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Zeno Zoldyck glanced at Illumi, his expression unreadable as he picked up a piece of meat and began eating.
With Zeno's start, the others followed suit, quietly enjoying their dinner.
Illumi casually picked up a drumstick and placed it on his plate, eating without much enthusiasm. However, what the others didn't notice was that Illumi was currently in a peculiar state.
Illumi slightly raised his head, looking across the table at Kikyo Zoldyck. From her body, wisps of pink smoke continuously rose, swirling around her like living entities.
"Jealousy."
Illumi identified the emotion hidden within Kikyo.
Lately, he had been able to see these colored mists emanating from people, each representing a distinct emotion. Through them, he could sense psychological changes and even infer mental activities.
This ability seemed innate, something he had possessed since birth. Over time, it evolved from mere emotional sensitivity to perceiving emotions as visible colors.
He had once named this ability "Emotion Perception." But now, it had a new name—Seven Deadly Sins.
"Is she jealous of my close relationship with Grandpa Zeno compared to her role as a mother?"
Illumi observed Kikyo. At just twenty years old, she still carried an air of grace and elegance, far removed from the neurotic demeanor she would adopt in later years. Yet, even now, Illumi could understand why she might change so drastically over time.
"Illumi, Killua."
"Three days from now, your training will begin. Are you prepared?" Silava asked, glancing at the two boys. At twenty-four, Silava had recently become the head of the family.
"Mm."
Killua nodded absently, while Illumi gave a slight nod to indicate he was ready.
"Then, three days from now, Zeponio will oversee your training."
The entire family's conversation during dinner consisted of only those few words. No one spoke further after finishing their meals.
Grandpa Zeno remained silent throughout, eating quietly. At forty-five, he was still in his prime—tall and muscular, even more imposing than Silava.
"What a cold family atmosphere."
Watching Silava, Zeno, and Kikyo leave separately, Illumi hopped off his chair and returned to the room with Killua.
*
*
*
On the fourth day, at 7:00 a.m.
After breakfast, Zeponio led Illumi and Killua to the training grounds.
The Zoldyck family had carved out a dedicated training area in the forest for butlers and newcomers, spanning approximately 1,600 square meters. For those confident in their abilities, they could venture deeper into the primitive forests of Mount Kukuru for training.
"Illumi-sama, Killua-sama."
Zeponio and Wutong stood before the two boys. Zeponio smiled warmly, while Wutong maintained his usual cold expression.
"Let's begin with basic physical endurance and stamina training."
Zeponio picked up black children's jackets and wrist weights from a nearby wooden table and handed them to Illumi and Killua, instructing them to put them on.
"So heavy..."
As Illumi took the jacket from Zeponio, his hands faltered under its weight, nearly causing him to topple forward.
"Thud!"
A soft sound echoed as Illumi glanced to his side—Killua lay sprawled on the ground, blinking in confusion.
"Huh... Why did I fall?"
"Hohoho..."
Zeponio chuckled, first casting a surprised glance at Illumi, then addressing Killua.
"Killua-sama, these are weighted garments designed to enhance your strength, endurance, and stamina."
"From today onward, you are not allowed to remove them except for bathing or sleeping."
Slowly rising, Killua donned the heavy black jacket and strapped the wrist weights onto his ankles. He looked over at Illumi, who had already finished dressing and was waiting for Zeponio's next instructions.
"The jacket weighs 10 kg, and each wrist weight is 2.5 kg. Once you adapt, we'll increase the weight."
Zeponio explained the load they were carrying and then led them to the training field, gesturing toward the butlers who were already training.
"Illumi-sama and Killua-sama, join the apprentice butlers in their training."
"When you can keep up with their pace, we'll move on to the next phase."
Illumi surveyed the training grounds. Some practiced running, others honed their marksmanship, and some refined assassination techniques.
"These are all methods I dislike."
Lowering his gaze, Illumi took a step forward, only to feel as though his shoes were filled with water, sinking into mud. It was incredibly taxing.
"This weight... It's no joke."
Gritting his teeth, Illumi struggled to take another step. At this rate, even walking normally seemed impossible.
"Tap..."
His small feet hit the ground, kicking up dust as Illumi and Killua slowly made their way across the training field.
Glancing at Killua beside him, Illumi noted that despite the strain, Killua's expression remained vacant, seemingly unfazed.
But in reality, Killua's legs trembled visibly, struggling to endure.
After all, it was only the first day.
…
Evening fell, and the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of training.
For the entire day, the two boys had focused solely on adapting to the weights, doing nothing more than walking. Yet, even that left them drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.
That night at dinner, exhaustion overwhelmed them to the point of nausea, but they forced themselves to eat for the sake of their bodies.
And this training was merely the beginning.
Three years later…
Two figures—one large, one small—darted swiftly through the forest.
"Tap tap tap…"
Illumi's diminutive frame weaved through the dense foliage, with Zeponio leaping nimbly from branch to branch behind him.
"Whoosh!"
A sharp whistle cut through the air as something shot toward Illumi from behind. Reacting instantly, he dove to the left, narrowly avoiding a branch that pierced the ground with a dull thud.
"He's trying to kill me, isn't he?"
Illumi stared at the deeply embedded branch, his expression darkening.
"Illumi-sama has become much sharper."
Zeponio leapt down from a branch, stopping three meters away from Illumi, who quickly rose to his feet. Smiling faintly, Zeponio remarked,
"But still…"
Before he could finish, Zeponio suddenly lunged at Illumi, throwing a punch aimed at his abdomen.
"Too relaxed!"
With a loud shout, Zeponio's fist connected solidly with Illumi's stomach. The impact sent Illumi's body arching backward as he was flung through the air.
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