"Wake up, Young Master!" said Raul while slapping me." The Count choose you so you could gain more experience while fighting humans. As I see it, you cannot become the Count of Lenarmend, but you will, without a doubt, participate in beast and thief subjugation in the future. Whether you are a commander, an adventurer, or have been ambushed, you will have to fight. These are the Wandering Lands. The zone we are in is considered to be dangerous. You have been spoiled by the Count in the past, but now it is time for you to prove your worth. The Young Count is working hard, so what about you? Are you going to stay like that or are you going to fight? If you wish to leave at this moment, you may do so, but be aware that the Count will not forgive you. When that happens, the best thing you can do is move to another country."

I got scared as this was the first time he had treated me so coldly. He was staring at me with cold eyes as he was admonishing me. Yet I knew that I had to stand up for myself. Raul predicted that the opponent was just as skilled as I was, making this the first time in my life that I would be fighting on equal footing. All that happened in our training session was me getting knocked down.

Rather than answer Raul's questions, I put on the gloves and boots and stared at him with a determined gaze. I swear that I felt as if I was going to be sent flying by him again in the next moment as his cold face turned into a cringy smile. As I stepped back, he laughed.

"Hahaha... It seems you have also honed your senses a bit. To think that you sensed that... You were not a useless child after all. Initially, I was laughing at the Count for choosing you, but now I realize that he has done a good job. Although I am still puzzled as to why you were chosen. "The Count is not someone to be swayed by mere rumors."

His comments seemed to be related to rumors that I had won in the "beast raid". I knew that Raul informed my father of the truth since I was never questioned about what had happened there when I arrived in the Capital. For two days, my mother worried about me and spoiled me, but my interactions with my father consisted of just a few greetings a day. I always received his orders through Raul.

It made me realize once again that I had no idea who Raul was. He had always been the servant that reported directly to me, but... he seemed more like a butler, yet earlier he was laughing at the Count's decisions, but no one from the present guard even glanced at him.

"Really, Raul, just who are you?"

"What do you mean?" He asked with a puzzled expression on his face. " I'm Raul, your servant. "

The fact that he replied was an indication that my thought had been leaked out.

"Oh no, I didn't mean that" I knew I messed up because it sounded like I was doubting him.

"I was amazed by how you were able to erase all my worries with just a few words." the truth had to be mixed with the lie to cover it up.

Despite the fact that I had become determined to participate in this duel, I was still trembling a little. My nerves were on edge because I was almost caught, as I determined that Raul was planted by my father by my side, but also because the duel was about to begin any minute now.

As the match from earlier was about to end, a member of staff from the Grand Arena knocked on our door and told us to prepare. It seemed like there was a big prize at stake, so no team wanted to lose, so they held on until this point. Afterward, I headed for the exit. I followed the staff member and he pointed me towards the tunnel from which cheers could be heard.

As I approached the Arena's central area, goosebumps began crawling across my skin. I walked towards the end of the tunnel under a blinding sun. As soon as I stepped outside, I could see the arena in its full glory.

Hundred of thousands of people cheering, whistling, and shouting. The memory of being impressed as a prince suddenly flooded back to me and suffocated me. Nevertheless, I shook them off as I looked toward the other end of the arena.

Robert Rochdale was entering as well while waving his hand. He was wearing a similar gear to mine, which eased my worries about looking weird. But he was oozing confidence which each step that he took.

He was one of my classmates during my 2-year stay at the academy and the leader of one of the small factions that existed in our grade. Well, it seemed like I was involved in a fight during the normal classes and my father sent me afterward to one of the many towns around The Eternal Night Forest. Now I realize that I was quite foolish in thinking that my father wanted to make me a governor. It was a punishment.

Despite having already reached the location, the quest window had not yet appeared. I was getting nervous. Approaching Robert, I pondered these thoughts. In the middle of the arena stood one more man. The moment we were a short distance apart, he started talking. He seemed to be our arbitrator.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! We are pleased to have you join us for yet another noble match! Our fight today is not between representatives of two counts, but their own sons! Robert Rochdale, a fine gentleman, is our first opponent. Having won the sword competition, he's one of the top candidates for the knight academy! As the heir of Count Rochdale, he has a bright future ahead of him! In contrast, we have Alde Lenarmend, the Delinquent! As a result of his participation in many fights during his time in the academy, he managed to earn this nickname! However, I am sure that everyone has heard the recent rumors that he took out an entire pack of wolves without a single human loss!?!?!? Well…. those rumors are true! After being exiled, the delinquent returns to the Capital with such a great achievement!"

How did I get a nickname? Where did that come from? The fights he spoke of were simply a game we played between ourselves. It's true that some of them were started because someone slandered me, but it wasn't that big of an issue.

"Without further ado, we will start the duel between the knight aspirant, Robert Rochdale, and the delinquent, Alde Lenarmend!"

*DUM**DUM**DUM*

Drums signaled the impending start of the duel. As when I first faced my brother, I grabbed the sword and took the same basic position.

"READY!?!? FOCUS!!!! START THE DUEL!!!"

*DING*

*Quest issued*