【7】6
“Ugh!”
At one corner of the training ground, Celia was letting out a groan.
Leo paid no attention to her state, wiping the sweat off in the shade and rehydrating himself.
‘What on earth is wrong with this kid?’
At the sight of her, Celia wore an expression of utter exasperation.
Even though Leo had moved much more intensely than Celia, he seemed unscathed.
She dragged her trembling limbs and sat down next to Leo.
There was no room left for pretense now.
She fully utilized the break period to recover her stamina.
“Otherwise, I can’t keep up.”
Even if it’s hard, failing to keep up is something her pride won’t tolerate.
‘She’s got plenty of tenacity.’
Outstanding talent.
And an unwavering determination not to give up.
It was exciting to imagine what kind of hero she’d become in the future.
While the two were resting, Giese entered the training ground.
Spotting Celia’s quivering form, he gently stroked his chin.
‘This experience will be good for Celia.’
Since birth, she had never once fallen behind children her age.
Giese, who had watched her training since she was little, was worried about this.
She hadn’t fallen into arrogance, but it was undeniable that she had a high nose.
Pride and arrogance.
Celia stood on the thin line between the two.
“Before entering Lumeran, going through such experiences isn’t bad.”
Just because you are the best in the Zerdinger family doesn’t mean you’ll be the best in Lumeran.
There are many other great hero families in the world besides Zerdinger.
Even within the Rodren Empire alone, there is the magic hero family LeWalyn.
“You can’t always be the best.”
Before overconfidence turns into arrogance,
Seeing a wall is not a bad thing.
When objectively evaluating the two, their excellent areas differed.
‘Leo hasn’t learned the Aura Method yet, so he’s no match for Celia in Aura. On the other hand, Leo clearly surpasses her in physical ability.’
And what Giese thought was Celia’s weakness? It was also physical ability.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Celia’s physical power is insufficient.
Holding a sword demands a basic level of physical training.
Even by normal people’s standards, Celia could be considered to possess extraordinary strength and power.
‘However, she hasn’t surpassed her limit yet. And swordsmanship.’
Swordsmanship, after all, was the reason Celia burned with a competitive spirit against Leo.
She had never met someone her age whose sword skills matched hers.
‘But according to Elder Sister’s words, Leo is ahead in swordsmanship too.’
In Giese’s perspective, Leo was the first wall Celia had encountered.
“Uncle, what brings you here?”
Celia asked while struggling to get up.
“You look exhausted. Take a rest.”
After saying that, Giese looked at Leo.
“Leo.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“I was thinking of speaking to Lord about allowing you to inherit the ‘Phoenix Breath.'”
At this unexpected statement, Celia was shocked.
“Phoenix Breath?”
Auric method that only recognized family members can learn.
‘So this kid is officially becoming my cousin?’
Celia shot Leo an interesting glance.
“Lord of the Zerdinger family probably won’t approve of it easily.”
“That’s why there’s a condition.”
“What condition?”
“Passing this year’s Lumeran Academy entrance exam.”
“Uncle. The Lumeran entrance exam is actual combat. This guy – oh, sorry! Young Master Leo doesn’t have any combat experience. It’s too dangerous for him.”
“Are you worried about me?”
As Leo smirked, Celia brusquely replied.
“Hmph. I’m just stating the truth.”
Spar and actual combat are different.
“Moreover, Young Master Leo lacks combat experience, right?”
Most applicants for Lumeran have combat experience.
Celia herself has experience in clearing out monsters.
The difference between having or not having combat experience creates a bigger gap than you might imagine.
At Celia’s words, Leo smirked.
He’s more familiar with life-and-d*ath battlefields than peaceful everyday life.
“Leo, what do you think?”
“Did you ask Father and Mother?”
“They said they’ll follow your will.”
“In that case, I’ll take it on.”
He had planned to persuade his parents to take the entrance exam this year anyway.
Giese grinned while looking at Leo’s decisive response.
“Sure enough, you were planning on taking this year’s entrance exam, weren’t you?”
With a satisfied expression, he said while leaving,
“Then, let’s see what you’re made of.”
As the exam approached, Delan Royal Academy was on break.
So Leo invested that time in training.
Celia desperately chased after his schedule.
“Haha! Look. See? I did it! d*mn brat! How about th— urgh?!”
On the last day,
Celia was using her wooden sword as a cane, leading her trembling limbs back to the estate.
The nausea hit her during the walk back.
The overworked girl’s body was in tatters.
Celia finally staggered to the door of Leo’s room.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
The door swung open to reveal Leo with a basin full of some substance.
“What’s that?”
“Potion.”
“Are you secretly using potions while telling me you wouldn’t?”
If she had used recovery potions, the training wouldn’t have been nearly as grueling.
But Leo refused to use potions because it hindered his training.
Seeing that, Celia also decided against using potions out of pride.
“Isn’t conditioning the night before the exam basic preparation?”
Her body had already reached its limit.
Because she managed to pace herself well over this week without completely collapsing,
She avoided complete exhaustion, though without such determination, she would have already collapsed.
At first, Leo seemed to be tormenting her, but her persistence in following through impressed him.
“That’s true.”
“Roll your sleeves up, lie down on the bed so I can rub the potion onto your arms and legs.”
“I have plenty of potions too.”
Celia uses potions crafted by the finest alchemists.
“Yours pale in comparison to this in effect.”
“Hmph. Still, I’ll take the Young Master’s kindness.”
Celia rolled up her training uniform’s sleeves and lay down.
Her slender, white arms and legs were exposed.
Leo dipped a cloth into the potion in the basin and placed it on Celia’s arms.
A cold sensation spread, and the pain subsided.
The subtle fragrance made Celia open her eyes wide.
“Wait! Is this made by an Elf?”
“Isn’t it?”
“How did you get it?”
Elven-made potion!
Classified as the highest grade among potions, and only the recipe is known to Elves—no other race can even replicate it.
She never imagined a baron family’s young master would possess this in such a rural kingdom.
“Bought it from a hole-in-the-wall store.”
“Hole-in-the-wall store? Where?”
“It’s gone now. I bought the whole thing.”
“Hmph. Still, using such a valuable thing for muscle pain seems like a waste, doesn’t it?”
“It’s my choice, however I use it.”
Actually, this potion was made by Leo himself.
The recipe was given by the “Ancestor of Star Cloud,” Luna.
“Young Master has a surprisingly generous heart.”
Though it seemed wasteful, Celia submitted herself to Leo’s healing willingly.
A cloth soaked in potion ran over her arms and legs sequentially.
The dreadful muscle pain disappeared as if by magic.
“Young Master.”
“What?”
“I won’t lose tomorrow.”
Celia’s competitive spirit was showing.
After training together for a week, she realized Leo was not an easy opponent.
‘He might even pass the exam.’
“There will be no careless mistake like last time.”
Celia smirked.
“So if you end up failing because of meeting me, don’t blame me.”
“Boasting too much there.”
Just as Leo was about to place the cloth on Celia’s thigh, he suddenly grabbed it tightly.
Tssk!
“Ack! Hey! That hurts!”
“What? ‘Hay’? Aren’t you still a maid? Then act like one!”
“That’s absurd! Just wait! I’ll get back at you for this humiliation tomorrow! Meet me, and I’ll completely crush you into pieces…!”
Gyaaah!
“Ah! It hurts! Stop! I won’t cause trouble! I’ll behave, I promise! Gyaaah! Young Master!”
Celia’s screams echoed throughout the mansion.
The next morning.
In the central training ground of Delan Royal Academy, many people gathered.
They were there to watch the entrance exam.
Among them was even the King of Delloth.
Celia, freed from her maid outfit after a week, brushed her hair back.
“Hmph! Those annoying LeWalyn kids aren’t here yet, right?”
“You’re speaking harshly for heroes from the same country.”
“You’ll understand once you meet them, Young Master.”
“Still, you should probably tone down your words.”
“Eek!”
Celia quickly covered her mouth.
It seems like she’s already formed the habit after a week.
Meanwhile, from a distance, other examinees were eyeing Celia.
“Is that Celia Zerdinger?”
“One of the top contenders in the Western region, right? She looks very confident.”
“Let’s bet whether LeWalyn or Zerdinger will claim the top spot.”
As other examinees whispered among themselves, Leo smirked.
“Pretty famous, huh.”
“Hmph, naturally.”
“Still, you should correct that attitude.”
“Uh?”
‘This has completely become a habit!’
As she reddened her face while trying to cover her mouth, someone called out.
“Celia!”
“Hm? Leo Flove. Why are you here, of all places?”
As Gollibun approached and frowned,
“I’m here for the Lumeran entrance exam.”
“What? You’re taking the entrance exam? Hahaha!”
Gollibun burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“You must be desperate if you’re even attempting the Lumeran entrance exam without being able to wield Aura at all. I only hope you don’t disgrace our nation.”
Having mocked Leo, Gollibun stood before Celia.
“Celia, let’s all do our best this time.”
To that, Celia furrowed her eyebrows.
“Sorry, do you mean me?”
“Yes?”
“It might be hard for me to remember faces, so…”
“I, didn’t we meet a week ago at Delan Royal Academy? I’m Gollibun Tradun from the academy.”
“Ah, right. That happened. Alright then, let’s do our best.”
“Ye… Yes?”
Celia put on her professional smile.
Gollibun fell for it.
At that moment, one side of the training ground grew noisy.
Celia glanced over.
“Lord… no, Leo. Come with me.”
“Why me?”
“Hey! If I say to follow, just follow!”
Celia grabbed Leo by the wrist and headed towards the commotion.
‘Keh! Acting buddy-buddy with Celia!’
Gollibun’s eyes flashed with anger.
The fact that the Zerdinger family stayed at the Flove house was already famous.
That Leo and Celia were cousins was a secret.
Thus, Gollibun couldn’t figure out the reason.
‘I’ll show him my prowess during the exam!’
Meanwhile, upon following Celia, Leo met two individuals with light azure hair and eyes.
“Long time no see, Celia.”
“Hi. Abad LeWalyn.”
Abad LeWalyn flashed a gentle smile.
Seeing it, Leo silently muttered in his mind.
‘Smiling too much.’
“Celia, ready for the exam?”
“Of course! Top position is a sure thing.”
“Hehe, oh really? But I think the top spot is reserved for me.”
“Mother? Dreaming is your right though. Hohoho!”
Fitting of families that have contested for the highest family seat within the empire for hundreds of years, their exchange was sharp.
“Let’s go, Chelsea.”
“Yes, Brother.”
After finishing their nerve battle, Abad left with Chelsea.
Celia squinted.
“Irritating?”
“Bit sticky-smiling, but I can’t really call it annoying?”
“No, wait. Watch. This guy’s utterly obnoxious.”
Celia clenched her fists hard.
“Hehehe… I’ll fry him like butter on a heated frying pan, sticky butter.”
Burning with fierce determination, Celia shot a sharp glance at Leo.
“Whatever you do, don’t lose to those guys! The Zerdingers losing to the LeWalyns is unacceptable!”
“But I’m not officially a Zerdinger yet?”
“Prepare yourself! We’ll reduce LeWalyn to mush, me and Leo!”
Though Leo responded indifferently, Celia didn’t hear it.
![[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1743806812-5548-TS-The-Protagonist-is-Conquered.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] The Protagonist is Conquered")
