CHAPTER 176: THE LAZIEST YOUNG MASTER TORTUROUS DAY 1

The next morning arrived not with birdsong, but with groans.

The sun streamed mercilessly through the villa’s wide windows, stabbing straight into Nero’s skull. He stirred beneath the blanket, clutching his head. The unusual-eyed knight was used to battle, pain, and exhaustion—but hangovers were a new enemy entirely.

Across the room, Adam was sprawled like a corpse on the couch, one arm dangling to the floor, muttering incoherently about "lutes" and "rigged strings." Lux, ever the composed one, was seated upright in an armchair... though the dark circles beneath his silver eyes betrayed the fact he hadn’t slept much either. A glass of water rested untouched at his side, as if mocking him.

Nero groaned, forcing himself to sit up. "We were... supposed to train this morning."

Lux let out a dry laugh, rubbing his temple.

"Yes. But unless you want to collapse mid-sword swing, I suggest we admit defeat."

Adam rolled over, his voice muffled by a pillow. "Training? At this hour? I’d rather wrestle an ogre barehanded."

It was then the door creaked open.

"—Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to live like me."

The three turned their aching heads toward the voice.

There he stood: Blake Raven, the laziest young master alive, dressed in his robe, purple hair perfectly messy as though styled for maximum nonchalance. He leaned casually against the doorway, sipping on tea with the satisfaction of a man who had slept twenty hours without a care in the world.

Nero frowned. "...You’re awake?"

Blake smirked. "Of course I’m awake. I always wake up at noon. The difference is you three usually torture yourselves at sunrise." He took another sip, savoring the moment. "But today? Look at you. Red-eyed, groggy, smelling like whisky barrels. Finally, my way of life has infected you."

Adam sat up abruptly, instantly regretted it, and flopped back down. "Ugh. Don’t get cocky. This was a one-time thing."

"Sure, sure," Blake drawled. "But admit it—you missed out on the greatest luxury: not giving a damn."

Lux pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don’t mistake our temporary weakness for admiration of your laziness."

Blake grinned wider. "Oh no, I don’t need your admiration. The sight alone is enough. Nero, of all people, slouched and hungover like a broken puppet... priceless."

Nero’s eyes narrowed, but he lacked the energy to retort. He only reached for the jug of water, drained half of it, and sighed.

Blake wandered further into the room, circling them like a predator circling prey. His purple eyes were shinning, he was having fun.

"You know, I almost thought I’d dreamt it. But then the maids told me they heard... singing."

Adam turned beet red even through the haze of his headache. "Don’t. Say. A word."

Blake smirked devilishly. "They said it was something about love, bread, and destiny. Truly inspiring."

Nero couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped him, despite his pounding head. Adam groaned and buried his face deeper into the pillow.

Lux, hiding a smile behind his hand, glanced at Blake. "You seem far too energetic this morning. Careful, or we might drag you into training tomorrow to make up for today."

Blake raised his teacup in a mock toast.

"Good luck dragging me anywhere. For now, I’ll settle with this glorious victory: the three paragons of discipline, reduced to wrecks, while I—" he stretched leisurely, "—shine as the most refreshed man in the villa."

Nero shook his head, standing slowly.

"Enjoy your moment. Tomorrow, you’re coming with us."

Blake froze mid-sip, nearly choking on his tea. "Wait. What?"

Lux smirked. "Yes. You’ve mocked us enough. Consider this payback."

Adam lifted his head just enough to grin.

"Yeah, lazy prince. Tomorrow, you jog with us. No excuses."

For the first time, Blake’s confidence wavered. "...You’re all demons."

The three shared a rare laugh together, the sound mixing with the morning light. The hangovers still clung to them, but somehow, with Blake’s unexpected teasing, the day felt lighter.

And though Blake would never admit it, a small part of him was looking forward to tomorrow—begrudgingly. He had no idea that in just a few hours, he would be dragged and tortured in the guise of training.

Two hours later, after cold baths and careful breathing exercises that circulated prana to flush the remnants of alcohol from their blood, Nero finally felt human again. Adam, too, though still groaning, stood straighter. Lux looked almost unbothered, his silver hair tied neatly back, the perfect image of composure—as though hangovers dared not touch him.

It was then Nero, with that rare glint of mischief in his crimson eyes, spoke the words that sealed Blake’s fate.

"Why don’t we drag Blake with us for training?"

Adam paused, then grinned ear to ear, rubbing his hands together. Lux, who had been fastening his wrist wraps, looked up slowly. And then, both turned to Nero with identical expressions—devilish grins that could only spell doom.

And so it began.

The door to Blake’s room was kicked open without mercy. The laziest young master was still lounging in bed, one arm flung dramatically across his eyes. "What is this barbarism?" he mumbled. "A man needs his beauty sleep—"

He didn’t get to finish. Adam grabbed his ankles, Nero hooked an arm under his shoulders, and before Blake could even conjure a shadowy defense, Lux placed a glowing seal of light across his body that temporarily disrupted his Law of Darkness.

"Wait—wait! You can’t just manhandle me like this! I’m a Raven!" Blake shouted, struggling as they hauled him like a sack of grain down the corridor. The maids and other personals of the villa covered their mouths, acting as if they hadn’t seen anything.

"You’re also our friend, which makes you fair game," Nero replied flatly.

"Fair game for torture," Adam corrected gleefully.

Lux only smirked, leading the way. "Think of this as... community service."

The first stage of Blake’s torment began at the foot of the mountain behind Lux’s villa. Morning mist still clung to the leaves, and birds scattered as the four of them arrived. Lux set the pace immediately, sprinting up the incline like a man possessed. Nero followed easily, Adam charging just behind him. Blake, on the other hand, was dragged forward with no mercy.

It was the beginning of the laziest young master torturous day.