Chapter 92
“…Can you really modify the sword techniques?”
“I’ve already modified the first technique of the Storm Sword.”
“…Huh… Could you tell me how powerful it is?”
“It’s become stronger. Especially when compared to the aura it consumes. As of now, I’ve only passed it on to Leonhardt and Seron.”
At my words, Abel’s eyes grew urgent.
“So? What did Leonhardt say about it?”
“He concluded that it was far more efficient. Naturally, compared to the original first technique.”
“…Huh. I find it hard to believe. I know you’re a tremendously talented mage… but that doesn’t necessarily mean it has anything to do with swordsmanship.”
Well, of course, it’d be hard to believe.
The Storm Sword had been refined over centuries by thousands of knights.
And I was claiming to have modified it just like that.
Rather than explaining a hundred times, it was better to show it once.
“Leonhardt is outside. Why don’t we take this chance to confirm it for yourself?”
“Hmm… Alright.”
Abel walked out of the meeting room with me and approached Leonhardt.
The two of them began talking quietly.
The conversation didn’t last long.
“Kyle.”
“Yes, big brother.”
“Would it be alright if I sparred with Sir Leonhardt?”
“Of course.”
It seemed Abel wanted to experience the modified Storm Sword firsthand.
We moved to the training hall within the inner castle.
Leonhardt and Abel drew their swords.
“First Prince. I’ll begin.”
Seeing Abel nod, Leonhardt took his stance.
It was the exact stance I had taught him for the first technique.
And then—
Bang!
He surged toward Abel in an instant and unleashed a sword strike.
Five fluid motions followed in succession.
Each strike aimed precisely at vital points, forcing Abel to hurriedly defend them.
The growing shock in his eyes was just an added bonus.
After a short while—
Abel, who had finished the sparring, stared blankly at Leonhardt.
“…It’s true. Sharper and faster than the original, and even the power has increased. How much aura does it consume?”
“About 1.5 times more than the original.”
“…And it can produce that much power with just 1.5 times the aura? I can hardly believe it.”
“Everything I said is true. I was also… very surprised when I saw the swordsmanship that Young Master modified.”
“……”
Abel’s gaze naturally turned toward me.
It was like the look of a superfan staring at a superstar.
It felt a bit embarrassing, having a man look at me like that.
With gleaming eyes, he soon approached me.
“…Kyle! You’ve really created an incredible sword technique!”
“If it weren’t for the original Storm Sword, it would’ve been impossible. I only added a slight variation to the wisdom of our ancestors.”
“If it were that easy, the Storm Sword would’ve evolved far more than it has by now.”
“Was it alright?”
“…It wasn’t just alright. It felt nearly twice as strong. And that was just the first technique—it wasn’t easy to withstand.”
“That’s a relief.”
“At this level… just as you said, it might really be possible to implement differential education. No—this might even be something we can pass down separately to the knights. The power of this sword technique is truly extraordinary.”
I immediately understood what he was suggesting.
He was thinking of selectively teaching the modified Storm Sword only to knights who were obedient and deeply loyal.
Abel then looked at me with hopeful eyes.
“By any chance… have you also modified the second technique?”
At Abel’s question, I shook my head.
It wasn’t that it was impossible to modify it, but I wasn’t planning to reveal everything right away.
I’d give—but only after taking in as much as I could in return.
To achieve that, it was best to release things slowly.
For now, just revealing the first technique was enough.
“Not yet.”
“…I see. Sword techniques become more profound as they progress in stages, so it’s naturally not easy. Then let me ask this first—do you think it’s possible to modify the second technique in the same way?”
“I can’t give a definite answer, but I believe it’s possible. However, to do that, I’ll need to reach a higher level myself.”
I explained that modifying magic beyond my own circle level was currently impossible, and that this seemed to apply to swordsmanship as well.
Abel nodded as if he understood.
“Got it. Then… would it be possible to modify the other six basic sword styles?”
“Yes. I’ve checked. All six of them could likely be modified at the level of the first technique.”
“……”
At my answer, Abel clicked his tongue.
“…Then, I’d like to make a request. Would you be willing to modify them?”
“Yes. I’ll do that. And I also have a request of my own…”
“Go ahead. Say whatever you need.”
“I’d like to obtain the original versions of magic tomes from the 1st to 3rd Circles.”
“…The originals, you say?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that sometimes the originals contain insights not found in the copies. That’s why I became curious.”
“Very well. I’ll try to track them down.”
“Thank you.”
“No, no. Just the modified Storm Sword you showed us today is worth more than dozens of original tomes. I’m the one who should be thanking you, Kyle.”
As expected.
He was someone who truly understood the meaning of give-and-take.
I watched Abel for a moment and thought.
Originally, I had only planned to reveal the existence of the modified technique, not the actual sword manual.
I had intended to reveal that later when going to Prinus.
But the damage from the recent rebellion had been far greater than I expected.
If things continued as they were, people would soon start baring their fangs at the family.
They’d begin trying to suppress and check the family openly.
With disaster piling upon disaster—
What the family needed now was power and hope.
‘If it’s the Modified Storm Sword…’
Even if it’s just the first technique, its utility was immense. This alone could become a great strength for the family.
‘I should just reveal the full first technique now.’
Right now, the family might not be able to give a proper reward because it’s on its knees—
But once time passes and the Marquisate regains its strength, they’ll surely reward me properly.
Abel, as I had come to know him, was that kind of person.
You have to help in hard times if you want to be remembered deep in someone’s heart.
I rummaged through the magic pouch and pulled out a book.
It was the same book containing the aura circulation method that I had previously handed to Leonhardt.
“Please take this.”
“……What is this?”
“It’s the Storm Sword technique book, detailing the method of circulating aura according to each movement.”
At my words, Abel received the sword manual reverently and gave a quiet nod.
“……Thank you, Kyle.”
“It’s nothing. Until we begin recruiting knights, I’ll try to modify the remaining sword techniques as quickly as possible.”
“Good. Oh, right—Kyle.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Father seems to be quite distressed.”
“……It’s understandable. He trusted Second Brother deeply. He probably never imagined such a thing would happen.”
“Phew… You’re right. And on top of that, he had to strike down his own child with his own hands…”
“Even so, I’m sure Father will overcome it. No matter what anyone says, he’s one of only three Sword Masters in the Empire, isn’t he?”
Sword Master.
That realm wasn’t something one could reach just by having excellent swordsmanship.
It required mental fortitude, flexible thinking, constant effort—and finally, talent that touched the heavens.
That’s why, even if he was shocked, he would be able to recover quickly.
As if agreeing with me, Abel nodded.
“Of course, but… Father is still human. If someone offered him comfort, he might find peace of mind a little sooner. So if you have time, would you go see him?”
“Yes. I was planning to visit him today anyway.”
“Alright. Thank you.”
After parting with Abel,
I immediately headed toward the office within the inner castle.
Knock knock.
I gently knocked on the door.
When I stepped inside, I saw Remton sorting through documents.
Even after cutting down his own son with his own hands, he had started dealing with official duties right away.
Whether it was due to his sense of duty as the family head, or simply because he had a strong mental fortitude—
In any case, the Marquess was silently handling the work entrusted to him.
Soon, he looked at me.
“……Kyle?”
“Yes, Father. It’s me. Are you busy?”
“……No. Sit down.”
Two cups of fragrant tea were placed down.
“What brings you here?”
“I was worried about you, so I came to check in.”
At my words, Remton gave a bitter smile.
“I’ve been realizing more and more lately how much you’ve grown.”
“I’ll be an adult in three years anyway.”
“So it’s already come to that. I’m fine.”
In the eyes that followed his words, there was a steel-like firmness.
The Marquess took a sip of tea and quietly looked at me.
After a moment of contemplation, he gently brushed the rim of the teacup—
And asked one question.
“……By the way, Kyle.”
“Yes.”
“Did you… perhaps know that Adolf would do something like this?”
Why was he asking this now?
It wasn’t hard to figure out.
The conversation we had before the succession ceremony—
And the magic I cast when Adolf attacked.
He must’ve thought about all of that.
And that magic—
‘He must’ve realized that it was something prepared in advance.’
That’s why I thought it would be better to reveal a portion of the truth.
That would be far better than telling a clumsy lie.
My eyes met Remton’s.
“At first, it was just a feeling.”
“……A feeling?”
“Yes. Every time I looked at Second Brother, I had a bad feeling. Also… Erciel’s spirit once said something to me.”
And so, I began to briefly explain the circumstances.
Starting from the ominous aura, to the part where Adolf was controlling the military forces.
Remton listened quietly and asked,
“……Was there a reason you didn’t tell me about it?”
“I thought that if I told you such a thing, you would respond in full force. If that had happened, the rebellion might not have erupted during the succession ceremony.”
Facing Remton, who remained silent, I continued.
“Second Brother would’ve calculated the odds before deciding to revolt—considering your reaction, the surrounding forces, and all other factors. And the shadowy forces… I believed that moment was the best time to eliminate them. That’s why I didn’t inform you.”
“……”
Remton remained silent for a while, then quietly nodded.
He must’ve understood what I meant.
“There’s one thing I want to ask.”
“Yes. Please go ahead.”
“……When you realized it—was Adolf already… beyond saving?”
That sinister aura that made your whole body tremble.
Someone who carried such a thick presence—it was far too late.
Remton.
There’s no way he didn’t already know that.
“……I believe it started ten years ago. If he had carried that kind of aura for that long, nothing could’ve saved him.”
“……”
“So… I’d like to say that your choice was the right one. It was a decision made for the family. If I had been in your place, I would have cut down Second Brother too.”
Remton gave no reply.
Silence lingered in the office for a while.
Then—
He set down his teacup and looked at me.
“……Thank you, Kyle.”
I hoped my comfort helped in some way.
He was a man as strong inside as his fierce appearance.
I was sure he would overcome it.
And so, Remton and I silently sipped our tea.
After a short tea time—
I left the office and began walking toward the annex.
Without that backstabbing rebel sharpening his blade behind me, it felt so relaxing and joyful!
It was like getting that persistent itch on the back of your head scratched just right.
‘Now, the first thing I have to do is…’
Restore the family’s strength.
With more than half of our knights and soldiers gone—those who supported our backbone—I had to rebuild our forces as much as I could before heading to Prinus.
Modified sword techniques.
A new method for recruiting knights.
And investment items that were expected to skyrocket in value.
I planned to share all my knowledge with Abel through close collaboration.
Of course, it wouldn’t be free.
Once the Magic Tower was established, I would use that influence to my full advantage.
Marquis Houdini of the Eastern Magic Tower Association.
Unlike Adolf, who was merely a high-ranking knight, this guy was a true monster—worthy of the title ‘a being from beyond the heavens.’
If someone like him started tapping into power the way Adolf had, things could get ugly.
I might even have to send an SOS to the Marquess and Abel if things got bad.
This was, in a way, an investment for that eventuality.
As I continued mulling it over and returned to the annex—
‘What the…?’
I saw five people standing in front of the annex.
Who were they?
Activating the 1st-circle magic Eagle Eye, their faces gradually came into view.
They were the five gladiators who had tried to flee the moment the rebellion broke out.
—
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