Volume 7 Chapter 13 Bonus
Cedric had begged Alan for this training at Victor's estate.
On the first day, he looked unusually tense as he stepped through the teleportation gate into unfamiliar territory.
"Long time no see."
"...Lord Walker?"
Cedric frowned. Harrison stood there to greet him—odd, considering Harrison should've already left for the old royal capital with Randy and the others.
"I was asked to guide you on the first day, by the young master," Harrison said, shrugging casually.
He gestured down the corridor. "This way."
As they walked, Harrison spoke without looking back. "Our place is merit-based. Good or bad—it all shows."
Cedric nodded silently. Harrison smiled at his reaction.
"So... we're not exactly welcomed here, huh?" Cedric muttered, chuckling to himself.
Harrison turned to glance back. "No, actually."
"No?"
"Yes. It's the opposite."
He resumed walking, voice relaxed. "Everyone's in a good mood. After all, Elizabeth's brother is coming."
Cedric raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Elizabeth's someone we all support. And we know she'll end up Randy's partner. So naturally, the brother of someone we serve—he's going to be welcomed."
"But isn't that kind of lame?" Cedric said, his voice low. "Being treated kindly just because I'm Liza's brother?"
Harrison grinned slyly. "Ah, there it is."
Cedric didn't respond.
"I get it... meritocracy, right? Everyone's worth is measured by strength," he murmured.
"That's the idea," Harrison replied.
They exited the mansion. In the distance, the training ground came into view.
"Randy sent me specifically for this," Harrison added. "He said, 'If you're going to do it, start with full force.' So even if you do nothing, Sir Cedric... you'll be judged by your strength."
The training ground buzzed with activity ahead.
"So," Harrison said with a faint smile, "shall we spar in front of everyone?"
Cedric froze. His hands trembled slightly as he glanced at the field—and then back at Harrison, whose presence now radiated an overwhelming pressure.
"...As you wish," Cedric replied, steadying himself.
"Good," Harrison said, nodding with approval.
And so, Cedric von Braubelg was accepted—truly—into Victor's domain.
His long journey toward greatness—or perhaps, the abyss—had now begun.
* * *
Later, when Randy heard about Cedric's debut at the Victor Knight Brigade, he muttered only one thing:
"So this... is what Liza's love feels like?"
It was no surprise. He was wearing the Victor Training Cloak, grinning like a fool, and basking in the pride of a true warrior.
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