Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Test
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After all that rest, Albert looked fully recovered as he came running up to me.
Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any lingering aftereffects.
"So, what is it?"
Was he asking for training?
I hadn't really thought of anything specific yet.
'What a hassle. Should I just toss him an aura secret art?'
I knew this guy was practicing some crappy aura secret art.
Liliana had vouched for his talent, so the problem was probably the technique itself.
He'd been training in it since he was a kid, but with no results to show for it even now, it had to be a pretty half-baked one.
Looking at Albert drove home Liliana's point about how crucial choosing the right secret art was.
Even with his talent, one wrong aura secret art had wasted all those years.
Come to think of it, handing him the [Basic Aura Tempering Manual] and making him seclude himself for a few years of training didn't sound half bad.
"Master!"
-Splat!
Albert rushed up to me and suddenly dropped into a full prostration.
'.......What the hell is this guy doing all of a sudden?'
Naturally, I was baffled.
And in that instant, a bad feeling hit me.
"Albert! You bastard~! D-Don't tell me you laid a hand on my d-disciple Eileen!!"
"What!? N-No, Master! Eileen and I aren't like that!"
I flew into a rage, and Albert startled, frantically denied it.
Phew.... Good, it wasn't that.
"Albert. Remember this well. You might get married someday. But!! Not now! You're at a critical point! Until I give permission, you stay away from women! Women are poison to you right now!! Got it!?"
"Yes! Master, I'll keep that in mind. I won't even think about that stuff until you allow it."
His total lack of interest in women was about his only redeeming quality.
"Alright, then. What did you want?"
I softened a bit.
Gulp..... U-Um.... Master....
Whatever bombshell this guy was about to drop.... It made me uneasy....
'Wait. N-No way.... Ah, it can't be, right?'
If he said "I've been hiding~" or some shit like that, I'd beat him senseless and excommunicate him on the spot.
No, execution.
I had no choice.
I clenched my fist, ready to end my own disciple's life with my hands.
".........C-Could you please see Charles just once?"
Albert had just saved his own skin.
Looked like I wouldn't have to take my disciple's life with my own hands after all.
And the unfamiliar name from his mouth left me puzzled.
"Charles? Who's that?"
"You know, the guy from the labyrinth that you saved before...."
"I saved him?"
No way....
The name sounded like some swarthy brute.
Me saving a guy?
The ones I rescued from the labyrinth were Eileen...... Oh, that guy Albert had been carrying out.... Was he talking about that one?
"You want me to see him..... Huh? This guy, don't tell me?"
Seeing my darkening expression, anxiety flickered in Albert's eyes.
If I was right, this wasn't just about meeting him—it was about taking him as a disciple.
"Don't tell me..... You want me to take him as a disciple too?!"
"I-I'm ashamed, Master...."
Albert bowed his head deeply.
Never thought it'd come to this.
Damn.... With all this misplaced kindness piling up, Albert the pushover was trying to drag in some random dude.
My head throbbed.
A betrayer like this needed a good thrashing.
Sensing my fury, Albert began trembling.
A little more and he'd probably piss himself.
That's when a brilliant idea struck me.
"Fine...... Since you're asking so earnestly, I'll see him once."
"M-Master!"
Albert's eyes welled up with感動.
Watching him nearly made last night's dinner come back up.
"But!"
Albert startled and swallowed dryly.
"Albert, life isn't that easy. You can't just have everything you want. Introducing him to me means you take responsibility."
"R-Responsibility?"
"Yes. This could cost you your disciple status. Can you still introduce him to me knowing that?!"
"Th-That's...."
His eyes wavered for a moment at my words, but soon hardened into resolute determination.
"Once you meet Charles, you'll be satisfied, Master. He's a really kind-hearted, good guy. I'll take responsibility!"
Crazy bastard.
Just as I expected—a total crazy pushover.
As if I'd be satisfied.
The only disciple I was happy with right now was Eileen.
The man Albert had summoned.
Charles dropped flat to the ground the moment he saw me.
"I-I meet the Lord!! Thank you for saving me before. I won't forget that grace."
Was this how they repaid favors?
It was absurd.
If he had any shame, he wouldn't have asked Albert in the first place.
I hadn't paid much attention back then, but now he looked like a simple, honest bachelor.
At least ten years older than Albert.
Unlike Albert's pretty-boy gigolo face, his was at least decent.
"So..... You want to be my disciple too?"
"Y-Yes, that's right."
"I never planned on taking any disciples besides Eileen."
At my negative words, Charles swallowed dryly, his face tense.
"That's why Albert had to pass a test to become my disciple. And he did."
At my words, that irritating Albert looked smug.
"You're no exception. You know you can't just get what you want in life. There's a tough test waiting if you want to be my disciple. Are you prepared?"
"Yes!"
Charles bellowed his response with eyes full of resolve.
He must have heard this much from Albert.
"However! This is a special case. It wouldn't have happened without Albert's desperate plea. So Albert bears some responsibility too."
"What? Th-Then."
Sensing the ominous vibe, Charles looked puzzled, while Eileen appeared anxious.
"You'll both take this disciple test together."
"What!?"
Shocked gasps from Charles and Eileen.
"If you fail, you both fail. Albert loses his disciple status."
"Master!? What do you mean?"
Eileen cried out in shock at the unexpected turn.
"Eileen, Albert agreed to this."
"A-Albert did!?"
Eileen and Charles turned to Albert in astonishment.
"Haha! Brother Charles. Let's pass the disciple test together and make you Master's disciple too."
Albert flashed that affable pushover grin.
In stark contrast, Eileen's face had gone pale.
"Albert, this isn't right. I can't drag you into my selfishness!"
"Brother Charles. Are we not brothers? Who helped me when I got scammed here and was wandering the streets? I can't forget that grace. You even hurt your leg in the labyrinth because of me."
Charles gaped, speechless.
The two men exchanged a tight-knit gaze.
'What the fuck are these lunatics doing?'
My stomach churned.
I needed to boot them out fast.
I tossed them a leather pouch.
Albert caught it and peered inside, puzzled.
"What is it, Master?"
"Albert, you know what it is."
"Aren't those ration pills....?"
"You two take that to the labyrinth's 4th floor and gather spirit stones for a month. Minimum ten. No coming out midway. I'll judge your resolve by how many you bring back."
"The l-labyrinth's 4th floor!?"
It was a brutal test for guys who'd barely cleared the 1st. Hell, they could die.
"I'm not forcing you. Quit if you want."
"Brother Charles! Let's do it. Master wouldn't give a test like this for no reason."
Of course there was a reason.
Either way, it benefited me.
They bring back spirit stones.
Or tragically go missing during the test....
The thought brought an involuntary pleased smile to my face.
But for Eileen's favor, I kept my expression in check.
Ahem. "Don't take it lightly. Lives are on the line. I'll give you a day to think. Charles, if you want to quit, just leave. If you're in, be here tomorrow morning."
I dropped those insincere magnanimous words and left.
A rundown shack built far from Liliana's opulent mansion.
Albert's shoddy log cabin.
Three people were gathered there.
"Albert, you don't have to go this far. Just stay as you are, and you'll rise steadily as Un-ho-nim's disciple."
"Brother Charles, don't say that. This is a great chance for both of us to become Master's disciples. And we can do it!"
Charles looked apologetic, but Albert brushed it off.
Watching Albert, Eileen felt frustrated.
"If you're that set on it, backing out now would be dishonorable!"
"Exactly, brother."
"Yeah! Let's ace this test in style!"
"Haha, that's the spirit, brother!"
Eileen watched them anxiously, her gut twisting.
This was way too dangerous.
They'd barely survived the 1st floor—4th floor was insane....
From her labyrinth adventurer days, Eileen knew Charles was a good guy. She couldn't bring herself to tell him to quit in front of him.
She'd offered to join the test too, but Master refused, saying it was their trial.
She knew it was a petty thought, but deep down, she hoped Charles would quit and leave.
But seeing the two so united, that wasn't happening.