"My business here is done. Let's go."
"Understood, sir."
Returning to the Marquis Rosemary House carriage, Rest signaled for it to depart, having no further reason to linger. He doubted he would ever set foot in the Honorary Viscount Ebern estate again. This place had long since ceased to be a home he could return to.
"..."
He leaned his cheek against his hand, staring out the window at the passing scenery. Scenes from the mansion flickered through his mind: his father sinking into the depths of despair, his stepmother shrieking in a delirious frenzy. He had triumphed over those who had tormented him. He had finally forced them to face the truth. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders, replaced by a refreshing sense of accomplishment.
(But... why do I feel like this? It's as if something was left undone, like there's still a hollow ache in my heart.)
Even though he should have settled his history with the Honorary Viscount Ebern House, he felt a strange sense of unfulfillment. It wasn't enough. It was an unsatisfying feeling, like finishing a full-course dinner only to find the dessert missing. As he pondered the source of this emptiness, he suddenly sensed a presence.
"Stop the carriage."
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
At his command, the driver brought the horses to an immediate halt.
"My apologies, but it seems I have one last thing to take care of. You head back without me."
"I don't mind, but are you sure...?"
"Yes. Sorry for the trouble."
Rest stepped down from the carriage. The vehicle, emblazoned with the Rosemary crest, pulled away and disappeared around a bend.
"I'm impressed," Rest remarked to the empty road. "I didn't think you'd actually chase me down."
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Panting heavily, his half-brother, Cedric Ebern, stumbled into view. He had clearly pushed himself, using Physical Enhancement to pursue the carriage on foot ever since Rest had departed the mansion. Had Dieble not trained Rest to keep Life Search active at all times to guard against ambushes, he might have been caught off guard.
"I assumed you were locked away in your room, being forced to study," Rest said. "Did you manage to sneak out?"
"Haa... haa... ill..."
"Hmm?"
"Kill... I'll kill you!"
Cedric steadied his ragged breathing, his eyes burning with murderous intent as he glared at Rest.
"I’ll kill you... it’s all your fault! Everything! If you hadn't been taken in by the Marquis, everything would have been perfect! I would have passed the exam... and Viola and Primula... they should have been mine!"
"Don't use their names so casually," Rest said, his voice cold. "It’s irritating. They’re mine, and no matter how fate played out, they never would have belonged to you. Stop claiming ownership over my fiancées."
"If only you weren't here... if only it weren't for you, I'd be a Court Mage! Damn it, damn it all! Don't mock me, every single one of you... I'm a genius! I'm the strongest mage! I'm the man who will have status, honor, women, and everything else!"
"..."
Rest sighed inwardly. The boy was hopeless.
Cedric Ebern had been pampered since birth, spending his life looking down on those he deemed weaker, like Rest. He had never known true failure or hardship. Even the incident in the forest a year ago had been dismissed as mere bad luck rather than a personal failing. That made him brittle. Pathetic. A heart that had never tasted despair was too weak to withstand even a single true defeat; it had shattered at the first sign of trouble.
"How unsightly," Rest muttered. "To think you're actually my brother."
Despite his exasperation, Rest gestured with his thumb toward a secluded path.
"If you’re so intent on killing me, I’ll give you your chance. Follow me."
"I’ll murder you, you piece of trash!"
"This time, we settle this for good. I’m going to pay you back for every miserable moment you put me through. Get ready."
As he spoke, Rest felt the hole in his heart finally beginning to fill.
(That’s it... I felt unfulfilled because I hadn't settled things with Cedric yet.)
He had humiliated his father and stepmother, but he hadn't yet balanced the scales with his brother. After being struck by hundreds of spells over the years, walking away without striking back wasn't a conclusion.
(It’s a return match. I’m taking back everything you owe me—with interest.)
Rest wore a sharp, predatory grin as he led Cedric toward a deserted area.