“Not only does he possess outstanding potential. Even if he were to reach the same level as other knights, his body is much purer, so the effects of mana enhancement will be significantly greater. He’ll be able to handle a much larger amount with superior purity.”
This was already properly reflected in the overall context.
“So that means even when facing knights of the same level, I’d have the upper hand?”
“At first, it’ll be only a slight advantage, but over time, it’ll reach the point where you can face two opponents of the same level simultaneously. Later on, you may even go toe to toe with opponents of a higher level.”
At those unexpected words, Lucian swallowed hard.
Until recently, all he had wished for was to reach the threshold he hadn’t been able to cross in his past life—the realm of the truly strong.
That alone would’ve been enough for the world to recognize him.
There were also practical reasons why he couldn’t devote himself solely to the sword if he wanted to prepare for the future.
And yet, now he could not only aspire to the level of the strong but to that of a Swordmaster—and even beyond.
‘I want to see it.’
More than ambition, it was as a swordsman that his heart pounded with excitement.
But at the same time, Eisen’s previous words echoed in his mind.
“But then what do you mean I have to give up the position of successor? Isn’t it possible to train in the sword and still receive heir education at the same time?”
“Hmm, that’s…”
Eisen trailed off and hesitated for a long moment.
When Lucian waited silently, he finally let out a deep sigh.
“Young master, look at me.”
“Yes?”
“Look at this face. What do you see?”
The old knight passed a hand over his face as he spoke.
At that unexpected question, Lucian looked at him with an awkward expression.
What did he see? Aside from wrinkles, there was nothing else.
“Ah.”
“I see you’ve already understood.”
Eisen offered a bitter smile to Lucian, who seemed to have caught on.
“I’m old, young master. Thanks to my body purified by circulation, I’ve managed to stay strong for my age, but lately, I feel I don’t have much time left.”
It was true.
In his previous life, Swordmaster Eisen would die eight years later.
He had lived more than a hundred years, and dying without suffering from illness was already more than a worthy end.
‘But eight years is too short to train the successor of a Swordmaster.’
The higher the step, the longer it takes to climb.
And at the level of a Swordmaster, the number of techniques to be passed down must be enormous.
Even using every minute of the eight years remaining, there was no guarantee the disciple would absorb it all.
Adding the time lost to stagnation or hesitation, it would feel even shorter.
“Even if I wanted to pass it all on while I still live, there’s already too little time. And if on top of that he competes with the other young masters, it’s out of the question.”
“I think I understand what you mean.”
Lucian closed his eyes and reflected for a moment.
Becoming the Swordmaster’s successor was, without doubt, a tempting option.
If the world were to remain peaceful, he would have thrown away the position of heir without hesitation to devote himself entirely to the sword.
Instead of fighting for more than a decade against other competitors, it would be better to become the sole successor of the Swordmaster.
‘The problem is that a chaotic era is approaching.’
Lucian had seen with his own eyes how the world turned upside down.
The emperor’s power became nominal, and the mighty from all regions began calling themselves kings.
Many like Hugo also rose, relying only on strength without any legitimate authority.
But most of them were called usurpers and lived under constant challenge.
The reason was simple.
There was no legitimacy behind their authority.
Even if the act is the same—say, murder—the difference between avenging one’s parents and killing without reason is enormous.
Usurpers, unable to grasp that, laughed carelessly until they had to pay the price.
A power gained without justification could be taken away without justification.
‘Rebellions and assassinations became commonplace. The balance of power constantly shifted.’
The only ones who managed to rule their lands stably were the few monarchs who held both legitimacy and cause.
That’s when Lucian understood how crucial legitimacy was.
Even if you ruled the world, without it, you wouldn’t last long.
In the face of the coming chaos, securing multiple justifications was a necessary step.
And they wanted him to officially give up the position of next head of Valdeck—a family with imperial blood?
To give up the greatest source of legitimacy, one capable of using not just the name of Valdeck but also the imperial family’s?
‘Never.’
The position of Swordmaster was undeniably tempting, but what he would have to give up was far too great.
Regretfully, he had no choice but to decline Eisen’s offer.
“I’m sorry. I wish to remain a Valdeck, no matter what.”
“Ah…”
A soft moan escaped the old knight’s lips at that indirect rejection.
The sorrow of losing even this last opportunity was clear.
“If that is your wish, young master, then there’s nothing more to say. Perhaps this old man was too ambitious.”
“You offered me this opportunity with the best intentions, and yet I’m rejecting it. I have no words.”
“No, not at all. In truth, even without me, you could aspire to become a Swordmaster in a few decades. And yet, I forced you to choose, driven by my selfish desire to leave something behind with my own hands.”
“….”
“Isn’t it ridiculous? In my youth, I did nothing, and now in my old age, I act like this. Even if I don’t intervene, sprouts always grow into great trees. Haha.”
A faint laugh reached Lucian’s ears.
Even though he said it like that, the blow of nurturing hope only to see it crumble did not seem minor.
After a brief hesitation, Lucian looked at Eisen.
“I’d like to ask you something. If there were someone who could become a great disciple, even if it’s not me—what would you do then?”
“…?”
At that unexpected suggestion, Swordmaster Eisen blinked.
***
Lucian’s proposal was simple.
That within two years, he would find and bring someone with talent far superior to his own.
“It’ll take time, but I’ll bring someone so exceptional they’ll more than make up for those two years. A disciple whose name will leave a mark worthy of Swordmaster Eisen even centuries from now.”
“Just hearing that, I’m already grateful.”
“I mean it. I’ll find them, no matter what.”
“If that’s so, then I’ll wait—though I apologize for making the young master worry so much over this old man.”
Eisen chuckled and took Lucian’s words lightly.
Could such talent be found so easily in the world?
If Lucian himself was already a genius born once every few centuries, could someone even greater exist?
To Eisen, it was nothing more than a consoling gesture.
But, contrary to what he believed, Lucian was completely serious.
‘I’m sure the Demon Sword wasn’t far from Kelhaim.’
Felix, the Demon Sword.
The same age as Lucian, and someone he had briefly crossed paths with when they were both mercenaries.
He had a slender build and such delicate features that he was often mocked for his appearance.
However, those taunts soon vanished.
On the battlefield, Felix’s swordsmanship, as he advanced alone through enemies, was on a monstrous level.
‘Not even famous knights could last more than a few exchanges against Felix’s sword.’
The most astonishing part was that Felix’s sword technique was also low-level, similar to Lucian’s.
Even when the opponent vastly outclassed him in mana reinforcement, Felix crushed them using pure technique alone.
He could even instantly mimic parts of sword styles that couldn’t be understood just by watching and use them immediately.
At first, even those who were envious fell silent, full of reverence.
If Lucian had a body blessed by the gods, then Felix had the combat sense of a god.
To Lucian, who had returned to the past, Felix was the number one candidate he had to recruit before his name became famous.
The problem was that Felix’s whereabouts before becoming a mercenary were completely unknown.
The only known fact was that, in the winter of the following year, he would begin working as a mercenary in the small town of Bindeln.
Before that, no one knew where he was, so no matter how much Lucian wanted to bring him in, there was no way to do it.
“I’m sorry, Sir Eisen. You’ll have to wait over a year, but there’s no other choice.”
“Even so, I’m grateful. That the young master worries about me this much makes it impossible to feel bad.”
Fortunately, Eisen seemed a bit more cheerful and gave a smile.
Even if it was only a gesture of consolation, he truly seemed to appreciate Lucian’s intention.
“Well then, let’s set aside this old man’s complaints for now. Whatever choice the young master has made, my duty is to teach you the sword.”
At Eisen’s serious look, Lucian nodded and straightened his posture.
The real training was about to begin.
***
“You say the third brother has been selected as a new candidate for head of the family?”
“Yes, young master.”
Joshua frowned at the servant’s report.
He had already entered the competition late due to his age.
And now, on top of that, even the third brother, who had remained quietly on the sidelines until now, had joined the race.
“Damn it. What kind of change of heart did someone so passive suddenly have?”
The other two brothers wouldn’t take it too seriously.
They already had their own factions and would be convinced Lucian’s ability didn’t measure up.
But for Joshua, who had yet to fully solidify his base, this was a critical blow.
Now, the knights who hadn’t managed to ally with the other two brothers had a new option.
It was clear they would start comparing Lucian and Joshua, hesitating over whom to support.
“Damn it. Useless from start to finish. Was it really that hard to stay put and give this little brother a bit of support?”
“Don’t you think you’re overthinking it? Even if the third young master joined the competition late…”
“Who said I’m scared of that useless brother? The real problem is that those I worked so hard to gather are starting to waver!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
Seeing his subordinate, who didn’t even understand the core issue, his tone naturally turned sharper.
Joshua calmed the rage boiling inside and analyzed the situation coldly.
‘If he had kept showing a pathetic image, it wouldn’t matter, but the problem is that he recently landed a blow on Jordi.’
In Joshua’s eyes, that had merely been a lucky impulsive act.
Lucian, who never got angry, suddenly exploded, and everyone else, caught off guard, made fools of themselves.
However, what was annoying was that, to others, the whole incident appeared to be a meticulous plan by Lucian.
In the worst-case scenario, even some capable talents might be fooled by the rumors and join Lucian’s side instead of his.
‘That’s why I need to tear off Lucian’s false shine as soon as possible.’
If Lucian’s superficiality was exposed, everyone would come to their senses.
Those rumors that he had been hiding his claws would also vanish completely.
The real issue was finding a way to strip him of that shine.
From the moment he officially entered the competition for head of the family, direct harm was strictly forbidden.
“Wait… now that I think about it, what exactly is the third brother doing?”
“H-he’s at the training field, learning the Lion Heart Technique from Sir Eisen, just like you did back then, young master.”
An idea flashed through Joshua’s mind like lightning, and he stood up abruptly, shouting.
“I must go to the training field immediately. Prepare two sharp swords.”
“Eh? You mean real swords?”
“That’s right. Not wooden training ones—real swords for combat.”
Joshua smiled maliciously as he looked toward the training field.
“As the older brother who trained first, I’ll have to help a bit with my big brother’s training.”
____
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