Finally, the answer

I stood by the window, watching the estate below. Servants moved swiftly across the courtyard, their footsteps muffled by the gravel paths. Knights patrolled the perimeter in perfect formation, their armor glinting under the morning sun. Carriages rolled in and out of the gates, their wheels crunching against the cobblestones. The air carried the faint scent of freshly cut grass and the metallic tang of polished steel.

Everything looked normal—Too normal.

It had been a week.

A week since I made my offer to Selene. Still, no answer.

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temple. What the hell was she waiting for? Did she even take me seriously?Or worse, was she just enjoying watching me squirm?

My gaze drifted to the training grounds. The knights were sparring in perfect sync, their swords clashing in sharp, rhythmic movements. The sound of steel meeting steel echoed faintly through the air, a reminder of the discipline and strength I lacked. Watching them only deepened the ache in my chest. Clara had already formed her first mana cycle, but it wasn't enough for her to just unlock mana—she needed control. Without it, she'd never reach the second cycle. And what had I done? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

It had been a week, and I was still weak. My progress was excruciatingly slow. I couldn't bet on Clara's little improvement, and Evan's reluctant protection wouldn't be enough to help me beat the game's hero. My only ticket to power lay in Eldermoon Forest. And for that, I needed Selene.

And Selene? She was throwing sand on the flicker of hope I'd been clinging to. If I didn't get an answer today, I'd have to do something—anything.

Then, I saw him.

Edric.

My breath hitched.

He strode through the courtyard with his usual imposing presence, his polished armor catching the morning light. His steps were quick, purposeful, and his face was unreadable.

Suddenly, he looked up at my window, his gaze locking onto my face. The mere sight of him brought back the memory of the day he'd almost punched me. My body reacted instinctively, stepping back from the window as a bad feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

The footsteps started echoing in my ears with an ominous rhythm:

thwomp thwomp

Then—

BAM!

My door slammed open without warning. I barely had time to react before Edric stepped inside. The sheer weight of his presence filled the room instantly, his towering frame blocking the doorway. The air felt suffocating, heavy with tension. The faint scent of leather and steel wafted from him, mingling with the oppressive atmosphere.

I forced a smirk, masking the unease creeping up my spine. "Long time no see, Sir Edric. Hope your blood pressure's steady today."

Edric didn't react to my sarcasm. His expression remained stone-cold as he spoke.

"Young miss Selene has accepted your proposal."

I clenched my fists.

Finally.

Wait.Something felt off. Why had he come in person to tell me this? He could've sent an assistant.

"Did you just miss me, or is there a reason you barged in here instead of sending a messenger?" I asked, keeping my tone light.

Edric's lips curled into a sneer. "I could've sent an assistant but, I don't trust them not to smash your face, like how Evan smashed yours a few days ago."

My grip tightened, but I forced myself to relax. "Oh, you're angry now? Do you even have the right to get angry?"

"Well, you know what? That Evan is now my knight, protecting me with his life."

"Ah. Do you think no one knows about you blackmailing him using his sister?"

"Yeah, so what? If that's what I need to achieve, I won't hesitate to make even you my knight."

Edric let out a harsh chuckle. "Oh? You think you have what it takes to be my master? You're pathetic." He took a step forward, his presence pressing down like an avalanche. "I've seen plenty of young, narcissistic fools like you. They all ended the same way—crushed."

I tilted my head, feigning curiosity. "And if I tame Selene? What then? Will you kneel to me?"

His eyes darkened. He didn't answer. Instead, he took a step closer.

I instinctively moved back—only to feel the cot press against my legs.

Shit.

"You should watch your actions, Nathan," he said, his voice cold and deliberate. "Since Selene will be joining this journey personally, I won't tolerate any of your usual antics."

My stomach twisted.

'Why is she coming herself? This complicates everything. I expected her to send soldiers, not to personally involve herself.'

Still, I forced a lazy shrug, keeping my expression neutral. "Oh, that's fine."

Edric's eyes narrowed. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to do, but if you even dare to look at Selene's face the wrong way, I'll make you regret living."

"Okay, I understand," I said quickly. It wasn't like I wanted to talk to her anyway. If possible, I'd avoid her entirely.

Edric didn't blink. He took another step forward, his shadow swallowing me whole. "And one more thing," he continued, his voice dropping lower. "You'll be the training partner for my assistants throughout this journey."

I blinked.

Wait, what?

Before I could process the horror, he added, "Since you've been beaten up so much already, we figured we'd give you some real training." His smirk was full of mockery. "Think of it as an opportunity."

A sharp chill ran down my spine.

'Training partner?'

That meant getting my ass handed to me daily by Edric's knights.

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could speak, he leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with excitement. "I'm actually looking forward to this journey, young master. Because, for you, it'll be the worst decision of your life."

I clenched my fists. I wasn't scared.

No.

I was pissed.

Pissed at being treated like a punching bag everywhere I went.

But I swallowed my anger and smiled. "I appreciate the warning."

"This decision was made two days ago," Edric said, his tone final. "I didn't want to tell you earlier in case you ran away in fear. We depart tomorrow. Be ready."

With that, he turned to leave—only to pause at the doorway.

Because standing there, clutching a tray of food, was a small girl in a maid's uniform.

Rose.

Her large, doe-like eyes flickered between us, her cheeks flushed with uncertainty.

Edric's gaze flicked to her, then back to me. His eyes burned with rage, and the pressure in the room spiked.

'Shit. This short-tempered fool is about to explode.'

"You!" he growled, his fist clenching. Mana began to gather around him, thickening the air. "Forget about tomorrow. I think you need some immediate training now."

My body froze, just like last time. I couldn't move. Why?

Then, a tiny figure jumped in front of me.

"Why are you bullying the young master?" Rose asked, her voice trembling but firm. Her tiny hands stretched out, making her small frame seem just a little bigger.

Edric paused, his rage faltering. He looked between me and Rose, his expression shifting from anger to suspicion.

"Have you manipulated this child's mind, you scoundrel?" he demanded.

I let out a relieved breath. "Hah! What do you mean by manipulated? Do I look like someone who'd touch young girls?"

"What else do you look like? Have you never seen your face in a mirror?"

'Oh, great. Even this thick-skulled idiot is making jokes about me.'

"You can ask her yourself." I gestured to Rose. "I have nothing to hide."

Edric crouched slightly, addressing her directly. "Hey, child. What's your name? Where are your parents?"

Rose glanced at me, her eyes asking if he was a good guy or a bad guy. I nodded.

"My name is Rose," she said softly. "My parents left me on the streets to beg, but Daisy sister brought me here and gave me a job."

Edric's expression softened further, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face. "Why are you bringing him food? Did he force you to serve him?"

I internally rolled my eyes. Brilliant interrogation technique—questioning a possible victim right in front of the suspect.

"No," Rose said firmly. "The young master didn't force me. I'm doing this on my own. And I like young master."

Edric's eyes flared with anger again as he turned to me. "Wait, Rose. Explain what you mean by 'liking' me."

"Hmm…" She made her usual thinking face. "young master tells me stories about another world. He plays hide-and-seek with me, but he's sometimes mean, making jokes about me. He's not like what my elder sisters told me."

'I raised a great child,' I thought, wiping imaginary tears.

Edric raised a brow, looking back at me with suspicion. "You expect me to believe that? How much have you corrupted this girl's mind?"

'Argh, this stupid boomer. Why do you even bother asking if you are not going to believe it.'

Controlling my anger, I said, "Believe what you want. I'm not standing trial here."

Edric stared at me for a long moment before scoffing. "Whatever. Just don't make us wait tomorrow morning." With that, he turned on his heel and walked out.

I let out a slow breath.

'I need to prepare.'

"Young master," Rose called, her voice breaking the silence. "Why was that uncle angry? What's the problem?"

"You're the problem," I said, ruffling her hair.

"Ehh? But I'm the one who resolved the problem!"

"Yes, you're both."

"Ohh!, doesn't that mean I'm great?" she beamed, puffing her chest proudly.

A chuckle escaped me.

"Yeah, Rose. you're the best."

As I looked out the window, the weight of tomorrow settled heavily on my shoulders. My first journey since I transmigrated here, and with Selene watching my every move, I couldn't afford a single misstep.

My trials were just getting started.