Some time later, in Harden, in the Candria Empire, Louis climbed down from the carriage, and the butler said that the Orankas were an outstanding great family. Even this city prospered thanks to them.
"What a huge mansion," Louis said in surprise. "They really are a great family."
Cain ran out into the courtyard and shouted, "Louis! We'll be studying together now."
Louis said he had heard that he had done well in the final exam. He had only passed thanks to the two of them. He would turn a blind eye to their bet.
Cain said that was another matter entirely. He could have passed the exam anyway. He had Fay's token, after all. They had not been able to fight during the examination, so he would force him to be his opponent more than once before classes started. He wanted to learn about the academy and about magic in advance, didn't he?
"Oh, my god," Louis said.
At that moment a voice rang out.
"Cain. What is all this commotion?"
The woman asked who that person was.
"Mother, this is my friend."
"Really?" The woman's voice rose. "Be quiet."
Cain looked at her in fear. She came down the stairs and told him to choose his friends carefully. Wasn't that right? Since when could all sorts of rabble pass through the gates of the Oranka family estate? Such a person was not worthy of being his friend. Associating with him would only waste his time. He needed to train as his father told him and strive to become a sage.
She came up to Louis and asked, displeased, why he had got close to her son. For money, or for power?
She took the ring off her finger and said that this ring was worth tens of gold coins. He could live his whole life on that money, if he understood her correctly. Then she threw the ring on the floor and ordered him to take it and disappear.
"Mother, why are you doing this?" Cain shouted, and asked Louis to forgive her.
Louis knelt down and said that he had become friends with Cain because he recognised his abilities. Did she really think her son's worth was so small?
"Louis—" Cain began.
His mother ordered that this commoner be thrown out of here immediately.
The servants started toward Louis, and then Cain ordered them to stop. Louis was far more talented than he was. He had broken the previous exam record and had even defeated Fay.
His mother smirked and asked whether a commoner had surpassed the children of the great families. Did he think such an absurd lie would work?
"It isn't a lie," Cain replied.
Louis put his hand on Cain's shoulder and said that, besides, if he stayed at his side, Cain might become stronger still.
The mother shouted with irritation. How dared a pathetic commoner behave so arrogantly? How much longer was he going to mock the Oranka family?
At that moment a man entered the hall and said, "If he stays by his side, Cain will become stronger. He said that just now, didn't he?"
The servants cried out, "Master."
"William," the mother said in fear. She rushed toward him and said that if they left things as they were, Cain would never be able to compare with him.
William walked past her. Cain bowed and said, "Father."
Louis bowed as well. "It is a pleasure to meet you, grandmaster Oranka. I am Cain's friend, Louis Kiril."
He thought: he has an incredible aura. The same level as the director's.
"Cain," William said. "Is he telling the truth?"
"His abilities surpass mine."
William ordered him to prove it.
He released his mana, and Louis thought: what is this incredible killing intent?
Mana in the shape of a tiger came at Louis and seized him. He thought: he can't breathe. This man really wants to kill him.
William's eyes flashed and he attacked. Louis thought: terrifying willpower. His soul had just been torn out of him — as one would expect from a grandmaster. But thanks to years of continuous monster hunting, he had built up his resistance to killing intent. A level like this, for him—
He released his own bright mana outward, clenching his fists.
"What?" William said.
Louis created a beast of his own out of energy and sent it against William's. The two manas clashed, and Cain screamed, "Louis!"
Louis fell to his knees, and Cain helped him up and asked whether he was all right.
Louis smiled and said that he was.
"Louis Kiril, wasn't it?" William asked. "Why does he need strength?"
Louis replied that it was to protect his family.
William turned away and said, "Cain. His willpower is too weak. He needs to learn from him."
"Yes," Cain replied.
His mother cried out. "William, what are you thinking?"
He asked whether she wanted to say something.
"No," his mother answered fearfully.
She looked at Cain, and he pointed off to the side and suggested that they go to the training ground.
"Yes," Louis replied.