Summoned and Unwanted

The two soldiers later left to take a short leave and bring their perception and their family member’s condition to the twins or the half-sisters, depending on who was on the guard duty shift this evening.

Hours later, the carriage arrived at the north barracks. It was already noon as it took time to visit Ganni, return home, south gate barracks, west gate barracks, and now north gate barracks.

Sofy parked the carriage in a well-kept area parking area. Unlike the west, east, and south gate barracks, the north gate barracks had an area where nobles could park their carriage.

The north area of Lusterfall city had few middle-class buildings and no lower class or slums. The rest of the buildings were large noble mansions with large walls.

The curious Kazumi tried to understand the reason why.

Certain buildings can make an area more or less valuable, and Kazumi bet her guess was correct because the academy shows the symbol of nobility and future noble generations.

Thus, Kazumi guessed the north gate was more luxurious and well-kept because the noble academy was also in the north part of the city.

A female soldier quickly approached and respectfully greeted Vincent. She acted professionally and well-mannered as if her job revolved around greeting nobles that got out of the carriage.

.....

Vincent told her the names of the two soldiers and the captain’s name. The female soldier understood his request and asked him and Sofy to follow her.

The female soldier walked, but she didn’t hear footsteps behind her. She looked behind and saw Vincent slightly reluctant to leave his carriage and the three horses unattended.

“Do not worry, Lord Vincent Lionheart. We have soldiers and a vice-captain responsible for the carriage and horses.” She reassuringly said.

Vincent moved his gaze and used his intent to feel the intent of others within a few meters radius.

“Okay. ” Vincent said after he noticed the presence of many soldiers nearby. Some were in a security guard-like room, the same room the female soldier came from, while other soldiers patrolled nearby.

Vincent and Sofy followed the female soldier and saw how the barracks looked very sophisticated.

As the three arrived at a large training field, they saw a large group of soldiers doing various types of training. Some were also sparring with each other.

“Captain!” The female soldier said while saluting. “Lord Vincent Lionheart wants an audience.”

A young man sparring with a muscular man turned around. He was wearing an ordinary training outfit. At first glance, he didn’t look strong, and his body looked average. He didn’t even have the intimidating aura of someone with great authority.

“What audience might a noble require of me?” The young captain asked. His tone wasn’t arrogant, yet it wasn’t respectful either. As if he didn’t want to act respectfully to a noble.

Vincent didn’t want to publicly announce his intentions of asking a captain to be sponsored by him. The female soldier was enough to spread the news quickly.

“Can we talk in private?” Vincent asked.

However, to his dismay, the young captain bluntly said, “Here is fine. I’m busy.”

[He doesn’t look that friendly.]

Vincent had the same thought. He extended his hand and introduced himself, “I am Vincent Lionheart. Good to finally meet you.”

The young captain rubbed his chin and thought out loud, “Vincent... I think I heard that name from somewhere.”

‘If an ordinary greeting isn’t enough, I should mention Koss.’ Vincent pondered.

“Are you going to keep me hanging? Koss told me a lot about you before he passed away. You were one of the top students he was proud to teach.” Vincent said with a friendly smile.

The young captain looked at Vincent attentively to see if he made any telltale signs of telling a lie. After a couple of seconds, the young captain extended his hand and greeted, “I am Russo, the seventh captain of the north gate. Are you the Vincent Ben mentioned?”

The two hands finally shook, and the two individuals examined each other to guess what was so special about the person in front of them. Russo tried to estimate Vincent’s strength while Vincent tried to understand why Russo was captain.

“Let’s spar. ” Russo said out of the blue.

The soldiers started to gather, cheering, “Fight, fight, fight.”

Vincent, Kazumi, and Sofy couldn’t understand what was happening anymore. They were being treated much differently than in any place they had visited before.

[What is Russo thinking about asking for a spar? I thought he would respectfully take us to his office, but he wants to fight you instead.]

Vincent frowned. He shooked his head and asked again, “I need to speak with you in private. But even if I mentioned Koss, you are still reluctant to...”

“I can talk after a spar.” Russo interrupted Vincent while smiling. It became obvious he wanted to test Vincent because Ben told him how Vincent was the last person Koss trained.

Sofy was annoyed that Vincent was being treated without respect. “How rude! ” She exclaimed while holding her whip tightly.

“Slaves shouldn’t butt in her master’s conversations.” A soldier from the stand said in a mocking tone.

Vincent focused his gaze on the soldier and scoffed, “My maid speaks the truth, you weak slave.”

The man became angry. He approached Vincent and tapped on his chest. “I don’t have a slave mark on me. Are you blind?”

*Sigh* “You are a slave to your stupidity. Furthermore, did your stupidity forget to tell you how I am a noble? You should watch what you say or...”

“Beat me?” The soldier took a step back and laughed. “I am a vice-captain sponsored by the Shrimpstar family. Do you think I am afraid of a nobody like you?”

Vincent looked at Russo and asked, “Are you really a captain? Why do non-degradable waste speak as it pleases in your presence?”

*Sigh* “It is complicated.” Russo responded. He looked at the arrogant vice-captain and asked, “Please forget about what happened and take a seat.”

‘What?’ Both Vincent and Kazumi thought. Russo was captain ranked, yet his authority was being undermined by a person who thought he was a big shot.

*Whip!* Sofy whipped the ground and angrily said, “I will make you squeal like a baby pig.”

“Fine little slave. Let me have some fun with you.” The arrogant vice-captain said.

[What? But Sofy’s stats are weaker than this bastard. She also doesn’t know how to fight. Or does she?]

Vincent turned around. On his face was a frown, both because of the annoying man bothering him and Sofy getting injured. “Do you know how to fight?” He asked.

If he used Overheat, Vincent could beat the living daylight and possibly kill the arrogant vice-captain with one hand. But that would cause havoc, and he could possibly make more noble families turn against them.

Sofy hugged Vincent and leaned her head. She smiled and seductively asked, “Will you think about my night services if my performance delights you?”

“What if you get hurt?”

“Then I hope you will worry about me when you are at the academy.” Sofy seductively answered.

[Are you sure about that?] Kazumi anxiously asked. She was already imagining Sofy being beaten easily and Vincent needing to intervene.

Vincent looked at Sofy and noticed her eyes burning with the resolve to accomplish what she decided to do. “Can I trust you not to get badly hurt?” He asked one last time.

Sofy leaned her head and passionately kissed him in front of everyone. Many of the audience whistled while others booed. But it didn’t matter to Sofy while she licked her lips. She had already tasted her reward.

Vincent stopped Sofy when she was about to enter the fighting area. He offered stat-boosting potions, but she declined promptly. Instead, she wanted the fighting area to have a lot of spears stuck in the ground.

Vincent looked at Russo, and he nodded back.

“Do as the servant of the Lionheart noble family asks. I would like to see the high and mighty Rudik squeal like a baby pig. Hahaha.” Russo ordered before he couldn’t hold himself from laughter.

Many of the soldiers laughed, causing Rudik to become angry. He glared at Sofy and used his intent to frighten her. However, intimidating intent feedback occurred, and he was the one to feel intimidated when his intent was weaker.

Rudik turned his gaze in the feedback’s direction and saw Vincent glaring at him with a face that said, ‘I will be watching you.’

Rudik used the shirt attached to his waist to wipe his forehead from any sweat caused by intimidation. Rudik didn’t want to show how he started to doubt if the noble Vincent Lionheart was a lion in sheep’s clothing.

Vincent and Russo sat next to each other. Their place had the best view from all angles.

Russo leaned his head and said in a low voice, “I hope you are not too disappointed with me. The north gate barracks are almost full of sponsored pricks, and I didn’t have that much authority as a captain either. So I try to make them follow my orders by winning fights against them.”

Vincent and Kazumi could now comprehend why Russo wasn’t cowering or being respectful in the presence of a noble. This type of action could make the arrogant ones mock Russo for lowering his head to a noble without a title.

Sofy held her whip tightly. She moved her head and winked at Vincent as if she wanted his gaze to remain on her.

The soldier acting as a referee looked at both participants and asked if they were ready. When both nodded, the referee shouted, “Begin!”