Arthur finally arrived at his father’s mansion after four grueling years of training. As he approached the gates, his mind swirled with thoughts. “I’m back here after all these years. I wonder how my sister will react when she sees me. And Father… what will he do now?”

  He approached the towering gates, but before he could step closer, a group of guards intercepted him.

  “Who the hell are you?” one guard sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

  Arthur, unfazed, replied firmly, “I am Arthur Bckthorne, the youngest son of the Duke. I have returned to meet my father.”

  The guards burst into ughter. One stepped forward, his expression mocking. “Hey, cheeky brat, how dare you use that bastard kid’s name? Do you think we’re fools?”

  Arthur’s eyes narrowed as his anger fred. Without hesitation, he raised his hand, summoning a gust of wind infused with dark magic that sent the insolent guard tumbling backward. His voice rang out, cold and commanding: “Is this how you treat your master? For your insolence, I should execute you on the spot!”

  The other guards froze in fear, while the soldier on the ground scrambled to his knees, trembling. “F-Forgive me, my lord!” he stammered.

  Arthur, though furious, took a deep breath and regained his composure. “I will spare you this time. Let this be a lesson in respect.”

  Word of the commotion reached the Duke quickly, and soon Arthur was granted an audience. He entered the grand hall and bowed before his father, who sat on his ornate throne. Arthur stood tall and spoke with confidence. “As promised, I have mastered magic, Father.” To prove his words, he demonstrated his elemental magic, carefully concealing his dark magic.

  The Duke observed him with a stern gaze before nodding. “You have upheld your sister’s promise and proven yourself worthy. You may reside in this mansion once more. For now, you are dismissed.”

  Arthur, however, lingered. “Father,” he said, “where is my sister? I haven’t seen her yet.”

  The Duke’s expression softened slightly. “She was married three months after you were cast out. She now resides with the second prince.”

  Arthur’s heart swelled with a mixture of emotions—relief that his sister was safe and happy, and a touch of sadness that he hadn’t been there to witness her wedding. “I’m happy for her,” he said quietly.

  The Duke nodded, signaling the end of their conversation. Arthur bowed and left, retreating to the room that had been untouched for four years. As he entered, he noticed the Fenrir cub he had picked up during his journey. The little creature still hadn’t opened its eyes, continuing to absorb mana from its surroundings.

  Sitting on the edge of his bed, Arthur murmured, “I’ll fulfill my promise, Yamikage-san. I’ll make sure to bring you here.” He smirked slightly. “But first, there’s a duel to settle.”

  Almost as if on cue, his elder brother barged into the room, his presence as overbearing as ever. “Arthur,” he spat, “I challenge you to a duel. Let’s see if you’ve truly learned anything in these years.”

  The Duel of Brothers

  The next day, Arthur and his brother stood in the training arena, facing each other under their father’s watchful eye. Both bowed respectfully before the Duke, who sat on a raised ptform. Arthur seized the moment to make his case.

  “Father,” he began, his tone firm yet respectful, “you have always granted my brother’s wishes. If I defeat him, I ask that you grant me a wish in return.”

  The Duke’s brow arched, but he nodded. “Very well.”

  Before the duel could begin, Arthur’s stepmother, the Duke’s second wife, appeared and seated herself beside the Duke. She regarded Arthur with a disdainful gre but said nothing.

  Arthur’s brother smirked, his arrogance apparent. “Unlike you, I’m talented and have reached advanced swordsmanship. This will be over in moments.”

  The duel commenced, but it was anything but what his brother had predicted. Arthur, with precision and power, unleashed an advanced fire spell that overwhelmed his brother’s defenses. The fight ended before it could truly begin, leaving everyone stunned.

  The Duke’s stepmother shot to her feet, her voice trembling with rage. “Impossible! How could someone like him defeat my son?”

  “Enough,” the Duke said, his voice cutting through her outburst. He turned to Arthur, his expression unreadable. “You have won. State your wish.”

  Arthur stepped forward. “Father, I ask for permission to bring my master to live with me and for a plot of nd to build a home.”

  The Duke hesitated, but before he could respond, Arthur’s stepmother interrupted, her tone now sickly sweet. “I think it’s a splendid idea. Let him stay far from the mansion. It will allow his brother to focus on his future as the Duke’s heir.”

  The Duke nodded. “Granted.”

  A Promise Fulfilled

  Arthur stayed at the mansion for one night before setting off to retrieve Yamikage. He stopped briefly to inspect the nd his father had granted him—a quiet area just outside the city walls. Satisfied, he left instructions with the builders to construct a simple wooden house and gave them a month and a half to complete it.

  Ten days ter, he returned to Yamikage’s ir. As soon as she saw him, she rushed forward, enveloping him in a hug that left him both flustered and breathless.

  “Yamikage-san, I can’t breathe!” he protested, his face red as her ample bosom pressed against him.

  She pulled back, ughing. “You’re as shy as ever, Arthur. Tell me, how was your reunion with your family?”

  Arthur recounted everything—the duel, the nd, and the house. Yamikage listened intently, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “See? I told you you’d become strong.”

  Arthur nodded. “And I’ve kept my promise to you. Now, will you come with me to the kingdom?”

  Yamikage smirked. “Arthur, are you proposing to me?”

  Arthur’s face turned crimson. “Don’t joke like that! Who would marry someone like you?”

  Her expression darkened as she grabbed his cheeks and twisted them. “Say that again, Arthur.”

  “Ow, ow! I’m sorry!” he yelped, waving his hands in surrender.

  Their banter was interrupted by a bright glow emanating from the Fenrir cub. Arthur and Yamikage watched in awe as the light faded, revealing a small girl with white hair, fox-like ears, and a bushy tail. Her blue eyes sparkled with innocence as she looked at Arthur and excimed, “Daddy!”

  Arthur blinked, utterly dumbfounded. “D-Daddy? What?”

  The girl giggled, pointing at Yamikage. “And Mommy is beating Daddy!”

  Yamikage, who had been mid-pinch, froze. She picked up the girl, hugging her tightly. “You’re so cute! Arthur, what should we call her?”

  Arthur, still recovering from the shock, muttered, “I have terrible naming sense.”

  Yamikage smiled, her cheeks faintly pink. “Then let’s call her Yuki.”

  Arthur nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. “Yuki, huh? It suits her.”

  As the three of them stood together, a strange warmth filled the air a family bound not by blood, but by fate.

  To be continued.....