Night fell over Lord Varyn's mansion.
Izuku had just finished his evening training when a servant knocked on his door.
"Lord Varyn summons you to the dining hall."
Izuku raised an eyebrow. A formal dinner? That was rare.
Still drenched in sweat, he changed into something decent and followed.
Inside the grand dining hall, the baron's family was already seated.
Lord Varyn, the baron. His sharp eyes missed nothing.
Lady Eria, his wife. Silent but ever watchful.
Edric, their son. His only friend here—and his greatest annoyance.
Lord Varyn gestured to a chair.
"Sit."
Izuku obeyed.
A Baron's Judgment
Varyn cut straight to the point.
"It's been one year since I allowed you to stay in my house and train."
Izuku remained silent.
"I heard you refused to train under Sir Garrick."
A small smirk appeared on Varyn's face.
"Instead, you chose your own training. But as far as I see… you've been slacking off."
Izuku's expression didn't change, but his fingers curled slightly.
Slacking off?
This man has no idea.
Lord Varyn glanced at his physique.
"You've put on some muscle, thanks to the food I've been feeding you."
Izuku forced himself to remain silent.
If only the baron knew the truth.
His 90% growth reduction made his progress unbearably slow.His 300% increased pain sensitivity turned every movement into torture.
Even now, a system prompt appeared in his vision.
[Yes, you should die out of shame.][But if you beg Heaven for mercy, they will reduce half your curses.]
Izuku exhaled through his nose.
"You damned bastards."
If not for them, he would already be stronger than a trained adult.
Varyn continued, oblivious to the battle inside Izuku's head.
"One year remains until your training period is over. Then you and Edric will leave for the Academy."
Izuku tensed.
One year.
He was nowhere near ready.
Varyn turned his gaze to Edric.
Edric's Doom
Edric stiffened.
Varyn's eyes were like daggers.
"And you, Edric."
Edric flinched. He already knew what was coming.
Izuku had been training like a mad beast.
But Edric?
He had been… lazy.
Varyn exhaled.
"You haven't improved either."
Edric sank in his seat.
"After dinner, come to my private chamber."
Edric froze mid-bite.
"…We have a lot to discuss, my dear son."
Edric's face turned pale.
Varyn stood up and left.
The dining hall fell into silence.
Slowly, Edric turned to Izuku. His only friend.
"Save me."
Izuku took a sip of water.
Then he smirked.
"Your father said to come after you finish eating."
Edric nodded desperately.
Izuku leaned closer.
"Then just keep eating all night."
Edric blinked.
Then he gasped.
"…You're a genius."
Izuku stood up and walked away, chuckling.
Night Training
Back in his room, Izuku sat cross-legged.
In his hand was the moonstone.
He closed his eyes.
Mana training.
He breathed deeply, focusing on the smallest trace of mana in the air.
Even after two years in this world, he still had no real control.
He trained for hours, sweat soaking his clothes.
Finally, the system prompt appeared.
[Mana Sensitivity increased by 1!][Oh wait. I forgot. After correction… it increased by 0.1.][Mana Sensitivity: 2.09]
Izuku sighed.
At this rate…
Would he even survive in the Academy?
One year left.
To Be Continued in Chapter 19 – The Alchemy of Suffering