A couple of hours later, a knock on Rio's door announced the arrival of Albert, the main butler. He entered the room with a formal bow. "Young Master Rio, your presence is requested at the main estate. Your father, Count Victor, wishes to see you."

Rio looked up from his bed, where he had been lost in thought, contemplating his new life and the memories of his predecessor. He nodded in acknowledgment. "Very well, I'll be there shortly."

Rio dressed himself in a more formal attire, preparing to meet the Count. The walk to the main estate was filled with tension. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but it wasn't from fear. It was the anticipation of standing up to the man who, in his previous life, he would have called 'father.'

As he entered the grand hall, Rio saw Count Victor and Countess Isabella standing side by side, their expressions a mixture of relief and concern. The Countess rushed forward, embracing Rio tightly.

"Oh, Rio! I'm so glad to see you awake and well," she exclaimed, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Rio gently patted her back, doing his best to offer comfort while feeling a sense of detachment from this woman who was once his mother. He then turned his attention to the Count, who was eyeing him carefully.

"Father," Rio began, his voice cold and firm, "I must ask you something. Why did you allow such a brutal duel to take place between your sons? You put our lives at risk, and for what?"

Count Victor's eyes narrowed, and he replied with authority. "I did it to test your strength and determination, Rio. You have a great destiny ahead of you, and you must be prepared to face any challenge."

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Rio scoffed. "By almost killing us? That's not the way a father should protect his children."

The Count's face flushed with anger. "I have my reasons, Rio, and they are not for you to question."

Countess Isabella, sensing the growing tension, tried to intervene. "Victor, perhaps we should–"

"No," Rio interrupted, his eyes never leaving the Count's face. "I will not stand for this any longer. I refuse to be a pawn in your twisted games. I don't see you as my father anymore. You are nothing more than the man who allowed his sons to be harmed for your own selfish reasons."

The room was thick with tension as the Count stared down his son, the air between them crackling with unspoken anger and resentment. Rio held his ground, finally standing up to the man who had shaped so much of his life, both past and present.

Rio's words seemed to strike a chord within the Count, but after a moment, he regained his composure. With a cold, emotionless voice, he said, "Very well, Rio. It seems you are well enough. The duel will continue in one week. No further questions are allowed. You may return to your residence."

The Countess looked on with a frightened expression, wanting to say or do something, but hesitated as she saw the cold, unyielding face of her husband. She knew that pushing the matter further would only exacerbate the situation, so she reluctantly remained silent.

Rio turned around silently and made his way back to his residence, his heart heavy with the knowledge that his confrontation with the Count had not yielded the results he had hoped for. The duel would still continue, and he would be forced to fight against his own brothers once more. But Rio was determined not to let the Count have his way, and he knew that he had to find a way to protect himself and break free from his father's control.

As he returned to his room, Rio's thoughts turned to the magic book he had discovered earlier. He resolved to dedicate himself to learning magic and mastering the skills it contained, not only for the upcoming duel but also as a means to escape this twisted family dynamic and forge his own path in life.