Chapter 22

**Chapter 22: The State of No Self**

"Clayton Viscount, huh. Will he really follow our words obediently?"

In response to the man with hair as lush as a lion's mane, a subordinate bowed his head and spoke.

"Yes. I believe that Clayton Viscount can fill the void left by Salieri Viscount and draw a bigger picture."

"From what I know, Clayton Viscount is a typical merchant who is interested in money itself, isn't he?"

"Of course, but recent actions suggest that he is attempting political maneuvers unrelated to financial gain."

The man, Oliver G. Daniel, slowly nodded at the subordinate's words.

Indeed, the Clayton family's position in the allied nations' market was not low at all. Even the lord he served hoped to connect with the Clayton family.

"Very well. But what do you mean by political maneuvers? He doesn't sponsor any organization, does he?"

Clayton Viscount was not a family that would spend money for political gains. If they did, it was only for the public good or to ensure the success of a deal, not for politics itself.

"He hasn't openly acted as a sponsor yet, but there are reports that he has been attending noble gatherings recently."

"Hmm... So that's Clayton, huh."

Given that these gatherings were not just places for eating and playing, it was reasonable to assume that the head of the Clayton family was probing the atmosphere of the noble circles.

"By the way, how old is Aneis this year?"

"Seventeen."

"I heard that the prodigy of the Clayton family is the same age. What do you think?"

"Lord Lowell is very cautious. He won't be hasty about his son's marriage, who has already made a name for himself."

"True, but the name of the daughter of the Judgment Knights is not insignificant."

Indeed, if judged by name alone, the Clayton family couldn't match the Judgment Knights. How could the name of a mere merchant family compare to a knightly order that has supported the royal family since the Great War?

"Of course, but you know the nobility's obsession with pure blood, don't you?"

"Tsk. Those pure-blooded fools."

However, Aneis, who was currently attending the academy, was the daughter of the former commander, Lintberg K. Robert.

While their names were not lacking, the justification on this side was indeed insufficient.

"Robert, your loyalty has even bothered me in death. You should have left a child behind on your way out."

Thinking of Robert's large back, Daniel clenched and unclenched his fist for a moment.

"Then, even the first son, who is called a fool, should be fine. I heard he has recently matured."

"Yes."

"Arrange a meeting with the head of the Clayton family. I will handle it personally."

"Understood."

After the subordinate left the room, Daniel, who was left alone, looked at a photo on one of the tables.

It was a group photo of himself, the Judgment Knights, the former commander Robert, and a young Aneis.

While he was smiling in the photo, Daniel was frowning.

How much filth was hidden in that smile?

Despite climbing to the position of commander to escape from such filth, jealousy still lingered in Daniel's heart.

No, rather, standing in this position...

"Your traces are so vivid."

They had not diminished but only grown.

* * *

"Hey, engagement? Your brother's?"

"Yes."

After the communication through the crystal ball ended, Klein looked at Shane with a bewildered expression.

Brother... engaged?

Of course, as nobles, they were familiar with the word "engagement," but their father, Lowell, had never mentioned anything related to engagement, so it was inevitable to be surprised.

Moreover, his brother getting engaged...

Although Shane had shown a lot of changes recently, Klein found it hard to imagine his brother getting married and starting a family.

'No, maybe he'll become even gentler if he does.'

While Klein was thinking this, Shane recalled the words his father had said in a different situation from his past life.

'Aneis...'

Lintberg J. Aneis.

The famous daughter of the Judgment Knights.

She was even an excellent student, ranking third in the departmental exams.

He had been looking for an opportunity to approach Aneis anyway.

She was an outstanding person even in his past life.

However, he never expected that it would lead to an engagement.

'Salieri, trying to fill the void left by that worm.'

It couldn't be that they knew Shane's true identity and approached him. Shane had left no trace of his presence.

But since the position Salieri Viscount held for the master of the Judgment Knights was not insignificant, they must have been thinking of filling the void as soon as possible.

Shane found this development favorable.

'Perhaps I can use it to my advantage.'

Since it was still just a rumor, Shane thought positively.

"By the way, Klein."

"Yes?"

"Have you formed a team yet?"

In the academy, forming a team was mandatory for command students.

Command students could earn points by forming their own teams and clearing dungeons.

"Not yet. I think I need to learn more theoretically, so I've postponed recruitment."

"Good, then it's perfect."

"..."

"Due to my thesis, the Laviata Adventurers' Guild has proposed a collaboration."

"Laviata?!"

Why were there so many surprises today?

Laviata's reputation was a name Klein couldn't help but know.

Along with the now-defunct Hermes Adventurers' Guild, it was the dream and aspiration of all adventurers!

"It seems they liked the thesis I submitted for the departmental exam. They've invited me to go to the Mezaya Great Forest."

"Wow! Congratulations, brother!"

Klein was genuinely happy, but then he remembered the content of his brother's thesis and his face darkened.

"But the Mezaya Great Forest... isn't it one of the five cradles?"

"Yes, it's very dangerous."

"..."

If they could return safely from the expedition to the Mezaya Great Forest, Shane's reputation would soar. However, the risk was as high as the potential fame.

"That's why I'm asking, Klein. Would you like to come with me?"

"Me?"

"Yes."

Klein's abilities would be a great help in the Mezaya Great Forest.

The forest was more dangerous due to its environment than the monsters.

So, with Klein by his side, there would be no danger, and it would also greatly benefit Klein's growth.

Moreover, since it was one of the five cradles, Klein could earn points for the department even if he didn't form his own team.

Klein was deeply moved.

His brother trusted him enough to make such a proposal.

'No matter what, I will protect you.'

With this resolve, Klein accepted Shane's offer.

* * *

However, the rumors spreading in the academy took a different turn from Klein's thoughts.

"Hey, Klein. You're collaborating with Laviata? That's amazing."

When Klein heard this from his close friend, Al Ross, he tilted his head in confusion.

"Thanks, but I'm not the one doing it. It's my brother."

"Huh? Really? That's true?"

"?"

Al Ross laughed in disbelief, thinking Klein, the party involved, didn't know about the rumors.

"Man, rumors about your brother are all over the academy."

"..."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"They say you're collaborating with Laviata, and your brother just tagged along."

What was this all about?

When a famous entity like Laviata moved, rumors naturally spread quickly.

Moreover, Laviata had conducted interviews and clearly stated that they had signed a contract with Clayton R. Shane.

Why did the rumors turn out this way?

"Tsk... Your brother has changed a lot, but it seems people can't accept it."

"..."

Klein fell silent, listening to his friend's explanation.

He had no intention of this happening.

He just wanted to support his brother, but things had turned out this way.

"I have to announce that I'm not part of the collaboration..."

"Why are you being so stupid today? If you say you're not part of it, the rumors won't disappear. Instead, your brother will be accused of hogging all the credit."

Al Ross, a commoner, couldn't understand why Klein, who had a golden opportunity, would throw it away. Klein's heart, however, felt heavy.

Indeed, if he backed out now, it might turn out as Ross said.

"Ha... What should I do?"

Thus, the worries continued.

Klein's expression remained gloomy until he met Shane after class.

"Klein, why the long face? Did something bad happen?"

"Brother... I'm sorry. Because of me, there are strange rumors..."

"Rumors?"

Shane, who usually paid no attention to rumors, listened carefully as Klein cautiously explained.

Klein didn't want to fuel Shane's inferiority complex, but he thought it was better to face a little dislike from his brother than to take away his opportunity.

However,

"Why are you worrying about such things?"

"Excuse me? But it's clearly something your brother did alone."

"Klein."

"..."

"Didn't I tell you before? I said I wouldn't be hurt by the fools who are swayed by rumors. I'm keeping that promise. What about you?"

"..."

Klein recalled when he first entered the academy.

He had inadvertently returned to that time.

Of course, he was worried about his brother, but this was something his brother had to overcome.

Klein reflected on his own attitude.

'Right. My brother doesn't even care, so it's ridiculous for me to be the first to panic.'

Klein had been worried that his brother might be hurt like in the past, but he soon realized the truth hidden in his own heart.

'So, I was the one who was scared.'

For the first time, his brother was treating him well.

His tone had become strangely archaic, but he no longer spoke harshly to others.

And he even had someone who wanted to be on his team, though only one so far.

Everything had changed so much that it no longer resembled his brother from the past.

He was afraid that his brother might revert to his old self, or that the emotional wounds might spread again.

At that moment, Klein felt as if his inner world had cleared up.

The wall of hesitation in his heart crumbled.

Klein, standing there, closed his eyes and trembled slightly.

'What?!'

Meanwhile, Shane, who had been watching, was inwardly amazed.

The state of no self (無我之境).

A state where one is so intensely focused on a single task that they forget everything else and concentrate solely on that one thing.

While it could be seen as just being very focused, it was not that simple.

The state of no self eliminated the murky energy that pervaded one's inner world, elevating one's existence.

Most people experienced this in rare moments on the battlefield where life and death were at stake, and each time, they achieved significant growth.

But Klein...

'Just a few words of conversation, and he reaches the state of no self?'

Shane was speechless but soon smiled slightly.

'That's my brother.'

And Shane envisioned a future more fitting for a brother of a hero.

'Physical growth seems sufficient. Now...'

It was time to cultivate the mental foundation for battle.

'I need to go to a dungeon.'