw him down without breaking a sweat?
No, he must've miscalculated and tried to kick him before he landed. That mistake must be why he slipped and fell.
Yes, that was the only plausible explanation.
As he bounced around, warily trying to find the right angle to attack from, Dante had his eyes fixed on the barely breathing woman on the floor.
Back then, he had just been driven out of his family by his cousin and had nowhere to go.
That was when he caught a stupid girl, at least two years younger than him, trying to take her own life by drowning.
He didn't understand what could push such a young person to do that… until a few years later when his family elders found him at the age of eighteen and forced him to take his cousin's place in the military.
It was a position reserved for the future head of the family, and it nearly killed him. Life-threatening challenges, brutal training, there were numerous days he wished for death.
He used to think, if I ever see that girl again and she's still alive, I'll apologize for chiding her so harshly back then.
Who would've thought she'd repay his tiny gesture by taking him off the streets and marrying him even as a madman?
Clenching his fist, he lowered his gaze, spite flickering through his eyes as the mercenary's words echoed in his head.
News of his madness must have spread. If so, no one would follow a mad Supreme Commander.
His title was likely stripped the moment he disappeared too. Meaning he no longer had influence and couldn't even protect the one person who saved him.
With enemies on every side and nowhere to go… beating up Ian Ward would only piss off Alaric and make things worse for Selene and her family.
He had to keep acting like a madman until he had a clear grasp of the situation.
So, even when Ian aimed a lousy kick straight at his abdomen, he didn't move an inch.
When the blow landed, he collapsed dramatically, clutching his stomach and rolling on the ground in exaggerated pain.
Ian smirked, satisfied that his earlier miscalculation had been proven right.
Relieved, he forgot to attack again, giving Dante the chance to crawl toward Selene, placing a finger under her nose to check if she was still alive.
"I guess even an idiot still has feelings." Megan laughed at the sight.
"Hmph! If I wasn't in such a good mood, I'd pull him away and beat him to a pulp! He's lufky mom and dad had to stay back. If they were here and cheering me on, I wouldn't let a fool like him off so easily!" Ian sneered, folding his arms across his chest with a haughty huff.
Glad his acting had made the impact he intended for it to, Dante's eyes shot across the room to Alaric. "Se-Selene needs to go back to the hospital."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Alaric glared at him hostilely, "Selene jumped in front of a knife unprovoked. Why should the Ward family cover her medical expenses?"