Chapter 4: People Seek Gods in Times of Hardship (1)

The next morning, a maid knocked on the door.

“Young Master, I’ve brought your meal.”

“Come in.”

I stared blankly as the maid set the table.

‘Just yesterday, Gide used to prepare my meals…’

From the morning, everything felt unfamiliar.

While eating in silence, I noticed something odd.

‘…Huh?’

I soon realized the maid’s face looked rather gloomy.

She had been afraid of me at first, but after I was possessed, she gradually relaxed as my attitude changed.

But today, something was different.

‘She doesn’t look scared… Is it because she still sees me as a scoundrel?’

Well, it’ll pass.

As I was about to head to the training grounds after eating, someone came looking for me.

“Aaron Meyer, a mid-level knight of the 3rd Order. I’ve been assigned to assist Young Master Richard until Sir Gide returns.”

A handsome young man bowed politely.

I let out a dry laugh at his introduction.

‘So now that Gide’s gone, his grandson becomes the butler?’

I casually extended my hand, as if this were our first meeting.

“…We meet again. You must be Gide’s grandson?”

“Yes.”

Aaron shook my hand.

“Nice to meet you. By the way, do you know what mission Gide was assigned?”

Last night, after seeing Gide off, I tried to recall what kind of mission he was on.

As far as I knew, Gide wasn’t supposed to be out on any mission at this point in time.

“I’m afraid I cannot disclose the details.”

Aaron replied politely.

He was so firm in his refusal, I couldn’t press further.

‘Damn, he’s really stiff.’

He was nothing like the doting, warm-hearted Gide.

As I was thinking that, Aaron changed the subject.

“Aren’t you going to train today?”

“Oh, right. Take me to the training ground.”

***

Meanwhile, Aaron thought of his grandfather.

He remembered the fearless, dignified man with a spear always at his side.

He regretted not being able to stand on the battlefield with Gide, not knowing the real reason Gide joined the 3rd Order.

He only knew one thing: Gide had asked him to stay by Richard’s side.

‘He’s really… remarkable.’

Aaron deeply respected Gide.

He had picked up the spear and trained hard, all to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

But Gide always paid attention to Richard—someone who felt like a total stranger to Aaron.

‘And now he asks me to look after him?’

It felt unfair.

‘After all, he’s a scoundrel…’

Aaron watched Richard run ahead, panting heavily.

“Huff, huff…!”

Richard stumbled past him, already exhausted.

After some hesitation, Aaron quietly joined the run alongside him.

Seeing Aaron suddenly appear beside him, Richard tilted his head.

“Why are you following me… huff…?”

“If you collapse from overexertion, the training becomes pointless. I’ll set the pace—follow me.”

Aaron ran ahead with ease.

***

My lungs were about to burst.

I wanted to stop right now.

But I couldn’t—not when pushing myself helped absorb mana.

“Looks like you’ve reached your limit. You should take a break.”

Aaron, acting as my pacemaker, spoke calmly—too calmly, as if he were just out for a stroll.

“Damn it…!”

I pushed harder. Aaron matched my pace effortlessly.

“Plenty have trained to death, but even they left behind admirable resolve. Their dedication is worth respecting.”

What’s he saying?

Is he telling me to stop or keep going?

I glared at him, dumbfounded.

Still, he kept talking.

“In the Meyer family, we say: ‘Know your limits.’ That means training just to your breaking point—and no more.”

It sounded like he was dying to stop me.

But his face said something else entirely:

‘Are you really going to quit now?‘

What the hell am I supposed to do?

“Just back off!”

Forget pacemaker—he was driving me crazy.

Still, Aaron refused to leave my side.

He had promised Gide.

‘Fine. I’ll get rid of you myself.’

I clenched my teeth.

Right then, I got a motivating system message:

[Due to physical strain, a portion of your residual mana has been absorbed.]

Strength surged in my legs.

Even my breathing stabilized.

“I’m going ahead! If it’s too much, you take a break!”

I shot past Aaron at full speed—and looked back.

He was right behind me, a strange fire in his eyes.

‘Right… This guy’s a training maniac.’

A training freak, also known as the Spear Demon.

Looks like his obsession had kicked in.

“You seem energized again. I estimate you can run three more laps.”

He passed me with a glance, calm as ever.

“…I will shake you off.”

I gritted my teeth and picked up the pace.

***

Days of grueling training passed.

In the end, training with Aaron became a powerful motivator.

“Huff… Huff…!”

I collapsed on the ground, my body completely spent, my mind dizzy.

“Are you alright?”

Aaron, dripping with sweat, approached.

“I’m fine.”

I bluffed.

“As I mentioned before, many regret pushing beyond their limits. Please stay within a safe range.”

He advised moderation—though he was the one who had pushed me over it.

I waved him off and closed my eyes.

I could feel energy building up inside me.

Bit by bit, my efforts were becoming inner strength.

But progress was slower than expected.

Maybe my increased stamina was making it harder.

‘Running alone won’t cut it anymore.’

Starting today, I planned to expand my training.

Before my warmed-up body cooled, I dropped down and got into position.

‘Push-ups. Then sit-ups.‘

I dove into intense self-training.

***

My whole body trembled from overuse.

But my mind was even more exhausted.

“Don’t use your arms to bounce up!”

“You have to tighten your core! Are you just pretending to train?!”

“Only move the muscles you’re targeting!”

Aaron… this bastard…

He kept coaching me.

I never asked for help, but he began interfering from the first push-up.

How much training had I ever done? Practically none.

His tips were helpful, so I went along.

But not anymore.

It was exhausting enough without him constantly yapping in my ear.

I wanted to yell, but I held it in—because I knew he meant well.

So I muttered instead, teeth clenched:

“Sometimes, you need to figure things out yourself, okay?!”

“…Kuh.”

Aaron flinched and looked frustrated for some reason.

‘What now?’

“…Improper form is useless.”

He mumbled and took a step back—but kept glancing at me.

‘Must be a Meyer family trait, this caretaking.’

Gide was like that too.

Now I saw why their family served the Bartenbergs for generations.

I ignored Aaron and focused on training.

Just a few more sit-ups to go.

I clenched my abs and lifted.

My core screamed.

“Hnnnng!”

Finally, the last rep.

I twisted my body in agony—but kept pushing.

My chest touched my knees.

An overwhelming sense of accomplishment flooded me.

I felt like I might die—but also weirdly good.

Then a message popped up.

But this time, it was different.

[Your body has reached its limit.]

[A large amount of residual tonic energy has been absorbed.]

A strange sensation swept through my exhausted body.

Like being swept away by a current—or untangling a massive knot.

Even with my mana-insensitive body, I felt a violent reaction.

It felt like I’d finally taken the first real step forward.