Exhaustion finally overcame my efforts. I truly couldn't gather any more mana tonight. Sweat soaked my entire body and the spot where I sat cross-legged, leaving me feeling sticky and disgusting.

  I stopped near midnight. After cleaning myself, I immediately collapsed onto the mattress and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  The Next Morning

  I decided to focus on swordsmanship techniques, since magic was too complicated.

  I went to the Earl Nargar family's training ground. There, many soldiers were conducting their routine drills. I steeled my resolve to pursue Martial Arts. The reason was pragmatic: learning magic was too expensive, time-consuming, and required complicated memorization that was a headache. Memorizing map routes alone made my head feel like exploding, let alone adding ancient incantations and magical circuit calculations.

  However, reality wasn't as kind as theory.

  I had tried multiple times to channel mana into my sword, but failed completely. My sword remained dull, no aura enveloping it. Exhaustion once again hounded my weak physique.

  But, the image of that tiger Beastman slave's terrifying eye kept me from giving up. I didn't want to die at my own guard's hands.

  "Hmm... I thought you weren't interested in martial arts," a spoiled voice sounded from behind me.

  It was Isabel.

  "Yes, actually you're right. But I want to change," I answered honestly without turning, still focused on my sword.

  "Wow! You really are an ideal fiancé!" she shouted, deliberately loud.

  Instantly, the gaze of every soldier on the training ground fixed on me. Their looks were unfriendly, full of envy and dislike for the "foreigner" who had captured their village's belle.

  "Please, stop talking like that," I hissed, feeling my face heat up.

  "What's wrong? We're already engaged by custom."

  Ahhhh... Why did this child always give me headaches and put me in awkward positions?!

  "Never mind," I sighed roughly. "I want to focus on training."

  Isabel watched me swing the sword a few times, then shook her head. Her mischievous expression vanished, replaced by serious concentration that made her look several years older.

  "You... That's wrong. Do it more gently," she commented.

  Isabel snatched the wooden sword from my hand. After observing closely, apparently this child was far stronger than me. Her mana flow was much neater, smoother, and more stable.

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  Unconsciously, she taught me for almost the entire afternoon.

  "Why are you this bad? You're older than me," she taunted during breaks, yet there was a genuine frustrated tone in her voice, not just mockery. As if she truly wanted to see me improve.

  I smiled wryly. "Forgive me... I used to be lazy and cowardly, which is why I ended up this bad."

  "No need to be so pitiful," she grumbled, looking a little flustered by my honesty. "Never mind, let's continue tomorrow. You look really exhausted."

  I agreed with her. My body felt like it was falling apart. So tired that I no longer paid attention to my surroundings. I walked back to my room like a zombie, took a quick shower, and immediately slept.

  Meanwhile, Isvana's Point of View

  On my first day arriving at this magnificent residence, I spent my day tidying Master Aister's belongings and the belongings of Master's other slaves.

  The maids here were quite friendly. When they accidentally saw me working alone, they greeted me and offered help. Of course, I didn't intend to refuse.

  There were five of them: Anna, Rosa, Wawa, Penusila, and Janh.

  They had worked in this house for quite some time. One of them had even worked here since Princess Isabel was a baby. They were very curious why only I—a slave—could move freely and speak, while the other slaves stood silent like statues. I explained a little about "Contract Levels" to satisfy their curiosity.

  The following days proceeded normally. I often helped them with kitchen or garden work. However, one thing bothered me. Many rumors spread among the soldiers and servants—that Princess Isabel was already engaged to Master Aister.

  I also often watched from a distance as Master Aister trained swordsmanship with the Princess's help. Seeing them laugh or argue familiarly... somehow, my heart ached. There was a strange tightness in my chest.

  Those rumors grew stronger every day. I also rarely met Master because he trained like crazy. On one hand, I was happy because Master was now getting stronger and more determined. But on the other hand, this pain in my heart wouldn't leave whenever I saw their closeness.

  Back to Aister's Point of View

  On the 7th day after my arrival at this residence, the atmosphere turned tense.

  For the first time, a dinner gathering with the Earl's immediate family was held. That long dining table was occupied by: Earl Nargar, the First Wife (Lady of the House), the First Wife's Son (the Heir), Princess Isabel, and Princess Isabel's Mother (the Second Wife).

  The faces of everyone at that table—except Princess Isabel and the Earl—signaled a big question: Who exactly was this foreign young man and why was he sitting with us?

  "Aister, is your life comfortable in this residence?" the Earl asked, breaking the silence of clinking forks and knives.

  "Yes, Earl. I can train comfortably every day. Thank you for the facilities," I replied politely.

  "Good," the Earl nodded, then dropped a time bomb. "When do you want to hold the engagement celebration?"

  That question came like a thunderbolt on a clear day.

  Instantly, everyone froze.

  The First Wife's eyes widened in shock as if she couldn't believe her ears. Her son dropped the spoon already near his mouth.

  Clang! The sound of the falling spoon echoed loudly in that silent room.

  Meanwhile, the Princess's mother became completely statuesque. The whole room was chaotic in silence. Only Princess Isabel continued chewing her food casually, and the Earl smiled calmly.

  "How about two weeks from now?" the Earl offered, as if discussing the weather.

  I, unable to speak, could only remain silent. My tongue was tied.

  "Don't you agree?" the Earl asked again, staring sharply at me.

  The Princess, who had been quietly eating, now looked alternately at me and her father, as if waiting for my answer.

  "Wait, Earl... Our age gap is quite significant," I, regaining awareness, tried to counter with logical reasoning.

  "No, no. Your age difference is quite suitable," the Earl quickly refuted. "What is lacking in my daughter that you keep refusing like that?"

  Checkmate.

  "No... There's nothing lacking in her. She's almost perfect," I said honestly, seeing Princess Isabel's face suddenly flush red at my compliment.

  But the room hadn't returned to normal. They remained frozen as if their souls had been extracted.

  "But... I'm the one with many shortcomings, Earl," I continued humbly.

  "But you've already gone through the tradition, haven't you?"

  Only after hearing the sacred word "Tradition" did everyone at that table seem to have their souls jolted back into their bodies.

  "Darling, what exactly happened?!" the First Wife exclaimed shrilly.

  "Yes, what happened?!" the Second Wife chimed in, panicked.

  "I won't accept this!" Her son stood up, glaring at me with hatred-filled eyes. "Who is this foreigner?!"

  They continuously pressured the Earl with various protesting questions. The dinner atmosphere turned into a marketplace.

  "ALL OF YOU, BE QUIET."

  The Earl's voice wasn't loud, but accompanied by heavy mana pressure. The aura of a Grandmaster (or at least a peak rival master) emanated forth.

  Instantly, the entire room fell silent. No one dared to breathe.

  "Child," the Earl turned to his daughter, ignoring his wives' and son's protests. "Do you agree if it's done in two weeks?"

  "Yes, Father. I agree," Princess Isabel answered lightly, as if agreeing to a tea schedule.

  My head spun. Actually... why did this princess agree to such nonsense so easily?