Chapter 139

Donatan mentioned that Erucel had a fatal flaw.

‘His strides are always exaggerated. Every time the opponent attacks, his movements waste too much energy. This shows that his body is overreacting instinctively.’

When facing a slightly stronger opponent, he shrinks like jerky.

This was a critical weakness for a swordsman.

‘In most cases, this is due to fear of the opponent, being paralyzed by terror.’

And the cause of this was likely something deeper.

‘Still, it’s strange. Such issues usually improve with experience, but the lack of progress

Trauma.

‘It seems bad memories have ingrained bad habits into his body.’

The culprit behind his condition was obvious.

Who else could it be but the infamous wastrel, Hersel Ben Tenest, who wouldn’t leave his helpless half-brother alone?

And the problem was, that very person is now me.

***

As Hersel approached, Erucel’s mind became a whirlwind of thoughts.

The words “Give me back my brother” jumped from his lips.

Erucel couldn’t understand it at all.

‘He stood by and did nothing all this time, and now?’

Suddenly, recalling Hersel’s aggressive stance, Erucel felt uneasy.

The Ten Elites and the freshmen were in a hostile relationship.

And now, he was face-to-face with one of the enemy’s key figures.

‘If it’s him, he might just take this chance to destroy me… no, he’s definitely the type to do that.’

Erucel subtly twitched his back, signaling to Amanda. It meant, “Get up.”

Fortunately, Amanda rose from her seat.

She glanced over at him.

Erucel mouthed silently, “Just leave.”

Amanda raised an eyebrow, as if confused, then let out a low hum.

“Hmm.”

She tilted her head slightly, then shrugged.

“Take him. I’ve already completed my quota for today anyway.”

As she turned around, Erucel quickly tried to redirect Hersel’s attention.

“Oh-ho-ho, so, what business do you have with this brother?”

But Hersel wasn’t an easy opponent.

“That woman… she’s the one sitting in the fourth seat, isn’t she? Hmmm…….”

Hersel’s long hum made Erucel uneasy.

He thought Hersel might rush out and attack Amanda at any moment.

But thankfully, that didn’t happen.

“Well, it’s nothing serious. You’ve heard, haven’t you? That Riamon was carried into the hospital.”

“I’ve heard. I was thinking of visiting him myself.”

“Anyway, there’s something I need you to do.”

Erucel blinked and asked, “Something to do?”

“It’s simple. Just take one of the Ten Elites.”

“…What are you suddenly talking about?”

“Well, everyone’s been recommending you.”

It was a nonchalant response, with no sign of high expectations.

Erucel actually felt relieved.

‘If I just throw out some reason and refuse, he’ll probably go look for someone else.’

With a smirk, Erucel replied, “Do you really believe I could defeat one of the Ten Elites?”

Annoyingly, Hersel responded immediately.

“No.”

“…That hurts a little, but regardless. I refuse. Don’t waste your time on something that’s impossible. Go find someone else.”

Hersel let out a deep sigh. His gaze was fixed on Amanda’s departing back.

“This is a problem. Should we deal with someone quietly, like they did with Riamon, without anyone noticing?”

“Leave Amanda out of this.”

Hersel asked with a puzzled expression.

“?”

Erucel immediately regretted his words.

He had just unknowingly defended an enemy in front of Hersel.

‘What a foolish mistake! I need to fix this qui

Hersel wasn’t someone who would just let such a slip-up slide.

With his twisted personality came a brilliant, devious mind.

Feeling nervous, Erucel hastily began spinning lies before Hersel could think too much.

And the lie he blurted out was about espionage.

“Actually, I’ve been aiming for the Fourth seat myself.”

Hersel narrowed his eyes suspiciously, clearly doubting the story.

“You said earlier it was impossible. You called it unrealistic.”

“Well, the truth is, I couldn’t openly admit it because the method I’m using isn’t honorable. As a man, playing with a woman’s heart isn’t something I’m proud of.”

Erucel thought his lie wasn’t half bad.

He learned from his mother that there are such things as white lies in this world.

Maybe that’s why, without feeling any guilt, convincing words started flowing out of him effortlessly.

“And you know the saying, ‘If you’re going to deceive, start with your allies,’ right? That’s exactly why I did it. Yes, that’s why.”

Erucel was satisfied.

He couldn’t remember where he had picked up that saying, but it was quite fitting for the situation.

Fortunately, Hersel seemed to believe him.

“Oh-ho, so that’s what it was. Your plan was to use that woman’s heart. Well done, Erucel.”

“Exactly. It was all part of my plan.”

Hersel lightly patted his back as he said, “As expected, your twisted personality is still the same. That cold-blooded mentality from when you tried to cut down a young girl. I knew from then that you were bound to go down the wrong path.”

‘Wait, something’s off with this compliment.’

“They say you should strike while the iron is hot. How about preparing now?”

“Preparing now? For what exactly?”

“There are plenty of ways, aren’t there? Call her to a quiet place. And then, have a good conversation.”

“Ca-calling her? You don’t mean…”

Though it had become more subdued and his nature blurred over time, this man was still a rotten bastard at heart.

And when it came to women, he was like a dog in heat.

A ‘good conversation’ meant something degrading for sure.

Erucel’s anger flared, and his eyes widened in rage.

“If you’re planning to do something indecent, I won’t stand by and let it happen!”

It was only after he had said it that Erucel realized he had just shown his antagonism.

He could very well end up dead for this.

With his heart racing, Erucel nervously observed Hersel’s reaction.

‘He wouldn’t hit me again for talking back, right?’

Hersel wore a disgruntled expression, blinking slowly.

“This is no longer fun. Let’s end the joke here.”

“W-what? A joke?”

Caught off guard, Erucel showed a bewildered reaction, and Hersel furrowed his brow.

“You didn’t actually think I’d fall for that cheap lie, did you?”

“…Since when did you realize?”

“From the moment you claimed you were playing with that woman’s heart.”

Erucel couldn’t quite grasp it.

That alone didn’t seem like enough to give him away.

“Don’t lie. You’re no mind reader.”

“It was a simple guess. Ah, should I even say this? It might hurt your feelings…”

“Ugh, stop being vague. Just say it, like you normally do.”

Hersel responded with a pitying expression and a bitter tone.

“I just thought it was impossible for you to charm a woman. From the start, everything you said sounded like nonsense that not even a passing dog would believe.”

Erucel lowered his gaze in embarrassment.

Hersel silently patted his back.

Then, as if a thought occurred to him, Hersel asked, “By the way, what did you mean by indecent behavior? What exactly did you think I was planning?”

Clearing his throat, Erucel dodged the question slightly.

“Well, isn’t it obvious? Given the kind of things you’ve done in the past.”

Hersel’s eyes widened in disbelief, then quickly narrowed into a threatening glare, his fist clenched tight.

“You little pervert. You’ve got some filthy thoughts in that head of yours.”

His fist came down hard on Erucel’s head, delivering a painfully stinging blow.

Erucel clutched his head in his hands, but Hersel wasn’t done dishing out more of those painful thumps.

“When I said ‘good conversation,’ I meant a discreet negotiation, persuading someone to step down from the Tenth position! Of course, I knew it wouldn’t work, but I was just playing along with you!”

“Ow!”

Erucel couldn’t help but despise Hersel once again…

***

There’s truly nothing remotely pleasant about this guy.

Despite all the times I took him to eat, treated him so well, he still sees me as the same scoundrel, Hersel the troublemaker.

But no matter what, I couldn’t become a real scoundrel, so I decided to stop hitting him.

After all, my goal is to help him overcome his trauma.

“Hm-hm, it’s nice to see us brothers playing so harmoniously after so long, isn’t it?”

“You’ve been drumming on my head like a bongos, and you call that playing?!”

I felt like hitting him again out of frustration, but I let my fist relax, acting like a reasonable person.

Improving our relationship comes first.

Yes, a compliment would work in a time like this.

Now that I think about it, didn’t this brat shout at me earlier?

– “If you’re planning to do something indecent, I won’t stand by and let it happen!”

That was a good sign. Maybe he’s finally starting to overcome his trauma.

I should bring it up positively.

“You said you wouldn’t let me stand by earlier…”

I gave Erucel a sly smile.

“You’ve got guts to raise your voice at me. Seems like your courage has grown since I last saw you.”

But he only replied with a terrified face and a shaky voice.

“H-hiiik!”

He must have thought I was mocking him.

I’ll let that pass.

What else could I bring up…?

Oh, right. He seemed to show interest in that woman earlier. Let’s bring that up.

“Amanda from the Fourth Seat, right? She’s quite a fine woman, considering where she stands.”

“You saying that sounds weird, coming from you.”

“I just meant to say she’s a decent person.”

“Wait… don’t tell me, you’re not after Amanda, are you?”

Erucel trembled, his eyes darting nervously.

I began to wonder if it’s even possible to improve my relationship with this guy.

The troublesome impression of me as a rogue was far more deeply ingrained in his mind than I had anticipated.

No matter how much effort I put in, it feels like it’ll never work.

In that case, my only remaining choice…

“Heh heh heh…”

I burned with the “Noble Blood’s Embers” as I gave a twisted smile.

Reality hit me hard.

Although I was used to mimicking the disgusting Hersel, this felt too crude, and I didn’t like it.

But for the sake of motivation, there was no better method than this vile intimidation.

“Well, who knows?”

I didn’t want to degrade myself any further, so I stopped there.

Even that was enough to spark his imagination.

Erucel clenched his teeth, grimacing.

“Grr!”

I looked down at him dismissively and finished with an indifferent tone.

“Half-kill Meldon from the Seventh Seat. That’s my request to you as your older brother.”

No matter how much I try to help, it’s pointless. He’s just a pain and always drags down my dignity.

Indeed, there’s nothing likable about him…

***n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Erucel accepted the task, albeit reluctantly.

His face looked like someone being blackmailed by a villain holding a hostage, but it was the start that mattered.

I watched Erucel and Mircel gripping their swords in the backyard of the Schlaphe Hall.

Donatan had insisted that we needed to see Erucel’s full strength to properly assess him.

“Hersel, it’s nearly impossible to fix that guy’s mindset.”

“I thought the same.”

My approach had failed.

I had tried to ease Erucel’s fear of Hersel by improving our relationship with a gentle approach, but the results were poor.

Still, he was the only useful card I had, so I had no choice but to make the best of him.

‘Hm, is there a good way to break Meldon’s legs? If we disguise it as an accident, it would be perfect.’

‘…Quit that cowardly thinking. There’s another way.’

“Huh?”

Donatan’s voice sounded nostalgic.

‘My former master used to train his disciples harshly. There were some who were as frightened as that guy. Do you know what the Sword Saint did with them?’

‘What did he do?’

‘He beat them.’

It seemed like he wanted to toughen them up.

Maybe if they got used to the pain, their exaggerated movements would lessen.

But could that really work?

‘Toughening them up is fine, but wouldn’t that cause a different problem? What if he starts to take dangerous hits without thinking?’

If he becomes reckless, relying on toughness, it could be fatal.

After all, a single proper strike from a sword usually means death.

I had hit the core of the issue, but Donatan’s intention was different from what I thought.

‘It’s not about toughening them up. It’s about learning through pain. The idea is to hammer into them that exaggerated movements are a disadvantage.’

Hearing that, it made sense.

If he made exaggerated movements, punish him. If he was too reckless, punish him.

It was like training a circus elephant to lift its legs with a single whip. A way of correction.

‘In that case, their unconscious will fight to survive. When they start doubting their own judgment, their body will refuse orders and move instinctively.’

‘So…’

‘Yes, he needs to be beaten. Completely cornered, to the point where he feels like he wants to die, several times.’

I relayed Donatan’s words to Mircel.

“Mircel, beat him to the point where he wants to say he wants to die.”

“Huh? Sure, no problem.”

As Mircel responded casually, Erucel backed away in shock.

“W-what? Wait, Mircel, I’m your brother! You can’t do this to me!”

“Complain to the eldest brother, not me.”

The deadline was set for two days.

Within that time, I needed to draw out Erucel’s potential.

“Ow! My bones, you hit my bones!”

“Then why are you running away? This isn’t a game of tag, it’s a sparring match.”

I tore my gaze away from the beaten-up Erucel and began writing a challenge letter to Meldon.

***

Kerndel slid a letter across the long table, sending it toward where Meldon of the Seventh Seat sat.

“A challenge has arrived for you, Meldon.”

“Oh, yes. Thank you, senior.”

Meldon carefully opened the letter.

“Huh? Erucel? Isn’t he that fool who’s constantly being disciplined?”

“I’ve heard he’s a defective member of the Tenest family, but you should be able to take care of him easily.”

Kerndel’s words reassured Meldon.

If the opponent was weak, he’d win easily.

He was already itching for revenge, and this was the perfect opportunity.

“This is great. Just hearing the name ‘Tenest’ raises my blood pressure.”

Meldon clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead.

Rip

The thought of crushing one of their family members like a letter crumpling in his hand brought a wicked grin to Meldon’s face.

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