ILDBL 12

 Chapter: 12

There were a total of eight people who passed this exam.

Isaac, Karina, Denian, Ariel, Adolf, Isabella—and two boys whose names she couldn’t even remember: one small and scrawny, the other dark and gloomy-looking.

Gerard, who had suffered badly while sparring with her, was said to have been severely injured by a monster he encountered in the forest and had dropped out.

And so, out of the twelve adoptees, eight advanced past the fourth test.

Not long afterward, the duke summoned the successful candidates to his study.

Just as the tense children reached the entrance, the door to the study opened.

The face of the person who stepped out looked extremely familiar.

The monster from the Darkdain Forest!

Unlike back then, when he had been drenched in blood, his face was now impeccably clean, so it took a moment for her to recognize him—but there was no doubt about it.

It was the monstrous boy who had been absorbing the aura of monsters.

The boy, who was a full head taller than Karina, glanced down at her indifferently.

As Karina tensed up and began drawing up her inner energy, the boy simply walked past her as if nothing had happened.

She could only stare blankly at his retreating back.

Why is that guy coming out of the duke’s study?

Just then, Ariel’s voice reached her.

“Maybe that’s him.”

“Him who?”

“The only one who passed among the first adoptees. I heard the maids call him Lord Xavier.”

The sole survivor of the first group of adoptees, and the current only heir of the ducal house.

Xavier.

That seemed to be the monster’s name.

His terrifying appearance from back then felt like a hallucination; now he looked neat and even gentlemanly.

Did he refrain from attacking because this was the duke’s presence?

No—more likely because it wasn’t during the testing period.

Feeling inexplicably unsettled, Karina forcibly pushed those thoughts aside and entered the study.

Inside stood Eric and Largo of the Red Hawk Mercenary Group, their instructors.

Seated before them was Duke Batius, who spoke in an indifferent tone.

“I hear you passed the fourth test splendidly.”

At the duke’s praise, the children’s faces brightened.

But his expression soon hardened again as he got straight to the point.

“The fifth test will begin immediately.”

Hearing about the next test the moment they had passed the fourth made the children tense.

The duke swept his gaze over them before continuing.

“Within one month, bring me evidence proving the corruption of Count Frederick’s family, a vassal house of the Batius duchy.”

Evidence of Count Frederick’s corruption?

The children exchanged uneasy glances, clearly shaken.

“The Red Hawk Mercenary Group will provide the manpower necessary for the investigation. Your task is simply to obtain evidence of the count’s wrongdoing as quietly as possible.”

At that moment, Isaac, standing near the back, quietly raised his hand.

At the duke’s signal to speak, Isaac calmly asked,

“Only those who bring back evidence pass?”

“This test is conducted in teams. Every member of a team that brings back evidence will pass.”

At those words, Karina, who had been lost in thought, raised her hand.

“Will an entire team be eliminated if they fail?”

“The instructors will score and evaluate you. Even if you don’t obtain evidence, you may pass if your performance is outstanding. Any more questions?”

At the duke’s arrogant, brow-raising question, Karina replied evenly,

“No.”

“The instructors will explain the rest in detail. That is all.”

Was this really something children not even thirteen years old could handle?

Then again, fighting monsters, surviving solitary confinement, climbing mountains infested with monsters—none of the previous tests had been things ordinary children could do either.

Whether this was truly about adoption or about creating secret weapons, she didn’t know…

While she was thinking that, the duke turned away, signaling the end of the audience.

Karina and the others left the study without a word.

Once in the corridor, the children began murmuring anxiously.

“Isn’t Count Frederick’s family one of Batius’s closest vassals? Is it really okay for us to get involved in something this huge?”

As Isabella lamented nervously, Denian trotted over and stuck close to Karina’s side.

The little boy who normally clung to Ariel like glue was now glued to her instead, making Karina wear an awkward expression.

This feels like I’ve picked up something troublesome…

“Why are you sticking to me?”

Of course, there was no reply.

Unlike Karina, Ariel was smiling proudly.

“It looks like this test made Denian open his heart to you.”

I never asked him to open it.

I can’t stand kids.

…Though I’m still a kid myself.

Just then, an unfamiliar shadow appeared in the corridor near the dormitory.

Everyone unconsciously stopped.

A boy radiating icy coldness.

Unlike Karina and Ariel, who were barely eleven, or eight-year-old Denian, this boy looked about fifteen. The difference in physique was overwhelming.

With his already unusual presence combined with that size difference, Ariel instinctively shrank back and stiffened.

Karina, however, calmly stared straight ahead.

Why is he standing there?

Xavier, leaning against a pillar, turned his head toward her.

Sensing danger, Karina signaled to Ariel and Denian with her eyes.

He was probably waiting for her.

“Ariel, take Denian and go back to the room first.”

“Huh? Just us…?”

At Ariel’s hesitant response, Karina twisted her lips.

“Or would you rather talk to him instead?”

At that, Ariel gulped dryly while looking at Xavier.

His size and aura didn’t feel like those of a fifteen-year-old at all.

And his gaze—unusually sharp, overwhelmingly oppressive.

Delicate yet quick-witted, Ariel finished her calculation and nodded.

“I’ll go in first. Come on, Denian.”

Even as Ariel pulled him along by the hand, Denian kept glancing back at Karina, clearly reluctant to leave.

What is with those loyal, small-animal eyes?

Letting out a small snort of laughter, Karina quickly erased her smile and walked slowly toward Xavier.

No matter how monstrous he was, he wouldn’t attack recklessly inside the duke’s residence.

Xavier looked down at her with an inscrutable, cold expression.

Karina carefully opened her mouth.

“If you’re worried about what I saw back then, don’t be. I’m good at keeping my mouth shut.”

Soul-Devouring Art.

Or at least, an ability similar to it—absorbing the power of monsters.

Back then, Xavier had clearly seemed intent on hiding it.

Assuming that was why he’d sought her out, Karina spoke first.

Then Xavier, who had been silently staring at her, slowly spoke.

“You.”

“…?”

“What are you hiding?”

For a moment, Karina was flustered.

“Hiding? What do you mean?”

In an instant, Xavier grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

“Kh—!”

It happened so fast she had no chance to defend herself.

Clutching at his wrist, Karina writhed in pain.

“That power you used. Show it to me right now—or you die.”

Xavier’s face was utterly indifferent as he casually threatened murder.

This lunatic—trying to kill someone without even releasing killing intent.

He was completely insane.

That was when it happened.

Fwoosh—!

Flames suddenly flew in, forcing Xavier away from Karina.

Free to breathe again, Karina gasped for air and looked around.

The one who had unleashed the flames was strolling toward them leisurely.

Red hair. Red eyes.

A confident, cocky posture.

Isaac.

Before she knew it, Isaac had stepped between Karina and Xavier, as if blocking him.

As Karina stood frozen in shock at Isaac’s unexpected appearance, Isaac tilted his head insolently and glared at Xavier.

 “Hey, first adopter. This is the second adopters’ dorm, you know.”