They all watched.
Rudious and Jorald stood frozen, staring without blinking.
Master Aldous was staring too.
"Impossible."
The word left their mouths before they could stop it.
And on Jorald's face — a strange, almost crazy smile appeared.
---
Veil was scared.
He was in Arthur's lap. He clung to him tightly, hiding his face.
"Uncle... Drak..."
Arthur patted his back, trying to calm him. "No, Young Master. Drake is fine. Just watch."
---
Then —
Drake's entire upper body turned red. Deep red — like burning coal in a blacksmith's forge.
And smoke began rising from his bare skin. Thin at first, then thicker. Like heat waves coming off a hot stove on a summer day. The air around him visibly distorted.
*Whoossssh.
He opened his eyes.
Once the smoke cleared, his body returned to normal. His skin was still incredibly warm to the touch.
---
Master Aldous spoke. "Congratulations, child."
"Thank you, Grand Mage." Drake breathed heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead. "But what talent did I awaken?"
"Nmm. Your talent is a physical talent. It's also called 'Iron Body'."
"Iron Body?"
Drake looked confused. He tried to lift his arm.
His body began to tremble slowly. The intense heat had drained every ounce of his strength. He couldn't even stand properly without his knees buckling.
At Rudious's signal, two guards stepped forward. He was gently placed in the carriage next to Veil.
---
Then Jorald and Aldous both walked over to Rudious.
"Congratulations, Rudious," Master Aldous said. "Your child has inherited a generational talent."
But Aldous's smile was different — almost nostalgic, looking back at a distant past.
"Before I die — I will see the Red Monster one more time. Just like your grandfather."
"Haha ha ha."
Laughing loudly, he turned and walked inside the tent.
---
Then Jorald said quietly, "How do you feel, My Lord? And hide that laughter."
Rudious smiled. "He he he... how, Jorald?"
His face was glowing with pride.
"The talent Drake has inherited — it's unbelievable. The one I couldn't inherit myself..."
"He he... hu hu..."
His laughter wouldn't stop. He tried to hold it back, covering his mouth with his hand, but it kept slipping out through his fingers.
Jorald stood there, smiling in silence. He knew exactly what this meant.
---
Suddenly, three or four carriages appeared from somewhere across the plains.
They stopped in front of them. Inside were children — some who trained with Drake, some completely new.
Rudious stepped forward and asked, "Everyone's awakening is done?"
"Yes, My Lord," Arthur replied. "7 physical type. 6 mage type."
"Good. Now let's go home."
---
Everyone packed up the tents.
They mounted their carriages and horses and headed home.
On the way, Veil held onto Drake tightly. Drake's body had gone completely limp — totally drained of energy, his head resting against the wooden wall of the carriage.
As they entered the town, all the people welcomed Drake and the other children. Shouts of "Young Master!" and loud clapping echoed through the streets.
The moment they reached the manor, Drake and Veil were sent straight to their room to rest.
---
Jorald and Rudious walked straight to the office. The mood turned serious instantly.
Inside the office —
A figure that had been waiting there — standing like a shadow in the corner — appeared. It knelt on one knee and handed Rudious a sealed letter. Then vanished into smoke.
Rudious opened the letter and read it in silence.
"Pellamio Merchant Company. A commoner who became rich by looting his own lord after the Revolution. But now his entire stock is finished. He has no brain left. His eldest son is in the second year of the Knight Academy. He wants our mines through that boy. No other support. Also accused of tax evasion and charging high taxes in his own barony. Pathetic."
Jorald crossed his arms. "What do we do, My Lord?"
Rudious thought for a second. "First, we ask Drake. And for a pathetic loser like him — why should we even raise our swords?"
"As you wish, My Lord."
---
Night. Dinner at the dining table.
After eating, Rudious looked at Drake across the table.
"Ahem. Drake, my boy."
"Yes, Father?" Drake replied, looking up from his plate.
"If I send you into a duel — would you want to go?"
"What do you mean?" Drake asked, tilting his head, curious.
"If someone your age — or two years older — is made to fight you... would you fight?"
Rudious didn't beat around the bush. Jorald looked at Rudious. Hans stood quietly in the background.
Drake smiled. "Is he strong?"
Rudious smiled too. "Very."
"What will you do? Tell me."
Drake yawned casually, stretching his arms, and stood up from the chair. "Fine. Tell me when it's time to fight. Come on, Veil — let's go sleep."
Both of them left together, walking up the stairs as if they had just discussed the weather.
Jorald raised his eyebrows. "Like father, like son."
---
Rudious said, "Hans — I need to send a letter. Bring me ink and paper."
"Yes, My Lord."
Rudious quickly wrote something on the paper, then whispered into Hans's ear. Hans nodded and left with the letter.
Rudious turned to Jorald.
"Give that loser one week."
"Yes, My Lord."
"And tomorrow morning — open the vault with the basic books on weapons and techniques."
"Understood, My Lord." Jorald bowed and left.
Rudious also stood up from the table and walked away into the dark hall.
---
Next morning. Rudious and Drake stood alone on the training ground.
Drake wore training clothes — not too tight, not too loose, not flashy. Simple.
"Drake."
"Yes, Father."
"What do you want to become?"
Drake answered without a second thought. "I want to become a knight."
"And what is the most important thing for that?" Rudious asked, pacing slowly.
"Honor," Drake replied.
Rudious smiled gently. "Honor exists in a mage too, my child. Even in someone weak like me. But what makes a knight different — is his sword. And his path."
Jorald had arrived on the grounds.
"Drake — go with Jorald to the armory. Find a new foundation of the sword for yourself. And a technique too."
Drake blinked. "But I already know swordsmanship."
"That is basic. You must create your own sword and technique," Rudious said firmly.
Jorald patted the boy's shoulder. "Alright, boy. Let's go."
---
As Jorald walked away, he stopped and looked back at Rudious. "My Lord — may I say something?"
"Say it."
Jorald smiled, a teasing glint in his eye. "Never try to give philosophical advice again. It doesn't suit you."
Rudious paused. A vein faintly popped on his forehead. Then — "You bastard."
But Jorald was already gone.
---
Some time later. Rudious was sitting in his office with Hans.
A knock on the door.
"Come in."
Jorald and Drake entered the room.
Drake had books in his hands. Not one — two technique books.
---
[Chapter 27 — End]
Iron Body. Red Monster. Two technique books. Add the story to your library and don't miss what comes next. See you in Chapter 28.
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