After the sumptuous meal, everyone—including Logan—returned to their rooms. Although this was an orphanage, the huge mansion had many empty rooms, all converted into bedrooms for the children.
Logan was already imagining the sweet dreams waiting for him when a voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Logan, you stay behind!"
Big Sister said this with a gentle smile… but in Logan's eyes, that smile looked nothing less than demonic.
"W-What… is it, Big Sister?" he stuttered, dread creeping into his voice.
"Come with me to the training ground."
Without giving him a chance to protest, she turned around and walked toward the training grounds outside the mansion.
"I'm done for," Logan thought. Even so, he followed her outside.
When they arrived at the training ground behind the mansion, she was already standing there with a wooden sword in hand. At some point, she had changed into her usual training attire.
Seeing her heroic figure, Logan couldn't help but blush slightly. Her physique was undeniably attractive, and as an adult on the inside, he naturally found himself drawn to this kind of woman.
"What are you spacing out for? Get over here, quickly."
Her tone turned stern again. In martial practice, discipline mattered above all else.
"Oh, coming!"
Snapping out of his daring thoughts, Logan hurried forward.
Once he reached his Big Sister, he immediately stood straight—almost like a soldier awaiting orders.Seeing his posture, she nodded in approval.
"Logan, do you know the purpose of Martial Cultivation?" she asked.
"To save oneself, to protect your loved ones, and to serve the country," Logan replied without hesitation.
His answer came easily—after all, it was deeply connected to his Big Sister's own path. She served in the Royal Defence Force of the Otto Kingdom. And just this year, she had even been promoted to a High-Ranking Commander, personally appointed by His Highness.
After hearing Logan's answer, she smiled softly. She loved her country more than anything—it seemed to run in her blood. Her father had served with honor as well, and this mansion itself was a reward granted for his outstanding service. Unfortunately, he had lost his life on a mission. If he were still alive, she would never have had to join the army so young.
"Well done. I'm very happy with your answer."
Her smile widened into a bold grin. "So, I've decided to guide you on the path of Martial Cultivation."
Seeing that grin, Logan couldn't help wondering whether she was born with that expression… or developed it later as a habit to terrify her subordinates.
But what made the situation even more unsettling was the simple truth: he did not want to be guided by her at all. And that was because…
"Alright. Since it's your first day, let's start with a simple endurance test," she said calmly.
"Here it comes…" Logan thought, silently lamenting his fate.
"Let's run 100 laps around the mansion."
…and that's why I don't want her guidance, because she is a terrible teacher.
Although Logan didn't want to go through this kind of hellish training, he had no choice but to obey her orders.
So he started running.
The first ten laps were easy. Logan had trained seriously in the past—he knew how dangerous this world could be. But ever since learning that his Big Sister was a high-ranking officer serving the country, he had started to slack off, believing she would always be there to protect them.
After the tenth lap, he felt the pressure of what was coming.
Another ten laps passed. This time, his entire body was drenched in sweat, and his breathing had turned heavy. His stamina was still enough to continue, so he kept running… but each step began to feel heavier than the last, as if the ground itself was rising to stop him.
Watching Logan's state, she could only shake her head. She knew he used to be hardworking, but he had grown far too relaxed, and she would not allow that. The path she walked was filled with dangers; any day, something could happen to her. If that time ever came, who would protect these children?
She needed to shape Logan into a true warrior—someone capable of carrying that burden.
Although her decision was a selfish one, it was far better than letting them all grow up weak… only to die powerlessly.
If Logan were to know her true thoughts, he would be shocked. He had never imagined that this world was far more dangerous than what he believed. But it wasn't entirely his fault. He had never even visited Lokt City—the nearest city and a bustling hub filled with adventurers, mercenaries, and those who lived on the edge of death every day.
How could he truly understand the dangers of this world?
All his knowledge came from the books he had read. And the danger he imagined was nothing compared to the reality outside these safe walls.
After another five laps, his strength finally gave out. His legs felt like solid lead, every joint stiff and unresponsive. Unable to move any further, he collapsed onto the ground—exhausted, drained, and utterly defeated.
"What happened, Logan? Why are you lying on the ground like this?"
Unknowingly, his Big Sister appeared beside him and asked in a gentle voice.
Logan didn't respond. He couldn't—he was far too exhausted to speak.
"I know you're different from the others, Logan."
She sat down next to him, her voice soft but firm.
"You understood things far earlier than most children your age. You take care of your little siblings, you shoulder responsibilities without complaint. But… that alone is not enough. If you want to become a warrior, you need to work much harder. A true warrior never backs down from hardship."
Hearing her words, Logan sighed in his heart. She was right. He had become lax after learning about her status. He relied on her protection too much… and forgot the dangers that came with it.
As a High-Ranking Commander of the Royal Defence Force, she was constantly sent on missions to hunt and purge ferocious beasts. That meant she walked on the edge of death every single day.
"You know," she continued softly, "when my father died, I was only ten years old. When the news of his death reached us, my whole world collapsed. My mother suffered even more than I did… so I had no choice but to bury my grief and support her. That's why I joined the Royal Defence Force the moment I reached the Martial Fighter stage. But even there, I had to work harder than everyone else… complete more missions… push myself beyond my limits to reach where I am now."
Her voice trembled slightly, not with weakness, but with memories carved into her bones.
As Logan listened to her words, his whole body trembled. He had never imagined the weight she carried on her shoulders every single day. Guilt tightened in his chest—how could he, someone with an adult's mind and awareness, fail to understand her burden? This wasn't just laziness… it was a flaw in his own behavior, and he knew he had to correct it.
"But as I rose to this position, I learned something… this world is far more dangerous than we imagine. So, if something happened to me one day—"
"Okay, stop it."
She continued speaking, but before she could finish, Logan cut her off. He couldn't bear to listen to anything beyond that.
He pushed himself up, though his legs trembled violently, barely able to keep him standing. Looking at her, he frowned in displeasure. He simply couldn't accept seeing someone he admired so deeply burying all her emotions and letting them rot inside her.
When she first heard him interrupt, she assumed he didn't want to hear her past—making her feel even lonelier. But when she looked up at him, despite the deep frown on his face, his eyes were filled with nothing but worry.
"Big Sister," he said quietly, "I always thought you were strong… but I guess I was wrong. You're nothing like a strong warrior. Even though you're talented enough to become a telekinesis master, you're still just a weak girl pretending to be tough."
At those words, she lowered her head. She didn't argue. She didn't defend herself. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks, falling one after another.
"A true warrior," Logan continued softly, "is someone who trusts their family and shares everything with them—from happiness to fear. But you didn't do that. Why? Just because we're children? Please understand… we've already lost one family member. We cannot afford to lose another."
She stayed silent, her small sobs trembling in the night air.
"So it's better to share your worries with us," Logan said, lowering himself to one knee in front of her. "And if the solution to your fear is our strength… then we will give everything we have to grow stronger. But please—never hide this kind of pain from us again."
Gently, he reached up and wiped away her tears.
As Logan wiped away her tears, she suddenly jolted back to her usual self.
"You brat! How dare you lecture me!"
She shot to her feet and immediately grabbed Logan by the ear.
"Ahhh! S-Sister, I'm sorry! I'll never do it again! Please forgive me!"
Logan yelped in pain, begging for mercy—but inside, he let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Good… this is the Big Sister I know.
"Hmph! Still pretending to be pitiful?"
She released his ear with a small snort.
"Continue your running."
"Okay…"
Logan could only obey. With trembling, wobbling legs, he forced himself to start running again.
Watching his staggering figure, a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Heh… who would've thought I, War Maiden Rebecca, would be comforted by a mere child?"
She shook her head lightly, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.
"It seems I'll have to try that method of breakthrough," she murmured to herself, gaze lingering on Logan's distant silhouette.
"Rest assured, brat… I'll make it through and reach the Martial Saint stage."
Her smile deepened, half warm, half terrifying.
"But before that—be prepared to face hellish training."