Regression 3
Three days slipped by. No one visited the remote annex. His days spun on like a hamster wheel. At dawn, he warmed up with light stretches. After eating the breakfast Lena prepared, he swung his sword until sunset. Even to himself, the peace felt strangely serene. Especially after the recent months of killing until he was numb to it.
An era of war. Unless you were an imperial noble, everyone's situation was much the same. Crouching low, writhing in a reality where death could come at any moment.
Luxurious.
The annex had only two servants, but he felt no discomfort. The parlor door, which seemed pointless anyway, had been shut tight for ages. With no guests, there was no need to clean it obsessively. Lena's cooking was top-notch. Freshly baked bread, pickled meats, fresh milk, and cheese graced the table every day. It was nothing compared to what the main house's direct descendants enjoyed, but he had no complaints. If anything, he was grateful. To him, every sensation since returning to the past was an unparalleled luxury.
"Young master, breakfast!"
A voice brimming with energy. Lena's usual call as she brought in the morning meal. Sebrik appeared behind her. The dining room was modest, but Licht preferred that comfort. The main house's dining hall was overly ostentatious, and gatherings of the direct line felt like sitting on pins and needles for him.
Licht spoke to the two waiting patiently while watching his face.
"Come in."
"Yes."
"Let's eat."
Licht picked up his utensils first. He bit into the well-cooked meat. Only after confirming he was eating did the two begin their meals. A servant and her master sharing breakfast at the same table. If that woman saw, she'd be scandalized. Licht didn't care. To him, Lena and Sebrik were irreplaceable family. There was no reason to maintain pretenses where prying eyes couldn't reach.
Sebrik, who had just swallowed a spoonful of soup, spoke up.
"Young master."
"...Speak."
"You've been pushing yourself too hard lately. Training is good, but health comes first. If you were to get hurt..."
"I wouldn't have the face to meet your lady?"
"...Yes."
Licht chewed his buttered bread, letting the words slide. He'd heard it so often it was tiresome. Ever since he'd picked up the sword again, Sebrik had nagged him every morning these past few days. All of it amounted to "don't overdo it, get some rest."
What nonsense.
He let it go in one ear and out the other. Unless his limbs were severed or part of his body mangled, these bruises weren't even worth calling painful. By the standards of someone who'd crossed the line between life and death countless times, they weren't even minor injuries.
I haven't crossed the line yet.
The visible wounds were superficial, healing in days. He'd definitely held back. Was it because the family was watching, or did some shred of affection for Licht still linger?
"I know my body best. I'm moderating it properly."
"......"
"I get what you're trying to say. And your feelings behind it. Don't worry. If it's tough, I'll say so honestly."
"That's right! We're always on your side, young master. If it's hard, just say it anytime..."
"Have you truly learned to wield aura?"
Sebrik cut Lena off mid-sentence. A straight fastball, no beating around the bush. He'd set down his utensils and now stared at Licht with grave eyes. No room for jokes.
Licht turned his head. Lena, meeting his gaze, looked guilty and dropped her eyes.
"I-I didn't say anything!"
"......"
"I really didn't say... well, maybe a little..."
Under his steady glare, she muttered to herself before confessing.
"I tried not to say anything to the end. But I couldn't help it, so..."
"Young master, please answer. Is it true you've learned aura?"
Sebrik pressed, clearly wanting confirmation straight from Licht's mouth. At this point, Licht couldn't deny it easily.
No point hiding it.
Showing his power would reveal it inevitably. Technically it was mana, not aura, but he didn't correct him.
"Lena, your loose lips mean I can't take you anywhere."
"No, I really..."
"Yeah. I learned aura a few days ago."
"......!"
Sebrik's eyes widened at Licht's words, as if he'd heard something unbelievable.
"Truly..."
"Yes."
"Ah, my lady..."
Overcome with emotion, Sebrik's eyes reddened. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to dab at them. Licht felt awkwardly embarrassed, recalling the events of days ago.
"That's enough. What's so great about finally learning aura after seventeen years?"
"Are you embarrassed?"
"......"
"It's fine, young master! This is cause for celebration! Oh, right. We should have a party for dinner tonight..."
Lena's bright face suddenly darkened, as if she'd remembered something unpleasant.
"...Lena?"
"Oh, it's just..."
She trailed off. Her face turned ashen. Across from her, Sebrik had already composed himself and sat calmly. He asked,
"Lena, what's wrong? Did something bad happen...?"
"The ingredients..."
"Ingredients?"
"We used them all up this morning. Daily necessities are almost gone too. We need to stop by the main house..."
Sebrik's expression hardened at her halting words. All food and supplies for the annex came from the main house.
"We surely brought a week's worth. Already gone?"
They'd stocked up when moving from the main house to the annex recently. Barbalte Manor was larger than most villages, making daily trips impractical. But Lena's answer was firm.
"There was less than I thought. I used them sparingly, but they're gone after breakfast..."
"Hmm."
"I'm sorry. I should have said sooner."
Lena bowed her head as if at fault. Sebrik sighed.
"Everything in the Barbalte family falls under the head butler's jurisdiction, right?"
Licht spoke up. Sebrik, frowning, forced a relaxed expression.
"It's fine, young master. No need to concern yourself."
"......"
"Lena, I'll go right now. It won't take long."
He set down his half-eaten meal and stood, wiping his mouth. From his words, he clearly intended to head to the main house.
Licht thought,
Ingredients ran out?
If all support for his food and supplies was under the head butler's orders, this was likely deliberate.
The head butler is that woman's man.
The head butler managed all Barbalte affairs. It was common knowledge he was Amella Pavria's loyalist. Not just him—over half the household staff and retainers were under her thumb. Her influence was immense. Enough that the past Licht, a mere bastard, could never challenge it.
The old me...
How naive he'd been. He'd taken the annex's provisions for granted. Worse, he'd vented his resentment at being abandoned onto Sebrik and Lena.
They kept their heads bowed. All for me.
Only after regressing through time's miracle did he realize. Sebrik had been Lily's personal butler back in her baron's household. An outsider in the ducal family. Enduring scornful stares, endless harassment and humiliation. Even contempt from the head butler. Yet he'd bowed his head. All for Licht. For the sole son of his returned master. How humiliating it must have been.
"Sebrik."
"Young master?"
Licht stopped him as he moved for the door. To the puzzled Sebrik, he said,
"No need to go."
"But, young master."
"I'll go myself."
"Pardon?"
Lena let out a sharp squeak, glancing nervously. Licht rose. In the corner of the dining room stood his training sword. It lifted smoothly into his hand, now familiar.
"Young master...?"
"......"
"No! This is trivial, nothing for you to bother with. A word with the head butler will settle it."
"Sebrik."
His firm tone made Sebrik's eyes tremble faintly.
"I'm not hiding behind you anymore."
"B-but... The main house has an honored guest right now. You'll give them cause to nitpick."
"Honored guest?"
Few warranted that title from Sebrik. As a bastard, Licht was kept out of sight for that reason.
"Is that the only pathetic excuse?"
"......!"
"Step aside, Sebrik."
Licht sheathed the sword at his waist.
"I need to see the duke myself."
***
Barbalte's grand avenue stretched from the main gate, always bustling with people. A vast estate. A massive mansion housing countless servants and retainers. Over a thousand private soldiers—not kingdom troops. Buildings to accommodate them proliferated naturally. The manor where the main Barbalte line resided was a small city in itself. Merchants of renown from the kingdom, mercenaries knocking for advancement, people from the great city of Britten below, and rare invited nobles came and went.
Licht, heading for the main house along the avenue, instinctively narrowed his eyes.
Were there always this many people?
The crowds crossing the avenue were thicker than usual. He'd been isolated in the outer annex. Dizzying numbers. Horses and carriages passed occasionally. Sebrik's earlier words came to mind.
—The avenue will be busier than usual.
—Busier?
—Yes. The honored guest I mentioned—Aila Pavria, lady of Pavria. Probably because of her.
—Aila Pavria...
—Evan's fiancée. Second daughter of Pavria, the kingdom's premier magical noble house. Amella's niece.
—That woman is her aunt.
Licht shook off the thought and hurried toward the main house. As he walked, occasional glances prickled, followed by blatant whispers.
"Black hair and eyes..."
"Isn't that the second son? Heard he got beaten by the eldest recently."
"What? Second son?"
"You don't know? Barbalte's bastard. Seventeen and still can't use aura."
"Bastard, figures."
They thought he couldn't hear, but Licht caught every word. His senses had sharpened beyond compare since forming the circle. He ignored them. They were less than ants anyway. No point fighting trash.
He'd walked the avenue a while when,
"Healed already? Thick-skinned bastard."
Two young men blocked his path.
"Must've lost his memory from the beating. Crawling back here."
"Thinks the heir went easy on him... Pathetic worm forgot already, bro."
Youthful faces. They spat insults that could draw swords without surprise. One seemed Licht's age, the other younger.
Licht stared, then recognized them late.
Cliff Barbalte. Colin Barbalte.
Side branch of Barbalte. Not direct line, but talented enough to have clout. More than Licht, the powerless bastard. In a martial house like Barbalte, it was natural.
And why they'd blocked him was obvious.
Flies buzzing around.
Licht said in a flat voice,
"Move."
"A bastard like you... What?"
"Deaf? Get out of my sight."
Their faces blanked, processing his words. Their expressions twisted comically.
"You..."
"It's only March, but this year must be hot already. Can't even speak properly—heatstroke?"
"...What makes you so cocky?"
He asked genuinely curious. Licht didn't answer. The brother spoke for him.
"A worm like you dares...!"
"You're the one blocking the way out of nowhere."
"Blocking? Us?"
"No?"
"Ha."
"If you have no business, get lost. Wasting time on you is beneath me."
Suddenly, the murmurs hushed. An eerie silence blanketed the avenue. Pedestrians halted, staring at Licht and the youths.
"What's this? A fight?"
"Looks like it."
"Those two... Seen 'em before? Cliff Barbalte for sure..."
"Cliff?"
The crowd buzzed. A quarrel on Barbalte's avenue drew eyes inevitably. Especially between the bastard second son and two famed side-branch youths.
Cliff smirked, aware of the stares, voice dripping disdain as before.
"Cat got your tongue? Scared all of a sudden?"
"......"
"Half-breed noble or not, own your words, mongrel. Or is that your whore mother's teaching?"
His words rang crystal clear in the quiet avenue center. Onlookers swallowed gasps. Such a grave insult. No room to back down.
"You've lost your mind."
"Of course. A talentless cur without aura? Not worth your time, bro."
"No, Colin. Gotta squash bugs in my own house properly. Since the heir couldn't bring himself to kill kin, I'll step up."
He shouted for all to hear. In noble disputes, justification mattered. He was crafting his now. The initial outburst was to draw eyes. Licht's silence only deepened his sneer.
"Know what they call your mother?"
"......"
"Whore. A black-haired nobody whore who seduced the duke with her filthy body. Thought it nonsense at first... But seeing you, it's not wrong. Her dirty mongrel spawn still can't wield aura."
Licht's grip tightened instantly. Cliff caught it.
"Even worms get mad when their mother's insulted."
He drew his sword, ornate silver blade gleaming. Unlike Licht's training weapon, it bespoke his status.
"Never liked you from the start. Those shitty eyes of yours... They piss me off. A lot."
"Normal to feel dirty seeing trash, right?"
"...Yeah. You're right. Trash makes you feel filthy. But did you choose to be born that way? Fairness demands a chance at redemption."
"Bro, you don't mean...?"
"I'll give you one. To atone with your filthy blood."
Thud. Sword tip to the ground.
"Crawl. Lick my boots. Do it, and I'll let this slide once."
The silence broke into murmurs. He didn't hush the spreading words. Obvious ploy. Everyone knew Barbalte's second son hadn't awakened aura. To them, Licht had one choice.
"Done talking?"
"What?"
Licht's hand rested on his hilt. The sword he'd swung for days felt perfectly natural.
"You insulted my mother."
"What are you trying to..."
"I, Licht Sientia, challenge you to a duel by noble custom."
He drew slowly. Pure white mana rippled up the half-unsheathed blade.
"Aura...!"
"If you value honor, don't run. Cliff Barbalte."
Someone in the crowd shouted. Mana unspooled like thread from the snow-white blade.