Kalin was well aware that breaking his engagement with Isabella would anger his father. Nevertheless, he did not hesitate to bring it up.
There was no point in marrying a woman who already despised him. More importantly, he needed to devote himself to training—especially with the looming crisis that threatened the city.
He crossed his arms, instinctively taking a small step back. Even without lifting a finger, Cyrion's oppressive presence was enough to make Kalin's heart race with fear.
Now, he had to explain himself. His reason for breaking off the engagement had to satisfy his father otherwise, the punishment awaiting him would be far worse.
"Speak." Cyrion's voice resonated throughout the hall.
Kalin took a deep breath and steadied himself.
"I agreed with Isabella's decision, Father. Nothing good will come from a relationship that has already fallen apart. Moreover, I want to focus on my training. I am the son of a viscount. I should not continue living like this. I apologize."
Kalin's response caught Cyrion off guard. He had never expected his third son to willingly speak of training. Even so, doubt lingered in his mind, shaped by years of disappointment.
What is he plotting this time?
Isabella, standing at Cyrion's side, was equally stunned. She had been certain that Kalin would cause a scene the moment he learned about the broken engagement.
Kalin is different, she thought. He is far too calm. He doesn't seem to care about ending our engagement.
At the same time, a sense of relief settled in her chest. For once, she and Kalin were in the same page.
"Is this truly what you want?" Cyrion asked.
Kalin nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Father."
Cyrion let out a slow sigh. He could not force the matter, and it was clear that the two had already made their decision.
"Very well," he said, turning to Isabella. "I will speak with your father about this. You may leave now. Kalin and I have something to discuss."
Cyrion had no concerns about speaking with Isabella's father. The two were as close as brothers. The only regret in his heart was that Isabella would no longer become part of their family. Knowing how kind and virtuous she was, it felt like a great loss.
Isabella bowed her head in gratitude. "I will take my leave now, Viscount Cyrion. Please take care of yourself."
She departed without sparing Kalin a single glance.
Once the door closed, Kalin faced Cyrion with a composed expression. Before Cyrion could speak, Kalin bent forward in a deep bow.
"I apologize, Father, for disappointing you. I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."
Kalin did not dare beg for forgiveness. He had done so before, yet nothing had changed. His actions had continued to bring harm to those around him. Moreover, Isabella had been treated almost like a daughter by Cyrion. This was not something the viscount could simply overlook.
It would also damage Cyrion's reputation if word spread that he had forgiven Kalin or issued a light punishment. People would believe that the viscount allowed his illegitimate son to run rampant, oblivious to the consequences of his actions.
"Ha. You'd better understand that you won't escape this time," Cyrion said. His gaze shifted toward the painting on the wall. "I am sending you to Hanmar Village. I will provide you with nothing. You will survive on your own. Do not return until I give you permission."
Originally, Cyrion had planned to confine Kalin for several months so that he might finally reflect on his mistakes. However, after hearing that his son wished to begin training, he decided to give him a chance. No matter how strained their relationship was, Kalin was still his son.
Hanmar Village was infamous for being the poorest settlement in the territory. Even securing food there was a daily struggle. Without Cyrion's continued support, the villagers would have long since perished. Their poverty was not born of laziness but of relentless monster attacks. Despite the viscount's repeated efforts to reinforce the area, nothing had changed. Soldiers were lost, and the village remained on the brink of collapse.
In truth, Cyrion had often considered abandoning Hanmar Village altogether and relocating its people to the city. Yet a thought lingered in his mind. What if his third son could resolve the situation there?
If Kalin succeeded, he would not only earn a reward but also alter how others viewed him. The chances were slim, but Cyrion was willing to test his son one final time.
"I will accept your punishment, Father," Kalin said as he raised his head.
"When should I depart?"
Kalin smiled faintly when he heard the name of the village. Hanmar had fallen into ruin because of relentless monster attacks. Still, it was a land rich in untapped resources. As far as he remembered, it was also the place where the main character of the original story had obtained that item.
"Do you understand that I will provide you with no support and that you will have to protect yourself in such a dangerous place?" Cyrion asked, suspecting that his son had misunderstood his earlier words.
"I fully understand, Father. If this is what I deserve, then I will accept it."
In truth, this was a far better situation than confinement. Being sent away meant he could avoid constant surveillance. At the same time, the monsters roaming Hanmar would serve as ideal opponents for training and self-improvement.
"You will depart in five days. Prepare yourself. You may leave now."
"Understood, Father."
Kalin exited the room.
Once he was gone, a shadow formed behind Cyrion, slowly taking on the shape of a man.
"Geron," Cyrion said calmly, "watch over my son. Do not interfere unless his life is in danger. At the end of the day, he is still my son."
The figure fully materialized. Geron was a middle-aged man dressed neatly in black, wearing polished shoes and thin-rimmed glasses, every bit the image of a loyal butler.
"I will follow your order, Viscount."
With that, Geron dissolved into the air like smoke, vanishing without a trace.
-
Outside the room, Kalin was still weighed down by the oppressive presence his father emitted. Compared to Cyrion, he felt no different from an ant.
He had initially planned to take care of an unfinished matter, but his steps slowed when he noticed someone waiting in the hallway.
It was Isabella.
Standing beside her was Diana, her personal attendant, about eight centimeters shorter.
Diana glared at him with open disdain, her gaze sharp enough to suggest she would gladly slit his throat if given the chance.
"Watch your expression, Diana," Isabella said calmly. "He is still the viscount's son. If he takes offense, it could put us at a disadvantage."
Diana lowered her head. "My apologies."
Kalin paid them no mind. As far as he was concerned, his business with them was already over. Still, he raised an eyebrow slightly, acknowledging their presence so they would not think they were being deliberately ignored.
Just as he was about to pass them, Isabella spoke.
"Kalin."
He turned back. "What is it, Isabella?"
She met his gaze with cold, piercing eyes, as though she despised him to the core.
"This is just advice, out of respect for your father. Whatever you're scheming this time, stop it."
Kalin's expression did not change.
"Understood."
He turned away and resumed walking, his thoughts already shifting back to his training.
There was no point continuing the conversation. They were judging him based on his past actions, and he had no intention of correcting them.
Let them think whatever they wanted.
"This guy..." Diana muttered through clenched teeth, feeling that Kalin had disrespected Isabella.
"Leave it, Diana," Isabella said. "Let's return to the mansion."
As they walked away, Isabella frowned slightly. Something about him felt off.
As far as she remembered, Kalin used to cling to her whenever he saw her. It had always been annoying, even disgusting.
Now, however, he had not spared her a second glance.
And that unsettled her.
-
Another four days passed in the blink of an eye. Tomorrow would be the day he departed for Hanmar Village.
Kalin had already instructed Herin to prepare everything he would need for the journey. Based on the information he gathered, reaching Hanmar would take two to three days, assuming they did not encounter monsters along the way.
By then, Kalin had already completed the quest yesterday. For the past three days, he had followed the same grueling routine without pause. Despite the overwhelming exhaustion, he continued to push himself to the limit. Surprisingly, he did not collapse. Instead, his body seemed to be adapting to the strain.
He could already feel the changes.
A deep warmth flowed through his muscles and bones. The soreness that once lingered now faded much faster than before, and although his breathing remained heavy during training, it no longer spiraled out of control. He was beginning to keep up with the intensity.
Compared to how he was before, the difference was undeniable.
Kalin realized that achieving such results in just seven days was largely due to the system's assistance. That realization led him to an important conclusion. Even though the quest was already completed, abandoning the routine would be foolish.
"Having the system is a blessing," he muttered, clenching his fist. "But if I want real progress, I have to keep pushing myself."
The next day arrived.
Kalin bid farewell to his father.
"I'll be leaving now, Father. Take care of yourself."
With that, he stepped into the carriage waiting outside. To ensure his safety during the journey, Cyrion assigned seven skilled soldiers to escort him.
Not only that, Herin was ordered to accompany him as well, much to her dismay.
"Why do I have to come too?" she complained inwardly. She had been looking forward to a peaceful life while the young master was away.
Kalin noticed her reaction but paid it little attention. His thoughts were focused on a single goal.
"I need to obtain that item first," he thought with a quiet laugh.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips, and Cyrion caught sight of it.
"Did I make the right decision?" the viscount murmured softly. "Hah..."