7th Chapter
After his influence expanded, Jimy set up an office close to the center of the baron’s territory.
Despite the relatively small size of the baron’s territory, due to the distance, Ray and Matthew mounted a horse together for a short journey.
As Matthew urged the horse forward against the headwind, nearing the end of the mountain trail, he spoke up.
“Did you learn how to use mana on your own?”
“That’s right.”
“You were born with a natural talent for handling mana. I’ve traveled far and wide as a mercenary, but I’ve never met anyone like you.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“Don’t get cocky. I’m already pissed off. Are you really throwing tantrums just because you’ve awakened to mana?”
“I’m simply doing what needs to be done.”
“That wasn’t the way to handle things. You always push boundaries, but this time, you went too far. Way too far.”
Matthew gradually slowed down and sighed deeply.
“We may be a group of unruly thugs lacking in wisdom, but we need authority. You sought to punish those who disrespected Jimmy’s authority, but your actions have instead undermined it.”
Ray tried to argue that his actions were sanctioned by Jimmy, but not everyone believed him.
The leader of an organization being manipulated by a 9-year-old—how ridiculous did that sound?
“Tch, talking more won’t change anything.”
Ray might lack shame, but he wasn’t unintelligent. In fact, despite his young age, he possessed extraordinary thinking and observational skills, fully understanding Matthew’s meaning.
“This time, go apologize sincerely. And stop mouthing off like usual.”
“Thank you for the advice, Brother Matthew.”
“You’re driving me insane.”
Matthew sighed repeatedly, reflecting on his fate.
Ray, due to his exceptional nature beyond his years, was always thought to achieve great things, but no one expected him to possess such talent in handling mana.
Mastering the art of enhancing one’s body through mana at the age of nine, all on his own?
How many geniuses like that could exist across the entire continent?
It was clear that once Ray became an adult, he would wield a power so formidable that even Jimmy and Matthew would struggle to contend with him. Hence, maintaining a strong relationship with him was essential unless they wanted to cut his throat immediately.
“Hmph. When we first arrived here, I never imagined I’d be following the orders of a 9-year-old.”
Life can indeed be unfair and absurd.
Pulling out a cigarette, Matthew dismounted the horse alongside Ray.
Upon entering the building, where staff had been previously dismissed, Jimmy was waiting for Ray with the office door wide open.
Seeing Jimmy after some time, Ray gave a smirk, which caused Jimmy to turn beet red and slam his desk.
KWAANG!!
“What the hell do you think you’ve done, you son of a bitch?!”
Jimmy was much more hot-tempered than Matthew.
*
Clearly infuriated, Jimmy skipped formalities and vented his frustration.
“Do you have any respect for me at all? Respect! How dare you cause such a major incident after disappearing for weeks?!”
“But Jimmy, please calm down…”
“Am I your subordinate? Your subordinate?! Do you think I’m sitting here cleaning up the messes you leave behind?! Gahhh!”
“Jimmy, let me explain…”
“Grrr! How did I end up entangled with a devil like you… suffering like this… like this!”
Jimmy tore at his face, reflecting on his life.
Jimmy had been a mercenary, a job he took out of necessity for survival.
Fortunately, Jimmy was both lucky and talented.
Through mastering cheap mana cultivation techniques acquired during his travels across battlefields, he eventually reached the level where he could wield sword auras.
Jimmy was doing quite well.
Had he groveled before powerful nobles and gotten himself mired in dirty waters, he might have secured a minor title.
But the temptation to rise above his birth status was sweet, oh so sweet.
Ultimately, Jimmy stepped down from his position as the leader of a mercenary band and retired.
That was Jimmy’s limit and essence. He wielded a sword to survive, but his heart was weak and tender.
After retiring, Jimmy vowed to settle down in a remote area, working as the ‘muscle’ for the red-light district while living peacefully.
After arriving at Phillip’s County, memories of his childhood hunger were so vivid that he used his accumulated funds to establish a small orphanage.
His only true friend, Matthew, accompanied him on this journey.
Jimmy sacrificed much to settle in Phillip’s County but was content with his post-retirement life—until he got entangled with a devilish brat.
“GAH! Why did I settle down in Phillip’s County of all places?!”
“Jimmy, I have something to say.”
“GAAAH! Gruuuuuh…”
Jimmy, who had been having a seizure, collapsed into his seat, barely regaining his breath.
Are you going to apologize? It would be a mere apology, but it should still be heard.
Demonstrating patience, Jimmy gestured for Ray to continue.
“Go ahead.”
“The orphanage needs knights and mages.”
“Huh? Knights and… What, the hell?”
“Especially mages. I can identify physical talents, but I can’t recognize magical ones, can I? Is there any way we could invite a trustworthy mage at least once…”
“You insolent bastard!!”
Matthew facepalmed as Jimmy’s patience finally snapped.
“Headache coming on.”
“Do you think knights and mages are mercenaries who will come if you pay them? They receive noble treatment even at the lowest ranks! And why do you need knights? Aren’t you already teaching the kids strange kicks? That should be enough, right?”
“Taekwondo? That’s not exactly practical combat. I was just teaching them some stretching exercises and basic physical training.”
Of course, after teaching them, there were a few kids who could now execute impressive 1080-degree spinning kicks, but what they truly needed were proper mana cultivation methods and martial arts.
“If knights aren’t possible, then at least a mage…”
“That’s even harder!! Stop having these ridiculous desires already. Just raise the kids naturally!”
“Considering our living conditions here, raising them naturally will only produce gangsters or prostitutes.”
“Is that a problem?”
“It is.”
“GAHHH!!”
Clutching his head, Jimmy foamed at the mouth.
“Do you even realize what kind of trouble you’ve caused?”
“I apologize for undermining Jimmy’s authority.”
“And that’s another thing!! Damn it, Ray, are you aware of whose side you belong to?”
“I belong to Jimmy’s Orphanage, filled with love and compassion.”
“Exactly! To the orphanage that eats my blood, flesh, and hair! If someone like you goes around beating people up in the name of internal discipline, how will others perceive us?”
Ray understood what Jimmy was getting at.
If Jimmy’s orphans go around beating people up, how will outsiders view the orphanage?
They’ll see it as a thug-training school producing killing machines.
If the orphanage ran solely on Jimmy’s money, it wouldn’t matter, but since it receives support from the Count’s family and the Holy Church, that’s the issue.
If they misinterpret the orphanage as mocking the nobility and the church while secretly training warriors, Jimmy would be doomed.
“Don’t worry too much. The Count’s family and the church know about my quirks.”
“This madman thinks it’s someone else’s problem!!”
“Anyway, Jimmy, think of a way to bring in either knights or mages.”
“Damn it!! This isn’t living!! That’s MY orphanage I paid for!! Get out of MY orphanage immediately!!”
“I was the one who helped grow the orphanage from nothing.”
“Did I ever beg you on my knees to help grow it?”
With blood pressure skyrocketing from stress, Jimmy grabbed his chest and screamed.
“Matthew! Take this kid away!”
As Matthew approached with a sigh, Ray drew a rusty sword from his waist.
Though startled, neither Jimmy nor Matthew tensed up.
Being seasoned mercenaries, they knew they could easily subdue a 9-year-old who merely knows how to manipulate mana.
However…
Before long,
Jimmy and Matthew froze in place like statues.
An unimaginable sight unfolded before their eyes.
Zzzzuzzt
Tangible mana coalesced around Ray’s blade.
Sword Aura. The hallmark of an Expert warrior.
Beyond the fundamental stage of using mana to enhance the body lies the ability to tame and refine the mana within, imbuing objects with one’s will—a realm of mastery.
Expert.
Both Jimmy and Matthew had attained the rank of Expert, yet the boy before them was only 9 years old.
Even the legendary prodigies inscribed in history didn’t reach Expert until at least 12.
So, what exactly was this child standing before them?
“Jimmy, Matthew. Who am I?”
“…”
“The youngest Sword Master in Imperial history.”
Pausing for a beat, Ray added,
“-Designate.”
Bullshit.
It had to be bullshit—but undeniable evidence stood right before their eyes.
No one in the empire could deny Ray’s claim upon witnessing the sword aura before them.
Ray swung the sword.
A steel-reinforced table split cleanly in half with a strange noise.
“Jimmy, Matthew. You two are warm-hearted people.”
And precious individuals.
Even saints find it difficult to adhere to their beliefs after tasting the bitterness of the world.
“Meeting you both has been one of my greatest blessings.”
Chuckling, Ray sheathed his sword.
“Trust me a little longer and invest in me.”
The day Ray shines like a star in the heavens won’t take long to arrive.
“There’s no need to regret the minor title you passed up in the past.”
When the time comes, bestowing a hereditary title won’t be an issue.
“Become the confidants of the youngest Sword Master in imperial history and ascend to true nobility.”
Ray smiled.
“Trust me. I will surely repay the kindness and hope you’ve bestowed upon me.”
Of course, Ray didn’t believe for a moment that he would ever reach the rank of Master.
In other words, this was a blank check.
