Chapter 215
That evening—
Countless knights lined up in formation before the warp gate.
The atmosphere was completely different from earlier that day when they welcomed Leo and Celia.
A flash of light burst from the warp gate a moment later.
A man with black hair and red eyes appeared.
His pupils were a vivid crimson, as if they could burst into flames at any moment.
His face looked as if it had been sculpted by an artist.
He was a man who deserved to be called a handsome middle-aged gentleman and carried an overwhelming presence.
Step—step—
As the man descended from the warp gate and walked toward the carriage, the knights all dropped to one knee with a sharp motion and offered a knight’s salute.
The man raised his hand toward them.
With that, the knights returned to their original positions with military precision.
“You’re here, brother.”
“Yes. Has anything happened within the family?”
As Gis bowed respectfully, the head of House Zerdinger, Seld Zerdinger, asked in a calm voice.
“Celia returned today.”
“Come to think of it, today was the end-of-term ceremony, wasn’t it?”
Although it was the day his beloved daughter came home for break, Seld had completely forgotten.
Recently, he had been tied up day and night with imperial meetings in the capital to respond to the rapidly changing world situation.
Seld had been relentlessly busy.
Still, thinking of himself as a poor father, he gave a bitter smile and climbed into the carriage.
“And Leo came with Celia as well.”
Seld’s movement paused for a moment.
Then he climbed fully into the carriage again.
Gis followed and took his seat.
“Leo, huh…”
Seld looked intrigued at the mention of his nephew, whom he’d only heard about until now.
“What about Rhys?”
“After the graduation ceremony, he was dispatched to conquer a [Hero Dungeon] at Lumene’s request. He won’t be returning for some time.”
Seld nodded at Gis’s report.
“Is the welcome party ready?”
“All preparations are complete.”
“Good.”
Seld leaned deeply against the seat and said,
“I’m looking forward to it.”
—
The ballroom of the Zerdinger estate.
With all the key figures of the household present, Leo stood next to Celia.
Leo looked around at the gathered guests.
There were many knights of exceptional skill.
“What are you staring at so hard?”
“There are so many powerful people here.”
At Leo’s words, Celia puffed out her chest.
“Of course. This is Zerdinger.”
As she swept her hair back, Leo gave a small chuckle.
“Lady Celia, congratulations on becoming a second-year.”
“Is this Young Master Leo? Pleased to meet you, from the branch family…”
People began to gather around Leo and Celia.
The party was officially meant to celebrate their promotion to second-year students.
They were the guests of honor.
But the one drawing all the attention was Leo.
Celia covered her mouth and teased him.
“Pretty popular, huh?”
Leo responded with a bored expression.
“Popularity? They’re only hovering around because they want something.”
“Want something?”
Celia tilted her head at Leo’s words.
Just then, commotion stirred at the entrance to the ballroom.
Seld and Gis were entering the hall.
As the Zerdinger retainers bowed in greeting, Seld spotted Leo and Celia and walked toward them.
“Father!”
Seeing her father after a long time, Celia beamed.
Though she always carried herself with noble grace as a direct descendant of a [Heroic House], before her father, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl.
Seeing his daughter run up and hug him with a bright smile, Seld chuckled softly and patted her on the head.
“You rascal. I’ve heard about your accomplishments. I’m proud of you.”
“I only did what I should as a Zerdinger.”
Seld’s eyes shifted from his daughter to Leo.
“So you’re Leo.”
“It’s an honor to meet the head of House Zerdinger.”
As Seld turned his gaze on him, Leo offered a perfect bow.
Even though he had already been acknowledged as a direct member of the Zerdinger family, this was Leo and Seld’s first meeting.
And with so many eyes on them at an official event, Leo had no choice but to follow formal etiquette to the letter.
Celia clicked her tongue, watching Leo without a single mistake.
‘He doesn’t seem like it, but his etiquette is flawless.’
Leo usually acted relaxed and casual.
You’d think he only knew the bare minimum as a noble.
But even Celia, who had grown up under the strict customs of a [Heroic House], had to admit that Leo’s manners were perfect.
‘Guess all those beatings from Lysinas paid off.’
Leo thought of his old friend and chuckled inwardly.
Thanks to Lysinas’s constant scolding, Leo had mastered the rigorous etiquette of the dragon race.
That experience made it easy to adapt to nearly any form of formal behavior.
‘Etiquette starts with posture, after all.’
Seld let out a loud laugh after seeing Leo’s greeting.
“You’re nothing like Reina.”
He added with a fond smile as he thought of his free-spirited and brash little sister.
“Call me Uncle. No need for formality.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
The Zerdinger members around them held their breath at Seld’s affectionate address.
‘So the family head really does plan to entrust Leo with an important position in the future.’
‘Damn it! If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have voted against accepting him as a direct member!’
Many of the guests at the party were now rethinking their decisions.
Zerdinger wasn’t just any [Heroic House].
It was one of the two great pillars supporting the Lordren Empire.
It influenced nearly half of all knights in the entire empire.
In other words, Zerdinger wielded immense power.
The social status of Zerdinger’s direct bloodline members exceeded that of most royal families.
In the Lordren Empire, being a direct descendant of Zerdinger alone guaranteed privileges beyond imagination.
That’s why branch members always aspired to be recognized as direct line and elevate their status.
But with the arrival of a new direct descendant, the odds of others earning that recognition shrank.
So many had opposed Leo’s promotion to direct line.
But now, Leo had become one of Zerdinger’s core figures.
He was also clearly being protected by both the family head and the vice-head as their nephew.
Just falling out of favor with Leo could mean losing influence in the family.
After finishing his conversation with Leo, Seld walked away, and Celia asked brightly,
“So, what do you think of my father?”
“He’s incredible.”
As head of the Zerdinger family, Seld left nothing to be desired.
One of the strongest knights Leo had ever seen.
A man truly worthy of the title “hero.”
Hearing Leo’s words, Celia beamed with pride.
Clang—clang—clang—clang—
Gis tapped a wine glass to gather attention.
“The family head would like to say a few words.”
All eyes turned to Seld.
“I’d like to thank everyone for attending today’s party to celebrate the promotion of my daughter and nephew to second year.”
Seld’s calm voice echoed throughout the hall.
“These two are the future of House Zerdinger. I hope you will continue to support them so they may grow even more.”
As his brief speech ended, applause erupted from the crowd.
After that, Leo had to greet countless people.
From the Zerdinger branch families to many of the retainer houses.
Though this party was limited to those affiliated with Zerdinger, there were still a great number of attendees.
‘If they’d invited outside nobles too, it really would’ve been chaos.’
Even as he shook his head at the scale of it all, Leo greeted everyone flawlessly.
‘So she neglected her own etiquette training but made sure Leo’s was perfect, huh?’
Watching from the side, Gis was impressed.
There wasn’t a single flaw.
‘If there’s ever an official event, I’d want to send him with Celia to represent the family.’
Gis felt a strong urge to solidify Leo’s image as the face of Zerdinger in public.
‘So no other family dares to even look his way. Especially Lewellin.’
Gis’s face twisted slightly.
Under normal circumstances, the Lewellin family wouldn’t even consider coveting Zerdinger’s bloodline.
But Leo wasn’t a typical Zerdinger.
[All-Class].
As a [Mage], his skill rivaled that of a knight.
Even in the long history of Zerdinger, Leo’s talent ranked among the best.
With talent like that, even Lewellin would set aside appearances to pursue him.
‘Especially that witch who keeps asking about Leo—how annoying.’
Until last year, the Lewellin vice-head would start a staring contest every time they met.
But lately, her attitude had softened, and she often brought up Leo in conversation.
‘Even the royal family is showing interest in Leo.’
Ever since news spread that he was the Phoenix’s Contractor, the royal family’s interest had been practically blatant.
‘Too much talent is its own problem.’
Gis let out a dry laugh and shook his head.
“Vice-head.”
“What is it, Sir Terrius?”
Gis looked curiously at the person approaching.
It was Pierce Terrius, a member of the Phoenix Knights, the family head’s elite unit.
“I have an important matter to discuss regarding Young Master Leo.”
“What is it?”
“It concerns his knight order.”
Gis gave a faint smirk.
‘So it’s about that after all.’
Gis also oversaw the Zerdinger trainees.
So when the selection for Leo’s knight order was held in late spring, he knew the top trainees had avoided applying.
Now, many of them regretted not joining.
‘I’ve heard quite a few trainees are eyeing a spot in Leo’s order these days.’
Pierce’s own son was one of the top trainees.
“You do know that the matter of Leo’s knight order was concluded back in spring, yes?”
“Yes, of course. But Vice-head, I can’t help but feel that the current members of Young Master Leo’s order don’t match his reputation.”
“Hm.”
Gis crossed his arms and glanced toward Leo.
Several trainees were gathered near Leo.
Likely trying to make an impression.
But Leo looked completely indifferent.
‘Looks like Leo’s already made up his mind.’
Gis smiled faintly.
‘To Leo, the ones who chose him probably matter more than the ones with talent.’
“That’s not something for me to decide. It’s up to Leo.”
At those words, Pierce’s eyes lit up.
“Then may I speak to Young Master Leo myself?”
“Do as you wish, Sir Terrius.”
“Yes.”
With a meaningful smile, Pierce approached Leo.
“Young Master Leo. I am Pierce Terrius, a member of the Phoenix Knights.”
“Hello, Sir Terrius.”
Leo looked puzzled at the large knight who approached out of nowhere.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“As a direct member of House Zerdinger, Young Master Leo stands fourth in the line of succession after Young Master Rhys, Lady Celia, and Lady Emira. You are the very face of our family.”
The current Zerdinger succession order was:
Rhys and Celia, children of the family head, Seld.
Emira, daughter of Gis.
And then Leo.
Though Leo didn’t bear the Zerdinger name, as the nephew of the family head, he held fourth place.
Moreover, Emira was in poor health and did not pursue knighthood.
Realistically, Leo was third.
Of course, Leo would likely never become family head, but the line of succession still held weight.
“So?”
“You are worthy of being a successor to House Zerdinger. However… the knights who follow you are lacking.”
Leo smirked slightly at Pierce’s bluntness.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I recommend choosing knights more suitable to your station. This isn’t just about you, but the honor of House Zerdinger as well.”
Celia frowned.
But those nearby agreed with Pierce.
‘It’s true that Leo’s knight order is weak. But still, that should be Leo’s decision. It’s not something to pressure him about publicly.’
This was practically using the family’s reputation to corner Leo.
Celia glanced at Gis.
He remained expressionless, clearly letting Leo handle it himself.
‘Father’s not going to step in either.’
Celia turned to look at Leo.
‘So what are you going to do?’
With everyone watching, Leo smiled.
“I like my knights.”
“Yes, they chose you, so it’s natural to be attached. But even so, you should still select those with proper skills.”
“My knights are skilled enough.”
Leo chuckled.
Pierce let out a strained smile.
“You must be saying that because you haven’t seen the other trainees yet…”
“All five of them will be enrolling at Lumene.”
“……”
Everyone in the ballroom did a double take.
Only a tiny fraction of Zerdinger’s knight trainees ever made it into Lumene.
But all five?
And everyone knew that Leo’s knight order was composed of mid-tier trainees.
Leo’s claim was outrageous.
But there was one person who didn’t doubt it.
‘…If it’s him, he could really pull it off.’
Celia, who knew her cousin’s abilities better than anyone, believed Leo could make it happen.
When Leo says he’ll do something, he does it.
‘Of course, they’ll be going through hell to get there.’
Celia let out a deep sigh, feeling just a bit sorry for them.