《I Want to Be an Extra》 CH 1 ¡°Ha,¡± the man uttered, his gaze sweeping across the desolate landscape as he leaned on a sword firmly planted in the ground. Autumn, the season usually adorned with golden hues, now cloaked the land in a somber shade of crimson. Corpses littered the once-fertile fields, a morbid harvest in place of crops. ¡°Isn¡¯t it truly exhausting?¡± he mused aloud. Amidst this hellish scene, the man retrieved his sword and directed his attention to a particular spot. ¡°I have never witnessed individuals as diligent and industrious as you,¡± he remarked. Government officials from the accursed kingdom would gnash their teeth, compelled to observe and learn, while the figure standing before him stood dumbfounded. ¡°Aren¡¯t you affected by all this?¡± he questioned, his tone resolute. This was a decisive battle, one that would determine the fate of the continent. Some were forcefully thrust into the conflict, while others volunteered. They fought for personal survival, their country, or the protection of loved ones. Yet, they all perished. In the annals of history, most would be relegated to mere footnotes¡ªcountless soldiers, knights, and wizards whose names would fade into obscurity. But one truth remained crystal clear. ¡°And yet, they call you the chosen hero of the goddess!¡± Two figures stood upon the blood-soaked ground. The names of Delden De Blade, the hero, and Apelios, the Great Demon King, would be inscribed at the forefront of history. ¡°Oh, right.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± A pivotal moment, shaping the destiny of humanity. The hero, his eyes devoid of life, nodded in acknowledgment to the Great Demon King, Apelios. ¡°What is happening?¡± Apelios pondered, unable to comprehend. Those who had lost everything in this brutal war bore such lifeless eyes. But who was their true adversary? It was the sword bestowed by the Goddess of Light, the supreme deity known to humanity as the creator goddess. A barrier that perpetually obstructed the path of the Demon King. A shield safeguarding humanity, even at the cost of the wielder¡¯s own life. Yet, a sword that possessed an edge that could only harm its bearer. ¡®That is a hero.¡¯ Delden De Blade stood resolutely before him, emanating a formidable strength. Despite amassing the combined power of the demons at the altar of the demon god, victory had eluded him. ¡®He was the epitome of an ideal hero, until just moments ago,¡¯ the Great Demon King contemplated. Even before being bestowed with trust, Delden honed his skills in preparation to confront the demons. Once entrusted, he became a unifying force for humanity, rallying disparate species with strained relations. Unfazed by the unparalleled might of the demonic forces, he armed his troops with an array of treasures gathered from across the continent, endangering the very foundations of the demon army. ¡®We can triumph. We can secure a tomorrow,¡¯ the Demon King vividly remembered the hero¡¯s fervent cries on the frontlines. ¡°But why?¡± One day, the radiant hero vanished, leaving behind a human exuding an aura that whispered, ¡°How about we bring ruin upon this world?¡± As Apelios, who harbored a slight trepidation as his sole adversary, nothing perplexed him more. ¡°Hero, have you betrayed humanity?¡± Apelios voiced his query, even in the midst of their final battle. Of course, he jokingly posed the question, believing such a notion to be absurd. ¡°Well, to some extent,¡± came the nonchalant response, tinged with unmistakable anger. ¡°Is humanity deranged?¡± A hero could be a terrifying existence to an ordinary human. Even Apelios, acclaimed as the mightiest among the Demon Kings, held an innate fear of heroes. However, discarding the hound should be reserved for after the hunt concludes. Humanity¡¯s fate flickered like a lantern in the wind, and yet they struck at the hero¡¯s back! ¡°Hero.¡± But perhaps, it wasn¡¯t all bad. ¡®No, it presented an opportunity.¡¯ The Demon King ruminated while gazing at the hero, displaying an unyielding desire to survive. ¡°Do you truly need to protect a humanity that has forsaken you?¡± When comparing their overall power, the Demon King surpassed the hero. He stood as the mightiest among the Demon Kings in history. To cast off all limitations, he had consumed the entirety of the magic within the Demon God¡¯s Altar, reaching a power that approached that of the Demon God. This was the undeniable truth. Recognizing that he could not defeat humanity without such immense power, he had done everything within his means. ¡°Come forth,¡± he beckoned. However, even with his overwhelming power, he could not defeat the hero. And he came to a realization. No matter how great his power was, he could not ensure his own survival when facing the hero before him. Winning and surviving were two entirely different matters, and Apelios was well aware of this. ¡®If I die, even if I win, it is no true victory!¡¯ Apelios desired to live. Disregarding the words of the priests serving the Demon God and the existing powers of the demons governing the demon realm, he had risked his life to seize control of the Demon God¡¯s Altar. What was his reason? Fear of the hero. Time and again, the hero had sacrificed their own life to vanquish the Demon King. ¡°You must understand as well. Humanity has betrayed you. There is no reason for you, as one of their kind, to risk your life to protect them.¡± History was repeating itself. Whenever a formidable leader of the demons, the Demon King, emerged, the demons sought to conquer humanity in accordance with the Demon God¡¯s will. Humanity perpetually teetered on the edge, but they fought back with the hero as their focal point. And now, the final battle had arrived. The hero and the Demon King confronted each other. Regardless of the Demon King¡¯s strength or the might of the demon forces, history remained unchanged. ¡°Our goal is not the annihilation of humanity. Only the ruler will change, and much will remain the same. The dynamic of hero and Demon King has repeated countless times throughout history.¡± Apelios yearned to break free from this cycle. Yet, ridiculously enough, before the mightiest Demon King in history, the strongest hero in history had emerged. History did not change; it merely repeated itself. That was why Apelios could not afford to let this opportunity slip away. Thus, with a sincere and confident voice, he declared: ¡°If you so desire, I shall grant you half of this world!¡± Half of the world. Strictly speaking, it was an unfavorable outcome for the demons. After all, half of the world was already inhabited by humans, and the remaining half was occupied by demons. Ultimately, it meant winning the battle and returning half to the humans. ¡°If you wish to negotiate, I can offer you even more¡­¡± No, he had even displayed a willingness to relinquish what he originally possessed. But¡­ ¡°Hey.¡± The hero, Delden De Blade, resisted the allure of the Demon King¡¯s temptation. No matter how great the betrayal, he remained a hero. His sacred desire to protect humanity remained unswayed by the sweet temptations of the Demon King. ¡°Lately, I¡¯ve grown quite irritated.¡± There was no grand sentiment behind his words. ¡°Uh¡­?¡± ¡°So, be quiet and face me.¡± All he needed was a place to unleash the burning anger that smoldered within his heart. ¡°No, that¡¯s a bit¡­¡± Apelios was taken aback. What kind of nonsense was this? Was it the will of the goddess or a desire to save this world? He could understand seeking revenge for fallen comrades or protecting loved ones. But venting anger? To make the grand finale of the historical battle between humans and demons a mere outlet for rage! ¡°In the first place, hero, weren¡¯t you betrayed by the humans?!¡± But what infuriated Apelios the most was that he had become the target of the hero¡¯s anger meant for humans. ¡°Well, that may be true. But I¡¯m just trying to fulfill my duty as a hero one last time.¡± The hero¡¯s tone lacked conviction and seemed tinged with annoyance. Unintentionally, Apelios blurted out, ¡°Do we really need to? Wouldn¡¯t it be better for all of us if we just pretended not to know each other?¡± ¡®Damn humans.¡¯ Apelios couldn¡¯t fathom the human race. Despite their significantly shorter lifespans compared to demons, they ruled over the continent. And every time it seemed they would be defeated in a war, they somehow managed to repel the demons¡¯ onslaught. But the most unfathomable existence to Apelios was the hero standing right in front of him. The presence that always obstructed the Demon King throughout the cycles of history. The monster who had reached the Demon King¡¯s doorstep, even after stripping the demon god¡¯s altar of all magic and consuming it at the Shrine of the Demons, all to break the cycle. ¡°Hah.¡± The hero sighed. Then, the look of annoyance vanished, replaced by a cold and ruthless expression akin to a butcher about to slaughter. ¡°Well, you¡¯re right. I have often wondered if all of this was truly necessary.¡± It wasn¡¯t just the expression that changed. A fiercely surging mana and a chilling aura began to constrict around Apelios¡¯s neck. Cold. It felt as though a sword had already sliced through his throat, and Apelios instinctively reached for his neck. ¡°Come to think of it, it¡¯s all your fault.¡± The hero, Delden Del Blade, pondered to himself. Was saving the world truly necessary? There was a time when he believed it was. Not because of faith in the goddess or a sense of duty as a hero. It was simply the effort he had invested all this time. The struggle to survive. And the people who believed in him and followed him, entrusting their lives to him. That was all that mattered to Delden. That¡¯s why Delden redirected his arrows of anger elsewhere. ¡°When they grow bored, they send soldiers and clash.¡± This was already the fifth invasion of the demons against humans. ¡°When they lack strength, they send spies to sow chaos.¡± The cultists who worshipped the demons and the renegade warlocks who succumbed to their deceit had caused chaos three times. ¡°And when that fails, they expose their entire underworld by coming here.¡± Delden had much to say as well. He, like Apelios, didn¡¯t wish to die. But what choice did they have? Be it humans or demons, war was always their answer if they possessed the means. ¡°Come to think of it, the reason I was stabbed in the back is also your fault.¡± And so, the hero, Delden Del Blade, raised his sword, mustering his faith in the goddess and his sense of duty as a hero. Channeling his resentment and anger towards the newly formed world. ¡°So let¡¯s bring this to an end.¡± ¡°This is madness¡­¡± Apelios cursed with a face filled with injustice, but it mattered not to Delden. Just one final time. If the goddess had any conscience, she would cease her trickery. ¡®If you keep playing your tricks.¡¯ He would dismantle them thoroughly. With that in mind, the hero poured his everything into his sword. ¡°Perish.¡± ¡°You damned hero!¡± And thus, the ignited hero, Delden Del Blade, and Apelios vanished together, signifying the end of their ultimate battle. Disoriented, the demons, now without Apelios as their focal point, eventually retreated, bringing the most intense war in the history of humans and demons to a close. And centuries later¡­ ¡°Waaah!¡± The newborn child contemplated. ¡®Goddess, you¡¯re no different from a dog.¡¯ Delden Del Blade, or rather, the hero in his tenth incarnation, reflected on his curses toward the goddess as he revealed himself to the world once more. CH 2 Bill, a simple country boy, grew up as an orphan but was surrounded by love from those around him. The nun who took him in became his parent, and the other children in similar situations became his siblings. While it wasn¡¯t a life of wealth, it wasn¡¯t one of poverty either. The villagers were kind-hearted, and by lending a hand with their work, Bill never had to worry about going hungry. However, an event occurred that would change his ordinary existence. -Child, you are the chosen one destined to save the world. These were the words of the Goddess of Creation, the fabled deity said to have brought forth the world itself. Thus, Bill transformed from an ordinary country boy into a Hero, handpicked by the Goddess. His purpose became everything. Everything he did was for the sake of humanity. Everything he did was for the world. Everything he did was for the Goddess of Creation. As Hero Bill, he dedicated his life to upholding his duties and protecting the world. He ignited his own existence, confronting the Demon King during the first ever recorded invasion of demons, and successfully saved the world. Was it the Goddess¡¯ compassion? Bill was reborn with his memories intact, this time taking on the name Dane. Dane Bagregard. Born into a weak nation, even as a member of a powerless noble family, his second life felt exceedingly opulent compared to his first life as an orphan. Of course, not everything was perfect. Unlike his previous life where the siblings helped each other due to their poverty, the siblings in this life were consumed by greed. The eldest brother was greedy, the elder sister possessed an even greater greed than her brother, and the youngest sibling overflowed with desire beyond mere greed. Nevertheless, Bill, or rather, Dane, found contentment in the life bestowed upon him. Then, one day¡­ -Child, you are the one who saved the world. He recognized the voice from his past life. Though the message differed slightly, Dane knew it was the voice of the Goddess. Trust. Once again, the world faced a crisis. Human traitors, swayed by the demons¡¯ deceit, had already infiltrated the heart of the empire, with even the emperor himself becoming their puppet. The battle was no longer against demons, but against his fellow humans. The tumultuous fight, shrouded in uncertainty as demons infiltrated the human realm and warlocks followed suit, persisted for over a decade, hardening Dane¡¯s spirit. The situation could not endure. With unwavering determination, Dane awaited the opportune moment to gain the upper hand against the empire, aiming directly for its core. Thus, he managed to vanquish the warlock leader who controlled the empire¡¯s emperor and the demon who manipulated him. Yet, in a final moment of sacrifice, Dane lost his life to a curse devised by the warlock leader, bringing his second life to what seemed like a futile end. But then¡­ ¡°Huh?¡± A third life commenced. ¡°Huh?¡± Was it the Goddess¡¯ compassion, granting him another chance at life? He believed so, but once again, the world found itself in peril, and he was chosen as a hero. Fighting for the world, he perished alongside the enemy. ¡°Huh?¡± The fourth life. He began to sense something peculiar. Was another crisis looming over the world? Was he destined to be a hero once more? Living with such thoughts, this life proved to be peaceful. Thus, he attended an academy, enjoyed a pleasant school life, and even became a graduate student, earning recognition from a professor who held him in high regard. ¡°Huh?¡± Something felt amiss. He realized this upon discovering the true nature of the seemingly kind professor. However, it was already too late. From student to graduate student. Although the discrepancy in character count was minimal, there were aspects that couldn¡¯t be compared to the enjoyable school days. Thus, he found himself as a slave, no, a second-year graduate student. Just as he thought that life would be easier as a hero¡­ -You are the child who saved the world. Fortunately, the world faced a crisis, allowing him to escape the clutches of graduate school with joy, assuming the role of a hero once again. And so, he lived through the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth cycles of life. The hero who saved the world nine times muttered to himself. ¡°Uh,¡± ¡®Again?¡¯ Lewin Dee Dryerf. As the hero who had saved the world nine times contemplated, he pondered over his own name given to him in the tenth cycle of life. ¡®My hypothesis was correct: gods are beings devoid of conscience.¡¯ The Goddess of Creation, the deity of humankind, and the Demon God, the deity of demons. He believed that the fact that they constantly made their children fight was evidence of their lack of conscience. ¡®Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have saved me ten times.¡¯ Initially, he had held admiration, thinking, ¡®The goddess has granted me another chance!¡¯ But now, his perspective had shifted. Was the world growing weak, causing a crisis to arise every time he was reborn? That didn¡¯t make sense. It was more logical to assume that he was saved when the world appeared to be in crisis. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡®Damn it.¡¯ The murmuring individual glanced around. ¡®It¡¯s disgustingly grand.¡¯ Did the goddess wish to boast about taking care of him? With each reincarnation, the environment he was born into improved. From an orphan to a baron, and after several rebirths, he became a viscount, an earl, and in his previous life, he even bore the title of the duke¡¯s eldest son. ¡®But not the eldest in this life.¡¯ He now held the position of the third son in the Dryerf Duchy, one of the empire¡¯s two pillars and a family boasting the world¡¯s greatest military power. ¡®That¡¯s not too bad.¡¯ The higher one climbed in the ranks of nobility, the more responsibilities one had to shoulder. As a family head or successor, the workload became overwhelming. Since Lewin had experienced various hardships as both a hero and the successor to the Duke in his previous life, he had no desire for power. In this life, he yearned for freedom. He wanted to be like everyone else, living a normal life. ¡®Go to the academy, have some romance, and get married!¡¯ It was his tenth life, with three romantic experiences but zero marriages. ¡®Even then, I was betrayed in the worst way.¡¯ It felt like a dagger piercing through his heart, colder than the coldest ice. To think that his most trusted lover and friend turned out to be such people. Unending rage consumed him, and the unfortunate Demon King Apelios, on whom he vented his anger, met a glorious end. ¡®After everything I¡¯ve been through, if I end up saving the world, am I a damn fool?¡¯ Lewin no longer cared about saving the world. ¡®Give me one more chance,¡¯ he thought. He would show them a hero wreaking havoc in the temple. Even if it meant undoing the achievements of the previous heroes, Lewin had confidence. After all, he himself was the one who accomplished all of those feats! ¡°Auuu.¡± Lewin sensed a presence and interrupted his thoughts, uttering a sound. ¡°His features are distinct, and the flow of mana within him is smooth.¡± An old man, who appeared to be a wizard to anyone, spoke with a friendly smile. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s safe to say that you have been blessed with mana.¡± ¡°Auuu!¡± Lewin made a sound as if to respond to the old man¡¯s words. ¡®Because it¡¯s actually quite similar.¡¯ Perhaps this body was meant to prevent future world crises? Throughout his ten lives, he had never been told that he lacked talent. In his first life, he couldn¡¯t use mana simply because he didn¡¯t have time to learn it, not because he lacked ability. In his second life, during a decade-long war, he had the opportunity to learn mana. And in his third life, he developed an optimal method to efficiently utilize his mana. ¡®I¡¯m doing well with the breathing exercise.¡¯ He called it the breathing exercise. According to the explanation he received when he first learned about mana, everything in the universe contained mana, and all he had to do was borrow it. This explanation remained unchanged even in his ninth life. In his third life, he interpreted those words in his own way and eventually found an answer. Breathing. There were three common methods for people to gather mana. The first was instinctive, similar to the natural act of breathing. It was a slow process, but occasionally, geniuses emerged who could acquire or replenish mana quickly without specific training. The second method involved using magic stones, artifacts, or herbs. For instance, the Mandrake herb, when processed and consumed, could swiftly increase one¡¯s mana. Finally, there was mana training, which encompassed various techniques employed by knight and wizard training establishments. Each institution had its own approach to gathering mana. Allowing people to feel the flow of mana more precisely in a space made of magic stones, or an act of a master making his disciple directly feel the movement of mana. The first and last methods shared a common thread: breathing. Breathing. Through this action, similar to the instinctual act of most living beings, small amounts of mana accumulated in the body from the world around them. Lewin optimized this process. By simply breathing, unconsciously drawing in mana, he allowed his body to naturally absorb it, to the point where he could grow stronger just through his breath. It might sound absurd, even laughable, but in a dangerously weakened world, Lewin, from his third life onwards, believed it was necessary to protect himself. After living through three more lives, he devised a method to truly become stronger through the act of breathing. ¡°Auuu.¡± At that very moment, Lewin inhaled the minuscule traces of mana in the air with his breath. The mana was incredibly subtle, but by repeating this action constantly, the body grew accustomed to mana and became capable of accepting larger quantities. The earlier one started, the more effective this mana training method became. This was the secret of a hero who grew stronger simply by breathing. ¡°With a sword, he won¡¯t be easily obstructed by walls, and with magic, he can challenge advanced spells.¡± In this world, the measure of strength was mana. No matter how skilled a swordsman might be, without the support of mana, they could never reach the level of a master. Even if they understood the techniques intellectually, they would be unable to execute advanced skills. ¡®But that¡¯s not the goal I¡¯m aiming for.¡¯ For a hero, attaining mastery or performing advanced skills was a mere jest. The breathing exercise was a training method crafted to conquer the Demon King while staying alive¡ªa feat that surpassed those standards entirely. ¡°Auuuu!¡± The roar of the tenth life resounded. Lewin no longer had any intention of saving the world, but he had experienced one too many times the feeling of powerlessness in a grim and wretched world, even as a hero. ¡®In retrospect, they could only get away with what they did because I was dead!¡¯ Had he not been on par with the likes of the Demon King, would those cunning individuals have dared to openly manipulate and deceive? ¡®No.¡¯ The hero was strong. Throughout his nine lives, he faced battles to the death against demons and their affiliated monsters. Nobles offered him artifacts just to appease his gaze, and even entire dynasties were left with no choice but to yield to his threats with money and soldiers. ¡®This filthy, miserable world¡­¡¯ This time, he would endure until the end. Whether it was the machinations of the goddess or the disgustingly diligent demons. Anyone who obstructed the path of his life, all of them. ¡°Auuuuau!¡± ¡®I¡¯ll kill them.¡¯ His outcry was fierce, but unfortunately, his vocal organs weren¡¯t functioning properly. And so¡­ ¡°The young master is full of energy.¡± ¡°All children are like that.¡± The two individuals observing the child simply smiled kindly at Lewin¡¯s outburst. CH 3 Lewin Dee Dryerf was on his tenth life, still in his first year of existence. ¡°Now, what¡¯s this? What do you call this?¡± ¡°Baba.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, fool.¡± ¡°You idiot, what are you teaching my brother!¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s true. And isn¡¯t he my brother too?¡± He watched as his two siblings began to squabble in his cradle, their youthful appearances barely reaching ten years old. Their striking resemblance confirmed that they were indeed blood-related. Latel Dee Dryerf¡­ Lagil Dee Dryerf¡­ Lewin looked at the eldest and second sons of the Dryerf duchy and pondered, ¡®Aren¡¯t kids these days not busy?¡¯ During his previous life, he had been thrust into successor classes at the age of five, burdened with the education befitting a future duchy heir. Recalling his own experiences, Lewin looked at his siblings. ¡°Baba.¡± ¡°See? I told you he¡¯s a fool.¡± ¡°I bet you¡¯re the one who taught him.¡± The sight of his brothers grumbling at each other brought a smile to his face. Despite being 7-8 years older, age held little significance in his tenth cycle of life. ¡°Alright, leave those foolish brothers alone and play with me.¡± Lewin felt a small, delicate hand wrap around him. He turned his head to see the owner of the hand. ¡°Luna!¡± Luna Dee Dryerf, Lewin¡¯s sister, was six years older than Lewin and the eldest daughter of the Dryerf duchy. ¡°That¡¯s right, it¡¯s your sister.¡± Luna attempted to lift Lewin, but her seven-year-old strength proved insufficient. The commotion caught the attention of their bickering brothers. ¡°Luna!¡± ¡°That¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°Uh oh.¡± Reprimanded by her brothers, Luna pursed her lips and gave up trying to lift Lewin. ¡°I could have done it this time.¡± Observing Luna¡¯s disappointed expression, Lewin spoke up. ¡°Auuu!¡± ¡®If things aren¡¯t fair, get stronger.¡¯ Luna, at the age of seven, struggled to lift a one-year-old baby. Having experienced the world¡¯s trials nine times before, Lewin worried about whether his sister would survive the harsh realities of life. ¡°Lewin laughed!¡± Unaware of Lewin¡¯s concerns, Luna simply laughed along with him. ¡°Kids.¡± A tender voice called out to the siblings. They turned their attention to the source of the voice. ¡°Mother.¡± ¡°Uh.¡± ¡°Mom!¡± The mistress of the Dryerf duchy and Lewin¡¯s mother, Erzen Dee Dryerf, had come to see Lewin once again. Although she was approaching her 40s, Erzen appeared remarkably young, easily mistaken for someone in their mid-20s. One reason for this could be the exceptional care she received as the mistress of the duchy. ¡°I know you love your brother, but you can¡¯t escape from your lessons.¡± ¡°Ew!¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± A gentle breeze brushed past, and the two brothers wore crestfallen expressions. Hand of Wind. It appeared to be a simple magic, but it was known as one of the challenging intermediate spells. Erzen, a remarkable wizard, effortlessly wielded it without the need for a wand as a conduit. ¡°Understood?¡± As Erzen smiled and spoke, Latel and Lagil could only nod in response. ¡°Then you should hurry. The instructors are waiting.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± Observing her brothers depart, Luna realized an opportunity had presented itself. ¡°The obstacles are gone!¡± The chance to have her adorable little brother, Lewin, all to herself! Merely a year or two ago, Luna was the center of her brothers¡¯ attention, but that time had passed. Her brothers, who once showered her with boundless love, had become nothing more than hindrances to her cherished moments with her baby brother. Thus, she didn¡¯t want to miss this opportunity and intended to reclaim her place beside her younger sibling. ¡°Unfortunately.¡± Luna¡¯s body was gently lifted into the air. ¡°Doesn¡¯t my daughter have classes to attend as well?¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± As the family¡¯s heir, approaching the age of entering the academy, Luna¡¯s brothers may be ahead of her, but being the eldest daughter of the Duke¡¯s family, she had to dedicate an unusual amount of time to her studies at her young age. ¡°Lewin.¡± Luna waved at Lewin, wearing a weary expression, before fading away. Erzen sighed, cradling Lewin in her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why my children always act this way when a younger sibling arrives.¡± Perhaps it¡¯s a trait within the family. Erzen mused as she looked at Lewin. ¡°My Lewin shouldn¡¯t behave like that even with the arrival of a younger sibling, right?¡± ¡°Auuu!¡± Lewin nodded in agreement. In his tenth life, he had no intention of skipping classes or running away just because a younger sibling was born. ¡®Though I won¡¯t be attending anyway.¡¯ In this life, he planned to enjoy life diligently, and studying wasn¡¯t a part of his agenda. Having lived through nine previous lives, he remembered everything he needed to learn at a young age. Thus, Lewin aimed to play without any regrets. ¡°My child responds well.¡± To Erzen¡¯s attempt to make herself laugh, Lewin smiled in return. Is filial piety a significant matter? This, too, is filial piety. ¡®I should show my filial piety in this way, as it may become problematic later on.¡¯ Lewin¡¯s life plan had a higher chance of being away from any conventional son. ¡®Don¡¯t cry suddenly, don¡¯t keep crying, especially don¡¯t wake people up at night.¡¯ But if he didn¡¯t cry enough, others would worry if something was wrong. It was a delicate balance to maintain. Lewin, who remembered every instance of being a newborn baby except for his first life, was capable of achieving it. ¡°Auuuu!¡± ¡°There, there.¡± Seeing his parents pleased with his small act of filial piety, Lewin managed to ease his conscience slightly. *** Lewin Dee Dryerf. In his tenth life, now six years old. Gone were the days when Lewin simply lay in bed, passed from one person¡¯s arms to another. He could now walk on his own and speak naturally. A period of newfound freedom had arrived. Lewin took full advantage of this time. ¡°Young master.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Even as Alex, who had become Lewin¡¯s personal butler since the previous year, spoke, Lewin¡¯s focus remained unbroken. ¡°What are you doing right now?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you see? I¡¯m breathing.¡± Breathing exercises. It was a secret technique of a hero, honed over three lifetimes and more. To optimize the efficiency of this technique, Lewin practiced his breathing exercises in the mansion garden today. ¡°Young master¡­¡± However, in this world, nobody knew about the hero¡¯s secret technique of breathing exercises. He had shared it with a few individuals in his past life to prepare for the unpredictable threat of the demon tribe and demon king, but that was hundreds of years ago. Sadly, human lifespans were not long enough to withstand such a span of time. ¡°You can do your breathing exercises inside as well. Let¡¯s go indoors now.¡± ¡°The air is better out here.¡± Lewin declined Alex¡¯s suggestion and took a deep breath with a hint of ostentation. ¡°Huuuuu. Haaaah.¡± Inhaling for approximately seven seconds. Holding the breath for about eight seconds. Exhaling for roughly nine seconds. As he did so, he circulated the minute mana contained within, spreading it throughout his body. This practice was not limited to gathering mana in the heart or the so-called ¡°Danjeon¡± region. It involved infusing mana into every component that composed the body: flesh, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and blood. The mana was gathered, circulated, and ultimately assimilated as his own. This was an exceedingly important task. The more Lewin diligently performed this practice during his formative years, the more dramatically his future potential would increase. However, there lay a predicament. ¡°Young master.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°You need to stop playing and attend your classes.¡± To others, it appeared as though he were merely spending time in the garden, merely breathing. ¡°I¡¯m not playing.¡± ¡°From your perspective, young master, that may be true. However, by the world¡¯s standards, it is considered playing.¡± With a sigh, Alex spoke. He was aware that Lewin¡¯s brothers, Latel and Lagil, had also skipped classes during their childhood. But¡­ ¡®It seems the young master has no intention of attending classes at all, from what I can see.¡¯ There was a clear distinction between occasionally skipping class and doing it every time. ¡°But¡­¡± Lewin gazed up at Alex, his face brimming with discontent. It was a petulant expression befitting his age. Undeniably cute, but for Alex, who had been taking care of Lewin for a year, it was beginning to give him a headache. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to learn.¡± It was an outrageous statement. To claim that there was nothing to learn. Such words were not fitting for a mere six-year-old to utter. However, Alex found himself rendered speechless in the face of those words. Because whenever Lewin made such a statement, it was always because there truly was nothing left for him to learn. ¡®Young master Lewin is a prodigy.¡¯ Calling him a genius wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration. Lewin¡¯s ability to learn was so astounding that it was as if he had already lived through his second lifetime. It was not an overestimation on Alex¡¯s part; after all, Lewin was his master. The tutors who came to instruct Lewin held the same opinion. It was common knowledge to anyone paying attention that the third son of the Dryerf family was a prodigious talent. However, therein lay the problem. If one knew everything, would it still be necessary to learn? This made it incredibly difficult to dissuade Lewin from his arguments. ¡°Young master, an ancient sage once said, ¡®Even a chance encounter with a person on the road can teach us something.¡¯¡± Hoping to persuade Lewin, Alex attempted to quote the words of an ancient sage. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true.¡± However, Lewin, having grasped Alex¡¯s intentions, cut him off. ¡°Even a destitute beggar can offer us wisdom. Just as everything in the world possesses mana, learning can be found in all things.¡± ¡°You¡¯re familiar with that story?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Nodding his head, Lewin closed his eyes. Once again, he took deliberate, audible breaths before addressing Alex. ¡°That¡¯s why studying in a room isn¡¯t the only way to learn.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Feeling the energy of nature throughout your entire being can also be a form of learning.¡± Huuu. Huuu. Witnessing Lewin purposefully continue to breathe loudly, Alex couldn¡¯t help but be filled with awe. Indeed, the young master he served was undeniably a prodigy. ¡®To come up with such an excuse at just six years old.¡¯ He wondered how much chaos Lewin would cause as he grew older. Considering his future self, who might need to rely on digestive medicine, Alex had no choice but to resort to his final strategy. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Young master, we must go inside. Today, a professor from the Royal Academy is visiting¡ªan exceptional occasion!¡± Despite Lewin¡¯s resistance, Alex simply scooped him up and began running. While it wasn¡¯t appropriate conduct for someone in charge of the heir to a prestigious family, Alex had concluded that this was the only way to bring the somewhat mischievous young master to his scheduled class. ¡°Look, the butler is carrying someone!¡± ¡°Young master, it¡¯s alright to be caught once in a while.¡± Knowing that Lewin would make a swift escape the moment he was set free, Alex did his utmost to hold onto the squirming boy as he sprinted. Thanks to Alex¡¯s determined efforts, Lewin ultimately attended the class. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± ¡°Already?¡± Only 30 minutes had passed since the beginning of the class. Observing Lewin, who had completed all the lessons, Alex couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of despair. CH 4 Alex Rumberg, aged 60, served as Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s personal butler for just over two years. Despite transitioning from middle age to old age, he refused to consider himself old. ¡°¡­that¡¯s what I believed.¡± With a seemingly resigned statement, the other butlers found it challenging to respond. ¡°Well, raising a child is always challenging.¡± One of the butlers broke the prolonged silence. Present at the gathering were key individuals from the Dryerf Duchy, devoted to assisting the lineage of the Dryerf Ducal Family. ¡°You¡¯re right. Young master Latel was quite troublesome when he was younger.¡± The butler who had been in charge of Latel, the eldest son, spoke up. The other butlers, who had remained silent, also joined the conversation. ¡°But things have changed now.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve heard about his remarkable achievements at the Royal Academy.¡± Mandatory education for the Empire¡¯s nobility began at the age of 10. The Academy, open not only to nobles but also to talented commoners and those who had acquired wealth, was widely spread throughout the empire. However, the Royal Academy, directly overseen by the royal family, held a special status. It attracted numerous talented individuals from all across the continent. ¡°He¡¯s been the top student there for four consecutive years, hasn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Even though it¡¯s considered basic education, that¡¯s quite impressive.¡± ¡°Usually, the results of basic education determine performance in higher education, unless major changes occur.¡± The Empire allowed children of nobles or those who held suitable positions and capabilities to enter the academy from the age of 10. Four years of basic education from ages 10 to 13. Three years of secondary education from 14 to 16. Three years of higher education from 17 to 19. And then, after that, the mythical graduate program that only a select few could join. For those with the ability and desire, the Empire provided opportunities for more than a decade of learning. ¡°Much will change once he enters the secondary education curriculum.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard he¡¯s already being approached by the student council.¡± ¡°Already? No doubt, young master Latel is exceptional.¡± ¡°Miss Luna is also receiving positive news.¡± ¡°Young master Lagil too.¡± As esteemed members of the Dryerf Ducal family, the Dryerf siblings had access to education from prominent figures from a young age. Perhaps due to that advantage, they were distinguishing themselves even at the Royal Academy, where the continent¡¯s top talents converged. ¡°Master Lewin will also thrive.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± ¡°Hasn¡¯t he been hailed as a prodigy since early on?¡± The other butlers made an effort to lighten the mood, knowing that Alex, being the oldest and most experienced among them, needed reassurance. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s no need to worry.¡± Unfortunately, their attempts at comfort did not resonate with Alex. ¡°Because the young master is a genius.¡± Even after a year had passed, this conviction remained unchanged. No, if anything, Alex had become even more aware of the young master¡¯s genius. ¡°He was also given a sword on his previous birthday.¡± The Dryerf Duchy, known as one of the empire¡¯s pillars, was a house of warriors. They boasted numerous knights, and the head of the Dryerf family was always a representative swordsman of the empire. The current head, Laihar Dryerf, held such a position and had the authority to mobilize the empire¡¯s military forces during emergencies. Hence, in such a household, the children of the Dryerf Ducal family received a sword as a gift when they turned seven. Though it was a wooden sword, it marked the official beginning of their sword training as heirs of the Dryerf bloodline. ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°Since the young master¡¯s birthday falls towards the year¡¯s end, the time has come.¡± ¡°How is the young master faring?¡± Sword training at the martial arts hall was no trivial matter. It had the potential to shape their future depending on their talent. ¡°He¡¯s doing exceptionally well.¡± Lewin displayed outstanding abilities even in that domain. ¡°To an excessive extent.¡± In fact, he excelled to a point of excess. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a positive thing?¡± One of the butlers casually posed a question. The sentiment was shared among the other butlers. Shouldn¡¯t they be happy rather than concerned if the young master they served exhibited such talent? ¡°No.¡± Alex, however, dismissed the notion. At the age of 58, he came to realize that an abundance of talent in his master was not always a favorable circumstance. ¡°It¡¯s not beneficial.¡± Talent doesn¡¯t always guarantee positive outcomes. The faster they learn, the quicker they reach their goals. And as a result, they may become complacent. Recalling Lewin¡¯s behavior of rolling around in bed, claiming it was dangerous beyond the safety of the blankets, Alex developed a headache. ¡°Is that so?¡± Yet others failed to comprehend his worries. A problem arising from exceptional talent. Had it not been for Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s existence, even Alex would have struggled to grasp the dilemma. ¡°What should I do?¡± Even after the butlers gathered, Alex remained plagued by concerns. How could he rid Lewin of his laziness? He attempted to set unconventional goals suitable for his age, but they proved futile. Each time he witnessed Lewin¡¯s composed expression, declaring, ¡°It¡¯s finished,¡± disappointment enveloped him. Even when he urged those in charge of Lewin to be stricter, it yielded no results. Many of them were so infatuated with Lewin that they readily complied with his desires, despite being renowned masters from the continent. A direct conversation with the head of the household? That, too, had already been attempted. The Duke of Dryerf, listening to Alex¡¯s words with a composed demeanor, responded: ¡°Why is that a problem?¡± Lewin possessed talent, had achieved all the necessary learning milestones, and was now merely engaging in leisurely activities. The Duke of Dryerf saw no reason or motivation to curtail his playfulness after surpassing not only the expected level of learning for an Imperial Duke¡¯s bloodline but even exceeding it slightly. Alex understood the sentiments expressed by the others. ¡°This cannot go on.¡± Because only Alex, who witnessed Lewin¡¯s daily life up close, truly understood. Lewin Dee Dryerf was a prodigy. Not just any prodigy, but a prodigy so extraordinary that it would be believable to say he was living his second life. In Alex¡¯s eyes, it appeared as though Lewin Dee Dryerf approached life¡¯s challenges as if he had the answer sheet right in front of him. He effortlessly solved the problems that came his way, which led to his complacency. Alex could understand. Why would one make an effort when everything is easily resolved? Yet, Alex couldn¡¯t easily provide an answer to that question. However¡­ ¡°The young master is still young.¡± Life is unfair. Even a life that consistently finds the right answers can be unexpectedly shaken. The Dryerf household may be vast and secure, but precisely because of that, there are many who conceal daggers and harbor ill intentions. There are things that cannot be accomplished solely with talent. Effort and accumulated experiences are necessary in certain situations. Recognizing this, Alex desired to eliminate Lewin¡¯s lethargy. ¡®If you lack stimulation because you¡¯re lazy¡­¡¯ He needed to provide Lewin with a stimulus that would capture his interest. That was Alex¡¯s conclusion. ¡°Young master¡­¡± ¡°Buy it.¡± ¡°No, no matter what¡­¡± ¡°Buy it!¡± In the end, Alex¡¯s words became a jumbled mess. ****** ¡°Go outside?¡± Lewin Dee Dryerf. In his tenth life, at the age of seven. He despised going outside. Today, as Lewin lay rolling around in bed, he frowned at Alex¡¯s words. ¡°Do I have to?¡± Lewin cherished his bed. The ducal house¡¯s bed offered a level of comfort that Lewin had never experienced before. ¡®The world outside the blanket is dangerous.¡¯ Having experienced the dangers of the world in his nine previous lives as a hero, Lewin firmly believed this. Sleeping on hard ground was the norm, and life was filled with constant tension, never knowing if he was awake or caught in the realm of demons. Compared to that, how safe and secure was it under the blanket? Warm, cozy, and completely devoid of danger. Lewin could confidently assert that there was no better world than the one beneath his blankets. ¡°Young Master, the Dryerf Duchy boasts a huge scale befitting the reputation of a ducal house.¡± ¡°Yeah. But isn¡¯t it just a speck of dust compared to the vast world?¡± Today, Alex, easily caught off guard, fell silent for a moment. However, he quickly regained his composure. ¡®This isn¡¯t the first time this has happened.¡¯ Though slightly wounded, he didn¡¯t consider it an irreparable blow. Sporting a forced smile, Alex spoke up. ¡°Indeed, young master. So, about exploring a new world¡­¡± ¡°But have you ever pondered this, Alex?¡± ¡°What kind of argument are you going to present now¡­¡± Lewin¡¯s subsequent response shattered Alex¡¯s poker face effortlessly. ¡°People often claim to be the protagonists of their own lives, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But a novel featuring only the protagonist cannot exist. There should also be villains who oppose the protagonist, supporting characters, and extras who seem to exist but don¡¯t truly matter.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Alex nodded with an anxious expression. ¡°Then, consider this. If you were to live as an extra, would you truly need to explore a new world?¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± ¡°Even if I exist in a minuscule world like a speck of dust, leading a life as an unknown extra, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± It was utter nonsense. As someone who knew Lewin¡¯s genius, Alex could never fathom him leading the life of an extra. In his understanding, no one was more deserving of being the protagonist than Lewin. And beyond that¡­ ¡°Young master, can you genuinely envision the third son of the Dryerf Duchy living as an extra?¡± He belonged to a lineage entrusted with the military might of the empire, a pillar of strength for the entire realm. From the moment of his birth, his position ensured that his name resonated among the nobles across the empire. The name was Lewin Dee Dryerf, a name that even the Emperor, the embodiment of the empire, would recognize. Could someone like him aspire to be an extra? Did that even make sense? ¡°Please be honest. Just¡­¡± ¡°It troubles me.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you answer after I finish speaking?¡± Gazing at Lewin, cocooned under a blanket with only his head visible, Alex clenched his teeth. ¡®Calm down. I must stay calm!¡¯ He cannot be swayed by this damn, no, by this young lord¡¯s pace. He must sway him as much as possible and introduce him to new experiences. How much effort has been invested for today? Countless tasks were performed behind the scenes to enable diverse world exploration, and Alex had barely overcome the significant hurdle of convincing the Duke and Duchess. Now, the only remaining and most formidable adversary was the young lord himself. ¡®Stay composed, remain composed.¡¯ He felt pathetic for being swayed by a mere seven-year-old, but Alex was an exceptional butler. He belonged to a class of excellence where he was entrusted with the Dryerf ducal bloodline! ¡°Young master, it¡¯s not just about going outside. It¡¯s an opportunity to directly observe the Knight Order¡¯s schedule.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Upon hearing Alex¡¯s last attempt, Lewin¡¯s sullen expression shifted. ¡°You mean, following their activities?¡± Lewin had assumed it would be a mundane task like attending a party or social gathering. But observing the Knight Order¡¯s schedule? ¡°You mean the one where they engage in training, secure supplies and equipment, and occasionally recruit trainees from villages or slave markets?¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± Two years. Whether it was a short or long duration, Alex had spent that time with Lewin. That¡¯s why he understood better than anyone else that this lethargic lord wouldn¡¯t be enticed by parties or social events. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Therefore, Alex had to present a lure that would capture Lewin¡¯s interest, and he believed that the Knight Order¡¯s schedule would be the most enticing bait. And his judgment proved correct. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound too bad.¡± He had managed to coax the stubborn lord out of bed! CH 5 The carriage wheels rattled noisily, their rhythmic sound filling the air. Through the window, a whole new world unfolded, captivating to any child taking their first steps outside. However, Lewin Dee Dryerf seemed unaffected by the excitement. ¡°Young Master,¡± Alex called out, observing Lewin reclining in the spacious carriage. ¡°What is it?¡± Lewin replied, his tone nonchalant. Alex wanted to say many things, looking at the young master in his relaxed state. But he chose his words carefully, exercising great patience. ¡°It can be dangerous if you fall off,¡± Alex finally uttered. Lewin, despite his usual demeanor, adjusted his posture and nodded in agreement. ¡°You¡¯re right. It could be dangerous.¡± Alex breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Lewin understood the potential risks involved. ¡°If I were to get hurt, both the coachman and you would be in trouble,¡± Lewin continued, contemplating the consequences. Alex nodded, adding, ¡°The knights serving as escorts would also face reprimand.¡± Lewin pondered the situation and expressed his agreement. ¡°Hmm, that might be the case.¡± Alex found himself surprised by Lewin¡¯s response. The young master seemed convinced by his words. However, just as Alex thought this, Lewin began adjusting his posture once again. ¡°Young Master?¡± Alex questioned, unsure if he had imagined the change. Lewin appeared even more at ease than before, leaving Alex momentarily stunned. ¡°So, if it¡¯s dangerous, you¡¯ll catch me, right?¡± Lewin asked, a hint of expectation in his voice. Alex fought the urge to blurt out, ¡°Don¡¯t lie down!¡± His superhuman patience barely held him back from voicing his desperate plea. ¡°Can I trust you?¡± Lewin followed up, his question chipping away at Alex¡¯s patience. ¡°Young Master¡­¡± Alex began, his voice filled with sincerity. ¡°I have faith in you.¡± As someone who had dedicated most of his life to serving others, those were the words Alex longed to hear. Yet, why did it leave him feeling unsettled? Was this also a talent of Lewin¡¯s? His ability to evoke such conflicting emotions amazed Alex. ¡°In that case, I will sleep soundly,¡± Lewin declared, seemingly content with Alex¡¯s assurance. ¡°Young Master, this is your first time venturing into the outside world. Don¡¯t you want to experience something different?¡± Alex asked, hoping to spark some curiosity. ¡°Just because it¡¯s the outside world doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s any different. Besides, I¡¯ll have to face that world once I step out of this carriage, whether I like it or not. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to conserve my energy until then?¡± Lewin explained, his words surprisingly mature for a ten-year-old. It made sense, but it wasn¡¯t the response one would expect from a child his age. Alex struggled to find the right words. At Lewin¡¯s age, innocence should prevail. Where had it gone? Understanding the person he served had become increasingly challenging for Alex. ¡®Indeed, hardships do arise in the later years, just as the fortune teller had predicted,¡¯ Alex recalled the words of a fortune teller he had encountered in the past. Lewin¡¯s journey progressed smoothly. The routine was established: traveling by carriage, taking breaks for meals and sleep, and resuming the journey in the morning until reaching the next destination. ¡°Are you not bored?¡± Alex asked, aware of the monotony that typically troubles those embarking on their first journey. However, Lewin, who seemed to have abandoned his dreams from the beginning, appeared different. ¡°Why would I be?¡± he replied, wearing a perplexed expression. In reality, Lewin was occupied with enduring the challenges of this harsh world. ¡°It¡¯s because you spend the entire day sleeping in the carriage,¡± Alex explained, urging him to stop lying down. Understanding Alex¡¯s concern, Lewin showed no intention of complying. ¡°I am busy,¡± he stated matter-of-factly. His words were not mere excuses. To an outsider, it might appear that Lewin was idly rolling around or dozing off, but he was actually engaged in a busy schedule. He diligently practiced breathing exercises, channeling and controlling the mana that accumulated within him. This process paved the way for him to reach the state he had attained in his previous life. Once done, he would mentally review the final climactic battle with the Great Demon King Apelios. ¡®I was truly fortunate,¡¯ Lewin thought. His reckless actions had defied expectations. The disoriented Apelios was unable to unleash his full power, resulting in a close and intense fight. Yet, even after reviewing the battle countless times, Lewin couldn¡¯t envision a victory. He recognized the significant gap between his former self and Apelios, a gap that couldn¡¯t be bridged with just analysis. ¡®Demons grow stronger with time,¡¯ Lewin contemplated. Just as the hero¡¯s strength increased over time, so did that of the demon king. A formidable opponent, stronger than any he had faced in his nine previous lives, had emerged. ¡®If the Demon King hasn¡¯t experienced nine lives like me, humanity¡¯s hope is dim.¡¯ It would be inconvenient for mankind to perish just when he was beginning to enjoy life. Therefore, he needed to prepare for various scenarios, keeping himself occupied¡ªtoo occupied. ¡°Are you really busy?¡± Alex asked, unable to perceive the extent of Lewin¡¯s activities. ¡°Yes,¡± Lewin replied, rising from his seat as if to emphasize his words. ¡°Today, we have other matters to attend to.¡± ¡°Young Master?¡± ¡°Yes, me.¡± Living a life filled with constant busyness, he had reasons to adhere to the Knights¡¯ schedule. Since his birth, he had meticulously planned his life, contemplating the conditions necessary for his envisioned future countless times each day. ¡°So, I am counting on you today.¡± Alex Rumberg, the exclusive butler of Lewin Dee Dryerf, took great pride in serving the Dryerf Duke¡¯s family. After all, it was an honor to serve the most esteemed family in the finest country on the continent. However, this pride had been frequently shaken as of late. Specifically, since he had become the exclusive butler to the youngest son of the family! ¡°Young Master, please remain in the carriage as usual,¡± Alex pleaded. ¡°No,¡± came Lewin¡¯s firm response. ¡°I implore you, I beg of you.¡± ¡°Nope, I cannot comply,¡± Lewin¡¯s voice echoed in Alex¡¯s ears, leaving him in darkness, hoping it was all just a dream. ¡°The purpose of this journey lies here!¡± Alex was roused from his slumber by the energetic voice, reluctantly opening his eyes. With a dazed expression, he lifted his head slightly. A bustling crowd surrounded them, the clamor of various voices filling the air. The name of this place, resembling a bustling commercial city from the outside, imprinted itself on his retinas. The Beltesis Slave Market. It was one of the five slave markets officially recognized by the Empire. Here, people who couldn¡¯t repay their debts, those defeated in wars, and other lawful slaves converged. Yes, lawful¡ªthis market operated within the bounds of the law. It wasn¡¯t an illicit slave market rife with abductions and illegal human trafficking. However¡­ ¡®This is definitely not a place for a seven-year-old to wander around,¡¯ Alex doubted whether the young master truly comprehended the concept of slavery. ¡°Alex, the butler,¡± a voice called out. ¡°Yes, Sir Garen?¡± Alex responded, meeting the knight¡¯s gaze. ¡°With the young master¡­¡± Sir Garen¡¯s voice trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. Can they proceed? Alex gave a heavy nod, indicating his acceptance. The knight chuckled and moved forward, beckoning them to follow. ¡°Huh,¡± Alex exhaled softly, questioning whether this was truly permissible. He shifted his gaze away from the departing knight. ¡°Young master, even now, if we were to turn back¡­¡± Alex began, but before he could finish his sentence, Lewin interrupted. ¡°Didn¡¯t I say I¡¯m going?¡± Lewin¡¯s refusal was unwavering, leaving Alex crestfallen, helpless in the face of his master¡¯s determination. The relationship between Lewin and Alex was that of master and servant. If the young master desired something, Alex was bound to follow. All he could do now was to keep his concerns buried deep within his heart and fervently pray that his young master would avoid any mishaps. ¡°Has the Duke of Dryerf arrived?¡± ¡°Is it already time?¡± ¡°Today is the day when your fate is decided! Give it your all¡ªfor me, for yourself!¡± Loyalty was one of the most valued virtues for a knight. It entailed being willing to sacrifice one¡¯s life for their lord, but such loyalty didn¡¯t materialize overnight upon donning the knight¡¯s mantle. Many noble families sought external talent for their ranks, recruiting individuals from outside their bloodline. They also purchased young slaves from the slave market, raising them to become knights. The motivations behind these decisions varied. Some believed that slaves, bound by their circumstances, would never betray their masters. Others saw offering salvation to fallen slaves as a means to secure loyalty. Some simply found it convenient and easy to acquire individuals through this method, subjecting them to rigorous training. And then there were those who followed suit because other families did so. However¡­ ¡°Imagine the tales of the hero, Derden! You can become a hero too!¡± The legend of the hero who saved the world, Derden De Blade, held immense sway over the minds of many. The story of a hero who bought slaves and forged a deep friendship with them became a renowned legend within the slave market from a young age. But was that all? The slaves who were sold and subsequently made significant contributions in the decisive battle against the demons were hailed as heroes. Their stories were revered, etching themselves into the annals of history. ¡°You can achieve the same greatness!¡± Families bearing their names spanned across the continent. That¡¯s what the slave traders would tell the slaves. ¡°You can be like them.¡± ¡°You can achieve greatness too.¡± These words were meant to maximize the value of their merchandise, but for the slaves, they also represented their last glimmer of hope. ¡°It¡¯s the Dryerf family!¡± This time, their distinguished guest was none other than the renowned Dryerf Duke¡¯s family, known throughout the continent. Whether they were slaves or slave traders, being chosen by the Dryerf family meant a chance at happiness. It was the ultimate honor. ¡°I¡¯ve been eagerly anticipating this day.¡± Baran Degrenta, a seasoned slave trader with thirty years of experience in the Beltesis slave market, had been waiting for a day like today. He had encountered extraordinary slaves throughout his travels across the continent. There was the former gladiator slave who earned his freedom after winning several battles in the empire¡¯s arena at a young age. Then, there was the prodigious swordsman who fell from grace overnight due to his father¡¯s involvement in a crime. And let¡¯s not forget the talented individual who had caught the attention of a prestigious mercenary group, only to be sold as a slave after being captured in a battle he had fought in. Having witnessed such exceptional individuals, Baran patiently awaited the arrival of the members of the Dryerf Ducal Family. ¡°I have a feeling.¡± After mentally preparing himself for about an hour, the emblem of the Dryerf Ducal Family finally came into view before the stand Baran operated. But then¡­ ¡°What is this?¡± It was small. Too small. No matter how slow the growth rate, seeing a young boy who couldn¡¯t have been more than ten years old standing at the forefront left Baran momentarily dumbfounded. ¡°Are you conducting business?¡± ¡°Young master!¡± The elderly butler exclaimed, snapping Baran back to reality. ¡®What does it matter if it¡¯s a child?¡¯ To a merchant, it made no difference whether the client was a man or a woman, a child or an elder. The only thing that mattered was money. It was the sole standard in this cutthroat world. ¡°No, we are open for business, indeed.¡± Baran nodded his head, assuming a submissive posture as he scrutinized the young boy before him. ¡®Young master.¡¯ As Baran caught sight of the Dryerf Ducal Family¡¯s emblem and heard the title ¡®young master,¡¯ he mentally ran through the names of those who held such a title within the Dryerf Ducal Family. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking, may I know your name?¡± ¡°Lewin Dee Dryerf.¡± ¡°It is an honor to meet the third star of the Dryerf Ducal Family,¡± Baran replied, relieved that he remembered the name. Now, he observed Lewin even more deferentially. ¡°Do you have a specific type of slave in mind?¡± Baran nodded with a satisfied expression. ¡®Not bad.¡¯ In fact, it was better than expected. The course of action had already been determined. No matter the reason, Baran simply needed to adjust to the child¡¯s pace. ¡®Although I can¡¯t inflate the price dealing with the Dryerf family.¡¯ Nevertheless, he might be able to sell a few more slaves. Not by selling himself, but by making the other party desire them. ¡°Yes,¡± the young child affirmed. Baran assumed he would express a desire for slaves who would become knights. He was ready to deliver his well-prepared lines when¡­ ¡°Somebody with a handsome face.¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if they are male or female, as long as they are exceptionally good-looking.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Bring them all.¡± The child before him uttered words that Baran hadn¡¯t anticipated at all. CH 6 ¡°Young Master¡­¡± Lewin sat in the reception room, observing Alex¡¯s tearful face as he glared at him. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°What do you mean by a handsome face!?¡± Despite his aged appearance, Alex had yet to grasp the true nature of the world. Drawing upon his experiences from ten lifetimes, Lewin felt compelled to enlighten someone with a mere 60 years of life about the realities of the world. ¡°Alex, there are values more significant than money in this world.¡± ¡°What nonsense are you talking about now?¡± Nonsense? These words were born from the wisdom gained through ten lifetimes. Although tempted to express himself, Lewin held back and prepared to share a fundamental truth. ¡°One of those values is appearance.¡± Alex couldn¡¯t help but sense an undeniable conviction in Lewin¡¯s words and remained silent. ¡°Young Master, I believe there are other important values in this world.¡± ¡°Yes, there are.¡± This was indeed true. Lewin also held such beliefs. However¡­ ¡°But appearance reigns supreme.¡± In his earlier lifetimes, Lewin sought peers with similar skills. As he underwent reincarnation, his skills reached greater heights, and those considered the best fell short of his expectations. Thus, Lewin found himself at a crossroads. Should he single-handedly defeat numerous demonic beings, or should he gather peers who might not meet his standards to fight alongside him? At that critical juncture, Lewin chose a third option. To personally nurture his peers. ¡°This is the truth.¡± By the time he reached his tenth life cycle, Lewin had nurtured numerous skilled individuals. The techniques he developed surpassed all existing ones, and those who learned from him inevitably grew stronger. ¡°Young Master, with all due respect, this seems a bit off.¡± ¡°Trust me, Alex, you can enhance your skills, but you can¡¯t change your appearance.¡± Skills can be developed, but appearances cannot be altered. This was a truth Lewin had come to realize throughout his life. He shared his techniques, procured potions, and even extracted mana from his own body to strengthen others. Lewin, who had successfully created formidable individuals to combat the Great Demon King Apelios using various methods, understood the limits. That limit was appearance. ¡°Even Hero Derden once said, ¡®You can create a thousand knights, but you can¡¯t prevent a single hair from falling out.¡¯¡± ¡°When did Hero Derden say such a thing?¡± ¡®Hmm, wasn¡¯t it recorded?¡¯ Perhaps it wasn¡¯t recorded due to embarrassment, as it seemed like a plausible comment concerning a subordinate¡¯s hair loss concerns. ¡°Never mind.¡± ¡°Young Master¡­¡± Lewin chose not to mention the fact to protect his old subordinate¡¯s dignity. However, he remained steadfast in his belief. ¡°Face, appearance, beauty, handsomeness, prettiness. That is what matters most.¡± The world values appearances. Regardless of the era, while preferences may vary slightly, no one can disregard the significance of appearance. That¡¯s why Lewin needed people with good looks for his plan. ¡°So, acquire them.¡± If he came across children he liked, he would consider purchasing them. Alex couldn¡¯t help but feel on the verge of tears at Lewin¡¯s rather audacious statement. ¡°Young Master, no matter what you say, this seems rather wrong.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not fine at all¡­¡± Alex wiped his face and covered it with his hands. ¡°¡­.¡± Observing Lewin and Alex, one of the knights who had accompanied them as a guard awkwardly interjected. ¡°Is the Lord¡­ buying slaves?¡± The knight wore a questioning expression, unsure if this was an appropriate course of action. Alex wished he could hide in a rat hole. However, Lewin remained undeterred. ¡°Yes. Isn¡¯t that our purpose today?¡± ¡°Well, yes, but¡­¡± The knight hesitated, finding the Lord¡¯s actions somewhat inappropriate. Despite the knight¡¯s expression, Lewin disregarded it nonchalantly. ¡°That¡¯s how it is.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ how it is, I see.¡± The third son of the House of Dryerf, at the age of seven, had come to the slave market to seek out good-looking slaves. What could this be called? ¡®Is it a way to look toward the future in some manner?¡¯ The knight harbored slight concerns for the future of the House of Dryerf. Alex shared the same worries, but unfortunately, there was little they could do for the family. ¡°I apologize for the wait.¡± And their worries only grew as Baran arrived with a few slaves. ¡°Their appearance isn¡¯t satisfactory.¡± Lewin muttered with a serious expression, causing the two onlookers to feel a growing disconnect. What did they just hear? With a statement that made them question their own ears, the knight and Alex locked eyes, wanting to confirm that what they heard wasn¡¯t a figment of their imagination. And then¡­ ¡°Next!¡± As Lewin casually called out for the next slave, the two individuals felt their minds go blank. ****** ¡°What on earth is happening here?¡± A good-looking slave, huh? To Baran, who had spent 30 years in the slave market, this request was quite familiar. Particularly, young lords from noble houses often made such requests. However, it was usually around the age of puberty that they began to care about appearances. But at such a young age, it was something Baran had never encountered before. ¡°Is he destined for greatness?¡± With a hollow chuckle, Baran swiftly pondered. With his extensive experience, Baran managed a fairly large-scale slave stall in Beltesis and had access to prompt information. ¡®I recall the Temple Knights seeking good-looking individuals for promotions within the temple.¡¯ It had proven to be effective in terms of promotion and had briefly become a trend. However, for knights, the most important factor was not appearance but power. Before the complaints from existing knights erupted one after another, the trend of forming a knight group based on appearance failed during an orc suppression mission and faded into obscurity. ¡®Could it be that the House of Dryerf is adopting this approach, or is there another reason?¡¯ It wasn¡¯t a practice followed by the empire¡¯s military powerhouse or any other prominent institution. Could this be a personal deviation by the young lord? Then what did this young lord desire? What was his motive? Usually, such desires would revolve around personal or sexual gratification, but considering his age, it seemed unlikely. ¡°Vanity.¡± After contemplating for a while, Baran arrived at that conclusion. ¡®Clothing or jewelry to flaunt one¡¯s status is a behavior often seen among lower-class nobles. But for a noble house like Dryerf¡­¡¯ For those considered upper-class nobles, there was an even grander form of adornment, and that was ¡°people.¡± ¡°At his age?¡± If it was true, then he truly was an exceptional individual in a different sense. With that in mind, Baran contemplated the slaves that would suit him. ¡®If they are too beautiful, the master¡¯s radiance may fade.¡¯ Even at a young age, Baran, who had encountered numerous slaves, understood. Lewin¡¯s own appearance would shine. When combined with the illustrious background of the Dryerf family, it would leave many women envious, even in their prime. Therefore, ¡®I need to search for a young lady from a fallen noble family. While there haven¡¯t been any major incidents recently, most are from lower-class nobles, but they are still better than ordinary slaves.¡¯ Exquisite yet not overpowering the master¡¯s brilliance. Elegant and capable enough to be of assistance to the master. Even though it was a child, he would provide the product that the customer desired. Baran was confident. He could comprehend Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s intentions and provide him with the perfect slave. However, ¡°They are all unsatisfactory?¡± ¡°Yes¡­?¡± ¡°Their appearance is truly lacking.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡± The moment the twelfth slave he presented was dismissed, Baran had no choice but to admit that he had made some sort of error. ¡°My lord, that child is¡­¡± A modest appearance and exceptional talent. Moreover, possessing high-quality mana manipulation skills! Yet, Lewin disregarded such explanations and called for the next one without listening. ¡°I have been saying it from the beginning, there is no need for explanations.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± It was an unreasonable request. To purchase a person without considering their worth. Nevertheless, in Lewin¡¯s subsequent words, Baran realized that he had made a grave mistake. ¡°Mister, I have been saying it all along. Bring me someone with the finest appearance.¡± ¡°Appearance..?¡± That single word illuminated Baran¡¯s mind. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Appearance did not require explanations. It could be judged simply by laying eyes upon it. That¡¯s why this young master dismissed explanations and made judgments solely based on appearance. ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡°Did you understand? Now, clear them all out.¡± As Baran observed the composed demeanor of the young boy, who requested a change of slaves, he realized one more fact. ¡®He¡¯s going to be someone.¡¯ For better or worse. The young master standing before him would undoubtedly become a significant figure! *** ¡°I will bring the finest merchandise I have.¡± Observing Baran¡¯s departing figure after making such a declaration, Lewin contemplated. ¡°If this turns out to be another bluff, I will have to search elsewhere.¡± Lewin had high standards. No, he couldn¡¯t help but have high standards. After living through ten lifetimes, he had encountered all the beauties and handsome individuals that existed in this world. His standards encompassed not only humans but also other species and even the demons he had faced as adversaries. ¡®Not quite like the Great Demon King, whose face seemed to emit its own light, but enough to make a name on the continent solely based on their appearance.¡¯ There¡¯s a saying that ¡°the protagonist of life is oneself.¡± Lewin believed that this saying held some truth. It was true that everyone lived their own lives and had their own stories. However, ¡®There are levels to being the main character.¡¯ Not all protagonists are equally beloved in every story. Some stories become known to many people, while others remain unknown to all but a single individual. In other words, the protagonist of a widely recognized story cannot be treated the same as the protagonist of an obscure tale. It¡¯s a matter of recognition. While each person is the protagonist of their own life, within the grand narrative of the ¡°world,¡± most people can only play the role of extras. ¡°Young Master, what kind of s¡­ no, what kind of children are you searching for?¡± Lewin revealed his appearance standards to Alex, who appeared on the verge of tears. ¡°I¡¯m looking for those who can at least remain as extras, if not as protagonists.¡± ¡°?¡± ¡°Just based on their faces.¡± What nonsense. Ignoring Alex¡¯s disbelief evident in his expression, Lewin contemplated his life. ¡®I was too exceptional.¡¯ Lewin knew that he was a protagonist-level character in the grand narrative of the ¡°world.¡± From the perspective of humanity, he was the irreplaceable protagonist, the embodiment of their hopes and dreams. From the perspective of demons, he was the strongest and most formidable adversary, always obstructing the protagonist¡¯s path. At worst, he was the final boss, determining the protagonist¡¯s fate, and at best, he was the protagonist with the task of saving the world. But now, things were different. ¡®Being an extra suits me perfectly.¡¯ In his tenth life, he had relinquished his role. He had chosen to live an ordinary life. However, Lewin was born with too much potential to lead an ordinary existence. He was born into the noble Dryerf family, which held the utmost authority in the most powerful country in the world. Not only was his status remarkable, but his appearance was also striking. Even at a young age, Lewin¡¯s appearance commanded attention. Considering the lineage of the Dryerf family, his appearance would only grow more radiant as time passed. Therefore, ¡®I must divert attention.¡¯ Those who could divert the gaze directed at Lewin Dee Dryerf. It would require numerous criteria to be met, but Lewin was confident he could find suitable candidates. Thus, he sought individuals blessed with natural beauty. And those who fulfilled his conditions. ¡°These are the finest ones I have.¡± Fortunately, it seemed possible to discover such individuals. CH 7 A slave¡¯s morning commences at a leisurely pace, contrary to expectations. However, this does not apply universally to all slaves. For most, the arduous tasks begin from the early hours. ¡°Yawn.¡± Yet, there are exceptions, such as the slave named Daisy. Daisy only awakens after the sun ascends to its zenith. ¡°The noise outside is unbearable.¡± The surroundings are filled with clamor and commotion. It¡¯s an atypical morning, stirring her curiosity. Driven by curiosity, she rises and moves about. ¡°Bring her quickly!¡± ¡°Adorn her in the most revealing garments, accentuating her figure as much as possible!¡± ¡°Trust the muscles you¡¯ve honed through rigorous training! It¡¯s the Dryerf Duchy, Dryerf! Even if you¡¯re dim-witted, you must have heard of it!¡± ¡°A knight! An opportunity to transform your life!¡± Loud cries echo from various directions. ¡°Could it be a knight¡¯s gathering?¡± If that¡¯s the case, the raucous atmosphere is understandable. Especially if the knight in question hails from the illustrious Dryerf Duchy. ¡°It doesn¡¯t concern me.¡± Nevertheless, today will be a boisterous affair. Having resided in the Beltesis slave market for three years. A girl of eight, who was sold into slavery, mutters such words and retreats to her room. ¡°The Dryerf Duchy.¡± She closes her eyes, repeating the name. She was once of noble birth, although she pales in comparison to that renowned lineage. Lost in a political power struggle, her name was erased. Sighing deeply, she brushes her sleek ebony hair and emits a bitter laugh. ¡°Black hair and black eyes, evidence of the demon¡¯s bloodline.¡± Even now, those words reverberate like a haunting nightmare. Such an absurd rumor spread, leading to the destruction of her family by hostile nobles and corrupt temple priests. It was absurd. Even though they were corrupted by bribes, the fact remains that those who accused people of being demons were priests devoted to serving God. The fact that there are those who wholeheartedly believe their words. But the truth remains unaltered. She fell and was eventually sold into slavery. ¡°Can I exact revenge if I¡¯m sold there?¡± Even if she becomes a body servant to an elderly and decrepit nobleman, she would seduce him and seek retribution. Such thoughts occasionally crossed her mind. When she first arrived here, she clenched her teeth and harbored a burning grudge. But she was too young. While indelible scars remained etched deep within her heart, she had no choice but to confront the harsh reality as one year passed, and then another. ¡°It¡¯s impossible.¡± Slaves are commodities. They are raised according to their designated roles and sold to customers who desire those roles. Among them, her purpose is to serve as an ornament. A decorative item to flaunt to others. Sighing again, she realizes that her worth is acknowledged solely based on her appearance. Hence, any action that could harm her physical beauty is strictly forbidden. Of course, it is not entirely undesirable. Sleep at the assigned time. Consume fruits and nourishing foods for radiant skin. Engage in moderate exercise daily for weight management. It was a paradoxical daily life, one that defied expectations of a slave¡¯s existence. Some even expressed envy towards her circumstances. However, she knew the truth. This life was no different from raising livestock. Just as a pig is fattened to fetch a higher price, she too was being groomed solely for her appearance, to be sold at an inflated value. ¡°Life is harsh.¡± Such words were not befitting an eleven-year-old, but for Daisy, they had become all too familiar. And then, it happened. A sudden commotion broke out outside. Light, nimble footsteps echoed through the air. There weren¡¯t many individuals within these confines who moved with such energy. ¡°Eyriel, Hains, how many times have I told you not to run¡­?¡± As she imagined the faces of children in a similar predicament, a mixture of sadness and resignation tugged at her expression. ¡°It¡¯s happening.¡± Beyond the roughly ajar door stood the two children she expected. However, the third figure caught her off guard. Baran. The proprietor of this establishment and the one who held ownership over her. There was only one reason why he would utter such words. ¡°A customer wishes to see you.¡± So, the day had finally arrived. She had known that this day would come, but the proximity of its occurrence made her heart race. ¡°Yes.¡± Yet, there was nothing she could do. Daisy understood the nature of her existence as a slave. The relatively comfortable life she had led thus far was all in preparation for this day. ¡®Who could it be?¡¯ Despite this, anxiety gnawed at her with each passing step. The best outcome would be to be sold as a servant to a noble family, while the worst would involve becoming a plaything for a depraved aristocrat. Recalling the tales she had heard during her three years in the slave market, she was determined to avoid the worst-case scenario at all costs. ¡®Should I pray now?¡¯ Such thoughts elicited a hollow laugh. The very people who worshiped the Goddess of Creation labeled her as a wretched apostate, tainted by demon blood. Should she now bow her head in prayer? She would sooner embrace death than engage in something she vehemently abhorred. ¡®Somehow, things will work out.¡¯ With this fleeting hope, she surveyed her surroundings. Baran¡¯s back. And the two frightened children trailing behind him. ¡°It will be alright.¡± Just a little while ago, she herself had likely experienced the same fear. Yet, she did not reveal it. Instead, she cautiously reached out and clasped the hands of the two children. ¡°Do not fear.¡± Perhaps the warmth transmitted through her touch dispelled their anxiety. The children, who had been trailing behind Baran with their heads lowered, raised their gazes. ¡°I am here, am I not?¡± Eyriel and Hains. They may not be nobles like her, but like her, they were raised as cherished adornments. ¡°Everything will be fine.¡± Her hand trembled. Was it the tremor of the children clinging to her, or was it her own uneasiness? With these thoughts swirling in her mind, Daisy took a few more steps, finally arriving at their destination. ¡°Speak only when necessary, and answer the customer¡¯s inquiries.¡± With that instruction, Baran pushed open the previously closed door. And inside, there stood¡­ ¡®A child?¡¯ Several robust-looking knights, an aged butler, and amidst them all, a child who seemed utterly out of place. And that child locked eyes with her. ¡°Pass.¡± Clear, tranquil blue eyes curved into a contented smile. ¡°Young Master?¡± Daisy stood there, her eyes widening at the perplexing sight of the bewildered butler and the group of knights simultaneously washing their hands. A small gasp escaped her lips in response. *** ¡®That should be enough to have confidence.¡¯ Well done. Even in Lewin¡¯s eyes, these were remarkable children, each with their own distinctiveness. ¡®Good.¡¯ Good. Very good. Especially the black-haired child standing between the bewildered duo. Not only possessing good looks, but also emitting a peculiar aura. ¡®Such a thing is inherent.¡¯ That unique aura that individuals possess. Lewin considered it of great importance. For it spoke volumes about the lives they had lived. In this regard, the child before him was undeniably captivating. ¡®Dark, heavy, gloomy!¡¯ She carried a special story within her. An entire body emanating such a feeling! Lewin had encountered many such individuals. ¡®People born with a tragic destiny.¡¯ Based on Lewin¡¯s experiences, those who carried such an aura led one of two kinds of lives. Either they succumbed to the trials presented to them and perished. Or they triumphed over every obstacle and made their name known throughout the world. ¡°Pass.¡± From the moment he laid eyes on her, Lewin harbored the firm conviction that this child¡¯s life would only have one trajectory. And for good reason. ¡®I am an expert in this field.¡¯ Few fates could be more tragic than his own, having lived nine lives as a hero. To prevent the annihilation of this world. To uphold the peace of this world! Engaging in battles against demons that appeared out of boredom, confronting traitors who betrayed their own kind. He had traversed his nine lives hand in hand with those referred to as Demon Kings or Great Demon Kings, sacrificing himself. As a veteran in this realm, Lewin could confidently assert that he could easily handle most tragedies. ¡®Ah, how melancholic.¡¯ Lewin, who had been nodding approvingly, was suddenly engulfed by a wave of melancholy as memories of his past resurfaced. But all of that was confined to the past. Ahead lay an ordinary life, devoid of brilliance. ¡°How much do they cost?¡± The words slipped from Lewin¡¯s lips unwittingly, fueled by his overwhelming contentment. ¡°Young Master, please¡­¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± ¡°Master¡­¡± Sighs reverberated from all directions, but Lewin paid them no mind. ¡°Thing is¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t offer a discount, and don¡¯t even think about double-crossing me.¡± Upon hearing Lewin¡¯s words, Baran had no choice but to deliberate. The value of these children still remained relatively low. No matter how promising they appeared, expectations were merely expectations. The price did not skyrocket based solely on mere ¡®potential¡¯. ¡®Except when appearance holds the value.¡¯ In the realm of slave talent, physical appearance ranked low on the scale. Unless one¡¯s looks possessed the power to shake and reshape an entire nation. ¡®That child possesses that potential.¡¯ And Daisy had the potential to embody the kind of appearance that could truly ¡®shake a nation¡¯ in the future. That was precisely why Baran had convinced the hesitant nobles to part with Daisy, paying a considerable price, and brought her to this very place. ¡°So¡­¡± However, the other party happened to be the Dryerf Ducal Family. In the face of such a prestigious lineage, one could not inflate the price based on future prospects alone. Hence, Baran quoted a price he deemed fair, and Lewin nodded in agreement. ¡°Alex.¡± ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s not too late.¡± ¡°Buy them.¡± ¡°Young Master¡­¡± ¡°Buy them!¡± At his commanding voice, Alex was left with no choice but to open his wallet. ¡®Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡¯ Alex made the decision to swiftly resolve the matter before any unnecessary rumors could spread. ¡°¡­¡­. ¡° Think positively. Alex, who had been swayed by Lewin, changed his perspective. As a young master with inscrutable thoughts, he must have had his reasons for acquiring these children. Then. ¡®Utilize them.¡¯ He would train the three children before him meticulously and turn them into a force against Lewin. ¡®If I can¡¯t stop him, someone else will!¡¯ If that were to happen, everything would turn out fine. Feeling a sudden chill run down their spine, Daisy and the other two children glanced around, unaware that their fates had just been sealed. *** The rattle of the carriage filled the air. Listening to the sound, Daisy, who had been gazing down at the carriage floor, lifted her head. ¡°Ah¡­.¡± And the moment her eyes met the deep blue gaze before her, she immediately averted her gaze and lowered her head. ¡®What lies ahead now?¡¯ She had been sold. That was a fact she had accepted. She knew the day would come, but she had not expected it to arrive so soon. And to whom¡­ ¡®I was sold to the Dryerf Duke?¡¯ Daisy, who had never even entertained the thought of being sold to the prestigious Dryerf Duke, wondered. ¡®What awaits me now?¡¯ Revenge had always occupied her thoughts, but now that she had been sold to the Dryerf Duke, she was at a loss. She had hoped to enhance her value and amass influence to carry out her plans, but facing the Dryerfs altered the entire dynamic. A family that could be considered the most powerful on the entire continent. ¡®If it¡¯s a matter of influence, they surpass even the royal family.¡¯ The very family she once served, before becoming a slave, and now the target of her revenge. Could she accomplish her goals in a place that potentially wielded more influence than an entire kingdom? ¡®Is it even possible?¡¯ Even if she had been sold as a concubine to a lustful nobleman, her despondency would not have reached this level. Even in her worst imaginings, if she had been sold as a maid to an insignificant noble, she would have had more agency than she currently possessed. ¡®Can I bend that person to my will?¡¯ She already knew the answer, yet she couldn¡¯t bring herself to relinquish her desires. Revenge. The flickering flame of revenge, even when it seemed within reach, she refused to extinguish. And then, from those lips. ¡°Do you desire something? If you do, I will grant it to you.¡± What should she do to elicit those words? ¡®¡­Huh?¡¯ Daisy, sensing something amiss, lifted her head. ¡°Tell me.¡± With a voice as sweet as a devil¡¯s temptation, as if he knew everything, Daisy couldn¡¯t resist the urge to speak. CH 8 The day begins swiftly for Daisy, the exclusive maid of Lewin Dee Dryerf. It is dawn, with a faint glow from the moonlight. Daisy wakes up and refreshes herself with a splash of cold water before enjoying a moment of solitude during her tea time. As the other servants start to wake up, she begins her preparations for work, already completing most of the morning tasks by the time they finish theirs. While others may consider this a usual productive start to the day, Daisy is different. Once all the preparations are done and the sun rises in the sky, she engages in a constant battle. ¡°Master,¡± she calls out to Lewin Dee Dryerf, the young master she has been serving for a year now. He is hailed as a genius in the Dryerf Duchy but is also known for being incredibly lazy. ¡°Master,¡± she repeats, slightly startled. The slight movement from Lewin causes a small vein to appear on Daisy¡¯s beautiful forehead. Instinctively, she knows that her troublesome master is finally waking up. ¡°Master, I know you are awake,¡± she asserts. Lewin¡¯s eyelids slowly open, revealing his gem-like blue eyes. He lets out a weak chuckle and a small whine, reaching Daisy¡¯s ears. ¡°Just 10 minutes.¡± While other members of the Dryerf Duchy might easily acquiesce to this outrageous request, Daisy is not one to give in. ¡°That¡¯s not possible,¡± she retorts with a colder voice than usual. Daisy is all too familiar with this trick, which is why she firmly grabs Lewin¡¯s blanket. ¡°Hey, hey!¡± ¡°It¡¯s time to get up.¡± Lewin desperately clings to the blanket, protesting Daisy¡¯s attempt to forcefully lift it. ¡°What are you doing? Taking away the blanket of the master resembling the sky!¡± ¡°Master, the sun in that sky has been up for quite some time now. Please wake up.¡± Despite Lewin¡¯s feeble resistance, Daisy does not hesitate. She snatches away the blanket, opens all the windows to let in the fresh air, and forcibly awakens Lewin, who shivers in the cold wind. Thus, her day truly begins. ¡°That¡¯s too much,¡± Lewin grumbles after being kicked out of bed, but Daisy¡¯s expression remains cold. ¡°What¡¯s too much is you, master. By waking up early, you shorten my working time by at least 30 minutes.¡± That¡¯s the minimum. Unable to refute Daisy¡¯s assertion, Lewin has no choice but to suppress his sulking. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± With Daisy¡¯s unequivocal response, Lewin is left without words. Instead, he suggests, ¡°Then sit on the bed.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Lewin beckons Daisy to sit on the bed, and she complies, closing her eyes as if it¡¯s a routine. ¡°Gah!¡± The moment Lewin¡¯s hand touches her body, Daisy clenches her teeth and lets out a brief moan. ¡®It¡¯s always strange.¡¯ The peculiar sensation envelops her entire being. Despite experiencing it multiple times, she never gets accustomed to the surge of energy coursing through her body. ¡°Breathe.¡± ¡°Yes¡­!¡± At Lewin¡¯s composed command, Daisy regains her composure. She inhales, holds her breath, and exhales. These actions cause the mana within her to move according to Lewin¡¯s will. ¡°Is it difficult?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Of course, Eyriel and Hains must be constantly striving to become stronger, right?¡± In the Dryerf dukedom, there were four individuals dedicated solely to serving Lewin. Alex, the butler; Daisy, the maid; and the two children, Eyriel and Hains, who had come to the dukedom alongside Daisy. ¡°As the older sister, you wouldn¡¯t want to lag behind the children, would you?¡± However, Daisy¡¯s daily responsibility was to take care of Lewin¡¯s mornings. There was a simple reason for this: she had no talent for swordsmanship. ¡°Yes.¡± Daisy managed to respond, her teeth clenched. The mornings of Eyriel and Hains, who unexpectedly showed talent in swordsmanship, differed from those of typical servants. They began their day by training with other knight apprentices. ¡°So endure it.¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± With that remark, the flow of mana intensified, and the peculiar sensation Daisy was experiencing grew stronger. ¡°Done.¡± How much time had passed? It couldn¡¯t have been very long. But even in that brief span, her entire body was drenched in sweat. The strands of hair clinging to her cheeks and the uncomfortable feeling of her clothes sticking to her skin with every movement bothered her. ¡°May I excuse myself for a moment?¡± Daisy wished to wash up and change her clothes. With that thought in mind, she looked at Lewin. ¡°It must be difficult for you to move around like that.¡± Seeing Lewin nod, Daisy¡¯s face slightly creased. ¡®It can¡¯t be easy.¡¯ Directly manipulating the mana inside someone¡¯s body from the outside¡ªsuch an act was unbelievably extraordinary, even to Daisy, who had been ignorant of mana before joining the Dryerf family. Yet, he seemed perfectly fine. A stark contrast to herself, who felt utterly exhausted from merely breathing and absorbing the flow of mana within her body. Feeling the disparity anew, Daisy unknowingly bit her lip. ¡®Will I ever be able to assist him?¡¯ The day they first met, she poured out the depths of her heart without realizing it, and he responded with a smile. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll crush them all.¡± It was a response akin to a child¡¯s playful remark. In truth, even then and even now, Lewin Dryerf was, indeed, a child. The ones who had brought about her downfall were high-ranking nobles of a kingdom and the priests of the supreme deity of mankind. Even though the Dryerf family was a duke¡¯s family in the empire, they were not to be trifled with easily. But why? Back then and even now, Daisy believed in Lewin¡¯s words. Was it because it was her only glimmer of hope? The sole lifeline she could hold onto? That might be the case. After all, she could no longer do anything herself. However¡­ ¡®He might actually succeed.¡¯ She was certain. She was certain that Lewin Dryerf, the person she had placed her trust in, could make it happen. She couldn¡¯t explain why, but he seemed like someone who could accomplish anything. ¡°Huff.¡± After washing away the sweat with cold water and changing into fresh clothes, Daisy returned to her master¡¯s room. As she looked at the empty bed, she realized she had been deceiving herself. ¡°Ah.¡± Lewin Dryerf, her master, indeed seemed capable of anything. However, that didn¡¯t guarantee that everything would go smoothly. ¡°This guy, really.¡± She groaned, recalling today¡¯s schedule. It was time for enrollment at the academy, which meant various teachers were scheduled to visit. In other words¡­ ¡°Did he run away again?¡± He had run away. From what exactly was this planned event? Sensing the flow of mana? Refusing to get up from the blanket? ¡°Ha.¡± Daisy felt a headache, but that wasn¡¯t important right now. What mattered was finding her elusive young master before classes began. ¡°Every day is never just a day.¡± She sighed softly and started gathering people to help catch the runaway Lewin. *** The morning of Lewin Dryerf started in a hurry. ¡°Young master!¡± ¡°Where are you?¡± Of course, it wasn¡¯t his intention. ¡®Why are they so diligent?¡¯ It would be nice to take it easy for once. As he thought this, Lewin took careful steps, concealing his presence. ¡®A day spent lying under a warm blanket as if you were dead is a good day too.¡¯ Taking a walk outside was pleasant, but the comfort of a cozy blanket was the best. Muttering to himself, he strolled lightly through the house. The vast size of the castle befitting the title of a duchy made it difficult to find Lewin. ¡°Young master!¡± But from the beginning, they didn¡¯t recognize Lewin walking right beside them. ¡®They¡¯ve probably stationed guards in all the best napping spots.¡¯ The public perception of a hero is that of a warrior who courageously defeats enemies on the front lines. But the reality was a bit different. Standing at the forefront and triumphing over the enemy was only possible when the gap between allies and enemies was not significant, or when there were no formidable foes. Initially, defeating enemies on the front lines would boost ally morale and lower the enemy¡¯s spirits. However, heroes are human too. Swinging a sword continuously leads to fatigue, and utilizing mana depletes one¡¯s energy. It would be ideal if the enemy could be vanquished before reaching one¡¯s limit, but there existed a formidable monster beyond the hero. The Demon King. Even under optimal conditions, defeating that monster was a challenge. Especially after exhausting stamina and mana, the outcome became evident. Therefore, humanity devised a strategy for the battle between the hero party and the Demon King. But the demons were not foolish. They would not send out the Demon King, their most powerful entity, to all fronts. Hence, heroes had to adapt. They had to learn the method to slay the Demon King, the leader of the enemy. For Lewin, who had experienced being a hero in nine out of ten lifetimes, the definition of a hero was straightforward. An assassin. A precise instrument of humanity aiming for the Demon King¡¯s throat. ¡®Hehe~¡¯ With his stealth skills capable of infiltrating the Demon King¡¯s castle across continents, Lewin had reached a divine level. Though there were physical and mana limitations, unless directly confronted, ordinary servants couldn¡¯t detect Lewin¡¯s presence. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡®How is this possible?¡¯ Why was he caught? No, who is she, to begin with? Lewin gazed at the girl standing before him, their heights nearly equal. She appeared to be around the same age, dressed in neat and luxurious clothing. ¡®Do we have such a girl?¡¯ The Duchy held significant power and often hosted visits from numerous noble families, including their children. However, he couldn¡¯t recall her face. With his extraordinary memory, Lewin was certain he would remember anyone he had encountered since birth. ¡°Who are you?¡± Driven by pure curiosity, Lewin questioned the girl in front of him. In response to his inquiry, the girl stared at Lewin with a blank expression. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You should introduce yourself before asking someone else!¡± Lewin nodded in agreement with her statement. ¡°Hello, I am the son of the owner of this estate.¡± With a brief and straightforward introduction, the girl blinked. ¡®Um¡­¡¯ The etiquette education she had received did not include such a self-introduction. However, she had also learned that customs and etiquette could vary among different families. Thus, she introduced herself as she had been taught. ¡°Hello, son of the estate owner. I am Laila Reinhardt, the second daughter of the Reinhardt family.¡± There were a few points he wanted to address, but something else seemed more important. ¡°Reinhardt?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The name sounded familiar. Whenever the Duke Dryerf was mentioned, there were always two names associated with it. One was the name of the empire to which the Duke belonged, Babellian. The other was the name of the family that stood as pillars alongside the Duke Dryerf. ¡°Reinhardt?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The Reinhardt family. If the Duke Dryerf¡¯s role was to vanquish the enemies of the empire, the Reinhardt family focused on strengthening the empire from within. As Lewin, who frequently heard such discussions, a pure question arose. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Why was a daughter from the prestigious Reinhardt family in their modest estate? Perplexed by the series of events he couldn¡¯t comprehend, Lewin tilted his head. ¡°Because I am here?¡± She also tilted her head, displaying a similar confusion in response. And then¡­ ¡°Young Master, you really need to come out now!¡± At the familiar voice of Alex, Lewin momentarily set aside his curiosity. ¡°Well, then take care.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Laila caught Lewin as he attempted to hastily hide. And then¡­ ¡°They say a noble should be someone who can help when help is needed.¡± ¡°¡­.?¡± What is she talking about? Laila swiftly addressed Lewin¡¯s question. ¡°So, please help!¡± As expected, children can be difficult to understand. Lewin couldn¡¯t help but sigh as he looked at the girl who bore a resemblance to him. CH 9 Understanding children is difficult. But this one is even more challenging. Lewin pondered and muttered, ¡°¡­You¡¯re doing well?¡± She really was doing well. But why was she doing so well? ¡°I guess I¡¯m a bit of a genius.¡± Her confident expression as she proudly puffed out her chest was quite endearing. However, her fleeting glance as if seeking further praise made Lewin slightly concerned about the future. ¡°You truly are a genius.¡± There was no denying it. She was undeniably a genius. ¡°Right!¡± Looking pleased with the compliment, Laila skipped away with light steps, and Lewin nodded in response to her retreating figure. ¡®The problem is that she¡¯s a genius in stealth and assassination.¡¯ If it were in his previous life, he would have sought after such talent, with eyes shining with opportunity. Unfortunately, the Reinhardt family, who traditionally served as the Empire¡¯s Ministerial family, had no need for such skills. ¡®I can¡¯t believe this is working.¡¯ Lewin couldn¡¯t help but admire as he watched Laila swiftly maneuver past people. The basic principle of the stealth technique that Lewin had developed was not overly complicated. Harmonizing with one¡¯s surroundings. Becoming one with the background. And the foundation of it all was the breathing exercise. ¡®Absorb mana fully into your entire body and harmonize with the mana.¡¯ It was a method inspired by observing spirits, which could be seen as concentrated forms of mana. Whether one could perceive spirits or sense mana at all, it all started from there. The spirits born from nature were merely seen as part of nature until they became aware of mana. ¡®I thought it was possible because I stored mana throughout my body through the breathing exercise.¡¯ And it worked when he tried it. It proved to be remarkably effective. Since it didn¡¯t utilize any distinct mana, it wouldn¡¯t be detected by mana detection methods. Furthermore, it worked exceptionally well even against those with keen senses, as it blended seamlessly with the natural background. Sometimes he struggled with old-fashioned traps, but after multiple lifetimes as a hero, he had learned to decipher them easily. That¡¯s how he managed to pilfer hidden artifacts from royal families and nobles and use them for the greater good, and how he had taken the life of the concealed Demon King. He even put it to good use for skipping class in this current life. ¡®Is that also a talent?¡¯ In contrast, the young girl Laila had yet to master the breathing exercise. Though she was familiar with mana due to her noble lineage and the presence of mana around her heart, that was the extent of it. It could be said that she was a genius for quickly absorbing and applying the basics of the stealth technique he taught her. ¡®Even geniuses have their limits.¡¯ But that was all. Even if one was a genius with a sword, it still required mana to infuse into the blade. The distinction between geniuses in theory and practice was not without reason. If the body couldn¡¯t keep up, theory would forever remain just theory. ¡°Huh?¡± Lost in thought, Lewin looked ahead and made an unexpected discovery. *** ¡°And they all got lost.¡± ¡°I see.¡± Laila, who had been gleefully darting around, soon grew tired and began chattering beside Lewin. In summary, she explained why she was here and why she had been left alone. ¡°Everyone seems to have a knack for getting lost,¡± Laila lamented, and Lewin nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s quite common.¡± Lewin recalled the image of Laila¡¯s back that he had seen earlier, when she momentarily blended into her surroundings, making it difficult to distinguish her. ¡®I wonder if she received a blessing or a curse from a God¡¯ It wasn¡¯t a special technique or the manipulation of mana. It was something so natural, so inherent to her being that it could be considered a natural phenomenon. ¡®She simply lacks a presence.¡¯ Even after living through ten lives, Lewin had never heard of a God of Stealth or a God of Nonexistence. Perhaps she had been blessed by one of those nameless Gods often spoken of, who have lost their names. Lewin felt a chill, a sense of foreboding that he couldn¡¯t explain without such an explanation. ¡°How can they always get lost like that!¡± Observing Laila¡¯s demeanor, as if she was blaming others for something that wasn¡¯t their fault, Lewin silently gazed at her. ¡®Why?¡¯ He couldn¡¯t help but ask this question purely out of curiosity. Reinhardt. The family itself exuded an aura that was by no means ordinary. In this era of peace, they could be considered a family even more powerful than the Dryerf Duke House. ¡®But why?¡¯ On closer inspection, Laila¡¯s appearance was exceptional as well. Her flowing blonde hair below her shoulders gleamed, and her blue eyes, which transparently revealed her emotions, sparkled like jewels. Though her face had yet to fully mature, based on his experience from ten lifetimes, it was evident that she would grow into a beauty that would captivate both him and ordinary individuals. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Her voice, too, was clear and distinct. ¡®Why¡­ can¡¯t it be distinctly audible?¡¯ When he realized this, numerous thoughts began to surface. ¡°No, it¡¯s odd.¡± It was then that Lewin finally grasped the truth. He had been taken aback when she detected his stealth and caught him, but even before that, he hadn¡¯t been aware of Laila¡¯s presence. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s something remarkable.¡± Though comparing his current body to his prime was a stretch, he was rapidly growing, accumulating experience from ten lifetimes. The fact that he, of all people, failed to notice an ordinary child who was not a professional assassin. ¡®It¡¯s tempting.¡¯ A talent that begins to tempt, even when he doesn¡¯t seek to be a hero. If he hadn¡¯t resolved against becoming a hero, he would have sought to recruit her by any means necessary. ¡°Remember the technique I taught you today.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The sight of her clumsily nodding her head while smiling was truly endearing. But why did it appear somewhat blurred? ¡®I don¡¯t know how she will utilize the talent bestowed upon her by the heavens.¡¯ That would be her fate. ¡°Are you troubled?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Fate. Isn¡¯t it a word that carries a tinge of bitterness? ¡°No, it¡¯s not like that.¡± If this child were to resist her fate in the future, he wouldn¡¯t mind lending her a helping hand. ¡°¡­¡­?¡± ¡°??¡± It was Laila who would later shed tears because of it, but that is a tale for a distant day. *** A little while later, Lewin safely reunited Laila with her missing party. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a bit much?¡± Although there was some commotion due to the stealth technique that even trained knights couldn¡¯t detect, with a few knights drawing their swords in shock, it soon settled down. Lewin received praise for finding Laila, but he was forcibly taken away by the servants, including Alex. ¡°I thought doing good deeds would earn me praise.¡± He grumbled with a pout, receiving cold voices in response. ¡°Ah, you did really well.¡± ¡°As expected of the young master.¡± ¡°Wow, you¡¯re amazing.¡± ¡°You truly are the best, young master.¡± Alex, Daisy, Eyriel, and Hains praised Lewin in unenthusiastic voices, as if they had rehearsed it beforehand. ¡°Hey, just curse at me instead.¡± Lewin let out a hollow laugh in response to their cold reactions. ¡°There¡¯s no servant who would curse their master.¡± ¡°Right. Even if we¡¯re abandoned, as servants, we have no choice.¡± Alex and Daisy spoke these words in front of and behind Lewin, respectively. Especially Daisy, perhaps still harboring some resentment from the morning incident, had a sharp edge to her words. ¡°Right, young master.¡± ¡°It was merely a compliment.¡± Eyriel and Hains also stood by Lewin¡¯s side. ¡®Did I overdo it?¡¯ The handling was too clean. No matter how well one blended into the surroundings, something would always remain in reality. Spirits, which could be described as clusters of mana, materialized using mana. But humans did the opposite. Therefore, if one was physically touched, their existence couldn¡¯t be erased. ¡®There is a way to counter that, but¡­¡¯ Was it really necessary to go to such lengths just to avoid a lesson? . . . ¡°I should have done it.¡± Five hours had passed since the start of the class. Lewin couldn¡¯t help but regret his decision. ¡°This time, young master¡­¡± This was already the third class. The lessons kept coming without a break, as if they had designated the entire day for it. ¡®They¡¯re really determined, huh.¡¯ As Lewin looked around with such thoughts, he noticed Alex and Daisy exchanging knowing grins. ¡®What¡¯s the issue?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s all your karma, young master.¡¯ Although they didn¡¯t say it aloud, Lewin could hear the voice in his mind, causing him to grit his teeth and continue with the lesson. It was because he knew that solving the given tasks quickly would be more beneficial than wasting time here. ¡°Well, this time¡­¡± ¡°Here¡¯s the answer.¡± ¡°Huh¡­?¡± ¡°The answer for the next one.¡± The assigned teacher was left baffled by the answers that flowed out before he even had a chance to explain the problem. ¡°Um, well¡­¡± Had Lewin already learned the content from someone else? Then why attend the class at all? ¡°Um, then next is¡­¡± But the teacher was a professional. Although he was about to move on to the next topic he had prepared, he soon realized that it was unnecessary. ¡°It¡¯s already done.¡± Witnessing all the prepared problems being solved within just ten minutes, he could only despair. *** Three hours later, the class finally ended. ¡°This is child abuse.¡± Being made to study for eight hours straight. It was undeniably abuse. In response to Lewin¡¯s protest, who had previously sacrificed his sleep time and burned his life away, Alex replied firmly. ¡°If you want to attend the academy, you¡¯ll have to do even more than this.¡± This is just the foundation of education. In higher education, it¡¯s common for students to increase their study hours in order to graduate. Pointing out this fact, Lewin¡¯s expression turned grim. ¡°Do I really have to?¡± ¡°Young Master¡­.¡± Alex¡¯s expression twisted upon hearing Lewin¡¯s words. He knew all too well that the escape attempts, which had become a daily routine in the Duke¡¯s household, could also happen at the academy. But there were individuals who took the matter even more seriously than Alex. It was the three individuals who were supposed to accompany Lewin to the academy. ¡°Mr. Butler, can¡¯t we just give up on the entrance exam?¡± Eyriel, her face pale, spoke with a trembling voice. There were dozens of servants serving Lewin Dee Dryerf, and when considering the entire staff managing the Duke¡¯s household, there were hundreds of them. If Lewin were to run away, half of them would help in the search for him. However, the instances where they found Lewin were few and far between. And most of those rare instances were when Lewin himself revealed his presence. ¡°Young Master¡­.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have confidence either.¡± Daisy and Hains looked at Lewin with fearful eyes. ¡°Sigh¡­.¡± Although Alex would have loved to accompany them, the academy was considered a sanctuary in the country. While it was rare to witness, everyone was expected to put effort into their studies at the academy, regardless of their social status. Therefore, bringing servants along was strictly prohibited. Even the presence of bodyguards posed challenges unless there were special circumstances. Of course, it was not entirely impossible. If similarly-aged servants who were eligible for academy admission were to come along, the academy tended to provide as much convenience as possible. That¡¯s why Daisy and the other two had planned to take the entrance exam at the same time as Lewin¡¯s academy admission. Although there was a slight age difference, given their association with the Duke¡¯s household, accommodating such a request was a simple matter. ¡°Young Master¡­.¡± The problem lay in the determination of the parties involved. If they failed the entrance exam, they wouldn¡¯t be granted such considerations. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel sorry for the children?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the most pitiful one here.¡± To subject such children to the swamp of excessive studying! The three individuals who witnessed Lewin¡¯s unwavering insistence could only wear gloomy expressions, but there was nothing they could do. They had just two more years. During that time, they could only hope that the young master, who seemed so destined to follow this path, would change his mind. . . . Another year passed, and Lewin Dee Dryerf, now 9 years old. ¡°Please, Young Master¡­¡± The hero who had saved the world nine times remained steadfast in his 10th life, defying the expectations of those around him. CH 10 Lewin Dee Dryerf, a 9-year-old boy, had developed a new hobby over the past year. One day, a girl stormed out of Lewin¡¯s room, tears streaming down her face. Surprisingly, nobody paid any attention to her distress. Observing this, Lewin was taken aback. ¡°Wow,¡± he exclaimed, witnessing her emotional resilience. ¡°If she continues honing her skills like this, she could become the greatest thief.¡± Curiously, he had never provided her with any formal training after their initial encounter. As days passed, he found himself increasingly captivated by her blossoming stealth abilities. ¡°Master, Miss Laila doesn¡¯t need to aspire to become the finest thief. No, there¡¯s something even greater she can achieve,¡± a cold voice interjected. Lewin turned to see Daisy, wearing an indifferent expression, casting a piercing gaze at him. Bewildered, he inquired, ¡°Why?¡± Daisy¡¯s gaze remained icy as she responded, ¡°She belongs to the prestigious Reinhardt family. Continually troubling her like this could create significant issues.¡± ¡°What? Troubling her? Anyone who hears that would misunderstand,¡± Lewin retorted, adamantly defending himself against the accusation of tormenting his only companion. Daisy let out a heavy sigh, clearly exasperated. ¡°And what about the playmate who just ran out crying?¡± ¡°People feel wronged when they lose. If they are competitive, they may become angry,¡± Lewin argued, convinced that it was all part of a fair game. Unable to find a rebuttal, Daisy remained silent, silently acknowledging his astute point. ¡®You articulate your thoughts quite well,¡¯ she mused internally. It was Lewin himself who consistently provoked that competitive spirit, continuously issuing challenges. From Daisy¡¯s perspective, observing from the sidelines, no other villain could be as cunning as this young master. However, Laila, despite being on the receiving end of Lewin¡¯s provocations, had not yet surrendered her determination. ¡°She¡¯s quite remarkable,¡± Lewin commented, seemingly in a different mood. ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°Exceptionally talented, hardworking, and mentally resilient.¡± Daisy almost felt as if she could hear a voice saying, ¡®There is no greater toy than this!¡¯ She unwittingly let out a sigh. ¡°But Daisy, you were the one who brought Laila here, correct?¡± Lewin¡¯s next words left no room for argument. ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± Daisy confirmed, aware of the consequences of her actions. ¡°I had to do it to ensure you wouldn¡¯t escape, Master.¡± Lewin¡¯s enrollment in the academy was just a year away. Daisy had never doubted his ability to pass the entrance exam, despite his apparent lack of study. Somehow, he possessed a vast knowledge base. The reason Laila had stormed out moments ago was because she lost a match based on what she had learned prior to her academy admission. ¡°The person who matters most to me is you, Master.¡± Therefore, Daisy would employ Laila¡¯s skills to whatever extent necessary. ¡°That¡¯s scary.¡± ¡° Butler Alex said¡ª A servant does their best for their Master, and the Karma that arises from that is the Master¡¯s responsibility.¡± Lewin was taken aback by her words that seemed to warn him to behave. ¡°It sounds like a threat, is it just my feeling?¡± ¡°It¡¯s only your perception. Where would you find a servant threatening their master?¡± Daisy responded, dismissing his concerns with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯ve made remarkable progress,¡± Lewin complimented. ¡°I owe it all to you, Master..¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± ¡°Hohoho.¡± As the master and servant laughed in an eerie manner, Laila, clutching a stack of prepared papers, sought out Lewin for their second round. ¡° I won¡¯t lose this time.¡± ¡°Finished.¡± ¡°What?!¡± The match concluded five minutes earlier than the previous one, leaving Laila in tears once again as she ran away. *** ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss. It¡¯s the Master who¡¯s peculiar. You¡¯re doing exceptionally well.¡± ¡°Absolutely. It¡¯s commendable that you¡¯re not giving up despite facing such an extraordinary master.¡± ¡°Lady Laila, you will undoubtedly succeed in whatever you do.¡± Upon hearing these words of praise from those around her, Laila¡¯s tears began to subside, and her spirits lifted. ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right. It¡¯s Lewin who¡¯s strange. I¡¯m doing great!¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°The Master is the odd one.¡± ¡°Everyone in this mansion is aware of that.¡± ¡°¡­¡­.¡± Lewin, who had been quietly listening, was taken aback. The praise directed at Laila was one thing, but he couldn¡¯t help but suspect that they were subtly mocking him. ¡°You¡¯re all making fun of me, aren¡¯t you?¡± The sarcasm was apparent, even if they tried to deny it. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± ¡°Would we dare to mock a noble master like you?¡± ¡°Indeed, they are all well-behaved individuals.¡± The four of them, including Laila, vehemently denied his accusations. ¡®They¡¯re in perfect sync.¡¯ Laila and the three servants worked together so seamlessly that they hardly noticed the absence of Alex. ¡°I can¡¯t even tell who¡¯s servants you are anymore.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°We are servants of the Dryerf family.¡± ¡°Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s loyal servants.¡± ¡°Unfortunately.¡± ¡°You must have rehearsed in advance, didn¡¯t you? Right?¡± Especially the word ¡°unfortunately¡± carried a genuine sentiment. As someone who often got lost, Laila found Lewin¡¯s competent servants endearing. ¡°Do you want to join our household? We can offer the best compensation in the industry.¡± ¡°No, thank you. They wouldn¡¯t. And where did you learn to talk about the best compensation in the industry?¡± Lewin frowned at his childhood friend¡¯s covetousness towards his servants, but their response was unexpected. ¡°We appreciate your kind offer, but we are bound to the Dryerf family and cannot move freely.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a shame.¡± ¡°Yes, indeed.¡± A voice filled with genuine regret. Lewin was about to say something, but his three servants had already anticipated his thoughts. ¡°Lady Laila never skips her lessons.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t escape out of boredom either.¡± ¡°And she doesn¡¯t mercilessly beat people under the guise of training.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve pent up quite a lot, huh?¡± ¡°Why? Don¡¯t you understand?¡± Feeling betrayed by their alignment with Laila, his mood soured momentarily. ¡°In any case, they won¡¯t transfer. They will spend their entire lives taking care of me in this household. So, don¡¯t tempt them.¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Laila was impressed by his audacity. ¡°If you have a complaint, find someone else.¡± ¡°I tried. But my father scolded me.¡± ¡°Miss, imitating the Master¡¯s actions is ill-advised.¡± Hains felt sympathy for Duke Reinhardt, who had to hear that his daughter wanted to purchase a slave from the slave market. ¡°The pursuit of the unknown always deserves admiration, Hains.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t plant useless ideas in the noble lady¡¯s mind, Young Master.¡± ¡°There should only be one person like you in the world, Young Master.¡± ¡°To be honest, even one feels like too many.¡± Engaged in a playful argument, they reached the room where Laila and her companions were. ¡°She¡¯s out!¡± The reason why all the servants who should have been attending to Laila were present became evident. ¡°Have you arrived, miss?¡± ¡°¡­Why are you addressing Lewin!¡± Because Laila¡¯s servants lacked the ability to locate her like Lewin¡¯s servants could. ¡°It¡¯s a misunderstanding, miss.¡± ¡°Say it with confidence! Look into my eyes and say it!¡± ¡°H-How can I do that?¡± Laila puffed out her cheeks, her servant¡¯s eyes trembling as if in an earthquake. ¡°They certainly know how to have fun.¡± ¡°The servants of Sir Lagil or Miss Luna don¡¯t seem like this at all.¡± ¡°Young Master, it¡¯s only us.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only near you, Young Master.¡± ¡°Why does it always become my fault?¡± It felt as if all the world¡¯s unfairness was placed on his shoulders. As Lewin, who had saved the world nine times, it was an incredibly unjust situation. ¡®Well, it doesn¡¯t matter now.¡¯ Having saved the world nine times, it should be fine to make a mistake once, right? ¡°Well, even if it is my fault, it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± With that, Lewin could confidently carry on. ¡°Please don¡¯t admit it!¡± As someone overhearing that muttered statement, there was no choice but to feel dejected. *** ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± During a peaceful dinner time at the Dryerf residence, that peace was easily shattered by a single comment from Lewin. ¡°Why are you all reacting like that?¡± However, Lewin struggled to comprehend their response. ¡°Lewin?¡± His sister, Luna, who had returned home after a long absence, looked at her brother with trembling eyes. ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming to our academy?¡± The empire provided equal educational opportunities to everyone. Officially, that was the case, but in reality, there was a significant disparity among academies. The Royal Academy, directly managed by the royal family, held the highest position among them. It was the most prestigious academy coveted by all nobles, and all the Dryerf siblings had enrolled there. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Luna¡¯s expression portrayed a sense of world-shattering disappointment, but Lewin remained resolute. ¡°I¡¯m going elsewhere.¡± The Royal Academy surpassed all other academies in the empire, even on the continent. It excelled because it was established by the most powerful country on the continent, and as its reputation grew, talented individuals naturally flocked to it. Consequently, it became the foremost educational institution acknowledged by everyone on the continent. ¡®But the class hours there are excessively long.¡¯ It had transformed into a place where not only admission but also graduation was challenging. If one were to treat it casually like any other academy, they would be expelled midway through! Lewin had an aversion to the bustling atmosphere of a place consumed by an overwhelming enthusiasm for learning. ¡°R-Really?¡± Laila, frozen in place with her spoon halfway to her mouth, stared at Lewin with quivering eyes. Even she had assumed that Lewin would choose the prestigious Royal Academy. ¡°Yes.¡± The shock was palpable, not only for Luna but also for Laila, who had turned into a statue from the sheer surprise. Lewin held immense value as a dear friend to Laila. While playing with children from other families, it often ends up in a game of hide-and-seek, Lewin was an exception. ¡°You don¡¯t enjoy studying?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t.¡± It was yet another shock. To outshine Lewin in a battle of knowledge, Laila had diligently read books, keeping her drooping eyelids open. ¡®On countless occasions, I had to prevent the servants from turning off the lights when they thought everyone had left!¡¯ Yet now he was denying it all. It felt so unjust that she almost burst into tears. However, ¡°It¡¯s not necessary to go specifically to the Royal Academy. I never said I wouldn¡¯t attend any academy.¡± Lewin spoke with an air of nonchalance. ¡®I was so prepared.¡¯ Lewin had already experienced academy life multiple times. He had even delved into what was referred to as the grueling life of a graduate student. Thus, he was well aware of the importance of the academic environment within an academy and had earnestly investigated the merits and drawbacks of the various institutions throughout the empire. His choice of self-study subjects was a testament to that effort. Each person he had consulted was either affiliated with an academy or had a past connection to one. After extracting information about each academy and discerning their distinct characteristics, he had come to a decision. ¡°I will be attending Beresha Academy.¡± Conveniently located on the outskirts of the imperial capital, it boasted a laid-back academic atmosphere. As one of the relatively newly established academies, it possessed excellent facilities and a sizable campus. And¡­ ¡°Why there?¡± ¡°The vacation period is the longest.¡± Upon hearing that resolute statement, both Laila and Luna were rendered speechless. CH 11 After a shocking meal that left many in awe, Lewin returned to his room to find his servants silent. Seeking conversation, he asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to talk?¡± Unexpectedly, their response was a simple ¡°Yes,¡± which caught Lewin off guard. Even Eyriel and Hains appeared troubled, their expressions hinting at an underlying issue. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Lewin inquired, his suspicions growing. Alex, noticing his unease, spoke up with a reassuring smile. ¡°You¡¯re not upset about Young Master not going to the Royal academy, are you?¡± As Alex broached the topic, the three servants chimed in almost simultaneously, ¡°We¡¯re actually relieved.¡± Daisy¡¯s genuine sigh of relief struck Lewin as peculiar. He wondered, ¡®Is this not what I anticipated?¡¯ The reaction seemed odd considering the commotion he had caused. ¡°Exactly. Frankly, I was worried we might encounter trouble at the Royal Academy¡­¡± Lewin couldn¡¯t help but question Eyriel¡¯s thoughts. Her pale complexion and trembling voice betrayed her anxiety. ¡°If it were Beresha Academy, we could use the Dryerf family¡¯s influence to cover up any incidents.¡± Hains had already been contemplating how to employ their power to conceal any mishaps. ¡°Your decision rendered our survival plan for the Royal Academy useless.¡± ¡°The best outcome is to avoid any accidents.¡± ¡°In other words¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s actually a good thing?¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Each statement resonated with sincerity. Lewin pondered whether he should find solace in this unexpected support or if it irritated him, as he had worried about unnecessary interference. ¡°We always respect your choices.¡± ¡°Then show some respect when I say I don¡¯t want to attend classes.¡± ¡°We have no choice; the family¡¯s decision takes precedence.¡± ¡°The family pays our salaries.¡± ¡°In reality, we are purchased by the family.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± They were skilled at rhetoric. It was common for servants to defer to their masters. But why were his servants like this? ¡®Is it because of me?¡¯ Initially, things were not this way. Lewin acknowledged that it was all karmic retribution, yet nothing had changed. ¡®Living like this isn¡¯t boring.¡¯ 9 years old. By ordinary standards, it was a very young age, but not for Lewin of his previous life. The Demon Tribe, who live for hundreds of years according to their race, and their king, the Demon King. In a situation where such monsters could invade, he could not waste 9 years. He openly displayed his talent, leveraging his family¡¯s influence to attract promising individuals. Every day, every hour was invaluable as he honed his swordsmanship and magic skills. People looked at him with awe and fear, unable to fathom that Lewin of that time and they were the same human beings. That¡¯s why no one found it peculiar when the Lewin of his former life was chosen as a hero. ¡®That¡¯s what¡¯s truly strange.¡¯ What kind of life had his past self lived? The more Lewin contemplated it, the more questions surfaced. Nine lifetimes were sufficient to experience such a lifestyle. That¡¯s why, even in the face of his servants¡¯ unexpected reaction, Lewin could still smile. ¡°I appreciate your enthusiasm.¡± ¡°Noooo!¡± Lewin¡¯s statement was met with a piercing scream that reverberated through the room. Perplexed, Lewin turned his gaze toward the source of the scream. ¡°When did you get here?¡± There stood Laila, her face etched with exhaustion as she sobbed uncontrollably. ¡°Oh my!¡± Though she appeared furious, Lewin remained unfazed. ¡®How?¡¯ Had she received the blessings of a true stealth god? Despite being reborn and having his abilities reset, she managed to bypass his senses and enter unnoticed! ¡®Laila, she¡¯s terrifying.¡¯ Was it just his imagination? Gradually, he sensed her presence fading more and more. ¡®If she grows up a bit more, she could probably speak right next to me without me even noticing.¡¯ ¡®It defies common sense, but it seems plausible if it¡¯s Laila.¡¯ With a somber expression, Lewin spoke sincerely to Laila, who was looking up at him. ¡°It¡¯s okay to be inconspicuous, just grow up to be kind.¡± If any part of her innate disposition or environment had been negative, she could have become a significant figure in a detrimental way. Lewin believed so as he gently stroked Laila¡¯s head. ¡°What?¡± Laila, biting her lip tightly, anxiously swatted Lewin¡¯s hand away. ¡°Why are you doing this?¡± ¡°Are you really going to Beresha Academy? Really? Truly?¡± Despite the pitiful look in her teary eyes, Lewin dismissed it lightly. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to stop him?¡± ¡°¡­The opposition wouldn¡¯t change anything.¡± Alex¡¯s gaze met Laila¡¯s clear, doe-like eyes, causing him to hesitate. However, she was not his master. ¡°Am I really going alone?¡± Laila envisioned her life at the academy. Nobody recognizing her, and her living a solitary existence at the academy. For a very long time! Laila¡¯s pale face shook vehemently at the thought. ¡°That can¡¯t happen!¡± The mere idea made Laila feel lightheaded. Of course, there was a possibility that she would meet good friends who would recognize her at the royal academy. ¡®If I can¡¯t make friends, it would be a big problem!¡¯ Combining elementary education with high school, that¡¯s over 10 years. Laila didn¡¯t have the courage to stake everything on a single gamble. Thus, she saw only one path before her. ¡°I will go to Beresha Academy too!¡± And after a while¡­ ¡°That¡¯s not possible¡­¡± As expected, her request was rejected. *** ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± Laila muttered, her face pressed against the table, wearing a gloomy expression. ¡°Of course you can¡¯t.¡± It was undoubtedly a great disappointment, but it was inevitable. She had been educated according to the empire¡¯s finest curriculum, so it was only natural for her sudden desire to attend an academy far below that level to be discouraged. ¡°Why can¡¯t I?¡± Laila pouted her lips, raising her head with her cheeks puffed up. Her cheeks had turned slightly red from rubbing her face against the table for an extended period. ¡°Because you excel too much in your studies.¡± If Laila¡¯s grades had been poor, going to Beresha Academy wouldn¡¯t have been a bad choice. However, her grades were exceptional. She not only qualified for the Royal Academy but also had the potential to be the valedictorian. ¡°Lewin is better.¡± ¡°Yes, and I was better at convincing my parents.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡°I never imagined that even the Lord would share the same thoughts as us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why regular behavior is important¡­¡± Hains mumbled, scratching his head. ¡°Is it really different?¡± When it came to regular behavior, Laila was far superior. To be honest, comparing them felt unfair. ¡°It can be seen as a difference in perspective. Being well-behaved doesn¡¯t always lead to advantages.¡± ¡°I guess so¡­¡± ¡°Even if you spot a black dot on a black surface, it won¡¯t stand out. But if you spot a black dot on a white surface, even a tiny dot becomes clearly visible. It¡¯s the same principle.¡± Hains nodded in understanding, while Lewin muttered in disbelief. ¡°¡­Am I the black dot?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s quite obvious, young master.¡± Daisy, who overheard his mutter, responded, making Lewin click his tongue and shift his gaze to Laila. ¡°Well, that¡¯s what they say.¡± ¡°Hmph¡­¡± ¡°Hmph¡­¡± As Lewin¡¯s finger poked Laila¡¯s cheek, the air leaked out like a balloon with a hole. ¡°Miss, here¡¯s a cookie for you.¡± ¡°Ah.¡± Eyriel handed a cookie to Laila, whose cheeks had returned to their normal state. Laila accepted it without refusal and began to chew and swallow. ¡°Is white a bad color?¡± ¡°No, miss. It¡¯s not that white is bad; it¡¯s just that black is more striking.¡± ¡°Black is bad?¡± ¡°Yes, miss. Think about it. In most tales, the hero is portrayed in white armor, while the demon king is depicted in black.¡± ¡°Black is bad?¡± Lewin felt that it was going a bit too far to comfort Laila in this manner. Then¡­ ¡°And who says the hero¡¯s costume is white? More often than not, it¡¯s black!¡± The sword of the gods, the hope of humanity. While many legends depict the hero wearing pure white armor, wielding a white sword and shield, the reality is quite different. ¡°Don¡¯t they usually depict it that way?¡± ¡°Think logically. The demons are sharpening their blades to kill the hero. Would he wander around the battlefield in such conspicuous attire?¡± ¡®Difficulty in acquiring magical coordinates? Let¡¯s wear eye-catching clothes to make it easier for the enemy to target us!¡¯ The hero¡¯s costume in legends was exactly that. ¡°And even if they did wear such armor, where would they find the time to maintain it on a blood-stained battlefield? After a few days, it would be stained black.¡± If they had the luxury to polish their armor, they should use that time to behead the demon king. This is why Lewin believed that fairy tales and legends were misleading children. ¡°Why are you so angry?¡± Hains was taken aback by Lewin¡¯s sudden outburst. He initially thought Lewin was angry because he was being teased, but he knew that Lewin wasn¡¯t the type to get upset over such things. ¡°Do you think life is as simple as a legend? Huh? The hero and the demon king die together, and the world is peaceful again! Do you really believe it will end the same way?¡± Absolutely not. The hero who had experienced it nine times, the seasoned hero, had long gone on strike. Yet humanity continued to reassure people with empty legends. ¡°Will the demon king appear again?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Lewin shook his head in response to Eyriel¡¯s question. Not all of his nine past lives had the demon king make an appearance. While there were often connections with the demon race, there were also times when only warlocks or followers of the demon god emerged. ¡°Don¡¯t the prophets have endless debates about whether the demon king will arise in this generation or not?¡± If he does appear, they claim victory. If not, they can simply say, ¡°Well, it was a possibility.¡± The chances of the demon king appearing or not are 50 percent. Even if someone boldly states, ¡°The demon king will appear!¡± or ¡°No, he won¡¯t!¡±, it wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to consider them aspiring prophets. ¡°So, one must be cautious and prepared at all times¡­ uh¡­ what?¡± Lewin shifted his gaze to the sensation of a finger poking his side. There stood Laila, who had finished her cookie and puffed up her cheeks once again. ¡°I was talking, and you casually stole the conversation and ignored me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you lack presence¡­ hey! It hurts when you poke someone with a mana-infused finger, you know? If you do it wrong, you could pierce through!¡± True to her status as the scion of a prestigious family, Laila, who had already awakened her mana and was learning magic, weakly poked Lewin¡¯s side with her finger. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I don¡¯t have a presence. That¡¯s why I wanted to go to the academy with someone who would notice!¡± Kkug-Kkug-Kug Laila¡¯s manipulation of mana was laughable compared to a knight enchanting a sword with magic. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°Of course it hurts when you¡¯re poking me to hurt!¡± But it truly did hurt. It hurt quite a bit. If he wanted, he could easily put an end to it. ¡°Master¡­¡± ¡°He made her cry again.¡± Sigh¡­ It¡¯s unfair. What did he do wrong? He¡¯s the one currently being struck! Lewin, though feeling deeply aggrieved, swallowed his resentment. ¡®Alright, I¡¯ll endure.¡¯ As a man who had lived through ten lifetimes, what other choice did he have? ¡°Do you really want to go to the academy together?¡± ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t have a choice.¡± No choice. Hearing that pitiful statement, Lewin offered heartfelt advice. . . . ¡°Like this¡­¡± ¡°Can I¡­ Can I do that?¡± ¡°Do you want to go to the academy all by yourself?¡± ¡°No, no¡­¡± ¡°Do you want to experience being marked absent because the professor couldn¡¯t find you, even though you¡¯re frantically waving your hand during attendance?¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± ¡°Then, you have to do it like this.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± While observing Lewin instructing Laila on how to get into Beresha Academy, the three individuals pondered. ¡®He¡¯s becoming even more black.¡¯ They wondered if it was okay to let things continue like this. They believed that they should intervene now, while they still could. The three of them contemplated endlessly, but upon witnessing Laila¡¯s desperate expression as she listened to Lewin, they found themselves unable to utter a word. CH 12 Embracing spring. The winter air was frigid, and outside the window, snow had accumulated in thick layers. Inside, a heater hummed, releasing warm air to combat the cold. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amidst the typical wintry scene, someone was preparing for the arrival of spring. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Derpf, the magic professor at Beresha Academy, braved the winter chill as he reviewed the documents of new students scheduled to join the academy in the upcoming spring semester. ¡°Why do you keep sighing?¡± Belly, who had been diligently organizing documents in a corner, raised her head at Derpf¡¯s repeated sighs. ¡°Belly.¡± Her name was Belly, and she served as Derpf¡¯s slave¡­ no, Derpf¡¯s assistant. ¡°Yes, Professor?¡± ¡°I think I need a break.¡± Belly bit her lip hard, trying to conceal her overwhelming joy. ¡®It¡¯s too early to celebrate. This might be a trap set by the professor!¡¯ Her tightly clenched fist beneath the desk trembled. How many days had it been since she last had a break? While others were enjoying the holiday season, she had been tirelessly working to return to her dorm room. She should have listened to her friends¡¯ warnings and quit graduate school. Despite the tears welling up over her past mistakes, she didn¡¯t let them show. Instead, she directed a question to Derpf. ¡± What happened, Professor?¡± ¡°Here.¡± Derpf silently handed her the documents he had been reviewing. ¡°Why on earth?¡± That was the fundamental question that crossed Belly¡¯s mind as she accepted the admission form to Beresha Academy from Derpf. Beresha Academy, located on the outskirts of the capital, was still considered part of the empire¡¯s central territory. The current capital of the Babylonian Empire was renowned as the heart of the world, and the status of an academy varied based on its proximity to the capital. Therefore, Beresha Academy, being situated within the capital, was one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the empire, if not the entire continent. ¡®That¡¯s why it¡¯s only natural for me to live this wretched and miserable life as a slave!¡¯ Despite acknowledging this, she couldn¡¯t help but pose an unexpected question to Derpf. ¡°Why did they choose this academy?¡± The names written on the documents were far from ordinary. Lewin Dee Dryerf. Laila Reinhardt. These names represented two influential families, known as the pillars of the empire. ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re reserving a spot?¡± Undoubtedly, Beresha Academy offered an exceptional education. However, it was clear that these two names didn¡¯t need to apply for admission. The distinction between Beresha Academy and the Royal Academy was too apparent. ¡°Could it be a reservation, then?¡± ¡°¡­¡± Desperately, she asked Derpf with an imploring voice. But as always, Derpf didn¡¯t provide the answer she sought. Why? The Babylonian Royal Academy, as the name implied, was directly overseen by the royal family. It was customary for members of the royal family to attend the academy for generations. Thus, noble families seeking connections with the royal lineage eagerly sought to send their children to the Royal Academy. But was that all? Numerous stories abounded of commoners who excelled at the Royal Academy and turned their lives around. While no instances matched the plot of a romantic novel where someone caught the eye of the prince, many had displayed their abilities and become the prince¡¯s favorites. Admission to the Royal Academy offered an opportunity that could change one¡¯s life completely. Numerous individuals with remarkable talent sought entry into the Royal Academy during that period. She gazed at the professor with trembling eyes, but he had no response. He simply rubbed his weary eyes, a testament to the accumulated fatigue. ¡°Haa¡­¡­.¡± Unconsciously, she let out a sigh. The professor¡¯s stoic expression, maintained even when his meticulously crafted thesis was torn to shreds after a month of sleepless nights, had crumbled. He had no other option. Apart from the Royal Academy, there were numerous institutions in the capital with richer history and tradition than Beresha Academy. As a result, those admitted to Beresha Academy were mostly individuals who had fallen from such esteemed positions or commoners seeking to test their abilities. Even if one hailed from a noble family, they would be a formidable presence within the Academy¡¯s hierarchy. The occasional children of dukes were treated with utmost reverence. ¡°Professor.¡± However, two individuals from a ducal family? She recalled the not-so-distant past, her stomach churning in response. ¡°Can it be?¡± Shaking her head, she recollected the nightmare of that time. Dryerf and Reinhardt. Their names resounded even within the Royal Academy, where members of the royal family attended. Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s and Laila Reinhardt¡¯s siblings flaunted their reputations within the Royal Academy. ¡°And so¡­¡± She checked their grades just in case. Laila Reinhardt. She achieved a perfect score on the initial examination. If she was admitted, she would undoubtedly secure the first position. And then¡­ ¡°Hmm?¡± Lewin Dee Dryerf. He barely made the cutoff. ¡°Hmm?¡± By a hair¡¯s breadth, he managed to scrape through. ¡°Uh?¡± The examinations at Beresha Academy were quite challenging. However, for those aiming for the Royal Academy, they would not have posed too great a difficulty. ¡°Uh¡­¡­..¡± Were these exams a bit tougher? Despite Laila Reinhardt¡¯s perfect score. ¡°Professor¡­,¡± she looked at her professor with teary eyes. But the professor had already bowed his head on the desk, uttering words like a warlock summoning a demon. ¡°Ah¡­¡­.¡± Thus, she had to accept the reality. The reality that another harbinger of upheaval was entering Beresha Academy this year, following the events of the previous year. ¡®Perhaps I should quit for real.¡¯ She earnestly considered giving up. Such thoughts crossed her mind, yet she failed to remember that she would have escaped the life of servitude long ago if it were possible. *** ¡°Young Master, Miss Laila says she can¡¯t come as she¡¯s grounded.¡± Upon hearing Daisy¡¯s words, Lewin peered out from beneath his blanket. ¡°Why?¡± At that single word, Daisy¡¯s lips twitched. ¡®He becomes even lazier during winter.¡¯ As the year drew to a close, while everyone busied themselves with preparations for the New Year, the young master remained idle. The blanket became his identity, and he melded with it for over half the day, as if staking his claim. ¡°Why is she grounded?¡± ¡°Sadly, Miss Laila didn¡¯t pass the Royal Academy exam.¡± ¡°Oh no.¡± Lewin¡¯s response lacked any emotion. Daisy anticipated his reaction. ¡°Very, very sadly, she made a mistake while writing her answers,¡± Daisy explained. ¡°If not for that, she could have been the top scorer.¡± ¡°To be more precise, she fell for a trick by someone bad.¡± At the sharp tone, Lewin buried his head deeper into the blanket. ¡°Laila, fooled by someone bad. She¡¯s so smart.¡± ¡°Is she?¡± ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s such a pity that she wrote down the wrong answer.¡± ¡°Therefore, it seems the Reinhardt family is considering having her retake the exam next year.¡± Since it was merely a matter of miswriting the answers, aiming for another opportunity makes sense. ¡°However, Miss Laila strongly opposed that idea, causing quite a commotion in the Reinhardt family.¡± Laila, usually unassuming, obedient, and kind, had rebelled for the first time in her life, shocking her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Reinhardt. Daisy relayed the details to Lewin. ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Is it about time for puberty?¡± Daisy sighed at Lewin¡¯s attitude, implying that it was not his concern. ¡°Well, that¡¯s all about Miss Laila.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Was there something else to say? Lewin poked his head out from under the blanket, and Daisy stared at him expressionlessly. ¡°Young Master, the results of the first exam have arrived.¡± ¡°Did I pass?¡± ¡°Yes, you passed by a narrow margin.¡± Daisy¡¯s gaze silently questioned if there was anything else to say, but Lewin tilted his head. ¡°I passed, right?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°So there¡¯s no problem.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± For a moment, Daisy felt the urge to sharply nod her head, as if unconsciously agreeing. ¡°Oh, that test was quite challenging.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t feeling well that day.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Laila also made mistakes in her answers, didn¡¯t she? It happens.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Um, and¡­¡± ¡°Do you have any more excuses?¡± ¡°No.¡± Seeing Lewin innocently smiling, Daisy grasped her throbbing head. ¡°Young Master, we must consider the honor of the family, no matter what.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t do anything foolish.¡± Daisy had known Lewin Dee Dryerf for three years. Having spent time with him every day, she had a vague understanding of his thoughts and actions. ¡°Young Master, even if you want to avoid attention, being close to the failing mark is more noticeable for someone from the Duchy of Dryerf.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± Now that he thought about it, it made sense. The youngest son of the Duke¡¯s family as a struggling student in the academy! ¡°Wow.¡± That piece of information would surely be eagerly discussed and savored in social circles. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll have to improve my scores.¡± ¡°Are you admitting it?¡± ¡°I mean, I¡¯ll make an effort to improve.¡± ¡°I hope so.¡± Daisy¡¯s expression showed little expectation as Lewin paused before retreating back under the blanket. ¡°But what about Alex? He¡¯s been disappearing a lot lately.¡± Despite being busy at the end of the year, he had been absent. Moreover, he seemed to be frequently accompanied by Eyriel and Hains. ¡°Daisy.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master.¡± ¡°Is this¡­¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m keeping an eye on you to prevent any trouble.¡± Lewin narrowed his eyes. ¡°No wonder you haven¡¯t been stealing my blanket recently.¡± ¡°It¡¯s more comfortable for you to stay quietly in the room than unnecessarily causing trouble.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re saying you¡¯ll turn a blind eye until I go to the academy?¡± ¡°We need to make preparations until then.¡± Daisy¡¯s words held no intention of concealing anything, causing Lewin to nod. ¡°Well, let¡¯s give it a try.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master.¡± Ignoring her resolute words, Lewin returned under the blanket. *** A bit more time passed. During that time, proving the adage that there are no parents who can surpass their children, Laila was allowed to attend Beresha Academy, everyone passed the second exam of the academy, and Lewin celebrated his birthday. Another year had gone by. ¡°It¡¯s almost time, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lewin Dee Dryerf, now ten years old. As the snow began to melt and spring approached. ¡°The day I become a freshman!¡± He was an individual who had been reincarnated ten times and was about to enter the basic education course at Beresha Academy. ¡°Hoo.¡± Hains nodded with a determined expression at Lewin¡¯s words. ¡°It¡¯s the beginning of the battle.¡± Daisy and Eyriel also nodded in agreement. ¡°Why make a fuss about a battle? I told you I¡¯ll handle it, didn¡¯t I? You should worry more about yourselves.¡± ¡°You always say that, young master.¡± ¡°The problem was simply that your standards didn¡¯t align with the world¡¯s.¡± ¡°Indeed, indeed.¡± As Lewin spoke, the three murmured absentmindedly. ¡°Seriously.¡± Lewin felt a tinge of injustice. Academy admission was a crucial part of his life plan. ¡®First of all, I need to build up my physical strength to withstand the challenges of this harsh world, and I must find the items I¡¯ve hidden.¡¯ Lewin, who had gathered various treasures across the continent as a hero. Of course, it wasn¡¯t for his personal indulgence, but rather for the betterment of the world and to prepare for the future. ¡®I need to secure my retirement fund.¡¯ Now that he had retired as a hero, it merely served as a means to fulfill his desires. ¡®Regardless, there are limits to rapid growth.¡¯ Even in the tenth life, it was impossible to skip all stages. Rather, Lewin¡¯s growth, accumulated over nine lifetimes, was more systematic than anyone else¡¯s. ¡®I must become stronger without others noticing.¡¯ The Dryerf Duchy held authority over the empire¡¯s military, attracting frequent visits from prominent figures across the continent. Lewin had to exercise caution in his growth, as it would be troublesome if strange rumors started circulating. ¡®The medicines and alchemical ingredients might have been damaged.¡¯ He had made provisions for such a situation by storing a fresh mandrake. Even if all other medicines were ruined, the mandrake was a living entity. As long as no one took it, he could undoubtedly strengthen himself. He had set up various magical devices around it, utilizing magic stones to ensure its optimal growth. ¡®I¡¯m going to be really busy.¡¯ The holiday period during basic education was crucial. The sooner he became stronger, the better he could conceal his true power. ¡°Hmm.¡± Following that, he would execute his plan by showcasing Laila during middle school. By the time high school arrived, he would lead his academy life while barely making an appearance. Once he completed his education, he would enjoy life to the fullest. ¡°Perfect.¡± However, there were two variables. One was the potential resurgence of demonic entities, and the other was the possibility of the conscienceless goddess selecting Lewin as a hero once again. ¡®I¡¯ve prepared for that too.¡¯ Lewin¡¯s seemingly lazy demeanor was a means of gaining momentum for the future. As he lay safely in bed, he contemplated the future hundreds and thousands of times. ¡°So, we could do this, or maybe that.¡± However, his constant formulation of plans in his mind made it difficult for others to comprehend. ¡°That young master is at it again.¡± ¡°Let him be.¡± ¡°The young master is right. We should prioritize our own concerns.¡± ¡°Could there be any bullying?¡± ¡°No, even as servants, no one would dare to provoke a member of the Dryerf family unless they¡¯re insane. Our main concern should be¡­¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± ¡°That settles it.¡± The gaze of the three individuals converged, their thoughts focused on what the future might hold. ¡°Is it just me, or do I envision only a bleak outcome?¡± They made a concerted effort to dispel the gloomy visions that came to mind, embracing a resolute determination as they prepared for what lay ahead. CH 13 ¡°No¡­¡± Luna, Lewin¡¯s sister, cried out with a mournful tone. ¡°It¡¯s not too late! Even now, come to the Royal Academy!¡± ¡°No.¡± Although Lewin uttered the same words, his tone was entirely different. ¡°Lewin has lost his way¡­¡± Luna sobbed, seeking solace in her mother¡¯s embrace. ¡°What a child.¡± Observing her daughter, Erzen gently stroked her hair, wearing a sly smile. ¡°Today is the day your brother departs.¡± ¡°Can I also transfer to Beresha Academy?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Hmph¡­¡± Luna, continuously faced with rejection, displayed a sulky expression. However, Erzen remained resolute. ¡°How long will you hold onto Lewin?¡± ¡°Forever?¡± Momentarily caught off guard by her earnest eyes, Erzen found herself at a loss for words. ¡®Why does this happen every time a younger sibling is born?¡¯ Similar reactions were witnessed when Luna was born, with the eldest son, Latel, and the second son, Lagil. However, their attention swiftly shifted to Lewin after his birth. ¡®I wonder if Lewin will undergo a similar transformation upon the arrival of a younger sibling.¡¯ Lewin possessed a distinct character compared to his brothers, but people are capable of change. Erzen wondered if Lewin would undergo such a change like his siblings. Simultaneously, a peculiar incident unfolded. ¡°There¡¯s no need to excessively exalt the Dryerf family¡¯s honor.¡± As the three servants entered the Academy, they were surrounded by a multitude of people, offering encouragement. ¡°The Dryerf family¡¯s honor shines brightly even without our conspicuous presence.¡± ¡°Indeed. Your role is a singular one.¡± ¡°Just prevent Young Master Lewin from tarnishing that radiant honor with his actions.¡± These were the words of dedicated butlers of Latil and Lagil, who had already enrolled in the Royal Academy. While their words could be perceived as sibling rivalry, Alex, Lewin¡¯s personal butler, looked at Daisy with an expression filled with concern. ¡°Daisy.¡± Alex gently rested his hands on Daisy¡¯s shoulders, trembling as he called her name. ¡°Yes, Sir Butler.¡± ¡°It will be challenging.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°But I believe in you.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± ¡°I believe in you, too.¡± Tap. Tap. With the hand he had raised, Alex lightly tapped Eyriel and Hains on the shoulders. ¡°You must protect the young master diligently.¡± ¡°Hu¡­¡± The eldest son, Latil¡¯s personal butler, wiped away his tears with a handkerchief. Having occasionally cared for Lewin at Alex¡¯s request after Latil entered the Royal Academy, he understood the weighty burden they were shouldering. ¡°If you ever need assistance, the family is always here for you.¡± Lagil¡¯s personal butler echoed the same sentiment. Thus, they pledged to provide unwavering support. ¡°Preventing accidents is the best approach, but it¡¯s widely known that the young master is not easily restrained.¡± ¡°If an incident occurs, it must be reported immediately.¡± ¡°Attendance is also crucial. Regardless of grades, insufficient attendance may result in grade repetition.¡± ¡°Grade repetition¡­¡± ¡°Why do you say that, Sir Alex?¡± ¡°When it comes to the young master¡­ ¡®Wouldn¡¯t it be fun to repeat a grade once?¡¯ He might intentionally aim for lower grades.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a possibility!¡± ¡°During the exam period, promptly report grades! Every day during the exam period! In case the scores hit rock bottom!¡± The servants, their faces pale upon hearing Alex¡¯s words, began envisioning various scenarios. ¡°Would he truly do such a thing?¡± Lewin, who had been listening to the entire conversation, couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. It appeared that his reputation among the Dryerf family¡¯s servants had hit rock bottom. ¡°Lewin.¡± Summoned by the somber voice, Lewin raised his gaze. Luna, who had been hugging Lewin like a doll while crying, also heard the voice and quietly stepped aside. ¡°Yes, Father.¡± The current head of the Dryerf family, Lewin Dee Dryerf¡¯s father, and the most influential figure in the empire. He was Laihar Dee Dryerf, holding the empire¡¯s military power. People referred to him as the Iron Duke for his strict differentiation between public and private matters, ruling soldiers with unwavering adherence to military law. ¡°You must exercise caution.¡± The words didn¡¯t quite match the teardrops falling from his eyes. ¡®Who came up with that nickname?¡¯ It was absurd to label someone who easily shed tears as the ¡®Iron Duke.¡¯ Lewin was certain that whoever gave him this nickname had never truly encountered the Iron Duke. ¡°You can learn at any time. Don¡¯t blame yourself even if others surpass you. People possess different talents, and the moments when those talents blossom vary, so there¡¯s no need to rush.¡± He was right. Not everyone gifted with a sword became a Swordmaster. Lewin had often witnessed those lacking talent in swordsmanship but excelling in infusing the sword with mana becoming Swordmasters. However, the moment one gave up due to a lack of talent in swordsmanship, despite having the potential to become a Swordmaster, it was all over. ¡®It¡¯s challenging.¡¯ But if asked whether it was right to allow those without talent in swordsmanship to wield a sword, Lewin could respond without hesitation. Absolutely not. For those individuals, it could be a wiser choice to utilize their talent in other forms of magic or pursue alternative paths through hard work. ¡°So, do what you desire.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Lewin nodded, deep in thought. ¡®I¡¯m fortunate.¡¯ Even if he was advised against living that way, he had already made his decision. Following the predetermined fate had been more than enough nine times over. ¡°I will live as I wish!¡± Upon Lewin¡¯s declaration, Laihar gently stroked his head with teary eyes, and the three servants who had been listening from a distance couldn¡¯t help but shiver. *** ¡°Young Master, there is a word called responsibility in this world.¡± Inside the carriage en route to Beresha Academy. After a prolonged silence, these were the words that Alex uttered to Lewin. ¡°Yeah, I understand.¡± He understood it better than anyone else. Lewin thought to himself and nodded. After all, he had experienced nine deaths due to that sense of responsibility. ¡°Is that so?¡± Upon hearing Lewin¡¯s response, Alex let out a small sigh of relief. At least it seemed like he grasped that, but¡­ ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s frustrating, useless, and nobody acknowledges it even if you fulfill it, right?¡± As Lewin continued expressing his interpretation of responsibility, Alex¡¯s eyes trembled with intensity. ¡°Young Master, that¡¯s not what responsibility means.¡± ¡°Am I mistaken? Responsibility is the duty one must assume. But who appreciates it when you fulfill that duty? They simply think, ¡®Oh, he did what he was supposed to do.''¡± The instances of being taken advantage of were even more numerous. After dying as a hero alongside the enemy, he would find in his next life that people he didn¡¯t even know were regarded as his comrades. Among the countless statues erected to honor the hero who defeated the demon king, he could count on one hand those that truly resembled him. Furthermore, various fictional stories were sung in temples, glorifying the hero and the goddess who had sent him. Numerous royals claimed to be descendants of the hero. ¡®Damn scoundrels.¡¯ It was an inherently unjust situation. In the nine lives he had lived, he rarely had the opportunity to experience love. How bewildering it was to be reborn and discover that his previous self was a failure. ¡®The moment you perceive it as something expected, that¡¯s the end.¡¯ Saving the world as a hero was regarded as a natural occurrence. Lewin had also viewed it that way until his previous life. ¡°Young Master¡­¡± Yet, for Alex, who remained unaware of his story, all he could do was weep. Alex, who was oblivious to Lewin¡¯s tenth life, simply couldn¡¯t comprehend his actions. ¡°Young Master, when the Duke mentioned doing what you desire, he surely meant within reasonable limits.¡± ¡°Do you believe I would do something illegal? Absolutely not.¡± ¡°It sounds as if you intend to indulge yourself as long as it abides by the law, but perhaps I am misunderstanding.¡± ¡°Well, yeah, probably.¡± Why add ¡°probably¡± when things were going well? Despite the exasperating situation, Alex managed to maintain his composure. Of course, he had to. ¡°Sigh¡­¡± ¡°Please, I beg of you¡­¡± ¡°Ha, haha¡­¡± Listening to the conversation between Lewin and Alex, Daisy sighed and flipped her hair, Eyriel fervently prayed to someone, and Hains resigned himself to everything and burst into laughter. That was the extent of it. Dealing with Lewin for an extended period of time was not Alex¡¯s sole responsibility. His role was simply to ensure Lewin safely arrived at the academy. Once they entered the academy, the only time they would see Lewin would be during Beresha Academy¡¯s vacation periods, unless something extraordinary occurred. Now, everything revolved around these children. They were well-prepared, and everyone associated with Lewin Dee Dryerf generously supported the three of them, even beyond Lewin¡¯s requests. It may have been an excessive benefit for ordinary servants, but Alex didn¡¯t perceive it that way. Not only Alex, but all the servants of the Dryerf family held the same perspective. ¡°Stay strong.¡± All Alex could do was offer a small word of encouragement. ¡°Yes.¡± Daisy understood this as well, and she nodded with a resolute expression. ¡°You need not worry excessively. Although it is the academy in the capital, it is not as strict as the Royal Academy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why I am even more concerned,¡± Daisy replied. ¡°If it were a place without any breaks in education, Young Master would not have had the opportunity to enjoy himself.¡± ¡°No, even if it were the Royal Academy, it would not have made a difference for the Young Master.¡± ¡°It is quite likely. We might even become overwhelmed by our studies and not be able to fulfill our duties properly.¡± Eyriel¡¯s words prompted Alex to silently agree. A high level of education necessitated students of an equally high caliber. Merely possessing an admission certificate from the Royal Academy did not guarantee a smooth career path. Gaining admission may be challenging, but graduation posed several times more difficulties. No matter how exceptional Daisy and the others were, the Royal Academy was a place where only the so-called geniuses of the empire congregated. ¡°Consider this. We may struggle to complete the same assignments, while the Young Master finishes them swiftly and escapes.¡± ¡°He might dump the assignments on us and run away.¡± ¡°That is indeed possible. If he were to coerce us by saying, ¡®I will be expelled if I do not complete this, will you do it for me?¡¯¡­¡± Hains shook his head with a pale face, as if even the thought of it was dreadful. ¡°These individuals are truly¡­¡± Lewin, who had been listening quietly, was taken aback. They were envisioning life at the Royal Academy in such intricate detail, despite never having attended it! ¡°Wow!! How did you know what I was planning to do?¡± ¡°¡­¡­. ¡° Slightly annoyed, Lewin attempted to play it off as a joke, but the response he received was unexpectedly cold. ¡°It¡¯s a joke, a joke. Why are you taking it so seriously?¡± Lewin expressed his genuine feelings, but no one paid attention to him. ¡°Sir Butler, should we complete the Young Master¡¯s assignments if he were to delegate them to us?¡± ¡°Pardon?¡± Daisy, who softly muttered ¡°as expected,¡± regarded Alex with a serious gaze. ¡°We need to graduate¡­¡± Alex held his head and contemplated the situation. ¡°Ah¡­¡± ¡°Oh! I beg of you¡­¡± Eyriel began praying once more. ¡°Ha, haha.¡± Hains simply peered out the window, wearing an expression of sage-like liberation. ¡°¡­Should I really do it?¡± And so, while leading their usual daily lives, Lewin¡¯s group slowly made their way toward Beresha Academy. CH 14 The voyage to the Beresha Academy was remarkably serene. The sight of the Duke of Dryerf¡¯s flag, the Empire¡¯s most formidable ruler, commanded respect and deterred anyone from causing trouble. Yet, despite the peacefulness, boredom crept in. ¡°Young Master?¡± Daisy, diligently preparing a simple meal by the campfire, sensed the restlessness. She gently placed the ladle down. ¡°I¡¯m bored. I didn¡¯t anticipate such a tranquil journey.¡± In Lewin¡¯s recollection, travel had always been perilous¡ªa constant state of tension, uncertain when or where enemies might emerge. In enemy territory, lighting a campfire was akin to inviting death, and sustenance often came in the form of tough jerky to chew on. But those times were during the fateful war between humans and demons. Daisy replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know what kind of journey you expected, but it¡¯s preferable when nothing eventful happens. You were the one who suggested taking the carriage, after all.¡± Initially, with the wealth and influence of the Dryerf family, they could have teleported Lewin and the others to the capital effortlessly. Most of Lewin¡¯s siblings chose this convenient method, particularly Luna, who frequently enjoyed the privileges of the magic tower¡¯s portals. However, Lewin insisted on traveling by carriage, using it as an excuse for a journey. ¡°So, please refrain from causing unnecessary commotion and remain quiet,¡± Daisy requested, resuming her stirring to prevent the soup from sticking. Nonetheless, Daisy couldn¡¯t help but keep her gaze fixed on Lewin. He¡¯s bored. Such a statement could be uttered by anyone, but when it came from him, it was never an easy situation. Daisy¡¯s thoughts became entangled, and she continued stirring the soup, her actions growing swifter in silence. How much time had passed? After a brief interlude of silence, Daisy spoke up. ¡°Young Master, if you¡¯re bored, why not engage Eyriel and Hains in some training, just like old times?¡± And thus, she betrayed her beloved siblings. ¡°Should I?¡± ¡°Yes, they¡¯ve been bored too, so they¡¯ve asked the knights for training.¡± At the suggestion that the two would also like it, Lewin pondered for a moment before nodding his head. ¡°Well, then. Shall we get some exercise before dinner?¡± ¡°Not a bad choice,¡± Daisy nodded, attempting to steady her trembling hand. ¡®I¡¯m sorry.¡¯ Yet, it was an unavoidable decision. Lewin Dee Dryerf was an incredibly indolent person, yet a peculiar boy who couldn¡¯t tolerate boredom. He was the type who would stay in bed all day to avoid the perils outside, only to rise before the servants and witness the sunrise in the chilling cold. His actions were dictated by his ever-changing mood. When he uttered, ¡°I¡¯m bored,¡± it signified a crisis. Daisy, Eyriel, and Hains had the responsibility to avert that crisis. ¡®We cannot afford problems even before our arrival.¡¯ Before long, Lewin vanished from sight. As the soup reached its readiness, Lewin returned with the two siblings in tow. Daisy, who had momentarily averted her gaze, refocused on the soup. It wasn¡¯t because she noticed a bruise on Eyriel¡¯s eye or sensed Hains¡¯ discomfort in his leg. ¡®No, absolutely not.¡¯ Reassuring herself, Daisy mustered a forced smile. ¡°You returned swiftly.¡± ¡°It feels good to stretch my muscles after a while. I might have gone a bit overboard,¡± Lewin remarked, referring to his excessive exertion. Upon hearing his words, Daisy¡¯s smile became stiffer. ¡°It wasn¡¯t too bad.¡± In response, Daisy sensed a hint of coldness in her siblings¡¯ gazes. ¡°But Alex has been keeping his distance lately.¡± ¡°He mentioned having matters to discuss with the group we¡¯re traveling with.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± The companions on Lewin¡¯s journey included not only members of the Dryerf family but also the Red Bull Group, one of the continent¡¯s five major groups. Sipping the soup, Lewin pondered. ¡®What is he plotting?¡¯ While Lewin spearheaded the decision to travel by carriage, it was Alex who led the expedition alongside the Red Bull Group. The reasons were multifaceted. Whether it was for increased protection against monster attacks due to a larger group, their familiarity with the route from regular supply deliveries to the Beresha Academy, or the desire for a more lively journey with a bustling crowd¡ªLewin recalled the various excuses he used to convince himself and chuckled softly. ¡°No matter what happens, it should be entertaining.¡± And so¡­ *** Surprisingly, nothing eventful occurred. Listening to the rhythmic sound of carriage wheels, Lewin pondered. ¡®Isn¡¯t something supposed to happen in a situation like this?¡¯ What kind of trick was Alex planning to pull off to amuse him? He felt a sense of embarrassment as he reminisced about how his heart had raced with anticipation. Lost in thought, Lewin leaned out of the window. ¡°Sigh.¡± In the distance, he spotted a person still bowing their head¡ªan individual slightly plump but with a sturdy build. Undoubtedly, this was the person who had introduced himself as the leader of the Red Bull Group on the first day of their journey. ¡°Alex.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master.¡± Lewin had to admit it. He had been duped. ¡°What was your plan all along?¡± The other person knew him all too well, which led him to feign anxiety and attempt to dissuade Lewin. ¡°A plan?¡± How could he deceive his own lord? Alex maintained a shamelessly innocent expression as he responded. ¡°I was merely fulfilling my duty.¡± Just doing his duty. Indeed. Throughout the journey, he had solely focused on discussing trade goods with the Red Bull Group as a servant of the Dryerf family. Yet, Lewin didn¡¯t miss it. For a brief moment, while uttering those words, Alex seemed to smile triumphantly at him! ¡°Very well.¡± Lewin conceded his defeat. He acknowledged Alex¡¯s cunning. Despite having lived through ten lifetimes, he had never encountered someone as shrewd as Alex. In fact, he had underestimated him all this time. ¡°Young Master.¡± Alex tensed at how easily Lewin accepted his defeat. However, to Lewin, defeat was a more familiar concept than one might expect. Certainly, he had faced formidable opponents like the demons, the combat races, as well as socialites and warlocks. Overcoming them was no easy feat. Yet, the reason a hero becomes legendary in this world is simple: they survive countless defeats and ultimately save the world. ¡®The problem lies in the fact that I die in the end.¡¯ One could interpret it as constantly losing to fate in the end. That¡¯s why Lewin could readily admit his defeat. ¡°I¡¯ve lost this time.¡± He cheerfully acknowledged his defeat, allowing himself to move forward. But¡­ ¡°Even if you say that, it¡¯s not satisfying at all!¡± From the very beginning, this confrontation was a battle filled with wounds for the servants, including Alex. The idea of fighting against their master, whom they were meant to serve, was absurd. ¡°No, you don¡¯t have to say that.¡± ¡°Young Master, I don¡¯t know what delusion you¡¯re under¡­¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to pretend you don¡¯t know. I admit my defeat, don¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Young Master¡­¡± ¡°But next time, I won¡¯t lose.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Alex felt like crying. In truth, he had never smiled as a victor. It was merely Lewin¡¯s delusion. From the start, this was an imbalanced defensive game¡ªa game where the servants, including Alex, did their best to block their troublesome master, who stirred up trouble left and right. The battleground had shifted from the familiar and secure territory of the Dryerf family to the Beresha Academy, and the number of people available to block him had dwindled down to just three. Why was this damned master even more fired up here? ¡°Sir Butler¡­¡± Observing Lewin¡¯s fervor, Daisy looked at Alex with teary eyes. Despite her mature demeanor compared to her peers, she was still young. The same went for Eyriel and Hains. Though they were recognized for their talent in the knight¡¯s division, they were mere children in their early teens. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Hang in there.¡± It was the only thing an adult could say to the children¡ªa somber reality. Ironically, the one responsible for creating this reality, the damned master, was the youngest among them. ¡°It¡¯s stomach medicine from Red Bull. I¡¯ve arranged for a continuous supply to the Beresha Academy store. Just mention the Dryerf family name and they¡¯ll provide it.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± It was regrettable that they needed stomach medicine at such a young age, but they had no other choice. ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡± The carriage came to a halt, signaling the time for farewells. ¡°Young Master, we have arrived.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Alex regarded Lewin with a complex expression on his face. As the butler serving Latel Dee Dryerf, the eldest son of the Dryerf family, he believed that when Latel entered the academy, he would bring glory to the Dryerf name. As the butler serving Lagil Dee Dryerf, the second son of the Dryerf family, he believed that when Lagil joined the academy, he would assist his older brother, who had already been admitted, in further elevating the Dryerf name. However, the words that resonated most with Alex were the ones spoken by the butler who served Luna In Dryerf, the eldest daughter of the family. He worried that Luna, with her tender-hearted nature, would get hurt in the world than anticipated. Those words struck a chord with Alex¡¯s current emotions. As the butler serving the youngest member of the Dryerf family, Lewin Dee Dryerf, Alex would say the following to other servants upon returning to the Dryerf family: I¡¯m worried that the young master might hurt the world more than anticipated . And it was astonishing how quickly his worry turned into reality. ¡°Ah¡­!¡± At the entrance of Beresha Academy, a fair-haired child, skipping and running with ease, beamed with joy upon spotting Lewin¡¯s group approaching. Her radiant smile seemed to illuminate her surroundings, yet remarkably, hardly anyone noticed her. Even the knights who accompanied Lewin failed to realize her presence. The only ones who acknowledged her were the three servants, and Alex, who had played catch with the troublesome young master, and of course, Lewin himself. ¡°Are you here?¡± Laila Reinhardt, a familiar figure, approached Lewin with an unconcerned smile. However¡­ ¡°¡­?¡± She was taken aback when Lewin simply passed by without acknowledging her. ¡°Huh?¡± Various negative thoughts flooded her mind and quickly dissipated. Did Lewin not recognize her? Did she truly become alone in this world? Suppressing her welling tears, Laila swiftly turned her head and glanced at Daisy and the others. ¡°Ah, hello?¡± Witnessing her distressing state, Daisy and the others couldn¡¯t conceal their sympathy and hastily greeted her. ¡°Hello, Miss.¡± ¡°Sniff¡­¡± Laila hurriedly rushed towards Daisy, burying her face in her chest. Though she couldn¡¯t see, Daisy could feel her sorrow. She also saw Lewin, wearing a mischievous smile as he observed them. ¡°Well, well, Laila, have you become even more inconspicuous?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Witnessing Laila¡¯s increased anguish at Lewin¡¯s comment, Alex discreetly swallowed a gulp of stomach medicine. CH 15 Beresha Academy. Situated on the outskirts of the imperial capital, Beresha Academy occupied a unique position. While considered a lower-tier academy within the empire, it ranked among the top-tier institutions on the entire continent. For some, attending Beresha Academy was a dream come true, while for others, it was just one of many options on their list. Lewin had a simple reason for choosing Beresha Academy: perfection. Unlike other academies steeped in historical traditions, Beresha had no such ties. As a result, its buildings and facilities remained pristine, free from the wear and tear of time. ¡®Newer is always better than clinging to outdated buildings and traditions.¡¯ In the realm of magic, ancient practices sometimes yielded better results than the latest technologies. However, mastering those ancient practices required exceptional grades and education beyond high school. ¡®But I don¡¯t need that,¡± Lewin mused.¡¯ Despite being a mere ten-year-old child, Lewin¡¯s soul had experienced ten lifetimes. Out of those ten, he had been a hero in nine. His mind held records of ancient battle magic systems and forgotten spells. For Lewin, the value lay in learning common, modern magic rather than rare, ancient techniques. ¡°Master, don¡¯t you have something else to do?¡± a cold voice broke Lewin¡¯s thoughts as he surveyed his surroundings with satisfaction. He turned his head to find Daisy looking at him with icy eyes, while Laila, sobbing, was held in Daisy¡¯s arms. ¡°Are you still crying?¡± Lewin scratched his head, avoiding their gaze. He had enjoyed the prank, but he hadn¡¯t expected Laila to cry for so long. ¡®I hate it when kids cry.¡¯ Normally, breaking a pot would solve the issue with crying children, but this time it was his fault. He needed a different approach. So, what method could he use? Lewin decided on the most reasonable and simplest option he could think of. ¡°Laila.¡± ¡°Sniffle¡­¡­.¡± Her eyes were as red as a rabbit¡¯s. With that in mind, Lewin pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and offered it to Laila. ¡°Do you want some?¡± ¡°Master¡­..¡± Laila, who had been crying as if she was wronged, saw Lewin trying to appease her with a piece of candy. She was about to say that it wouldn¡¯t work, but her hand reached out towards the candy in Lewin¡¯s hand. ¡°Miss?¡± ¡°Do you have lemon flavor¡­¡­?¡± ¡°Probably.¡± She even demanded a specific flavor. ¡°Here.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡­..¡± She cautiously placed the candy in her mouth and pouted. She still seemed to have complaints, but seeing Laila stop crying, Daisy looked at the two of them with a bewildered expression. ¡°Are we done?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Daisy had a lot to say, but she held her tongue. She knew all too well that arguing with him would only upset her further. ¡°Then let¡¯s continue the tour.¡± As they strolled through the nearly deserted academy during the vacation period, Lewin was even more impressed with the surroundings than he had anticipated. ¡°It¡¯s really huge.¡± He had been walking for a while, yet there were still many places he hadn¡¯t explored. Unlike other academies in the capital, Beresha Academy could afford to have such a large campus on the outskirts. ¡°It¡¯s unnecessarily spacious, and the complex structure often confuses not only freshmen but even those who have been here for years, right?¡± The more he saw, the more Lewin fell in love with the place. Such a vast and intricate structure perfectly aligned with his vision for academy life! ¡°The distance between buildings is quite significant.¡± ¡°Indeed. And these buildings are for the same grade, right? I¡¯ve heard from teachers who graduated from here that many students get lost every time a new semester starts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a perfect excuse for getting lost.¡± ¡°Excuse? But it¡¯s true.¡± It¡¯s annoying to have someone so quick-witted around. Thinking this, Lewin took out a candy from his pocket and placed it in Laila¡¯s mouth, gesturing to a particular spot. ¡°But it seems like they allocate a fair amount of manpower in return.¡± The people passing by were not students or staff of the academy. They were women dressed similarly to Daisy. Daisy nodded silently as she observed the maids who managed the academy. ¡°Since students are not allowed to bring servants to the academy, I expected as much.¡± In the academy, a place of learning, all students are treated equally. Therefore, it is impossible for nobles to bring along their own servants or escorts. However, they couldn¡¯t completely exclude them either. ¡°After all, there can¡¯t be anyone who can¡¯t even dress themselves, right?¡± ¡°You never know.¡± To the nobility, servants are their hands and feet. The sudden absence of those who took care of even the smallest tasks since their early childhood was a bigger adjustment than expected. Moreover, in an academy where learning is the main purpose, it didn¡¯t make sense to have nobles cooking or doing laundry for the sake of equality. Hence, it has become common for these individuals who provide the basic necessities to be stationed throughout the academy to assist the students. ¡°And all students receive assistance. It is said that commoner students appreciate their help more than the noble students.¡± That is also true. Initially, commoner students felt uncomfortable having servants involved in their daily lives. However, once they adapted to a certain extent, they relied on them even more than the nobles. ¡°It¡¯s understandable. There¡¯s no academy other than the royal academy that expels students for poor grades, right?¡± Consequently, many noble students, like Lewin, come to the academy to enjoy themselves. Parents are aware of this, but they allow it, knowing that connections can be more valuable than education. However, commoner students do not have that luxury. There is no difference in the treatment of expulsion between nobles and commoners. However, commoner students often continue their academy life with support from the nobility or the upper class, or by receiving scholarships. Unlike the nobility, if their grades decline, such support naturally decreases. And if they can¡¯t sustain their studies, they can¡¯t continue. Therefore, commoner students require more personal study time than nobles, and having one less chore becomes crucial. That¡¯s why they often rely more on the servants who assist them in their daily lives compared to the nobles. ¡°And while we discuss others, Daisy, you¡¯re in the same situation, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes. But I was once a noble. It was when I was very young, but it doesn¡¯t feel strange to me to be cared by someone.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Laila, who was enjoying the fourth candy given by Lewin, asked Daisy with wide eyes. She seemed quite surprised to learn that Daisy was once a noble. ¡°Yes. I was born a noble, not of the empire. I was born into the Sirden family, a noble family. But our family fell into ruin. If that hadn¡¯t happened¡­¡± That tragedy would never have occurred. Laila wiped away the tears welling in her eyes after hearing Daisy¡¯s soft murmur. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s all in the past. Thanks to that, I had the opportunity to meet Miss Laila like this, so perhaps it was a stroke of luck.¡± ¡°Daisy¡­¡± Truly, it was a beautiful master-servant relationship. The scene was heartwarming to the point that Lewin could almost mistake it for something more. ¡°People seeing you for the first time would think you¡¯re the maid of the Reinhardt house.¡± ¡°I wish she was. Would you let her?¡± ¡°Absolutely not.¡± Lewin clicked his tongue at his childhood friend¡¯s audacity in trying to steal his servants. ¡°They have a lot of work to do.¡± They would be living an academy life for the next ten years. During that time, not only Daisy, but also Eyriel and Hains, who were not present at the moment, had many responsibilities. ¡®Although it wouldn¡¯t be their choice.¡¯ Nevertheless, it wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing. No, rather, it could be considered a good thing. Living as the protagonist of this world, the dream of everyone at least once. It was like making that dream come true! ¡°Sigh.¡± Daisy, hearing his words, let out a sigh, but Lewin paid no attention. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± A passing maid approached Lewin¡¯s group after noticing Daisy¡¯s continuous sighing. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s nothing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Beriel, the head maid of the Royal Class dormitory. If there¡¯s anything uncomfortable, please feel free to tell me, Miss Daisy.¡± Daisy was taken aback by her words. At first, she was surprised that the woman claiming to be the head maid of the top dormitory at Beresha Academy looked so young. But then, she was even more shocked when she realized that the woman already knew her name. ¡°You¡­ know me?¡± ¡°The dormitory staff knows everyone in their dormitory, at the very least.¡± With those words, Beriel shifted her gaze slightly behind them. ¡°It¡¯s an honor to serve the offspring of Dryerf and Reinhardt, known as the two pillars of the empire.¡± Her elegant demeanor would make anyone believe she was a noble lady receiving etiquette education for a long time. Laila, who had been watching with her mouth slightly open, widened her eyes after a moment. ¡°Is she looking at me?¡± ¡°Congratulations.¡± As he pulled Laila¡¯s hand away from tugging at his sleeve, Lewin¡¯s gaze remained fixed on Beriel. ¡®What is this?¡¯ It surpassed his expectations. Not only was her appearance remarkable, but she also managed the highest-class dormitory at the academy at an age that appeared to be in her early twenties at the latest. She possessed the skills of a maid and an administrator. Was that all? ¡®She has few weaknesses.¡¯ Lewin couldn¡¯t say she had none at all. But this assessment came from a retired hero who had saved humanity nine times in his ten lifetimes. At the very least, she was on par with a regular knight. And it didn¡¯t end there¡ªthe mana flowing within her resembled that of a wizard rather than a knight. ¡®Is this the level of the head maid at Beresha Academy?¡¯ Unbelievable. Even though the empire was considered the best country on the continent, such talent wouldn¡¯t be common. Even though Lewin hasn¡¯t been there personally, it¡¯s a surprising level even for the Royal Academy, known as the highest educational institution. ¡°Hello?¡± His suspicion grew. She was an alien presence among ordinary people. For Lewin, it felt all too familiar. It was the feeling he had since his first life when he was chosen as a hero. ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Lewin. I look forward to working with you.¡± That¡¯s why Lewin extended his hand. Keep friends close, and keep enemies closer. He knew it was better to keep people he doubted closer rather than pushing them away. ¡°Oh, hello.¡± As the two shook hands, Laila cautiously extended hers as well. Half-fearful and half-expectant due to the incident at the main gate a little while ago. ¡°Nice to meet you, Miss Laila.¡± And while observing that scene, ¡®Hmm, as suspicious as expected.¡¯ The fact that she sensed Laila¡¯s presence compelled Lewin to raise his level of caution towards Beriel.