Chapter 5 – Grow with Your Own Strength
#1
Humans often fail to react promptly when faced with something that significantly deviates from the norm or when encountering sudden events.
They freeze up when their throat is about to be cut, fail to move when a building collapses, and stiffen in fear when an attacker suddenly rushes at them.
These situations rarely happen, so processing the information takes longer than expected.
What was happening now during the magic evaluation was no different.
It’s not uncommon for kids to get into fights.
This world, after all, is a place where strength governs everything.
‘A defective child…’
‘Unbelievable.’
But the sight unfolding in front of them was beyond comprehension, leaving everyone standing still with their mouths agape, paralyzed in shock.
Even Medeia, who had seen just about everything, couldn’t suppress her astonishment, covering her mouth in disbelief.
“Say it again. What did you just say?”
“I-I was wrong…”
“That’s not what you said, is it? What did you say!?”
Crack!
Blood spurted, and teeth were shattered.
Arthur’s once golden hair, so beautiful and radiant, was now drenched in blood.
Lawrence’s fist, filled with malice, was also stained crimson.
“I-I lost… Ack!”
“No? You haven’t lost yet. You need to fight harder, don’t you?”
Lawrence’s hand clamped over Arthur’s mouth, silencing him, while his other hand mercilessly pummelled Arthur’s stomach.
Everyone turned their heads away from the brutality.
The beating continued.
The child who had dared insult Lawrence’s mother was paying a steep price.
Arthur’s once handsome face was swollen beyond recognition, and the arm he had raised to block the punches seemed to be broken.
The overwhelming terror had left his lower body soaked.
“Enough! Arthur Goldvain is no longer able to fight, so this evaluation is concluded.”
“…”
Lawrence exhaled a small, relieved sigh and tossed Arthur aside like trash.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on him.
Some looked on with anger, some with shock, and others with intrigue.
Several mages struggled to suppress the rampaging mana within them.
One of them suddenly stood up, prepared to confront the powerful mage, Edward.
“Master of the family! Isn’t this too cruel? Such savage behaviour during a magic evaluation…!”
“…”
Edward’s eyes briefly flickered toward the man who had spoken.
But the man, still consumed by rage, failed to notice and continued, veins bulging in his neck.
“How could that child even use magic!? He’s nothing but a defective-!?”
Crunch!
The man who had stood up was forced to his knees.
No, to be more precise, he was crushed to his knees by overwhelming power.
Edward, the head of the Montemer family, finally spoke.
“I said it was fine, didn’t I?”
“Gah…”
Rumble!
Mana bore down upon the impudent man.
He coughed up blood and bowed his head in submission.
“Lawrence is a Montemer. Don’t forget that.”
“…I-I apologize. I am deeply sorry.”
“I will spare you for the sake of your child.”
“Th-thank you for your mercy.”
Thud!
The blonde man slammed his head against the ground.
There was no need for further explanation. Everyone knew exactly who the man was—Arthur Goldvain’s father.
“Lawrence, my son.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lawrence, who had been observing the scene of mana crushing the man, raised his head and looked at Edward.
Rumble, the mana seemed to press down on him as well, but Lawrence met the family head’s gaze with confidence.
Perhaps Edward had noticed something about his magic or had suspicions.
‘So what?’
There was no need for complicated thoughts.
Edward would protect him from external pressures.
If he proved useful, they would use him.
That was the Montemer way.
“Come see me after the evaluation is over.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Lawrence bowed his head calmly.
***
There was nothing for him to fear, as he had inherited the power of a dragon.
Meanwhile, others couldn’t help but marvel at young Lawrence’s boldness, their eyes widening in astonishment.
He had withstood the presence of the family head’s overwhelming mana and remained standing, which was a matter they couldn’t overlook.
[Dragon’s power is growing.]
[Hatchling: 6%]
The dragon’s power grew as well.
Lawrence fully understood now—the words that every experience leads to growth were true.
He set aside his speculations and returned to his seat.
Countless eyes followed Lawrence’s small, brisk steps.
‘That… is that really the power of a mere ten-year-old?’
‘Now it’s only at the level of a 1st or 2nd Circle mage, but in the future…?’
Some of the more skilled mages couldn’t help but think.
This shouldn’t be possible.
A mage must inevitably move mana, and a powerful mage could perceive that movement of mana.
Yet, Lawrence, whom they had dismissed as defective, had cast magic without the slightest movement of mana or chanting.
If this was his [unique ability]…
‘A monster has been Born.’
‘Why didn’t we notice sooner?’
‘Has he only now started to bloom? Did the great Archmage of the Montemer family anticipate this all along and isolate him on purpose?’
If Edward had known all this and secluded Lawrence intentionally, then he was a truly terrifying man.
Looking back, it seemed entirely possible.
After all, Edward had built Montemer into a family that no one could challenge.
The representatives from external families were all tense.
Edward, however, acted as if he had expected all of this, showing no signs of surprise.
It was only natural for everyone’s minds to be in turmoil.
‘Lawrence… Montemer.’
The external families realized they were witnessing the growth of a monster within an impenetrable fortress.
***
#2
Immediately after the magic evaluation ended.
Lawrence followed Nikolai to Edward’s office.
The reports would soon be submitted, and ranks assigned.
Among those, the mages who caught Edward’s attention would later undergo selection trials and receive training at the Magic Tower or a key position in the family.
In his previous life, Arthur had been one of those summoned to the Magic Tower.
Of course, that wasn’t the case now.
“Master, I have brought the young master.”
Creeeak—
The door opened.
Lawrence wrinkled his nose at the overwhelming mana filling the room.
He remembered what the family members used to say when they returned from visiting the family head’s office.
<Every time I leave the office, it feels like my whole body is being crushed.>
<Phew, I thought I was going to die this time too.>
‘So, this is why.’
Lawrence held his head high and confidently entered the family head’s office.
Even when exposed to such mana, he felt nothing.
Having a body without a Mana Core was quite convenient in moments like this.
“I Greet the Master.”
“Hmm.”
The room trembled ever so slightly.
Lawrence followed etiquette and greeted the family head.
Then, something unexpected happened.
“Nikolai, leave us.”
“Yes, Master.”
The family head’s voice, which usually reverberated through the air with mana, was surprisingly calm this time.
The mana that usually moved with his words was quiet now.
Even Nikolai seemed taken aback and hesitated slightly before leaving the room.
“Son.”
“…Yes.”
“That magic wasn’t ordinary. What happened?”
At that moment, Lawrence felt a lump rise in his throat.
He had not only neglected him all this time, but also let his mother die…
And now he asks about such things?
Now, of all times!?
Lawrence’s fists trembled.
“You must hate me. But understand this—before I am your father, I am the head of Montemer and a mage protecting a world without Guardians. I cannot explain this to anyone, but you must understand.”
“……”
[Guardian].
A word he had heard before he returned to this world.
Had Edward also been carrying such a heavy burden?
“No matter what power you’ve awakened or what path you choose, I will not interfere. My role is merely to watch. No, that’s what I must do. One day, if you follow the right path, you will see the truth.”
The family head’s words were vague.
Was this supposed to be an excuse?
Lawrence suppressed his emotions and replied.
Even without saying it, he felt that Edward probably already knew everything.
“Yes. I received a special ability.”
“Received. Not a good choice of words.”
What did he mean by that?
Lawrence felt frustrated, unable to grasp Edward’s intentions.
Edward quietly observed Lawrence before speaking again.
“Whatever it is, I don’t care. Your only task is to become a Great Mage within and beyond the walls of this family.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Overcoming everything is solely your responsibility.”
“I am aware of that as well.”
He wouldn’t interfere—
Was that why his previous life had been so miserable?
Lawrence found none of this agreeable.
Absolute meritocracy…
He didn’t think it was inherently wrong.
But if his father had at least shown him some affection, how would things have turned out?
He lowered his head to hide his expression.
‘Anis…’
Meanwhile, Edward looked at Lawrence with an unreadable gaze.
His son had just begun taking his first steps, and the path stretched far ahead.
He would run tirelessly along the endless road.
Watching that journey unfold would be Edward’s responsibility as well.
What a pity.
If only he had more freedom.
If only he could run wild again, like when Montemer’s influence reached the skies.
‘But now, I am nothing more than a puppet.’
Edward concealed his inner thoughts as he spoke dispassionately.
Looking into his son’s defiant eyes, he asked,
“Where would you like to stay?”
“I’ll remain where I’ve always been.”
Lawrence answered without hesitation.
Edward nodded slightly in approval.
He then granted Lawrence certain privileges.
“If you need the knowledge stored in the main house, come whenever you like.”
“Thank you.”
“Grow in your own way. I’ll be watching from here.”
Lawrence acknowledged this, bowed, and left the room.
As he opened the door to leave, he sensed someone’s presence in the distance.
A silhouette of someone disappearing around the corner of the corridor.
‘Eavesdropping, huh? The family head must have noticed.’
Lawrence’s eyes narrowed.
No, perhaps even this was part of Edward’s test.
“I don’t like this.”
None of it sat well with him.
Someday, he would reshape everything to his liking, even if it meant walking the path of tyranny.
‘For now, let’s head back.’
He suddenly felt like scribbling with a pen.
***
#3
“Lawrence… that boy…”
“What will you do, Mother?”
“What should I do? He’s already far ahead of others his age. We can’t suppress him lightly. We must crush him thoroughly.”
Medeia bit her nails as she pondered.
Now that the family head had taken notice of him, she couldn’t directly use force.
Even as the matron, there were lines she couldn’t cross.
After much thought, she decided to drive Lawrence into a physical crisis.
Weaken his body so that he couldn’t withstand it.
It was the only way to bring him down without drawing the family head’s attention.
“This is the problem with prestigious families. On the surface, it seems like we can accomplish anything, but in reality, there are countless restrictions and schemes at play. You must always keep that in mind.”
“Of course, Mother.”
“First, make sure Lawrence, that defective boy, never catches up to you. Second, earn the family head’s Favor. Your growth is the most important thing.”
Medeia’s words were not to be taken lightly.
These were the qualities necessary for survival among the elite, and her children had to internalize them.
She looked at her children and spoke.
“He may bear the Montemer name, but he’s a nobody. If any of you are surpassed or humiliated by him… you will be cast out by me first.”
“…We will remember that.”
At her sharp words, the children all bowed their heads.
Once the children were dismissed, Medeia called for a maid.
The one who had always carried out her tasks with perfect precision.
Someone she trusted more than her own children.
“Marin, there are things you need to prepare.”
“Give the order.”
“Do it just like before. Without anyone knowing.”
“Where should the delivery be made?”
Medeia’s eyes turned cold as she replied.
“The Trash Storage.”
—
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