—
Strength Assimilation Rate: 13%
Endurance Assimilation Rate: 7%
Speed Assimilation Rate: 67%
Intellect Assimilation Rate: 55%
Sense Assimilation Rate: 58%
—
These were the results displayed on the small digital screen, where the cord of the needle sensor was connected.
Lohran, who was naturally the first to see them, immediately frowned.
Was this the reason his strength and stamina were so slow to improve?
As a newcomer to Edelmundr, he didn't fully understand the significance of the results—but Garwin did, far more than most.
After all, the numbers were nearly identical to his, with only a few minor percentage differences.
It was as though Lohran were his carbon copy.
Garwin clenched his fists as a mix of frustration and disappointment battered his heart.
Was his house fated to fall from grace? How could he face the ancestors of House Neyvaris, once one of the eight great houses?
'No… I still have Louen. If only for another generation, we must prolong our status. Maybe my eldest's offspring will be the ones to finally save the house…'
Garwin refused to give up just yet.
Leon also knew why the atmosphere was rather heavy, and so, he chose to give them some time to process the situation before announcing:
"Congratulations, Lord Garwin. It seems the second young master is set to be a skilled gunslinger like yourself. With you as his father, he will surely be a great asset to the kingdom."
The academy agent then began packing up.
To Garwin, the congratulatory words felt almost mocking, but he knew the tester was merely doing his job and meant no such thing.
Gunslingers were essential to a squadron.
However, in terms of importance, the role couldn't compare to the other three. It was also the most common, with a surplus of gunslingers loitering around.
Another average one—like Garwin, who couldn't even surpass the rank of Ranger—barely made an impact.
This was a huge disappointment, especially for a family belonging to one of the thirty-two Minor Aristocratic Houses of the High Republic of Kairindor.
Of course, the most prominent and skilled gunslingers were immensely valuable assets to the nation.
But until one reached the rank of Prism, they were easily replaceable—just another soldier no one would care about.
This was why Garwin was so frustrated—his son was destined to end up just like him.
From Lohran's enthusiasm, it was clear the teen dreamed big. But unfortunately, like his father, he was destined for a life of mediocrity.
The house lacked the means to change his fate.
It was almost inevitable that he, too, would be stuck at the rank of Ranger, while a Prism was what the house needed to retain its status.
Everything now rested on Louen's shoulders, and the young man knew it too.
Garwin's eldest somehow harbored a bit of jealousy to his younger brother, as not only had he not beaten Lohran even once in sparring, but his father seemed to be expecting more from his younger brother than from him.
It certainly stung.
However, now, that small bit of jealousy has been totally gone, replaced by slight disappointment, a heavy sense of responsibility, and…pity.
Yes.
He pitied his younger brother.
Lohran was talented in combat, but unfortunately, his physique was somewhere on the other end.
It was almost certain that he wouldn't break through to the Prism rank in time—perhaps not even in his entire lifetime.
A few moments later, Leon finished packing up.
"Well then, Lord Garwin, young masters, I shall take my leave."
With those few parting words, the academy agent left, leaving the three to their somber thoughts.
Well, two of them.
"Tch, a gunslinger, huh? You mean I won't be able to fight those damned things head-on? How f*cking boring!" he clicked his tongue and cursed.
Garwin, who was already in a bad mood, shot a glare at his son.
"Curse one more time and see how I slap that vicious mouth of yours," the lord threatened.
Lohran was slightly taken aback. This was the first time his father talked to him this way.
'Do fathers get some sort of buff that makes their sons cower? Look at this guy… he's so small he would've died from a simple slap from the past me! Why am I even scared of him?' he wondered, fascinated by what had just happened.
He hadn't felt fear even when fighting the rebels, yet a mere reprimand had shaken him?
Was this… the feeling of having a father?
'BAHAHA! Interesting. I shall try this with my future offspring!'
In any case, Lohran wasn't too depressed.
He was starting to get bored with head-to-head battles anyway.
Who knows, maybe guns would be a fun way to fight in this world? If he was to be a gunslinger, then he shall do his best and be an excellent one!
Prism? Psh, easy peasy!
Or so he thought…
Meanwhile, Garwin had just realized that he had yelled at his son—who was probably heartbroken right now.
But he couldn't find it in him to comfort Lohran.
He, too, was devastated.
Garwin was a rather mediocre gunslinger, but he wasn't about to be a trashy father.
With a deep sigh, he decided to do the right thing, giving his second son a light pat on the back.
"Don't worry, Lohran. I'm sure you already know by now that gunslingers aren't exactly famous in the Mun Network, but that doesn't matter." Garwin began,
"What matters is that you're at least guaranteed to reach the rank of Ranger—so long as you follow my teachings. Louen will handle the family matters.
You don't have to worry anymore and can just focus on yourself.
At the very least, you won't have to worry about having a good home for your future family or having enough to eat.
Also, who says it's impossible for us to reach the Prism rank? I'll have you know, our assimilation rates are almost identical, and even now, I'm still trying to climb the ranks.
Things are just beginning, so don't feel too down. Not to mention, as aristocrats, people will be fighting to have us in their squads…"
The lord did everything he could to cheer his son up in the best way he knew how.
But in the end, he withheld something from his last words.
It was true that people would fight to have him in their squadrons when the time came—but those people would be commoners.
Lohran would have to struggle to secure a spot in an Aristocratic Roster.
He would be lucky if he could form a squad with three other minor aristocrats, as those damned rich commoners would likely be more sought after than him.
There wasn't much Garwin could do about it, though.
Even he had faced the same struggles back in his academy days.
The only thing he could do now was treat Lohran better than his father had treated him and Carter for being disappointments.