Seeing that Joshua who was still tight-lipped, Duke Agnus repeated himself. “I will ask again: who are you, really?”

“Joshua… Joshua von Agnus.”

Duke Agnus looked deeply into the latter’s eyes with a gaze that seemed to pierce his very soul. Joshua didn’t avert his gaze.

“A lot of things have changed since I last saw you,” he finally said.

“Because a lot of time has passed.”

Duke Agnus could only smile bitterly.

“Do you resent me?”

“I do not,” Joshua answered without hesitation, to the Duke’s surprise. “You expect nothing from anyone because you are watching the Imperial family.”

Duke Agnus visibly trembled.

“But…” Joshua’s voice was low and somber. “...but I have a request.”

“A request?” Duke Agnus’s eyes lit up. “I won’t apologize then. Because in this place, might is right. If you become stronger than me, then... I will apologize. So, what’s your request?”

Joshua straightened himself.

‘An apology? I don’t even hope for such pleasantries from you.’ 

In a world of savagery and cruelty, apologies were the privilege of apex predators. Anyone without strength would just be eaten.

“The reason you called me here must be that you saw some potential in me. The Duke is someone who reaches out to the talented, regardless of their origins.”

“...I won’t deny it.” The Duke eyed him questioningly.

“You must be thinking of taking me to the capital,” he said quietly. Again, surprise flashed through Duke Agnus’s eyes. It was surprising to see his own offspring being able to anticipate what he was about to suggest. The Duke waited for Joshua to elaborate, but no explanation was forthcoming.

“Why?” he asked.

“There are two reasons.”

“Two reasons, you say? Tell me about them.” Duke Agnus leaned forward with genuine curiosity.

“Firstly, it is your responsibility as the head of the family to keep the family in order.” Seeing Duke Agnus’s silence, Joshua continued. “Everyone here never doubted that you would be succeeded by Babel von Agnus. But suddenly, I appeared. Normally, you wouldn’t even worry about someone who was ignored and despised for being a bastard.”

Now, Joshua’s gaze sharpened.

“It would be a different story if that boy had the skills to overcome the successor. The impoverished are slow to change their circumstances… yet here comes untold power. Anyone would be shaken.”

“It sounds like you have that kind of power,” Duke Agnus muttered.

“At least…” Joshua ventured. “I think it will be enough not to disappoint Your Grace.”

The Duke’s lips curled upwards, ever so slightly. His eyes belied joy, a little anticipation… and a little regret.

‘If I had raised him properly from the beginning…’ Duke Agnus swallowed his disappointment. It wasn’t too late. Joshua was already a C-Class mana user at the age of nine. Just the fact that this unprecedented talent was here would make the Agnus name renowned throughout the continent.

“What is the second reason?”

“Second is… Your Grace’s personal greed for talent.”

Aden von Agnus stared down at him.

“If I achieve a level beyond even Your Grace, your power will rise again. Maybe to the point where you... no longer need to watch out for the Imperial family.”

“Hoooh.” After a while, Duke Agnus let out a low chuckle.

It was a master strike.

‘I thought he only had skills, but it turns out he also has guts.’ His firstborn had talent that drew the envy of the entire Empire, but his mindset was lacking. But the progeny standing before him...heh, this kid was perfect.

Had this little boy really turned nine this year?

“Okay. If you say so.” Duke Agnus was taut with anticipation. “I have a card that can solve both at once… And you know what that is?”

“Of course.” Joshua’s immediate reply made the Duke’s eyes light up.

“What is it?”

“You’re thinking of sending me to the academy in the capital.”

‘That’s right. But those two reasons aside, I also wanted to monitor him from nearby.’

“It’s incredible—You know what I’m going to say before I say it. I’m at a loss for words.”

The children of nobles in the Avalon Empire were obliged to attend the academy from the age of ten to fifteen, a period of six years. That said, with the right skills, one could graduate early.

Why did the Imperial family establish such an academy?

The official reason was that their unique curriculum would foster outstanding talent, but only a fool would have believed that. The Imperial family was holding the nobles’ children hostage, binding the most talented children to the Imperial family.

“I’m surprised that you guessed what my plans were and took the words out of my mouth.” The Duke put on a resigned face and continued. “Babel has to leave the family next year, so it’s not bad for you to stay up here but…”

For similar reasons, noble children were required to travel the world for three years upon their sixteenth birthday. Nobles had few opportunities to experience the world at large, particularly if they were not called to war. However, the intentions behind the opportunity had been made useless in recent years. Most people just took up residence with a suitable family and play around for three years.

“I think it would be best if you came to the capital along with me.” Duke Agnus smiled bitterly. “If you’re nearby, I can see you in person from time to time.”

What an incredible statement. A Master, of which there were only five in the Empire, and one of the Nine Stars, was saying that he would personally teach him the sword. This opportunity couldn’t be bought, no matter how much one offered, but…

“I’m fine.” Joshua shook his head resolutely.

“Fine?” Duke Agnus asked blankly.

“Your Grace is a master of the greatsword. But I…” Joshua held out his hands. “I intend to take up the spear.”

“Spear?” Duke Agnus frowned.

‘I had my suspicions when he used a stick to win the spar…’ Duke Agnus had never thought that Joshua would really have such thoughts. Moreover, in Igrant, using a spear would undoubtedly attracted the worst possible opinion. A crude weapon for untrained conscripts, nothing more and nothing less.

Not a single spear-wielder stood among the vaunted ranks of the Masters. Therefore, when Joshua had beaten back Babel with his stick, Duke Agnus had firmly believed that it was simply the result of Joshua’s sophisticated understanding of mana. However, it now appeared that was not the case.

“...I don’t understand.” Hackles raised, Duke Agnus quietly stood up. With eyes wide open, Joshua let out a small groan and also began to activate his mana.

The Duke’s pride for the sword, the path he had taken up until now, and his dedication to martial arts; they were all being blatantly ignored by the young boy.

“Will you really use a spear?” Duke Agnus asked softly. His oppressive energy made it difficult for Joshua to even open his mouth, but he refused to back down.

‘I… am Joshua Sanders.’ Blood dripped from between his lips as he gritted his teeth and he replied the Duke loud and clear.

“My… my spear will topple anything that stands in my way. Even…”

Joshua locked eyes with Duke Agnus.

“...Even if they are one of the Nine Stars.”