Damned life

Chapter 5

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Episode 2 - Admission Examination [1]

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After a long night, the next day had arrived.

"A mission."

A blue screen floated in front of me.

"Let's see, this..."

— — — || Main Mission || — — —

■ | Objective: Pass the Sanctuary of Heroes exam and enter the Fragmented Dimension to find the first clues.

「Rewards」

■ | Experience +90.

「Failure」

■ | Negative Aura effect and progress reduction.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Failing this sudden mission carried high risks.

"Failing the mission would be problematic."

I didn't understand why this had appeared after reincarnating.

But I was sure it was connected to the changes in the world's history.

Although it only allowed me to recover the power I had in my first life,

anyone wouldn't feel comfortable with this.

"Something like this only means something will happen in the future."

Whatever it is, if this thing allows me to regain my former power, then I won't fail any mission.

Knock. Knock.

Someone knocked on the room's door.

"Enter."

The door opened.

Unexpectedly, it was Ashly, dressed in an assistant's uniform.

She was holding a cup of coffee in her hands.

She seemed to be taking this seriously, judging by her expression.

"Someone is taking this seriously."

"I take responsibility for my words and actions. Doing so is a fundamental principle of our family."

Although her eyes lacked vitality, her demeanor remained calm.

Her posture and manners imitated those of an assistant correctly, as if she already had experience.

Ashly lifted her gaze while placing the cup of coffee on the small table in front of me.

"The coffee you requested."

She said while placing her hands behind her back, her posture slightly hunched as she looked at me.

A smile escaped me.

"I admire people like you."

"....."

Ashly's lips tightened.

She seemed to be thinking that her twin brother wasn't what she expected.

But I couldn't blame her.

"She reminds me of Claus."

I couldn't forget him even if my memory were erased.

"A very good friend, who always knew how to praise beauty."

A person born into the Sephir lineage needed to possess multiple qualities to lead people.

Attractiveness was one of those qualities.

"But it was a problem when he asked Sophia and Seris to pose nude for him... Even remembering it makes me laugh too much."

Of course, Sophia and Seris didn't agree.

I remembered what happened back then.

"Even a pervert like him was remembered and revered as a great hero, but I wasn't."

I laughed internally.

I looked out the window with a twisted smile.

Besides that, I could get an idea of Ashly's thoughts at this moment.

"If I hadn't let my guard down... I surely would have defeated him. But thinking about that is useless."

That was probably what she was thinking.

"You read in the mornings, don't you? I was thinking we could try training together for a while."

Ashly said, looking at me as I turned to her.

"But mornings should be taken easy."

Although my pastime was reading at any time, what I said had a meaning.

"You must be very interested in the great heroes! That's fundamental."

Ashly's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

She glanced at the bookshelves.

There weren't just common books.

There were historical records and research on the subject.

A considerable collection of data.

"Can I take a look?"

"Go ahead."

As Ashly examined the shelves, she marveled at the extensive collection.

"It's surprising. Even the most prestigious scholars struggle to gather a collection like this."

The study of the great heroes remained a vibrant field.

"You have a lot of books about Liam."

I smiled as I replied.

"Just references."

Ashly turned to me with doubt on her face.

"I know. I don't know if Liam was a real person, but there's quite a bit of evidence that he was."

I frowned slightly.

"Do you think he's real?"

"Of course."

Among the feats of the great heroes, Liam's legacy remained a subject of debate.

No one was sure whether his actions could be attributed to a single person, instead of being shared among a group of other heroes.

"Even though I disappeared from official history, at least I wasn't completely forgotten."

I felt proud.

"Although it's possible that someone invented him to steal the achievements of the darker great heroes."

My eyes went blank.

"So you think Liam is a fraud?"

"It's very likely."

Even though Ashly said that, she seemed uncertain.

That was the generally accepted academic view.

"I see. So that's what you're thinking."

Ashly widened her eyes and stared at me.

"What?"

However, I waved my hands and changed the subject.

"Well then, shall we start training after breakfast?"

Ashly's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Can I train with you?"

The strangest thing about a sister from a great family was her eagerness to train with me despite how I had treated her.

Ashly was curious to learn the secret of my strength, and she showed it through her expressions.

"My training session is extreme."

For someone like her, I doubted she could even withstand my training for a few minutes.

"Ha, ha, I've endured the Sephir family's training with ease."

This girl was too naive.

She had the first hero and the creator of the original Aura.

However, I smiled, seeing how confident she was.

"Is that so?"

I had a serious expression.

"Of course."

She should have run away at that very moment.

***

Whisper.

The air whistled in the training field.

"A-ah..."

Ashly had an expression that described someone clearly dead.

"I warned you. Now, let's continue."

My wooden sword traced a thin line in a half-moon angle.

Clank! Clank!

Ashly clenched her teeth and tried to stand firm.

She desperately attempted to regain her balance.

However, my sword movements were too fast.

"Ow!"

"That won't work. If you do that, the same thing will happen again."

The sword's blade struck her shoulder.

Ashly tried to stay on her feet, but her body simply fell backward onto the ground.

"You really call this training?"

Perhaps, in her eyes, this wasn't necessary.

It demanded excessive effort, far beyond the imposed limits.

It was natural to abandon the use of Aura in such a barbaric process.

"Kids these days lack endurance."

As I murmured, Ashly seemed to have heard my whispers.

"What?!"

"I warned you. My training is extreme. If it's too much for you, why don't you give up now?"

How many times had I warned her?

I think it was more than ten times.

However, Ashly quickly shook her head.

"Don't be ridiculous! I can endure any amount of training!"

This sight was quite amusing.

"Is that so? Shall we start again then?"

Ashly smiled confidently.

"Alright!"

Resuming training unexpectedly after her previous concession, Ashly once again found herself getting hit and rolling on the ground.

The skill gap between us, even without Aura, was too vast for her to bridge.

"Why can't I defeat you?"

Her self-esteem seemed to be diminishing.

But there were moments when many went through this being surpassed by someone else.

While they considered themselves the best.

Ashly realized that her defeat extended not only to strength but also to swordsmanship.

Yesterday and today, her pride continued to be crushed.

Even knowing that, she didn't give up easily and stood up with all her strength.

"Although knights have certainly improved quite a bit after 10,000 years."

In the current era, advancements in Aura management had progressed significantly compared to my past life.

As a result, the average skill of a knight had also increased.

Although the strength criteria remained practically unchanged.

"The knights from 10,000 years ago were stronger."

Overall, the difference between ancient knights and modern knights was clear.

The current ones seemed ignorant of training without Aura, in addition to physical training.

Aura was a force meant to enhance and maximize bodily prowess.

But in the end, physical training was needed to develop the full potential of one's body.

"You're quite remarkable, though. I didn't expect you to keep up with me for so long."

I was certainly a little impressed, considering she had only lasted a few minutes.

"Don't underestimate the blood of the Sephir."

I sighed, squinting my eyes as I spoke.

"Shall we end the afternoon session here? We can resume later tonight."

Rest was necessary for training if you wanted to see results.

"Even if I'm not stronger, I won't lose another sword fight! This time, I'll win no matter what!"

Her self-esteem seemed to have returned to normal.

"Besides, you shouldn't underestimate me, brother. If you can do it, so can I."

Despite murmuring as low as she could, my ears were very sharp.

"Did you say something?"

My face turned into a mocking one.

Ashly seemed to notice and quickly clenched her teeth.

"I didn't say anything."

Sighing, I turned around while waving my hand.

"Alright, if that's the case, I'll be leaving for now."

***

"Is he even human?"

Ashly wondered, surprisingly astonished by the training Lucius did daily.

In a way, it was natural that such rigorous physical activity would condition the body over time.

"However, his nighttime training was no less demanding."

He trained in the morning, afternoon, and night every day as a regular routine.

"Could I ever reach his level with such training?"

But she didn't dare.

Just today, she had vomited five times.

"Seriously, that was so embarrassing!"

Ashly, snorting as she walked back home with her face red as a tomato, sighed.

"I can't wait to take a shower and sleep."

But then she remembered that she was Lucius's assistant.

"Coffee, right... I'll do that first and then the rest."

Entering Lucius's room, Ashly once again placed the cup of coffee on the small table in front of him.

"You were in better shape than I expected."

Lucius said as he lifted his gaze from the book he was reading.

"Of course, but for me, that means nothing."

A smile appeared on Lucius's face.

"Even after vomiting five times?"

In his past life, he was usually called the "Joker" among his friends.

Especially Claus, who laughed at his jokes.

Though Sophia and Seris would often give him strange looks after hearing them.

Ashly paused.

"Then I'll be leaving."

"....."

Even his dear sister, whom he had treated kindly, ignored his joke.

Before Ashly could leave, Lucius spoke.

"Take this."

Ashly stopped and looked at Lucius, confused.

Lucius extended his hand, revealing two bracelets identical to the ones he always wore.

"I don't need that."

Lucius brought his hand to his mouth.

"Oh, I thought a great hero family like the Sephir would accept these small gifts."

Considering that Ashly was his assistant, it was normal for her boss to give her a small gift like this.

However, Ashly's face hardened.

"You really are my brother."

"It would be rude to refuse."

Ashly clenched her fists.

"Are you mocking me? I won't tolerate it! And wearing this during training isn't rigorous, it's excessive!"

However, Lucius expected this response and, of course, had words that would change Ashly's mind.

"But you're weak."

Ashly's face turned as red as flames.

"Who are you calling weak?"

Unfazed, Lucius continued:

"I usually train with them. Well, if you can't handle it, I understand."

Ashly grabbed the bracelets and shouted.

"I can handle anything! I accept the challenge!"

Ashly, provoked, stormed out of Lucius's room in anger.

"It's quite easy to persuade my dear sister."

Lucius laughed to himself.

"Who's the fraud now?"

He wondered, remembering the suspicions about Liam's authenticity as a hero.

He clearly recalled those words it was quite annoying for someone who had saved the world to be called a fraud.

But, of course, Lucius was not ashamed of his feelings.

"An entertaining week awaits me."

He laughed, amused by the prospect of the painful week ahead for his dear sister, Ashly.