In one of the knights' quarters, a man with a bandaged arm walked in with a heavy expression.

His presence did little to quiet the whispers and snide remarks that floated through the air.

"Tsk… can you believe it? That loser got his ass handed to him by some weakling who's never even held a sword."

"What did you expect from slumdogs? A knight? Pfft!"

The murmurs and mockery were relentless, filling the room like an unbearable stench.

But Baret didn't look up. He clenched his jaw and forced himself forward, heading toward the table to eat. He could endure the insults, for now.

That was until he stepped inside… and froze.

Seated at the center of the room was a bearded man with an air of authority, his piercing gaze locked onto him.

"Captain… that—"

SLAP!

A resounding crack echoed as Baret's head snapped to the side.

"Useless."

The venom in the bearded man's voice was unmistakable.

"Do you have any idea how sad Lady Adele is right now?" His tone dripped with mock disappointment. "She placed her honor in your hands, and you disgraced her. I created a stage for you, I gave you an opportunity, and yet—"

Baret stumbled, his cheek burning. "I apologize for my misconduct, Captain Nerd—"

THUD!

Nerd's boot slammed into Baret's chest, sending him crashing onto the floor.

"Apologize? Apologize?! You're unfit to be a knight, you pathetic waste of space!" Nerd spat. "A knight who can't even serve his master properly should be discarded—"

TANG! TANG! TANG!

A loud bell gong interrupted Nerd's rant, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

A grayish-haired man stood there, casually hitting the bell with a gong.

Kael.

"..."

Silence stretched. He simply stood there, letting the moment drag out. Then he let out an exaggerated sigh, making everyone even more confused.

CRUNG!

Kael's gaze swept across the room before beckoning to someone.

"You. Come here."

A rough-dressed man hesitated but walked toward him. He barely took a step closer when—

BANG!

Kael slammed the gong directly onto his face, sending the man stumbling backward.

Everyone in the hall froze.

Kael stared them down and scoffed. "Motherfucker, what is this reaction? Where's my salute? My greeting? You bastards need an invitation?"

Panic immediately spread, and all at once, the room erupted in unison.

"WELCOME, YOUNG MASTER!"

Kael nodded in satisfaction, his smirk widening.

Then, with lazy, deliberate steps, he walked toward Nerd, whose expression had soured considerably.

Standing right before the so-called captain, Kael tilted his head and grinned menacingly.

"So, you're that bitch's lapdog."

Nerd's frown deepened, his mind racing to comprehend the insult. Then his eyes widened in fury. "What did you just say—"

"Never mind," Kael cut him off, his tone as dismissive as a noble swatting away an insect.

Turning away, he grabbed Baret's shoulder, forcing the battered knight to look at him.

"Hey, follow me."

Baret hesitated, his lips parting as if to refuse—

Then Kael's cold gaze locked onto him, sending an immediate shiver down his spine.

"Follow me, or stay here and get bullied for the rest of your miserable life."

The entire room held its breath.

Nerd's brows furrowed as he finally pieced it together.

'What is he planning?'

'Is he… pulling Baret under his wing?'

'No—he must be trying to get information about Lady Adele. But that's useless… Baret's just a low-ranker.'

Baret hesitated, looking between Nerd's enraged face and Kael's eerily calm smirk.

Finally, he bowed his head slightly. "Please lead me."

Kael's smirk widened as he turned, walking forward with a mighty presence, Baret trailing behind him.

As he reached the entrance, Kael paused, his gaze flickering back toward Nerd.

For a moment, he studied him, almost as if assessing his worth.

Then, he spoke.

"Nerd, right?"

Nerd gritted his teeth. "Yes."

Kael's smirk turned vicious.

"Make sure to survive until I take the reins."

"You…"

Nerd's fists clenched, anger flashing in his eyes. But he held himself back.

He simply watched as Kael walked away, his shadow stretching ominously across the floor.

…..

Kael strolled into the estate garden, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. The evening breeze rustled the leaves, casting long shadows as the two figures walked side by side.

With a mockingly serious tone, he spoke.

"You know, you were just inches away from getting fucked up."

Baret, walking stiffly beside him, kept his lips tightly shut, refusing to react.

Kael clicked his tongue. "Oh? Silent treatment now? How do you deal with losing? Come on, Baret. Where's all that knightley pride? Or did it die when the Nerd threw you away like garbage?"

Getting no response,Kael's grin widened. He knew just how to push the right buttons.

"Is this the life you dreamt of when you agreed to bully me? What did that dumbass Nerd promise you? Show you some pretty pictures of glory? Whisper sweet little nothings about how you'd be some great, noble warrior?"

Baret flinched. His hands curled into fists, but he still said nothing.

Kael sighed dramatically. "Wow. Guess that's a yes. Man, you really are a dumbass."

That was the last straw.

Baret snapped, his voice breaking with emotion as he shouted.

"YES! He said I would be recognized for my efforts!" His chest heaved, and his voice trembled with barely restrained frustration. "You won't understand,Master Kael! You—someone who's spent his whole life lying in riches!"

Kael raised an eyebrow but said nothing, letting the floodgates burst open.

Baret's eyes burned with frustration and resentment.

"I was born and raised in the slums. I've seen my family die of hunger, of greed. I was beaten down, broken—but amidst all of it, I still hoped. I still craved for a single chance."

His voice cracked.

"A single chance to stand on that stage. To be seen. To be recognized.

Yet… yet…"

His shoulders shook.

"Yet you destroyed everything with a mere swing of your sword!"

His voice faltered at the end, and his knees nearly buckled. Tears welled in his eyes, threatening to spill over.

Kael watched the pathetic display in silence, tilting his head slightly, as if contemplating something profound.

Then he let out a dramatic sigh and stepped forward, placing a hand on Baret's shoulder.

"Ha!"

Baret stiffened.

Kael's expression shifted, his lips pressed into a line, his eyes soft with regret.

"Baret, look at me."

Hesitantly, Baret lifted his teary eyes, heart pounding.

Kael let out another deep sigh.

"I apologize… for beating the sh— I mean, for foiling your plans." His voice dripped with mock sincerity. "I'm really sorry. Really… truly… from the bottom of my heart."

Baret's eyes widened in shock like a saucer and his breathing halted.The world around him spun for a moment and came to stand still.

'Did he just… apologize?'

For a moment, a tiny flicker of warmth bloomed in his chest.

'I thought he was just another arrogant brat… but maybe he's different.'

Just as Baret's heart began to waver, Kael's lips curled upward into a wicked grin.

Then, with a calm, level-headed tone, he spoke.

"If you think I wronged you, then…"

Baret blinked, waiting for his words.

"Then…"

A pause.

Kael's grin stretched wider and he inched his face closed to whisper.

"Go and fuck yourself. Do you think I give a shit about your situation, you dumb fucker?"

Silence.

Baret's brain short-circuited.

Kael burst into laughter, slapping Baret's shoulder. "Oh man, that look on your face! Priceless!"

Baret's tears dried instantly, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Y-You…"

Kael patted his head patronizingly.

"Cheer up, crybaby. We've got work to do."

And with that, he walked off, whistling a tune, leaving Baret standing there, utterly dumbfounded and emotionally wrecked.

"Tomorrow I want all those sons of bitches whom I have beaten in my room before 10 or else…"