Teresia’s magic had awakened—all because of his carelessness.

It was a happy thing.

Derek had always worried he’d fatten Teresia up like a pig.

Now, blessed with holy light, her magic finally had a source.

But…

Teresia had been acting strangely lately.

The usually affectionate little companion barely spoke to him now, sometimes even keeping her distance.

A rebellious phase?

Or holding a grudge?

Surely not—he hadn’t meant it; it was purely accidental.

Besides, hadn’t Teresia taken revenge right then?

His eyes had nearly been blinded by that flash.

Worse, her sudden change left him oddly lonely.

Derek made time to visit the Sterga Trading Company in Dakelos.

They’d secured the basic alchemy herbs for Sophia’s practice.

Only the special ingredients for the “Soil Purifier” from Hohenheim’s notes remained uncollected.

On his way back, Derek stopped by Teresia’s favorite pastry shop.

He bought treats, hoping to ease the tension between them.

Back at the manor, his thoughts fixed on Teresia, Derek didn’t notice anything unusual about Xinzel as he stepped off the carriage and headed indoors.

Once Derek was out of earshot, Xinzel spoke abruptly.

“Guest, what brings you here?”

Silence hung heavy. Xinzel seemed to talk to himself, yet he pressed on.

“If you won’t show yourself, I’ll come to you. Though my methods might be… rough.”

A man stepped out from behind a tree.

It was Gerald, the A-rank adventurer and leader of the West Wind Adventurers, recently seen at the Notan Adventurers Guild!

Xinzel frowned slightly, studying the man with confusion.

Gerald’s expression shifted—complex, then softening into a smile.

“Xinzel Yuka. You truly are as formidable as the rumors say.”

Hearing his name, Xinzel narrowed his eyes, instantly alert.

As an assassin, he had many enemies.

“Who are you? What do you want?”

“No need to tense up. I’m just an adventurer. Even at A-rank, I’m no match for a Gold Rank Assassin like you. My name is Gerald… Yuka. If that means nothing, let me share my mother’s name. She was…”

Gerald’s voice dropped low.

Xinzel flinched at the name, guilt surging through him.

Words crowded his mind, but none came out.

Finally, only a simple phrase escaped.

“I’m sorry, Gerald. How is your mother?”

Gerald smiled faintly and began his story…

He was Gerald Yuka, raised solely by his mother in comfortable circumstances.

But he despised one person—his father, Xinzel Yuka.

A man who abandoned his family.

His father never appeared, yet his mother always praised him.

Gerald grew to hate Xinzel more with each passing year.

At thirteen, his mother fell ill and passed away.

Even on her deathbed, she spoke of Xinzel with a smile.

Gerald couldn’t understand.

He became an adventurer to track his father down.

Along the way, he seized opportunities, his strength soaring.

In just three years, he reached A-rank, becoming a rising star at the Adventurers Guild.

He also uncovered the truth about Xinzel Yuka.

A killer by trade, yet driven by justice.

Xinzel never bullied the weak; sometimes, he even eliminated villains for free.

Gerald’s mother had been one he’d saved.

Slowly, Gerald grasped why she’d admired him—and his hatred faded.

But later reports confused him.

Xinzel’s final contract before leaving the Assassins Guild was to assassinate Duke Wudewen.

Now, Xinzel served as the Duke’s servant.

Gerald sensed something was wrong.

Powerless against the Duke himself, he’d watched Xinzel from the shadows.

Only when Xinzel followed Derek away from the capital did Gerald decide to approach.

“So… if I’d returned sooner, I might have seen her one last time.”

Xinzel’s expression darkened with regret.

“But meeting you… it’s enough.”

He shared his own plight.

Hearing of the magical contract forced by Duke Wudewen, Gerald seethed with helpless rage.

“That damned Duke treats you like this? So you’re training Derek Wudewen on his orders?”

“Yes.”

“Father, don’t trust the Duke’s words! Even if you train Derek, he’ll never keep his promise. With the Duke’s cruelty, you’ll be eliminated once you’re useless!”

Gerald’s warning was urgent.

“I know. But training Young Master Derek is my own choice.”

“Why?!”

“Young Master Derek isn’t like the Duke. He’s kind-hearted and brilliant—only his strength needs time to grow. I can help him.”

“Brilliant? Kind? I’ve heard his reputation in the capital was terrible—a spoiled brat abusing his noble status.”

“That was just a disguise. Not his true self.”

“Then explain Dakelos. You know how severe the disaster is. If Derek cared, why ignore it for so long? Money isn’t the issue. I checked—the Duke gave him ample funds when he left. That first night in Dakelos, Derek swiftly ousted the former overseer, Huff Toronto, seizing his assets. Yet he’s done nothing for the people here.”

Gerald spoke truth.

But Xinzel still believed in Derek.

If Derek didn’t care, they wouldn’t be in Dakelos at all!

Derek’s plans ran deeper than most could grasp—Xinzel had seen it time and again.

With the Duke looming, perfect moves were impossible.

But in the end, everything would work out.

After all, the one acting was the ever-cunning Young Master Derek.

“Young Master Derek has his reasons,” Xinzel replied calmly.

“His reasons? Father, are you sure a greenhorn like him can fix this?”

Gerald couldn’t fathom why Xinzel still defended Derek.

“Gerald, trust in Young Master Derek’s ability.”

“Father, I’ve never understood why you blindly follow him. To me, he’s just a spoiled brat hiding behind his title.”

Gerald’s voice tightened with worry—he felt Xinzel was bewitched.

Xinzel sighed softly.

“Gerald, you don’t understand Young Master Derek’s mind…”

Without witnessing Derek turn despair into miracles, Xinzel himself wouldn’t believe a boy held such wisdom.

Gerald realized this talk was pointless.

His father was obsessed, blindly trusting Derek, deaf to reason.

So be it…

Gerald took a breath, meeting Xinzel’s gaze squarely.

“Father, let’s make a bet.”