Hidden quest

"Huff... huff..." Lux's heavy breathing echoed across the large courtyard.

Beside the storage room wall, Mira and Maskl watched him with amazement and respect in their eyes.

"So there was someone talented in this family after all," Maskl thought, looking at Lux with new hope. "I really don't like knowing that Lucas is the most likely heir."

It wasn't that Lucas lacked talent. The fact that he was probably the next head of the Branmere family proved he had skill. The family respected power above age, after all. But Lucas was more like a devil wearing human skin. Almost everyone knew this truth.

He did terrible things that no one in his position should do. Lucas saw the head position as a tool to gain more power, and his controlling personality made it worse. If someone like him became the family head, they would surely walk down the wrong path. The family's reputation would be destroyed.

Mira stared at Lux with great shock. Never in her whole life had she seen him this determined and desperate. He was training with injuries that showed no signs of healing, pushing himself beyond his limits.

"Young Mira, please go prepare a bath for the young master," Maskl said, turning to her.

Mira froze in shock. She paused for a moment, not fully understanding what she had heard.

"Did he just call me by my name? Lord Aldric's butler knows my name?!" she thought in amazement.

She nodded quickly and ran away from the courtyard, her heart racing with excitement.

"Young master Lux, I'll have to ask you to follow me," Maskl said, turning around.

Lux stood up weakly and followed behind him. He couldn't think of a good reason why Maskl would want him to come along. Maybe he wanted to put in a good word with the Marquis? That would be helpful, but it didn't seem likely. Maskl was probably following the Marquis's orders to keep an eye on him in the first place.

Maskl led him into the mansion where the maids were working. Unlike before, they didn't dare disrespect Lux in front of the noble butler.

"Good afternoon, Sir Maskl. Young master Lux," they greeted, bowing as low as they could.

Lux wasn't the type who enjoyed such displays. He walked past without even looking at them. Maskl noticed this and felt even more impressed. The more time he spent with Lux, the more he believed that Lux was the best thing the Branmere family had ever produced.

He took Lux to the infirmary where injured or sick members of the Branmere family were brought for healing.

When Maskl opened the door, the woman in charge of the nursing spoke lazily without looking up.

"Who's the injured fool this time?" she said, turning around slowly.

Her eyes landed on Lux, whom she simply ignored. But when she saw the tall figure beside him, she quickly stood up and bowed.

"S-Sir Maskl! Young master Lux!" she stammered, trying to sound as respectful as possible.

She knew that if she dared disrespect or anger this man, she and her entire family would be wiped out without knowing why.

"Young master Lux! What happened to you?!" she yelled, pretending to care.

But the cold glare Lux shot her was enough to make her stop talking immediately.

"Leave him alone. I'll treat him myself," Maskl said.

He had noticed Lux's glare and couldn't help but chuckle inside. He could sense that the woman was only putting on an act because he was there. But the look Lux gave her had sent shivers down her spine.

The woman bit her lip and nodded, moving away. She let Maskl walk into the large room and choose a bed for Lux to sit on.

"Damn it, did he come here to heal me?" Lux thought as the old butler gave the woman some instructions.

When he finished, she quickly ran out of the room.

"Don't worry, young master Lux. By the time she comes back with what I asked for, I'll help treat your wounds," Maskl said.

Lux felt a chill run up his spine. He wanted to refuse, but getting his injuries treated by someone like Maskl was a big deal. It would be highly disrespectful to refuse his kind gesture.

"Sir Maskl, please, I have a favor to ask," Lux said, clenching his teeth. "About the wounds... please don't treat them with healing ointments. Could you just clean them?"

If Maskl decided to heal his wounds completely, Lux would have no choice but to accept. That would mean starting his quest all over again.

The old butler looked at Lux with surprise. Most children his age wouldn't want to endure the intense pain that Lux was feeling right now. But this young boy insisted on only cleaning the wounds, not healing them. It meant he wanted his body to adapt to the pain. He would have scars, but they would serve as lessons.

"This boy... no matter what, he must become the next successor!" Maskl swore in his head.

He was ready to do anything to make this boy become a great figure in the Branmere house. Even though he knew a difficult path lay ahead because of Lux's bastard status.

Ding!

[You have completed a hidden quest!]

Quest: Make Sir Maskl your ally before entering the academy.

Sir Maskl will start losing hope in the Branmere family and will eventually guide them to their death. Increase your relationship with him above 60.

Current relationship meter: 70 (Sworn protector)

Reward: A-rank skill, +5 free stats (locked)

Failure: Destruction of the Branmere family

[Rewards have been sent to your vault!]

Lux's eyes widened as he read the notification. He had just completed a hidden quest without even knowing it existed. More importantly, he had gained Maskl as a sworn protector. This changed everything.

The old butler carefully cleaned Lux's wounds with gentle hands, removing dirt and dried blood. Each touch sent pain through Lux's body, but he gritted his teeth and endured it silently.

"You're stronger than I expected, young master," Maskl said quietly as he worked. "Most people would be crying by now."

"Pain is just weakness leaving the body," Lux replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Maskl paused in his work and looked at Lux with respect. "Where did you learn such wisdom?"

"From experience," Lux said simply.

As Maskl finished cleaning the last wound, he wrapped clean bandages around Lux's injuries. The pain was still there, but at least the wounds were clean and protected.

"There. This should help prevent infection while your body heals naturally," Maskl said, stepping back to admire his work.

"Thank you, Sir Maskl. I won't forget this kindness," Lux said, bowing his head slightly.

"Think nothing of it, young master. I have a feeling you're going to surprise everyone very soon," Maskl replied with a knowing smile.

As they prepared to leave the infirmary, Lux couldn't help but feel that his life was about to change in ways he never expected. Having Maskl as an ally would be crucial for the challenges ahead.