Chapter 5:The Launch
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The moment they reached the end of the corridor, a colossal, ornate door stood before them, engraved with the symbol of a white lion. As they approached, the door opened on its own.
Inside, three figures awaited them.
At the head stood a man in his late fifties. A stern gaze rested beneath his white, well-kept beard, his icy blue eyes cold as frozen steel. His physique was powerful and perfectly honed, as if carved by a master sculptor. Before him rested a sword that seemed to breathe, faintly alive.
It was him.
Arnold Leonhard. Rank No. 1.
'Overwhelming…'
To his right sat a beautiful woman with shining pink hair styled in a neat side part, her green eyes vast like an endless meadow.
'Diana Alaric… the younger sister of Duke Alaric.
My mother.'
On the opposite side of the table was a girl of average height, with long silver-gray hair resembling moonlight and beautiful green eyes inherited from her mother.
Maria Leonhard.
My older sister.
The moment we took our seats, Mother looked at me with a warm smile that stirred memories from a distant past…
Wait—could it even be called the past?
Once everyone had settled, my sister spoke sharply, breaking the silence.
«Daniel, are you even alright? Haven't you been slacking off lately and neglecting your training? Do you think entering Oxford Academy will be easy? Even if you're a Leonhard, the exam won't change, and no one will go easy on you. Understood?»
'Damn it… I completely forgot about this.'
I smiled awkwardly, swallowed a piece of venison, and replied,
«Of course. Of course I know.»
Maria smiled faintly.
«Good. If that's what you say, then there's nothing more to discuss.»
Silence followed as everyone focused on their meal.
Once dinner ended, the head of the family spoke suddenly, shattering the calm.
«The day after tomorrow, we will head to the Alaric Duchy. More precisely—Daniel and I alone.»
Everyone froze in shock.
Everyone except me.
This had happened in my previous life as well.
After a few seconds of silence, Diana spoke with clear confusion on her face.
«What? Darling, where did this come from all of a sudden?»
«We're going for Daniel's training,» Arnold replied calmly. «I have matters to discuss with the Duke. Daniel will remain there until it's time for him to enter the Academy.»
My eyes widened as I stared at him in disbelief.
'Wait—hold on.
The academy entrance is in six months.
Wasn't it supposed to be seven days?!
What the hell is going on?!'
After Arnold left the hall, I looked at Maria, who was barely holding back her laughter. Mother tried to convince me that it would be a valuable experience, while Elena didn't seem interested at all.
'What is this?
Why do I feel betrayed?!'
'Damn it… I'm finished.'
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Two days later, Arnold and I prepared to depart. Mother and my sisters stood to see us off. Even Leon was there—rare sight.
Soon, the carriage set off toward the northeast of Arknor.
The Iron Fortress.
The Alaric Duchy.
As silence filled the journey, I reflected inwardly.
This might be the perfect opportunity to recover my strength.
Aeon Dominion was nearly full—good for now.
But once we arrive, I need to focus first on rebuilding this weak physical body…
Then reclaim the Null Law and regain control over it.
While I was lost in thought, Arnold suddenly spoke, cutting through the silence.
«While you're there, learn everything you can. Exploit the strong to surpass them, and exploit the weak to dominate them. That is the most efficient path to power.»
He paused, then continued coldly.
«Of course, you could choose to play the kind fool—help the weak, stay among them, and remain ignorant.»
He turned to me, his gaze sharp and oppressive.
«I don't expect that from you.»
Damn it—what is this pressure?!
It felt as if I was being crushed into the earth itself.
Sweat dripped down my face despite the subzero temperature.
I wiped my brow and replied through clenched teeth,
«Yeah… don't worry. Who do you think I am?»
The pressure slowly faded.
A faint smile appeared on Arnold's face.
«Good. That's how it should be.»
Moments later, the driver shouted,
«Sir! We've arrived at the fortress!»
At last—we had reached the Iron Fortress.
No matter how many times I saw it, it never failed to leave me in awe.
It wasn't merely a structure.
It was a metallic beast crouched atop a cliff.
Its walls were forged from polished black steel that didn't reflect light—it devoured it. Jagged towers rose like colossal daggers piercing the sky. When the wind struck its sharp edges, a metallic howl echoed through the air, making one's soul tremble, as if the fortress itself were alive…
—or warning outsiders to stay away.
'Yes… it's magnificent.'
Before entering, Arnold spoke once more.
«Oh—and make good use of your pet as well.»
He walked ahead, leaving me behind, sweat pouring from my body despite the freezing cold.
'Damn it…
Is there really nothing I can hide from him?'
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