Prologue – A Certain Butler’s Diary .

 

Today is an auspicious day .                     

The Finn Ifelleta house had its third son delivered .

His black hair had a striking resemblance to his mother’s .

His name is Riley .

“At least I have enough strength left to name him!”

Lady Iris smiled brightly .

 

Age 0

The child spoke .

It was a word other than mummy .

He mumbled, “Finally . . . ” What does he mean?

We never taught him that word . . .

 

Age 1

I have secretly inspected Young Master’s body .

To check his talent .

. . .

I have never seen anyone with such talent in my 60 years .

My head was filled with excitement and envy .

Not as a butler, but as a swordsman .

Is it because I’ve seen talent that surpasses genius?

I could not fall asleep that night .

 

Age 2 .

The first-born, Master Ryan has won second place in the Novice Swordsmanship Tournament .

His competition were all around the age of 14-15 .

He defeated them at the age of 9 .

The maids of the mansion are clamoring that he may surpass his father .

Fools, the true ‘genius’ is here .

 

Age 3 .

Even if their mothers are different .

Watching his brothers train everyday should arouse some curiosity .

But the Young Master shows no interest in the sword .

Simply watching this talent go undeveloped, driving me insane .

 

Age 4 .

Maybe I’m getting impatient due to my age .

I have given him a wooden sword .

Unlike his usual intelligent self, for some unknown reason, he bawled his eyes out, screaming because he did not want to hold the sword .

In the end, he never even swung it once .

Was I too early?

 

Age 5 .

The Finn Ifelleta house has a bloodline that has been blessed by the sword .

After the First son, the Second born Master Lloyd has done well in the Novice Tournament .

As I carefully mention the idea to the Young Master Riley, he replied with a smile, “Not doing it . “

 

Age 6 .

Hah . . . . . . Just why?

 

Age 7 .

Master Ryan has already learnt to imbue Mana into the blade .

Within the Mana was a pure and powerful essence . Therefore, his father gave Master Ryan the title of “Geuk-Geom” .

TLN: Geuk-Geom = Strong blade

Master Riley showed no reaction to the story .

Hah, if only he would just hold a sword .

 

Age 9 .

I am disheartened .

I am sure there will be great achievements .

Even if I ignore my bias as his servant .

Even if i ignore his talent for the sword .

He is a truly intelligent boy, and it crushes me .

. . . .

Today, Master Lloyd was given the title of “Sok-Geom” .

TLN: Sok-Geom = Speed-blade

His speed was extraordinary, even beyond Master Stein’s .

Suddenly . . . .

“Did I see it wrong?”

This thought occurred to me .

 

Age 10 .

Master Stein finally made a decision .

He suggested that the Young Master competes in the Novice Tournament .

. . . .

On that day, Master Riley disappeared from the Mansion .

Everyone in the mansion searched for him .

One day, two days, one week .

In the end, when the competitors of the tournament were decided, the Young master showed himself .

 

“Hide and seek is fun! Isn’t that right?”

 

He smiled brightly .

Everyone in the mansion laughed nervously .

“My eyes weren’t wrong . “

That’s what I believed .

 

Age 11 .

He naps in the apple tree in the gardens . Eats his meals .

Reads a few books and goes to sleep .

That’s his daily routine .

Sleeping 12 hours a day . Never touching a sword .

Even Master Stein has given up on Master Riley .

 

Age 12 .

For fuck’s sake .

Why won’t he hold a sword .

 

Age 13 .

Master Riley’s laziness has reached the pinnacle of laziness .

Even Master Stein has had it and went to give him a beating .

Yet Master Riley has disappeared miraculously .

Master Stein could not even find him .

Wow . . .

 

Age 14 .

One day, I decided to complain to the young master .

“Why won’t you learn swordsmanship?”

Was he sleep-talking?

He replied to my question .

“I managed to kill the demon lord, so I can take it easy right?”

I couldn’t understand his answer, and sighed .

 

Age 15 .

Master Riley may be lazy, but there are times when things change .

When he talks with his mother .

The book I read was so interesting .

I had a strange dream .

Lady Iris always replied with a smile .

Always mentioning that his happiness is the most important to her .

 

Age 16 .

It’s been a long time since all members of the Finn Ifelleta House has gathered together .

Master Stein .

His two wives .

The 3 sons .

After dinner, Master Stein made an announcement .

“I should start deciding the successor . “

Master Riley was never mentioned in the discussion .

 

Age 17 .

For the first time in my life, I have seen Master Riley seething with rage .

Someone who wouldn’t bat an eye for countless insults towards him .

It was when his mother was ridiculed by the other sons because of Master Riley, as he was declared illegible as a candidate to be the successor .

In that short moment, I saw the potential in his eyes .

Master Stein also saw them .

 

Age 18 .

During her meal, Lady Iris collapsed after coughing blood .

As the table turned red with blood, Master Riley face changed dramatically .

 

And today .

He raised a sword . . .