Reborn As Noble

Javier’s expression went blank.

Emotionless.

All internal restraints snapped.

Power limiter removed fully.

A tremendous wave of unnatural mana erupted from Javier’s body, distorting the very air around him. It was wild, overwhelming, utterly unlike any aura he’d released before.

He vanished, then reappeared mid-attack, delivering a vicious kick that sent Garius flying across the field.

Garius caught himself, skidding to a halt, his smirk unwavering. In a heartbeat, Javier was on him again, launching rage-fueled blows coming faster, each one threatening to break through even Garius’s legendary defenses.

Garius’s arms moved in a blur, barely able to deflect or absorb the onslaught. ”Good! Yes!” he called out, eyes alight with excitement. ”Release more of that rage, show me your real power!”

Meanwhile, outside Garius’s massive dome barrier.

Francesca narrowed her eyes, instantly sensing the wild, unnatural mana spiraling from within. She stood up abruptly.

”That dumb husband of mine...” she muttered. ”Why would he force Javier to awaken the Power of Destruction just for a test?”

She strode toward the training field, still graceful and serene despite the urgency. A pale light flared around her right knuckle.

Inside the dome, chaos reigned.

Garius was thrown across the field again and again as Javier’s rage-fueled attacks became a blur of speed and power, far beyond anything he’d unleashed before. Each blow landed with a force that left deep scars on the reinforced ground.

Garius could barely keep up, blocking and parrying with everything he had, but even he felt his defense being pushed to its limits.

So this is the root of it...

He truly loves his people. The way his rage spiked when he saw his lovers, his mother, Alf, Erinnette, and all the elite units lifeless... It’s proof enough: he cares more for his family and those he’s sworn to protect than for his own safety or pride.

Garius managed another desperate block, smiling through the exertion.

Sorry, my son. It’s not that I don’t trust you... I just needed to know how serious you’d become when the people you love are in danger. I wanted to see if you’d truly fight for them, no matter the cost.

Looks like I really have raised a responsible son.

A sudden, crushing aura pressed against the dome. Garius felt the pressure.

Ah... Francesca. I wonder if she’s about to shatter my strongest barrier...

He braced himself, barely blocking the next flurry of Javier’s attacks.

Crap... I can feel her heavy aura now. If she intervenes, this ”test” might end sooner than I planned...

Garius smirked, letting his aura flare golden once more. Both of his Eyes of Truth blazed as he steadied himself.

Javier landed not too far of him, eyes soulless, the fury in his face gone.

He pressed his palm to the ground, and without even realizing it, triggered his Creation skill.

In an instant, hundreds of puppet knights sprang up from the earth itself.

No ore, no construction needed, summoned by raw will alone.

Garius’s smile deepened.

So even in rage, his Creation awakens...

The puppet knights charged at Garius, weapons raised. Garius remained perfectly calm, snapping his fingers. In response, hundreds of shimmering magic golems erupted from the ground, clashing with Javier’s knights in a spectacular storm of magic and steel.

Javier was winding up for another all-out attack, the air vibrating with power.

Suddenly, the dome barrier shattered from the outside with a deafening crack.

A blur shot inside faster than anyone could track. Before Javier could react, a sharp slap landed across his cheek. Garius, eyes wide, barely managed to dodge, but was then struck on the head by a strong, flat palm, sending him into a squat.

Rubbing his head, Garius glanced upward.

Only to meet the icy, furious gaze of Francesca.

”Ah... my... love~?”

The overwhelming presence of Francesca’s aura washed over the battlefield. The puppet knights and magic golems fell still. The oppressive rage vanished as quickly as it had come.

Javier blinked, snapping out of his fury as the world snapped back into focus.

”M... Mother?”

Javier glanced around in confusion.

Alf, Erinnette, Hesbeirn, the shadow unit leader, the elite battle maids, everyone who, just moments ago, he’d seen lifeless, were simply standing there, completely unharmed, watching with calm or mildly curious expressions.

They... aren’t dead?

He looked out toward the courtyard, spotting Liana, Gloria, and his other girls making their way toward him.

Turning back, he found his mother, Francesca, standing over his father. She was in the middle of a stern lecture, arms crossed, aura flaring with irritation. Garius could only manage a sheepish grin as he rubbed the spot where she’d struck him.

”I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE THE ILLUSION!”

Inside, Javier’s mind spun.

Illusion...?

Francesca’s voice cut through his thoughts.

”Even if you wanted to see Javier’s Power of Destruction and Hand of Creation, you didn’t need to test it like that!!”

”Ouch!! My ear, my ear!” Garius winced, both hands clapped over his ears as Francesca’s scolding rang out across the courtyard.

Wait...

My Power of Destruction? My Hand of Creation?

Javier stood there, blinking, his mind a fog of exhaustion and shock.

What is Mother talking about?

Weren’t those ancient power users supposed to be... someone else?

He looked at Francesca and Garius, trying to piece everything together.

What happened just now?

Why did Mother say Father was testing... my Power of Destruction? My Hand of Creation?

Francesca turned her head, fixing Javier with a glare so intense it made the air feel heavy. Even without a word, the message was clear.

Javier’s entire body shivered. He dropped to the ground with a thud, hands braced against the dirt, eyes wide with panic.

Mother... is scary!!!

He glanced sideways at his father, who was still rubbing his sore head and wincing as Francesca’s aura continued to radiate pure menace.

Don’t tell me... Javier swallowed, paling further as the pieces clicked together.

Mother is... stronger than Father!?

He froze, heart pounding, suddenly unsure which of his parents was more dangerous.

( End Of Chapter )