Morning arrived quietly.
Leo finished adjusting his clothes and picked up his coat. Today was the day he would enter the Ancestor Trial Hall.
A knock came at the door.
"Enter," he called.
David stepped inside. "Young Master, the carriage is ready."
Leo nodded. "Alright. Let's go." He left the room.
At the same time, a carriage arrived at the duke's mansion. A young lady stepped out and walked toward the entrance, greeted by the guards.
Leo approached the mansion, and a young, beautiful woman suddenly appeared before him—long black hair, elegant skin, and eyes sharp enough to pierce the bravest of hearts.
She was none other than his younger sister, Willow.
She was one year younger than him.
"Move out of my way," she said coldly.
A system notification appeared in front of Leo:
Name: Willow
Age: 17
Path: Mage
Rank: Tier 4
Threat: B
Oh, she's a mage, he thought. Then, calmly, he said, "If you want to pass, go around the side—and don't raise your voice."
Willow blinked, surprise flashing in her eyes. "You dare speak back to me, you weakling?" she spat, radiating pressure.
Leo released his aura. Startled, she took a step back.
"Do you even know who you're speaking to?" he asked. Then, grabbing her chin, he added coldly, "If you ever speak to me like that again, I will rip your mouth apart. Get lost from my sight."
He turned and walked to the entrance.
Willow couldn't respond. Shock froze her in place. Every time she had spoken to him before, he had simply ignored her.
But now… this was different. By the time she regained her senses, he had already disappeared from her side.
What…? He dared to threaten me? And he released his aura… has his mana recovered? she thought, embarrassed.
The maids whispered among themselves, watching her reaction.
"Has he… recovered his mana?" Willow asked one of them.
The maid bowed respectfully. "Yes, Young Miss. Young Master Leo has fully recovered his mana. He even dueled with our knight—and killed him."
"He… killed him?" Willow's voice trembled. "A man who had never lifted a sword… never dared to even harm a worm… and yet… he killed a knight?" Shock and disbelief coursed through her.
What happened to this house while I was away at the academy?
Leo entered the carriage
without looking back. David followed, and the wheels rolled forward.
Inside, Leo asked, "Who from the royal family has entered the Ancestor Trial Hall besides my siblings?"
"The First Prince and the Second Prince," David answered.
"Has anyone outside the royal family ever entered?" Leo asked.
David shook his head. "No, Young Master. No one outside the royal bloodline has ever been allowed inside. The Ancestor Trial Hall was built by the First King."
Leo leaned back slightly. As expected. Royal blood decides everything. The Elder Emperor allowed my siblings because we share that lineage. My father is his sister's son.
After a brief silence, he asked again, "Tell me about the Elder Emperor… about my father and grandmother."
David took a moment before answering.
"The Elder Emperor, Aelric, reached the realm of Sword Saint at twenty-five, becoming a legend within the Kingdom of Valenoria.
He had one sibling, his younger sister Selena, whom he treasured deeply. She was not merely his sister but the person he trusted most.
After becoming king, believing he knew what was best, he arranged her marriage to the prince of a neighboring kingdom—never asking her wishes, never considering her heart.
She refused. Abandoning her title and everything that came with it, she fled the palace with a knight who had once sworn to protect her.
The Emperor was filled with hatred, believing she had betrayed him and their family. He cut all ties with her.
Afterward, he married a daughter of a duke and soon became a father. As time passed, his child grew and became two years old, and slowly, his hatred toward his sister began to fade.
Eventually, he realized his mistake; he had never asked for her side of the story. He sent a group to find her.
The team scoured the kingdom and finally located her. By then, she had given birth to a boy: Duke Drake.
The team informed them of the news, and they began their journey back to the Emperor's side. The Emperor was overjoyed. After so many years, his sister was returning… with a son.
Yet fate was cruel. During the journey, a sudden landslide struck. Rocks and debris tumbled mercilessly, swallowing Selena and her husband while sparing the child.
When the search team returned, they carried the boy to the Emperor. A pain so crushing it felt as if his heart were being torn apart surged within him upon learning of his sister's death.
He began to regret his actions, realizing that if he had not behaved that way, his sister would never have run away, and she might still be alive.
As Duke Drake grew, his talent surpassed all expectations. By twenty-two, he entered the realm of Sword Saint, becoming a legend equal to the Emperor himself.
Watching his growth, the Emperor realized that Drake had achieved what he himself could not at that age. Moved by this, he offered the kingdom to Drake.
However, Drake refused, stating that he had no interest in becoming king. Instead, he left the imperial family, built his own house, and changed his surname to his father's surname, Rosard."
The carriage slowed, stopping before a massive, cave-like entrance.
"We've reached the Ancestor Trial Hall, Young Master," David said.
Leo stepped out, walking toward the cave. Royal knights stood guard, bowing respectfully and stepping aside.
Inside, a massive door loomed before him. He stopped and stared at it.
"How many days did it takefor them to emerge?" he asked.
"The First Prince and Young Master Arthur took three days.
Lady Alisha took four. The Second Prince took five," David replied.
Leo's eyes gleamed as he looked at the enormous door.
David handed him a sword that radiated strength beyond any ordinary weapon. Leo took it.
"We'll meet soon," he said to David before turning toward the door.
Pressing his hands against it, he whispered, "Here I come."
With a deep push, the massive door slowly ground open, revealing darkness beyond.