You Are My First Guardian
The scions of renowned mage families received genius training from a young age. Why? To be chosen by a magic tower master and by Montemer.
If they caught Montemer's eye during the first evaluation match, they could immediately enter a top-tier magic tower. The tower masters also kept a close eye on those with promising talent.
And the second chance was right here, at this selection trial. Catching a tower master's eye here meant leaping to greater heights and securing key positions through connections.
This was directly tied to the family's honor. So they had no choice but to study diligently from childhood.
'Montemer's here, but I can do it too.'
Everyone seated here harbored such thoughts. Montemer was present, but they'd studied hard too. They might lose in practical combat, but they were confident they wouldn't fall behind in theory.
'Besides, that guy's a bastard son, right? He lived in the annex all the time—did he even get proper education?'
Especially, Lawrence, participating in this selection trial, seemed like an easy mark. The bastard son. The defective child without mana roads, despised as trash.
Would haughty Montemer give such a kid their full support? Of course not. Montemer wasn't that lenient a family.
He probably would have lost even the name Montemer if he hadn't awakened his unique ability.
'Right after the subjugation battle comes the selection trial—perfect timing. This time, I'll take first place.'
His family had said as much. This was their chance. Beat Montemer's youngest and catch the family head's and tower masters' eyes.
They'd heard endlessly that the family's future rested on his shoulders.
Perhaps because of that, the air in the exam hall was terrifyingly charged with passion and seriousness.
But will and physical limits were separate matters.
"Ugh……."
Thud!
With a crash and clatter, a young mage collapsed. The proctor walked over indifferently and picked up the child.
"You'll be escorted out."
"Mm."
The young mage was carried out as if it were routine. Disappointment, not pity, flickered in the tower masters' eyes.
This was the place. A arena of infinite competition where the weak fell behind.
Starting with that child, more began fainting and collapsing one by one. They held out at first somehow, but when those of similar skill started dropping, it snowballed quickly.
Those unable to withstand the mana pressure began falling out one after another.
'This generation's about this level, huh. Pretty high quality.'
'The youngest young master still looks unfazed. Shall we crank up the output?'
The mana had already settled thickly enough to make breathing hard for ordinary people, yet Lawrence's expression remained utterly serene.
The tower masters' frenzy and curiosity showed no signs of stopping. Like a battle of pride, they thickened the mana density even more.
"Gahk!"
"Kuhhhhh—!"
Death rattles echoed here and there, but the proctor said nothing. The trial's difficulty was entirely up to the tower masters.
Unaware it stemmed from curiosity, the proctor thought:
'As expected, with Montemer's young master participating, it's no joke.'
Yes, this was what made them Montemer. The externally invited proctor for fairness had a strangely warped impression.
As more fell victim to that misconception, someone finally couldn't hold back.
"Y-You're trying to kill all the kids?"
"Oh."
"Tch, tsk tsk. Look there—no one's left standing."
"……."
Iron Hanma. The Iron Tower Master had stepped in to halt the other tower masters' rampage.
Only then did the tower masters realize what they'd done and hastily withdrew their mana.
The scene before them was a indiscriminate massacre without any real selection.
"Looks like we... got a bit too excited."
"Ahem! Well, this is……."
"……Huh?"
Lawrence, who had been excitedly solving problems with rare ones he actually knew after so long, looked up.
Glancing around, he was the only one left.
'What the hell.'
Were this batch of kids that bad? Or had he just solved too slowly?
Being the type who lost track of his surroundings when focused, Lawrence couldn't grasp the situation.
Did he get too carried away because he knew the answers...?
He had no clear memory of this selection trial's participants—they weren't memorable. Come to think of it, none of the names rang a bell.
"Ahem, Young Master Lawrence. All done?"
"Ah, yes. Just finished."
"Submit it and prepare for the next exam."
"Got it."
Lawrence handed in his answer sheet and headed to the next venue: the 10th floor of the Tower of Wisdom.
The following test was navigating a virtual dungeon. It used advanced illusion magic from an ancient relic installed long before artifact tech was practical.
A facility exclusive to Montemer, the imperial family, and the great knight family Isaac.
This was why Montemer produced great mages. Possessing artifacts everyone else had lost was a massive advantage.
Later, it even sparked big and small conflicts.
A relic Lawrence hadn't even glimpsed in his previous life.
'Seeing that might give me more knowledge. But... I wonder if Rachel's okay?'
Suddenly, he thought of the Rachel he'd left behind. She better not kill anyone... He felt a slight worry she might stir up trouble.
"Eh, I warned her—if she doesn't listen, it's on her."
Lawrence shrugged and headed toward the massive relic.
Still, why was he the only one left? The young master wondered why this selection trial felt so different from the rumors.
Artifact: Rachel's Headband
Engraving: Assassin's Movements
Learn some of the assassin's combat techniques.
Grade: 3rd Circle
#2
The Montemer main estate was vast. Naturally, there were plenty of secluded spots if one looked.
It wasn't strange that there were places only patrolling maids and servants knew.
In one such corner, several maids surrounded Rachel, chattering away.
"How's life in the annex? Oh, should I call it the trash warehouse?"
"Must be tough serving the youngest young master. He can't do anything and seems clueless."
Rachel swallowed a sigh. What childish nonsense... Or was this Lady Media's orders? Or some other young master or lady's instigation?
"On the contrary, he helps me a lot. The annex isn't big, so there's not much work."
"A great noble of Montemer doing housework? Ha... The young master's dignity has hit rock bottom."
"Young Master Lawrence is quite considerate."
Rachel smiled, trying to brush it off. Clashing with them was pointless—Lawrence's exam results mattered more.
Besides, last night's conversation nagged at her.
<This is a secret, got it?>
<You're on my side now. We're in the same boat.>
<It's always been that way, but now it's official—you're mine.>
<My number one guardian is none other than you, Rachel.>
Recalling the young master's confident demeanor made her want to hurry back and serve him. Wasting time bickering here felt regrettable.
Even as she smiled to escape, the situation didn't improve.
There were always those who hated others without reason.
"This bitch is laughing while her senior speaks?"
"Time to make it clear who's above who."
"No matter how hard you try, you're just chasing after a bastard's tail. Keep your head down, bitch."
One nameless maid raised her hand threateningly. Another poked at Rachel's chest.
That's when Rachel's peculiar power revealed itself.
"Huh?"
Her body moved on its own, seizing the approaching hand. And simultaneously—
"Kyaaaaak—!?"
Crack.
She twisted the joint mercilessly.
A startled maid swung at her, but Rachel's body dodged again on autopilot. She evaded the slap and delivered a clean kick to the abdomen.
"Ugh?"
"Guhk!!"
"What the hell is this bitch! Grab her quick!"
In that unseen corner, chaotic sounds erupted.
Where had it gone wrong?
Rachel's body mimicked an amateur yet trained assassin's movements. All thanks to the artifact's power.
Snapping to, she saw the other maids writhing in pain or passed out.
Rachel blankly stared at her stinging hands and feet.
"H-How... is this……."
"S-Save……."
"W-We won't touch you again. We're sorry!"
"……."
Rachel looked down at her beaten seniors, now frantically rubbing their hands together.
Swollen faces, disheveled hair, dust- and blood-covered clothes... She felt a twinge of pity, but oh well. They started it...
"Seniors, remember what the young master said earlier?"
"……."
Nod nod.
They nodded vigorously. Rachel sighed and spoke quietly.
Thanks to the assassin's movements, her voice carried unexpected weight.
"So, what happened here stays secret, got it?"
"O-Of course! We just had a little argument, right?"
"Exactly! You weren't even here, Rachel!"
"I'll be going now. If this leaks out……."
She knew they probably wouldn't stay quiet—maids like them would tattle immediately.
But without intimidating them like this, it could escalate further.
Rachel didn't realize how terrifying she looked. Blood dripped from her fists, splattered blood on her face amplifying the fear.
She was unaware how effectively it preyed on human instincts.
"Never! We'll never tell! Promise!"
"……Okay."
Lawrence's first guardian. The ordinary maid Rachel, who had nurtured dreams reading fairy tales.
Her first real combat was absurdly successful.
Rachel hurried toward the Tower of Wisdom. Astonishingly, her footsteps made no sound.
Unknowingly, she'd acquired an assassin's basic stealth while moving.
The maids watching her go trembled in terror.
'Sh-She might kill us anytime.'
Or call them back for another beating. One suggested reporting to the head maid, but most shook their heads vehemently—no way.
Even in the maids' world, the law of power ruled clearly.
Rachel had established a new order.