Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 13: 30 Days, Growth (2)

Every three years.

The world’s greatest swordsmanship families, including the three most renowned, gather to test their skills and see how much they have improved.

This event is called the “Honorary Sword Competition.”

Though young, this is a place where raw talents with high potential gather to cross swords.

Despite being a competition for young swordsmen, it attracted a considerable number of martial artists, as new prodigies emerged every three years.

This year, the Honorary Sword Competition had a unique twist.

The youngest participant in the history of the competition was going to take part.

Participants were usually required to have at least reached the first star, and it was considered shameful if they were under ten years old. Yet, an eight-year-old girl was going to compete.

Her name was “Chorien Emblitz.”

Her name was already well-known among the martial artists.

“A new prodigy has been born in the Emblitz Ducal Family, a famous swordsmanship family!”

The rumor that she had achieved the first star at the mere age of eight had spread widely among martial arts families.

With such news, how could martial artists with fighting spirits remain idle?

Seeing the crowds that had gathered from all over the world to catch a glimpse of Chorien, Taran Kal Aradela, the butler of the Kaladan family, couldn’t help but laugh.

It was ironic because her first opponent was none other than Dailid Paul Kaladan.

Dailid, like other swordsmanship prodigies, had achieved the first star at the age of nine and was now ten years old, his skills having matured.

He had achieved the first star a year before Chorien and was two years older, but Taran couldn’t shake off his uneasiness.

“Who would have thought? So many people gathered just to see a seven-year-old kid. Incredible.”

Next to Taran sat Relic, a great archmage of the tenth star and an advisor to the Emperor of Herrael. Despite appearing in his thirties, he was known to be over a hundred years old. He stroked his prickly beard, looking back and forth between Chorien and Dailid with interest.

“Hey, Taran. What do you think will happen? You watched them train closely. Give me a hint!”

“Of course, the Kaladan will win honorably.”

“Oh ho, your eyes are shaking! You think Chorien will win, don’t you? Right?”

It was a lie that was too obvious. As soon as he spoke, he knew he couldn’t deceive the wise man.

“Sigh…”

“Whoa, calm down. Are you worried that Kalel will get angry? Hmm~ But your master is cool, so he won’t take it out on your household. Unless he locks himself in a solitary room claiming to train in seclusion. Oh, but he doesn’t do that anymore, does he? He unofficially became the ‘World’s Strongest’ ten years ago.”

“…”

Angry? Well, he might have been a month ago.

Taran smiled faintly.

His lord was different now.

Even if Dailid lost, he wouldn’t mind at all.

Kalel, who was colder towards his kin than anyone else, could be said to have been a failure as a father.

“Oh, it’s starting.”

After a brief wait, Chorien and Dailid’s swords clashed.

Both of them had skills that were unbelievable for their age, especially Chorien, whose sword glowed faintly with a blue light at the age of eight, drawing small exclamations from the onlookers.

Even those called the ‘greatest prodigies in history’ typically awakened sword energy only after reaching the age of nine, yet here she was, already using it!

Moreover, her proficiency was so extraordinary that she easily overwhelmed the ten-year-old Dailid Paul Kaladan.

“Wow, what a peculiar swordsmanship.”

Swish!

Chorien’s sword aimed for Dailid’s neck, then twisted like a snake and slashed his waist.

Such an unbelievable and unique swordsmanship was the signature technique of the Emblitz, the illusionary swordsmanship!

In the distant past, several pureblood Kaladans had lost to Emblitz despite their superior magical power because they couldn’t comprehend that erratic swordsmanship.

“Ha, amazing! To replicate that peculiar swordsmanship like a worm, one usually has to be an adult. But she’s already executing it. Astonishing, truly!”

Relic’s continuous exclamations were echoed by the surrounding applause. Chorien’s skills were beyond words.

Clang!

When Dailid finally dropped his sword and declared his defeat with a humiliating expression, it signaled a new golden age for the Emblitz Ducal Family.

Clap, clap, clap! Applause erupted from all sides. Some carefree martial artists even whistled, unaware of the heavy atmosphere of the competition.

“Wow, it’s the golden age of Emblitz!”

“I never thought the mighty Kaladan would lose in swordsmanship!”

“I can’t believe it. Emblitz!”

“Ha ha ha.”

Relic laughed with his shoulders shaking. The mighty Kaladan had been so disgracefully defeated!

With a smile on his face, he looked at Kalel.

He expected to see Kalel’s angry face!

‘Huh?’

However, contrary to Relic’s expectations, Kalel had a serene expression, as if the outcome didn’t matter.

‘What? Has he really achieved the complete understanding of the tenth star?’

Not yet. Although Kalel’s power was far superior to other tenth-star martial artists, if he had surpassed the tenth star and reached the ‘supernova’ stage, Relic wouldn’t even be able to look at him due to his overwhelming presence.

‘That’s not it.’

Yet, Kalel remained serene. What was the reason for such peace?

“Hmm! I guess we’ll see!”

The Honorary Sword Competition continued, and the results remained similar.

Chorien easily defeated swordsmen who were two to three years older than her.

The defeated included a descendant of the “Makris” family, one of the three major swordsmanship families of the Benedis Holy Empire, which made it even more sensational!

“Ah, another victory for Chorien.”

“She’s already faced three opponents? Not just ordinary swordsmen, but disciples and blood relatives of prestigious families?”

“I can’t believe it.”

“…”

The competition hall became even more crowded with martial artists.

Chorien’s emergence was shocking!

Taran closed his eyes gently. He could foresee everything that was about to happen.

“This is a long time coming, Kalel Duke.”

When Taran heard the heavy, time-worn voice, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Just as expected.’

The voice belonged to none other than Duke Aelsob Emblitz.

Ten years ago, after losing to Kalel Kaladan, Duke Emblitz hadn’t even tried to converse in official settings, but today he looked exceptionally triumphant.

“…”

Kalel Paul Kaladan stood up silently and extended his hand for a handshake.

“What do you think of my granddaughter’s skills? Though far from matching the great sword dance of Duke Kalel, she appears to me as an exceptionally talented child.”

“Having a lovely granddaughter must be nice.”

“Oh, right. Your youngest grandson, Muran, isn’t it? I’ve heard of his accomplishments. I’d love for him to compete with my granddaughter. By then, she will have grown even more, so she might have to go easy on him. Ha ha! Just kidding! Just kidding!”

Duke Aelsob Emblitz laughed heartily, then noticed Kalel’s indifferent reaction.

‘What?’

Kalel’s reaction was strangely bland. He acted as if he didn’t care what was said.

The Kalel Duke he knew wasn’t someone who bothered to manage his expressions.

Kalel’s power and authority were such that he didn’t need to.

When angry, Kalel was known to express his emotions clearly. But now, he seemed peaceful?

‘Does he not understand yet? Ha!’

Chorien was only eight years old.

There had been many prodigies throughout history who shone brightly at a young age but faded away soon after. Duke Aelsob Emblitz knew this.

But his youngest granddaughter was different.

‘In ten years, the difference between Emblitz and Kaladan will be evident.’

As Duke Aelsob Emblitz passed by with a firm expression, Kalel clicked his tongue.

“That man is still far from it.”

“Pfft, ha ha!”

Taran remained silent, and Relic, who had been observing quietly, burst into laughter. Despite being humiliated with family pride in front of everyone, Kalel remained calm!

“Hey, Kalel! You said you’ve been hanging out with hermits lately. Did you achieve some enlightenment? You’ve become so docile!”

“Enlightenment? I achieved that long ago.”

Normally, Kalel would have frowned at Relic’s loud laughter, calling it frivolous, but he remained calm. He even looked relieved, resembling a sage who had achieved enlightenment, which piqued Relic’s curiosity even more.

“Heh, listen. I’ve also reached some understanding of the tenth star, but that’s not the face of someone who’s reached the stage of a sage. That’s the face of a father with good news! Tell me, what exciting thing happened? Just tell me, secretly!”

“If I tell you, the whole capital will know within half a day.”

“Hey, do I seem that loose-lipped?”

“You didn’t know?”

“That’s harsh! Our long friendship means nothing!”

As the Honorary Sword Competition began to conclude, with blessings and celebrations for the emerging talents, Kalel stood up and left.

“Huh?! What’s this? I’m really curious now! What is it?”

That evening, Relic hurried back to the palace, urging his informants to find out what was happening

within the Kaladan family.

“Heh, this Kalel. He was confident in the face of Duke Aelsob Emblitz’s provocation for a reason.”

[Kalel Kaladan Duke, Accepts a Prodigy Boy from a Branch Family into the Main Line.]

[The boy, known to have reached the first star at seven years old, is named…]

This rumor would soon reach not only Relic but also the ears of the Empire’s notable nobles and martial artists.

It wouldn’t take long for the news to reach Duke Aelsob Emblitz!

“Puh-hah, Duke Emblitz. After showing off today, he’s going to be so mad when he sees this at home!”

Although the boy’s face was yet to be revealed, his name was clear.

‘Harang Paul Kaladan.’

Relic stroked his beard, committing the name to memory.

“This makes the next ten years exciting.”

Relic smiled brightly, feeling that his later years would not be boring. He had a feeling he’d be visiting the Kaladan Duke’s family quite often in the future.