Chapter 3: Heartless Bastard

Given their considerable difference in height, Aaron awkwardly wrapped his little arms around his sister’s waist as she rested her head against his tiny shoulders.

Abigail was genuinely terrified.

’Well... She’s only seven.’

Aaron couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her.

"It’s fine, Abigail. I’m here," he whispered, trying to comfort her.

Their father, who had been watching the entire scene with an expression of utter disgust, suddenly roared from where he stood.

"You’re the elder sister, Abigail! Start acting like one instead of behaving like a helpless child!"

Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Uhm... Isn’t she still a child?"

His father immediately turned towards him, his expression darkening.

"And so are you! Don’t try to sound smart today. I’m... I’m really not in the mood for any of your games."

He took a brief breath before shifting his attention back to Abigail.

"Both of you are going all out against each other today!"

Abigail slowly lifted her head from Aaron’s shoulder.

"B-But... My body is still sore from yesterday. It hurts."

Her voice was timid, and she looked as though she was struggling to find the courage to speak.

Mr. Goldilock’s expression hardened.

With a furious roar, he stamped his foot against the ground.

"You SHALL endure it!"

He stared at his daughter for a moment, his face filled with undisguised disappointment.

"My brother’s child is also a girl, yet she’s three times better than you! You’ll meet her someday, you know. Do you intend to embarrass my branch of the Goldilock family with your weakness?!"

Abigail flinched at his words but said nothing.

Her little hands tightened around Aaron’s clothes as she lowered her head.

Mr. Goldilock observed her for another moment before picking up a wooden sword and tossing it towards her feet.

His expression remained stern, although his voice was considerably calmer when he spoke again.

"Pick up your practice sword and stand properly. You’re fighting your little brother."

Abigail hesitantly released Aaron and bent down to retrieve the wooden sword.

Her trembling fingers were just about to wrap around its handle when a small voice interrupted her.

"Father."

Mr. Goldilock glanced at Aaron with an annoyed expression but didn’t respond.

Aaron, however, wasn’t particularly bothered.

"How about I spar against Damian instead? If I manage to beat him, Abigail gets to rest for the day. She won’t have to spar against anyone."

He flashed his father a cunning smile.

Mr. Goldilock stared at him.

His brows gradually furrowed as he studied his youngest son for a few seconds.

Then, he let out a mocking chuckle.

"I’m the only person capable of facing Damian."

He paused briefly before adding in a more thoughtful tone.

"And even I struggle against him sometimes."

Mr. Goldilock shook his head and turned his attention back to Abigail.

"No. It’ll only be a waste of time."

Aaron’s smile twitched slightly.

His old man wasn’t budging.

Realizing that his father wasn’t going to entertain his suggestion, Aaron shifted his gaze towards his stepbrother, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange.

A playful smile appeared on his face.

"Damian, don’t you want to find out how well I’d fare against you?"

Damian barely spared him a glance.

"I don’t care. You’re weak."

Aaron’s expression twitched.

’An eight-year-old is calling me weak...’

For a brief moment, he felt personally offended.

Nevertheless, he quickly composed himself, concealing his irritation behind another smile.

"I’m weak, orrr... you’re just scared?"

He deliberately dragged out the last word, his tone dripping with provocation.

Damian finally turned to face him.

His eyebrows drew together into a deep frown as he considered the challenge.

Meanwhile, Mr. Goldilock brought his palm to his forehead and let out an exhausted sigh.

"Don’t listen to him, Damian. He’s only trying to provoke you. Abigail is his main—"

"You little... Let’s spar!"

Damian abruptly interrupted his father.

His expression had changed completely, and he was now staring at Aaron with an unmistakably challenging gaze.

Mr. Goldilock closed his eyes.

"Not this again..."

He muttered under his breath.

It didn’t take long before the two boys found themselves standing opposite each other in the abandoned garden.

One was a tall, slim but well-built blonde boy with long hair. The other was considerably shorter, thinner, and had dark hair.

They were Damian and Aaron. Both held wooden swords in their hands.

Damian stared intensely at his younger brother, his gaze so piercing that Aaron couldn’t help but shiver slightly.

’Okay... Maybe I shouldn’t have made him angry.’

He suddenly regretted his decision...

A little.

Damian wasn’t just strong. He was ridiculously strong.

The boy possessed enough physical strength to snap a sturdy tree branch in half with his bare hands. His speed was equally absurd, rivaling that of a fully grown adult male from Earth.

He was an anomaly.

A little monster.

And certainly not someone Aaron could afford to underestimate.

Initially, Aaron had assumed Damian was simply a perfect example of how physically gifted children in this world could be.

After all, he himself was considerably stronger than an ordinary five-year-old should be.

In fact, based on his previous life’s experience, his current physical abilities were comparable to those of a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old teenager on Earth.

He was even confident that his sixteen-year-old self from his previous life would have a hard time dealing with his current body in a physical confrontation.

That was how much his body had benefited from being born into this world.

Naturally, he had assumed Damian was simply another example of this world’s unusual physical development.

But he was wrong.

Damian was on an entirely different level.

According to their father, his physical abilities were two to three times greater than those of other children his age.

And Aaron had personally witnessed enough sparring sessions to confirm that assessment.

Whenever Damian fought children his age, the difference was almost laughable.

They were practically fodder to him.

Aaron knew that if he continued developing at his current rate, he might eventually stand a chance against Damian.

Perhaps in a few years.

But certainly not today.

Still, he had already made his offer, and backing down now wasn’t an option.

More importantly, Abigail was counting on him.

Aaron’s expression gradually hardened as he tightened his grip around the wooden sword.

’Damn it all! This is for Abigail.’

With a sharp grunt, he steadied his feet before suddenly lunging forward.

His little frame shot towards Damian with surprising speed.

He swung his wooden sword with remarkable precision, aiming directly for Damian’s head.

Clack!

Damian effortlessly raised his sword and parried the attack.

The movement was so casual that it almost seemed as though he hadn’t put any effort into it.

However, Aaron wasn’t expecting the first strike to land.

He had deliberately avoided committing too much of his weight to the attack, allowing him to follow up almost immediately.

Without giving Damian enough time to launch a counterattack, Aaron twisted his body and delivered a forceful kick towards the side of his older brother’s knee.

’Yes!’

His foot connected!

But before he could admire his handiwork, Aaron hastily leapt backwards, putting as much distance between them as possible.

He didn’t particularly fancy remaining within striking range of his monstrous older brother.

Unfortunately, Damian was already moving towards him.

’What?! I just kicked you! At least pretend it hurts!’

Aaron’s eyes widened.

He had expected Damian to stagger, or at the very least, slow down for a moment.

But the boy seemed completely unfazed.

’What kind of monster are you?!’

Aaron quickly raised his wooden sword above his head and deliberately adopted a panicked expression.

He retreated another step, making it appear as though he was desperately trying to escape.

Damian’s expression darkened.

He relentlessly pursued him, seemingly offended by Aaron’s attempt to create distance.

Aaron jumped backwards for the second time.

And then...

The corners of his lips suddenly curled upwards.

A sly smile spread across his face.

’Come get some.’

He wasn’t moving around aimlessly.

Having watched Damian spar with their father countless times, Aaron had developed a fairly good understanding of his older brother’s fighting habits.

Damian was exceptionally talented, but he had a particular habit.

Before launching an attack, he would always take a quick glance at his intended target.

It was a subtle movement, almost imperceptible to an untrained observer.

But Aaron had noticed it.

And just as expected, when Damian got close enough, his eyes briefly flickered towards Aaron’s ribs.

Aaron’s smile widened.

’My ribs? You heartless bastard!’

He almost felt like cursing.

Of all the places to aim for, Damian had chosen his ribs! But that was precisely what Aaron had been waiting for. He knew what was coming. And this time... He was ready.

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