The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 43 - 41 — Training

"That’s where you train."

Zephyrion pointed at the entrance to the Steel training grounds, his gaze fixed on Lumi.

The petite girl blinked her large eyes, glanced at the grand gate, then back at him. She hesitated for a second... then shook her head firmly and pointed at him instead.

Zephyrion gestured to the smaller gate at the edge of the mountain.

"That’s where I’ll be training. You train there."

Lumi frowned slightly, blinking a few times. Then her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head more vigorously, pointing at him with a small pout.

Zephyrion exhaled. They were standing before the entrance to the Steel training grounds.

While he had been assigned to the Iron division, Lumi had been placed in the Steel division. He had already known she wouldn’t accept the separation easily and had anticipated this reaction.

"The test you took yesterday placed you in the Steel division. That’s where you’re supposed to be."

Lumi furrowed her brows, waving her hands as if dismissing his words, then pointed at him again with an accusing gaze.

"I told you to do your best because it mattered. This is better for you. Being in Steel suits you more."

Lumi huffed softly, puffing her cheeks a little before crossing her arms and turning her head away.

Suppressing a sigh, Zephyrion stepped toward her, but she quickly averted her gaze, pretending to look elsewhere.

"Look at me."

Lumi shook her head.

"..."

He said nothing after that, only continued to stare at her. After a brief moment, she frowned slightly and peeked at him, as though checking whether he was still waiting.

Zephyrion took the final step and stopped right in front of her. Lumi’s eyes widened, and she instinctively tried to step back, but he placed a hand on her shoulder before she could.

The moment their eyes met, her face turned bright red and she quickly lowered her gaze, fidgeting slightly with her fingers.

"The Steel trainees get more attention from the house, and the training there fits your mark better. You’ll grow faster there. Don’t you want to be strong enough to face our enemies?"

Lumi’s hands slowly clenched into small fists at her sides. After a brief pause, she gave a tiny nod. Slowly, she lifted her head and looked at him with hesitation.

Zephyrion gave her a calm, reassuring nod.

"...It’s better this way."

Lumi let out a soft breath, then slowly nodded again.

Seeing this, Zephyrion glanced briefly at Tobias, who had been standing silently at the side. The young ward was already looking at him with concern.

"M-my lord... are you sure I shouldn’t come with you? I’m your ward, and—"

"If you want to be useful, then get stronger."

Tobias’ words froze. His eyes widened slightly as he met Zephyrion’s steady gaze, then he clenched his fists. A moment later, he bowed deeply.

"I will, my lord!"

"Good."

With a small nod, Zephyrion turned away, giving Lumi one last look before walking off.

Even as he passed through the gate and began descending the stony steps, he could still feel her intense gaze on his back.

His eyes sharpened.

’As expected.’

It didn’t matter that he had displayed strength, speed, and control beyond his current level. In the end, his mark had still placed him in the Iron division.

’Hmm...’

Now that it was official, the news would spread.

The South would hear.

’It doesn’t matter.’

Their opinions would shift soon enough. What mattered now was strength.

And to gain it...

Zephyrion’s eyes grew cold.

He would dominate the entire training ground.

By the time he reached the grand gate, the chill in his gaze had already receded. He stepped inside.

A wide, circular space unfolded before him, much like the Steel training grounds above.

The grounds were already filled with trainees, and the moment he entered, their attention moved toward him.

A wave of widened eyes and hushed gasps rippled through the space.

"Hey... isn’t that Lord Zephyrion?"

"Yeah... what’s he doing here? Shouldn’t he be in the Steel grounds?"

"So it’s actually true..."

"What is?"

"...My father said he’s still at Mark Two."

"...What?"

Zephyrion could feel the shocked gazes of the trainees settling on him from all directions.

But he remained unfazed as he walked deeper into the training grounds. The trainees instinctively parted to make way for him, and it wasn’t long before he arrived before the central platform.

The murmurs and whispers continued to ripple through the crowd, but Zephyrion gradually tuned them out, withdrawing into his thoughts.

’Warren Calderalth.’

The supposed head instructor of the Iron trainees. Unfortunately, Zephyrion had never crossed paths with him in his earlier years, leaving him with nothing to base an assessment on.

He didn’t know what kind of man Warren was.

And more importantly... whether he would pose a threat.

’We’ll see.’

A sudden, explosive bang cut through the air as the training ground doors were kicked open.

A heavy wave of air rolled over them, carrying with it a thick stench of alcohol.

Zephyrion’s brows furrowed.

’What’s he doing here?’

"What are you all staring at? Don’t tell me a little noise scared you stiff."

The burly figure of Garrick Calderalth strode in. His steps were heavy as he mounted the platform, surveying them with a narrowed gaze.

His eyes paused on Zephyrion for a moment, the corner of his lips twitching, before he carried on to the rest of the trainees.

"Are your ears blocked, or are you just slow? Answer me!"

The trainees, still caught in their shock, flinched. Then, as realization struck, they hurriedly snapped to attention.

"Y-yes, instructor!"

"Yes!?"

"N-no, instructor!"

Garrick’s expression broke into a grin, and he gave a slow nod.

"...Good."

Silence settled for a brief moment, until one of the trainees hesitantly raised his arm.

Garrick’s brows drew together instantly.

"What’s that hand for? You asking permission to breathe? This look like a classroom to you? If you’ve got something to say, say it properly."

"A-ah, y-yes..." the trainee stammered. "W-we just—"

"We’re trying to know where our instructor is."

A firm voice echoed from within the trainees.

Zephyrion could barely make out the boy amidst the others, but he caught a glimpse of spiky black hair.

"...There we go. Someone with a spine."

Garrick turned toward the speaker, giving him an approving nod.

"As for that... plans changed. You’re stuck with me now. Show some respect."

Zephyrion’s gaze sharpened.

A hush settled across the entire training ground. Every trainee stared at the grinning Garrick, confused.

"He’s... our new instructor?"

"Wait, that’s Lord Garrick, right? Isn’t he supposed to be in charge of the Steel trainees?"

"Yeah, and he’s known for brutal training... don’t tell me he’s really taking over here."

"...We’re dead."

"What’s wrong with you lot? Deaf, stupid, or both!?"

Garrick’s voice boomed. The trainees flinched and hurriedly bowed.

"We pay our respects!"