"Ugh!"

"Do not slack! A strong foundation equals strong swordsmanship, young master!"

Colt's clothes were drenched in sweat. His white long-sleeves had turned brown from the numerous times he got too intimate with the ground. It was a pitiful yet admirable sight that attracted the passing servant's attention.

Colt's task was simple, run fifty laps around training grounds E. But it was not so easy, the training grounds of the Edgeworth family were enormous, to a terrifying degree, and training grounds E was near 250 meters. It was barely 12.5 kilometers, but with Colt's abused body, it was more than enough to bring Close to death's door.

Colt needed to run fifty laps of that, 'This is bullshit.' he cursed, but his legs didn't stop.

Gritting his teeth, Neun coldly observed.

From Colt's memory, Neun was just some intimidating butler, nothing more, nothing less. However, that was only the case until Vol. 5 and 6. Colt does not know if he was some hidden master, 'If I knew this would happen, I would've at least read until at least until Vol. 10. I could have seen the prowess of this old man if I had stuck to it.'

Colt was not saying he regrets his decision; he merely wished to see what kind of sword skills Butler Neun had. A few insights here and there would provide him an edge in learning.

He wished for a walkthrough or a beta version of the technique.

So, he continued running.

'But still, that sword style was powerful. I'll get it no matter what. An artifact is a tool, and without the proper techniques, it is nothing but a glorified paperweight. I'll learn this sword technique and couple it with the Ocean's Sword!' Men were passionate creatures, and most men wished to have powers unlike any other. Why do you think many try to use the kam*ham*ha, the spirit gun, or the b*nkai?

The kam*ham*ha of this life might be different, but it was powerful nonetheless. Colt may have felt a little homesick of earth, but now that learning such techniques became a possibility, homesickness dissipated.

Learning a powerful technique for flare was not all of it, however. Knowing the Continent's future, Colt wanted to grow stronger, 'If I want to live, I need artifacts and get stronger.'

There's the oncoming war, the risk of having his neck slit by his fiancée, unknown enemies, and this book's uncertain future. Colt needs every power he can get his hands on to survive.

'I'm going to live!'

The fire of passion burned within Colt, and Neun was astounded by his perseverance.

There were times when Colt had fallen and vomited the contents of his stomach, but he kept going. Colt, the wastrel of a young master, showed perseverance a soldier might not even be able to display.

'What passion, is this the power of change brought upon by the Vera lass? Haha, this young master may just become the successor of my ancestral legacy!'

Colt's performance and perseverance, Neun was overly satisfied: 'The push of love is not a myth after all.'

Training him at the height of his burning passion was perfect.

Neun showed a broad grin. 'I chose right in accepting Master Shickly's request.'

Colt's training consist of only running and some more running. By the time Colt completed the fifty laps, night had already fallen. Colt's body was not as resilient as others would think.

He's mighty with certain nightly activities, but certainly not this kind. Colt finished running and collapsed to the ground.

Trying to catch his breath, he smiled widely. Leo of Earth was also someone who had experienced extraneous activities before. He knows that the more he sweats and experiences bodily pain, the more effective the training is.

But, it was almost too much. His legs throbbed, and every breath Colt took felt like it was not enough.

The more he tried catching his breath, the more challenging it became to regain his strength, 'It burns... this... this is too much!'

"Good job, young master. This will be your training for a week. Please remember that the longer we train, the more torturous the training would become, but if you can survive everything, I'm sure you'd be able to become stronger." said Neun looking down at his new student.

"This... is... not... enough to make me... stop... water... I need water." Colt laughed.

"I shall later serve you easy-to-digest food, come, young master, let me help you up...oh, it appears your personal assistant is coming."

Colt tried his best to get up, and as he did, he stumbled and was supported to keep from falling. He looked to the side and saw Mina with a reddened face and ragged breathing.

"Darling, are you okay?"

'It seems like she hurried over here when I collapsed. Her complexion is different from normal. She is sweating profusely, and she changed from Dear to Darling? That's an abrupt change.'

He thought as Mina assisted him back to his room to rest.

That night, Colt's body was too tired to move. Thankfully, there was Mina, who took care of his battered body.

Mina helped her sweet Darling wipe his body clean.

His bed smelled particular that night, giving him a chance to relax.

He felt at ease with Mina by his side. Fear was present but was almost imperceptible, 'This is a weird feeling.'

Now, he was sure that the love of a yandere was indeed something sweet.

Colt closed his eyes to sleep. The night was the same as the previous one. Or so he had thought.

That night, when his mind and body were most vulnerable, memories of the original flowed like a torrential wave.

A mix of a slideshow and a dream appeared. Leo watched what the original had gone through with an aching heart as if he was living through it himself.

Leo did not expect these appearing memories. But, in the back of his mind, it felt like he already somewhat knew.

The memories finished flowing, and in a world of darkness, Leo met "Colt" face to face.

The original Colt dubbed a wastrel had an amiable gaze. His handsome visage was still there, but it was far from the description of others.

He did not seem haughty nor arrogant, but someone kind and honest.

The original Colt opened his mouth to speak.

"I apologize."

"You did nothing wrong." Leo quickly responded.

"But I was the one who may have brought you here. The Goddesses answered my prayers to let me rest, and it seems like they answered me by letting you enjoy the life I rue living."

"It is fine. I had already given up on my previous world. Please rest in peace, knowing I also wished to leave that life behind."

Leo and Colt looked at one another and smiled.

The original Colt held a sincere expression as he opened his mouth one last time.

"Please let her know the truth and protect her for me."

"I will." Leo watched as Colt's image disappeared to dust.

Day came, and Leo sighed as he felt a headache attacking him.

Leo received the last of Colt's memories, his emotions, and his past. He sat down with a headache as he finally uncovered the truth as to why the original Colt decided to "cheat" on Mina.

'That explains a lot.'

The door opened as if the world was waiting for the moment he woke up. A radiant Mina walked in with a glass of cold water.

"Darling, you're finally awake. Butler Neun really worked you up last night. His means are brutal, but I saw improvement, kyaaa. I still can't get your fierce eyes out of my mind..."

As Mina mumbled gleefully, Colt's back was already drenched with cold sweat. Should I do it? Should I not? He asked himself these questions.

'If I wait for too long, my life will be on the line for not trusting Mina, and if I say it now, just maybe, my future may come. If I tell the truth, her safety may just be compromised, but the promise to the original...now, what should I do?'

He made a promise, and there's the current situation. If he waited too long, his and her life would be reaped for lying and not trusting Mina. Thus, he must make his decision.

As Mina walked forward towards her beloved, Colt finally decided what to do.

"Mina, I need to tell you something."

"Yes? What is it, Darling?" Her smile was ever prevalent.

"Um, it may not be too pleasant to the ear, but please, listen to what I am about to say...please don't hate me for it."

"Worry not, Dear, there's nothing you do that will make me hate you..."

"....I have a daughter."

Break!

The glass on Mina's hand broke. As for her smile, it was more profound than anything she had ever made.