Cedric had really done it this time.
He had attacked the White Fenrir’s offspring without even realizing it was a juvenile.
Seriously... is he an idiot?
Watching from a nearby thicket, Rest felt a chill run down his spine. White Fenrirs were ferocious, yet highly intelligent creatures. They didn't engage in needless slaughter, and as long as one didn't trespass into their territory, they posed no threat.
But still... who would’ve thought someone would actually go out of their way to step on a wolf's tail?
It wasn't just that Cedric didn't know what a White Fenrir was; that was no excuse. They were in a monster's habitat, and he should have been on high alert.
Messing up like that—that’s just the kind of person Cedric is. He probably thinks the whole world revolves around him.
Rest had been keeping an eye on them for a while now. He’d seen Cedric’s desperate attempts to impress the sisters, constantly fishing for praise. The girls were clearly uninterested, yet Cedric remained blissfully unaware. Even for a half-brother, the sight was so pathetic it made Rest want to look away.
"That said... I can't exactly leave them to die."
As the White Fenrir prepared to lunge at the sisters, Rest decided he had no choice but to intervene.
"[Wind Ball]!"
"Gyan!"
A blast of wind magic slammed into the side of the wolf’s head just as it was about to snap at them. It wasn't a killing blow, but a strike meant to knock the beast away. The White Fenrir tumbled across the forest floor.
"I apologize for the mess my brother has caused. You don't need to worry anymore; you're safe now."
"W-Who are you...?"
"Huh...?"
Viola and Primula stared at him, stunned. To avoid frightening them, Rest placed a hand over his heart and offered his most gentlemanly smile.
"My name is Rest. I am... well, I suppose I’m the younger half-brother of the boy lying over there."
"His brother? But I’ve never heard anything about him having siblings," Viola whispered tentatively.
Rest lowered his gaze, looking slightly troubled as he explained. "I was born an illegitimate child, so my existence is kept a secret. I’m truly sorry for the trouble my brother has caused you."
"Behind you!" Primula shrieked.
The White Fenrir lunged again with a deafening roar.
"Ah, sorry. I forgot about you for a second."
"Gah!?"
The beast tried to sink its fangs into Rest’s shoulder, only to be repelled by a translucent wall—the defensive spell known as [Barrier].
"I apologize for disturbing your home and for the harm done to your child."
"Grrr...!"
"This is my way of making amends... [Heal]."
Rest cast the spell toward the massive wolf. Instantly, the various wounds covering its body vanished without a trace.
"What are you—?!" Viola started, but Rest calmed her with a look that said it was okay.
"I’ll fix the little one, too. [Heal]."
The wolf pup, which had been bleeding out from Cedric’s sword strike, was bathed in light. It stood up with a confused expression and let out a soft yelp.
"Can we call this a truce? I’m sure neither of us wants to get hurt further, right?"
"Grrrrrrr..."
The White Fenrir growled low in its throat, backing away slowly. Its eyes flickered with indecision—calculating whether to retreat or fight.
"If you won't back down... then I suppose I have no choice."
Rest raised his hand and released his mana. An immense aura erupted from him, azure magical energy gushing forth like steam from a pressurized kettle.
"Kyan!?"
The White Fenrir let out a terrified yelp, sounding more like a common puppy than a legendary beast. Normally, mana is invisible without specialized tools, like the ones used at the Temple during his childhood. However, Rest’s reserves were so bottomless and dense that his power had manifested into a visible form.
"Kyan! Kyan!"
The wolf scooped up its pup in its mouth and bolted, running as fast as its legs could carry it. After a scare like that, it likely wouldn't be approaching human settlements anytime soon.
"My apologies. That must have been frightening."
Rest suppressed his mana and turned back to the sisters, who were still collapsed on the ground. They were staring at him with wide, incredulous eyes.
"I'll escort you to the edge of the forest. However, I have a small favor to ask... could you please keep today’s events a secret from my father and brother?"
"T-That’s fine, but..."
"That mana... it was even more incredible than my father's, and he’s the Captain of the Court Mages. Who—or what—are you?"
Rest gave them another smile, hoping to brush off the question. "I’m no one special. Just a stable boy who isn't even a noble. Please, don't worry about it."
He led the sisters out of the woods. Cedric and the two sons of a Baron were still unconscious, though they had escaped with nothing worse than a few broken bones. Using the spell [Floating], Rest drifted their bodies behind him like cargo. He wouldn't have minded leaving them behind, honestly, but he decided to play it safe in front of the girls.
Thus, Rest had his first encounter with the Rosemary sisters. He had no way of knowing then that this was only the beginning of a much deeper relationship.