As the days passed, everyone noticed how Valerian had changed. He became more agile and stronger. He wasn't truly that strong, but he was better than before.
Carlos watched every move Valerian made, and this time, he was more cautious about his master's health so that what happened last time wouldn't happen again. He noticed that his movements weren't that refined—just strong strikes lacking practical experience or expert guidance.
"Arnold, why don't you show the young master how things are done?"
His gaze carried an unnatural coldness, and a chill crept into Arnold's heart.
"Why don't you ask someone else? I'm trying to figure out why Zeke's strength has declined."
His tone carried firmness mixed with deep suspicion. He thought to himself: How is it that his level rises at the same time Zeke's level declines?
This wasn't normal, which is why he couldn't ignore it.
"Don't you think this is strange? You know what happened to both of them."
The servant Carlos averted his eyes, but this time, his aura overwhelmed Arnold.
"I think you've forgotten who your master is, or do you only care about someone who isn't part of this family?"
His tone carried an anger Arnold couldn't ignore, and under this pressure, he couldn't refuse.
Do you think I haven't noticed this?… I don't care, for he is my master, and I have seen his struggles all along. That's why I won't care what he does.
He didn't say this—it was just a fleeting thought in his mind. He was truly happy about Valerian. Anything that would help him advance and prove himself would be an achievement not only for Valerian but for Carlos as well.
As Valerian trained with his fists on the training dummies, he noticed the arrival of the trainer who had trained Zeke. He didn't know why, but an uneasy feeling crept over him, as if he had been exposed.
Did he find out that I stole his talent?
He thought about this while pretending not to care, as if nothing had happened.
"Your technique doesn't bring out everything you have, young master."
Valerian stopped what he was doing and asked warily, "What do you mean?"
Arnold sighed at this. Instead of training all the talents, he was forced to stay with him. But it was either this or disappearing without a trace.
"Look closely at your technique—it wastes a lot of power."
He gave him an immediate example of what he meant, focusing his fist so that it shot forward like a bullet, piercing through the training dummy. Valerian was shocked by this.
Why was he showing him this when his level was higher than his? Did he want him to believe he did this at an ordinary level?
The trainer saw the look of doubt in Valerian's eyes and knew he didn't believe him.
"Do you want to see the real difference between raw power and training?"
He let out a slight mocking laugh because he knew that the best way to train was to get beaten up, and this was something Valerian had excelled at over the past few years of his life.
"Are you saying I should just fight?"
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. Why was he suddenly interested in him without any reason other than what he had thought?
"I think that's obvious and doesn't need any thought."
"I think I know the right person for you to fight."
He gestured toward Zeke, who was trying to fight against one of the trainees. He was still truly strong despite losing most of his strength.
All Valerian could see was another opportunity to test his ability. This time, he wanted to test stealing opportunities.
Would there be punishment for every opportunity, or not?
The glint in his eyes did not escape Arnold, which is why he had already prepared the place.
"Zeke, come here."
As soon as he heard his voice, everyone stopped what they were doing, and a shiver ran through Zeke's body, who didn't know what was happening. He quickly moved to his trainer without hesitation.
"Yes, Master."
"I want you to show the young master some of your combat skills."
Zeke raised his eyes to look at Valerian. He didn't care much about him, thinking he was just an insect that could be crushed easily. But he couldn't refuse his trainer.
All the while, Valerian kept his thoughts to himself, but he didn't know what expression his face was showing. If he could, a big smile would have adorned his face, making him look like a fool.
What a fool.
From afar, Carlos continued to watch, waiting for anything to happen so he could intervene at the right moment. He felt a breeze pass over him without noticing. He turned his face, feeling a chill deep inside him.
This feeling didn't come from nowhere. He had realized its source.
"It seems you came to watch."
He didn't know his current location, but sensing his presence was enough. It was Valerian's older brother—the greatest talent who had even surpassed their father. The genius born with a unique ability: Dragon Flame.
Raine Lockard, the one with the talent of a king.
From the shadows that danced around him, his golden eyes gleamed, similar to Valerian's, while his arrogant smile appeared.
"Well, well, well… our little one, who is good for nothing, is about to start another useless fight to prove his insignificance once again."
He looked at everyone standing in the training field as if they were just insects he could crush easily. His strength was enough for that—his rank had reached the rank of a knight, a rank difficult to attain.
Below, where everyone stood, holding their breath, they awaited the moment to see Valerian's inevitable defeat once again.
"Are we doing this again?"
"Wasn't it usually the master who requested the fight?"
"This won't take long."
Both Zeke and Valerian stood in place, preparing for battle. Neither used a weapon—only their fists would determine the outcome.
"Let the fight begin!"
Zeke charged at full speed, moving so fast that the rush of his body left a current of cold air behind. Due to Valerian's improvement, he was able to notice Zeke's movement and tried to dodge his strike… but he got hit.
It was a feint!
Quickly, Zeke kicked him in the stomach.
"Are you still falling for this?"
He laughed as he landed another strike. This time, Valerian dodged, but he felt as if he had been struck by a stone.
"I won't make this mistake again."
"Of course you will."
Zeke continued his assault, his fists striking relentlessly, while Valerian could only defend himself. He couldn't attack, no matter what.
With each strike, he felt his bones getting damaged and his body turning redder. Blood began to flow, but he didn't fall.
So, this is the difference in experience?
Then, that golden glow appeared in his hand again.
[Theft activated]
[Target: Future Opportunity]
[Successfully stole the chance for a successful strike]
At that moment, Zeke suddenly stumbled for no apparent reason.
Seizing the opportunity, Valerian struck him hard in the face. Zeke staggered back, blood starting to drip from his nose.
[Remaining theft opportunities for today: 0]
"Damn it."
Zeke was still standing. In the end, Valerian collapsed, but not without gain.
"Zeke is the winner!"
Carlos, however, knew this was only the beginning.
Everyone observed the outcome as they had expected from the start, but something was different this time. The fight wasn't like before, and Valerian's fall wasn't the same as always. This time, despite his defeat, there was something different in his eyes—something that hadn't been there before.
On the other side, Carlos stood in silence, his eyes scanning the small details that perhaps no one else had noticed. Valerian, despite his loss, wasn't as frustrated as before. There was no despair or resignation—only understanding… and realization.
"I hope you noticed how your brother didn't give up like he usually does."
The voice was quiet, barely audible, but it was enough to reach the person it was meant for. Raine Lockard didn't move, but he couldn't hide the flicker of irritation in his golden eyes.
"He is still weak and unworthy of existence."
There was no hesitation in his words, only absolute conviction, as if the matter had been settled in his mind long ago.
Carlos smiled, but his smile carried neither mockery nor ridicule—rather, something else… something Raine couldn't easily interpret.
"That's unfortunate, for you to think that way."
Meanwhile, in the arena, Valerian remained seated on the ground, panting heavily, his hand gripping the dirt. It wasn't out of anger or pain, but because of something else—something that made a faint smile appear on his lips despite the wounds and bruises.
"I'm satisfied."
No one heard these words that Carlos murmured, but they weren't meant for anyone else.
As for Valerian, he continued clenching his hand, as if holding onto his fate, while he whispered to himself in a barely audible voice:
"One day, I will be strong… I will change my life… and the life of this body."