Chapter 74 - 72 — The Way Of Calderalth
A sudden sound drew Zephyrion’s gaze back. There, Lumi pulled herself up with visible effort and collapsed onto the ground.
She remained there for a few seconds, breathing raggedly, before her eyes lit up the moment she saw Zephyrion.
Pushing through the strain, she forced herself to her feet and approached him with a small smile.
’She’s...’
Her breaths were uneven, and despite the biting cold, her body was drenched in sweat. His gaze lowered and...
Zephyrion’s brows drew together.
"Your hand..."
"...?"
Lumi lifted her hands and stared at her bloodied palms. She frowned briefly, then gave a casual wave, brushing it off as if it didn’t matter, her attention already back on him with that same bright smile.
’Because of me.’
His pace had been too fast, far beyond what the other trainees could manage. While he could endure the strain, Lumi couldn’t. Yet instead of climbing at her own pace, she had chosen to match his.
Zephyrion’s fingers slowly curled into fists.
"...you’re crazy."
Lumi’s brows knit at once, glaring at him. She waved sharply, then raised her fists like she was ready to fight him. Yet all he could see was the blood trailing down her arms.
Tch.
"...follow me."
With a slight frown, he turned and walked away. Lumi blinked, then hurried after him when she saw the distance growing between them.
...
Tobias threw himself onto the ground the moment he reached the summit of the mountain.
’Ah... sweet, sweet flat ground. I’ve missed you so much!’
He let out a deep, ragged breath as his arms spread against the ground beneath him. A groan slipped from his lips at the movement. Every part of his body ached. During the climb, he had truly felt like he was going to die.
’It’s truly Hell’s Mountain!’
When he finally recovered a bit, Tobias lifted his head and looked around the summit. Including him, most of the steel division had made it up.
Many of them were gathered in small groups, already chatting among themselves.
His gaze drifted briefly to Kaelion, who sat farther away from the others.
’He must have gotten here first.’
There was no sign of his lord.
A moment later, Tobias turned toward the cliff’s edge, his fists tightening at his sides.
’Young lord.’
Was he doing a terrible job as his ward? Was that why his lord didn’t want him around? Tobias had tried everything these past few weeks to prove himself, yet nothing seemed to work.
He let out a slow breath.
’I can’t fail.’
What was at stake was far too great.
After a moment, he shook his head lightly.
’I hope he’s okay.’
"...see what I told you? He’s still climbing even now. Fought a mark six, my ass. It’s all bullshit."
"...you’re right, Lord Jerom. And he got the First Steel title too? Wouldn’t he just embarrass the house at the Proven like this?"
"Tch. That was obviously because of his status. He comes back after seven years looking like trash and they’re trying to make him look good."
"...so what do we do about the title?"
"Don’t worry. There’ll be chances to take it back. Just need to bait him into a spar."
"Ooooh... that’s actually smart, Lord Jerom."
"Tch, it’s nothing. Just annoying we have to deal with trash like that."
"Haha... you’re right, Lord Jerom. He’s trash."
"Haha... yeah. He’s nothing."
As a chorus of laughter rippled through the group, Tobias gnashed his teeth.
’Those... those bastards.’
To dare speak that way about his lord...
Tobias turned toward them.
’Of course.’
They were a familiar group among the steel trainees, people Tobias had already marked as avoidables.
Each of them came from influential houses in the South, especially the boy at the center, Jerom.
He knew he should avoid them. Yet somehow, Tobias found himself standing right in front of them. His legs trembled, but his gaze remained firm.
"You... take back what you just said."
"Hm?"
Heads turned toward him. Jerom frowned.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I—I’m Tobias. The young lord’s ward." Tobias said, his fists tightening. "...you just insulted him. Take it back."
Jerom’s eyes narrowed, while the others exchanged uneasy glances.
Zephyrion was of the primary Calderalth line. Any disrespect toward him was disrespect toward the house itself.
Heads would roll for something like that. They clearly hadn’t expected to be overheard, especially not by his ward.
As the unease spread through the group, Jerom’s expression hardened.
"So... you’re his ward."
He stepped forward, a faint pressure seeping from him and settling over Tobias.
"You’re a steel trainee, right? Then you know who I am... and what my house can do. Don’t be stupid. Your lord can’t protect you. He just got back after seven years... he’s weak. Powerless."
Jerom leaned in slightly, his crimson gaze cold.
"...if a word of this reaches him, I’ll end you. You understand?"
Tobias gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure the pressure, then slowly shook his head, his eyes still burning.
"...take back... what you said."
"...what?"
Jerom’s gaze narrowed.
"Are you deaf? Or just slow? You think I’m joking? I’ll end you... and everyone you’ve ever known."
Tobias clenched his jaw, his fists tightening.
"Take—"
"You will what?"
At the sudden voice, Tobias’ eyes widened. He turned, and his gaze landed on Zephyrion as he approached with unhurried steps.
’The lord!’
"Shit! When did he get here?"
"Did he hear that?"
"Damn... we’re screwed."
Behind him, the other trainees swallowed hard. Jerom, on the other hand, clenched his fists for a brief moment before loosening them, a faint smile returning to his face as Zephyrion drew closer.
"M-my lord."
"We greet the young lord."
As Tobias greeted, Jerom and the rest lowered their heads in respect.
Zephyrion didn’t spare them a glance. His gaze remained fixed on Jerom.
"Repeat that. What did you say you’d do to my ward?"
Jerom tilted his head slightly, feigning confusion, before his expression shifted in realization.
"Ah... that? I was just showing him the way of Calderalth, young lord."
He reached out, attempting to drape an arm over Tobias like they were on friendly terms, but Tobias immediately shoved it away and stepped back, glaring at him. Even then, Jerom’s smile didn’t falter.
"Look... is something wrong?"
"Are they about to fight?"
"Why’s the young lord talking to Jerom?"
With Zephyrion’s arrival, more trainees had begun to gather, drawn by the tension.
"The way of Calderalth..." Zephyrion repeated.
"Yes, young lord."
Jerom lifted his chin slightly.
"That the weak have no place among us. Only the strong get to stand here... as Calderalth."