The Assassin's Seven Principles of Manipulation-Chapter 57 - 55 — No

Kaiden clenched his fists as he met Zephyrion’s steady purple eyes.

"Fight me."

He had no idea what had happened during the battle, but if he could... if he could face him again, the result would be different.

"No."

"...what?"

Kaiden’s eyes widened, as if he had misheard.

"I won’t repeat myself."

"...why? Don’t tell me... you’re scared to fig—"

"I gain nothing from fighting you. It’s a waste of time."

Kaiden’s jaw tightened. He was basically calling him worthless.

"...so that’s it? You won’t fight me because there’s nothing in it for you?"

"Yes."

"Fine... then tell me what you want. I’ll make it worth your while—"

"You have nothing I want."

"Hah..."

Kaiden’s expression twisted as he met Zephyrion’s unmoved gaze. A dynasty heir... what could he possibly offer him?

His fingers curled tighter.

"...then I’ll offer myself. Let’s fight. If you win, I’ll serve you—"

"I’m not interested."

"...what?"

"You’d be useless to me. You’re wasting my time. Leave."

"...you..."

Kaiden simply stared, eyes wide. To be so blatantly dismissed... he had never been humiliated like this in his entire life.

A moment later, Zephyrion tilted his head slightly, his gaze turning cold.

"Leave."

Kaiden remained there for what felt like an eternity, a strange numbness spreading through him. He swallowed, then turned and began to walk away.

Yet his fists remained clenched so tightly that his fingers dug into his palms, drawing blood.

...

"Urk..."

Garrick pressed a hand to his head as he made his way toward the iron training ground.

’Looks like I overdid it.’

He had celebrated far too hard last night, drowning himself in enough alcohol to put powerful men to sleep.

His mouth felt dry. He pulled out a container from his pocket and gave it a brief glance, then shrugged.

’Gotta stay hydrated.’ 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He took a long gulp and let out a satisfied breath a moment later.

"Haa... this is the life..."

As he reached the entrance, he spotted a man standing by the gates, waiting.

Garrick’s lips curled into a sneer.

"To what do we owe this pleasure?"

"...."

Kastor regarded him in silence for a moment. Then he sniffed lightly and frowned.

"You’ve been drinking."

"Of course I have. All real men drink."

"...I don’t drink."

"That proves my point."

Kastor’s frown deepened, and Garrick tilted his head, amused.

"Well? What do you want? I’m a busy man. The future of Calderalth won’t raise itself."

"...you should learn some respect. Do you even know who you’re speaking to?"

"Kastor Calderalth. Head of House Calderalth. Member of the Ten Thrones. Did I miss anything?"

"...."

Garrick smiled as he calmly met Kastor’s heavy glare.

A moment later, Kastor exhaled then tossed something toward Garrick.

"Hm? What’s this?"

Garrick caught it and opened the sack. Inside, a small vial filled with a colorless liquid came into view, and his expression shifted into a faint frown.

"The trainees showed improvement during the evaluation. I’m rewarding each head trainee."

Garrick stared at Kastor for several seconds, speechless.

"Heh..."

He had never heard such a load of bullshit in his life. Since when did Kastor hand out rewards for evaluations? And an elixir at that, something valuable even to dynasty houses, just like that?

As he met Kastor’s steady gaze, Garrick’s sneer deepened.

"Let me guess... this is just an excuse to give Zephyrion an elixir."

Kastor furrowed his brows slightly.

"No. Every top trainee received one. It’s to motivate them."

"Motivate them my ass." Garrick shook his head. Even if I believed you, which I don’t, you could’ve sent someone. The great head of house showing up in person? That’s new."

"...I did the same for the other division."

"Hmm..."

Garrick stepped past him with an amused grin.

"So no special treatment?"

"None."

"Then you won’t mind if I announce you?"

"...I won’t."

"Good."

Garrick turned and drew in a sharp breath.

"Zep—"

Whoosh.

Before he could finish, Kastor’s weighty presence vanished.

Garrick paused for a second, then chuckled, shaking his head.

"Heh... figures."

...

"Gather around!"

As the trainees hurried over and gathered before the platform, Garrick swept them with a heavy gaze.

One by one, they lowered their heads under it, as though bracing for what was coming.

"You’re all weak, pathetic excuses for Calderalth warriors. I’ve seen drunk men swing better than you, and most of them were blind."

The trainees clenched their fists and dropped their gazes, unable to meet his eyes.

"...but your performance during the evaluation wasn’t complete trash. At least you showed some grit. That means there’s still hope."

The trainees lifted their heads, eyes widening.

"Huh? Did we hear that right?"

"Did Instructor Garrick just compliment us?"

"Wooo! He did! We’re not completely useless!"

Whispers spread quickly as they clenched their fists and raised their chins. Compared to the constant barrage of insults they were used to, this felt like a reward in itself.

"Enough!"

Garrick waved his arm.

"This doesn’t mean you can slack off. We’re doubling your training, no, tripling it! I’ll drag you all into shape even if it breaks every bone in your bodies."

A hush fell over the training ground. The trainees swallowed hard under the weight of his words.

"Anyways, since you didn’t completely embarrass yourselves, the head of house has decided to reward the top trainees of each division... with an elixir."

"Woah, an elixir!?"

"You’re joking, that’s insane!"

"Argh, I’m so jealous of Kaiden."

A chorus of gasps rippled through the trainees as their gazes snapped toward Kaiden, staring at him with envy.

"Come get your reward, head trainee!"

At Garrick’s call, Kaiden stepped forward with a composed expression.

"Oi, Zephyrion! Move. I don’t have all day."

"What...?"

Kaiden’s eyes widened as he turned toward Garrick, who was now gesturing for Zephyrion to step forward.

The surrounding trainees froze as well, their gazes snapping between the two.

As the young heir began to approach, Kaiden’s fists slowly tightened.

"Instructor... that’s not who you’re supposed to give it to."

"Hm?"

Garrick’s gaze settled on Kaiden for a brief moment.