Morning broke slowly over the ruined dukedom.]
[Grey light filtered through cracked windows, settling over a courtyard that had long forgotten prosperity.]
[Footsteps.]
[Uneven. Labored.]
Abaksa Einsro-"Haa… haa…"
[He ran.Again.And again.]
[His body screamed.His legs burned.]
[His lungs felt like they would collapse.]
[But he didn't stop.]
"…Faster…"
[He stumbled.]
[Nearly fell.]
[But forced himself forward.]
"…I don't have time…"
[Ten days.]
[That was all he had.]
[To survive.]
[To fight.]
[To not be thrown away like trash.]
[From a distance Someone watched.]
Earl Bruts- "…Interesting."
[A tall, broad-shouldered man stood beneath the archway.]
[Grey hair tied back neatly. Sharp eyes that missed nothing.]
[Beside him stood another man, carrying a small case of tools.]
Butler Kael- "My lord… that is the young duke."
Earl Bruts- "I know."
[Silence.]
Butler Kael- "He'll collapse at this rate."
Earl Bruts- "…Yes."
[Abaksa's legs gave out.]
[He fell.]
[Hard.]
[He tried to get up.]
Earl Bruts-"…That's new."
[The Abaksa he knew]
[Would have just ran away.]
[This one]
[Didn't.]
Abaksa Einsro- "…Move…"
[His body trembled violently.]
"…MOVE—!"
[He forced himself up.One more step.]
Earl Bruts- "Enough."
[In a flash .He was there.]
[Supporting Abaksa before he hit the ground.]
Abaksa Einsro- "…Who—"
Earl Bruts- "Earl Bruts."
[His voice was calm.]
[Grounded.]
Earl Bruts- "And you're about to die from stupidity."
[Abaksa blinked.]
"…Tch…"
[Even now—]
[His pride reacted.]
Abaksa Einsro- "I don't have the luxury… to stop…"
[Earl Bruts studied him.]
[Closely.]
Earl Bruts- "…You've changed."
[Silence.]
Butler Kael- "My lord, his pulse is unstable."
[The butler stepped forward, opening his case.]
[His movements were precise.]
[Controlled.]
Earl Bruts- "And a swordsman… sees this too clearly."
[His gaze sharpened.]
Earl Bruts- "That's the movement of a weak noble."
"…That's someone who's fears battles."
[Abaksa froze.]
[For a moment]
[Their eyes met.]
"…Dangerous man."
Earl Bruts sighed.
Earl Bruts- "Fine."
"…If you're going to train like that, at least do it properly."
[Abaksa's eyes widened slightly.]
"…What?"
Earl Bruts- "You have ten days, don't you?"
[Silence.]
Earl Bruts- "…I heard."
"…The duel."
[He turned.]
Earl Bruts-"If you continue like this, you'll die before you even step onto that field."
[He looked back.]
Earl Bruts- "So I'll help you."
[The words hung in the air.]
Abaksa Einsro- "…Why?"
Earl Bruts- "Because I'm bored."
[Pause.]
"…And because I want to see how far you can go."
[Not kindness.]
[The system flickered.]
[New Quest][Earn the Trust and Respect of Earl Bruts][Reward: ???][Failure: Loss of Support]
[Abaksa's eyes narrowed.]
"…So that's how it works…"
[He slowly stood.]
[Despite the pain.]
Abaksa Einsro- "…Fine. Sir "
"…Train me."
[Earl Bruts smiled faintly.]
Earl Bruts- "Don't regret that."
[And just like that .The path began.]
Elsewhere…
[Darkness.]
[Absolute.]
[Then]
[A pulse.]
[A heartbeat.]
[Something… awakening.]
[Error System Activated][Reincarnation: Successful][Welcome… Abakf2f33f Welcome Demon Lord varoz.]
[Two eyes opened.]
"…So it begins."