Chapter 05: A New Beginning

Kendrick raised his head slowly, briefly glancing at his sister before returning his focus to the book in his hands. His silence left his family with expectations of hearing his thoughts, but instead, he buried himself deeper in the text.

His sister couldn't accept his indifference.

"Kendrick!!"

With measured steps, the young lady approached him. She used her small hands to gently take the book from him and locked her gaze onto his.

"Listen to me just this once! The honor festival is approaching! Do you realize the incredible opportunity it presents?"

Kendrick met her imploring eyes with indifference.

"Is it merely about gaining recognition from the head of the main household? What's the point?"

It had been a decade since he'd been reincarnated into the body of the Hero's descendant. He couldn't help but wonder why he had ended up in the body of someone he despised.

Kendrick silently cursed the entity that had granted him a second life.

Struggling to contain her frustration, the young lady spoke up once more.

"Hngh!"

The young lady pinched his cheeks, using only half of her strength trying her best avoiding hurting him.

"That's the point! If you win the competition, you'll be granted the opportunity to choose any item from the Grand Treasure! It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance! But if you don't join, it's impossible for you to win anyway, since I'll be competing."

It might have been too tempting if he were a normal child, but Kendrick was a different case. He was someone with his memories intact from his previous life, and…

'There's no way I'd rely on that traitor...'

Even if it meant seeking vengeance, he couldn't bring himself to depend on others for strength.

'Especially not the traitor hero.'

Kendrick bit his lip and stood up. His sister wondered if he had reconsidered, but he simply turned his back on them.

"If that's all you have to say, I'm leaving."

Kendrick walked away without looking back.

"Young master! Please listen to the young lady!" Hans begged Kendrick to stop, but he had already made up his mind.

"I'll go read in my room. No one is allowed to come in, understand?"

Hans stopped pleading and respected Kendrick's decision. Forcing him was unfair; Kendrick had never undergone any formal training. Perhaps it was because Kendrick aspired to fulfill his dream and become the man he envisioned…

The young lady, however, refused to surrender.

"Kendrick, please... Don't you want acknowledgment from the head? The hero from the legends..."

"Anna, I appreciate your concern, but I have no desire for power."

Anna felt disheartened by his response. Since their birth, Kendrick had been compared to her. Initially, they had high hopes for the young boy, especially considering Anna's innate talents. However, his actions and their consequences had led to Kendrick being treated as nothing more than an outcast by the main and branch households.

Only their parents truly cherished him.

That's why she couldn't give up.

"Kendrick... I'll give you everything I win at the competition. Train with me, and I'll teach you mana and swordsmanship!"

Regardless of what others called him, Kendrick was the strongest in her eyes. She believed in her brother, despite the harsh judgments.

But Kendrick's goals were different. To him, the world itself was his adversary, and he was determined to exact vengeance.

"I'll be fine."

Part of his reluctance was driven by the need to stay off the Hero's radar, the very person who had betrayed him. Kendrick had to surpass his previous self from his past life quickly and secure his vengeance. It was the primary reason he had been given a second chance at life.

Kendrick gritted his teeth and took his leave from the two.

"I'm going now."

As Kendrick walked away from the library, he left his sister and Hans speechless.

Hans attempted to console the young lady, but to no avail.

"Young master doesn't seem to be in the mood today. Let's give him some space and try again later. It's alright, young lady!"

"I won't give up…"

The young lady, now ten years old, refused to surrender. Tears welled up in her eyes, pained by her brother's actions. It seemed she was misunderstanding him or something…

"Haaaaahhh! Finally, back in my room... That was quite the commotion!"

Kendrick reclined on his luxurious master bed and began to stretch. He had been reading peacefully when his sister and Hans had suddenly intruded.

"... Why even join such a stupid competition..."

There was no way he would participate in such a competition just to gain acknowledgment from his nemesis.

"I'd rather die again."

Though he had truly died once before.

Kendrick recollected all the records he had read in the library. According to the fictitious stories his father used to tell them at bedtime, it had been 30 years since the day he had met his end at the hands of his comrades.

So... by now... 40 years had passed...

"I wonder if some of them are still alive even now..."

Though it was good news that the Hero was still alive, it would jeopardize his vengeance if all his former comrades had already perished. That wouldn't bode well for him.

Kendrick gritted his teeth once more.

"I swear to kill them with my own hands so they can't die yet... It's their fate to meet their end at my hands..."

And also...

"I must uncover the truth behind their betrayal..."

Kendrick hoped that there were reasons behind their actions. Otherwise, he couldn't guarantee them a peaceful end.