"I don't get it, Mother. Why can't I go?"I threw my arms up dramatically, standing in front of her like a hero who'd just been betrayed."I've been training for two weeks! Magic, body, mind—you name it! I'm ready!"
Lady Celica Valtor looked up from her tea with that calm, dangerous grace only mothers and assassins share."I know, Kael. You're strong. But Parelleso Dungeon isn't some field trip. Even the most powerful warriors die there."
I frowned. "Then what's the point of all this training if I can't even test myself?"
She sighed, her eyes softening. "Because I don't want to lose you, my son."
Her words hit hard… but not hard enough to stop my ultimate weapon.It was time for the most legendary move ever invented by mankind—the Sympathy Card.
I sniffed. "My fiancée left me…"No reaction."I got beaten up by a commoner!"Still nothing.I went full tragic actor. "Everyone thinks I'm weak, Mother! But you know, right? You know I'm not weak!"
And then… the tears.For two straight hours.
Finally, Celica slammed the table."QUIET!"
The sound made even the curtains shiver.Her face was a perfect mix of rage and love.She exhaled slowly. "Fine. If you want to go that badly, then prove it. Beat your brother first. If you win, you can go."
I blinked. "Wait… that's it?"
She actually thought my brother was stronger than me.That's… adorable.
Inside, I couldn't help grinning.(Seriously, even in the original game, my brother barely had screen time. He was one of those "who are you again?" characters. Even I, a third-rate villain, had more plot than him!)
Before I could say anything else, Mother turned toward the door."Honey! Come here!"
Moments later, Duke Ardan Valtor appeared, confused and half-asleep."What now?" he muttered."A duel," Celica said calmly. "Between the boys."
The Duke sighed but waved us outside anyway.And just like that, under the pale moonlight, I stood across from my so-called older brother, Rylan Valtor.
He looked awkwardly confident, holding his practice sword."I'm sorry, little brother," he said with a pitying smile, "but I'll try to make it quick."
(Quick? Please. Even the author didn't bother to give you a proper skill description.)
I just smirked. "Sure. Let's see."
Mother turned her face away just before the fight began, saying she couldn't bear to watch her sons hurt each other.Father raised his hand.
"Fight."
There was one sound.
BOOM.
And then… silence.
Father blinked.Mother, without turning around, asked softly, "What happened, honey?"
He replied, still staring blankly ahead, "See for yourself."
Celica turned—and froze.
Rylan was lying flat on the ground, face-first, a small crack spreading across the stone beneath him.Unconscious.
My fist was still raised, faint mana sparks crackling around my arm.I stared at my hand, confused."When did I get this strong…?"