24:The Mountain from Hell and an Unexpected Banquet

Morning – The Aftermath of the First Training

When I woke up, I was already dead.

Or at least, that's what it felt like.

My entire body felt like it had been crushed by a boulder. Every tiny movement sent waves of pain through my muscles. I barely managed to lift an arm, only to groan and let it flop back onto the bed.

"Ugh... I can't move…"

Just then, a familiar voice rang out.

"Young Master, it's time to wake up."

I cracked my eyes open and saw my caretaker standing by my bedside, looking as fresh and energetic as ever. How unfair.

"…I think I'm dying."

She chuckled, completely unfazed by my suffering. "You'll be fine. Sir Garret is already waiting for you at the training grounds."

I wanted to cry.

I barely survived yesterday, and now I had to go back? This was abuse. This was torture. This was—

"You wouldn't want to be late, would you?" she added with a smile.

I saw through her smile. That wasn't kindness. That was threatening kindness. If I refused to get up, she'd make me regret it.

Summoning every ounce of willpower, I rolled off the bed… and collapsed onto the floor.

I didn't even have the strength to get mad at myself.

---

The Training Grounds – The Weighted Bands of Doom

Somehow, I managed to drag myself to the training grounds, where Sir Garret stood with an annoyingly smug expression.

"Good, you're here. How do you feel?" he asked.

I stared at him.

How did I feel? Like I had been run over by a carriage. Like every muscle in my body had been set on fire and then frozen at the same time.

But I had enough pride not to whine.

"…Fine."

Sir Garret smirked. "Great. Here, put these on."

He handed me four thick wrist and ankle bands, each one heavier than they looked.

I hesitated. "What are these?"

"Five kilograms each," he said casually.

My eye twitched.

"Wait. Each?"

"Yes. A total of 20 kilograms. From today onward, you'll be wearing these during training."

I almost dropped them. "…I don't remember agreeing to this."

Sir Garret patted my shoulder. "You don't have to agree."

I stared at him, horrified. This wasn't training. This was a death sentence.

As soon as I strapped them on, I immediately regretted every life choice that led me to this moment.

The weight pulled me down, making even standing up feel like I was carrying a fully grown adult on my back. Moving my legs felt like wading through mud.

I took one step forward—and almost faceplanted into the ground.

Sir Garret laughed.

He actually laughed at me.

"Ah, you'll get used to it," he said, completely ignoring my suffering. "Now, let's move on to today's training."

I looked up at him warily. Something about the way he said that made me nervous.

Sir Garret pointed behind me.

I turned around… and saw the tallest mountain I had ever seen in my life.

…Wait.

No.

No way.

"Your task is simple," Sir Garret said, grinning like the devil himself. "Go up and come back down. You have two hours."

I stared at the mountain. I stared at Sir Garret.

Then I stared at the mountain again.

"…There's no way in hell I'll be able to walk after this."

Sir Garret ignored my despair. "I already informed your other teachers that you won't be attending their classes today."

"…So you just decided this without even asking me?"

"Of course."

I felt betrayed.

But the worst part?

I couldn't even argue.

Because no matter how much I wanted to fight back… I couldn't even lift my arms.

---

Aldric & Seraphina – The Banquet Discussion

Meanwhile, in the Duke's office.

Aldric Ravenshade sat at his desk, calmly flipping through documents. Across from him, Seraphina sat with a cup of tea in hand, her crimson-red eyes watching him curiously.

Finally, Aldric spoke.

"We will be attending the 3rd Princess's 7th birthday banquet next month."

Seraphina blinked.

Then she narrowed her eyes.

"…We?"

Aldric gave a small nod. "You, me, and Averis."

Seraphina sighed. "Averis has never been to a royal gathering before. He's still a child."

"He is my heir. The capital will have to see him eventually."

Seraphina tapped her fingers against the table. "You know how the nobles will react."

Aldric's gaze darkened slightly. "Let them react how they want. I am not raising my son to hide in the North forever."

Seraphina sighed again. She understood. Averis would have to face the noble society sooner or later.

But still…

"Will you at least warn him first?" she asked.

Aldric smirked.

Seraphina frowned.

"…Aldric. What did you do?"

Aldric leaned back in his chair. "He's currently occupied with Sir Garret's training. I doubt he'll have the energy to argue."

Seraphina's eye twitched.

She almost felt bad for their son.

Almost.

---

Back to Averis – The Mountain Climb from Hell

I was dying.

Every step felt like pulling a mountain behind me. My legs trembled, my arms were heavy, and even my thoughts felt slow.

"…Why… am I… doing this…"

The Frost Raven circled above me, watching my struggle with clear amusement.

"…Stop looking at me like that," I muttered.

The raven let out a small caw—which I was 100% sure was laughter.

I groaned and kept climbing.

If I survived this, I was going to get revenge on Sir Garret somehow.

But first…

I had to not die.

---

End of Chapter 24