Chapter 44: Heading to Rickwell Academy

On the day before Man En left for the academy, inside the training ground of the Viscount’s mansion.

Mei was sparring with Ge Rui En.

Partway through, Man En and Lai La also came to watch.

Perhaps the duo’s sudden arrival distracted Mei, causing Ge Rui En’s attack to knock her stumbling backward.

“Miss Mei, don’t let your focus wander during sparring. Please take it seriously.”

“Yes, Master!”

As she said that, her pupils turned blood red.

Seeing this, Lai La couldn’t help but feel excited.

“Awesome! Sister Mei is finally getting serious!”

Man En, however, continued to observe quietly without saying anything.

After Mei activated the Crimson Eye, her strength and agility were nearly on par with Ge Rui En’s, and she even had a slight advantage in magic output.

Strangely enough, though, all her attacks were deflected, and just like in her normal state, she was completely suppressed by Ge Rui En at every turn.

‘Her combat experience is still far behind…’

Man En couldn’t help but sigh. As he had expected, this one-sided spar quickly came to an end.

Mei knelt on the ground in exhaustion, gasping for breath. In contrast, Ge Rui En stood calmly in place, her breathing steady.

“As I thought, I can’t beat you yet, Master.”

Mei struggled to her feet.

Ge Rui En offered some words of comfort. “Miss Mei is only lacking in experience. Just do more practical combat training.”

“But… if I keep going like this, I’ll become a burden to the young master…”

“With that kind of heart, the Holy Son is already very happy. Besides, experience is something accumulated over time. There’s no need to rush.”

“Then let’s resume training the day after tomorrow, Miss Mei.”

With that, she bowed to Man En and left directly.

Mei looked at Man En and Lai La, who were walking toward her, her face full of disappointment.

“Wasn’t that a pretty good performance? You’ve improved a lot, Mei.”

Even hearing his words of comfort, she didn’t feel happy.

“If I keep going like this… the gap between me and the young master will only get wider.”

“I want… to share your burdens, at least to be qualified to stand in front of you when you’re in danger…”

“Didn’t I tell you? From now on, you don’t have to call me ‘young master.'”

Man En pulled Mei close and gently embraced her.

“And I’m glad you think that way, but you don’t have to push yourself so hard. Just keep a normal mindset.”

“That’s right! Since Brother Man En said so, Sister Mei, don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”

“Hmm… thank you, Miss Laira.”

Man En let go of Mei, but both of them were still reluctant to part with each other’s warmth, their cheeks slightly flushed.

“Ma… Man En… You’re going to the academy tomorrow, right? So tonight…”

Mei suddenly said this, and Man En felt a phantom ache in his lower back.

Beside him, Lai La showed a look of understanding, barely able to hold back her smile.

That expression made Man En inexplicably irritated.

He gently pushed Lai La’s back, pretending to be displeased.

“When adults are talking, kids shouldn’t listen. Go rest now!”

After sending Lai La away, he turned back and met Mei’s expectant eyes.

What else was there to say? You win.

The next day.

Man En woke up early, and beside him, Mei slept soundly.

Watching her peaceful breathing, a sudden reluctance surged in his heart.

He gently kissed her cheek, feeling unsatisfied but having no choice. After all, he was leaving with his father—he couldn’t keep him waiting too long.

“Wait for me, Mei.”

Man En tiptoed out of the room and walked slowly toward the mansion’s entrance.

“Ge Rui En.”

“I’m here. What are your orders, Holy Son?”

“I mentioned to my father before that from now on, you will serve as the steward. So from now on, call me ‘Young Master Man En.’ Also, while we’re away, you, as steward, will make decisions for the Matthews Territory.”

As he spoke, Man En handed his emblem to her.

“Keep an eye on the Griffin Mercenary Corps and any remnants of the Heretic God Sect in other places. If anything comes up, report to me through the Communication Artifact.”

Ge Rui En solemnly accepted the emblem, her face turning slightly red.

She had never imagined that Man En would trust her so much, doing so much behind the scenes without her knowledge.

“Ho… Young Master Man En, rest assured. This subordinate will do her utmost!”

Seeing her reaction, Man En was speechless.

While he did trust her, the truth was he had no other choice.

Mei’s personality wasn’t suited for making decisions, and Lai La was clever but mentally too young. Even the Griffin Mercenary Corps couldn’t be fully trusted now. After much thought, Ge Rui En was the only one he could entrust.

“…Anyway, you’ll have to work hard during this time.”

In truth, he really wasn’t good at dealing with that kind of reverent look, as if he were a god.

So after giving his instructions, Man En hurriedly left.

Outside the mansion, Viscount Matthews had been waiting for some time.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Father.”

“Let’s go. I’ll take you to Rickwell Academy.”

The two boarded the carriage together, and somehow, Man En felt a little uncomfortable.

Was it because it was his first time alone with this cheap father of his? He’d better find some topics.

“Father?”

“What is it?”

“It’s likely that the higher-ups want to create a hero who fought against the Heretic God Sect, which is why they invited you to the Imperial Capital. After all, this incident has caused such a stir, they can no longer afford to ignore the Heretic God Sect.”

“You’re right…”

Viscount Matthews nodded, but his face was full of worry, showing no sign of happiness.

“Then… we’ll be under a lot of pressure from now on…”

“More than that. Remember the Campbell Territory? It’s practically dead land now. That mess is probably going to be dumped on me too. Sigh…”

‘Why does this sound so familiar?’

Man En couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

Wasn’t this just like the workplace from his past life? Credit for a job well done went to the higher-ups, punishment for mistakes fell on the subordinates.

“Uh… maybe it means they recognize your strength, Father?”

“Do you believe that yourself?”

Hearing that, both of them gave a wry smile and tacitly fell silent.

After a long while, the carriage finally arrived at the city where Rickwell Academy was located: Darquez.

Matthews handed Man En a small pouch of Can Coins. Judging by the weight, there were about two hundred coins.

His face was full of embarrassment and reluctance. As a noble, two hundred Can Coins was indeed meager.

But there was no help for it. Rebuilding the territory required a lot of funds, and the Empire’s disaster relief funds had to go through layers of approval. A half-year delay was normal.

So the family’s current financial situation was grim.

Man En understood his father’s pressure. He simply took the coins without saying much.

After watching his father leave, he needed to find a place to stay.

But after walking for a long time, the cheapest rent he found was one hundred Can Coins a month.

Weighing his options, Man En chose to spend five Can Coins to stay at a small, remote inn.

In any case, he’d just get through today first.

But just as he was about to lie down, the Communication Artifact Kris had left behind suddenly rang.

Kris’s voice came through.

“Lord Mann, let’s talk about our cooperation…”