Chapter 5 – Grow with Your Own Power
Humans don't react quickly to events that deviate greatly from what they're used to or happen suddenly. They stand there dazed as their throats are slit, fail to dodge when a building collapses, or freeze stiff when a thug charges at them out of nowhere. It's because such things are rare in everyday life, so processing the information takes longer than expected.
The same was true for what was unfolding in the magic evaluation right now.
Children beating each other up was a common occurrence in this world. After all, power ruled everything here.
'A defective product...'
'No way.'
But what was happening before their eyes was beyond common sense, leaving everyone with mouths agape and bodies rigid. Even Media, who had seen just about everything, covered her mouth in shock, unable to hide her astonishment.
"Say it again. What did you say?"
"I, I was wrong..."
"Not that! What did you say!?"
Crack!
Blood sprayed, and teeth shattered. Arthur Goldvein's golden hair, once dyed in the most beautiful hue, was instantly soaked in blood. Lawrence's poison-laced fist was stained red as well.
"I, I lost... Guhk!"
"No? You haven't lost yet. Fight harder, okay?"
Lawrence clamped his hand over Arthur's mouth to silence him, then struck his abdomen with the other in brutal fashion. Everyone turned away at the cruelty.
The beating continued. The boy who had dared to insult Lawrence's mother had to pay dearly for it. His delicate face swelled up from the punches, and the arm he'd raised to block seemed broken. Overwhelmed by sheer terror, his pants were already soaked.
"Stop! Arthur Goldvein is incapacitated. The evaluation is over."
"......"
Lawrence let out a slightly relieved sigh and tossed Arthur aside like trash.
Every eye was on him—some filled with rage, others shock, and a few even interest. Several mages struggled to suppress the rampaging mana around them. One of them shot to his feet and opened his mouth to challenge the great mage, Edward.
"Patriarch! Isn't this too cruel? Such barbaric behavior in a magic evaluation!"
"......"
Edward's gaze flicked toward the speaker. Undeterred, the man stood with veins bulging in his neck, swept up in fury without realizing what he was doing.
"How can that child even use magic!? A defective product like—!?"
Crunch!
The man crumpled to his knees—or rather, was forced down by overwhelming power. Patriarch Edward spoke.
"If I say it's fine, why make a fuss?"
"Guhk..."
Rumble!
Mana crushed the insolent man. He spat up blood and bowed his head.
"Lawrence is a Montemer. Don't forget it."
"......I'm sorry. Forgive me."
"For the sake of a child, I won't punish the father."
"Th-thank you for your mercy."
Thud!
The golden-haired man slammed his forehead to the ground. Everyone knew who he was without explanation—the father of the pitifully beaten Arthur Goldvein.
"Lawrence, my son."
"Yes, Patriarch."
Lawrence, who had been closely observing the mana pinning the man down, looked up at Edward. Rumble—the mana shifted as if to envelop him, but he met the patriarch's eyes squarely. Edward must have noticed his magic or harbored suspicions.
'So what.'
There was no need to overthink it. The patriarch would protect him from external pressure. Once his usefulness was proven, he'd be utilized. That was the Montemer way.
"Come see me after the evaluation ends."
"Understood."
Lawrence bowed calmly. With the dragon's power inherited, he had nothing to fear.
In contrast, the others' eyes gleamed with admiration at the young boy's boldness. Standing firm under the patriarch's pressure was no small feat—it demanded attention.
Hatchling: 6%
The dragon's power had grown as well. He now fully understood that every experience led straight to growth.
Lawrence set aside his speculations and returned to his seat. Countless gazes pierced his back as he walked with light steps.
'That's... the power of a mere ten-year-old?'
'Right now it's just 1st or 2nd circle level, but in the future...?'
Some skilled mages thought it impossible. Mages inevitably manipulated mana, and the exceptional ones could detect it. Yet the "defective product" Lawrence had manifested magic without mana movement or incantation.
If that was his unique ability...
'A monster has been born.'
'Why didn't we notice sooner?'
'It's blooming now. The great archmage must have known and isolated him for this!'
If Edward had known everything and isolated him deliberately, he was truly terrifying. It made sense in hindsight—he was the one who had elevated the Montemer family beyond all rivals.
Representatives from other families grew tense. Edward acted as if he'd known all along, which only fueled the chaos in their minds.
'Lawrence... Montemer.'
The external families sensed a monster growing safely within the perfect enclosure of the house.
#2
Right after the magic evaluation ended, Lawrence followed Nikolai's guidance to Edward's office.
Ratings and rankings would be reported soon. Those who caught Edward's eye would undergo selection trials and be trained for mage towers or key family positions.
In his previous life, Arthur had been summoned to a mage tower. Not anymore, though.
"Patriarch, I've brought the young master."
Creeeak.
The door opened. Lawrence frowned at the mana filling the room.
He recalled what family members said after visiting the patriarch's office.
"You feel like your whole body might crumple just from going in there."
"Phew, thought I was gonna die this time too."
'So that's why.'
Lawrence entered the patriarch's office with his head held high. Exposure to such mana didn't faze him at all. A body without mana roads was convenient in times like these.
"I greet the Patriarch."
"Mm."
The room trembled faintly. Following protocol, Lawrence paid his respects.
Then, something astonishing happened.
"Nikolai, leave us."
"Yes, Patriarch."
The air had rung with every word from the patriarch's mouth before, but now his voice was ordinary. The mana that usually followed his words lay dormant. Nikolai hesitated slightly in his steps, clearly surprised.
"Son."
"......Yes."
"It's not ordinary magic. What happened?"
For a moment, Lawrence seethed. After neglecting him and letting his mother die...
Now he asked that? Now!?
Lawrence's fists trembled.
"You must resent me. But before I'm your father, I'm the Montemer patriarch and a mage guarding a world without guardians. I can't explain to anyone, but understand this."
"......"
[Guardian]. A word from before his regression. Was Edward bearing that heavy burden too?
"Whatever power you've awakened, whatever path you take, I won't interfere. My role is merely to watch. No, it must be that way. If you walk the right path, you'll see the truth someday."
The patriarch's words were cryptic. Was that supposed to excuse everything?
Lawrence suppressed his emotions and replied. Edward seemed to know everything already anyway.
"Yes. I've received a special ability."
"Received. Not a good connotation."
What did that mean? Lawrence felt frustrated, unable to read Edward's intent.
He stared quietly at Lawrence before speaking again.
"I don't care what it is. You have one task: become a great mage within and beyond this family's walls."
"Yes."
"Overcoming everything is solely your burden."
"I know that too."
Pure non-interference. Was that why his previous life ended so miserably?
Lawrence disliked it all. Strict meritocracy...
He didn't think it wrong. But what if he'd at least shown a father's affection?
He bowed his head to hide his expression.
'Anis...'
Meanwhile, the patriarch regarded Lawrence with meaningful eyes. He'd just taken his first steps on a long road ahead. Watching that journey was his duty too.
How regrettable. If he were freer.
If he could rampage like in the days when Montemer's prestige pierced the heavens.
'But now, I'm just a puppet.'
Hiding his thoughts, he spoke calmly, noting his son's rebellious gaze.
"Where do you want to reside?"
"I'll stay where I am."
Lawrence answered without hesitation. The patriarch nodded lightly.
Then, he granted Lawrence various privileges.
"If you need the main house's knowledge, come anytime."
"Thank you."
"Grow in your own way. I'll keep watching from here."
Lawrence acknowledged it, bowed, and left the office.
As he opened the door, he sensed movement far down the hall. A silhouette rounding the corner.
'Eavesdropping. The patriarch must have known.'
Lawrence's eyes narrowed. Or maybe this was another test.
"Not to my liking."
Nothing pleased him. He'd reshape everything to his taste someday.
Even if it meant the path of a tyrant.
'For now, head back.'
He felt like doodling with his pen.
#3
"Lawrence, that brat..."
"What will you do, Mother?"
"What to do? He's already overwhelming among his peers. We can't just mildly suppress him. We have to crush him decisively."
Media gnawed at her nails, deep in thought. Since he'd caught the patriarch's eye, direct action was off-limits. Even as matriarch, there were lines to toe.
After deliberation, she settled on putting Lawrence himself in peril. Weakening his body to the point he couldn't endure.
That was the way to break him without the patriarch's notice.
"That's the trouble with prestigious families. They look glamorous and limitless, but they're full of restrictions and schemes. Remember that, all of you."
"Of course."
"First, don't get caught by that defective Lawrence. Second, catch the patriarch's eye. In short, your growth is paramount."
Media's words were gospel for the family heirs—virtues to etch deep if they wanted to survive.
She looked at her children.
"He bears the Montemer name but has no roots. If you get caught or beaten by the likes of him... I'll cast you out first."
"......We'll remember."
Her children bowed at her sharp tone.
As she sent them out, Media summoned her maid. The one who executed her orders flawlessly, more trusted than her own children.
"Marin, you'll need to prepare some things."
"As you command."
"Do it the same way as before. Without anyone knowing."
"Understood. Where should delivery go?"
Media's eyes turned cold.
"The trash warehouse."