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Sophia’s reproachful gaze made Setanta and Kali avert their eyes as if they had made a pact. They knew too. How strange it must seem to entrust their barely 11-year-old son to someone they had just met. But they had their reasons.

Setanta spoke up.

“I understand if you find it strange, but once you see him, you’ll understand why we’re doing this. The boy truly needs trials. I’ll call Conra here, and you can judge for yourself.”

“Wait a minute…”

Before Sophia could stop him, Setanta turned his head toward the hut and called out loudly for his son.

“Hey, Conra! Come out here!”

Hearing the booming voice, Sophia thought blankly. This guy has quite the lungs. Honestly, he looks more like a warrior from Fena Erin than a Druid. His voice could shake the mountains and rivers. It’s like he’s mastered the Lion’s Roar.

Of course, in this world, Sophia was the only one who knew how to use the Lion’s Roar, so it was a foolish thought. Well, it just goes to show how impressive his voice was.

As the echoing sound gradually faded, Setanta was about to call again when the hut door opened, and a small head popped out. It was so tiny that it made you wonder if it really belonged to the giant in front of him. The boy glared at Setanta with round eyes and said,

“Dad, don’t shout so loud. It makes you look weak.”

“What, you brat?”

Setanta almost lost his temper at his son’s sudden diss but held back, remembering they had a guest.

“Ahem, anyway, come here. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Setanta, seemingly embarrassed, cleared his throat and called his son again. The boy, who had only stuck his head out, fully opened the door and trudged over as told.

“Hmm.”

As Conra approached, the first thing he did was walk around Sophia, who was sitting and watching, inspecting her closely. Soon, the little boy smirked and said to his father,

“Haha, Dad. Are you trying to make me a footstool for this lady? Even though I’m young, I’m destined to command those who call themselves heroes, not to be under someone’s feet.”

Sophia let out a sigh. What an absurdly arrogant little brat. Sophia’s eyes asked if she really had to take this kid, but Setanta seemed to misunderstand.

“As you can see, he’s a little brat. He’s full of himself and blind to reality. Honestly, we need someone to knock some sense into him. Kali and I are running out of steam.”

To Sophia, it sounded like they were saying the kid was too much to handle due to his early teenage angst and needed a mentor who could manage him. Just then, the boy, unable to let his father’s words slide, stepped forward and said,

“Dad, from what I hear, you’re saying this lady here is stronger than me?”

“That’s right, you heard correctly. It’s good that your ears are working.”

“Hmm, well. If you want to make me her disciple, then she should be stronger than me, right?”

Without any sign of agreement, the boy—Conra—nodded his head. But then, his eyes flashed with determination.

“Then, prove it. Prove that you have what it takes to be my master.”

Sophia’s hands and feet curled up in disbelief at the audacious statement, but she responded with a smirk.

“Alright.”

Her calm acceptance carried a chilling aura that even Setanta and Kali were startled by.

“I accept your challenge.”

Sophia decided to take on the fearless little Conra’s challenge. Her smirk revealed a hint of fang. Setanta, sensing the sudden tension, asked,

“Uh, are you angry?”

“What did you say?”

“Ah, no. Hmm. Please, go easy on him.”

“Don’t worry.”

Sophia then turned her gaze to Kali, essentially asking if it was okay to discipline the boy her way. Kali, understanding, smirked and nodded. She too felt her son needed a good thrashing.

“Alright then. How will you prove it?”

“Isn’t the best way to experience strength through direct confrontation? How about you test me yourself, little lord?”

“…Hmph. You’ll regret that arrogance.”

“Make me regret it, then.”

Provoked by Sophia’s lioness-like response, Conra was fully riled up. Setanta, watching, sighed inwardly.

‘Ah, he’s just going to get beaten like a dog.’

In a world of survival of the fittest, those who can’t recognize strength die. It was a lesson Setanta had learned, seen, and felt in his homeland of Erin. It was time for Conra to inherit this lesson. As a father who wanted his son to live long, Setanta silently cheered for his son to learn a big lesson this time.

The sparring ground was set in the clearing in front of the oak tree. Setanta and Kali couldn’t leave this place, and there was no other space as open in the forest.

After everyone stood up, Setanta waved his staff, and the table and chairs made of wood and stone disappeared, replaced by a training hall with roots as its foundation and soil and stone slabs laid on top.

Sophia stepped onto the training ground, crossing her arms. Facing her was Conra, holding a spear too long for his size, adopting the stance of Fena Erin’s spear technique.

Sophia whistled as she glanced at the boy’s spear stance.

“Not bad, kid. Show me what you’ve got. I’ll go easy on you.”

“Tch!”

Perhaps Sophia’s words hit a nerve? Conra, crouching low, gathered his body’s elasticity and shot forward like a cannonball.

The meteor-like charge, but Sophia simply turned her body slightly, letting the spear thrust pass by.

She didn’t expect the first strike to hit. Conra gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming. If the spear thrust missed, the next move would naturally be a horizontal swing. Conra was confident in his agility and strength. He thought he could definitely put his opponent in a tough spot with his next move.

But Sophia was half a beat faster.

In an instant, Sophia’s middle and thumb fingers overlapped, and by the time Conra noticed, they were already at his forehead. And then,

*Whack!*

A sound like a watermelon splitting echoed as a resounding flick landed on Conra’s forehead. In an instant, stars flashed before his eyes, and the small figure of the boy was sent flying back. Sophia, as if smoke were rising from her middle finger, blew on it and leisurely crossed her arms again.

“Oops, seems like I made a little mistake this time. Come on, try again. Do better this time.”

Her relaxed, mocking tone was, of course, not forgotten.

 

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