[Mana: 09]
The highest stat on my now-respectable character sheet.
Fortunately, the heavy allocation here wasn’t wasted potential—mana is one of the most critical stats, not just for mages but for knights too.
The reason is simple: the body-enhancement effect of energy breathing scales with mana.
“…uuuu.”
Striking Urgency energy circulated once through my body.
My frame suddenly felt feather-light.
I swung the wooden sword, now lighter than ever. The seamless joint attack of the two apprentices shattered like glass.
Jimmy’s Strength is double mine. But my Striking Urgency-enhanced power slightly exceeds his.
Victoria’s Agility is more than double mine. But my Striking Urgency-enhanced speed slightly exceeds hers.
In short, my overall combat power under energy breathing far surpasses them.
I drove a flash kick into Victoria’s side.
“Aaaagh!”
She screamed, rolled several meters, and couldn’t rise.
The moment the pincer collapsed, Jimmy’s pupils visibly shook. With his partner down, he was no match.
I showered relentless strikes.
Jimmy barely parried, stance teetering on collapse.
Show’s over—time to finish.
I explosively surged the Striking Urgency energy. In an instant, physical stats skyrocketed.
“Urk!”
Jimmy couldn’t even react to the downward strike—took it clean on the head. He collapsed, twitching on the yard floor.
Linfred declared calmly.
“Young master Aiden’s victory.”
The yard sank into thick silence.
***
When Aiden called for volunteers in many-vs-one spars, the knights couldn’t hide their sneers.
Sure, the second prince was unrecognizable from his first day—flab replaced by muscle-flecked bulk, soft hands now callused.
But to lifelong knights, three months of intense training made him a greenhorn at best.
One-on-one against an apprentice was already dubious; many-vs-one? Still the same spoiled brat.
Then the spar ended, and they had to rewrite their evaluation entirely.
“Heh. Never thought the second prince could fully operate Stroke Heart Method.”
“Breathing refined to unbelievability for that short time. Who knew he hid such talent.”
“The blood of martial Stroke runs true.”
Operating energy that fluently takes years even for prodigies. Seeing the second prince reach that realm in months, the knights shuddered.
When he first started running the yard, they thought the lazy pig was just being whimsical.
As time passed, seeing him endure Linfred’s infamous rigor, they wondered.
Now, everyone present acknowledged Aiden had shed his skin and taken flight.
Then—
Step, step—
Aiden approached the fallen Jimmy. Shocked knights snapped awake.
“What is he…”
Everyone knew Jimmy harbored deep grudge against Aiden—and showed it openly to his face.
If Aiden took offense, he could abuse victor’s rights for any mischief.
But the next moment—
Something no one expected.
“Good work.”
“…!?”
The ill-tempered second prince extended a hand to the downed Jimmy.
Jimmy, dumbfounded, alternated between Aiden’s face and the offered right hand, then took it and stood.
Aiden said.
“I apologize for the unpleasant incident before. Same to your fiancée.”
“…The ones the young master should apologize to are my parents, no?”
Jimmy spoke, then flinched. The second son of Stroke bowed personally, yet he retorted sarcastically—an attitude deserving instant slap.
But Aiden showed no displeasure. Rather, a slight smile.
“Sir Milner.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll write letters to Gardner and Phyllis families—stamp with Stroke seal. Highest grade a non-heir bloodline can use is 2nd class, right? That’ll do.”
“I’m a Stroke knight, not your errand boy.”
“Then I’ll have Linia do it.”
Joking with his personal instructor, Aiden wrote the letters fluently on the spot, then handed the finished ones to his exclusive maid in the corner.
Watching knights gaped.
A grand duke’s descendant personally writing letters and stamping the family seal?
That’s practically an official statement. Overkill for cleaning up wastrel acts.
“If this doesn’t satisfy, I’ll specially allow you to beat me then spit on my face. You’re my memorable first spar opponent—deserve that privilege.”
Outrageous offer even as empty words from a grand duke’s son. Strangely, it didn’t sound like a joke. Jimmy, however, lacked the guts to accept.
“M-My apologies.”
Jimmy bowed to the second prince, supported the fallen Victoria, and melted into the knight crowd.
Aiden scanned the gathered apprentices.
“I know you all have preconceptions about me. So let’s settle it—any grudges, clear them with fists today. Like those two, anyone with a grudge, line up and come at me.”
“….!”
To the stunned knights, Aiden added.
“Winner gets to spit on my face, like I told Jimmy Gardner. So—who’s first?”
***
Around the same time.
Several ornate carriages arrived at the grand duke’s mansion.
Flags of Utland ducal house—one of Croa Kingdom’s top nobles.
Heir Litton greeted the precious guests at the main gate.
“Long time no see, Your Grace.”
“You look well too.”
The middle-aged man descending was stern-faced. He accepted Litton’s greeting nonchalantly.
Name: Elvio Utland. Privately, old friend of current grand duke Foden Stroke; publicly, top-tier archmage of Croa Kingdom and great lord ruling the east.
Litton’s gaze shifted to the girl beside Elvio. The silent second daughter of Utland—Chesa.
Seeing her, Litton swallowed hard.
Still an extraordinary beauty.
Platinum-blonde semi-curls glowed as if illuminating surroundings; amethyst eyes crystal-clear; features impeccably refined. Litton had befriended many Croa noble ladies, but asked who’s the best—he’d name her without hesitation.
For a flash, sticky desire flickered in Litton’s eyes. But he quickly suppressed it.
Sensing the gaze, Chesa greeted dryly.
“…Second daughter of Utland ducal house, Chesa, greets the legitimate heir of Stroke Principality.”
“Long time for the ducal lady too. Seems even more beautiful. First since visiting Utland half a year ago?”
“As the prince says.”
Hearing her purifyingly clear voice, Litton nodded satisfied, then to Elvio.
“Heard the lady studied at the Crimson Magic Tower for five years. As blood of Utland, kingdom’s premier magic house, surely remarkable achievements.”
“Overpraise. Still lacking in many ways. Rather, heard an interesting story en route—Aiden started knight training?”
At Elvio’s words, Litton opened as if waiting.
“Trying to wash past mistakes with martial results. As brother, I merely support Aiden.”
“Hmm.”
A single word indirectly calling him a former wastrel. Hearing it, Elvio stroked his beard in thought. Clearly interested in potential future son-in-law.
Litton smiled triumphantly.
“Coincidentally, planning to observe Aiden’s training with siblings today. Care to join, Your Grace?”
“Fine. No reason to refuse.”
Plan proceeding.
Right after acceptance, Litton side-glanced Chesa. Each time admiring her beauty, jealousy toward his half-brother grew.
Litton ground his teeth.
That pig got this peerless beauty through parents’ casual promise—no effort, no struggle. But lazily living, he kicked away his own fortune. After today’s yard farce, even Elvio will rethink the second daughter’s engagement.
“Let’s go. I’ll guide to the training yard.”
“Hm.”
Soon, Litton’s younger brother third son Ridley and eldest daughter Aila joined.
Aila, betrothed to a Croa count house in a year, one year older than Aiden, quite close with Chesa.
“Long time, Chesa.”
“Lady Aila.”
As Litton intended, meeting a friend brought faint color to Chesa’s face. The ever-gloomy girl chattered with Aila; the party soon reached the entrance of the 2nd training yard where Aiden was.
The guard asked Litton.
“What brings you, Your Highness?”
“Observing Aiden’s training today. Sir Milner, in charge, should’ve been informed.”
At that, sentries opened the firmly shut gate.
Litton stepped in confidently.
His expression immediately hardened.
“Second prince victory!”
“Next, come at me!”
The yard was filled with heat of a different dimension from usual. Inside, something Litton never imagined was unfolding.