25# Gareth's Oath

The wind whispered through the trees, gentle but unwelcoming. There was no peace in the path Clint now walked. After weeks of brutal training, his body was different—stronger, faster, more lethal. The return to Ravenhart territory should have been quiet… but something in the air felt off.

He moved with calm steps, silent but alert. His eyes scanned the forest instinctively. And then—he saw it.

Not far ahead, a small clearing. The metallic scent of fresh blood hit him before his eyes registered the scene.

There, surrounded by the mangled corpses of monsters, lay a man. His clothes were torn to shreds, chest clawed open in three deep gashes. A sword shook in his hand, trembling with each breath. Four more beasts—twisted wolves, corrupted by wild mana—closed in, circling like vultures.

Clint didn't hesitate.

Perhaps it wasn't out of kindness. Perhaps… it was simply to test how far he had come.

He moved. Silent as a shadow.

The first beast fell with a clean slash across the throat. The second turned to dust before it understood what had happened. The third tried to retreat, but Clint's bloodlust paralyzed it. The last didn't even manage a growl.

When it was over, silence returned.

Clint approached the man, grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him out of the clearing without a word. A few dozen meters away, he dropped him like a sack of meat.

The man coughed blood. His vision was blurred, body trembling. But despite his condition, he forced himself to kneel.

— You… saved my life — the man's voice was ragged, but resolute. — And you ask nothing in return. But my honor won't allow me to walk away from this debt.

Clint raised a brow, still silent.

— Please — the man said, struggling to breathe — let me offer you my loyalty. As repayment for the life you spared.

Clint narrowed his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

— Why should I accept a rat like you as a servant? You couldn't even handle a few pathetic beasts.

The man didn't flinch. He looked up and answered without hesitation:

— My name is Gareth. I was once a high-ranking general of the Kingdom of Leona. I stand at the peak of the Fourth Stage of Mantra. Today, I may be broken… but give me time, and I will become useful to you.

Clint paused. Then scoffed.

— Would you kill if I ordered it? Steal? Would your precious honor allow you to serve a "mercenary" weaker than yourself?

— An oath of loyalty — Gareth said, without wavering — is equal to offering my life. You saved it. I owe you more than I can repay. My sword is yours now.

Clint stared at him for a moment. Then turned away and began to walk.

— Fine. Come with me. But if you disappoint me… I'll finish what the forest started.

Gareth bowed his head, smiling faintly. — Yes, my lord.

They traveled together through the forest in silence. Side by side. As the path cleared, grass gave way to packed dirt roads. Ahead, the towering walls of the Ravenhart estate began to rise above the trees.

The sun was setting behind them, casting long shadows across the stone.

As they approached the gate, two guards straightened at the sight of the boy. Surprise flickered in their expressions.

Before they could say a word, Gareth stopped, staring at the flags bearing the black raven crest.

— This is… the Ravenhart estate? — he asked, astonished. — Do you… work for this family?

Clint said nothing.

He simply walked forward, without looking back.