Considerations

Young Master Fray has undergone a profound transformation.

For someone like me, who has been intimately familiar with him for years, the change is starkly evident.

As he departed from his room with his sword in hand, I stole a glance at him, only to be met by the chilling abyss lurking within.

It was enough to stir a disquieting sensation in the pit of my stomach.

It's as if I was in the presence of the Duke himself.

Nevertheless, I won't dare to question him. 

Knowing my place has been one of the few things I've always took pride in. No matter how strange or unfamiliar he may be.

I am but a butler, dedicated to my duties for the Garoff House. My loyalty extends to each member of this family, no matter the circumstances.

"...Let's go."

His words carried a chill, yet I paid it no mind as I guided him towards the sparring area.

Encountering a man with golden hair and eyes, clad in light armor with a wooden sword in hand, we were greeted with impatience. "Finally, dude! Just how long were you planning on making me wait, huh?"

Such insolence directed at a member of the Garoff's esteemed household was truly uncalled for.

I yearned to voice my disapproval, but given the circumstances, I had no option but to extend my apologies. Sir Adam was the sole individual willing to impart knowledge to the Young Master, given his reputation. Though modest, it sufficed to spread the word that the Young Master was engaging in training activities.

"Sir Adam, I am--"

Before I could conclude my formal apology, the Young Master halted me with a raised hand.

"Is that how you speak to nobility, Sir Adam? I see the Royal Knights have let a rabid dog within their ranks..."

His words hit me like a thunderbolt, and I wasn't the only one affected. I observed Sir Adam freezing for a moment, seemingly unable to believe what he had just heard.

'What did you do...Y-Young Master!!'

I stood frozen, my words caught in my throat, as the temperature in the sparring area plummeted, mirroring the chill that swept through me.

"W-What did you say!? How dare a Weakling like you...!"

Before Sir Adam could finish his enraged retort, Young Master Fray calmly raised his sword. His stance mirrored my memories, yet an unsettling feeling lingered, as if he had undergone a profound change.

"If that's a lesson you want, you just had to say so!!"

'Sir Adam is truly angry, will it be alright...?'

---

My confusion grew with each passing exchange.

'The Young Master isn't losing...?'

It was perplexing. In the regular training sessions, the Young Master struggled to even hold a sword properly, often drunk or under the influence of some substance. Yet, in this moment, he was completely sober, handling the sword with an unexpected proficiency.

'Is he actually talented?'

He still exhibited a degree of clumsiness with the sword, but... there was undeniable technique there.

Yet, even with that realization, the situation was still dire for the Young Master. His inherent lack of talent for Magical Power was a significant disadvantage.

Despite his swordsmanship talent, it was insufficient to tip the scales in the battle for the Duke's position.

After a few more exchanges, I anticipated Sir Adam would shift into a serious mode, defeating the Young Master convincingly. However, my expectations were shattered once again. The Young Master unleashed an unfamiliar move, catching us both off guard. In a twist of events, Sir Adam's sword soared through the air as if compelled by the natural order.

"What did you say, Weakling? The pot calling the kettle black. I don't need an arrogant thing like that to teach me."

The unexpected outcome left me dumbfounded. The Young Master... had won. As the realization settled in, the atmosphere in the sparring area became charged with an unspoken tension.

I feel like the balance of power within the Garoff household will change, soon.

---

I had my hopes up for this Sir Adam.

You'd think a Royal Knight, someone supposedly quite strong, would possess at least a decent level of skill with the sword. However, after a brief exchange with him, I can see at a single glance that his knowledge of the sword is severely lacking.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware he's stronger than me; my [Absolute Awareness] confirmed that, but...

"You will regret what you just said!! Even if you give it your all, you will never be able to defeat me!"

The fuck do you mean? 

He believes I'm giving my all, when in reality, I'm barely putting up a fight due to my lingering injuries and restricted strength...?

Sure, I observed the original identity's fighting style and tried to mimic it to avoid suspicion, but the real issue lies with this man. His swordsmanship is trash, to put it mildly.

According to my [Absolute Awareness], he's at least at [Low] Combat Prowess, if not higher. I do not have enough data to estimate it properly.

I can somewhat grasp what Cid Kagenou felt when facing weak opponents. This man's technique is so lacking that it's a wonder he even attained the rank of a Royal Knight.

The only plausible explanation is that his entire Combat Prowess is derived from utilizing Magical Power to enhance his abilities or fortify his sword.

That's...quite dumb.

Considering the evaluation note that labeled me as the Weakest due to my lack of control over Magical Power, I guess I should start training my Mana Control soon.

Naturally, considering he's instructing someone who barely knows which end of the sword to hold, Magical Power wasn't even part of this fool's training regimen. There's not a trace of guidance on how to use Magical Power in his memories.

Well, no matter. I'll just research on my own and use some knowledge from the original novel.

Anyway, this man can never win against me.

Hence, I decided to goad him a bit, hoping to witness him lose control and resort to employing Magical Power. Such an outburst could potentially provide me with valuable insights. However, it appears that he's stubbornly determined not to use it.

Well, I should wrap this up, right...?

With those reflections in mind, I ceased feigning weakness and brought the confrontation to a swift end. After all, I confirmed my doubts.

There's no way I'm really at [Weakest] Combat Prowess. Despite the vast disparity between the two worlds, the strength I've amassed thus far holds value.

Combat Prowess is determined by what holds significance within a given world. In the case of [Eminence in Shadow], proficiency in magic and the ability to wield potent spells are pivotal factors determining one's Combat Prowess.

But, if one does not use Magic, then that scale fails to deliver the truth.

Engaging in combat against someone wielding Magical Power when you lack it yourself is akin to courting death, as some Chinese Villain might be itching to say.

Individuals like this Adam dude can effortlessly manipulate Magic to gain the upper hand in a confrontation. While I've managed to grasp basic control over Magical Power, it doesn't equate to proficiency in spell-casting or the creation of Magic Circles.

Despite my ability to perform such feats, my understanding of Mana and Magic is too rudimentary. To wield Magic effectively, I must first comprehend its fundamentals.

It's evident that I'll need to adapt to the conventional methods of learning magic in this world for now. However, in the future, as I explore diverse Worlds with their own magical systems, I can assimilate the most advantageous aspects from each and synthesize my own Magic Theory. 

Yes, that seems like a logical approach.

Naturally, I can apply the same principle to refine my Sky Sword Art further.

Yet, considering the caliber of swordsmanship displayed by this fellow, I'm inclined to forgo incorporating sword techniques from this world into my repertoire.

Certainly, at this stage, it's premature to entirely dismiss the martial arts of this world. I'll need to delve into some research when time allows.

With these musings, I departed the scene, my butler trailing behind. In the array of tasks laid out for me, securing the position of the named heir stands as one of the initial objectives.

Even though I'm the eldest son, my Father remains reluctant to acknowledge me as the heir, judging by my past behavior.

I will need to work a little to prove him wrong.

In the 1st Trial, the mere repetition of 30 days in a world left me indifferent to the affairs of the household, but in this Trial, I can't afford such negligence.

It won't demand much of my time, but I must exert some effort to acquaint myself with the conduct expected of a proper noble.

According to the imbecile's memories, I have two days until my return to the Academy, a fact I've verified with the butler. One can never be too cautious.

Regardless, two days provide me with ample time to absorb all the necessary information. I'm confident in my Talents and Skills, after all

Should my dear brother choose to be an obstacle, I'll strategize on how to handle him. But, at this moment, my focus is on securing that position through my own merits.

---

Author's Note:

From the next chapter, we will pick up the pace for this Trial. 

For Patrons: I'm sorry, the next chapter is particularly long and as I don't want to post until I'm completely satisfied with the end result, I will keep working on it and then release it when it's ready :)