The House Master's opinion was biased in many ways, but even so his argument held a great amount of weight to it. This was because of how reasonable and logical it was on the surface.

My confidence in my abilities still hadn't faltered considering I was still indeed a 'special case'.

'The the higher the mountain, the more difficult it is to climb.' 

This was a fact that is accepted by all magical fighters of this fantasy world of swords and magic.

But so what if it was difficult? 

I wasn't going to get a second chance if I waste my time becoming a weak servant. 

I might have had a low quantity of Mana, but that didn't mean I wouldn't be able to increase the number of my 'otherworldly techniques' with time. I just needed to do the work to move forward.

So what if I had a low starting point at birth?

It wasn't like I was 'talented' in my past life…

With the trio of bad conditions: Eczema, Asthma, and Hay Fever. I'd almost died just by training…

If I'd missed a daily dosage of my medicine, the condition my body was in would deteriorate fast…

My parents hadn't actually WANTED me to make a career in the military. It was just 'punishment'.

However, I'd stayed there anyway…

It was the only place that made me feel loved.

When I was training, there were people who would take care of me and ask about me… unlike before.

The military became the place that filled the empty hole in my heart. It gave me a sense of purpose.

…Like even my insignificant self had worth.

But to stay there, I needed to fit in.

The tearful man-child I was before needed to be broken down, and a 'man' needed to be created.

It was exactly as Zakk Wylde said:

{There's no substitute to hard work.}

Talent was only an extra benefit that could help you on your way. If you didn't have it, then forget about it. Back then, the ambition I had WASN'T to become a legend or boast about my achievements.

…I just wanted to 'live'.

For that singular goal, I did everything possible.

My instructor broke me down mentally and physically every day. Poking at my soft spots.

It wasn't the same as abuse. By then, I was already a grown man. Leaving had always been an option.

That's why… enduring was my only choice.

Others mastered combat techniques easily. They were also gifted with better things at birth.

Stature, agility, dexterity, health… They took it for granted. They even went drinking sometimes and complained. None of them ever knew what it was like to work hard every day and never get results.

It wasn't good on self-confidence at all…

Hehe… Since when did I need that anyway? A 'real man' only needed to do what must be done.

Nothing more, nothing less…

I'd never been as strong as some of my close comrades, not as smart as them, and definitely not as social as… those softies who'd never seen the battlefield first hand. All I gained was experience.

…The thing anyone could earn while growing old.

Reality was just cruel. There was no miracle in my past life. I reached my limit. Then stagnated-

No, perhaps I'd gotten even worse in old age.

But now, I had many blessing: Knowledge, Wisdom, Health, Potential, as well as a pinch of real 'Talent'.

There wasn't a need to feel daunted. I just needed to do what I always did. Just focus on myself.

Fit in… Just do it the same way as last time.

Abandon pride. Abandon hope. Abandon all that would stop you. Anything that would dispirit you.

If others grew stronger, then just surpass them!

Don't look for shortcuts! Do it the only way you knew how! The stupid, zombie-like way you knew.

If it didn't sink in, bash it into your head…!

Bash it! 

Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash! 

You're not a wimp looking for shortcuts, right?

The solution had always been plain and simple…

If you had to change something in this life, then let it be your 'focus'. Know… what are you fighting for.

Was it worth it…?

"I never really thought about what I'd become in future." As the Duke heard my words, he smiled.

He looked as if he was pleased by the fact I was thinking about my future prospects properly.

But I had to disappoint…

"I wanted to become strong enough to defend myself and my family. At first, I thought that being able to defeat Jack was enough to prove my potential, but I was wrong. Looks like beating him really had no meaning to everyone at all...

All those uncles and aunties were probably shocked by my weird magical abilities, but it seems no one had the confidence to say that I will reach the the ranks of expert Specialists." As the House Master heard my words, his eyes narrowed. 

The light in his eyes sharpened. 

He stared in my direction with a narrow gaze.

"Knowing that nobody besides your father expects anything from you, will you still continue down this path?" As I heard the Duke's harsh voice, my eyes couldn't help but glance at the face of my parents. 

Only to see that their eyes were actually similar.

Their pupils were swimming…

"House Master, I believe in my son as well." My mother declared straightforwardly, causing the Duke to look at her strangely. His expression then changed to one of that couldn't comprehend her.

"Martha, I didn't expect that you too would support your husband in his foolishness." The Duke spoke.

He realised what her words meant.

"Calling my parents foolish is going too far." I wouldn't let him off east, and gave a sharp glare!

You want a staring contest? Bring it!!!

"You think an 'Failure' like you will be able to become a genuine fighter with mere hard work alone? You don't need actual Magical Talent?" The Duke didn't mind my rudeness and continued his argument. He was unaware that I didn't want that.

What did he mean by 'genuine fighter'?

All I wanted was to improve, even by a little bit.

His eyes seemed to look down on me.

Almost like an I was an ignorant child who didn't know anything about the world around him.

Like I was talking nonsense.

"I do, and I'll prove it by creating a Skill Root!"

"And how long do you think that will take?" The Duke flapped his lips in an unconvinced manner. 

There was a massive gap between a Specialist with a Skill Root and a ordinary Elemental Specialist.

The Duke probably didn't believe one bit that I would be able pull it off.

Even the Skill Root he had was something he created with years of effort, and a little bit of luck. 

The amount of Mana Control and luck needed to create a strong 'Skill Root' was just that large.

"A week." I answered him unhesitatingly. 

It was a short time period, but pressure was something that helped awaken human potential. 

This was proven in my past life's 'Training Hell'.

I would be sure to train like madman until I'd formed my very own specialised Skill Root.

Then will one day become a 'Skill Holder' myself!

My parents were both shocked by my answer.

They knew that I wouldn't lie or try to bluff in this kind of situation. I couldn't understand the mixed emotions in my parents eyes. My parents started to secretly exchange glances with one another.

There weren't many Specialists who could form a Skill Root. It was due to their lack of talent in Mana Control and the need for 'luck'. Even Jack might not gain the potential doe forming one after maturing.

"Let's make a bet then." The Duke lifted up his index finger and said in serious tone. 

I couldn't help but frown at his suggestion.

This was way too sudden…

"The bet is simple. If you're unable to create a Skill Root in a week's worth of time. You will be expelled from my household and will join my personal Knight Order as a squire. You'll train from the basics." 

A chill ran down my spine.

He gave such blatantly unfair conditions…!

The House Master was probably taking revenge for the rudeness of interrupting him earlier...

Joining a Knight Order meant losing a great amount of my freedom and having to follow even more dutifully under the Duke's command. I wouldn't have the right to decline any orders…

Especially if they were given to me by the Duke.

I wouldn't have the freedom to see my family...!

"And if I manage to create one?"

"I will reward you with something priceless!" He answered without giving any signs of backing off.

I didn't believe that the Duke would let go of his pride in order to lie to me.

If the Duke was to say that the reward was 'priceless', then it must be something that even other ancient bloodlines of nobility would fight a bloody battle over. His words carried weight…

Just thinking about obtaining such a reward excited me. I wonder what this treasure will be?

"You're excited, aren't you? 

Though don't get too happy. It's not like someone with multiple Affinities will have a good time trying to create a Skill Root. In fact, there hasn't been any cases recently regarding a Universal Specialist creating a Skill Root over a hundred years. 

It mostly had to do with the flexibility of a Universal Specialist. I mean, they usually had more options for growth than a regular people. Being a Universal Specialist and a Skill Holder would make you the most unique existence in history." He said. 

The Duke's knowledge about my growth had been way too thorough. Who told him about everything?

A strange look appeared in my eyes. I glanced at my 'dearest' father, who was playing innocent at the side. Even my mother couldn't help but tiredly sigh. She now understood why the House Master was so well-informed about my techniques.

So we had a spy all along…?

Not sure what to think about this 'betrayal'.

It's not that I wanted to keep my multiple Affinities a secret, it's just uncomfortable to talk about.

One of my occupational habits became worrying when someone else knew too much about me. 

It was an ominous sign…

This kind of information wasn't supposed to be shown to people I didn't properly understand. 

I had only outwardly displayed only a few types of Spells and Arts in my match against Jack.

That was why it felt a little surprising when the Duke knew about my affinities from just that…

It made me grab my arm nervously…

"You don't have to be so reserved. 

Even if you created an ability that was stronger than the Sword Emperor's Mana Sharpening Art, no one will even try to interrogate it off you. 

After all, that would cause the our Drakeyol Kingdom's ruling King to spare no effort in erasing that individual from this world." The smile on the Duke's face was quite scary.

When he spoke till here, he looked quite eerie...

"Hmm? Why's that?" I couldn't help but ask in surprise at the Duke's nonchalant words. 

I forgot how valuable my techniques are to others.

"The King hates those that try to obstruct the road of those talented in creating techniques. 

As for why he becomes hysterical when people try to steal the techniques of others… you will definitely find that out in future. Just focus on improving your magical techniques for now." The Duke didn't seem interested in going into detail.

After the Duke was finished advising me out of his good will, my legs walked out with my parents.

They now seemed troubled over something. My curiosity was picked. I tried to find out what it was.

"What is this priceless reward that the Duke will reward me if I succeed?" 

As I asked them, they stopped in their tracks. 

I stopped walking and turned to look at them. 

They had never hid anything from me before. so there shouldn't have been a reason for them to hide what this 'priceless' treasure was. The only thing was… their expressions being suspicious.

"Simon, do you know why we agreed to serve the Swordwick Household in the first place?" My mother had completely changed the subject, but her eyes seemed serious while asking this. 

She awaited my answer patiently…

"Wasn't it for money?" Although this bland answer sounded crude and insensitive, it at least cut straight to the point. Even I felt the pay of being a common servant here was quite rewarding~

"Well considered." My father praised me, but my mother just gestured at him to stay silent. 

Father wasn't… too dumb. He understood that mother wanted to speak to me in private, so he left. 

The strict guy waved his hand towards us.

He then started putting on the cold facade he usually wore when facing other servants.

"I can't remember anymore if it was due to gratitude or greed, but I remember that one of the reasons we chose to become servants was to settle down someplace safe to raise a child.

You don't understand right now, because seeing what the world is like is better than hearing about it. There are plenty of people in this world, but remember that outside this kingdoms borders, the true rulers of the world are the Devas. 

A race that's supported by the great Lightning God." Her eyes seemed to suppress a bitter emotions. She spoke that last sentence while grinding her teeth. Her eyes weren't focused.

Of course, I didn't tell mother that I already knew about them before I even reincarnated into Gaia. 

The purple-skinned race who looked a lot like they came from India.

They seemed to be the law makers who governed the four other neutral races. 

From what I'd read in the Duke's library-

I mean, DIDN'T read since it wasn't like I had sneaked into such places more than a few times…

Ahem… Anyway, the Devas actually promoted a 'all should be in harmony with nature' propaganda. 

I don't know what they're up to, but seems the other four neutral races were very inclined to listen to the Devas.

The Human Race was ignored...

Perhaps this has to do with the special relationship between the other godly entities… like the Fire God and the Water God had with the Lightning God. It was hard to believe that the battle loving species like Dragons didn't have any qualms about this.

To them, following the rules and regulations set by Devas must have been hard. It didn't fit them…

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Devas actually had the strangest magic among all the beings on Gaia. The magic used by most of humanity could be considered straightforward when excluding 'Time Users' birthed by Royalty.

However, the magic used by Devas was unusual due to how they were able to affect anyone.

It targeted those who swore by their God's name or joins their worship towards the Lightning God.

Regardless of the distance…

For example: When anyone gives a promise and swore it on the name of the Lightning God, those who broke their promise were mercilessly struck down by lightning falling out of nowhere.

To be perfectly honest, I actually thought Devas were a peaceful race overall.

I mean, look how they were able to solve many problems between humans and other races. 

Humanity had always been the one of the two largest groups on Gaia. They had given birth to many criminals. Those who would harm those of the 'neutral races' for their own petty gains.

It's was a good thing that humanity had a lot of morally upright heroes as well…

…or else we would have been destroyed by the combined might of the 'Mystic Races' already. 

The only thing that bothered me about the Devas was the date they appeared... 

It was a little suspicious to me that they arrived on Gaia the same day I was summoned here...

Either way, there was no reason for anyone of this world to hate Devas the same way Mother did.

That's why I felt shocked. I looked at my mother's face. It was twisted with malice and… 

…'something else'.

I couldn't put my finger on what.

My mind was't understanding what could have caused her to grow such deep rooted animosity... 

However, my heart was also affected by her wrath. 

I don't know what happened to my mother in the past but anyone who's her enemy is my own. Even if they are considered a neutral race that have no real conflicts with humans, it didn't mean there couldn't be any of them with bad intentions.

"After you grow up and become a splendid Specialist. Make sure you go to the Hunter Branch of the Mercenary Guild. Remember to register there as a Bandit Hunter and Goblin Cleaner. 

This is the only thing I want you to do after growing up into fine warrior. My child, promise me that after you becoming a true Universal Specialist. you'll become a Bandit Hunter in future." Mother spoke.

Her eyes had a fire in them…

"I promise." After hearing my heavy answer, a tear fell on my clothes as my mother hugged me. 

A feeling of helplessness invaded my heart. My mind started to think back to her words. 

Why did mother hate them so badly? 

I didn't know why, but accepting her request like this makes me feel a little... uncomfortable. 

I didn't like it...

Why is that so? I'm not promising to kill innocent civilians or helpless children, right? 

Every race had their fair share of criminals, so killing them shouldn't be a crime, right...?

"I will be leaving then." I said before leaving. 

My mind started to spin…

I separated from her to go back to my room to think, and my clouded thoughts finally cleared…

It felt like a worm was digging into my thoughts as time went on... What was this sensation…?

This 'instability'… was ominous.