"Whatttt!!!"
"Hiss—"
"Is it really true?"
The children around Blake erupted in shock. Some screamed, while others sucked in cold air, unable to believe what they had just heard.
To them, the Baron was like the heavens themselves. And now, learning that someone like Ethan—a servant just like them—had become the Baron's disciple left their hearts burning with envy and jealousy.
Every child stared at Ethan, their faces filled with disbelief.
So he really is that disciple the Baron was talking about.
"Wow… man, I—I really can't believe it," Blake said, forcing a natural tone despite the envy flickering in his eyes. "You actually became the great Baron's disciple. How did that even happen?"
"Hehe… it's because—" Ethan began, but suddenly stopped.
"Why don't you come with me? My master had to leave because of that sudden flame pillar, so I was allowed out. There's something I want to discuss with you."
"Ah… o-okay. Let's go."
Blake acted as if he still couldn't fully accept the news and followed Ethan with visible hesitation.
They soon arrived at a cave Blake had never seen before.
The moment Blake stepped inside, his eyes widened. The interior was completely different from the outside—brick walls lined the cave, and the concentration of mana was far denser than anywhere he had felt before.
After walking for about a minute, a massive metal door appeared before them, two guards standing silently at its sides.
"Our flames are meant to be eternal,"
Ethan shouted toward the door.
Clank.
The metal door slowly opened.
What greeted Blake was a vast training ground. On the left, several people were dueling intensely, while on the right, others sat cultivating in silence.
Among them, Blake spotted a familiar face.
The blond—Jake.
The guy that definitely has something wrong with his brain.
Jake was overseeing the duels when he suddenly frowned.
"Hm?"
He turned his head, locking onto Blake.
"Greetings, Ethan," Jake said with a smile before shifting his gaze. "And you… aren't you the boy I met cleaning the mansion one day?"
"Greetings, Sir Jake," Ethan replied calmly. "This is my friend Blake. I have something to discuss with him, so we're heading to my room."
Blake bowed politely and followed Ethan as they moved deeper inside.
I still can't sense anything from this kid…
I'll need to keep an eye on him.
Jake's gaze lingered on Blake, sharp and suspicious.
Why is he staring at my back?
Blake could clearly feel it thanks to his heightened senses.
There's really something wrong with this guy.
They soon entered the core area.
"This is my room," Ethan said.
"…?"
Blake froze.
What stood before him was not a room—it was a massive space containing a training ground larger than the one outside, countless pieces of equipment neatly arranged, and even a house.
"This is a room?" Blake muttered. "How the heck is this a room?"
"I thought the same thing when my master gave it to me," Ethan said, scratching his head.
"Wow… you're seriously lucky," Blake said, clicking his tongue.
Then Ethan looked at him seriously.
"Blake, why don't you move here too?"
"Huh?"
****
Somewhere Inside the Royal Palace
In a hidden chamber where the mana concentration far surpassed even the area beyond the metal door of the Rodrick family…
A figure sat cross-legged, absorbing vast amounts of mana.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
One of which was blue.
While the other, purple.
"That fierce energy I sensed earlier… it was definitely Slake's."
"Although his power has increased… it's still not enough."
A solemn look formed on his face.
"Soon… it will start."
"The War of Myriad Races."