The Duke's laughter finally died, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Leo didn't move.
He simply stared at the man towering before him—the Duke of Rosard, the Iron Wall of the kingdom—who now wore a strange expression.
Not anger.
Not disappointment.
But interest.
A rare spark flickered in the Duke's eyes.
"Leo," the Duke said slowly, "since you dare to dream beyond a king… let's see if your strength matches your mouth."
The air thickened, mana humming through the hall.
Leo smirked.
So the real test begins now.
"You will have a one-on-one duel with a Rosard knight," the Duke declared. "If you win, I will grant you one request."
"Not just any knight," Leo replied without hesitation. "Give me a fight with the best knight we have."
The Duke's eyes narrowed, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Overconfidence, is it?"
Leo met his gaze steadily and replied, calm but certain,
"You'll see whether it's overconfidence… or the truth."
The Duke's lips curved into an interested smile. "Very well. You may leave."
Leo nodded once and walked out of the hall.
That man… he's interesting, Leo thought as he moved down the corridor, lost in thought.
Then—
"Move, you weakling."
Leo stopped and raised his head.
It was his second brother—Eiden.
Eiden clicked his tongue in irritation.
"How did we get a brother like you… who doesn't even notice someone coming? Spacing out like an idiot."
A small smirk appeared on his face.
"I also heard your beloved Evelyn dumped you and went off with another guy."
Eiden's lips curved into a quiet, confident smile.
"Now you realize… this world needs strength, not stupid love."
Leo looked at him calmly, eyes sharp as he measured his brother.
Then—
A system window blinked open.
Name: Eiden Rosard
Age: 21
Path: Sword
Rank: Knight
Threat Level: A+
Secret: His thing isn't getting hard.
A quiet chuckle escaped Leo's lips.
"What's so funny?" Eiden snapped, irritation flashing in his eyes.
Leo leaned closer, a sly grin curling on his lips.
"I heard… your 'thing' isn't getting any harder."
Eiden's face flushed for a brief moment, embarrassment flickering across his features.
Then pride ignited.
He unleashed a massive aura—the narrow corridor compressed, vibrating with raw intensity as the walls trembled slightly.
But—
Leo didn't even flinch.
He deliberately released a small, controlled aura of his own, clearly showing that his once-broken mana had fully recovered.
"You… recovered your mana?" Eiden muttered, shocked.
"Yes," Leo said calmly as he passed him, never looking back.
"And you… you'll be surprised… from this day on… every day."
Later, David called from behind.
"Young Master, the book you requested is on the table in your room."
Leo lifted a hand lazily. "Thanks."
He entered his room, picked up the book, stared at it briefly, then set it aside.
He stepped in front of the mirror, studying his reflection for a full minute… before a slow, unsettling smile curled across his lips.
Main Hall
Eiden entered with a frown. "Father, why did you call me?"
"Tomorrow, you will go to the Cursed Forest to assist your older sister and your older brother, Cain," the Duke said.
"Do I have to go? Is the situation serious?" Eiden asked.
"You'll see when you get there. Prepare to leave tomorrow."
"…Yes, Father."
The Duke turned to David.
"Arrange a duel for Leo tomorrow morning. Give him one of our best knights."
Eiden frowned. "Why are you suddenly interested in him?"
The Duke smiled faintly.
"Because he said something to my face that none of you ever dared to say."
Eiden looked confused but nodded and left.
The Duke then looked back at David.
"You noticed the change in him too, didn't you?"
David nodded. "Yes, sir. But arranging a duel this suddenly—"
"He asked for it," the Duke said sharply, his expression darkening.
"And the Bellamonds… how dare they disrespect our family? Ending an engagement with a single word and not even sending an official notice."
A massive aura burst from the Duke, the floor cracking beneath him—real anger, nothing like what he showed Leo earlier.
David stepped forward quickly. "Master, please calm down. I will inform the Bellamond family."
"No need," the Duke growled. "They will come crawling on their own."
He waved David away. "Go tell Leo the details of the duel."
David bowed. "Yes, Master."
A light knock followed as David entered Leo's room.
"Young Master, the Duke has arranged your duel. Your opponent will be Knight Marco."
Leo turned slightly. "Is he our strongest knight?"
David shook his head. "He is one of the best. But the Knight Captain is the strongest."
So he's showing me kindness… thinking I can't reach that level? Leo thought. I'll show him.
"David," Leo said coldly, "don't enter my room today without permission. And don't let anyone else enter either."
"Yes, Young Master."
Leo summoned the system.
A dark light flickered as the interface appeared.
"Can you give me a better physique?" Leo asked.
System:
I cannot directly change your body. But I can correct your mana flow. If your mana circulates properly, your aura output will naturally increase.
Leo nodded. "Fine. Let's begin."
He sat on the bed, closed his eyes, and guided mana through his veins under the system's direction.
Minutes passed. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he forced the wild mana to calm.
Finally—
System:
Mana flow corrected. Efficiency increased to 100%. You will no longer feel fatigue when using aura.
Leo opened his eyes.
"How much can I use now?"
System: Twenty percent.
Leo smirked.
"Twenty percent is enough to crush a knight. Teach me swordsmanship."
The system froze.
Then a wide, unnatural smile spread across the screen.
System:
I can give you a complete sword art… but you must do one task for me.
Leo's eyes narrowed, a cold smile forming. "What task?"
System:
Cripple the knight you will duel next.
Leo didn't hesitate. He pressed YES.
Instantly, patterns, techniques, movements—every strike and counter of a perfect sword art—flooded his mind. It felt like a divine blade being carved into his brain.
His eyes opened slowly, overwhelming power coursing through him.
Next Morning.
A soft knock sounded.
"Young Master, are you awake?" David called.
"Yes. Come in," Leo replied.
David placed breakfast on the table. "Are you prepared for the duel?"
Leo nodded while eating. "Who will be there to watch?"
"The Duke will witness it… and your second brother as well."
Leo finished his meal and stood.
"Good. Let's go to the training ground."
David bowed and followed.
Leo smirked.
"Today… I'll show them what happens when someone tries to mess with me."