"In three months, you'll be joining Violet Academy as a freshman. Until then, I'll find you a teacher to help you control the extraordinary power within you," the Duke had said last night, his expression grave. Charles recalled the moment with a wince of discomfort.

"So, you're my teacher?" he asked, forcing a smile as he looked at Jack, who responded with a grin that was equally strained.

"Why, is that a problem?"

Charles sighed. "Of course not, dear Uncle," he replied, resigned.

They walked to the open grounds in front of the West family castle. Jack suddenly halted, and Charles, caught off guard, nearly stumbled into him.

"The West family’s wind warrior sequence has the strongest affinity with the wind element out of all the known extraordinary sequences. But only second-sequence wind knights can actually feel the wind element," Jack explained seriously, the intensity on his bearded face surprising Charles, who’d half-expected Jack to brush off the lesson with some jest.

"For those of you in the first sequence," Jack continued, "reaching the second sequence doesn’t depend on the amount of magic in your body. It’s about whether you can sense the wind element. Even if your magic is minimal, once you sense it, you advance to the second sequence."

Charles listened intently. Though not part of the wind warrior sequence, he had already sensed the wind element. He kept this to himself, intending to investigate further once he entered Violet Academy.

Jack went on, “Generally, the higher the concentration of blue blood, the faster the wind element is sensed. Your sister, Leia, took three months, but your brother did it in forty days."

Curious, Charles raised his hand. "Uncle Jack, may I ask something?"

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Jack gestured for him to continue.

"How are civilians’ extraordinary talents measured if they don’t have blue blood?" Charles asked.

Jack explained, "It varies by sequence. In the church, faith determines talent, while the warrior sequence relies on physical prowess and willpower. Each sequence has its unique criteria."

Jack’s expression turned steely, his gaze like that of a hawk. "But, Charles, remember: the blue-blooded nobles and the red-blooded ones hold the most terrifying sequences. It’s what allows them to maintain extraordinary dominance in this world."

He promised to teach Charles the unique wind warrior combat method if he showed potential, demonstrating a battle stance with a shout: "Come at me!"

That night, Charles lay in bed with a face full of bruises. A maid, assigned by Jack, tended to him with gentle hands. Charles suspected that Jack had noticed his interactions with her and had no intentions of leaving her unchecked. He’d initially hesitated to accept her as his attendant, fearing she might be a spy, but Jack had provided a mithril necklace to control her, leaving Charles with little choice.

"Leo, you said you were part of Jack's Undead Army. How did you end up as my attendant?" Charles asked, his back aching from the bruises as Leo’s hands kneaded his muscles with surprising skill.

"Our Undead Army is split into two factions: one led by Jack, the other by your uncle Sat," Leo replied calmly, his massage skillfully easing Charles’s pain.

"And you… belong to Sat’s faction?" Charles pressed.

Leo shook his head with a soft smile. "No, I advocate for peace."

Charles couldn’t help but recall Mr. Huli, who met a grim end, and mentally dismissed Leo’s claim with suspicion. Leo’s hands stilled, and he looked at Charles intently.

“Being your attendant is both my punishment and part of a deal with Jack,” he said. "I betrayed the Undead Legion, and this is my penance."

Charles watched as Leo removed his gloves, revealing a large tattoo on his back—a skull with one empty eye socket.

"My extraordinary path has been severed," Leo murmured, kneeling before Charles. His face was solemn, his gaze unwavering.

But Charles remained stoic, recognizing the plea. After a silent moment, he chuckled, breaking the tension.

“Alright, Leo, I accept your loyalty,” he said. “As a reward… I will restore your extraordinary path someday.”

Leo smiled gently, still kneeling, his body language steady in his dedication. Charles sighed and raised his freshman badge with a resigned smile.

"I, Charles West, swear in the name of the Golden Eagle to accept your loyalty!"

Leo rose, his gaze loyal and clear as he bowed. "I am honored to serve you, Master Charles!"