I Have A Damn Family Again - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Probation Period (5)

The morning drills had concluded, and the knights were preparing to assemble at Mark’s command.

But before the break could end, an apprentice knight singled me out.

“Trainee Carsein, explain yourself.”

The reason? Predictable.

▶You have been falsely accused at the training ground!◀
▶Choose how to prove your innocence!◀

That little notification had sealed my fate.

The Insubordination Route. A path triggered whenever Carsein clashed with the knights during his probationary period.

I could follow the designated choices, or… I could deliberately provoke someone who wouldn’t stand a chance against me.

It was a risky route, rarely chosen. After all, open defiance wouldn't exactly improve Carsein’s standing within the Knight Squadron. That’s why I had been so careful during the runs, choosing silence or neutrality whenever a choice window appeared.

‘But right now… this could work in my favor.’

I glanced at Bruce, who, as expected, was watching with a mocking smirk on his face. I turned to face the apprentice knight, standing tall, my gaze unwavering.

[ 2. Because my belongings were stolen. ]

“Because my belongings were stolen.”

“Stolen?”

“Yes. That knight took a towel that my sister had given me.”

Bruce, as if on cue, jumped at the opportunity to interject.

“It wasn’t stolen! It was a necessary measure to ensure a fair evaluation! May I speak, sir?”

“Go ahead, Bruce.”

“Carsein, as a trainee, is not eligible for… special treatment. He’s receiving outside assistance, which violates the principles of a fair evaluation. The towel was… evidence of that.”

“Hmm. Continue.”

Bruce, relishing the chance to make me suffer, continued his elaborate explanation. A choice window appeared, offering me the chance to object, but I ignored it.

“If what Bruce says is true, then you, Carsein, have committed an act of insubordination. Defying an apprentice knight as a mere trainee? You will face the consequences.”

He wasn’t going to escalate this to the higher-ups, but the punishment… it wouldn't be pleasant.

It was almost perfect.

“You may defend yourself if you wish. However, if you acknowledge your wrongdoing and show remorse, you will be punished accordingly.”

The Insubordination Route always ended with Carsein being punished. It didn’t significantly impact the overall episode, but it did result in a drop in reputation and a slight decrease in affinity with certain characters.

It was a path best avoided.

But there was one… exception.

▶Arina has witnessed this incident!◀
▶Choice options have been removed!◀

“Carsein being punished? What’s going on here?”

“Lady Arina?”

This route was only viable when one of the sisters was present.

Why had I chosen the worst possible response to Arina’s well-intentioned visit? Why had I deliberately provoked Bruce? Why had I chosen to engage in this… insubordination, knowing the consequences?

For this very reason.

“There’s no need for punishment. Family support is… understandable. But it wouldn't impact the evaluation itself. Wouldn't you agree?”

I had known Arina would return. I had set the stage, and now… she had arrived.

If it had been Isabella or Claire, they might have simply accepted the knights’ explanation. The inner workings of the Knight Squadron were… unfamiliar territory for them.

But Arina? She was different. Why had she forbidden me from training? Why had Isabella allowed it?

Because Arina, the Duke’s eldest daughter, had gone through this training herself.

With her intervention, the insubordination issue was swiftly resolved. I was given a chance to speak, to explain what had transpired at the well.

The knights’ faces hardened.

“Bruce, you…!”

The outcome was inevitable. Bruce, a mere apprentice knight, wouldn’t dare contradict the First Lady. And those who might have sided with him… they remained silent.

But this… this gave me leverage. The right to confront Arina directly.

As the knights dispersed, I turned to face Arina, my voice laced with cold detachment.

“Do you understand now? The consequences of that… towel?”

A more potent version of the [Do you understand now?] choice. I wanted to drive the point home, to make her see the repercussions of her actions.

“This… this is what I meant when I said you were making things worse for me. I wasn’t being difficult.”

“…”

“Just… leave me alone. You’ll be doing me a favor.”

Reporting this to Mark would create more problems. Punishing Bruce further would achieve nothing. I needed her to completely disengage.

Thankfully, she seemed to understand. She didn’t argue. But before she left, she turned to face me, her voice low.

“…I never doubted you, not this time. Just so you know.”

Her fiery red ponytail swayed as she walked away, but this time… her steps were measured, controlled. She was no longer angry.

▶Arina's affinity has increased!◀
[ Current level: 24% ]

“You didn’t doubt me?”

I let out a humorless laugh.

“You’d be better off doubting me.”

My eldest sister… she had been the same. Every time she tried to “help,” it always ended badly.

I would have preferred her insults, her physical abuse… anything but her misguided attempts at kindness.

Arina was no different.

Her help was more trouble than it was worth. It only made things worse, turning her careless actions into my burden.

I would rather she stayed away. That was my true feeling towards them. All of them.

“Higher! You think that’s enough punishment for touching Lady Arina’s belongings?”

“No, sir!”

“Then fix your posture!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

I tore my gaze away from Arina, my eyes landing on Bruce, who was now being punished for his actions.

There might have been a difference in rank between a trainee and an apprentice knight, but the insubordination accusation was… flimsy at best. And touching someone else’s belongings, even if he hadn’t known the owner… that was enough to warrant punishment.

Especially since those belongings had belonged to Arina.

Bruce, in his attempt to frame me, had ended up being punished for his own crimes.

“…”

He glared at me, his face red with rage. Just like the bullies back in school… he was vowing revenge.

My youngest sister had always been good at… provoking them.

I smirked, and his veins practically bulged.

‘Go ahead. Get angry. The angrier you are, the more reckless you’ll become.’

This had been a resounding success.

***

“That peasant…!”

He hadn't thought much of Carsein at first. A peasant. Another street urchin. There was nothing to be afraid of, not like those noble trainees who sometimes graced the training grounds.

He was actually… displeased. A stray, picked up from the streets, about to become his equal, an apprentice knight?

He had wanted to instill fear, to establish dominance. Just like they had done to him.

‘Huh. Not bad. They actually spoiled him, didn’t they?’

Seeing Carsein in person… he had been surprised. The quality of his belongings, the care that had gone into their selection…

He had wanted them.

He had planned to intimidate him, to use his rank and the rules of the training ground to break his spirit. He would take something, make him understand that this was how things worked within the Squadron… and the kid would be too scared to retaliate.

But… it hadn’t gone as planned.

Carsein hadn't been intimidated.

He had actually… tricked him.

He had been ready to teach him a lesson, to use his connections to ensure his removal.

But then… Arina Bagrand had appeared. He had been surprised, but it shouldn’t have mattered. She was the least likely to believe Carsein’s accusations.

-Don’t you think these… customs are a bit… barbaric?

But her support for Carsein had turned the tables.

“Damn it.”

Bruce, forced to endure an extended punishment session, cursed under his breath.

His palms, scraped raw from the rough gravel, throbbed with pain.

But he didn't have time to dwell on his discomfort. His ordeal wasn’t over yet.

“Ugh, I can’t believe I’m stuck with that… thing.”

“How embarrassing! Are you even a real knight?”

“To lose to a… a trainee? Wow…”

His fellow apprentice knights mocked him, their voices dripping with disdain.

Bruce gritted his teeth.

“Shut up! You’re lower than me! You have no right to talk!”

Rank within the Squadron held significant power. And these… insects were all below him.

“I’ll deal with you later! Back at the barracks, you’ll…”

“So I’m allowed to talk to you like that, right? Since I’m higher than you.”

“G-Gareth…”

He had barely finished his sentence when Gareth, the apprentice knight directly above him, appeared.

“You’re lucky you got assigned to a cohort with so many juniors, with all the favors you’re getting. You have no right to lecture anyone.”

“…”

“You should have won, then. From what I heard, you just picked a fight and got your ass handed to you. Then you ran to Sir Theo like a little crybaby?”

“No, I… I wasn’t paying attention! He caught me off guard…”

“Shut up. You lost to a peasant who can barely run a lap. Paying attention, not paying attention… doesn’t change the fact that you’re incompetent. Always slacking off, partying… no wonder this happened. You’re a disgrace.”

Gareth’s words stung, silencing Bruce. And the laughter of his juniors, the ones he was supposed to be leading, only fueled his humiliation.

Gareth, satisfied with the spectacle, pointed him in the direction of his next tormentor.

“Sir Theo wants to see you. Go on, you idiot.”

“…Sir Theo? You mean…?”

“Tsk tsk. Looks like there are consequences for being a snitch?”

Gareth patted him on the shoulder mockingly before moving on, his juniors still trailing behind, their laughter echoing in the air.

‘Oh no. He called for me… that means…’

Damn it.

Bruce, his face pale, muttered under his breath before dragging himself towards his inevitable punishment.

He arrived at their usual meeting spot, and Theo’s voice, laced with amusement, reached his ears.

“You’re here.”

“…You called for me.”

Bruce bowed his head, his posture that of a condemned man. Theo approached, his steps slow, deliberate.

And then…

“Oof…!”

A fist slammed into his stomach, forcing him to his knees.

“Quite the show you put on today, didn’t you? Dragging the good name of the knights through the mud.”

“Ugh…”

“I heard about the trainee causing trouble, about the insubordination. Thought I’d intervene, give you a chance to… redeem yourself. But it seems things didn’t quite go as planned, did they? Hm? Hm? Hm?”

Slap. Slap. Slap.

“I understand. Expensive-looking belongings… it’s hard to resist temptation, especially for someone like you. But…”

Theo crouched down, grabbing Bruce’s chin, forcing him to look up. With each slap, Bruce’s head snapped back.

“You let a peasant knock you down with a single blow? And you still have the nerve to call yourself my subordinate?”

“I… I wasn’t paying attention! He… he caught me off guard. I was just taking it easy…”

But before he could finish his pathetic excuse…

Bam!

A fist connected with his face, followed by a swift kick to his ribs.

The shadows that had obscured Theo’s face vanished, revealing… a monster.

The same man who had so kindly offered his cloak to Lady Flora, afraid she might be cold…

“Paying attention, not paying attention… doesn’t change the fact that you screwed up! You made me look bad! Now everyone’s questioning my skills, thanks to you!”

“Ugh!”

“I’m… this close to becoming a full-fledged knight! Do you have any idea what will happen if… if I get rejected because of you?! You worthless…!”

Theo… was brutal.

The kind smile he had shown Flora… it was a mask.

Theo Ramstear’s true nature was cruel, merciless. He was beating his subordinate, his supposed friend, without a shred of remorse.

“Damn it. I told you to… to teach him a lesson, not make a spectacle of yourself!”

“…”

“Ugh! This is a disaster! Everything’s falling apart! Do you even realize how much trouble we’re in?!”

“Ugh… agh!”

Bruce, unable to defend himself, curled up on the ground, Theo’s blows raining down on him.

“Ha…”

Theo, his anger spent, stepped back, wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers.

‘Damn it. Because of his incompetence… it’s too risky to target him directly now.’

Arina Bagrand’s intervention had changed everything. The incident could have easily escalated, turning into a full-blown scandal, but Carsein, choosing to let it go… had shifted public opinion.

‘Everyone’s watching now. I can’t use my usual methods… how am I going to get rid of him?’

Lost in thought, he crouched down, grabbing Bruce by the hair.

“…You know what? Everyone makes mistakes. You deserve a second chance. Don’t you think, Bruce?”

“Y-yes…?”

“You want revenge, don’t you? You want to get back at that peasant.”

Theo’s voice held a note of forced agreement. No questions allowed. Bruce, sensing the threat, nodded frantically.

“You’ll get your chance tomorrow, during training. Make sure you crush him. Understand?”

“…”

“Well? Answer me!”

Bruce, his body slumped, his gaze vacant, didn’t respond. Theo raised his hand, ready to strike again. But then… Bruce spoke, his eyes wide, unnaturally bright.

“Do you… do you want me to… go all out?”

“What?”

“I’m… I’m gonna crush him. I’m gonna…”

Something was wrong. Bruce… he seemed… different.

But for Theo, it didn’t matter.

“Sure. Do whatever you have to do.”

He would use him, then discard him. It didn’t matter what Bruce did, as long as it ensured Carsein’s removal from the training ground.

▶Warning!◀
▶Someone within the Squadron harbors deep animosity towards Carsein.◀
▶Certain areas within the training grounds will now have increased danger levels and time restrictions!◀

“Hmm…”

The status window appeared as I was doing laundry, its message making me pause.

Someone harbored animosity towards me?