Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Solemio Tradition
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As I spent time with my mother, the moon had risen high in the sky before I knew it.
Dozens of years' worth of longing couldn't be fulfilled in such a short time. But now it was time to part.
My mother hugged me tightly one last time before standing up.
"My son, winter will be here soon. Dress warmly, alright?"
"Yes, Mother. I will."
My mother handed me a scarf that looked handmade, as if she'd knitted it herself.
"Deyan, I'm always so sorry... You suffer just like me because you take after me."
Her eyes grew misty with sorrow for a moment.
"No, Mother. What are you talking about?"
Mother had been frail from birth.
If only it had been poison afflicting her, I could have cured her right here...
Unfortunately, her weakness was congenital.
From secretly examining her body while hugging her, I could tell she was in such a state that she could have passed away at any moment.
Still... the fact that she could move around like this was thanks to the family, wasn't it?
The Pador family must have gone to great lengths, trying every method to extend her life.
But... despite those efforts, in my previous life, Mother passed away a few years from now.
The day Mother died...
I wept as if heavy snow was falling.
Had I ever cried so hard in my entire life?
Mother was my one true sanctuary.
To my mother, who looked at me with worried eyes, I said,
"Mother, don't worry. I'm healthy. And... you'll get healthy too. I'll make sure of it."
"Just hearing that makes me feel better. Yes, Deyan."
It might sound like empty words from a child, but Mother simply patted me and boarded the carriage.
I wanted to ask her to stay longer... but I swallowed those words.
She had come all this way despite her illness, so she needed to rest soon.
Even now, time was slipping away, and like that departing carriage, Mother would soon drift to a faraway place I couldn't reach—but I wouldn't let that happen.
At the very least, Mother deserved to live a long, healthy life without illness until her time came.
She was worthy of that.
My promise to make her healthy?
It was sincere. I planned to give her a spirit pill containing the Tang clan's secrets.
But to do that, I had too many immediate issues to resolve.
I made a silent vow alone, carefully placed the scarf Mother gave me in my room, and stepped out.
As I opened and closed the door, Marian and Nellin were waiting.
To lighten the somewhat tense atmosphere, perhaps?
Marian put on a bright expression.
"So the young master is this handsome because he takes after the Countess?"
Not bad.
"Yeah, since Mother's a beauty, I'm handsome too."
Was Nellin surprised that I responded so casually?
Her eyes widened, and her head tilted back slightly.
"Nellin, it's obvious."
"N-no! The young master is handsome! Who's saying otherwise? Right, Butler?"
Nellin awkwardly turned to Butler Bator.
Bator... you're working hard in your old age.
Bator chuckled heartily and nodded.
"That's right. Among all the young masters, Young Master Deyan is the most outstanding."
As we chatted for a while,
Jayvolg came running from afar.
"Young master, it's time for training!"
Music to my ears.
To change the future for Mother or the family, I needed to grow stronger accordingly—and the way to do that was simple, wasn't it?
Training.
Jayvolg, who used to be such a nuisance, had become a reliable subordinate.
Well... he still clung to his blind faith in the sword.
They say you can't easily change a person's nature.
"Yeah, let's go."
Just as I was about to heed Jayvolg's call,
Butler Bator cleared his throat and stopped me.
"Young master?"
"What's wrong?"
"Today isn't training with Sir Jayvolg. It's training elsewhere."
"...Elsewhere?"
"Yes, have you forgotten? Today is Solemio, the day you receive teachings from the Pador family's great knights."
Was there such a thing?
Ah, wait—yes, there was.
In the Pador family, for children fifteen and under—
Precisely, for those who hadn't yet chosen their path—the family's senior knights gave special lectures every year.
Not bad, but I didn't need it.
That's why I ditched Jayvolg before. Why bother... No.
I had to go.
I couldn't skip it even if I wanted to, and there was one face I needed to see.
Perfect.
Come to think of it, I had business there too.
"Ah, got it. Bator."
"The carriage is ready, so let's go, young master."
"Sure. Oh, can I stop by the mansion for a bit first?"
"Of course."
I quickly made the item I'd need there on the spot. It was a shame I didn't have Tang clan materials, but this should suffice.
After about an hour of preparation, just as I was about to board the carriage satisfied, Jayvolg naturally tried to follow...
"No."
Butler Bator politely but firmly blocked Jayvolg from boarding.
"Why not? I'm the young master's teacher...!"
"It's the Pador family rule. On Solemio day, only one person goes. Everyone—knights, servants, merchants, all affiliated—sends their children equally, and no one accompanies them."
That's how it was in my memory too.
This was a unique Pador family tradition.
It was made so that talented children wouldn't waste their potential by missing opportunities.
I fully agreed with this family tradition.
There were similar cases in the martial world.
People unaware of their own talents were often discovered by discerning martial artists.
What really hit home were those from minor sects who matched the skills of prestigious orthodox disciples.
It was such a shame...
If they'd been in a place that could properly guide them, they could have reached greater heights.
Thoughts like that often crossed my mind while wandering the jianghu. Of course... they were rare.
So, it was a good tradition.
I spoke to the disappointed Jayvolg.
"Bator's right. It's a family tradition, so I'll learn well from the others today."
Jayvolg tilted his head.
"From you, young master? Nah... come on."
That guy was supposed to keep it secret from others?
I needed to send a transmission before he slipped up again.
—Be quiet.
Maybe because there's no transmission here?
Jayvolg replied with a blank face.
"Yes?"
—I said be quiet.
Did he get the second warning? Jayvolg swallowed and nodded.
Good thing he has at least some sense.
He should have done that from the start.
Whew.
"Then I'll be off."
"Yes, safe travels."
I rode the carriage toward Solemio.
Even within the same family, it was carriage-worthy distance.
What a huge household...
People bustling outside the carriage.
There were Pador knights and servants, but also plenty of outsiders. Being a great family meant constant comings and goings.
This was practically a fortress town. A fortress town.
The Tang family was similar. Just different clothing,
but the basic operations were the same.
As clan leader, there were so many headache-inducing matters.
Endless web of connections.
That's why... I quit the leader position relatively early.
"Hmm..."
I leaned on the carriage window and poked my head out.
Feels refreshing.
Immersed in the family scenery after so long, the carriage wheels soon stopped.
"We're here."
"Yes, thank you."
I stepped out through the door the coachman opened.
There, children around my age were walking down the path.
Of course, carriages could go down that road too, but no one did.
The straight, upright path.
The inscription on the tall stele at its entrance explained why clearly.
"From this path onward, all are equal—so walk as your true self. —Schnell Pador"
It meant abandon all titles and status.
Don't strut.
Ignore those words?
Regardless of position or status, you'd be kicked out of the Pador family on the spot.
Look closely at that stele.
The name written there.
—Schnell Pador.
He was the founder of the Pador family.
The progenitor of all Pador bloodlines. Who would defy their ancestor's words?
Shall we go?
Walking this path after so long felt strange. I could feel the other children glancing at me.
Normally, they would all bow and greet me.
But this place shed all status.
In Solemio, everyone was treated equally.
No need for greetings.
Leisurely observing the children, some looked anxious, others thrilled.
I recalled the expression I used to have among them.
Hmm...
None resembled my old self.
Back then, walking this path, I wanted to die right away.
Why wouldn't I?
The youngest son of the Pador patriarch couldn't even form a mana heart—why would I want to go?
I only faced shame.
The old me had the most enviable bloodline in the Pador family yet walked this path with a bowed head.
Now, I would walk Solemio prouder than anyone.
They say you judge a person by their posture.
As I walked, an open-air theater-like venue appeared, somewhat unworthy of the Pador family's prestige.
A place encircled by rough stone seats without even chairs.
It was to cultivate the attitude of shedding all prejudices and statuses oneself.
Seats were already filling up fast, packed with Pador children.
My seat among them...
Front row.
Annoyingly, right there. Even in equality, the kids instinctively left the "upper seat" empty.
The ancestor preached equality, but human nature being what it is.
It shows subtly.
As I arrived, gazes focused, and whispers spread.
Wow... Deyan Pador? Only heard rumors. Finally seeing his face. First time, even same family.
Me too. But he looks so girly? Skin's super pale.
He must be really sick.
Hey, did you hear...?
They thought they were whispering quietly.
I heard everything. So this is what they said?
I didn't know before. I was too busy keeping my head down.
Now, bolder than ever, I strode confidently to my seat without hesitation. Then I glanced at the one next to me.
This one was empty too.
Deliberately left vacant.
Then it was obvious who.
Someone of bloodline worthy of equal treatment to me, a direct Pador descendant.
Only one my age fit that.
The Pador family's powerbroker.
Ian Pador, the number two handling all affairs in place of the absent patriarch father.
His son, Ralph Pador.
My cousin, bound by thick blood.
My guess was spot on. The children whispered again.
Matching the murmurs came confident, arrogant footsteps. As if demanding cheers and admiring gazes.
Not easy to convey with footsteps alone.
Still the same. Exactly the same.
Thud... thud...
The owner of those footsteps stopped. He could have sat right away.
But he came right in front of me, blocking my view. Showing off his size?
"Long time no see, Deyan?"
Slowly lifting my head at the cheeky voice.
Irritatingly, green eyes like mine proving Pador blood, dark hair.
Even the sly upturned lips.
If I'd remembered precious people over decades, this one I remembered for the opposite reason.
Why I hadn't forgotten him?
Because in the past, he tormented me here for years.