Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 21: Welcome Home, Freedom

The first light of dawn barely touched the sky when Ren and Darius stood in the training yard, swords in hand.

The air was crisp, cool against their skin as they circled each other. Unlike their usual training, they were training with live steel and they were also going without Bloodbinding, relying purely on skill, instinct, and endurance.

Darius lunged first, a simple, clean strike aimed at Ren's shoulder. Ren twisted, barely deflecting the blow, the impact vibrating through his arms.

Darius didn't slow down, pressing forward with calculated attacks, forcing Ren to react quickly. Ren blocked one strike, dodged another, and attempted a counterattack, only to be met with Darius's blade knocking his aside effortlessly.

"You're hesitating." Darius said as he stepped back, resetting his stance.

Ren exhaled. "I'm thinking."

Darius smirked. "That's your problem. You need to feel it, move without second-guessing yourself."

They resumed.

Steel clashed, ringing through the courtyard. Ren pushed himself harder, keeping up with his brother's rhythm.

Each move became more instinctual, his body remembering where to move before his mind could tell it.

He still lost, of course. Darius was stronger, faster, more experienced. But he lasted longer than he had before.

Finally, Darius knocked Ren's blade out of his hands and rested his own against Ren's collarbone.

"Better." He admitted, lowering his sword. "Still not good enough, but better."

Ren rubbed his wrists as he caught his breath. "You've been training since before dawn, haven't you?"

Darius nodded. "Felix is coming home today. So is Father. I won't be the weakest son."

Ren frowned. "You're not."

Darius chuckled, shaking his head. "Tell that to him."

They stood there for a moment, each one lost in their own thoughts. Then, as if on cue, the sky brightened further as the sun rose fully.

The castle would be filled with activity. Their father was returning.

"Come on," Darius said, patting Ren's shoulder. "We should wash up before Mother finds us like this."

Ren sighed, nodding. Together, they walked back inside, their muscles aching but their spirits bolstered.

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Ren stood in the courtyard alongside Darius and their mother, Lady Maria. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the castle walls as they waited in silence.

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Lord Abram Ross, was returning from the border, along with Felix, the eldest son of the Ross family.

The sound of hooves and the clinking of armor filled the air as the entourage entered the courtyard. Lord Abram led the procession, looking just as... rigid as he did when he left.

His silver-threaded cloak was draped over his broad shoulders, and despite the long journey, he held himself with an unyielding posture. Felix rode beside him, his expression serious, even as his armor stayed neat, without the dust of the borderlands.

As their father dismounted, Lady Maria stepped forward, a warm smile on her lips. "Welcome home, my lord."

Lord Abram gave a stiff nod, his gaze softening ever so slightly when it landed on her. "Maria."

Felix was the next to step forward, embracing his mother briefly before turning to Darius with a smirk. "Still keeping the family in order, little brother?"

Darius rolled his eyes. "Someone has to."

Felix chuckled, clasping his younger brother's arm. "I hope you haven't let things go soft here."

Ren remained silent, watching them. It was always strange to see Felix.

Even though his time at the border had hardened him, he was more like their father and yet, the same. But even in spite of that, Felix had a way of making his presence known. Especially through his sense of... fashion.

As Lord Abram strode past them, Ren felt something stir in the air. A faint pulse of energy he could recognize, coming from the sword at his father's hip. His eyes narrowed as he realized just what it was.

It had to be their family's blood locked sword.

The feeling of Bloodbinding could not be hidden. It was a deep resonance that connected blood to steel.

His eyes flickered toward the weapon, and for a brief moment, he felt as if the sword recognized him, calling to something deep within him.

Lord Abram suddenly stopped mid stride. He turned, his piercing gaze settling on Ren. He could feel the almost physical pressure of his father's scrutiny.

"You've reached Rank 1." His father stated, his voice cool.

Ren's mouth went dry. He hadn't expected his father to sense it so quickly, but of course he had. He was one of, if not the, strongest Knights in this region of Albion.

Darius stepped forward, speaking before Ren could. "I oversaw his training, Father. He was ready."

Lord Abram's expression darkened. "And you thought yourself fit to be his instructor?"

His gaze swept over Darius critically before landing back on Ren. "Bloodbinding is not a toy for brothers to experiment with. Sir Robert will take over your education from now on. I will not have a son of mine learning in half measures."

Ren swallowed the lump in his throat. He couldn't say he hadn't expected this. His father had always been exacting in his expectations. But something in him resisted the idea of letting go of what he had built with Darius.

Still, he knew better than to argue. "Yes, Father."

Lord Abram turned to leave, but Ren's mouth moved faster than his brain could process. "Father. The sword on your hip." he paused. "What is it called?"

His father paused, glancing over his shoulder. His expression remained unreadable. "Freedom."

Ren hesitated, letting the name settle in his mind. "Who will wield it after you?"

Lord Abram studied him for a long moment before answering. "Only the one worthy of it among my children will wield Freedom. It is not a gift, nor an inheritance. It must be earned."

Felix smirked, stepping forward slightly. "I assume that means me."

Lord Abram didn't respond immediately, making sure the eyes of all his sons were on him. "That will be decided in time."

With that, he turned and strode toward the castle.

Ren exhaled slowly as the tension bled from his shoulders. Around him, the others began dispersing. Darius gave him a reassuring pat on the back before heading inside, while Felix shot him a knowing look before following suit.

Ren lingered, his gaze drifting toward where his father had disappeared. His thoughts churned.

Freedom.

Another word for unfettered.

His Divine Gift, Unfettered Enhancement, had been meant for a very specific NPC. Or had it been meant for the Ross family all along? Was it fate that had guided him to it?

He flexed his fingers, feeling the energy coursing through his blood. Whatever the truth was, one thing was certain.

Freedom was here, where it belonged.

And one day, it would be his.

But first, he would have to prove he was worthy.