Chapter 64. Seventeen Years Old
"The head of the family wishes to see Young Master Caron. Urhan, go and escort him."
Urhan briskly made his way toward the training hall to follow Heinrich's order.
"...It's already been four years," he muttered to himself as he glanced down at the butler's uniform he was wearing. It had been a year since he first donned the uniform.
No one would have thought a deserter from the south could become a butler for the illustrious Ducal Family of Leston. He was still in his probation period, but even reaching this point as someone of common birth was no small feat. The memory of the offer from the young master he served remained vivid in his ears.
"You've finally gotten rid of that deserter stench. From now on, be my personal butler. I was planning on just keeping you as a servant for life, but consider this an honor."
Typically, a family of such prestige as the Leston family had butlers who were themselves from noble lineages. Even Heinrich, the head butler, hailed from nobility. As a result, Urhan had often been mocked and belittled by the other noble-born butlers, but none of the harsh treatment or bullying ever bothered him.
Pfft. Let them try. These pampered fools wouldn't survive a day in the Keath Kingdom's military camps. Compared to the barracks culture of Keath, this is child's play, Urhan thought to himself.
Whatever hazing they threw at him, to Urhan, Azureocean Castle was nothing but paradise. As long as he worked hard, he was rewarded for it, and there was no constant fear of death. This was a land of opportunity.
"Good morning, everyone!" Urhan cheerfully greeted the senior butlers who passed by him.
One of them scoffed, and replied with a sneer, "Every time I see your face, my day gets worse. You should just avoid us. Tsk, I can't believe the Third Young Master picked up some nobody like you..."
"Oh! So you're saying Young Master Caron's judgment has a problem? Got it, I'll make sure to pass on your thoughts to him. Have a nice day!" Urhan said.
"H-Hey, wait a minute!" the senior butler exclaimed in a fluster, trying to stop Urhan, but the latter bolted at full speed.
As Urhan had undergone military training and still kept up with physical conditioning ever since arriving at Azureocean Castle, no ordinary butler could catch him. In no time, Urhan had left the senior butlers behind and reached his destination, the private training hall reserved for direct descendants of the Leston family. It had been off-limits for the past year, and the reason for that was none other than Caron.
Today marks the end of the Young Master's probation, Urhan thought to himself.
A year earlier, Caron had locked himself away, declaring he would focus entirely on his mana training. It was a sort of seclusion. For a whole year, he hadn't once stepped outside the chamber. So, it had been Urhan's duty to personally deliver Caron's meals every time.
Whenever Urhan delivered the meals, Caron ate them and left the empty plates outside the door.
I even made sure to bring him some liquor, just in case, Urhan thought. A true servant, he thought, was supposed to take care of their master's needs without being asked.
Just like that, a whole year had passed, so now it was time for the Young Master to finally come out of the training hall.
Urhan stood before the door and cleared his throat, then called out softly, "Young Master Caron, the head of the family is asking for you."
However, there was no response.
"...Young Master Caron?" Urhan repeated as a wave of dread swept through his mind. He was worried that something could have happened to Caron. Could something have gone wrong during the young master's mana training?
"Young Mas—" Urhan urgently called out to Caron again.
But before he could finish, a loud sound echoed through the hall as the door to the training hall broke into pieces. From the rubble, a figure—no longer a boy, but a young man—stepped forward slowly.
His golden hair, now haphazardly chopped as if it had been cut with a sword, glinted in the sunlight. But it couldn't hide his strikingly handsome face. He was well over 180 centimeters tall, with a perfectly proportioned body exuding a strong aura. He looked every bit the image of a hero.
"Young Master Caron!" Urhan cried out in awe, seeing how much Caron had grown. This was the young man who had saved him from the depths of despair, the one who had given him a new life. The man he would serve loyally for the rest of his days...
"Ugh, damn it. Hey, Urhan. Did you not bring an umbrella?" Caron asked, irritation clear in his voice.
"A-An umbrella?" Urhan stuttered.
"Hey, you forgot these things because I didn't take proper care of you for a year, right? Ugh, seriously. Would you want to run laps around the training field in this blazing sun wearing armor? This is the problem with deserters. As soon as you give them a little slack, they go soft," Caron remarked.
This guy was still a jerk.
Urhan bowed his head and he immediately apologized. "...I'm sorry, Young Master Caron. I'll fix it at once!"
"Do it right. How many times do I have to say it, Urhan? Oh, but I will thank you for giving me the liquor. You did good," Caron said.
The teenage Caron clapped Urhan on his wide back with a satisfied grin.
Urhan, rubbing his hands together, took the opportunity to flatter him. "Haha, I'm glad you liked it, Young Master. You've grown even more dashing since I last saw you! I should be the one carrying the umbrella!"
"Why?" Caron asked.
"Because your brilliance outshines the sun itself, Young Master. I can hardly look at you without being blinded!" Urhan replied.
Years of military service and life in Azureocean Castle had honed Urhan's skills in flattery. Caron, smirking at the sudden onslaught of compliments, chuckled in response and said, "You really know how to lay it on thick."
"From now on, we shouldn't call the sun 'the sun,' but rather 'Caron' instead—"
"That's enough. You can stop now, Urhan," Caron cut Urhan off.
"Yes, Young Master Caron!" Urhan answered.
Caron squinted up at the clear, cloudless sky, shielding his eyes with his hand. He remarked, "What beautiful weather."
Caron Leston was now seventeen years old. And today was the day his four-year probation finally came to an end.
***
Halo Leston, the owner of Azureocean Castle and the head of the Leston Duchy, sat in his study as he waited for someone.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Master, your youngest grandson has arrived," Heinrich announced.
"Let him in," Halo replied.
"Yes, sir," Heinrich answered.
With a creak, the door opened and a young man stepped into the study. Halo turned his gaze toward him and said in a low voice, "Good work, Caron."
"Yes, Grandfather," Caron replied.
"Come, have a seat," Halo offered.
Caron smiled faintly as he took the seat.
"Would you like tea, or do you prefer liquor?" Halo asked.
"Is it really fine to drink in the middle of the day?" Caron asked back.
"Of course," Halo answered.
"Then I'll take the liquor," Caron decided.
Halo pushed a glass toward Caron and poured him a drink. The amber liquid filled the glass halfway.
"Judging by your expression, it seems you achieved what you aimed for," Halo said, studying Caron's frame. He could see the results of the young man's intense training. Caron had reached the pinnacle of 6-Star. It was a staggering achievement, one beyond mere words.
Throughout all of history, there was only one person who had ever reached such heights at Caron's age. It was the very founder of the Leston family, Rael Leston. The fact that Caron had not only reached the Sixth Sea but also mastered it was astonishing. And yet, what was even more remarkable was that...
"I didn't quite reach my goal. What I was aiming for was 7-Star," Caron explained.
Despite everything, Caron was still unsatisfied.
Perhaps one would look at Caron's attitude and call it arrogance, but Halo knew better. He could tell that Caron's words weren't born of pride, but of a relentless desire for improvement. Even after reaching great heights, Caron always aimed higher. That ambition, that drive to ascend, was at the core of who he was.
"Drink up," Halo said.
"Thank you," Caron replied.
Halo took a sip of the whiskey in his glass, and Caron, watching him, took a sip too. The heat of the alcohol slid down his throat, and he exhaled softly. Then, he turned to his grandfather and asked, "So, is my period of probation officially over?"
Halo nodded and replied, "If your progress had been lacking, your probation would have lasted until your Coming of Age when you became nineteen years old."
"I'm glad that's not the case," Caron replied with a hint of relief.
"...This should be enough," Halo said as he set his glass on the table.
Caron had always exceeded expectations, and this time was no different. Now, no one in the family would dare challenge him. The reality of the situation was already shifting. Fayle had secured much of the family's power and influence, and he would go to any lengths to protect Caron. And in a family like the Leston family, where martial strength reigned supreme, those with power commanded respect.
No one in the duchy or even the empire could still doubt that Caron would one day be the strongest on the continent.
There won't be anyone, Halo mused as he nodded slowly. Then, he casually asked, "Now that your probation is over, what do you want to do?"
"Hm, I haven't thought that far ahead yet, but I'm considering taking on some assignments as a break. After being stuck in Azureocean Castle for four years, I feel like I need a change of scenery," Caron replied.
"If you wish, you're free to go. I'll find you an appropriate mission," Halo said.
"Thank you," Caron responded.
In the past four years, while Caron was confined to Azureocean Castle, much had changed in the empire.
The Leston Duchy now wielded influence across the entire empire, but with that influence came an increase in enemies. It was far more dangerous now than it had been before Caron's probation. Of course, all these changes had been orchestrated by Halo himself.
"Even though you were on probation, I know you've kept up with what's been happening outside. The wars between the southern kingdoms have grown more brutal, and the Pajar Sultanate is in the midst of a conflict over the sultan's throne," Halo said.
The continent was teetering on the edge of chaos. The fragile peace that had barely been maintained was shattered, and the entire land was on the brink of war. But that wasn't the worst of it.
"Elves, dwarves, and other races have become increasingly hostile toward humans. And at the same time, demonic forces are reappearing across the continent," Halo continued.
The succubus that had infiltrated the imperial palace four years ago turned out to be a traitor from the Imperial Guards. They had been completely enthralled by the succubus, handing over every secret they had. Fifty years of peace had lulled the empire into complacency, and the ease with which the palace had been breached was the clearest sign of that.
Halo quietly locked eyes with Caron and said, "This is the world you will live in."
Indeed, it would be the fate of Guillotine's master to face this turbulent era. It was a heavy burden, perhaps too heavy for one person to bear.
"Are you ready for it?" Halo asked his grandson.
Was Caron ready to accept the destiny as the owner of Guillotine? Was he ready to face the challenges of the era?
"Am I ready..." Caron absentmindedly traced the rim of his glass, deep in thought. But the hesitation didn't last long.
"Well, I think I'm ready to tear apart anything in my way, Grandfather," he answered confidently, a glint of determination lighting up his blue eyes. He continued, "There's no need to overthink it. If they're in my way, I'll tear into it. That's what an Azure Wolf should do."
Halo smiled faintly at Caron's response and nodded as he closed his eyes for a moment. He then said, "Yes, that's the way of the wolves."
No matter where the times led, the Azure Wolves would always stick together and carve out a path. Just as Caron had said, anything in their way would be torn apart. And they would keep moving forward.
"Caron Leston. Stand up," Halo's voice shifted, filled with the weight of Azure Mana.
Caron stood up at once, then he replied, "Yes, family head."
Halo slowly rose from his seat as well, gazing at his grandson as he said, "From this day forward, your probation is officially over. Now, dedicate all your strength to the brilliant future of this family."
"I will carry out your order," Caron answered
At last, the four long years of probation had come to an end.