Chapter 51: Oh... He Found Out
Before long, the cheering faded away as they passed through the gates of the Whitemane Estate.
Roderic leaned back against his seat.
’I want to say ’finally I’m home’,’ he thought, smiling. ’But I think I preferred the outside world over the noble nonsense.’
Just then, the carriage slowed to a halt.
Roderic stood up and pushed open the door right away.
’There is one thing I’m looking forward to,’ he thought, his smile only growing wider. ’A very special person who I can piss off just by being here.’
As he stepped out, several servants bowed respectfully.
Roderic simply nodded towards them as he stretched his arms over his head.
’’Ahh...’’
After sitting still for four hours, walking and stretching felt amazing.
Just then, Edmund climbed off the front of the carriage.
’’Young master, I’ll make sure everything is unloaded.’’
’’Go ahead,’’ Roderic replied casually. ’’I’m going to see my father.’’
’’Of course,’’ Edmund said, bowing slightly.
Roderic started making his way over to the manor right away.
However, he’d barely crossed half the distance when a familiar sound reached his ears.
CLANG! CLANG!
’’Again!’’
Roderic slowed to a halt, his gaze shifting to the training grounds.
Over three dozen people were scattered throughout the large fields, two of whom he immediately recognized.
Roderic leaned against a wooden fence, a smile breaking out as he watched from a distance.
Frederic and Paul were both covered in sweat, heavy rock weights tied to their legs as they ran circles around the field.
But both had clearly grown much stronger.
Hell, he could even sense aura from Frederic now.
But what truly surprised him was Paul.
Not only did he awaken aura, but it seemed like he was on par with Frederic!
’Really didn’t see that coming,’ he thought as his eyebrows rose. ’But I guess it just goes to show that the Archive isn’t all-powerful...’
It could never show the future potential of someone who died before realizing it, or someone who simply never got the opportunity to develop their talent.
Paul seemed to be someone just like that.
’My random whim really was correct after all,’ he thought, chuckling faintly. ’Wait... can I even call it a random whim?’
Paul had clearly shown him ice-cold determination.
And Roderic hadn’t only seen it in his eyes. Staying outside the entire night while waiting for something completely uncertain had been enough to prove it.
’I wonder how many more people like him are just walking out there...’
Letting out a sigh, Roderic pushed himself off the fence.
But just as he was about to continue to the manor, another loud clash rang out behind him.
’’DAMN IT!’’
Roderic immediately recognized the voice.
His smile widened as he spun around.
’’Would you look at that?’’ he muttered to himself. ’’That little shit is participating in training?’’
In the middle of the field, a group of people had gathered around one of the sparring areas.
Two boys stood in the middle with their wooden swords raised.
His younger brother, Dennis, stood on one side, sweat running down his face while a large bruise was visible on his face.
Standing opposite him was a boy who looked around three years older.
The difference between them almost made Roderic cry from laughing.
’What’s he doing challenging people that much older than him?’ he thought, enjoying himself immensely. ’He’s going to lose that just based on strength...’
The older boy was nearly a head taller, with broader shoulders and considerably more muscle on his body.
Yet Dennis was the one attacking.
’’Again!’’
Dennis kicked off the ground.
His wooden sword immediately stabbed toward the older boy’s chest.
CLACK!
The boy simply knocked it aside.
Dennis twisted his wrists almost immediately, turning the failed thrust into another swing toward his opponent’s ribs.
CLACK!
The boy smacked it away once more.
This time, he’d hit it so hard that Dennis’s stance had completely broken.
Taking advantage, the boy immediately swung his sword down.
But Dennis used his nimble body to his advantage, quickly kicking away from the strike.
’He’s actually not that bad,’ Roderic thought, nodding as the fight continued. ’But he’s never going to learn from opponents like that.’
Before he could think any further, the older boy swung out roughly.
Dennis tried to block it.
But alas, the strength difference was just too much.
THUD!
Both swords slammed into his face at the same time.
Dennis stumbled backward several steps before falling onto his ass.
For a moment, he simply sat there.
His face slowly started turning red, but before tears could come out, he bit down on his lip.
Seeing that, Roderic burst out laughing.
’Serves you right, dipshit,’ he thought.
With that, he continued towards the manor.
The moment he stepped inside, several servants immediately greeted him.
’’Welcome back, young master.’’
Roderic nodded lightly.
’’Where’s my father?’’
’’The Baron is in his study, young master,’’ one of the servants replied. ’’He asked that you see him immediately upon your return.’’
’Of course he did.’
Roderic let out a small sigh before heading upstairs.
After traveling for an entire month, he would’ve preferred taking a bath first.
But alas, he definitely needed to report everything that’d happened.
Before long, he arrived in front of the familiar wooden doors.
Roderic raised his hand and knocked twice.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
’’Come in,’’ Arthur’s voice rang out from inside.
Without another thought, Roderic casually pushed open the doors.
His eyes locked onto Arthur, finding him behind his desk, surrounded by several stacks of documents.
At the same time, Arthur slowly lowered the document in his hand.
His gaze moved over Roderic for several seconds before a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
’’Welcome back,’’ he said calmly. ’’I’ve heard quite some stories about you over the past month.’’
Roderic closed the doors behind him with a smile.
’’Thanks,’’ he casually responded. ’’I’d say things went pretty well.’’
Arthur chuckled softly.
’’I think that might be an understatement,’’ he said.
Roderic raised an eyebrow as he walked towards the desk.
Before he got there, Arthur gestured to the chair opposite him.
’’Sit,’’ he said. ’’We have a lot to discuss about your recent deeds.’’
Roderic nodded as he reached for the chair.
’’Oh, and Roderic?’’ Arthur continued, staring straight at him. ’’What exactly are these ’metal bear traps’ you’ve recently paid the blacksmiths to make?’’
Roderic’s hand froze on the chair.
’Oh...’ he thought, glancing at his father. ’He found out...’