Glenn's complexion, upon returning to the audience chamber, was as radiant as the moonlight passing by the window. His lips, lifted high enough to almost touch the ceiling, showed just how good his mood was.
"Are you that happy?"
Rimmer looked at Glenn and laughed incredulously.
"If you had gathered your courage a little earlier, you might have been called Grandpa by now."
He clicked his tongue while trying to straighten his hair, which had been disheveled by a bolt of lightning.
"It's something that can start from now on."
Sheryl kicked Rimmer's back and walked to the podium.
"Head of House. You did well. If you continue to extend your hand first like today, Sylvia and Raon will come closer."
She smiled softly, unlike her usual self.
"Hmm."
Glenn covered his mouth with his hand, pretending to prop up his chin.
"Oh, just laugh it off! What kind of person boasts about their grandson pouring them a drink first?"
"It's not just that he poured the drink first…."
"Oh, yes. He poured it ten more times as well. Is that enough?"
Rimmer sighed as if he was tired of it.
"That is also a joyous thing, but that's not the reason I'm laughing now."
Glenn removed his hand from his face as Rimmer suggested, creating deep dimples at the corners of his mouth.
"It's because Raon is so commendable."
He looked up at the moonlight, as if molten gold, through the window.
"The child, who found it difficult to become a Martial Artist, has grown by his own strength to create an energy center for his mother and even prepared to restore her to the direct line. The thought of it makes me smile unconsciously."
"I agree with that too."
Rimmer nodded, pushing his burnt hair back.
"He is the most filial child I've ever seen, not because he is my disciple."
"The more I see him, the more I want to lend a hand."
Sheryl also agreed with a gentle smile.
"I feel the same. Whenever I see Raon, I want to take care of him even more."
Roenn stood next to Sheryl and laughed heartily.
"Ah-hem!"
As Rimmer, Sheryl, and Roenn praised Raon's character, Glenn's smile widened, looking even more pleased.
"Ha."
Rimmer chuckled while looking at Glenn.
'The highest expression of joy.'
Although Glenn himself didn't realize it, he couldn't help but tremble the corners of his mouth like a puppy wagging its tail when he was extremely happy.
'Is he already imagining living with Raon and Sylvia?'
It seemed Glenn was already envisioning a future where Raon called him Grandpa.
However, to make that happen, they had to overcome a huge mountain.
"So, what are you going to do from now on?"
"What do you mean?"
Glenn tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
"For Sylvia to become a direct descendant and come to the main building, Raon has to defeat the Axe King eventually. If that doesn't happen, everything will be in vain. No, Raon will die!"
Rimmer frowned, asking why Glenn was forgetting the most important thing.
"You know better than I do that the current Raon cannot defeat the Axe King. In fact, even if he reaches the level of a Grandmaster, it would still be difficult. Are you planning to teach him yourself? That would increase the chances."
"No."
Glenn shook his head calmly.
"Even if I care for Raon, giving him more privileges than this is not acceptable."
"Well, you've already given him everything."
Rimmer nodded in understanding.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"There are too many variables in the duel, so it would be better to eliminate the South-North Union."
Glenn spoke as if he was crushing an anthill, suggesting wiping out the South-North Union.
"What?"
Rimmer's jaw dropped to the floor.
'What nonsense is he spouting?'
As sweat trickled down his back in disbelief, Glenn called out to Roenn.
"Roenn."
"Yes, Head of House."
"Have you identified the main base of the South-North Union?"
"I have located the main base, but there are so many branches and hideouts that the overall investigation of the South-North Union is not yet complete."
Roenn lowered his head apologetically.
"That's enough. Once we kill the Union Master, the rest will scatter."
"Wh-what are you talking about!"
Rimmer shouted, raising his chin.
"If you kill the Axe King like that, it won't mean anything! It will only tarnish the House's prestige! Destroy the South-North Union later; for now, focus on how to make Raon win!"
He clutched his chest, exclaiming that there were no sane people here.
"That's disappointing…."
Glenn clicked his tongue. It seemed he was serious about attacking the South-North Union for Raon.
"Then it would be better to send him on a mission."
"A mission?"
"Raon is already standing at the wall of a Grandmaster. If he goes on a mission and gains more experience, he might break through the wall himself."
"Considering the last mission was too dangerous, I thought you wouldn't send him out."
"Keeping him sheltered won't help. A flower in a greenhouse can't withstand storms. And…."
Glenn nodded lightly, as if he had already made up his mind.
"If it doesn't work, we can always destroy the South-North Union."
"Indeed."
"I'll prepare."
Sheryl and Roenn smiled coldly. They looked like three wolves laughing at a lamb in front of them.
"Uh…."
Rimmer held his heating forehead.
'Am I the only sane person here….'
As he sighed in disbelief, Glenn's expression turned serious again.
'What now?'
As he tensed, wondering what Glenn would say next, his lips moved.
"The child from House Yonaan is excellent."
"What?"
"Although still young, she has keen eyes. It's no wonder the Head of House Yonaan cherishes her."
Glenn praised Ensia more than any Grandmaster-level Martial Artist.
"That's true. Creating an artificial energy center is extremely difficult…."
"Didn't she call me Raon's Grandpa? I don't know what handsome means, but it must be a good thing."
"Oh…."
Rimmer's eyes widened. He thought Glenn was talking about the artificial energy center, but it was something entirely different.
"It means extremely handsome."
Sheryl explained the meaning of the word "handsome" with a smile.
"Ensia uses the word to praise Raon's appearance. I heard she wants to make Raon's face her signature mark."
"What an excellent child!"
Glenn nodded in genuine admiration.
"Purchase all of Ensia's artifacts and send a message to the Head of House Yonaan. Tell him I want to meet."
"Understood."
Roenn nodded with a smile.
"Uh…."
Rimmer shook his head, looking at the scene.
'He's becoming a doting grandfather.'
Should I look for another job?
Sylvia calmly raised her sword. She maintained the high stance for a long time, drawing in Aura.
The moment the ocean-colored mana coated the white blade, she struck down vertically.
Whhoooosh!
A fierce sword wind swept across the great training ground, carving deep sword marks into the floor.
"Wow…."
"She's not even wind attributed, but what a sword wind."
"Is that really from someone who hasn't held a sword in over 20 years?"
"Amazing. She truly is the mother of the Vice Division Leader…."
The Light Wind division swordsmen were so impressed by Sylvia's strike that they stopped their training to express genuine admiration.
"Stop there."
As Sylvia panted heavily and raised her sword again, Raon lifted his hand.
"The swordsmanship is too light."
Raon approached Sylvia and shook his head.
"Look at the angle of your wrist and the inward tilt of your ankle. You're loosening your limbs too much, causing the sword wind to disperse."
Unlike the Light Wind division swordsmen, Raon coldly pointed out Sylvia's flaws.
"Oh, I'm still not fully adapted! Who gets it right from the start?"
"I explained all of this at the annex building, didn't I?"
"…Did you?"
Sylvia awkwardly smiled, fanning her face with her hand.
"Focus and try again."
"Hmm…."
She nodded lowly and raised her sword overhead.
As she struck again, this time, the power was more compressed, falling faster and stronger.
Thud!
The floor of the great training ground was dug up, revealing the white sand inside.
"How was it?"
"Too much power."
Raon squinted at the damaged floor.
"You couldn't handle the power and dug up the floor. Swinging like that will ruin your body first."
"Ugh…."
"Relax your shoulders and grip. You're not doing laundry."
He pointed out Sylvia's shortcomings with the sword hilt and stepped back.
"Got it…."
Sylvia nodded and raised her sword. Listening to Raon's advice, the sword tip fell alive, showing signs of improvement.
"Oh…."
"It's definitely different."
"Is talent hereditary…."
The Light Wind division swordsmen clapped, seeing Sylvia's immediate progress.
"How was it?"
Sylvia called out to Raon with a brighter complexion, feeling more confident.
"Still no good."
Raon shook his head in disappointment.
"You relaxed too much, causing the sword tip to waver. We're practicing basic swordsmanship, not using variable or phantom sword techniques."
"R-right."
"Then you must put strength into the sword body and blade. This isn't whipping; you can't relax completely."
"Hmm…."
Sylvia's head drooped weakly.
"Try again."
Raon raised his hand, indicating it wasn't enough.
"Got it."
Sylvia took Raon's advice and assumed the high stance. Narrowing her elbows, she fixed the strength of her body and struck down with the sword.
Swoosh!
This time, the power was appropriate, the blade didn't waver, and the strike fell smoothly.
"Ah!"
Sylvia also felt it was right and immediately looked back at Raon.
"Not great."
But Raon's face was still stern.
"Although the blade didn't waver, it fell too fast because you focused too much on the angle. We're practicing, not fighting. Be more focused."
He instructed her again, not satisfied with the result.
"Wasn't that good?"
"Yeah. She's only just picked up the sword again…."
"How long are we going to practice basic swordsmanship…."
The Light Wind division swordsmen muttered, glancing at Raon.
"How long are you going to just watch?"
Raon turned to glare at the Light Wind division swordsmen.
"Do you want me to drill you in basic swordsmanship for a month?"
"No, sir! Absolutely not!"
"We'll go now!"
"I had so much training to do…."
The Light Wind division swordsmen lowered their heads and dispersed around the training ground.
"Wow, he doesn't even spare his mother…."
Burren stuck out his tongue, watching Raon instruct Sylvia.
"That's how it should be."
Martha shook her head, looking at Sylvia's back.
"He's teaching properly because she's precious."
She sighed briefly, as if filled with a bittersweet feeling.
"Raon is so handsome today."
Runaan nodded in agreement, likely because she also carried wounds related to family.
"Do you three want to join?"
Raon frowned, looking at the three squad leaders from a distance.
"N-no…."
"That demon's ears are sharp…."
"Let's go."
Burren, Martha, and Runaan stretched and headed into the indoor training hall.
"Ugh…."
Sylvia, who had lost all her helpers, groaned and trembled her hands.
"Raon."
Rimmer shook his head and placed a hand on Raon's shoulder.
"Don't be too harsh, moderate…."
"Do you want to join the training, Vice Division Leader?"
"Ah…."
His mouth gaped open, as if he were speechless.
"If you stay here any longer, I'll consider you wanting to train with my mother."
"W-wait. I'm the Vice Division Leader…."
"So, you're saying you'll join the basic training?"
"No! Absolutely not! Carry on!"
Rimmer quickly shook his head and disappeared from Raon's sight.
"No, the Vice Division Leader is a Vice Division Leader!"
Krein shouted in disbelief at the sight of Rimmer running away.
Rimmer scratched the back of his head with a troubled face.
"I'm scared of him too…."
Two weeks had passed since Sylvia picked up the sword. Her skills had changed drastically day by day, but Raon always shook his head as if he was not satisfied.
"Again. This time, your Aura was off."
Raon pointed at the faintly wavering Aura and shook his head.
"Yes."
Sylvia nodded and raised her sword. She repeated the basic swordsmanship, consisting of vertical, horizontal, diagonal cuts, and thrusts, dozens of times.
Raon narrowed his eyes, looking at the faint sword light reflected in the air.
'Talent indeed doesn't disappear.'
She grows different every day.
The reason Raon pushed Sylvia so hard was simple. She had exceptional talent.
She was the type of person who progressed beyond expectations with every piece of advice, making him want to continue teaching her.
He felt like he understood why teachers wanted to accept outstanding disciples.
-Isn't it too harsh to keep pointing out flaws for two weeks straight!
Wrath trembled his lips as if he were horrified.
-Look at her! Your mother's eyes have dark circles under them!
Wrath frowned, pointing at Sylvia's darkened eyes.
'Mother understands it all.'
Although she hadn't said it, Sylvia's acceptance had allowed them to train together until now. She must be delighted with her rapid improvement.
-There should be moderation! How long are you going to make her practice basic swordsmanship! Not everyone is a maniac like you!
Wrath pointed at him, calling him a lunatic.
-Now, no one comes near you!
'It's fine.'
Raon waved his hand at Wrath and approached Sylvia.
"When you thrust, you must clearly envision the target. Always keep the essence of the Precision Sword in mind."
"Yes…."
Sylvia replied weakly, nodding her head.
"And when you do a diagonal cut, the angle is important. Think about where you need to cut…."
As Raon pointed out more flaws, Sylvia's complexion darkened even further.
"So, so relentless…."
"I didn't know it would be this much. He's a monster…."
"Raon is terrifying."
At first, Burren, Martha, and Runaan had cheered for Raon, but now they shook their heads in fear.
Raon smiled, even hearing their words.
'You'll understand soon.'
When Sylvia displayed her true skills, everyone's perspective would change.
Moreover, Sylvia surely understood the current situation. That was enough.
"Basic swordsmanship isn't just about speed and power. Accuracy and steadiness…."
As he was about to give more advice, Rimmer burst through the great training ground doors, waving a piece of paper.
"I got a mission!"
He shouted joyfully, saying it was a long-awaited mission.
"A mission?"
"It took a while."
"I can finally showcase my skills."
"Yay!"
The Light Wind division swordsmen approached Rimmer, curious about the mission, when a loud shout came from inside.
"Freedom! Freedom from this hell!"
Sylvia raised her arms high and shouted to the sky.
Tears began to well up in her eyes. She looked like a prisoner who had escaped from jail.
Raon stood there, stunned, his mouth open.
"Mo-Mom…."
He seemed shocked by the word freedom.
-Even your mother is fed up with you….
Wrath shook his head, looking at the bewildered Raon.
-Is this the path of the demon?
'Shut up!'