...

Alexander's room, days later

"Next page, please."

"Of course, Mr. Alexander."

Beside Alexander was Cloelle, who turned the pages of the treasure his Grandmother gave him. It was four books made out of good parchment stitched together, describing her training method.

"Next page, please."

If Alexander needed one word to describe it, it would be madness. It was filled with content, with the goal to gamble with the reaper at every moment. He loved it.

Every page was filled with information, meticulously documented, which weighed up all the negatives and positives to squeeze out the maximum of natural attributes, more powerful skills, and, in general, a more robust body.

"Next page, please."

Alexander didn't want to give her any credit out of spite, but his Grandmother created something incredible. He couldn't do it better if he was born into this world without prior knowledge from Earth and even less without the exquisite education he was receiving.

"Next page, please."

However, the training method was brutal, and Alexander wondered throughout reading it how his Mother survived it. So, he worried about Patricia as she wanted to go through the same hell.

He asked his Mother for more information, who told him one needed not talent but a will made out of steel, which made sense to him as he read through the blueprint of his Mother's strength for the third time.

"Next page, please."

It consisted of pumping the trainee full of curses, poisons, hexes, and much more weird abnormalities, basically anything that his Grandmother could find while putting a slave curse on them, which would make them unable to level up any skills.

"Next page, please."

While they were barely alive, she trained them until they got sore muscles and healed them immediately afterward. Yet, while healing, she would let her demonic energy invade their body, breaking them down at the same time—bones, organs, blood vessels, mana & energy organs, the brain, etc. Everything would marinade inside the potent demonic energy.

"Next page, please."

The continuous injection of demonic energy was also used by the Iron-Claw household, where the original training method came from, as a way to increase the resistance toward their own demonic energy so the trainees would better cope with their [Divinity Line] later on when it became more powerful and, thus, more challenging to control their sanity when it slowly deteriorated the mind.

There were some differences depending on the kind of demonic energy one should receive, which they discovered through trial and error, depending on what they inherited. It was also described as a group exercise where they would need to inject each other with demonic energy while trying to control it.

"Next page, please."

While the Iron-Claw household used it sparingly because of the dangers it brought, his Grandmother discovered through an accident when she went through their training regime in her youth that there was a better way.

It happened when her colleague accidentally overloaded her with demonic energy, almost killing her. She barely escaped death, damaging her body greatly, and only through intensive healing for days by a nature-dweller could she recover. However, after recuperating, she experienced increased strength. Even though it was little, it was also enough to pique her interest; she immediately wrote it down, and through trial and error later, she learned the strengthening method Alexander was now reading.

For some reason, Alexander found the mindset respectable. Even after nearly dying, she immediately wrote down her experience of what changed with her body, as her main goal at the time was to get stronger in any way possible.

"Next page, please."

Since it destroyed the body, which was also weakened through continuous harsh training and harmful substances, it was rebuilt much stronger through nature-dwellers' healing. It was a grueling and torturous process, which his Grandmother described, funnily enough, as uncomfortable, 'And being on fire is tempered or what?'

Besides her rather conservative description of what Alexander thought would be hell, she was relatively precise in describing the outcome and the process. There were notes, drawings, statistics, etc. Everything was there. He couldn't wish for a better guide to become stronger himself and find a solution to his current problem, which he also gambled on.

"Next page, please."

Usually, when one gets healed with nature-dweller energy, the body will try to mend itself back to what seemed normal and functioning. However, his Grandmother discovered something groundbreaking but also entirely insane. If the body was perpetually in a state of weakness and destruction, strong enough natural healing energy would try to strengthen it to get the body into a new normal state so it would withstand the continuous destruction it was experiencing.

"Next page, please."

Furthermore, the demonic energy she marinaded the body with would be used by nature's energy and saved inside the body. Usually, it happened in minuscule amounts through the air as the miasma was all around them, but with his Grandmother's training method, it would happen in ridiculous amounts. Thus, the body would become much more resistant to the demonic energy.

"Next page, please."

At first, Alexander was confused as to why they would need the physical training in the first place, but it was stated that the effects were much better through this and that the trainees learned better versions of skills much faster while being in a weakened state. There was also the effect that damaging sore muscles further and simultaneously healing would increase the strengthening effect.

"Next page, please."

Fundamentally, there was nothing to this training method. It was literal torture to get the most out of a person by breaking down the body and building it back up. This was also the point when Alexander could see the reason why the guard households were stronger in general than others.

If all the household went through the Iron-Claw method for generations, the bodies would drastically change at some point, 'They literally forced an evolution onto us, but...' Alexander wasn't too versed in genetics and evolution. Still, it seemed that effects were much less gradual and more instantaneous, which also explained how his insects had much more mana after only dozens of generations, '...damn it. I need to study more biology and stuff. Fuck me.'

"Next page, please."

He quickly ignored what he would need to study in the future and concentrated back on the manual itself. This was when he felt incredible pride toward his Mother since she and some guy from the Silver-Tail fief were the only ones who could endure his Grandmother's training regime.

Everyone else dropped out after half a year, and most suffered mental issues, being unable to continue their strive for knighthood or any other reasonably prestigious position.

Funny enough, Alexander could deduce through some comments of his Grandmother how she acquired an infamous reputation as she described all her trainees as weaklings who constantly broke down in tears, 'Yeah, no shit, they would become mentally unstable with such a training regime.'

"Next page, please."

Through this, he also understood why his Mother didn't mention it to Lorient or Sarah and let them train normally. If someone didn't have an exceptional will, there was a big chance that this could mentally scar them for good—especially Lorient, who already had problems controlling her [Divinity Line].

"Show me the back of the book, please."

When he was done reading the last pages, he decided to go for it since it would solve his current problem, "Cloelle, get Mom and that crazy ol' bitch."

Cloelle frowned but nodded and left. Alexander was left alone and smiled manically, 'I know this is a great fucking idea!'

...

An hour later

"No."

"Come on!"

"Yes, Mom. Listen to granny. C'mon!"

After listening to her sons's idea, Marisia immediately rejected it as ridiculous. He told her for the last ten minutes how she could pump him full with her demonic energy since she was the most exceptional when it came to controlling hers, and all the while, he would be healed through the whole ordeal by one of her Mother's personal healers.

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Even though she was against it, her Mother fully supported it, and only now could Marisia see the resemblance between them. Both had ambitions and grandiose goals while also being incredibly risk-friendly, with their particular style of playfulness. The difference was clearly what their goals were, which were almost opposite of each other.

"But Moooooom! There will be a fairy who went through something crazy who can bring back the dead!"

Scarlett chuckled slightly and corrected him, "First, Ipe is a dryad, and second, he can't revive the dead..." Her Mother turned to her, overly joyful, "...Mari, his plan sounds quite fu... reasonable."

Marisa raised an eyebrow and decided not to budge on this point, even though her Mother got Ipe to come, who also healed her through her training at that time.

She glared at her Mother and clearly understood what she said before correcting herself, "You think pumping my son with my demonic energy and healing at the same time sounds like fun?"

Her son's idea was basically doing the soft version of the method she went through. It sounded like a logical plan since he was already heavily injured, but she wouldn't let him do it. The dangers were too apparent for her for a little boost to his already ridiculous strength.

Yet, his arguments were something to consider as he tried to argue with her relentlessly, "But Mom, think about it! I have a big problem with Nature's Break, even so much that I probably need to live for months inside a special room after I have recovered. So..." His voice became sadder, but she could see that he did his obvious pathetic puppy spiel, "...I wouldn't need to suffer so much since it would strengthen my body. You also know how fast I level up."

From a glance, she could see how her Mother needed to hold back her laughter, immediately knowing that Alexander would pester her till the end of time, even declining his current healing, should not everything go his way. However, she would never budge, risking his well-being, no matter how annoyed she was.

Yet, she was a little unsure, 'He actually has a good point, besides all the nonsense.'

After Ocilia brought the news and the head of Fiorello, who was barely recognizable, she visited her son much more often. She only now had a clearer mind to understand his precarious situation. However, even though he would live with pain and be inside a room for the following years, it was preferable than to gamble on his life again. He had more than enough time after his legacy when the problem would resolve itself. Then he could do what he wanted, but he had only one life, which was already endangered multiple times.

This was quite the pain point for Marisia. She did everything to keep her puppies healthy and alive, but for some reason, they tried to run into danger head-on, whether adventure-seeking, ignoring her advice, or just having some stupid hero complex.

After the assassination, she barely held back her mind from breaking, wanting nothing more than to go on a manic spree. She could stay rational only because of her husband's permanent relaxation sessions and mainly concentrating on work.

So, she decided already, no matter the arguments. She knew that the talismans, at this point, were mainly only there to drug him against Nature's Break effects as his body couldn't handle the overwhelming [Experience], and even though it was sad, it would only be temporary. At the same time, a small mistake in her Mother's training method could lead to death, which was permanent.

She was already thinking about what and whom to organize for her son to keep his isolation as comfortable as possible. So, before she could calm him down and convince him that it was safer to simply do it slowly, he made an argument she didn't consider, "If I am imprisoned for at least a year or longer inside a room and can't go out, I can't also become a judge."

Marisia's Mother immediately chimed in, sounding more serious, her playfulness gone, "This is actually a good point..." After looking at Alexander while thinking deeply, she turned to her daughter, sounding severe, "...Mari, I don't know how fast he levels, but looking at him, it would seem like he would live for the next two to three years in a single room, not able to do his Noblesse Oblige before becoming ten, which would be dangerous."

She nodded, understanding the situation. After thinking for some minutes in silence, her opinion changed. She was now wholly for it and would support the plan for one simple reason: She would rather do it herself before giving control over her son to others. There was something inside her that didn't trust others but also the absolute conviction that, with her doing it, it would be safer, like with the demonic baptism.

However, other methods in her mind could also work, like giving Alexander a slave mark to stop the level-ups for a year, trying to let his body catch up. Still, such a thing was far more dangerous to someone before they entered their legacy as it could stay forever. Some collars had the same effect, but they were crackable, and with Alexander's personality, it would hold, at best, a week. Before he got injured, she tried her best to get more high-level ones since her son opened them like a jar of jam after weeks. Luckily, Cecilia and her brother were pleased to provide everything she needed.

Marisia also thought about fitting out the court, where he would reside as a judge, with talismans, but such a thing was too dangerous as it was a clear weakness everyone could use to kidnap him without any problems while he would be in pain. On the other hand, while being healthy, he could at least run away or defend himself. Again, she wouldn't put too much trust in his guards to protect him well enough and instead take the risk by going through her Mother's training method.

She bit her fingernail while her nervousness and anxiety increased, 'I need Kairo later.'

Marisia went through her horrendous training regime and remembered that the methods her Mother employed were also a little more extreme than just pumping someone full of demonic energy, "There is also the question of the poisons, hexes, etc. I remember that they are also necessary to strengthen the body."

Scarlett waved her hand in dismissal, "Oh please, Mari, I will just get the weakest ones. I mean Alex..." She looked at him and smiled but suddenly frowned, "...no, that is actually a good point. We don't know his resistance and attributes. I didn't think my method would ever be used on someone this young."

Before discussing it further, Alexander said, confused, "Do you need to see my system window so your method doesn't kill me?"

Marisia shook her head, but her Mother nodded, saying, "It would be better, but..." Her Mother sounded cautious, "...only if you truly..."

Before Marisia could say something against it or Scarlett could continue, Alexander opened his system window freely, sounding annoyed, "Who cares? Here you go, figure out what you need to poison me efficiently."

[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kiruschka/kiruschka.github.io/main/Chapter_98_to_102/Chapter_99/Alexander_99.svg]

Marisia stood there, even though she didn't want her son showing his system; it was fantastic, 'His level is almost higher than mine...' However, after further contemplation, she also saw the apparent problem, '...his body is too weak.'

Her son had exceptionally high [Intelligence] and [Spirit] attributes, which was to be expected, but all others were only above average. He could be considered highly talented, but it was too little for all the [Experience] he had.

Nature's Break wasn't a widely understood topic, but from what she got told after Sarah went through it, it happened when the body couldn't contain the [Experience] inside the body anymore, with pain signaling to stop. After going through the legacy, it would stop for reasons she wouldn't know, but she thought it had something to do with the fact that they could increase their attributes with [Experience]. Right now, though, her son was like a bloated vessel with the [Experience] nowhere to put in while also having no energy to strengthen the body.

'This is dangerous.'

She looked toward her Mother, who was smiling from ear to ear like someone crazy, 'This is even more dangerous.'

Her smile was full of greed and ambitions. Even more than what she had with Elisabeth, "Mother, stop it. Concentrate on Alex's condition."

Scarlett shook herself awake, "Oh, my bad!..." However, she smiled at Alexander while squatting down, "...don't worry, Alex, we will strengthen your body more than enough so you can keep training unimpeached!"

Alexander raised an eyebrow at her, "I would shiver if I could... I don't like your smile."

Marisia walked to her son, sitting down on the bed and patting him, "Don't worry, Alex. I will always be there, and nothing will happen without me agreeing to it..." She turned to her Mother, "...isn't that right, Mother?"

Scarlett straightened herself up and nodded, "Of course, now, if you excuse me. I will have to try to research some things." Immediately leaving the room enthusiastically.

Clack

After the door closed, Marisia could hear her Mother chuckle and mumble about her son being an unprecedented prodigy, 'I really would prefer Alex only being average.'

Talent was a blessing and a curse at the same time. While she considered herself slightly above average, she was not even close to her sister or Alexander. Even her other son, Narsiz, and daughter, Sarah, or her brother, Brutus, were above her when it came to talent, but it never helped anyone in the end. Only Lorient was somewhat like she was but mentally more unstable.

Because of a deal with her Mother, she worked her ass off through three decades of grueling training so that she could be together with Kairoso. She became stronger than Brutus and everyone else in her generation. It was all because of her only talent, a will made out of steel to always keep going and never waver if faced with unimaginable hardships.

Now, her son had the talent and a will, probably much more robust than hers, but anxiety from what happened in the past with her sister haunted her. It wasn't a decision anymore that she could wait out. It was either sending Alexander for Noblesse Oblige, wasting 20 years and most likely his life, or betting on something she had in her hands, controlling her son's destiny.

She looked at her hands, 'I need to train my energy control.' While she was exceptional when it came to control, even better than her Mother, almost on the same level as her Father, she needed to improve.

Marisia frowned and looked at her son worryingly, "Listen, Alex, everything will be fine, but you have a serious problem, and if we don't do something about it, it can worsen. I thought at first you were Tier 2, but you are much more advanced, and without a strong body, this will worsen."

Her son frowned, "Got it, but she doesn't need to be this creepy?!"

Marisia wanted him to take his situation more seriously, but it seemed he was already bent on going through, knowing the risks, which she didn't like at all. She wished for him to be at least a little more anxious, showing he regarded his life more. Yet, maybe it was her jumbled-up mind, which was filled with anxiety, which projected unto her son all her fear, 'Calm down, I will talk later with Kairo and get a clearer head.'

She came out of her thoughts, trying to answer her son's question, "She is a little..." Marisia wanted to trust her Mother since she seemed to change slightly, listening to her when it came to her puppies. However, it didn't mean she would allow her to do what she wanted, "...enthusiastic. Don't worry about it, as I will be there, okay?"

Alexander nodded with his tail, "Fine, so, she is gonna really have a go at me, right?"

Marisia nodded, "Your Grandmother needs to use much more potent poisons, hexes, etc., on you now than expected since we need extreme solutions to strengthen your body enough for your current and future levels."

Alexander smiled at her, "Great! Can you ask Aunty Cecilia if she can get me some better mana items in the meantime? I will probably need them later."

Marisia raised an eyebrow, "You really plan multiple steps ahead?"

Alexander's smile saddened, "I... I really don't like being bedridden, you know?"

Marisia could now see the real side of her son's sadness, not the playful one where he acted his heart out. It was probably unimaginable and mentally taxing, not moving for months while being at the mercy of others. She knew how he was, always lively and ready to discover the world, 'I am a bad Mother.'

She knew deep down that she was selfish and wanted to have healthy puppies at every cost, even by restricting their freedom and making them unhappy in the process. She was always trying to rationalize her actions, and only through her husband could she be somewhat swayed to allow them much more, 'Not the time to think about yourself.'

She lay beside her son and patted him, "Don't worry. Just endure it for a little bit longer, okay?"

Alexander closed his eyes and started to breathe much more shallowly and slowly, "Okay..."