Chapter 53
The mana training was a complete success.
This place was the training hall of the Imperial Guards. Although it wasn't like the exclusive training hall at Azureocean Castle, thanks to Halo, the area was spacious and open. Since Halo had taken charge of it in advance, Caron was able to focus entirely on his training without any distractions.
Whoosh.
Caron smiled as he confirmed the formation of his fifth sea near his heart.
I've absorbed about seventy percent of it, he thought.
Although he'd overexerted himself, he thought it had been the right choice to push himself to reach 5-Star. Ironically, it was precisely because his fifth sea had lacked sufficient mana that he was able to fully absorb the dew from the World Tree. Of course, the natural mana in the dew still needed time to convert into his Azure Mana, but there was no rush. He could take his time to assimilate it when he returned to Azureocean Castle.
The immediate crisis is handled.
The dew of the World Tree was certainly worth its immense price. Despite its unusual properties, it had settled into him, proving that it was indeed pure mana in its most essential form.
"Ahhh," Caron exhaled deeply as he stepped out of the training hall. Perhaps it was because of the overflowing mana, but he felt amazing.
"Ah, are you done?" a voice asked. It was Leo.
"What were you doing here?" Caron responded.
"Oh, you know... Just watching to see if anyone would show up," Leo answered as he stood in front of the training hall with his sword, Sylphid, in hand.
Caron grinned at the sight. It seemed Leo had been keeping watch outside the training hall, just in case anything unexpected happened. He teased, "Leo, you've been really thoughtful lately, I'm proud of you."
"What are you talking about, huh?" Leo grumbled.
"Well, you ran and carried me when you thought I was going to die. And you were guarding the place outside while I was training... I'm touched," Caron said.
"I'm just doing what Lady Sabina asked me to do," Leo replied.
"Lady Sabina asked you?" Caron repeated.
"She told me to take good care of you. After all, I am older than you. If I don't look after you, who will?" Leo replied.
Caron felt genuinely touched. Back at Azureocean Castle, he had always seen Leo as the young child who needed protection. But when he recalled the look in Leo's eyes from the night before, he realized things weren't so simple anymore.
Feeling a bit mischievous, he smiled and looked at Leo, saying, "You know, I just remembered what you said to me last night."
"W-Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?" Leo stuttered.
"What was it again? Oh, right! It was 'Why are you... apologizing... You damn bastard!' right? You said that while bawling your eyes out, didn't you?" Caron teased with a grin.
"Hey, that was—!" Leo said.
Caron couldn't help but laugh at the memory of Leo crying. Then, he gave Leo a playful smack on the back and continued cheerfully, "You felt a bit upset earlier because Grandfather only asked me, didn't you?"
"About what?" Leo asked.
"You know, when he asked what I took away from this journey. He only asked me, remember?" Caron replied.
"...Ah." Leo began. If he was being honest, he did feel a bit upset because Halo's attention had been solely focused on Caron. But he wasn't foolish enough to get jealous over that. He had to admit that even in his eyes, Caron's performance had been dazzling.
Leo smiled bitterly with a nod and continued, "If I said I didn't feel upset, I'd be lying. But I don't think it was unfair. If I was Grandfather, I would've done the same."
"Then let me ask you. Did you have any takeaways during this trip?" Caron asked.
Leo paused, thinking about the question for a moment. Then, he looked into Caron's blue eyes and answered, "I did."
"Now I'm curious." Caron grinned.
"Well, I'm not going to tell you," Leo said with a smirk.
During this trip to the capital, he had come to one clear realization.
I can never be like you, Caron.
Caron had shown so much during this trip. Even when they trained together back at Azureocean Castle, Leo had known that he couldn't keep up with Caron's natural talent. But what Leo had seen on this trip wasn't limited only to skill with the sword.
It was Caron's adaptability, the ability to make the best decision in any situation. Caron, despite being three years younger than Leo, made choices that Leo couldn't even understand at first. Only later did the meaning and reason behind those choices ever become clear to him. But that, too, was a kind of innate talent. It was something Leo knew he could never achieve, no matter how hard he tried.
Still he didn't let it discourage him.
Just like last night, Caron can fall too, Leo thought.
He had no intention of trying to surpass Caron. After all, Caron was a madman who operated on a completely different level from anyone else. So, Leo had made his choice.
"I'll block at least one of the knives aimed at your back," Leo declared.
His choice was to walk behind Caron, following his lead. This monstrous guy was always charging forward. To even follow in Caron's footsteps, Leo knew he had to work hard without rest. Only then would he be able to keep up with Caron.
"So don't look down on me just because I'm not as strong as you. One day, I'll be able to land a solid hit on you. Got it?" Leo's voice was firm, with sincerity and determination.
Caron chuckled softly and gave Leo another hearty slap on the back, saying, "Man, you've really grown up. Is this really the same Leo Leston who used to badmouth my parents?"
"...Hey, that was..." Leo said.
"But, you know something, Leo? Aside from that one time, I've never once looked down on you. Plus, ever since then, you've always been good to me," Caron said.
The once-reckless boy had grown up well. With a satisfied expression, Caron continued speaking, "Leo, you'll make a fine young master of the prestigious Leston Duchy."
"It sounds weird when you say that," Leo said.
"Just keep growing up like this, Leo. I won't ask for much more. Got it?" Caron asked.
"You complete lunatic," Leo replied.
This trip seemed as if it would be a significant help for Leo as well. Caron could tell just by looking into Leo's eyes. They didn't contain the defeated look of someone who had lost, but rather the sharp gaze of a man with a goal.
Perhaps it was because they had spent three years together, but Caron genuinely felt as if they were real brothers. Nodding to himself, he walked forward slowly and asked, "Where's Sir Zerath?"
"He's close by, over there at the training ground. He said there was something to discuss with the Imperial Guards. He told me to bring you once your training was done," Leo answered.
"Alright, let's go," Caron said.
There was something Caron had asked Zerath to take care of before they arrived here. At first, Zerath had flatly refused, but after hearing Caron's reasoning, he had agreed without further argument.
Promises must be kept, Caron thought.
The two cousins made their way toward the training ground, where Zerath awaited.
***
The passage leading from the training hall to the training ground was short, but Caron could still hear plenty of conversations.
"I heard that he single-handedly fended off the succubus," one voice said.
"Definitely seems like the grandson of Duke Halo," another added.
"...I thought Hugo Leston was monstrous enough, but maybe there's really something special in the blood of the Leston family," someone murmured.
"Don't make eye contact with him. According to the rumors, he's really..." another person said.
The conversations were all about Caron. He'd heard that rumors had spread, but he hadn't expected them to spread this quickly.
"Word sure travels fast," Caron muttered.
"All the young nobles who attended the banquet only talk about you," Leo noted.
"But why does it feel as if everyone's scared of me? Is that just me?" Caron asked.
"It's not. It is true that they're scared of you," Leo replied.
"Oh, good," Caron said, satisfied.
It was a natural outcome. The young nobles had spread the story just as they witnessed it. The image of Caron, drenched in blood yet relentlessly driving his sword forward, was burned into their minds. To the pampered nobles, it had to have seemed like the work of a demon.
Besides, the rumor that Caron had nearly beaten Drogol Kian to death the previous day had naturally added to that. So the rumor of the youngest of the Leston family being a complete madman was already making the rounds.
Does this count as half a success? Caron mused.
Since he had successfully instilled fear in the minds of the people his age in the capital, he considered it a satisfactory outcome.
The two of them arrived at the training ground, drawing the attention of the Imperial Guards as they passed. Unlike the busy hall, the training ground was much quieter.
This place is still the same, Caron noted as he glanced around. There were signs of repairs, but most of the place seemed to have been preserved just as he remembered.
Zerath, who had been waiting up ahead, greeted them, "You've arrived."
"Yes," Caron replied.
"Did you gain what you came for?" Zerath asked.
"More than enough. I'm glad I made the time to come here," Caron said.
"That's good," Zerath responded.
"And what about the favor I asked you for...?" Caron began.
"I've already discussed it with the Imperial Guards. You can proceed as you wish," Zerath assured him.
Caron smiled at the answer, then turned to Amy, who stood behind Zerath looking a bit nervous.
"Have you already warmed up?" Caron asked.
Amy responded in a small voice, "...Are you really planning to duel with me? You're still injured..."
"Come on. I'm fine. None of the wounds were deep, so there's no need to worry. As for any internal injuries, they're nothing to worry about either. But you must be in pretty good shape worrying about me," Caron teased.
He had already expressed his interest in sparring with Amy to Zerath. At first, he hadn't expected Zerath to agree, but surprisingly, the latter had given his approval without much resistance.
Caron removed Guillotine from his belt and handed it over to Zerath. He said, "I would've liked to use a real sword, but Sir Zerath said that's off the table. A duel is best fought with real swords, you know."
Amy stared silently at Caron's face. She knew this wasn't truly a duel. It was more of a sparring session. And she was well aware that her skills were nowhere near enough to defeat Caron...
Which was precisely why she was puzzled. Amy couldn't understand why Caron, despite still being injured, insisted on sparring with her.
"Why are you going this far...?" she asked.
Caron's injury clearly required rest, not more strain. Even the priests and doctors who had treated him had recommended for him to take it easy. There was no reason for him to push himself to this extent for a spar.
But Caron only smiled as he looked at Amy. He replied, "A reason? Why would you need a reason to spar? In Azureocean Castle, there's no such thing. If someone requests a duel, you accept it. That's the rule back home."
"I just—" Amy began, but Caron interrupted by tossing her a wooden sword.
Thud.
She caught it with ease.
"If you insist on knowing the reason... It's Sir Cain. You said you respected him, but I've yet to see if you have the skill to match your words," Caron said, deliberately trying to provoke her competitive spirit.
He wanted to spar with Amy because he wanted to help her, someone who still admired him even after fifty years, understand the path she would need to follow. Her determination to remain in the Imperial Guards, and her bold goal to change things around here... Caron intended to support her foolish bravery.
He stepped onto the training ground where he had once trained tirelessly long ago. After a brief moment, he stood in the center and pointed his wooden sword at Amy, saying, "Pick up your sword and come forward, Amy Altura. I challenge you to a duel."
Amy, as if coming to a decision, nodded and approached Caron. She said, "My skills are lacking."
"I'm aware," Caron replied.
"...Even so, if it's alright with you, I will accept the duel, Young Master Caron Leston," Amy said as she faced Caron.
Though Caron was much smaller in stature than her, in her eyes, she saw the bloodied young boy from the night before. His eyes, despite his body being covered in wounds, had blazed with unyielding fire.
Amy wondered if she could have wielded her sword in such a situation. She didn't know why that boy had fought so desperately, but one thing was certain.
He's far stronger than me, she thought.
This was a rare opportunity, one that didn't come often. It had been far too long since her last sparring match. Ever since she declared that she would walk her own path, no one in the Imperial Guards had been willing to guide her. So she had always felt lonely, doubting whether she was on the right path and thirsting for some validation.
She noticed several senior knights gathering around the training ground. They stood silently, watching with a cold gaze. A sense of obstinate defiance began to rise in a corner of her heart.
"I like that look in your eyes. I'll let you make the first move," Caron said.
"I won't refuse!" Amy shouted as she immediately charged at him, holding her sword lightly.
Caron smiled as he watched her wooden sword flying toward him.
...Reminds me of the old days, he thought.
It was time to teach this young knight, who had stirred up some fond memories, a valuable lesson.