Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 36

Graduation Assignment

A ten-year-old genius boy who had reached the second star suddenly appeared and defeated a nineteen-year-old four-star knight, shocking the entire world. After that incident, four winters passed, and three springs bloomed.

Although four years had flown by, the appearance of the White Night Castle, which boasted hundreds of years of history, had not changed significantly. However, the young raw stones living and breathing inside were gradually changing with the passage of time.

Internally, many things had changed.

Right after the end of the Honorary Sword Meeting, Kyle Paul Kaladan had belatedly advanced to the second training squad, and Lidan Paul Kaladan had officially received his knighthood as a Polden Knight and left the White Night Castle.

Wayne Kaladan, who had shown dishonorable behavior towards Harang, couldn’t withstand people’s disregard and quit halfway through. However, his absence wasn’t felt as the boys of the 97th class, who had been with Harang, quickly filled the gap.

Although only about half, including Charen and Theon of the 97th class, had managed to advance, everyone believed they would all complete their training and advance because they were all maintaining top ranks.

The trainees of the 97th class, who had been with Harang, were said to be exceptionally vigorous.

At that time, it was not Kyle but Harang who held the real power in the second raw stone training squad of the Black Horse Knights.

Of course, despite receiving advice from Charen, Harang still focused almost entirely on his training, barely paying attention to his surroundings, so he didn’t particularly exert influence or lead people around.

However, whenever Harang trained, people always gathered around him, and most of the disciples believed in and followed him. Many knights were impressed by him, who, despite his extraordinary talent, swung his sword longer than anyone else.

Around that time, a guest visited the first Black Horse Knights of the White Night Castle.

It was Raiho Makris, the adopted child of a collateral branch of the Brille Makris, one of the three great swordsmanship families, who had once made a name for himself in the world with a single sword.

When Raiho Makris entered the White Night Castle with his fifteen-year-old son and three inquisitor knights, the Black Horse Knights greeted them with stiff expressions.

Although it was common for the three great swordsmanship families to interact and build friendships, visiting the White Night Castle was rare.

This was because the White Night Castle was not a place for entertaining guests but more like a military fortress. Visiting this place was akin to exposing one’s weaknesses, so it was considered quite rude.

Thus, the reason the Makris visited the White Night Castle was likely due to a matter of some incident rather than diplomatic issues.

“Son, we won’t stay long. Our purpose is merely to meet the first knight commander of the Black Horse Knights and then leave.”

“Of course!”

Raiho sighed as his son answered cheerfully.

Although he was pleased to undertake the task of exterminating heretics with his son, this incident would be handed over to the Kaladan family as of today.

Despite this, his son was delighted just to be able to come to the White Night Castle.

‘Anyway, he won’t be able to see anything.’

The training of knights and soldiers was all military secrets, and outsiders were not allowed to see them.

The only reason his son was happy to come to the White Night Castle was that he might catch a glimpse of the genius boy Harang Paul Kaladan.

Harang was a genius boy who had shocked the world three years and six months ago at the Honorary Sword Meeting.

The shock still hadn’t subsided for Raiho, who had seen the boy at that time, but unfortunately, his son Luyan hadn’t been there.

So, six months ago, Luyan participated in the re-held Honorary Sword Meeting, but this time Harang didn’t even show up.

Many spectators, who had increased in number from the last Honorary Sword Meeting just to see Harang, were disappointed, but they were quite entertained by the appearance of a new prodigy.

A genius boy had appeared who could rival Chorien Emblitz!

That was Luyan Makris.

Although he fought evenly with Chorien, he lost because he hadn’t mastered techniques and ultimate skills. Despite the bitter defeat, Luyan cheerfully said, ‘I just need to become stronger!’

‘Though I am proud of my bright son…’

On the other hand, Raiho was worried.

He was concerned that Luyan might fall into despair upon witnessing a talent that was even more extraordinary than Chorien’s.

Whether he knew his father’s thoughts or not, Luyan smiled brightly, imagining Harang’s appearance.

‘What would he look like? Surely, he’d be tall and handsome, right?’

Although Harang was currently fourteen years old, Luyan imagined a tall and heroic figure fitting the famous reputation. A stern man with silver eyes matching the Kaladan name!

Soon, the Makris party, having finished discussing ‘heretics’ with the first knight commander of the Black Horse Knights, prepared to leave.

“We will handle this matter. Lieutenant, bring Semi Polden Harang here.”

Harang! Hearing that name, Luyan’s eyes sparkled.

Even as the lieutenant hurried out, Raiho and the knight commander’s conversation continued for a while but soon ended. Luyan, though hoping to meet in the reception room, thought it might be too much to ask.

“Then, we entrust this to you.”

As Raiho stood up, Luyan followed him with a sullen expression.

However, could it be a miracle? From afar, the lieutenant who had hurried out was seen returning with two boys.

The two boys following the lieutenant had completely different auras.

The boy with short navy blue hair, which appeared blue, was about 180 cm tall, sturdy, and had excellent looks, resembling a hero from legends.

Moreover, the neatly dressed training uniform seemed to symbolize his righteous nature.

‘Huh? A kid? A girl?’

In contrast, the other boy seemed to be about 150 to 160 cm tall, still growing. He had his hair tied back and was talking while looking sideways, but when he turned this way and their eyes met, Luyan momentarily held his breath.

Even at a young age, he had an appearance comparable to Chorien, who was known for his heavenly looks.

Luyan, who had been staring blankly at him, quickly regained his composure.

As a practitioner of the sword, one must not be blinded by external beauty.

‘Then, that tall boy must be Harang…!’

Just as he was convinced and his eyes sparkled, the lieutenant said to the tall boy,

“Semi Polden Theon, the infirmary is this way.”

“…Yes.”

Huh? Something was wrong. The lieutenant called the tall boy Theon.

‘Theon? Why Theon?’

While questioning it, the smaller boy asked softly,

“Does it hurt a lot?”

“…My shoulder and arm were hit directly, so the bones are crushed. Of course, it hurts.”

“You should’ve dodged better.”

“You hit me. Don’t you feel sorry at all?”

“Among the four-star swordsmen in the training squad, you’re the only one worth hitting. Charen is as strong as you but hitting her feels wrong, and the rest are too weak to even spar with now.”

“Hmph, I’ll take it as a compliment.”

After Theon went to the infirmary, Luyan overheard the conversation as he passed by them.

“Semi Polden Harang is now at a level where he can receive knighthood, so it would be best not to use excessive force during sparring.”

“Though he complains a lot, he likes it, saying it greatly helps his growth.”

“…That’s not wrong. After all, Semi Polden Theon reaching the fourth star at sixteen isn’t just because of talent.”

Fourth star at sixteen?

Luyan couldn’t believe his ears. That was not a genius but a prodigy!

Despite being that great, he had his arm bones crushed by that small boy?

Luyan turned back for a moment. What kind of hidden power did that fourteen-year-old boy possess…?

He stood still for a while, speechless.

His eyes were filled with deep disbelief.

* * *

Harang, called to the knight commander’s office, sensed the time had come.

In the past four years, he hadn’t rested for a single moment, constantly progressing.

━━━━━━

[Blessing] Synchronization rate… 15.945%

[Magic 4-core]

[Swordsmanship 4-star] [Magic 2-star] [Dragon Words 2-star]

[Stamina 59] [Strength 59] [Agility 60]

──────────

Kaladan Swordsmanship

└Third Form / Fifth Form / Dragon Sword Second Form

Silver Heart: White Silver Sky Dragon Heart Technique

Morning Star Eyes: One Starlight

Tangakhyang Descent

──────────

Descendant of the Hero / World’s Best Champion

Silver Dragon Contractor / Stigmata Curse

Conqueror of Another World

Unyielding Challenger

He had acquired the ‘Morning Star Eyes’ through a quest reward, and his stats had increased tremendously, but Harang was still dissatisfied with the results.

Harang regretted not having fully mastered the Kaladan Moon Forms.

‘Balancing magic studies with swordsmanship progress is inevitable. Moreover, recalling forgotten skills was harder than expected.’

The condition to recall skills from his past life was to be in extreme situations, so it wasn’t easy to practice and evolve his swordsmanship into the Moon Forms while comfortably training at the White Night Castle.

Moreover, as his stats exceeded 40, the efficiency of the growth

bonus slightly decreased, making it impossible to expect explosive growth.

‘I knew that it would be harder to grow as my stats increased.’

Although the efficiency had slightly decreased, his training was still more efficient than others, and now, at fourteen, his stats were better than most adult knights, so there was nothing to complain about.

What he lacked was actual combat experience.

He had learned a bit more Dragon Words, acquired the second form of the Dragon Sword, summoned Tangakhyang, and even managed to handle ‘Cheongwolheun’ to some extent.

However, since he never left the White Night Castle, there were no opportunities to use them.

As if knowing his concerns,

“Semi Polden Harang. You are fourteen this year, so you can perform missions. Do you know that?”

“Yes, but isn’t the mandatory age for missions seventeen?”

“That’s incorrect. Semi Polden are required to take missions mandatorily after they graduate from the White Night Castle when there’s nothing left to teach them.”

“Then, I…”

“Do you still think there’s something left to learn here?”

“…..”

Having learned the fifth form of Kaladan Swordsmanship, he had nothing more to learn here.

From the sixth to the tenth forms, the style significantly varied depending on the lineage. Therefore, whether direct or collateral, each person had to be taught by their master, but Duke Kalel, who was supposed to pass on swordsmanship to Harang, had never visited him, leaving only a small hint about the ‘Sky Sword’.

“It’s time for you to leave, Semi Polden Harang.”

The commander handed over a document.

“Just now, a knight from Makris visited. It is said that a ‘heretic’ has infiltrated the royal capital.”

Harang slowly skimmed through the document. The information about the heretic was very brief.

“They gained powerful strength by committing violence against innocent citizens while propagating in the Holy Country of Benedis. Currently, they are presumed to be a four-star strong. Finding and eliminating them is your graduation assignment. Can you do it?”

Harang hesitated for a moment.

Although he had defeated a four-star knight in a duel four years ago, actual combat was a different story.

In real combat, where countless environmental variables existed, it wasn’t uncommon for a lower-ranked warrior to outmaneuver a higher-ranked one.

Furthermore, the fact that the opponent was a ‘heretic’ with deadly intent could be a significant obstacle.

There were often stories of knights who, accustomed to duels with practice wooden dummies, were unable to perform properly when faced with real killing intent.

‘After spending four years at the White Night Castle without collecting proper quest rewards, this is rather a good opportunity.’

Hero Kaladan’s quests were not real in-game quests.

Items or rewards didn’t just appear magically; he had to go to the location and collect them.

Harang had several completed quest maps in his possession.

Since he hadn’t left the White Night Castle, he hadn’t been able to collect them.

‘I can’t stay here forever.’

While living under the protection of the White Night Castle was sweet, he couldn’t live like this forever.

To eventually fly out of the vast shadow of Kaladan and soar on his own, he had to start practicing his wings now.

“Yes, I will take it.”

Eventually, as he accepted his first mission, the knight commander continued, as if he had almost forgotten,

“Ah, by the way, this mission will also be undertaken by the Herrael Imperial family. It is likely that the ‘second prince,’ who is turning seventeen this year, will be sent. If the mission is completed by someone else, it will be considered a failure. If you fail on your first mission, it would be quite dishonorable.”

It wasn’t just dishonorable; failing his first mission could mean not receiving another or having his graduation canceled.

As an adopted child, he needed to prove his position, and having shown little in actual combat, he couldn’t afford a single failure.

“You are aware of the tension between the Herrael Imperial family and the Kaladan Ducal family. Please, complete the mission safely.”

“…”

Harang immediately understood why he, only fourteen years old, was being hastily assigned a mission.

“Please, do not disappoint the Duke.”

This was yet another test.