Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 29

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 29

 

 

 

11. How About We Have a Sparring Match?

 

 

Only then did I realize why Duke Termion had said such things. The story about how Leila seemed to be in a bad mood whenever my name came up.

The letter.

I had forgotten.

I had said I would reply, but I was so busy practicing magic with Sidrain that it slipped my mind.

“You should have at least told me in advance that you were coming!”

Leila seemed quite angry.

“Uh, sorry.”

“Is that all?”

“That’s why I came here. Like this. I wanted to write a letter, but I was a bit busy preparing.”

Leila pouted her lips as if she wasn’t satisfied.

“…Sigh, I can’t even stay angry.”

She must have been waiting quite a while.

Feeling sorry, I cautiously made a suggestion.

“Well, is there anything I can do for you?”

“What do you mean, do for me?”

“Because I’m sorry.”

I thought for a moment before speaking.

“For instance, a light sparring match?”

At those words, one corner of Leila’s mouth curved upward.

“Are you confident you won’t regret it?”

“Regret?”

“I’ll have you know, I’m incomparable to before. I’m not the same person who struggled learning mana release from you back then.”

Seeing her confident expression, it seemed she had grown tremendously over the past 7 years. Right, what was it I saw in that letter back then…

“You know, right? That I won the Imperial Danteur Cup?”

Right, she had said she won the Danteur Cup.

A kind of tournament where boys and girls under 15 from across the Empire compete with support.

It’s a competition created by Danteur I, who founded the current Alteon Empire, to commemorate the establishment of the Empire.

“Yeah, I know.”

“It would have been nice if you had participated too.”

I didn’t participate.

Because it was too bothersome to travel back and forth.

Since I’m in the capital now, I might participate next time.

Anyway, it was clear that Leila possessed tremendous talent. They say the Emperor personally commends the winner and bestows prizes and prize money.

All the talented fellows from across the nation probably gathered there, and Leila claimed victory among them.

“If you had participated, we definitely would have faced each other in the finals.”

Leila said that and asked me.

“You’ll participate next time, right?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Tch. At least say yes. Anyway, fine. So, you want to spar? Are you sure that’s okay? You have entrance exams to take – what if you get hurt?”

I barely managed to hold back a laugh that was about to escape.

It wasn’t mockery. It was because she was cute.

It seemed that confidence had taken the place of the cautiousness I had seen 7 years ago.

I grinned at her words.

“You don’t need to worry.”

“Good. Then shall we go right now?”

“Sure.”

There’s nothing better than this for recovering from travel fatigue.

Well, there wasn’t really any fatigue to speak of since I arrived in an instant.

But anyway.

I think I understand why the Duke told me to go easy.

 

 

Leila Termion.

A girl evaluated as stronger than anyone else her age.

The winner of the 299th Danteur Cup, and she even possessed the beauty that any heir of a prestigious family would cherish in their heart at this point in time.

Moreover, she was the young lady of Duke Termion House.

She could truly be called someone who had everything.

Therefore, gossipmongers unanimously agreed that she would soon catch up to the achievements of her two brothers who were already active as knights, and perhaps even become the first female head of Duke Termion House.

While there might be the reason that it would make for better gossip material, it was proof that Leila’s talent was that remarkable.

In fact, even Leila didn’t know she would grow this much.

But 7 years ago, when she followed her father’s inspection tour to the Southern Region and stopped by Sogress County, she met Dane and her world changed.

Mana release.

She learned the basics of handling mana much faster than her peers, and as a result, she created a mana core a year later, which began to accelerate her growth.

‘From then on… it was growth that even I couldn’t believe.’

And now she had created as many as two mana cores.

Perhaps within 2 years, the number of mana cores might increase to three.

Of course, such growth would have been impossible without her existing talent.

Nevertheless, the secret of mana release that Dane taught her brought tremendous growth to Leila, and ultimately resulted in the achievement of winning the Danteur Cup.

And now it was time to demonstrate that skill in front of the person who taught her.

‘If I happen to win, will Dane be dejected? Should I go easy on him?’

Leila was worried that Dane might become depressed after losing to her.

“This is the training ground.”

“It’s spacious.”

“Really spacious, right? But it’s boring since I always use it alone. My brothers come and use it sometimes, but basically it’s a place that can’t be used unless Termion blood flows through you.”

Leila had an expression full of pride.

“How should we spar?”

Meanwhile, Dane didn’t show particular interest.

“Do you have practice weapons?”

Practice swords, huh.

It’s been over 2 years since I last held one.

“Don’t tell me you still use practice weapons without blades?”

At those words, Dane shook his head.

“I said it would be light sparring. Then practice weapons are the principle.”

Dane continued firmly.

“No matter how skilled a warrior is, they can’t handle every situation. If either you or I get hurt, what would we do then?”

“Our family has the Empire’s best healer in residence.”

“What if an accident happens before the healer can intervene?”

“….”

Dane’s previous life began on the battlefield and ended on the battlefield.

So he knew well how quickly people could get injured and die.

Above all, sparring should be like sparring.

“Wielding a bladed weapon means you must approach it with the proper mindset.”

A fear born from solemnity washed over her.

Leila barely managed to open her mouth.

“…Why so serious about a sparring match?”

“You have to be serious. Always, when drawing a weapon. Of course, the same goes for practice weapons.”

Aken Sogress, this was Father’s teaching as well.

Leila eventually gave in to the atmosphere and accepted it.

But she didn’t seem completely convinced.

‘Is he lacking confidence? Hmph.’

Leila immediately asked.

“Fine. Your weapon is a spear, right?”

“Yes.”

Soon, practice swords and spears were brought out.

“The weight balance is completely off. I used this two years ago.”

While Leila grumbled, Dane silently swung the spear a few times.

A spear with no blade and no particular features.

The weight balance was just as off for Dane.

The short spear Father had given him as a gift—no, as his body grew, the spear shaft was replaced a year ago, making it a long spear now.

That spear was a masterpiece made of Doyang wood and Godrik steel with perfect weight balance.

Therefore, Dane was actually feeling the discomfort more severely.

But Dane didn’t show it.

The memories of the battlefield, where he would pick up any weapon when his broke, were still vivid.

Dane asked Leila.

“The rules are: sparring begins when feet leave the ground. And you lose if your arms or buttocks touch the ground, or if you drop your weapon. How’s that?”

“Good.”

Leila returned to her confident expression. The two, having created distance, pointed their weapons at each other.

Leila took the basic stance of Termion swordsmanship, while Dane took the basic stance of Sogress spearmanship.

As always, Leila visualized the sparring match in her head beforehand.

Fortunately, she had faced spear-wielding opponents in the Danter Cup, so it wasn’t difficult.

‘Spears have long range, but their destructive power drops drastically when the distance closes. In that case…’

Leila made her own plan and finally lifted her foot.

It was the movement signaling the start of the sparring match.

But Leila’s thoughts couldn’t continue further.

Crack!

At the same time, Dane kicked off the ground and instantly charged forward—

“Huh.”

He reached right in front of Leila.

And a cool sensation felt at her throat.

Dane’s spear tip, which had charged like lightning, stopped right in front of her neck.

Dane spoke to Leila, who had frozen in place.

“If we had real weapons and my skill was just a little lacking, or if you had moved carelessly, you would have been stabbed in the throat.”

Leila couldn’t nod her head.

She couldn’t believe what had just happened.

And there was also the reason that Dane’s spear had stopped too close for her to nod.

“How…”

Dane withdrew his spear and answered.

“Shall we start again?”

A drop of cold sweat ran down her spine.

No. It was because I let my guard down.

Leila rationalized and raised her sword.

It was then.

‘Father.’

Not far away.

She could see Duke Termion looking down at the training ground from the terrace.

Leila’s grip on her sword tightened even more.

“Here I come.”

On Dane’s face as he watched such Leila…

Not a trace of amusement could be found.

Like someone going to war.

 

 

The third time.

The fourth time.

And the fifth time.

“What do you think?”

Duke Termion asked Asmar while watching the sparring match between the two young people.

“About Leila being subdued five times.”

Asmar pondered, trying to understand the intent behind Duke Termion’s question, then answered.

“Young Master Dane’s skill seems remarkable.”

“My dear fellow, haha. That’s not what I’m asking. Anyone watching the sparring match would know that fact.”

While saying this, Leila was subdued for the sixth time. Not only was her sword strike easily blocked, but she was also hit on the shoulder.

Of course, it was a light blow, but for Leila, it would have hurt more than any attack in recent years.

“I won’t lose!”

Watching Leila charge again, Duke Termion continued speaking.

“Do you think this will somewhat reduce Leila’s arrogance?”

“…You knew.”

“Of course I know. I know best. The signs showed before the Danter Cup, and she completely changed after winning.”

Duke Termion recalled Leila’s behavior that had gone beyond confidence to arrogance.

He had considered giving her a stern word, but thought she should realize it herself and said nothing more.

“Leila had two mana cores, didn’t she?”

“That’s correct.”

“In your view, how many mana cores does that boy appear to have?”

“…”

After much consideration, Asmar answered.

“At least three, it seems.”

“Does it look that way? Hmm. Different from me. I thought two, at most three.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Do you see it?”

Duke Termion pointed to Dane’s attack.

“What’s overwhelming Leila isn’t his spearmanship or faster movements. It’s tactical movements that Leila has never experienced.”

As the Duke said, Dane’s current speed wasn’t much different from Leila’s.

But Leila was consistently pushed back.

‘I’m the Danter Cup champion!’

Winning the Danter Cup.

For Leila, it was nothing short of enormous pride.

But that pride could no longer be displayed.

Leila’s swift sword strikes, which she had been proud of, were constantly blocked, and the delicate swordsmanship characteristic of the Termion ducal house was completely deflected.

The speed was definitely the same.

But why—

“Why are you blocking everything?”

“Because I can see it all.”

At his nonchalant answer, Leila flared up and charged at him.

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Dane’s words were the truth.

He could see everything.

Dane had accumulated experience several times faster than others by facing all kinds of enemies on the battlefield.

From his perspective, Leila’s attacks were at a level inferior to that of a seasoned soldier.

The speed was similar.

At least the speed that Dane was currently ‘adjusting’ to was certainly so.

While Dane was slightly ahead in physical strength, sparring wasn’t done with strength alone.

Of course, the Duke’s House swordsmanship and the body movements from her mana core were certainly threatening, but…

Even that had to be of the right ‘class.’

Like those fellows who participated in the Dante Cup, for instance.

“Ah…”

“Doesn’t he seem just like a seasoned swordsman?”

Asmar was impressed by Dane’s movements that perfectly matched Leila’s attacks at just the right moments.

To think such movements were possible at that age.

Had he already experienced a lot of real combat?

No, that didn’t make sense.

Then could it only be explained by the word ‘talent’?

“Sir Asmar.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Leila changed once before. Do you know when that was?”

“I believe… it was 7 years ago. It was after she returned from inspecting the Southern Region.”

“That’s right. To be precise, it was after she met that friend named Dane.”

Duke Termion smiled knowingly.

“She’ll probably change again this time too.”

Perhaps this time too, Leila would grow because of Dane.

After all, Dane was thoroughly blocking Leila’s attacks, showing a clear difference in skill level.

“By the way, he seems incredible. The Young Lady is a Dante Cup winner… Count Sogress must have trained him extremely harshly.”

At those words, Duke Termion shook his head.

“No, while he’s strict, he’s not the type to train someone harshly. He’s different from me. And training doesn’t always need to be harsh.”

“Then…”

“Natural talent—what we call genius. A genius even greater than the geniuses we commonly speak of.”

Genius.

It’s a commonly used word, but this case was a bit different.

“He probably didn’t participate in the Dante Cup because he felt no particular interest in it.”

Asmar was dumbfounded.

To feel no interest in the Dante Cup.

Now, in the past, and in the future, the Dante Cup would be the tournament that boys and girls most aspired to.

“That boy’s skill level… in my view, it’s absurd to compare him with those who participated in the Dante Cup.”

Fundamentals that were not just solid but overflowing.

Fast and intense speed.

The sense to utilize mana.

And the experience that made all of this possible…

Even the expertise born from his previous life’s experience.

‘Anyone who doesn’t know better would think a legendary hero is fighting.’

Using dirt, actively utilizing the spear shaft rather than the blade, and irregular attacks following honest attacks.

Did he learn this from Count Sogress?

Instead of flashy spear arts, Count Sogress’s distinctive spear arts of thrusting and swinging at just the right moments felt as if they had evolved in Dane’s generation.

“Excellent spear arts, Duke.”

“Mm. I agree.”

What was certain was that there were no boys or girls who could match that skill level.

“Interesting, very interesting indeed.”

Duke Termion hoped that through this sparring, Leila would realize her own shortcomings. And he hoped she would abandon her arrogance and devote herself more to the sword.

Then she would truly be able to completely surpass her brothers.

“Haha, I told you to go easy on her.”

Duke Termion smiled warmly, anticipating his daughter’s growth.

 

 

7 years ago.

Dane, whom she met in the Count’s Castle Garden, was an object of admiration for Leila.

His behavior that was more mature than hers.

His skill in teaching mana release.

The attentiveness that followed.

And not just words, but the strength he showed when subduing the Tiren Brothers.

That’s why he was an object of admiration for Leila.

At the same time, he was also someone she wanted to surpass.

To be precise—

‘I wanted to prove myself.’

She wanted to prove that she wasn’t just a little kid who only received teachings and waited around.

So she repeated her training and strived to prove herself. Waiting for the day 7 years later when she would face Dane again.

But in that process, as Leila achieved victory in the Dante Cup, she became intoxicated with herself rather than her goal of surpassing Dane.

You are the best.

No one your age could defeat you.

Truly befitting a child of the Termion Family.

With the countless words surrounding her, her confidence gradually turned into arrogance.

She knew it.

Nevertheless, intoxicated by the joy of being recognized, she deliberately ignored it.

And perhaps she even thought that she might be able to easily defeat Dane too.

“What… exactly are you?”

But that wasn’t the case.

She had failed to succeed with over a hundred attacks so far, not even once.

If this had been real combat, Leila would have needed at least a hundred lives.

Every time one of her attacks was blocked, Dane’s spear would invariably rush forward and stop precisely in front of her neck, heart, head, arms, or legs.

‘Why does the gap seem even wider?’

Compared to her own rough breathing, Dane hadn’t disturbed even a single breath.

Thinking about it, since he had performed both defense and offense simultaneously, arithmetically he would have performed twice as many movements as Leila…

“How can this be possible?”

Dane didn’t answer.

“Ugh!”

Instead, he struck away Leila’s sword as she charged.

Clang!

He watched the sword fall to the ground.

It was Leila’s defeat.

“You lost.”

“I know that too.”

Leila grumbled and let out a sigh.

“Fine, I lost.”

Danterr Cup champion.

It was the moment Leila’s sparring defeat was confirmed.

“You… how exactly did you train?”

“Diligently.”

“…Is there anyone who doesn’t train diligently?”

“You can train even more diligently.”

Should I just punch this guy once.

No. I couldn’t even hit him with a sword, what good would a fist do.

“…Tch.”

Leila turned her head away sharply.

Because she hated that smile.

That ridiculous smile that made all complaints and anger melt away when faced with it.

Was it because he was handsome.

‘Next time… I’ll challenge him again next time.’

Anyway, Leila made up her mind.

Now that it had come to this, she would keep challenging him until she won.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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