The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 3

After finishing an enjoyable workout with the knights, Caron returned to his room and lay down on the bed with a deep sigh.

He knew the Awakening Ceremony was the most crucial ritual in the life of a direct descendant of the Leston family. The greatest significance of the Awakening Ceremony lay in its role of awakening the Leston family’s Azure Mana, which allowed youths to become proper members of the family.

Caron was well aware that his father had failed to awaken it. He had also heard, through his father's drunken ramblings, how Fayle had been treated in the family due to that incident. Fayle probably didn’t realize that Caron remembered it, because the incident had happened when Caron was very young.

Father seems to believe that there is a possibility I might fail the ceremony because I’m his son.

It was only natural for a father to worry about his child's future, especially when he harbored negative memories tied to the Awakening Ceremony.

However, Caron knew that all these worries were just a storm in a teacup. Because...

Whoosh!

...Caron could already use his Azure Mana, which manifested as shimmering blue light rippling from his fingertips. The pure and pristine mana he had once admired, the one he had thought belonged exclusively to Halo, now glowed at his fingertips. It brought him a strange feeling.

Swoosh.

About three years ago, the Azure Mana had unexpectedly appeared within Caron, settling inside him like an unexpected gift when he woke up. However, while one would typically unlock the mana pathways throughout their body using the mana itself, Caron had no desire to pursue that path.

Despite the fact that he would easily be able to open his mana pathways thanks to his memories of his past life, the mana practice methods he knew belonged to the Imperial Guards. If others were to ask him where he had learned them, it would be challenging to answer their questions. Additionally, given the possibility that those mana practice methods could have been lost to time, the situation could become even more serious.

Those methods won’t work for me in this body.

The mana he had used in his past life was bestowed upon him by the emperor. Specifically, it was the mana the emperor had received from the devils.

I didn't even know it was from the devils, so I devoured it.

The pristine and untainted mana he now had starkly contrasted with the mana of his past life. And just as different materials required specific processing techniques, mana also required appropriate techniques.

Caron could eventually learn the exceptional mana practice technique of the Leston family by simply waiting, so there was no need to push himself too hard. However, that didn’t mean he had been idle with his new mana.

Squeak.

Caron retrieved a fist-sized rock that emanated shimmering blue light from the drawer next to his bed. At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a decorative gem, but in truth, it held far greater value than its appearance suggested. In fact, it was worth more than its weight in gold.

It was a mana stone that could absorb and store mana. Caron had received it as a gift from a mage who visited his family’s land. While mages used such stones for various purposes, they also served as tools for mana practice within the imperial family.

Buzzzzz.

As Caron infused mana into the stone, it vibrated, emitting a resonant sound. Although opening his mana pathways was challenging given the current circumstances, he could still practice using his mana in the meantime, because simply focusing one’s mana in one place could cause intricate Mana Circles to activate.

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I won't have to do this once I get to the main residence.

It was a quick trick to get used to utilizing mana before jumping into learning the mana practice technique. After mastering the practice technique, he could then use it to open the mana pathways.

While using mana to this extent at just ten years old would normally be impossible, Caron could achieve it effortlessly. On top of that, his resilience was equally remarkable. Even after collapsing from exhaustion due to exercise the day before, he had quickly recovered as if nothing happened. It was an incomparably better head start than his past life as Cain, who had often starved because of his awful master.

Phew.

Exhaling loudly, Caron nodded, thinking he had done all he could to make the best of his physical advantages as he grew up. With such talent, it wouldn't take long to reach the level he had attained in his past life.

He thus set a goal: He had to become stronger than Halo. The aim was to surpass him before he aged and died, to be able to mock him in his final moments.

Caron felt no urge to reveal that he was the reincarnation of Cain just yet. He preferred to wait until he surpassed Halo in strength, or perhaps just before the rascal met his end.

That was the precise moment Caron planned to say, "I have been reborn as your grandson." He had made it his goal to deliver those words in the most irritating manner possible, to piss off his friend as much as he could.

In a sense, it was revenge. Cain hadn’t wanted people to remember his death, but his friend had brought the story to light so people would talk about it for a long time.

And after that...

I need to go after those devil bastards.

Caron wasn’t only thinking about a few devils, but the entirety of demonkind. Every last one who had made deals with the Malevolent Emperor would be hunted down and killed.

Cain had no idea why he had been reborn as Caron Leston, and he still found it somewhat unbelievable, but the reincarnation gave him a great opportunity. He was now free from the emperor’s domination, so he pledged to hunt down every one of the monsters that had kept his past self on a leash. Then, he would shred all of them to pieces. But I need to become stronger first.

The starting point of all his plans was precisely this year's Awakening Ceremony. Caron was still at an age where he could enjoy the family’s protection, so it was best to make it count and get stronger while he could. The other members of the family could try to act against him if they thought he was a threat to their standing.

However, that was nothing compared to the threats that existed outside the family. It was much better to be the youngest grandson of a ducal family than to be a slave in the underground fighting arena where he had once needed to fight for his life every night. That was because people in a ducal family would at least adhere to rules on some level.

Whoosh.

Caron infused the mana stone he was holding with a strong surge of mana. And then...

After a moment, the stone he was holding crumbled into powder and scattered.

Poof.

He no longer needed this toy.

Well, this should be fun.

Approaching the window with the dust in his hand, Caron opened it and blew the clumped particles into the air, where they briefly mingled with the particularly luminous full moon before disappearing. He smiled gently as he gazed at it. Although he had been confused at the beginning of his reincarnation, he no longer felt that way. His new life, with all its opportunities, was a source of great happiness.

***

Two weeks soon passed, and the day finally came for him to return to the family house to prepare for the Awakening Ceremony.

As the train rushed forward, the scenery outside flew by in a blur. Caron admired the rapidly-changing landscape and couldn't help but let out a small exclamation of wonder.

Wow.

Watching him from off to the side, Caron's mother, Sara Leston, smiled gently and remarked, "Isn't the train fascinating?"

"It's amazing. It's my first time riding a train, Mother."

The sight of a train running along its tracks was entirely unfamiliar to Caron; it was a mana-powered machine on rails referred to as an "iron horse". Despite having heard stories about the developments at the Imperial Academy in his previous life, the widespread use of the invention was beyond his wildest imaginings.

"This railway was the first to be opened on the continent. It was the project your father devoted himself to the most."

"Father did?"

"Indeed, your father was the biggest sponsor of the Imperial Academy. Many technologies owe their commercialization to him, and the Leston family has reaped the most benefits from these advancements."

"Ahem, dear. You’re making me blush." Fayle cleared his throat.

"Our Caron would understand how important this railway is, wouldn't you, Caron?"

They’re such a happy couple.

Caron smiled contentedly as he looked at his parents.

As Sara had pointed out, Caron was well aware of the significance of this railway. The train not only transported people, but also significantly enhanced the logistical efficiency of the ducal family’s territory. Her words were no mere exaggerations.

Caron greatly valued Fayle's insight. He said, "You’re truly remarkable, father."

"Oh, come on, you’re too kind."

Fayle chuckled and ruffled his son's hair, then continued in a gentle tone, "There will be quite a lot going on when we enter the main residence. It's understandable if you feel a bit nervous meeting relatives for the first time, but don't stress too much. I'll be right there with you."

It wouldn’t matter if his son didn't achieve any significant results in this Awakening Ceremony. After all, he would simply blame himself for passing on a bloodline that couldn't awaken its talents.

However, it would matter to Fayle if other people thought lightly of his son. He hoped his son wouldn't have to endure the same feelings of defeat and helplessness he once had.

Oh, not again. Being a good son is just too challenging.

Caron sighed and reached for Fayle's hand with a reassuring smile. "I’m not worried. I'm your son."

Indeed, he wasn't nervous at all; excitement filled him instead. The anticipation of the countless events awaiting him at the main residence made his heart race with excitement. He actually thought it was a shame that he hadn’t gotten a chance to meet his relatives until now.

It would have been nice to have had a glimpse of their personalities beforehand, letting him get to know his relatives and understand the atmosphere of the Leston family. It would have been beneficial in many ways.

Well... It's not that hard to guess even without seeing them.

Caron had a rough idea of what his father’s position in the main family would be, as the third son who had been excluded from the succession war.

In his previous life, he had been deeply involved in the political intrigues of the imperial family. Looking back on those experiences, predicting the current dynamics of the Leston family wasn't all that challenging. Since Fayle had been excluded from the succession war long ago, the ducal family was divided into two factions, fighting each other like dogs.

It would be quite amusing to disrupt that structure.

Maybe another time...

For now, the Awakening Ceremony took precedence.

Screech.

As Caron was sorting out his thoughts, the train came to a halt, prompting his parents to stand up.

"Son, we've arrived."

Outside the window, the train station came into view, alive with anticipation as people awaited its arrival. Among them were servants from the ducal family, easily recognizable standing alongside knights clad in shimmering blue armor.

As Caron got off the train with his parents, an elderly butler with a kind expression greeted them with a polite bow.

"Welcome, Lord Fayle. It’s been a long time."

With a subtle smile, Fayle nodded in response to the respectful greeting. He replied, "Has it really been a year? How have you been, Heinrich?"

"Thanks to the grace of the ducal family, I am always well."

The butler named Heinrich also exchanged brief greetings with Sara. After that, he made eye contact with Caron.

"This is my son." Fayle put his hand on Caron’s shoulder.

"Young master, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Heinrich."

This was another connection from Caron’s previous life; Heinrich was the young butler who had always been busy cleaning up after Halo's mishaps. Even in his old age, he remained with the ducal family.

With a big smile, Caron nodded at the old butler’s greeting. Overcome with nostalgia, he almost spoke to Heinrich in a casual manner, but he came to his senses in time, giving Heinrich a greeting befitting a polite boy.

"My name is Caron Leston. It’s nice to meet you, Heinrich."

A servant who had served a family for a long time, especially one who had remained loyal to their master throughout their life, deserved respect. There was no need to make a bad impression from the start.

"From this point on, I and the other servants of the main family will take care of everything."

"I'll be counting on you."

Caron glanced up at Fayle's face, noticing a somewhat tense and resolute expression. He couldn't complain. This was clear proof of how much his father loved him.

"Don’t be nervous, Caron. Nothing will happen."

"I’m not nervous."

"You can be honest with us. Isn’t that right, dear?"

"I don't think Caron is the one who’s nervous, dear."

Perhaps Fayle was really talking to himself.

Caron gently took his father’s and mother’s hands, then boarded the prepared carriage with them.

Unfortunately for Fayle, the possibility of their visit to the main family going smoothly was zero. After all, if nothing happened...

I’ll make sure something does. It’s my first visit to the main house; it can’t just be uneventful.

Caron Leston, ten years old and the youngest grandson of the ducal family, dreamed of becoming the biggest troublemaker among them.

And the chance to begin fulfilling that dream came sooner than expected.