**Chapter 52: The Chase Begins**
“I’m done with my business. Let me out.”
“Understood.”
Rest returned to the carriage of the House of Marquis Rosemary, signaling that he had no further need to stay. He would likely never visit the Viscount Ebern House again. It was no longer a place he could call home.
“…………”
Seated in the carriage, he rested his chin on his hand, gazing out at the passing scenery. Memories of the events at the Viscount’s mansion flooded his mind—his father, engulfed in despair, and his stepmother, shrieking in madness. He had triumphed over those who had tormented him, forcing them to acknowledge his strength. A sense of relief washed over him, a refreshing clarity that came from having accomplished something significant.
(But… why do I feel this way? It’s as if there’s something left undone, a gaping hole in my heart.)
Despite having settled his long-standing grudge with the Viscount Ebern House, an inexplicable emptiness lingered within him. It felt unsatisfying, like a full-course dinner missing its dessert. Where was this void coming from? As he pondered this, he suddenly felt a presence approaching.
“Stop the carriage!”
“Eh? Ah, yes!”
Calling out to the coachman, the carriage came to an immediate halt.
“Sorry, but it seems I have something else to take care of. Can you head back without me?”
“I don’t mind, but…”
“Thanks.”
After apologizing to the coachman, Rest stepped out of the carriage. The carriage bearing the emblem of the House of Marquis Rosemary resumed its journey, disappearing around a corner.
“…I’m surprised. I never thought you would chase after me.”
“Haah… Haah… Haah…”
Breathless, Rest’s half-brother, Cedric Ebern, appeared before him. He had used Body Enhancement to pursue the carriage after Rest had left the mansion. If he hadn’t learned to activate Life Search magic from Diable to prepare for sudden ambushes, he might not have noticed Cedric’s approach.
“I thought you were locked away somewhere in the mansion, forced to study… Did you sneak out?”
“Haah… Haah… R-Rest…”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll… kill you…!”
Cedric, struggling to catch his breath, glared at Rest with a fierce intensity, as if he were aiming a deadly arrow.
“I’ll kill you… It’s all your fault… If you hadn’t been taken in by the House of Marquis Rosemary, everything would have gone smoothly…”
“…………”
“I would have passed the exams… Viola and Primula would have been mine…!”
“Don’t refer to someone else’s fiancées so casually. It’s annoying.”
Rest shot a condescending look at his foolish brother.
“They belong to me, and no matter how fate twists and turns, they will never be yours. Don’t claim ownership over someone else’s fiancée.”
“If you weren’t around… If you hadn’t existed, I would have become the Court Magician… Damn it! Don’t mock me, any of you… I’m a genius! The strongest magician… I’ll have status, honor, women—everything!”
“…………”
(Ah, this is pathetic. What a weak man he is.)
How fragile he was. Cedric Ebern had been spoiled by his parents since childhood, thriving on the suffering he inflicted on Rest, whom he perceived as weak. Thus, he had never known failure or experienced the sting of disappointment. Even the incident a year ago, when he had taken the Rosemary Sisters into the forest and put them in danger, was merely a stroke of bad luck in his mind, not a failure.
That’s why… he was weak. Fragile. Pathetic. A heart that had never been crushed by failure or tormented by despair was far too delicate, crumbling easily before the slightest setback.
“…How disgraceful. Is this really my brother?”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Rest pointed in a direction that seemed to lead nowhere.
“If you want to kill me that badly, I’ll oblige. Follow me.”
“I’ll kill you, you worthless piece of trash…!”
“This time, it’ll be the real deal. I’ll repay you for everything you’ve done to me, so be prepared.”
As he spoke, Rest felt the emptiness in his chest begin to fill.
(I see… The reason I felt unsatisfied was that I hadn’t taken revenge on Cedric.)
He had made his father and stepmother eat their words, but he had yet to retaliate against Cedric. After enduring countless magical assaults, what kind of resolution was it to not fight back?
(This is a return match. I’ll make sure to repay every single blow I’ve received!)
With a grin that bared his teeth like a predator, Rest led Cedric toward a secluded area, ready to settle the score once and for all.