Quinn relishes the win. It was a small win, but progress is being made. The feeling of victory is cut short as Phiona heads down and starts poking at Quinn’s sides.

  “What are you doing? Ah, quit it.”

  “Take it back.”

  “What?”

  “Take back what you said.” Phiona looks at Quinn, pouting with teary eyes.

  “Ah, right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

  “So you don’t think I’m a crazy, brainless buffoon?”

  “...”

  “...”

  Phiona grunts and increases the intensity of the pokes.

  “Okay, okay. You’re not a brainless buffoon, but you have to admit you have a habit of causing trouble.”

  “Hmph! I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Phiona shuts her eyes and crosses her arms in defiance. She peeks at Quinn with one eye, revealing a playful smile.

  “Alright then. Let’s start over.”

  “Huh?”

  “Phiona. Will you please help me become stronger?” Quinn extends his hand out.

  “Hehe. About time you show me some respect. You'd better prepare yourself. I’m quite strict, you know.” Phiona shakes Quinn's hand, agreeing to his plea.

  “I do have a question, though. Between everyone in the estate, who is the strongest?”

  Phiona brings her finger to her chin as if in thought. “Hmm. I think if Ellen, Albert, and Eustas work together, they would have a chance against me.”

  “You’re kidding. Right?” Quinn stands there bewildered.

  “Come on, let’s get started. We don’t have time to laze around.”

  “What have I gotten myself into?”

  After that, the two trained day and night for the next week. Phiona was true to her word. She worked Quinn like a mule. She would have him run for hours, even when it rained. She sparred with him, constantly beating him half to death. Even when Quinn tried to rest longer than a few hours, she would wake him by blowing him away with her wind.

  Although it was quite barbaric, everything Phiona did had a purpose. She was trying to push Quinn to his limits, get him used to the feeling of mana, and, more importantly, beat and annoy him so he could control his emotions.

  If he could gain control over his emotions, he would be able to draw forth the power that dwelled within him whenever he was on the verge of death and filled with rage.

  On the ninth day, Quinn grew accustomed to Phiona’s antics and gained the ability to see her mana take shape as a blade of wind, allowing him to dodge it before it struck him. He believed he had better control over his emotions, but he still couldn’t manifest his power from back then.

  Something was missing. Another trigger was needed to activate it, and neither Quinn nor Phiona could figure it out. Nonetheless, thanks to Phiona’s help, Quinn became stronger.

  “I think it’s time. I’m not sure if Ellen will come, but can you go grab her and tell her I need to talk?”

  Phiona smiles, “Roger.” She quickly gets up and goes to fetch Ellen, leaving Quinn to wait patiently. Then, a couple of minutes later, Phiona comes back with Ellen.

  “So what’s this about?” Much to Quinn’s surprise, Ellen actually showed up when he called for her, and despite the awkward air between them, she still wore her usual composed and smiling expression.

  “I challenge you to a duel for the right to participate in the Expedition,” Quinn boldly proclaims. Ellen isn’t all that surprised. She was aware that Quinn had spent the week training every day with Phiona for something, and she had a pretty good guess as to what it was.

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  Ellen sighs, “Listen, Quinn, I don’t have the authority to make that decision. Only Lady Louise does. And even if I did, why would I accept? What do I get out of it?”

  A wicked smirk spreads across Quinn’s lips. “I figured you would say that. So, if I lose, I will serve Louise for ten years. On top of that, even when I’m no longer a servant, I promise to return and offer any assistance she needs. No questions asked.”

  Ellen seriously contemplated the proposal. In every sense of the word, it was in her favor. If she wins, Louise would gain another powerful servant. Although he wasn’t yet completely faithful to her, that would change with time.

  On the other hand, if she somehow lost, she would help him convince Louise to bring him along on the expedition. Despite her having second thoughts about not letting Quinn join them, she inevitably agreed with Louise that Quinn wasn’t ready for such a task. Not after witnessing whatever happened to him during their duel.

  “Alright, fine. I can’t promise Lady Louise will say yes, but I’ll put forth a good word. Let’s do it. You should prepare yourself, I won’t go easy on you when you, Junior.”

  “Junior? Haha, don’t make me laugh. Sure, give me everything you got. Afterall, I’m going to be the one who wins.”

  Phiona, Quinn, and Ellen make their way to the training grounds. Quinn managed to provoke Ellen into having a duel with him one last time. He is confident that this time things will be different.

  The previous duel with Ellen showed her that Louise wasn’t entirely wrong about Quinn being “too young” to fight in the expedition; he was definitely strong. But his immaturity, paired with his strange power, made it feel like having Quinn join would be the same as working closely with a ticking time bomb.

  They witnessed Quinn lose control, and even if only for a brief moment, she, one of the Verdey family's strongest people, experienced fear towards Quinn.

  This time, the duel isn’t just about winning. Quinn knows that he has to prove to Ellen that he has control over his powers. He knows firsthand just how dangerous it could be if he loses control. That’s why he couldn’t join the expedition. But thanks to Phiona, he grew and has a chance to prove it.

  Although he still couldn’t fully control his power or use it at will, the time he spent training with Phiona wasn’t a waste.

  He is faster and stronger. He can perceive the flow of mana and even distinguish different people’s mana signatures.

  This accomplishment is by no means small. Learning to manipulate mana and to distinguish between mana signatures in a week is something only gifted people of the same caliber as a grand mage like Louise or a sword master like Albert could accomplish.

  “It’s not too late to walk away. You don’t have to prove anything.”

  “You know, for the longest time, you’ve had the look on your face, saying you could beat me anytime you want to, and that really pisses me off. So let me tell you a secret. If you don’t prepare yourself, you’ll be the one who ends up waking up in the infirmary,” says Quinn, his eyes filled with fury.

  Ellen returns the gaze. “Is that so? Then go ahead, show me that this isn’t just another child's tantrum.”

  “Alrighty, are you guys ready?” Phiona asks from the stands.

  “Ready,” Ellen replies. Standing there with her usual nonchalant attitude. She still doesn’t see Quinn as a threat.

  “Yeah,” Quinn replies. He, on the other hand, knows how much of a monster Ellen is. He takes a now stance and readies himself.

  “Alright then. Go and beat her to a pulp!”

  “Can’t you take anything seriously?” Quinn bickers. Even Ellen couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

  “Nope. Begin!”

  As soon as the duel starts, Ellen makes her move. She moves too fast for Quinn to follow her with his eye. She disappears from Quinn’s sight and reappears to his right, her fist is cocked back, ready to end it on the first move.

  “I look forward to the next ten years, Junior,” Ellen mocks. She launches an attack at Quinn’s jaw, who is still looking where Ellen started. As her fist gets closer, it's sure to land.

  She feels a bit disappointed. Is this all his training amounted to? What a shame, Ellen thinks to herself.

  But before her attack lands, Quinn turns and meets Ellen’s gaze. From below, his fist zips upward toward Ellen’s chin; her strike is now aimed at his face.

  Both attacks connect. Quinn is sent flying, skidding across the floor. Ellen, on the other hand, is shocked but stands firm. Her chin is red, and blood runs down her lip.

  She reaches up and touches the blood, confirming it isn’t just her imagination. Quinn has actually landed a hit on her. Unlike last time, she took it seriously from the start, yet he still managed to strike her, something he hadn’t done before.

  “Haha. I swear all the people here are crazy strong. How are you still standing there, as if that was nothing?” Quinn gets up, his skull is caved in. Blood gushes out, blocking his vision. He wipes off the blood, and in that same motion, the injury is gone.

  “How did you hit me? No, you shouldn’t even be at a level to see.”

  “Hmm, what do you mean? I clearly did, though.”

  “And I’m saying there’s no way you could have done that. No one progresses this much in such a short amount of time.”

  “Guess I had a great teacher.”

  “Yeah! You tell her, Quinn,” Phiona cheers.

  “No, maybe if it were Albert or Lady Louise, but Phiona? Surely you’re joking.”

  “Booo! Ellen’s being a sore loser.” Ellen shoots Phiona a fierce glare. “Eeek.” Phiona cowers out of sight, peeking her head out of the stands.

  “You’re wrong. She can’t be a sore loser, she hasn’t lost…yet.” Quinn shows a devilish smirk. Ellen drops her usual composed look. Her anger grows, and she can’t hide her scowl.

  “Alright, fine. It seems you are stronger than before. That just means I have to hit you harder than last time.” A white hue radiates from Ellen. The air around her swirls violently. “Here I come.”