The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 20 - :Veydrin’s Lunatic

The air in Kael's room was thick with an uneasy silence. Just a few hours ago, it had been desolate, empty and abandoned like a forgotten tomb.

But now?

Now, it was filled with servants standing rigid, their faces pale with fear. None dared to speak, none dared to breathe too loudly.

At the center of it all, Kael sat motionless with a bare upper body as the doctor tended to his wounds.

Egon, the doctor, worked methodically, his hands steady, but there was no mistaking the slight tremor in his fingers. A pair of dark, cold eyes bore into him, making the atmosphere suffocating.

Kael's voice cut through the silence like a blade.

"Is this a joke?"

Egon barely flinched. Instead, he glanced up with an unreadable smile.

"What joke, Young Master?"

Kael's gaze darkened further.

"I don't understand why I'm being treated by a doctor... Aren't there priests? Healers? If not, just hand me a damned potion instead of this pointless waste of time."

Egon paused, pushing up his glasses with a thoughtful hum.

"We are simply following His Grace's orders. This is the first time you've been this severely injured, so rather than relying on instant healing, it's better to let your body recover naturally."

That damned smile on Egon's scholarly face...

For some reason, it made Kael want to smash his fist right into it.

His fingers twitched at the thought.

"Aren't you afraid I'll throw a tantrum?"

Egon chuckled lightly, completely unfazed. "You jest too much, Young Master. Have you forgotten? I've been taking care of you since childhood. I've even treated you naked when you slipped in the bath and cracked your head open."

Kael's veins bulge in embarrassment.

"Shut up!"

He barely resisted the urge to hurl something at the man.

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'This bastard—'

Kurkkk!

A sharp jolt of pain shot through his side as Egon suddenly pressed down on his wound, making him groan.

The doctor blinked innocently. "Ah, my apologies. That was a mistake."

Kael clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. 'Liar. He's doing this on purpose.'

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay composed. Lashing out now wouldn't help. After a few more minutes of adjustments, Egon finally stepped back, finishing his work.

Kael gave a sharp nod, dismissing him. The doctor and the maids quickly bowed before leaving, as if relieved to escape with their lives.

Now alone, Kael leaned back against the chair and let out a slow breath, his expression shifting from irritation to something far colder. His gaze flickered as he opened his status window.

---

Name: Kael Veydrin

Species: Human [Lv: Unawakened]

Pathway: None [Unawakened]

Rank: F

[Stats]

Strength: 3

Agility: 3

Constitution: 3

Vitality: 3

Mana: 0

[Talents/Blessings]

Devour [F+]

Comprehension [F+]

[Titles]

Veydrin's Lunatic

[Skill Slots]

Swordsmanship [F+]

......

Kael studied the information carefully, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"I'm sure I devoured a bit, but it seems like the system is waiting for my awakening before the real growth begins."

His fingers tapped against his armrest. "Still... I've managed to get rid of that embarrassing trash title and gained a new one. Even if it's translucent for now, it means my image isn't solidified yet."

That meant he still had time to carve his path.

"And my swordsmanship has already reached F+..."

His smirk widened slightly. Once he mastered it, his talent would rise to E.

But the real key here was Devour. That talent had potential, but he needed to figure out how to exploit it properly.

Kael rubbed his chin, deep in thought. With Devour and Comprehension, if he could rack up enough achievements before awakening, he might be able to carve out a unique pathway.

The awakening process was a crucial moment. The Akashic System would scan a person's soul record, analyzing their experiences, achievements, and potential to assign them a class.

Most people ended up with generic pathways—Elementalists, Warriors, Knights... all influenced by their family, talents, and training. It was rare to get something unique unless you had an exceptional foundation before awakening.

Kael's eyes gleamed with cold amusement.

"If I play my cards right... I might just create something monstrous."

He leaned back, his smirk deepening.

Kael leaned back in his chair, his fingers idly tapping against the wooden armrest as he processed the information.

Unique pathways...

It was something he had learned about much later in life. A cruel truth hidden beneath layers of tradition and secrecy.

To awaken a unique pathway, one needed to perform deeds beyond the norm—actions that stood out from the generic molds of warriors and mages. But awakening occurred around age 8-9, and what could a group of children possibly achieve that was great?

Nothing.

That was why the powerful families deliberately held off their children's awakenings until 13-15, ensuring they had time to train, kill, and carve their achievements into the Akashic System.

A smirk tugged at Kael's lips.

"I'm already 18... no, 19."

By now, he had skills, knowledge, and potential. What he needed was some blood—some real kills to solidify his existence and force the system to recognize his path.

"I need to start gathering titles and stacking achievements before my awakening."

The decision was made. Kael abruptly stood up, his sharp movements causing the chair to screech against the floor. Without hesitation, he reached toward the table and unfolded a map, his eyes scanning the layout of Veydrin's estate and the surrounding region.

If he wanted to build his foundation, he had to lay the groundwork first. That meant pulling people into his fold—knowing the right places, finding the right people, and testing the waters.

But who should he start with?

Kael's fingers hovered over the map, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. His gaze shifted toward the window, looking down at the courtyard below.

A small group of knights stood in a corner, getting bullied by a couple of larger figures. Weaklings being toyed with by those stronger than them.

Something in his mind clicked.

A slow smirk crept across his face as a flicker of realization lit in his eyes.

"Fuck. Why didn't I think of this before?"

Kael's amusement turned into excitement.

It was time to begin.