Chapter 146: The Educating Guard (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: The Educating Guard (1)
The noble male displayed movements of perfect restraint. His every gesture was the very epitome of aristocratic grace.
There was a level of dignity to him that was nowhere to be found in Tanya, a fellow noble. Then again, Tanya’s problems started with her choice of attire.
“I am Count Aintz Baum, Serika’s older brother.”
“Ah, hello. I’m Sma.”
I felt a sense of pressure from him that I’d never felt from Iruna’s parents. Beneath that expressionless face, a blazing fury was hidden.
Why is he so angry? All I did was take his younger sister and... well. If I were in Aintz’s shoes, I’d probably be fuming too. The fact that he hadn't drawn his sword the moment he saw me was proof enough that he was a man of character.
“I know your name. I know you are the individual who achieved the fastest promotion in history. I also know you are the disciple of the Vice Commander of the 2nd Knight Order. And that you are living with four women... Grind. ...under one roof. Grit, grind.”
Why is he grinding his teeth so hard? I’m worried about his dental health.
“Wait a moment. Did you say four?”
“Do not think you can deceive me. Iruna, Mehya, Elizabeth, and even my sister. That makes four, does it not?”
“It’s actually five, including Cathy.”
“Cathy?”
Aintz glanced toward a corner of the garden. Cathy was busy accepting Churu treats from the guests.
“Was that not a pet?”
“She is my woman.”
“...Living with five women. This is even more unforgivable.”
“Brother!”
Serika came rushing over in a hurry.
“What do you think you are doing?!”
“Serika. I was just...”
“I heard everything, so do not make excuses! Even if you are my brother, I won't allow you to harass Sma!”
“You used to say I was your favorite person in the whole world...”
“That was when I was a child and knew nothing! How long do you plan on bringing that up? This won't do. I don't know what else you might say, so come with me!”
Hearing Serika use such formal language is quite refreshing. I want her to call me 'Oppa' too. I’ll have to ask her for some 'Oppa roleplay' later.
Thanks to Aintz and Serika scaring people off, no one else approached me, giving me some free time. I asked a passing maid for a drink.
“Here you go.”
“Hmm?”
Have I seen this maid somewhere before? She’s definitely not from Rainie’s mansion. Let’s observe a bit more.
“Master?”
Since mastering Aura, my observational skills have improved significantly. When someone wears revealing clothes like a maid uniform, their muscles are visible, allowing me to gauge their skill level.
Her muscles weren't large, but they were densely packed and full of elasticity. She wouldn't be able to exert explosive strength like a knight, but her movements would be far more fluid.
Her conduct was also incredibly stealthy. At a glance, one might mistake it for the cautious movements of a servant before their employer, but she moved like an assassin—silent and maintaining angles that would allow her to strike a vital point at any moment.
She was absolutely not the kind of talent that should be working as a mere maid.
“I am sorry. I have made a mistake.”
“What is the matter?”
Rebecca, who had come as a guest but taken charge of managing the maids, approached us. She spoke up in defense of the suspicious maid.
“She is a new recruit and made a blunder. Please, show her some mercy.”
“Is she a maid dispatched from your mansion?”
“I believe she is a maid hired directly for your residence, Master.”
I noticed the maid’s eyes flicker slightly when she heard the word 'Master.' So she works at my mansion, does she? I’ll have to figure out her identity slowly.
“It’s no big deal. I just didn't recognize the drink and was going to ask for an explanation.”
“I see. I believe that is the new stamina potion developed by Lady Yuna, your lover.”
“Ah.”
She did mention asking for permission to hold a tasting to expand her customer base. Come to think of it, the liquid in everyone’s glasses isn't wine, but stamina potions.
I took a sip. It was sweet, refreshing, and went down smooth. True to its nature as a potion, it sent a surge of vitality through my body. If they sold this in a modern convenience store, it would be a massive hit.
“It really is delicious. Well, keep up the good work.”
“Thank you.”
The suspicious maid scurried away. Rebecca also left to manage the other maids. As I walked around, I spotted Yuna.
“Does the effect remain even if you mix the potion with other liquids?”
“What are you planning to mix it with?”
“Fruit wine.”
“Ah, that’s a bit...”
She was busy talking business with Izumi. I decided not to disturb them. As I was leisurely people-watching, a group of knights approached me.
“Are you Sma?”
“Yeah.”
I had no intention of being polite to someone who addressed me so informally right off the bat. A male knight with hair as spiky as a lightning bolt frowned.
“You really are an arrogant one.”
“Don't say it like that. You're making the poor boy tremble with fear.”
Another female knight mocked me while pretending to take my side. Who the hell are these people, coming into my house and picking a fight?
“Stop testing the waters and say what you have to say.”
“Ha! Soriso, did you hear this guy? A mere guard acting all high and mighty toward a knight.”
“He must think he’s something special just because he’s Lady Rainie’s disciple. That’s why he dares to talk back to his own senior.”
“Senior? Are you also a disciple of the Master?”
“That’s right. And I do not acknowledge you.”
“Senior!”
Rena, having spotted us, came running over. The lightning-bolt-head waited, thinking she was calling for him, but his face twisted into a hideous scowl when Rena threw herself into my arms.
“Rena...”
“Oh? Sir Leisen, you were here too. Did the Master invite you?”
“Yes. I heard Lady Rainie took on a new disciple, so I came to see for myself.”
“He’s amazing, isn't he? He’s my senior from the guards!”
Leisen’s expression grew even more foul. He then threw a glove at my feet.
“I, Knight Leisen, challenge you to a duel.”
“All of a sudden?”
Talk about zero to sixty. Well, I was also feeling like cracking this arrogant bastard’s skull open.
“Fine.”
No matter how I looked at it, I didn't feel like I would lose. I’ll use him as a test subject to see just how strong I’ve become.
* * *
Leisen was once a man of high repute as Rainie’s disciple. Born into a barony and holding the position of Rainie’s student, he was considered a promising prospect with a bright future.
However, he failed to show the expected growth and ended up as just another mediocre knight. He hung around Soriso, who was in a similar situation, and they comforted each other by licking their wounds.
Like defeated dogs. When Rena, a priestess, became a disciple, he didn't think much of it. Since she was a woman, she would be compared to Soriso, not him.
But he couldn't tolerate this guy named Sma. It bothered him even more that the guy wasn't even a knight or a noble.
Just how talented was this commoner guard that Rainie took him in? Would he become much stronger than himself?
Leisen imagined the worst possible future.
‘Is that man Leisen? I heard the commoner named Sma became a High-Rank Aura User, but that man is still just a Mid-Rank?’
‘To be lagging behind a commoner... I wonder if he even has the qualities of a noble.’
‘If it weren't for his master’s reputation, he wouldn't have even made it into the 2nd Knight Order. If he had any shame, he’d leave on his own. Why does he stick around?’
Such a future must never come to pass. He had attended the housewarming party to keep Sma in check, but after seeing Rena—whom he had feelings for because she was much prettier than Soriso—clinging to Sma, he found it difficult to remain rational.
After hearing that Sma had several other women, he could no longer hold back and picked a fight. The sight of Rena sticking to Sma was the final straw that snapped his fraying sanity.
He refused to endure the humiliation that the future might bring.
“Who is that knight? To come to a housewarming party and challenge the host to a duel... even a commoner wouldn't commit such a rudeness.”
“That’s Leisen. He’s Lady Rainie’s disciple, but he’s never shown any real results.”
“Is he jealous of his junior because he lacks talent? What a pathetic man.”
Of course, he had long since lost the public's favor. The consequences of his impulsive actions were already catching up to him. If there were only commoners present, he could have ignored them, but the guests included members of the Baum Earldom, the young lady of the Deherman Barony, and even Erwi, famous as the Princess’s escort knight.
‘A mere guard invited people like this?’
These were people even his own family would struggle to invite to a party. He began to regret his rashness. But there was no use crying over spilled milk.
Now that it had come to this, the only way left was to win the duel overwhelmingly and make a name for himself. He couldn't lose, and he couldn't even afford to look like he was struggling.
Because there were people here who knew Sma had only recently become Rainie’s disciple.
“Leisen. You disappoint me every time I see you.”
Rainie, acting as the mediator and referee of the duel, spoke coldly. Leisen grit his teeth.
“I am sorry.”
“Enough. Just pay the price for your arrogance.”
“Master.”
“Yes. Sma. You aren't too flustered, are you?”
“I’m fine. These things happen in life. I don't know what misunderstanding my senior has, but I hope we can resolve it through this duel.”
“You truly are mature. A model for all knights. It would have been better if you were a knight instead of a guard.”
The difference in how she treated her two disciples was staggering. Leisen felt a surge of murderous intent. Even if he couldn't kill him by pretending it was an accident, he would at least make him a cripple.
As they stood facing each other for the duel, Sma smirked.
“Senior Leisen. There is a famous saying from my hometown.”
“Are you trying to distract me with useless words because you're scared?”
“No. I just wanted to let you know what your future holds. The saying goes like this: Everyone has a plan...”
Rainie signaled the start of the duel. The moment Leisen tried to swing his sword, a blunt object filled his vision and his head rattled.
“...until they get punched in the mouth.”