The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation

Soon enough, Zephyrion and the trainees were led down the mountain, toward the northwest path, where Garrick was already waiting before a wide crevice, a sheer vertical opening.

The trainees had already begun whispering among themselves when Garrick clapped again, drawing their attention.

"Alright, runts. Listen carefully. Today... you’re climbing Hell’s Steep."

"What!?"

"H-Hell’s Steep?"

"Isn’t that for the Steel trainees?"

"Don’t you need to be at least mark three for that?"

The trainees’ eyes widened in shock.

’Hell’s Steep.’

Hell’s Steep was a long-standing tradition in Calderalth. The entire climb was embedded with a scrambler, forcing trainees to ascend without any active use of their elements.

It was mostly used for Steel trainees, and was a right of passage before one could truly become a Steel.

Due to the perilous terrain and sheer steepness, mark three was the minimum requirement to climb it safely.

"Enough."

Garrick’s pressure dropped heavily, silencing the trainees in an instant.

"You lot should be grateful. The Steel trainees have been hogging this place for years. Without me, you’d never even get close to it. Where’s your gratitude?"

"Lucky?"

"Grateful...?"

The trainees’ gazes trembled as they stood frozen, unable to respond. Climbing this in their current state could easily result in broken bones, or worse, death. To call this luck...

But the pressure bearing down on them intensified, locking their bodies in place.

"Where’s your gratitude?"

"...t-thank you, instructor."

"W-we’re grateful..."

Their voices shook as they forced the words out through gritted teeth.

"Good! Take off your weights!"

"W-we don’t have to climb with them?"

"Ah... thank the Iron Father..."

Relief spread across their faces as they realized they wouldn’t have to climb with the added burden.

They quickly removed their weights, heavy thuds echoing as they hit the ground.

"Alright! Steel trainees are already inside. Don’t embarrass me by lagging behind!"

"Y-yes!"

As the trainees began moving into the wide opening, Garrick stepped toward Zephyrion. In contrast to his earlier outburst, a relaxed, almost easy smile rested on his face.

"...you think you can handle it?"

Zephyrion’s gaze flicked toward the steep ascent ahead. He understood what Garrick was asking.

He had removed the relic during the mission yesterday to avoid being restricted, but now Garrick wanted to see if he could make the climb even with it on.

"I can."

Garrick’s grin widened.

"Haha... good. That’s what I like to hear."

He gave Zephyrion a firm slap on the back before turning away.

"I’ll see you at the top."

As he left, Zephyrion glanced at Kaiden, who shifted his gaze between him and the steep ascent, over and over. The intent was clear, I challenge you.

"..."

"Hmph."

Kaiden gave a short nod, then turned and walked away.

A moment later, Zephyrion stepped into the pathway and soon reached the end.

A long, near-flat slope stretched upward from below. Several instructors stood around the area, and a large net was suspended overhead, clearly meant to catch any stragglers who fell during the climb.

Another group stood gathered before a bald instructor who appeared to be addressing them.

’The Steel trainees.’

The moment Zephyrion arrived, their gazes locked onto him, whispers spreading almost instantly.

"Look, that’s him."

"He’s wearing the purple band... so it’s true?"

"They actually gave him First Steel?"

"He’s only mark three... it should’ve gone to Lord Kaelion."

"Yeah... this doesn’t feel right. It’s probably because—"

"That’s enough."

A heavy pressure cut through the whispers at once. The trainees flinched as Kaelion swept them with a cold, piercing look.

"...y-yes, Lord Kaelion."

As they quickly nodded, Kaelion turned and met Zephyrion’s eyes. There was a sharp intensity in his gaze, a clear challenge. He gave Zephyrion a small nod, and faced forward once more.

Even then, many of the Steel trainees continued to watch him, their gazes carrying varying degrees of scrutiny.

Unlike the iron trainees, Zephyrion recognized most of them. They were descendants of the high houses of Calderalth... prodigies he had grown up around.

"My lord!"

Tobias broke from their line and hurried toward him. But Lumi was already darting ahead of him, her bright eyes fixed on Zephyrion as she approached.

’She’s about to...’

He quickly shot Lumi a look, giving a slight shake of his head.

Lumi blinked, then stopped just short of him. She stared up at him with a small frown, then pointed at him before spreading her arms wide in a silent request for an embrace.

Zephyrion shook his head.

Lumi’s frown deepened. Her shoulders slumped, and she let out a quiet breath, clearly dejected.

Zephyrion felt his fingers twitch. He held her gaze for a moment, then...

"...Later."

Lumi’s head snapped up instantly. A bright smile spread across her face as she nodded quickly, then moved to stand obediently at his side.

He turned to Tobias, who was staring at him with wide, stunned eyes.

"My lord... you’re here? How?"

"We’re climbing as well."

"Ah—wait... I didn’t bring anything. What do I do? What do I do?"

"You don’t need anything."

"No, my lord! What about a towel? Water? You’ll need to rest at some point, maybe a chair..."

"..."

Despite the silent look he gave him, Tobias only grew more frantic, glancing back toward the path.

"Should I go back? I can grab everything and be back before—"

"You can begin the ascent!"

A sharp shout cut through the air from one of the instructors.

"Listen carefully! Your only task is to climb! No interfering with other trainees. Anyone who does will be dealt with. We’re watching."

The instructor’s voice carried a stern edge. A moment later, the instructors stepped aside, and the trainees rushed toward the cliff and began their climb.

"Hmph!"

After casting him one last look, Kaiden turned and began climbing. Kaelion gave Zephyrion a brief nod before also climbing.

Zephyrion shifted his gaze to Tobias, who was practically bouncing where he stood, staring at the climbing trainees with barely contained impatience.

"Go ahead."

"Huh? My lord?"

"Start the climb. Don’t wait for me."

Tobias’ eyes widened slightly.

"No, I can’t do that! I’m your ward—I’m supposed to stay with you."

"It’s an order."

"...alright..."

Meeting Zephyrion’s firm gaze, Tobias gulped. His hands tightened briefly before he lowered his head.

"...yes, my lord."

As Tobias hurried off, Zephyrion turned to Lumi, who was already looking up at him with a small smile.

"You too."

Lumi blinked, then shook her head.

"It’s an order."

She shook her head again, just as firmly.

Zephyrion frowned slightly.

"You won’t listen to me?"

Lumi nodded with a smile.

"...fine."

Exhaling quietly, Zephyrion turned his gaze back to the mountain.

’She won’t be able to disturb me anyway.’