Several days had passed since Leonel's first training session with Instructor Gareth. Every morning, I accompanied him, watching as the Young Master tirelessly repeated basic sword forms and aura meditation.
That alone was enough to astonish the other servants.
"Young Master Leonel is training?"
"Don't joke. He must be pretending."
"Then why does Instructor Gareth look so serious?"
The whispers grew louder, spreading from the kitchen to the main corridors. For me, every time I heard their dismissive words, my heart burned. Because only I had seen it with my own eyes: Leonel had truly changed.
That morning, while I was cleaning the backyard, two senior servants passed by, chatting.
"Did you hear? The Patriarch has registered Young Master Leonel for the Noble Youth Tournament."
"What? The one held in two weeks?"
"Yes. They say it's so everyone can judge for themselves whether the aura rumors are true or just lies."
I nearly dropped my broom. My hands turned cold instantly.
The Noble Youth Tournament. This was no trivial matter. It was an event where the sons of great families clashed in front of high nobles and even royal officials.
If Leonel suffered a humiliating defeat… everything he had built would crumble instantly.
That day, I couldn't contain my anxiety while accompanying Leonel on the training field.
"Young Master… I heard you're joining the tournament…" My voice was faint, almost trembling.
Leonel didn't stop his sword swings. "Yes, I heard that too."
"Just two weeks… that's too soon. You've only just started training, if something were to—"
"Rian." Leonel glanced over, sweat streaming down his face, but his smile was calm. "Weren't you the first to say you would always be by my side?"
I fell silent. Those words locked my mouth shut.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of humiliating myself, or my family." His slash fell again, the sound of the wooden sword cutting through the wind. "I will be ready when the time comes."
[Leonel's POV]
In my head, the mechanical voice sounded again.
[Quest Unlocked: Noble Youth Tournament]
[Objective: Survive and Advance to Semi-Finals]
[Reward: 500 System Points, Skill Upgrade Token]
[Failure: Reputation -1000, Title "Disgraced Heir" Acquired]
I grinned inwardly. Of course, this wasn't just a coincidence. This world was guiding me to my first trial.
Two weeks… enough time to go beyond the basics. Especially with the help of this System.
[Skill Training Efficiency boosted by 300% for 14 days.]
Perfect.
[Rian's POV]
Over the next few days, Leonel's training intensified. Instructor Gareth no longer underestimated him. There were even moments when Gareth would pause, as if unable to believe his student could mimic movements so quickly.
I myself could barely keep up with the changes. Day by day, his slashes grew sharper, his meditation deeper.
But still… two weeks wasn't a long time.
My nights were spent in restless anxiety, thinking about what would happen if Leonel was utterly defeated in front of everyone.
Would the Patriarch cast him aside?
Would everyone laugh at him again, louder than before?
And worse… would I be dragged down with him?
That afternoon, after training, Gareth finally spoke up.
"Leonel." His voice was heavier than usual. "I have received official news. In two weeks, you will represent the family in the Noble Youth Tournament."
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding.
Leonel looked at the instructor, then nodded without hesitation. "I understand."
Gareth narrowed his eyes, as if trying to confirm the young man before him wasn't delusional. "That tournament is no joke. Your opponents are heirs from great families who have trained since childhood. If you rely only on that faint aura, you will be humiliated."
Leonel gave a faint smile. "That's why I won't rely solely on this faint aura."
The answer made Gareth fall silent for a moment before he finally let out a long sigh. "Very well. Starting tomorrow, we will intensify your training. I will not hold back."
I clutched the cloth in my hand tightly. My heart was filled with fear… and something strange.
Hope.
That night, as I lit a small candle in the servants' quarters, I thought again about everything that had happened.
Leonel had accepted that challenge without flinching, as if he already knew he would win.
I didn't understand. How could someone who once had nothing now face the future with such conviction?
But one thing was certain.
In two weeks, everyone would see my Young Master.
Either as a resurgence… or a final downfall.