That night, when everyone was asleep, Rai heard a knock on his door.
Not too loud — just enough to wake him.
He opened the door and saw Fretz, his older brother.
"Come quietly," Fretz whispered.
Rai followed. The two moved silently through the corridor.
When they entered the room, their sister Yuki was already there. Fretz stood beside her — tall, composed, and handsome.
It was Rai's first night in the mansion.
His room had been set up exactly like Fretz's — same bed, same space, same lighting.
It wasn't much — but to Rai, it meant everything.
For the first time, he felt equal. Like a true Zester.
Fretz looked at them, serious and calm.
"The competition tomorrow is important… but let's not turn this into bloodshed. Let's decide now, like educated people, who will walk which path."
Fretz stepped forward first.
"I'll join the Military Academy."
Neither Rai nor Yuki objected.
Then Fretz turned to Rai with a calm and confident tone.
"So… which path will you choose?"
Rai answered without hesitation.
"I will join the Academy of Swords and Magic."
Fretz nodded slightly.
"Yuki also had the same dream."
Yuki stepped forward, eyes sharp with pride.
"I have a bigger reason. I want to make Father proud. And I'll never lose to an orph-. "
Rai cut in, his voice sharp.
"I don't care if I'm an orphan or not. But I'll never lose to some good-for-nothing."
The air grew tense.
Fretz stepped between them.
"Yuki, say sorry."
Yuki hesitated… then looked down.
"…Sorry."
She turned and left the room.
Fretz turned to Rai.
"Now there's only one way left — competition."
Unseen by them, Mr. Zester had been silently listening outside the door.
He didn't step in.
But he smiled — quietly satisfied — and walked away.
The next morning, in the large training field, the three siblings assembled.
Mr. Zester stood tall before them — with his large beard and the air of a seasoned magician.
"First, we'll have the Military Exam."
Before the words were fully spoken, Fretz stepped forward.
Mr. Zester smiled.
"I know none of you want to go to the Military Academy… But I won't let you off easily. You'll go to your uncle's house — he's a Military General. It's only 1 kilometer away. You'll return quickly."
After sending off Fretz, Mr. Zester called Rai and Yuki forward.
Rai gripped his sword. Yuki held her wand.
Mr. Zester raised a hand.
"Begin!"
Yuki acted fast.
"Fireball!"
A flaming orb shot through the air toward Rai — but he countered instantly.
"Wind Blade!"
The flames scattered.
Again and again, Yuki cast spells.
And again and again — Rai countered them.
He wasn't attacking. Only defending.
Yuki's anger rose.
She shouted the same words she had said the night before — the ones that cut deep.
And Rai snapped.
Without a word, he jumped 40 feet into the air — sword glowing.
Then — silence.
A magical wave froze the entire field.
Everyone stood still, unable to move.
Yuki grinned — it was her trap.
Thanks to her Appraisal Skill, she had discovered the barrier's weak point — directly beneath the heels.
She prepared her spell.
"Stone Bullet!"
But Rai's voice thundered from above.
"Hellfire Torch!"
His sword ignited in blue and black flames.
A colossal fireball burst forth — crashing like a meteor.
The ground trembled.
The air crackled.
The barrier shattered.
Mr. Zester raised his hand.
"Stop! Rai wins!"
Yuki, frozen in disbelief, stepped forward.
"That's not fair—!"
But Mr. Zester's voice was calm — and final.
"The mere aura of that spell broke your barrier into pieces. That was a Shadow Bound spell — the third-highest rank among the Seven ranks. Even that barrier was only equivalent to a leafbound rank's spell
Yuki's eyes widened.
She thought to herself:
"The one I was fighting… wasn't a normal boy.
He was a monster."
She looked at Rai, lowered her wand, and said quietly:
"I'm sorry. You're stronger than me… I'm the weaker one."
Later, Mr. Zester gathered them once more.
He turned to Yuki.
"You will now go to the Merchant Academy — a place where even successful merchants are trained."
Then to Rai, with a nod of pride:
"Young people like you will go to the Academy of Swords and Magic. The carriage will arrive tomorrow night — so rest assured."
He added:
"Also… I've heard from the Magic Ball that Fretz passed the test. He'll arrive by evening. It's only 1 kilometer from here."
Yuki turned to Rai with a smile.
"Well said, Yuki. You're better than me. Now I'll become a successful merchant. And for what I said earlier… You're not an orphan. You're my brother. You're a true Zester."
Rai smiled.
For the first time in his life…
He felt happiness.
Four hours later, Fretz returned.
He was surprised by everything — but glad that the fight was resolved.
He smiled and looked at Rai.
"Let's forget the past. Our life starts from today. Let's give our best… and make the Zester family proud."
He laughed.
"Tomorrow, when we depart — let's be happy. But before that, let's roam the city one last time."
Rai nodded.
He was happier than ever.
Because for the first time…
He had a family.