The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 49 - 47 — Evaluation

A wave of gasps rippled from the trainees as they stared at Zephyrion in shock and disbelief.

"What!?"

"So fast—!"

"Did... did he just send Kaiden out of the arena?"

"You...!"

Kaiden slowly rose to his feet, staring at Zephyrion with a burning glare.

"Fine... fine... you want to fight, right? Then fight me."

Metal condensed around his arm, forming a massive, dense broadsword.

"Oh! They’re about to fight!"

"The young lord and the top trainee!"

The trainees held their breaths.

Kaiden was about to move when an oppressive force descended upon them, freezing them in place.

"That’s enough."

All eyes turned toward Garrick, who now stood in the arena.

"But instructor—!"

"There will be no unsanctioned duels. I decide who fights."

Kaiden gritted his teeth.

"Then... I challenge him."

"Denied."

"...Why?"

Garrick fixed him with a narrowed gaze.

"I don’t owe you an explanation, brat."

Kaiden shrank slightly under his heavy stare.

"But since you’ve shown some spirit, I’ll allow it. The two of you will fight during the next evaluation."

The declaration sent an excited wave of murmurs across the trainees.

The evaluation was an event held at the end of every training year, where all trainees from different divisions gathered to show their progress to the house.

It was usually a large event where the parents of the trainees, along with numerous other houses from the secondary line, attended.

"The evaluation..."

"That’s in one week."

Kaiden visibly calmed down upon hearing that.

"Yes... instructor."

"Now, trainee Zephyrion."

As Garrick addressed him formally, Zephyrion straightened and responded without hesitation.

"Yes, instructor."

"All spars on this training ground are overseen by me. You knew that, and you still interfered. Why? Give me a bad answer, and I’ll beat you into the ground."

Every trace of Garrick’s earlier familiarity was gone as his intense pressure now bore down on Zephyrion.

But Zephyrion was unfazed.

"Because I can."

"...Because you can?"

Garrick’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes. I had the power to stop it, so I did."

"So the trainee you stopped was weaker than you... and you acted because you’re stronger?"

"Yes."

Garrick gave a small nod.

"Hm. You’re not wrong. The strong trample the weak. But I oversee this spar. Are you saying I’m weak too?"

Zephyrion felt an overwhelming bloodlust engulf him, nearly forcing him to his knees.

However, he had faced countless murderous auras in his life as an assassin, it wasn’t anything new.

His expression was untouched as he lifted his gaze to meet Garrick’s.

"The instructor is stronger than me physically. But my blood outranks yours, so I can act."

"Blood? Fine. Outside these walls, your status puts you above me. But in here? You’re just another trainee."

The pressure intensified. The air around them began to tremble, a clear sign that Garrick’s patience was thinning.

"Calderalth blood is absolute. If mere walls can suppress it, then that’s an insult to our name."

Zephyrion’s gaze sharpened.

"...Take it back, Uncle."

Boom!

Garrick’s pressure exploded outward, causing the entire training ground to tremble.

"Ark! It’s too much!"

"I-I can’t breathe!"

The trainees dropped to their knees instantly, unable to even lift their heads. And though the overwhelming pressure threatened to crush him, Zephyrion didn’t so much as flinch.

He held Garrick’s intense gaze for several moments.

Then, suddenly, Garrick grinned and burst into booming laughter.

"Hahaha! That’s right... this is how it should be!"

His pressure vanished, and the trainees gasped for breath as they struggled back to their feet.

Many couldn’t help but stare at Zephyrion, who was somehow still standing, completely unfazed, their eyes filled with shock.

"Listen up, brats!"

Garrick turned sharply to address them.

"Our young lord just showed you something important. As warriors of Calderalth, you stand your ground, no matter who’s in front of you. Keep your heads high. Always. That’s the legacy you carry. Understand!?"

"Yes, instructor!"

"Good. Now get out of here."

"...You crazy brat."

Garrick’s demeanor shifted instantly as he turned back to Zephyrion. His eyes were bright, clearly he was pleased.

"For a second there, I thought you were actually going to fight me."

"I was."

Garrick laughed even louder at Zephyrion’s calm response.

"Hahaha! Of course you were. Fine, I take it back. We good?"

Zephyrion gave a small nod.

"Good. Now leave before I change my mind."

Garrick’s grin slowly faded as Zephyrion turned and left the training ground.

’That guy...’

Garrick shook his head slowly. He had been shocked when Zephyrion took down Kaiden despite the pressure from the Relic.

It had barely been a week. The boy shouldn’t even be able to move properly yet. And yet... he had taken Kaiden down.

’Aside from that...’

The image of Zephyrion’s steady gaze under his pressure made Garrick’s chest tighten slightly.

He had fully intended to teach the boy a lesson. He hadn’t held back his bloodlust.

And yet, not only had Zephyrion endured it without flinching... he had even forced him to back down.

Garrick couldn’t remember the last time he had taken back his words.

It had never happened.

"Calderalth blood is absolute, huh..."

Garrick muttered under his breath, a faint chuckle escaping him as he shook his head.

It had been a long time since he’d heard that said with such conviction.

...

"T-thank you f-for your help, young lord."

Zephyrion turned his gaze to Fiona, who had approached him as he was leaving the training ground.

"It’s fine."

"N-no... without you, I would’ve gotten seriously hurt. H-how can I repay you?"

"There’s no need. I didn’t do it for that."

"I-I know! But please... I want to repay you. Somehow."

Zephyrion studied her for a brief moment, a slight frown forming as he met her firm gaze.

"...Alright. Let me see your training sword."

"...Huh? That’s all?"

"Is that a problem?"

"N-no, not at all."

Fiona quickly formed a sword using metal and held it out toward him.

Zephyrion brushed his fingers along its smooth edge, giving a small nod.

"As I thought... it’s good metal. Sturdier than most. You make quality constructs."

Fiona blinked, then her eyes widened.

"Y-you... really think so?"

"I do."

"...!"

Fiona froze for a moment, clearly stunned.

Zephyrion gave a slight nod and turned to leave. Seeing this, she quickly snapped out of it and bowed hurriedly.

"T-thank you, young lord!"