Chapter 2: There Was a God, But Now There Isn’t (2)

Faith.

The almighty power used to create the heavens, the earth, and life itself—

Now, it was the key to my survival.

I recalled the number in my status window:

[Faith – 1,000]

“Just a thousand,” I muttered.

Compared to what I had before becoming Richard, this was a pitiful amount.

But for now, it was my only resource.

Since faith can only be gathered through devoted prayers from believers, I had to use it efficiently.

“I can’t just let it sit there doing nothing.”

Shaa—

A divine light bloomed at my fingertips.

I placed it against my chest—to break the shackles of this body.

“Treating target’s [Mana Insensitivity]…”

“Insufficient faith.”

“[Mana Insensitivity] downgraded to [Mana Dullness].”

System messages flooded my vision.

At the same time, I felt a strange sensation in my heart— like a blockage cracking open ever so slightly.

“Good. It’s working.”

I clenched my fist.

I’d used 300 faith—nearly a third—but it wasn’t a waste.

Mana Insensitivity.

A condition also called the curse of mana, and the root of Richard’s downfall.

Now it was reduced to Mana Dullness—a huge leap forward.

I closed my eyes and concentrated.

Something faint stirred within me—an energy barely noticeable.

“Is this… mana?”

It felt hazy, like mist, but I could tell something was spread throughout my body—

Not gathered in my heart, but scattered like excess fat.

It made sense.

Even a scoundrel like Richard was the son of the continent’s strongest sword family.

They must have poured countless resources into him— but due to his condition, the mana never settled properly.

“Then I know what to do.”

As I was plotting my next steps, someone knocked.

“Young master, I brought you something light to eat.”

“Perfect timing. Thanks.”

Gide smiled gently.

His eyes drifted to the stack of books I’d set aside.

“How was your history study?”

“Eh… so-so.”

I bit into warm bread and met Gide’s eyes.

His gaze was full of conflicting emotions—love, pity, sadness, hope.

He must think Richard was finally turning a new leaf.

The violent brat who never opened a book was now calmly studying history.

If only he knew the truth.

“I’m glad you came. I have something to say.”

I sipped my tea and continued:

“Starting tomorrow, I’m going to train. Tell the chef to prepare meals that restore stamina.”

“Are you… serious?”

Gide’s eyes widened in shock—part disbelief, part joy.

“Yes, I’m serious.”

To absorb the stray mana scattered in my body, I needed to heat it up—physically train.

***

Gide closed the door and stood silently in the hall.

Richard’s words echoed in his ears:

“Training…?”

For most people, that was a daily routine.

But for Richard, it meant something far more significant.

Gide remembered:

The boy who once smiled brightly when he received his first training sword.

The child who trained every day, admired by all the knights.

Many even said his talent and intelligence surpassed his older brothers.

But things changed.

No matter how hard he trained or what medicine he took, he couldn’t sense mana.

Top healers diagnosed him with Mana Insensitivity—a condition deemed incurable.

Richard cried for days.

Eventually, he abandoned the sword.

The once-bright boy grew bitter, angry, and violent.

Where his innocent smile once lived, now there was only rage.

People whispered behind his back:

“A snake born from a dragon’s egg.”

A boy who could’ve been great but threw it all away.

Gide was the only one who stayed by his side.

“He’s changed… no, he’s come back!”

Gide’s heart cheered silently.

But fear followed hope.

Could Richard withstand the inevitable despair again?

What if his hopeful eyes died once more?

“No. I won’t let that happen.”

Determined, Gide clenched his jaw.

He couldn’t stay idle.

***

Truthfully, I wanted to gather followers right away.

But I had to overcome one major hurdle—reputation.

Even among the retainers, Richard was known as a scoundrel.

My public image was rock bottom.

Telling people to believe in me now?

They’d laugh, or call me crazy.

For now, my priority was absorbing mana.

“Where’s the training hall again?”

I looked around.

This place—called Small Sword Palace—was my residence.

Despite the name, it was as large as a royal castle.

Typical Bartenberg.

Their wealth was outrageous.

“…Too big.”

I managed to get lost in my own house.

Luckily, I spotted a knight nearby and called out:

“Hey.”

“…Young master Richard?”

He turned and greeted me respectfully.

Broad shoulders, handsome face—stoic and serious.

His face looked strangely familiar.

“Can I ask you to take me to the training grounds?”

“The training grounds…? Certainly. I’m heading there myself.”

He walked ahead without question.

Surprisingly calm—no mocking, no doubt.

I followed, watching his broad back.

***

At the training ground, I picked a spot and began warming up.

“Is that… Richard?”

Some people saw it for the first time.

Others, for the first time in years.

All eyes turned toward me.

Some knights whispered:

“He’ll give up soon. It’s a shame—he used to have talent.”

“I don’t even think about that anymore. Didn’t he cause a huge scene two weeks ago?”

“Now he’s stuck inside because of it…”

But the gossip didn’t last long.

“The training ground is not for idle chatter.”

A blunt voice cut them off.

The knight who led me here stood in front of them.

“S-sorry!”

“Won’t happen again!”

He silenced them, then turned his gaze back to me.

“…Young master Richard.”

His name was Aaron Meyer, Gide’s grandson and a mid-rank knight in the 3rd Order.

It was his first conversation with the infamous young master.

And strangely… he couldn’t stop looking at me.