Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 16

“Watch your mouth. The words you said today might be something you’ll regret for your whole life.”

It was merely a warning thrown with foresightedness. Who could predict what would happen if I ever awakened?

‘Sure, right now I’d end up getting beaten one-sidedly.’

Even in Europe, which was a battlefield, a necromancer was considered to be on the higher tier.

The head of the Baos family would single-handedly attack S-rank gates and battle multiple players of the same level.

Given that Lauren had mastered the bloodline skills, the difference in power was obvious. Jaehyuk, who hadn’t even awakened, was no match for him.

However, Jaehyuk was not nervous; he was rather intoxicated with excitement that made his blood boil.

‘This is my chance to accurately gauge my stats.’

Indeed.

Jaehyuk was intensely curious about his own stats. In the state of being unawakened, his status window would have its information locked, so the only way to satisfy his curiosity about his stats was by physically experimenting.

However, the petty thieves who had infiltrated the mansion or ordinary students were not suitable targets to test the limits of Jaehyuk.

In contrast, Lauren was more than a match to gauge Jaehyuk’s skill.

Swish.

Jaehyuk, who was unconsciously smiling, slipped his hand inside his coat.

Click, click, click…

He loosened the knots at the fastenings of the lead weights strapped to his body, allowing them to fall away as soon as he moved.

Not knowing the situation, Lauren frowned.

‘What is he doing…? What’s that noise?’

Just moments ago.

The power of the swordsmanship blocked by the bone shield wasn’t all that impressive.

From Lauren’s perspective, Jaehyuk was by no means an exceptional presence. It seemed he had awakened only recently and his level was low.

Most importantly, he hadn’t yet developed the bloodline skills.

No matter how much the prestige of the Kang family had declined, it was still one of the prominent families. Yet, Jaehyuk lacked the ability to rejuvenate the family.

But after Jaehyuk threw an audacious threat saying Lauren would regret it, and started doing suspicious things, Lauren grew subtly wary.

‘It can’t just be a bluff.’

Underestimating the potential of a notable family was not a wise move.

Lauren, also being of a prestigious family lineage, overestimated Jaehyuk instead.

‘After all, he’s the son of Yaksha. There must be a trump card hidden away.’

Recalling Yaksha’s achievements, even propagated to Europe, Lauren pondered.

‘Should I bring out the『Crown』?’

No… this isn’t a duel to the death.

‘I almost got excited in this peaceful country. Let’s start with a scouting match.’

It was at the moment excited Jaehyuk and the tense Lauren pointed their swords at each other.

“Why are you interfering in people’s affairs? What right do you have to meddle in Lauren’s personal friendships?”

Dozens of students approached Lauren’s side, standing as if to guard him.

The reason all the noted talents from across the nation enrolled in the Lion’s Castle.

They desired a high-level yet safe educational environment, but more importantly, to build connections.

Connections that will be absolutely useful when stepping into society.

Many students coveted the opportunity to win favor with the son of the prestigious Baos family, one of the finest families in Europe.

“Instead of helping the noble who traveled all the way to the distant Korea for learning, you’re thwarting him? Who are you, Kang Jaehyuk, to interfere?”

“That guy is really laughable. Does he dare to oppose Baos family?”

“A fallen noble’s envy, I suppose. It’s pathetic.”

Nearly half of the students in the training ground sided with Lauren.

Used to such situations, Lauren lifted his chin visibly.

It was a signal for Jaehyuk to abandon his futile pride and back off.

However, Jaehyuk was unfazed.

He was no stranger to situations like this either.

Being criticized by many without reasonable justification, it was a daily occurrence for him.

‘… Still considering I’m strong enough to talk about winning?’

Even surrounded by dozens of students, Jaehyuk remained unshaken, which deepened Lauren’s misunderstanding at that moment.

“Wait, wait a moment!”

A student appeared by Jaehyuk’s side.

Unlike Lauren who had gained the support of dozens, it was merely one girl.

It was Chae Dahui, the second-ranked freshman who had been sitting curled up in a corner of the training ground, observing the situation.

“Stop! Everyone, please keep it within bounds! What are you going to do when this escalates into a larger issue from a group fight?!”

“Well, that bastard said he wouldn’t hand over Baek Dojin.”

“I don’t need your permission to take Dojin away.”

“There you see. He’s a guy you just can’t communicate with?”

Telling Jaehyuk to be quiet for heaven’s sake, Dahui advised Lauren.

“Lauren… Considering the circumstances, we can’t give Dojin-senpai to you. I’ve clearly seen Dojin-senpai dislike you, and you even did a number on him. What makes you think we’d trust you with Dojin-senpai?”

“… I did not attack Dojin.”

“Huh?”

Come to think of it, she’s right?

Caught off guard, Chae Dahui closed her mouth, and students on Lauren’s side started chattering excitedly.

“R-right! That kid injured himself while tumbling around solo! Lauren-nim is rather the victim! Chae Dahui, who are you to babble so much to Lauren-nim!”

“Dojin and I are close friends akin to brothers. Although there’s a misunderstanding causing Dojin to push me away for now, misunderstandings are eventually resolved.”

Because it wasn’t his native language, there were frustrations in conveying the meaning.

Thus, carefully selecting each word, Lauren pronounced them before falling silent.

What happened next was that the number of students standing beside Jaehyuk and Dahui rapidly increased.

It was the second-year students who first tried to stop Dojin.

Since all the students supporting Lauren were first-years, the atmosphere reversed.

“Lauren, judging by Dojin’s response, it’s hard to entirely trust what you’re saying. For today, you should withdraw. If the situation escalates, teachers will definitely rush in, and then your chances to face Dojin will only decrease.”

“…”

Lauren’s golden eyes turned even colder. The students didn’t understand why their bodies were experiencing chills, but Jaehyuk was considerably surprised.

He had accurately captured a passing intent to kill.

It was shocking that a peer was someone who had obviously killed multiple people.

Maybe it was because Europe was a battlefield composed of various countries.

The young master from Austria’s finest family seemed rich in combat experience.

‘… Since things seem to have calmed down to some extent, let’s wrap this up.’

Jaehyuk discreetly restrained the lead weights again and helped Dojin to his feet.

“If you have any sense, give up and leave.”

“The son of a great nation’s duke… you should remember it’s hard to win my favor.”

“Yes, right back at you.”

Shoo shoo.

Waving his hand as if to beckon him to get lost, Jaehyuk left the training ground, carrying Dojin.

Students who supported Lauren sent threatening complaints, but Jaehyuk just scratched his ear, as if asking which barking dog they were mimicking.

Chae Dahui tagged along Jaehyuk.

“Looks like he needs treatment, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah. We should head to the infirmary. He’s full of fractures.”

“You can’t. What if it reaches the teachers’ ears?”

Shrugging in disdain, Chae Dahui pulled a small potion bottle from her pocket.

While it was a simple one, it was certainly a potion.

“Wow, why do you carry potions around? Are you rich?”

“The A-class curriculum includes monster hunting from next week. It’s a supply we received in advance.”

“Then what are you going to use?”

“The monsters we’ll hunt for a while are low-level, so it’ll be fine. Later, when the B-class receives potion supplies, you can repay me then.”

“Pour it on Baek Dojin.”

Gush.

Jaehyuk poured the potion all over Dojin.

His hands were shattered because of the shield, but it seemed his ribs got cracked and his nose broken from rolling around by himself…

“… Is he an idiot?”

“I suppose it’s because Shunpo, though a high-performing skill, is difficult to control. There were only three holders of Shunpo in Korean history, and I heard that none of them mastered it throughout their lives.”

“It’s not that they couldn’t; it’s that they didn’t. The risk is too high during practice, so they chickened out.”

“You… Thanks for helping Dojin.”

The second-year students who followed Jaehyuk and Dahui offered their thanks.

“The child named Lauren, is he the necromancer of the Baos family? Honestly, we were too scared to intervene recklessly. Thanks to you, we could muster up the courage.”

“Are you Dojin’s friends?”

“No?”

The second-year students immediately denied, claiming no way in hell were they friends with him.

Jaehyuk chuckled dryly.

“Why did you step in if you aren’t his friends? And what’s with the gratitude?”

“… Well, we’re still comrades.”

“…”

Friends and comrades.

These were foreign concepts to Jaehyuk, who was confined within the household.

Yet, there was something resonant that touched him.

Jaehyuk pondered suddenly.

For the past eight years, he had only been learning negative concepts.

“U-uh…”

Perhaps regaining consciousness, Dojin groaned.

Second-year students, who were uneasy about facing him, fled the scene, leaving Jaehyuk and Dahui alone beside Dojin.

“How much of a pain in the neck must he be in his normal personality that they all run away, not wanting to face him?”

“Oddly, I think I understand.”

“His personality is that bad, huh?”

“No?”

Dahui rounded her exceptionally big eyes at Jaehyuk, hinting it was directed toward him. Yet, unlike Yujin, he couldn’t read her thoughts just by looking at her expressions.

“Why did you step in then? You aren’t even his comrade.”

“That’s because…”

She saw someone in you.

“L-let’s just leave it. I’ll get going first.”

“So bland.”

Jaehyuk casually waved his hand as Dahui hurriedly departed and he looked down at Dojin.

Dojin, already conscious, lay sprawled on the ground, idly gazing at the sky.

Jaehyuk plopped down beside him.

The intense sunlight reminded him oddly of Lauren’s golden eyes, making him more irritable than usual.

“… Why aren’t you asking anything?”

Dojin finally asked after averting his gaze from the sun.

“Why bother.”

Jaehyuk responded as if disinterested.

“Speak up if you feel it’ll make you feel better. I’ll listen if you decide to.”

“… Ack…”

“What?”

“Ack…”

“Ack, where’s Ack here? Did your tongue short circuit from mingling with a foreigner for just a bit?”

“Agh! I meant let’s practice! You said you’d make me stronger! I need to get stronger! One day, I will kill that Lauren bastard!!”

Baek Dojin yelled as he abruptly sat up, his face flushed red. Given that his hair was already red, his flushed face reminded Jaehyuk of a tomato.

“Well… uh… okay.”

But how could anyone kill a necromancer?

Despite being stupefied, Jaehyuk rose without any objection.

He firmly believed there was no impossible task in this world.

Were it not for that belief, he would’ve given up and sat down multiple times already.

“Let’s go! I will hit you until you become stronger!”

“How do you call that practice? Are you insane?”

“You’re surprisingly clever, so getting beaten up will make you naturally stronger.”

The urgency of getting accustomed to using Shunpo couldn’t be overstated, anyway.

Jaehyuk’s sinister smile sent chills down Dojin’s spine.

“You… Have you ever taught anyone before?”

“Yeah. When I was young.”

“How old were you back then, younger than now?”

“Forget that. Start thinking before you act. You didn’t even remove the lead weights when confronting Lauren.”

“Oh? Ah… No wonder I felt so heavy…”

“This guy’s not a fool, but… tsk tsk.”

For some reason, Jaehyuk felt exceptionally good today.