Chapter 24

At that moment, a gentle-looking girl approached and reprimanded Zaka softly.

“Brother, stop it. Can’t you see she’s still just a little kid?”

“Within the Silver Lion Clan, how weak would her parents’ bloodline have to be for her hair and eyes to look like that? You’ve become too weak Lenea.”

“Brother, your words are too harsh.”

Lenea shook Zaka’s sleeve while trying to calm him down. Elliana didn’t know much about the Crovache people, but she had a feeling that Zaka was quite foolish.

If her parents were truly weak, it would have been a deep wound. However, Elliana’s father was a Duke, a powerful silver lion, so she was unaffected.

But that didn’t mean she would just stand there. The past was enough for her to endure scorn and neglect. Elliana pressed her lips together and spoke.

“Are you trying to mess with my family?”

If he knew who her father was, Zaka’s expression would be quite different.

‘His younger sister seems more intelligent.’

“Consider yourself lucky today. If I notice you again, I won’t let it slide. Got it?”

As Zaka aimed his wooden sword at Elliana and shouted, he walked away with his lackeys.

Elliana’s eyebrows twitched with the desire to retaliate with a mouthful of insults.

‘There’s another annoying guy. I’ll remember your name, Zaka.’

Glancing at Zaka’s back, Elliana narrowed her eyes. At that moment, a girl named Lenea approached.

Are they siblings?

Unlike Zaka, Lenea had a kind and angelic demeanor.

“I’m sorry for what my brother did. I apologize on his behalf. What’s your name? I’m Lenea. I’m seven years old.”

Considering Zaka’s behavior, Lenea didn’t want to cause any trouble, but she felt obliged to apologize on her brother’s behalf.

Elliana was particularly weak against those who pleaded with her kindly.

“I’m Elliana. I’m three.”

“You’re really a baby. Is this your first time attending the succession training? If you have any questions, let me know. Let’s stick together.”

Lenea smiled brightly and reached out her hand. The children around Lenea commented as they looked at her.

“Lenea is so gentle.”

“Yeah, she’s as angelic as her face.”

For some reason, Elliana felt comfortable being friends with her, so she spoke confidently.

“Thank you, but maybe next twime.”

When Elleana declined, Lenea’s expression subtly flickered, but she quickly smiled as if nothing had happened.

“Oh, okay then.”

After saying that, Lenea turned around and walked away with her small feet clad in woolen boots.

‘It seems like everyone here is a competitor.’

Seeing that each children already had their own circle, it seemed better to assess the atmosphere and make a decision rather than rushing to join a group.

Moreover, she remembered the contents of the dream she had while basking in the sunlight not long ago. It was about the concept of ‘rounds’ related to the silver lion.

During breakfast with the Duke and Ian, they mentioned the ‘rounds’.

When Theo attended classes at the Imperial Palace, Elliana had also transformed into a puppy and stayed by his side for a while. At that time, she had learned about the silver lion and the concept of ‘rounds’.

While the term ‘rounds’ generally referred to various human groups or organizations, it had a slightly different meaning within the Silver Lion.

It referred to individuals who promised to support and assist each other beyond mere friendship or acquaintances. It was closer to a support force that stood with each other.

Since ‘rounds’ aligned well with the nature of forming prides in silver lion, the scale was immense and closely intertwined with honor, wealth, and power.

Elliana still didn’t fully understand the concept, but having her own round would undoubtedly be beneficial.

She looked around with a curious expression, scanning her surroundings.

The children had already formed groups, and there was even an apparent central figure among them.

‘Do they already have rounds here?’

If that were the case, Elliana decided to consider forming her own round.

As a puppy surviving among lions, she would need allies on her side.

That was when a woman with tremendous energy walked out from inside the building.

With disheveled hair and an eyepatch covering one eye, she exuded a fierce and aggressive aura.

Crack.

As she slammed the sharp tip of her spear into the ground, a snowstorm whirled around.

“Gather around, everyone. The succession training of the Crovache Silver Lion Clan has begun. I am the instructor, Caroline, the Gray Beast. I will assist you in manifesting your abilities and harnessing their power. There will be no titles of nobility or honorifics here.”

Caroline glared at the successors and shouted as if mocking them.

“You haven’t seen this for a few months, and you’ve already gone astray. Can’t you stand straight?”

With her grating voice, she looked around left and right, and suddenly, the successors who were standing freely in groups quickly formed neat lines.

Enthralled by their disciplined movements, Elliana also rushed forward and stood in line.

Finally, Instructor Caroline began her guidance.

“The existing successors will undergo tests to announce new rankings. The newly enrolled successors will start with basic education, so stay in your positions. Now, I’ll give you 30 seconds to move quickly. One, two…”

As Caroline’s command fell, the existing successors entered the building one by one, following the guidance of other instructors.

There were only three left on the snow-covered grass. Caroline’s violet eyes shifted between the list written on a note and the children.

“Let’s see. We have two… no, three new successors? Introduce yourselves.”

In response to Caroline’s question, two nervous children standing at the front became visible. They were younger than Elliana, but not as small as her.

Moreover, their hair was not silver. In Crovache, not having silver hair meant they were considered weak. It implied that they had received less silver lion’s blood.

However, Caroline didn’t believe that their hair color determined their abilities.

“Ah, hello. I’m Eren Crovache. I’m six years old this year, and my ability hasn’t manifested yet. But I aspire to wield a sword.”

A boy with sky-blue hair spoke. His hair cascaded down to his neck, and his fair skin resembled snow. Though he was six years old, he appeared older due to his height, looking around eight.

“Your ability is not something you choose. Next.”

The next in line was a girl with light blonde hair. She spoke with a determined expression on her face.

“My name is Yu, Yuvina Crovache. I’m five years old. My ability… I’m still… not yet.”

Yuvina stuttered while struggling with her words. Unlike the other children, she seemed lacking in confidence.

“Lift your head up straight. Keep your chest out.”

“…Four.”

Upon Caroline’s words, Yuvina composed herself, raised her head, and responded.

“And finally, someone who was added hastily as a successor. Are you a baby?”

Caroline looked down at the rather insignificant and young child. Elliana raised her head and greeted her with a small nod.

“Hello. I’m Elliana von…uh, no, Crovache, just Crovache. I’m three years old.”

She almost made a mistake while saying her name. Elliana recalled the words that Noelle had taught her and blinked her eyes.

“Lady, you should be careful when revealing your name to people who are not immediate family. Only immediate family members can attach von before their surname. So, just say Crovache.”

Fortunately, it seemed that Caroline didn’t catch on to the subtlety.

“…Well, indeed, you’re still a baby. Your ability has naturally not manifested.”

“Yes… I… have a question, teacher.”

The child, who had been nodding her small head, raised her hand quickly.

“What is it?”

“What is an ability?”

Caroline’s eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the young child.

“I am an instructor for successors, not a nanny.”

Her brow furrowed. Who on earth would entrust such a young child to her care? Caroline looked at the list again, but it was blank.

“…What on earth…”

A bothersome puzzle seemed to have emerged. Letting out a sigh, Caroline finally opened her mouth.

“Well, I suppose you may not know. An ability… it refers to the power of ice that all silver lion clan possess.”