Bad Born Blood

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Matt, Greedy
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< Chapter 10 >

Kinuan, having just sparred with me, sat in a meditative posture to regain his composure. I remained silent, observing him quietly.

‘Kinuan’s combat method…….’

My suspicion was correct. Kinuan possessed a combat technique that wasn’t found in the Empire’s official manual.

“Luka, what did you feel and learn during the sparring just now?”

Kinuan asked me, his eyes still closed.

“It felt like I was under a spell. My body moved out of my control, as if on its own.”

It hadn’t been a pleasant experience. Until now, everything I’d learned had focused entirely on controlling one’s own body, whether that body was flesh and blood or a mechanical prosthetic.

But after sparring with Kinuan, it felt as if all the techniques I had learned became meaningless.

“It’s called Arkies Victima. Usually, it’s referred to as the Arkies Combat Method.”

Kinuan spoke, narrowing his eyes. The slight trembling of his clasped fingers had ceased. It meant his nervous system stabilization was complete.

‘Arkies Victima.’

I’d heard of it before. Yet, my curiosity only grew.

“……So, you learned it before you became a cadet.”

Kinuan nodded slightly at my words.

“I became a cadet three or four years later than most. At that time, the Imperial Guard’s attrition rate was severe, so the selection criteria were more relaxed.”

Listening to Kinuan, I voiced the question I had organized in my mind.

“But there’s something I don’t understand. From what I know, Arkies Victima is a form of self-defense used by street thugs. It’s not a proper combat method.”

I tried to phrase it as tactfully as possible. Frankly, it was the kind of crude technique often used by third-rate fighters.

“You’re right. People think of it as one of those combat methods learned by gangs in the lower sectors. Nowadays, anyway.”

The lower sectors were poorly policed, forcing people to defend themselves frequently. Combat methods using prosthetics had spread in various forms like a trend, but most were worthless in real combat.

There was no way the Arkies Combat Method, accessible even to back-alley gangs, could be as impressive as it was. It was a combat method with significant depth.

“I think the Arkies Combat Method you demonstrated could even be adopted as one of the Empire’s standard combat methods.”

I spoke candidly. Kinuan offered a faint smile.

“It’s true, the higher-ups had considered it. But the Arkies Combat Method has three issues.”

Kinuan pointed upwards with his index finger, then held up three fingers. He seemed to be waiting for my response.

After a moment of thought, I spoke.

“Is it that it’s difficult to master?”

Even from that brief sparring session, I could sense how difficult it would be to master it.

“As expected of a prodigy, you’re sharp, Luka. And the other two?”

One of the remaining two was easy to guess.

“Is the cause of the brain dysfunction you’re experiencing due to the Arkies Combat Method, Instructor?”

“……Yes. And as for the last one, it’s something you can’t understand right now.”

Kinuan didn’t disclose the final issue. I didn’t press him on it, as it wasn’t my main concern.

“If it means I can become stronger, I’m willing to accept that level of risk. Besides, I’ve heard that one of the side effects of the neurological chemical treatments we received includes brain dysfunction. So, even if the risk increases slightly….”

I expressed my determination. However, Kinuan shook his head.

“That’s not for you to decide. You are already the Empire’s asset. Do you know how much has been invested in you so far? The cadet training program may seem extremely dangerous and harsh, but it’s designed to stay within a level you all can overcome.”

With death at your side, your senses sharpen. Experiences gained on the edge of life and death aren’t superficial—they’re etched like a brand. This is why the cadet training maintained a level of danger where any mistake could lead to fatalities.

“Then, without outright rejecting it… why did you bring me here?”

I spoke rather aggressively, glancing at Kinuan to gauge his reaction.

“Using and learning the Arkies Combat Method doesn’t immediately lead to dysfunction. But it’s just a matter of time, whether sooner or later. You will be the first to feel any abnormalities in your brain. When that time comes, can you swear you’ll stop using it?”

I opened my mouth, almost nodding out of habit, ready to agree.

‘I must not answer falsely.’

Kinuan’s pupils glinted faintly. He was a senior Irregular, decades ahead of me. It would be foolish to underestimate him. For someone with his insight, a cunning lie would be obvious.

I had a good sense of how others perceived me: an arrogant, ambitious guy. Had I lacked a bit more talent or gone down the wrong path, I’d have ended up as gutter trash, dead in some back alley of the lower sector.

“……I can’t swear to it. But I will try my best.”

This was the best answer I could give.

“Come find me here at this time starting tomorrow.”

Fortunately, it seemed I’d answered correctly. Kinuan patted my shoulder. I nodded, intending to express my gratitude.

Whish!

My vision spun in an instant. Somehow, Kinuan had hooked his foot around my leg. No matter how strong one’s energy output was, it was useless if one’s feet were lifted off the ground.

‘I’ve been caught off guard again.’

After knocked me down, Kinuan passed by my head and spoke.

“Luka. Always prepare for an attack in front of me. Keep your senses expanded at all times.”

“Yes, sir.”

I replied from where I lay.

* * *

“Hey, are you getting any proper sleep?”

Ilay, who had just returned from a mission, spoke to me. It was the first time I’d seen him in half a month.

Ilay was definitely perceptive. Recently, I’ve been cutting back on sleep. Not just for a day or two—I’d been sleeping less for nearly two weeks.

It was all because of Kinuan’s training. My condition was bound to be poor in every way.

“I’ve just got a lot going on. Anyway, how did your mission go?”

I shifted the topic. Ilay shrugged his shoulders.

“It was boring, just taking care of a malfunctioning android. Every mission they send us on lately is like this. Feels like child’s play.”

“It’s probably because of that last reconnaissance of the ruins. Even the higher-ups are being cautious. Don’t you think that’s also why the Commander’s been absent recently?”

The Imperial Guard Commander, Hemillas, used to occasionally show his face at the training grounds. But now, it seemed like it had been over three months since we’d last seen him.

Ilay held his tongue for a moment, then shook his head.

“No, that’s not it. There must be something else going on. I’ve picked up a few things through my family’s contact network.”

The Carthica Family, Ilay’s family, had many high-ranking military officers. Anything significant would surely reach the Carthica Family’s ears.

“If it’s something serious enough for the Commander to get involved… could it be a rebellion or something?”

I joked. In truth, it was an extremely dangerous remark, but around Ilay, reckless comments often slipped out.

“……Well.”

Ilay couldn’t answer immediately and swallowed his words. I widened my eyes, studying his face. He was unusually flustered.

“Is it for real?”

Ilay nodded reluctantly.

“It’s not confirmed yet, but they say there’s a faction plotting rebellion. Once the investigation concludes, a purge will probably begin soon.”

Even I was at a loss for words. Just the term “rebellion” was sacrilegious. If there was indeed such a movement, it wasn’t something to speak of lightly.

‘A rebellion.’

From my perspective, it made no sense.

Beyond our borders lay clear enemy nations. Tensions remained high, and full-scale war could break out at any time.

The Empire needed an iron-willed Emperor and a united army.

“What nonsense. Are they planning to start a rebellion with the enemy right in front of us?”

I spat the words out, laced with anger and contempt. No matter how radical Ilay’s thinking might be, I expected him to agree with this.

But I was wrong. Ilay, lost in thought, spoke cautiously.

“If you dismiss it as mere nonsense, it’ll only fester from within….”

Before he could finish, my hand moved. I grabbed him by the collar without even realizing it.

“Ilay, I can tolerate you being the Empire’s black sheep. But if you’re an enemy of the Empire, even I… I won’t just stand by. That’s my line in the sand. I owe my loyalty to the Empire.”

To my surprise, such loyal words had come out of my mouth. I hadn’t known I could say something like that.

Ilay, with his collar in my grip, looked at me intently without a trace of shock. He observed me, his eyes half-closed. His gaze was piercingly cold.

“Calm down. I’m someone who passed the Imperial Guard’s aptitude tests. Do you think I’d become an enemy of the Empire?”

Ilay tapped my wrist lightly as he spoke. Regaining my composure, I let go of his collar.

“So don’t say things that could be misunderstood. I don’t want to see your name on a list of traitors.”

“I know. I only say this because I can, in front of you.”

Ilay adjusted his disheveled clothes and laughed.

“Don’t laugh. It’s annoying.”

I nudged him with my shoulder and walked toward the vending machine. Ilay, following me, had the nerve to ask me to get one for him too.

“By the way, I heard Claude’s younger sister came looking for you? I know Lilian too. She’s actually pretty….”

“She was a strange woman.”

I cut him off firmly.

“If she’s showing interest in you, you might as well make something of it. She’s a lady from the Ramoness Family, after all. A chance for advancement.”

Annoyed, I tossed the newly-vended drink to Ilay.

“No thanks. I’m not interested in climbing up by clinging to some woman. I’ve rejected all her requests for visits since then. I have no desire to be toyed with by a rich girl’s curiosity.”

“Well, but still….”

“I told you, I’m not interested.”

Ilay was oddly persistent. I made it clear that I didn’t want to discuss this topic.

Ignoring him, I turned back to the vending machine to select a drink.

Tap, tap.

Ilay, sipping his drink, tapped me on the shoulder. He pointed his finger toward the direction of the visitor’s room. I followed his finger with my gaze.

Beyond the window of the visitor’s room, a familiar face was watching me.

‘Lilian Ramoness.’

Lilian was inside the visitor’s room.

Even a noble lady wouldn’t be able to enter a military facility without permission. The cadet visitor’s room was, without a doubt, a part of the military facility.

It wasn’t hard to guess who had let Lilian in. I frowned and looked at Ilay.

“……Damn it.”

Ilay shrugged awkwardly, hearing my muttered curse.

“Sorry, Luka. Lilian asked me earnestly. The Ramoness Family and mine have had ties for a long time, so it was hard to refuse.”