A Line You Must Not Cross

Step. Step. Step—

The sound of footsteps echoed through the silent corridor.

The siblings watching me all wore the same expression.

‘He dares to walk without permission?’

‘Makes sense. I must look arrogant.’

They still remembered the version of me who shrank and trembled before them.

Even though I was of the same direct bloodline.

In power and influence.

They were clearly above me.

One of them spoke.

“I have not permitted you to walk yet.”

Thud!

Mana in the air shifted with his words.

Word Authority.

A magic only those nearing the level of great mages could use.

The calm mana turned hostile.

It pressed down on me.

Boom—!

‘Ghk….’

It felt like gravity crushing my body.

But I expected this.

I clenched my teeth and grabbed the chain.

‘80%.’

[Mana decreases by 3.]

Bzzzz—

The chain absorbed more mana.

My unstable mana slowly stabilized.

My trembling legs steadied.

I glared at them.

“Oh? You endured that?”

The one who used Word Authority spoke.

‘Del Rigbelto.’

The third.

Curious and relaxed on the outside.

Obsessed with status underneath.

“…Interesting.”

The second spoke.

Serva Rigbelto.

A mage obsessed with research.

“I want to study him.”

“….”

The fourth watched silently.

Mabel Rigbelto.

The youngest.

“Enough.”

The first finally spoke.

Bell Rigbelto.

A body too solid for a mage.

A face identical to the patriarch.

He looked down at me.

“Have you forgotten our agreement?”

“I have not.”

“Then why return?”

“To prove myself.”

Their presence pressed down on me.

But.

“I came to prove I deserve my place.”

This was nothing.

Compared to what lay ahead.

I didn’t move.

Eventually, their pressure faded.

Bell still stared.

“Raon Rigbelto. Swear on your blood. Can you prove you deserve this lineage?”

“Yes.”

“No matter the trial?”

“Yes.”

His pressure intensified.

Boom—!

Crack—!

The ceiling shook.

The floor cracked.

I raised the chain’s absorption to 90%.

Bzzzz—

[Mana decreases by 2.]

If I lost control.

My mana could explode.

It had happened before.

In the game.

But this depended on mindset.

‘He won’t attack me.’

If he tried to kill me now.

The patriarch would intervene.

He knew that.

This was just pressure.

A test.

As long as my mind held.

My mana wouldn’t rampage.

Even in the game.

Choosing the right responses let Raon survive this.

“If I am a worthless bloodline…”

I smirked.

“Then perhaps it’s better I don’t exist at all.”

“…!”

“…!”

The third and fourth widened their eyes.

Even the second showed interest.

“….”

Bell paused.

Then spoke.

“You’ve changed. You seem like a different person.”

“I’m tired of being pushed around.”

I met his gaze.

“I’ll start pushing back.”

Not just surviving.

But becoming what Raon wanted.

A great mage.

Someone remembered in history.

These people.

Were just obstacles.

“Prove it. If you fail—”

“—I will exile you completely.”

“Yes.”

Even at that threat.

I smiled.

—The trial will begin in two weeks. Prepare yourself.

The siblings left.

Only then did breathing return behind me.

“Haa… haa….”

Servants gasped for air.

Their pressure affected everyone.

‘At least the eldest held back.’

He had ambition.

But also responsibility.

The others?

Only ambition.

No responsibility.

‘Good. They’re just like I remember.’

Even if my route changed.

Their personalities hadn’t.

I could adapt.

‘The trial is obvious.’

First to fourth.

One test.

Or multiple.

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Recognition wasn’t hard.

As long as it wasn’t “kill your sibling.”

[Chain is 90% full of mana.]

[Adjust?]

Fwoosh—

I reduced it to 70%.

Mana returned.

My body grew heavier again.

‘Wish I could keep it lower.’

But this was necessary.

For combat.

And emergencies.

Even if it only reduced about 5 points.

My mana purity was too high.

Artifacts had limits.

Still.

It was enough.

“Haa….”

I exhaled.

The Wanderer approached.

“…I will take my leave.”

“Go.”

“You did well, young master.”

That was sincere.

I nodded.

He left.

To report.

‘Now my turn.’

“Abella.”

I walked past her.

“Let’s go.”

“W-wait!”

She followed.

Finding my room was easy.

I had been here many times.

The farthest corner.

The most neglected place.

Creak—

The door opened.

‘Raon’s room.’

It was empty.

Cold.

Even the expensive furniture.

Couldn’t hide that.

Dust everywhere.

‘As expected.’

I moved to sit.

“Wait!!!”

Abella stopped me.

“It’s too dirty….”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“No! Please wait!”

She sat me on the bed and began cleaning.

I planned.

‘This is earlier than expected.’

Originally.

This happened a year later.

When Raon’s reputation was still terrible.

Back then.

They tried to kill him.

Now.

It was a test.

‘Better this way.’

Less deadly.

More growth.

My guide wasn’t absolute.

It was just reference.

‘Two weeks….’

I searched my memory.

Then.

Footsteps.

Clack.

“Excuse us.”

Maids entered.

Without knocking.

“W-wait—!”

“Move, Abella.”

“Ah!”

They pushed her aside.

Their rank was higher.

Maids vs attendants.

She had no power.

‘Pathetic.’

They were just venting their own frustrations.

“This room is filthy.”

A freckled maid spoke.

I remembered her.

The one who bullied Abella most.

“Who was responsible?”

“Abella. She failed her duty.”

I almost laughed.

“Abella.”

“Yes….”

“Go clean the bedding.”

“S-sorry!”

She stumbled.

Covered in dust.

Still bowed to me.

“I’ll be back….”

“Move faster.”

Crash—

She left.

An old woman stepped forward.

The head maid.

“I will assist you.”

She reached out.

Smack.

I slapped her hand away.

“Hey.”

“…?”

“Head maid.”

“…You called me?”

“Yes.”

I stared at her.

“Since when could a servant look at me like that?”

Her eyes widened.

“Have you lost all sense?”

“…How dare you—”

“Lower your gaze.”

In this family.

Direct blood was absolute.

Even her.

Couldn’t defy that.

“…I’m sorry.”

“Kneel.”

“!!!”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Her lips bled.

But she knelt.

“….”

The scene overlapped.

Raon as a child.

Bullied.

Forced to kneel.

“You are useless.”

“If you want to help—die.”

‘Stop….’

Not yet.

‘Don’t let it go.’

Not yet.

I looked at the other maids.

“This is your only warning.”

For the plan.

For Raon.

I would endure once.

“If you offend me again.”

“I’ll kill you.”

“…!”

“And.”

I pointed at the door.

“She’s mine.”

“…What?”

“My property.”

They understood.

“Touch what’s mine—”

“…!”

“And you die.”

“Remember that.”

“…!”

“…!”