The Sudden Ambush

‘Haa….’

I stared out the window, unable to hide my complicated expression.

After leaving the academy, I no longer had to worry about variables or repeat inefficient actions.

And I should’ve been happy about the achievement of increasing my mana control.

But.

[Emergency Event Triggered!]

These words flickering before my eyes completely ruined my mood.

‘Damn it….’

Raising mana control is good.

It’s really good.

But if I fail, I either die or lose 2 points?

My mana control is already at decimal level.

If it drops below zero, my mana will no longer recognize my body as a ‘container.’

Instead, it will see it as something to break free from.

And it will destroy everything to escape.

Which means I die.

Even if I somehow survive this event.

The ending is still ‘death.’

‘Even if I go for high risk, high return.’

This is just low risk, high punishment.

Well, technically, if I clear it, the risk doesn’t matter.

‘…Looking at it positively, it’s at least warning me of danger.’

But the problem is.

‘This situation is forced.’

It’s being imposed on me regardless of my will or judgment.

And I don’t like that.

Of course, I can’t always do only what I want.

But.

Once I gain enough power and stop being pushed around like this.

‘I’ll destroy this damn system.’

Most likely.

It’s deeply connected to whatever brought me into this world.

And maybe…

‘It’s tied to Raon’s curse too.’

If mana control can be increased but isn’t.

Then it’s no different from enjoying Raon’s suffering.

If that’s really the case.

‘I’ll break it.’

The system.

And the creators who made Raon like this.

I’ll crush them all.

The carriage was quiet.

Raon leaned against the wall with his eyes closed, as if asleep.

And Abella was lost in her thoughts.

‘When the young master returns to the family….’

She too would return to a place she could call home.

Normally, the word ‘home’ brings to mind comfort and warmth.

But for her, it was anything but that.

‘…The seniors, the head maid, the butler… they’ll all say something.’

Abella served Raon—the one everyone avoided.

And whether intentional or not, she received his favor.

In truth, there wasn’t much to call favor.

Since she was his only maid, attention naturally fell on her.

But.

Instead of sympathizing with her situation.

Others envied her.

Even though Raon was treated as trash.

He was still a direct descendant.

And she was the only one serving him.

They didn’t understand how he was treated.

Nor did they know his life was constantly at risk.

They didn’t know about his condition.

So they isolated her.

Bullied her.

And left her alone.

To Abella, who was abandoned by everyone.

Just as she was Raon’s only friend.

Raon was her only friend too.

‘I don’t want to go back….’

If she returned.

What would happen?

The young master wouldn’t care about her.

He was already struggling just to survive his curse.

With a ticking bomb inside him.

He couldn’t afford to care about her.

‘Lady Helena said he changed….’

—He’s become stronger.

—What?

—Exactly that. His sharpness remains, but his mental strength has grown. He no longer wastes that precious body. Something must’ve happened.

There was one possible reason.

‘The day he was kidnapped.’

Even if he went willingly.

He got caught up with thugs and was taken to a dangerous back alley.

She didn’t know what happened.

But after that.

He changed.

He subdued the mage who kidnapped him.

Returned to the academy.

Declared he would drop out despite pressure from his brothers.

And even defeated Philip Oscula overwhelmingly.

‘…I don’t know how he became stronger.’

Humans have something like an ‘awakening button.’

No one knows where it is or how it’s pressed.

But once it is.

People change.

Raon seemed to be one of those cases.

The boy who used to be weak and hurt.

Had become someone firm.

Choosing his own path.

Moving forward.

And even trying, in his own way, to care for her.

Others might not notice.

But Abella, who only watched Raon.

Could see it clearly.

It was like he had become a different person.

‘…But he’s still the young master.’

There were rumors about doppelgangers and such.

But she never doubted him.

Not because of his appearance.

But because of his curse.

No one else could imitate that.

And controlling chains.

Was a rare but natural talent of the Rigbelto bloodline.

‘…If he stays like this.’

Maybe.

She wouldn’t have to fear going home anymore.

‘So I too….’

She decided.

To accept the changed Raon.

And make sure he never returned to his past self.

At least she would believe in him.

Flinch!

“…!”

Their eyes met.

Abella quickly lowered her gaze.

Her faded gray eyes reflected him.

And she felt a strange mix of guilt and reverence.

“What are you looking at?”

At his words, she spoke carefully.

“It’s just… it feels strange going back after so long….”

“Yeah.”

Raon closed his eyes again, as if it was nothing.

“….”

“….”

Silence returned to the carriage.

Abella nervously tapped her knee with her fingers.

His personality was unpredictable.

He might get upset later over something like this.

‘W-what should I do?’

Is he angry?

As she tried to think of something to say—

“Young mas—”

“Stop!”

A rough voice cut her off from outside.

Heavy footsteps followed.

Multiple people.

The carriage stopped moving.

“….”

Raon’s face twisted.

The chains in his hand rattled.

That sight.

Filled her with fear.

The Wanderer’s voice came from outside.

“Step aside. I will pay the toll.”

“A toll? Sure! But you look suspicious. So get down! And while you’re at it, hand over your valuables!”

“…Do you know whose carriage this is?”

“Of course I do. Some foolish nobles walking alone on a dangerous mountain road.”

“Hahaha!”

“Nice one, boss!”

“….”

Just from the conversation.

It was obvious.

‘Bandits.’

The location.

Their tone.

‘None of them feel particularly strong.’

A few had weak mana.

But nothing threatening.

‘Is this what I need to survive?’

With my current stats.

They’re not enough to defeat me.

Which means.

‘There’s a hidden variable.’

Either deception.

Or hidden strength.

‘Not time to act yet.’

Raon stayed inside and observed.

Information first.

Act later.

‘We clearly have the family flag.’

Yet they attacked.

‘So either they’re tied to the family… or backed by someone strong enough to ignore it.’

The Wanderer pointed to the flag.

“Look at the flag. This carriage belongs to the Rigbelto—”

“The flag?”

Fwoosh!

A fireball burned it away.

The bandit leader laughed.

“Where?”

“….”

That was enough.

‘They were hired.’

Raon asked himself.

Can I survive?

Yes.

Can I kill them?

Yes.

Then it was time.

“Haha, hey driver. We just want one thing.”

A bandit approached and knocked on the carriage door.

“Hand over what’s inside. Then we’ll spare you.”

“Guess drivers are stupid!”

“Hahaha!”

Now.

The moment.

Clack!

The door opened inward.

Raon grabbed the bandit’s neck and pulled him inside.

“Ghk!”

Before he could react.

A chain wrapped around his neck.

“You—what—”

Crack!

His neck snapped.

Raon confirmed he was dead.

Beside him, Abella trembled.

“Y-young master….”

“Shh.”

Raon placed a finger on his lips.

“Stay quiet.”

“…Yes.”

The story had already diverged.

From here on.

Only the broad outline remained.

Details would change.

‘The only thing I need to hide… is that I’m not the real Raon.’

“They came to kill me.”

So.

I will survive.

No matter what.

“Which means I kill them all.”

Even if it means killing.

“Abella. Stay still.”

“…Understood.”

Silence fell among the bandits.

One of them had just been dragged inside.

And they heard something snap.

They looked at each other.

‘No way….’

‘Did he die?’

They expected casualties.

But not this.

Killed instantly?

Something was wrong.

‘Wasn’t there just a weak kid inside…?’

‘Only the young master and Abella….’

The Wanderer and bandits stared at the carriage.

Creeeak—

The door opened slowly.

Gulp.

One swallowed hard.

A boy stepped out.

Chains wrapped around his body like a prisoner.

Clink.

A chain dropped.

Some couldn’t even breathe.

It felt like a weight pressed on them.

Raon looked down at them.

Like a true predator.

‘They don’t know me.’

His appearance wasn’t kind.

Wild hair.

Sharp eyes.

Chains.

And what just happened.

Fear was natural.

And the uncontrolled mana leaking from him.

Crushed them silently.

‘And I know them.’

A minor side event.

They were hidden bandits used by the family when needed.

And Raon had faced them before.

Everything favored him.

“So. You want what’s inside?”

“….”

Raon reached inside.

And threw something out.

“Then take it.”

Thud!

A corpse hit the ground.

Blood spreading.

And above it.

A predator watching them.

“…Kill him!”

Overcome with fear.

The bandits abandoned their mission.

And charged only to kill Raon.