Dukedom of the Eternal Winter.

12 years later.

A handsome man with long-black-hair, which was tied up in a bun was seen walking towards the [Final Defence Wall] with his eyes closed. He was adorned in a light but perfectly fit black suit; containing a black blazer, black pants, black shoes, black tie, black gloves, and black shirt, that amplified his pale skin complexion that was caused by the cold atmosphere in the south.

He held a red scarf in his right hand while his left hand's fingers rhythmically tapped on the hilt of the sheathed sword hung on his waist.

His handsome face was as cold as the entire south itself.

And everybody guarding the defence lane and the civilians living in the city inside the wall recognised the man with but a mere glance and smiles involuntarily bloomed on their faces at the sight of him returning, which meant that the city was safe from the monster raids for yet another day.

"Marken!!" A armoured soldier yelled the man's name when he noticed him walking back. The man named Marken was none other than Mark, or Ken, who decided to merge both of his names from both of his lives.

Marken turned to face in the direction of the yell and walked over to the guard and stood in front of the man for a few seconds before,

BA-THUMP-!

"Dunstan?" Mark asked.

"That's right! Damn man, I'm always astounded by how you recognise the person you're taking to!" Dunstan exclaimed in affirmation.

"Why aren't wearing your blindfold?" Dunstan asked.

"It came loose." Mark replied.

"What did that old geezer even want?" Mark asked without hiding his annoyance.

"Haha.... You're the only one who would be able call the Duke of the south as an old geezer." Dunstan commented.

"Anyway, I don't know, I was asked to call a carriage for you. It's stationed to the right side of the wall." Dunstan explained as he backed off, Mark merely nodded his head in affirmation and walked forward and entered the wall.

Upon entering the gates, "Mark! How many monsters did you hunt today!?" A man with a barrel mug of ale asked as he stood in front of the bar.

"16!" Mark yelled back and continued to walk towards the location carriage was said to be stationed, ignoring the cheers of the men inside the bar.

The coachman noticed Mark as he walked towards the carriage while tying his red blindfold and bowed politely at the man even though the latter couldn't see.

"Sir!" The coachman muttered as he opened the door of the carriage for Mark to enter and walked back to his own seat when Mark entered the carriage as if he could see everything clearly.

Marken was a name that was respected in the whole of the three defence lanes that defended the core, inner, and outer cities against the massive waves of monsters that had reached and wrecked havoc in the outer city before the man named Marken arrived as a member of a mercenary group.

Marken's fame continued to skyrocket as he was positioned in the lanes to defend the defence walls against the waves of the monsters before the Duke of the Eternal Winter recognised his talent and gave him a place in his personal elites filled [Tiger Knights' Order], which gave him a certain level of authority in the south.

*

Arriving at the majestic but magnanimous castle, which was the Dukedom of the Eternal Winter.

Mark was dropped off in front of the castle doors after riding the carriage through the kilometres long yard in front of the castle which was moderate compared to the extraordinarily extravagant castles in the capital of the Dasiris Empire.

Ba-thump..... Ba-thump....

"Alfred Winter, you should control your chilly aura and kill your heartbeat if you want to ambush me." Mark casually stated as walked into the humongous hall that had a multi-curved stairs leading to the opposite sides of the castle.

"Mr Marken, master has summoned you." A maid stated with a polite bow, while the sword raised, white-haired, pale skinned and blue-eyed handsome man lowered his sword as he walked out of the wall he hid behind, grumblingly.

"I'll successfully attack you next time!" Alfred exclaimed as he casually placed his hand over Mark's shoulders and began to drag him towards the stairs.

"Lilly, lead us." Mark said to the maid while being dragged away.

*

After a few minutes of walking.

Mark, Lilly, and Alfred arrived in front of a large door that was guarded by an armoured soldier.

"Master has been waiting for you, Mr Marken!"

KNOCK...KNOCK-!

"My lord, Mr Marken has arrived with Young Master Alfred and maid Lilly!" The guard announced.

"Let them in." A heavy voice sounded from behind the door which was opened halfway, let the three inside and shut behind them.

"My lord." The maid and Mark bowed politely as they exclaimed at the white-haired and blue-eyed bulky handsome man in his mid thirties, sitting behind his desk which was filled with paperwork, sealed, and unsealed envelopes.

"You may leave." Slade Winter commanded the maid who walked out of the room before voicing Mark.

"Mark! Any intentions of joining the knights order yet?" Slade asked with a smile and an excited heartbeat that began to annoy Mark.

"No." Mark declined bluntly and voiced a "My lord" after a few seconds.

"Hahaha! Still as decisive as ever!" Slade said as he chuckled, roaring.

After a few short exchanges and retorts,

"Anyway, here is your [Dreams Academy]'s admission form's acceptance letter." Slade said as he picked up an unsealed envelope, enveloped the letter in his chilly mana and threw it at Mark.

Feeling the letter instantly arrive a few inches away front of him, Mark employed his "Ki" to envelope his palm which flickered under Alfred's curious gaze and caught the letter that had arrived at him with the speed of sound.

Mark's actions brought a smile on to Slade's face and made Alfred's feet run cold in fear.

'Is this monster really the same age as me? And isn't he blind!!?' Alfred yelled inwardly.

[[Abyssal senses](Touch) has been activated!]

[Reading the residential mana on the target under the effects of [Abyssal senses](Touch)]

'Prospect trainee Marken has been given a spot in the [Dreams Academy]'s entrance exam under the recommendation of the Duke of the Eternal Winter....' And so on was what was written on the letter, making Mark frown in displeasure.

"Why did use your recommendation, My lord?" Mark asked as his brows ceased to furrow.

"Of course, so that none of the other nobles dare to mess with my find!" Slade stated, making Mark smile as he bowed politely.

"Thank you very much, My lord. Then, I'll leave to make my preparations to head to the capital." Mark said as he took a step back.

"Halt! Where are you going?" Slade asked, and before Mark reply questioningly with a deep frown, Slade continued.

"Alfred is also coming with you!"