"Guuh..."
Rest crumpled forward and collapsed under the butler's attack.
A strike so fast it was invisible to the naked eye. It was almost like teleportation.
It was powered by the trump card magic of Diebl, the butler of House Rosemary — High Acceleration — a devastatingly swift attack.
"Rest!"
"Rest!"
Seeing Rest fall, the Rosemary sisters let out anguished cries.
They immediately rushed to his side and examined his body.
There were some bruises, but nothing that looked serious.
"Hey, Diebl! That was way too much, wasn't it!?"
"That's right! There was no need to go this far!"
Both sisters glared at the butler in unison.
Faced with their fierce anger, the butler offered no excuses and bowed at a perfect right angle.
"...My sincerest apologies, young ladies."
"Calm down, daughters. That happened during a mock battle. Don't blame Diebl."
"Father!"
"Never mind that... tend to his wounds."
"Nngh…!"
The sisters hurried to begin treating Rest's wounds.
The butler raised his head and gave a respectful nod to the master who had shielded him — Albert.
"It's nothing. More importantly… from your eyes, what did you think of him?"
"…I believe my opinion aligns with yours, sir."
The butler answered Albert with deference.
"That young man — Rest — possesses abilities worthy of House Rosemary's patronage. I can guarantee it."
"Yes… I thought so too."
That was what Albert had been thinking as well.
Rest, as a mage, held extraordinary skill far beyond his years.
He may still lack experience and knowledge in certain areas, but one day he would surpass even Albert himself, the chief court magician.
"That young man will one day become a great mage whose name will echo through history… Even if it means taking him as the consort of one of the young ladies, I believe he is worth bringing into our house."
"…………"
The butler whispered softly so the sisters could not hear.
That was something Albert had been thinking as well — something he had already considered.
House Rosemary had only two daughters and no sons. Eventually, one of the sisters would take a husband to inherit the house.
Albert loved his daughters deeply and wanted them to choose their own partners regardless of family standing.
Ideally, someone with outstanding talent as a mage would be preferable, which was why he had been arranging opportunities for them to interact with Cedric and other boys their age.
(If it were this young man — Rest — there would be no complaint at all. But…)
Rest was strong.
There are still some rough edges to polish, but with experience and study from here on out, he would surely grow into a great mage.
He could definitively declare that this was someone they absolutely must bring into the marquis household.
And yet... despite that thought, there was a part of him that simply couldn't accept it.
"Don't worry, Rest! I'll cast healing magic on you right away!"
"We're right here with you. It'll be fine, Rest...!"
Viola and Primula.
The two daughters Albert cherished were pressed close to the collapsed Rest, tending to him with devoted care.
It wasn't a question of which one—both of them were obviously harboring feelings for him.
(Well, taking one of them as his bride... wouldn't be a bad thing. But... he might end up taking both of them...?)
Viola and Primula were close sisters with completely opposite personalities.
However, at their core, they were uncannily similar to Albert's wife—the Marchioness of Rosemary.
In other words, they possessed an unyielding stubbornness when it came to the things that truly mattered.
Even if it was their sister they were up against, neither would ever concede the man they had set their heart on.
(Young man Rest, I acknowledge your talent. I am grateful for you saving my daughter, and I will even write the letter of recommendation you need to take the academy entrance exam. But...!)
"I never said I'd give you both daughters!"
The Marquis of Rosemary shed tears of blood and cried out at the sight of his two daughters clinging to Rest as if he were their beloved lover.