Reinhard slowly opened his eyes, allowing the morning sunlight to seep into his consciousness. He yawned, feeling the pleasant weight of sleep still lingering, then slowly sat up in bed. Running a hand through his hair, smoothing out its slight dishevelment, he stretched. The room was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the faint crackling of the dying embers in the fireplace.
He breathed in the cool air, then leisurely stood up and walked toward his wardrobe. A white shirt of fine cotton, dark trousers, perfectly tailored to his figure, and a belt, onto which he immediately secured his dark sword. The cold steel rested against his side with a familiar weight, filling him with a quiet sense of calm.
— Today with Rennie… to the knights… — he muttered to himself, adjusting his cuffs.
The thought of his brother made him pause for a moment.
How can I earn his trust?
Rennie possessed a natural talent for swordsmanship, yet his doubts held him back from realizing his full potential. He needed guidance, encouragement—to have his confidence strengthened.
With that in mind, Reinhard decisively opened the door—only to halt mid-step, noticing a familiar figure.
Rennie stood by the wall, his eyes fixed on a massive portrait depicting one of their Deira ancestors.
It was their grandfather—a legendary fourth-rank knight, a man whose name had been carved into history. His image exuded grandeur: a stern face framed by long silver hair, sharp eyes filled with wisdom and strength. His armor, adorned with the family crest, and the firm grip on his sword radiated an aura of unwavering confidence.
Reinhard stepped closer and gently placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
— Do you want to be like him?
Rennie flinched, not expecting the words, but he didn't pull away. He remained silent for a moment, then, lowering his head slightly, spoke softly:
— Brother… I want to be strong… strong enough to protect our family and restore its glory.
There was sincerity in his voice—but also uncertainty, a fragile thread of doubt that kept him from fully realizing his potential.
— But I'm not sure if I can…
Reinhard studied him carefully.
— The first thing you must do is cultivate confidence, — his voice was firm, yet not harsh. — If you keep believing you'll never reach your goal, then you never will.
Rennie's eyes widened in surprise, meeting Reinhard's steady, yet calm gaze.
— Thank you for your advice, brother. I'll remember it!
At that moment, the air trembled, and before Reinhard's eyes, a semi-transparent green window flashed into existence.
[System Notification]
[Warning: Your advice will influence the fate of 'Rennie Deira']
[Received 0.2 AP]
[Warning: Affection with 'Rennie Deira' +13]
[Quest Progress Updated: Rennie's Trust → 35/70]
That easy?
A slight smirk flickered across Reinhard's lips. If gaining trust was this simple… then this would be even easier than he thought.
He smiled, concealing his satisfaction, and took a step toward the door.
— Well then, Rennie. Shall we head to the training grounds?
Rennie grinned brightly and tightened his grip on his sword.
— Yes, brother! Let's go quickly!
They left the palace, and the soft morning light enveloped their figures.
As they passed by the majestic statues of their ancestors, Reinhard felt their silent approval. They moved through the gardens, where the fresh morning air carried the scent of dew and blooming flowers, past servants who, pausing in their bows, silently observed the two young men.
Their steps grew steadier, their pace more certain, as they neared the training grounds.
And finally, the air was filled with the sharp clash of steel, the shouts of knights, and the heavy clang of armor...