Volume 1 Chapter 2 Accident
Elk was called to the main residence.
He only had a bad feeling about it. But since he was called, he had no choice but to go.
Elk knocked on the door of his father's office.
'Come in.'
When he opened the door... everyone was there.
His father Wald, his legal wife Bella, and the second wife Milia.
Bella's son Rosho. Milia's daughter Sarissa.
Elk stood next to the grinning Rosho.
"Elk. Your skill is 'Telekinesis,' right?"
"...Yes."
'*chuckle*' '*heh...*'
Elk could tell Bella and Milia were laughing.
Rosho and Sarissa were also smirking.
Wald was not laughing; he was looking straight at Elk.
"Do you remember your mother, Rose's will?"
"...Yes. To make me the heir of the Duke family."
"Yes. But that will is not correct. To be precise, it says, 'After finishing the Skill Ceremony, Elk, who has gained a skill suitable for a Duke, will be the next Duke.'"
"Huh...!?"
"Recently, the Skill Ceremony finished... you got the skill 'Telekinesis,' Rosho got 'Sword Saint,' and Sarissa got 'Magic Saint.' Because of this, you all received permission to enter the 'Galatine Royal Academy' in 6 years. Rosho and Sarissa are obvious, but... you are just a bonus."
"A, a bonus...."
"That's right. To be clear... Elk, it's hard to say you have a skill suitable for the next Duke."
"Well, that's to be expected."
Rosho said it in a sarcastic way.
Elk gritted his teeth, unable to argue back.
But his father Wald continued.
"However, as the son of the late Rose, I will give you one last chance."
"...Huh?"
Then, Rosho stood in front of Elk.
"A duel, big bro."
"A duel, you say...."
"It means a fight to see who's stronger. Me and you, who's more worthy to be the next Duke."
"...What."
"You have no right to refuse. Elk, Rosho. Let's get started right away."
Without being able to say anything, they headed to the training ground.
The training ground was filled with the knights of the Duke's family.
Wald spoke to the captain of the knights.
"We will now hold a duel between Elk and Rosho. Captain, you will be the referee."
"Understood. Now, weapons."
What was handed over was a practice sword.
It was made of wood, not iron. Moreover, it was painted to look like a real sword.
It must have been made by someone with excellent 'Weapon Crafting' skills.
Elk took the sword and swung it lightly.
As a noble, he had naturally learned swordsmanship. But, Rosho had the same.
However... Rosho had the 'Sword Saint' skill.
The fact that he had just received this skill was his only hope.
He might not be able to use it well yet. That was all he could bet on.
"Now───... get ready!!"
"Hehe, here I go, big bro."
"...I'll do this."
The two readied their swords, and the captain raised his right hand.
"───Begin!!"
Elk and Rosho moved at the same time.
The one with the momentum was Elk.
"HAAAAAAA!!"
"Heh~."
Elk launched a series of attacks, his sword flashing in the air.
He didn't dislike swordsmanship.
Even though he was neglected by his family, while swinging the sword, he could clear his mind.
But, that sword... couldn't reach Rosho now.
Rosho was dodging Elk's sword.
"Wow, I can see everything. This is one of the Sword Saint's skills, 'Counter Foresight'."
Counter Foresight.
A technique to see and dodge all attacks.
The skilled Sword Saint can dodge attacks even with his eyes closed.
Dodging the attacks of the ten-year-old Elk was really easy.
But Elk wouldn't give up.
"Haahhh!!"
"───haha."
"!?"
Rosho was laughing.
It felt strange.
And a bad feeling crept in.
By the time he noticed, it was too late.
"───!?"
Suddenly, the ground under Elk's feet rose unnaturally.
Elk lost his balance.
And then, he saw it.
"Watch your feet, okay~♪."
"Wha...."
Sarissa.
Sarissa used magic to mess with the ground under Elk.
And Rosho raised his sword.
Something was off here.
Why was a fake sword, just painted to look real, shining so brightly?
It looked just like the real thing.
No way, no way.
Could it be───....
"Ah───...."
Elk saw it.
Bella and Milia were laughing.
His father Wald was looking at Elk with cold eyes.
At the same time, something hot and burning pierced Elk's chest.
"Ugh...."
The sword was real.
Elk realized.
This was a duel. But... it wasn't a duel where lives were at stake.
The only one risking his life was Elk.
This was a duel.
No, it was───... an execution.
An execution set up to erase Elk.
"...Ah."
Elk reached out, covered in blood.
Rosho was no longer looking at Elk. He happily went to his father Wald.
Wald looked at Elk and muttered.
"You are no longer needed."
"───...."
Elk's consciousness faded───... what remained was despair.
And... a burning anger like blood.
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