RMA 37

chapter 37

Have you ever been hit with meat?

There are people who might try being hit with money, but very few would volunteer to be hit with meat.

Yet here was someone actually going through that absurd ordeal.

Lawrence’s older brother, Loras.

“St-stop! Th-that’s enough!”

“Quit whining. Hit harder, more.”

Crack—!

The troll’s chunk of meat was truly extraordinary.

No matter how hard it was hit, it would bruise like normal flesh—but the meat itself remained intact, springy and unscathed.

Everyone watching had no idea how to react.

If it were training weapons used by knight apprentices, one could call it inhumane. After all, breaking bones during such training wasn’t uncommon.

But that… looked like a tomahawk steak that would taste amazing if grilled.

“You really… always warned not to play with food.”

“……”

By now, the maids sitting politely beside Rachel were trembling, their expressions filled with disgust.

Rumors had spread.

Inside the mansion, people had heard screams, breaking objects, and some inexplicable sounds of beating.

Turns out, the rumors weren’t entirely false.

‘The master and the maid—both insane! Completely insane!’
‘What are we supposed to do with these lunatics…’
‘It’s better to just send him off. Strategically avoiding the situation for now.’

The maids realized where Rachel’s ruthlessness came from.

Lawrence Montemer.

A complete delinquent, far from the image of a noble wizarding family.

Having lived under him, they must have learned survival the hard way.

Perhaps… they were the pitiful ones?

Their thoughts slowly spiraled into a maze.

“Enough! Stop this right now!”

“Phew… already?”

“H-he’s unconscious. Prince, if you keep hitting him, it could lead to serious injuries.”

Only after the presiding wizard intervened did the horrific, bizarre beating finally stop.

Lawrence wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling refreshed.

It had been a long time since he had felt such a thrilling sensation.

The sensation was so unique, he even considered making it a dedicated weapon.

‘Next, I’ll have to try hitting with dragon meat.’

[That’s a blasphemous thought. Please retract it.]

Even the normally quiet system tried to restrain Lawrence.

Meat was Lawrence’s true love.

“Useless… You’ll handle the rest of the proceedings. I just remembered something urgent I need to attend to.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Medea, who had witnessed the brutal beating in full, shot Loras a look of disdain before leaving.

Staying any longer might drive her to kill Lawrence with her own hands.

And if that happened, there would be no turning back.

[Ichel, follow me.]

She sent a message spell to Ichel, who had quietly observed from the corner, and headed to her office.

Let them handle things themselves now.

It was better to focus on what lay ahead.

Even to calm herself, she needed to divert attention to other matters.

“Phew… Ichel, are you there?”

“Yes, my lady. You called?”

“That maid… she’s still properly brainwashed, right?”

“Yes. Soon I’ll ascend to 5th Circle. Once my magic mastery improves, no one will notice.”

Medea took comfort in that small relief.

Right. Loras was still young.

Even without Loras, there were many who could consume this family.

The eldest son, eldest daughter…

All her children. Even if Loras was useless, there was no need for greed.

Lawrence’s place in the world would gradually vanish anyway.

“Phew… I think I let my emotions get the better of me. Such disgraceful behavior…”

“It’s fine. Also, it seems a guest has arrived.”

“Oh.”

Medea’s cold expression softened for a moment.

Ichel instinctively knew it was his cue to step back.

He bowed his head, quickly reported his tasks, and left the office.

“I will report regularly. The brainwashing will also be reinforced regularly.”

“Hmm, alright. You may go now.”

“Yes.”

As Ichel opened the office door, a man came into view.

At first glance, a person of dazzlingly beautiful appearance.

Cold yet noble in aura.

Ichel bowed and stepped aside.

The man also slightly bowed before entering the office.

Upon seeing Medea, he smiled gently.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“Oh, don’t say that. How could your visit be a disturbance?”

“How have you been, my love?”

“There were some difficulties, but I’m fine. Now that I see you, it’s all better.”

Click.

The office door locked by magic.

They pressed their bodies close and began speaking, creating a sticky, intimate atmosphere.

“Yes. Who dared upset you? I can solve it quickly, you know.”

“Not yet… it’s not the right time. It’s the period to enter the Magic Tower, so we’ll need two years to prepare.”

“By the way, I heard the Alzeras family became undead… any information on that?”

“Enough about work. I don’t know much. For now… I just want to relax a little.”

Medea’s long fingers caressed the man’s face.

He responded to her gesture.

#2

After the unconscious Loras was carried away, Loria approached Lawrence.

The other duels had been conducted by another wizard and ended successfully as a sort of entertainment event.

“Lawrence, how long will you keep using such barbaric weapons?”

“Why? The sensation is exhilarating.”

“Ugh… it’s a duel between wizards; why not use magic?”

“A wizard’s enemies aren’t only other wizards. Old records mention wizards who fought up close.”

Their gazes naturally fell upon the largest figure—the master of the Iron Magic Tower.

A Battle Mage.

A wizard capable of defeating knights in direct combat.

A human weapon capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battle.

Able to fight guerrilla-style, assassinate VIPs, destroy enemy bases, and complete various missions without needing soldiers’ protection.

Loria realized the kind of future Lawrence envisioned.

‘You’re about to walk a path Montemer never did.’

It was a mindset so admirable it made her feel ashamed of her former self.

She felt an even stronger desire to train harder and stand shoulder to shoulder with her siblings.

“By the way, which tower were you trained at, sister?”

“Red Magic Tower. Fire suited me best.”

“So you were paired with Lady Freya?”

“Yes. Anyway! Work hard there. I’ll come visit.”

Lawrence smiled as Loria patted his shoulder and left.

A completely different set of human relationships from the past.

Those bonds would accumulate and become great strength for him.

He couldn’t harm Medea yet, but over time, he would be able to tighten his grip on her.

And he would uncover the reasons for his mother’s death and the family’s downfall.

Guardian, dragon, corruption…

So many mysteries and problems awaited.

‘I must become stronger. Strong enough to do everything alone.’

More artifacts, more creations, stronger and more guardians.

All moving entirely for him.

Walking toward the same goal together with them.

‘From now on, I’ll live a life of ambition.’

Everything he wanted.

All the unfair moments and the times he had to shed tears.

To compensate for all that, Lawrence would no longer deny his desires.

Lost in thought, a massive shadow fell.

A figure whose size could rival a knight.

The master of the Iron Magic Tower.

“You seem to have an interesting ability. I hope to hear more about it someday, Prince.”

“You may speak freely; you are like my master now.”

“Ha ha ha! You honor this old man. You’ve clearly not neglected physical training, correct?”

“Yes. Being a wizard doesn’t always mean safety.”

The master of the Iron Magic Tower nodded approvingly.

Correct.

Wizards wield magic, but they must never be weak.

Arrogant knights always say that wizards are helpless in close combat.

It’s also what is taught at the officer academy for knights.

“You’ll put those arrogant knights in their place.”

“I believe so.”

Knights.

They would be encountered countless times.

Full of pride and confidence in their bodies.

Those who belittle wizards as weaklings.

And it’s true—wizards rarely train their bodies.

Lawrence stood.

“I will not lose to cadets of the officer academy. I will be the best in both magic and martial arts.”

“Hahaha. That mindset is fitting for a Battle Mage. Wait here; I’ll fetch your supplies.”

“My supplies are quite far. Will you come with me?”

“You mean that warehouse? Very well.”

By the time he returns, the annex would be gone or occupied by others.

It didn’t matter.

In two years, he would move to a new residence.

A place to quietly grow stronger and observe all of Montemer.

“Rachel, let’s go.”

“Yes! Oh, hello! I’m the maid Rachel!”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Iron Hanmaranda.”

“Rachel grills steaks perfectly, you know.”

“Oh! That’s wonderful news to hear!”

The three of them walked side by side, chatting.

And there were those quietly watching them.

“I won’t lose either! I’ll become a greater wizard!”

Arthur Goldivain, following family tradition, entered the Golden Magic Tower.

He burned with determination, promising to meet Lawrence again.

Though Lawrence couldn’t hear him.

‘Lawrence Montemer…’

Meanwhile, the odd-eyed Piaze became a student of both the Red and Blue Magic Towers.

One year at the Red Tower, the next at the Blue.

Unusual, but a curriculum designed to maximize her unique abilities.

She swore to surpass Lawrence the next time they met.

“The Magic Tower competitions, duels with the officer academy… and missions…”

Many things awaited in the coming two years.

Opportunities to compete would be plentiful.

And she would certainly surpass him.

The newly emerged monster: Lawrence Montemer.

“Wow, is there really that much meat?”

“Of course!”

Of course, for Lawrence, the meat was even more important.

Now it was time to head to the Iron Magic Tower.

An immense opportunity awaited him.

As a creator, as a wizard.