Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 98

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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 98

 

 

 

56. Did You Learn a Thing or Two?

 

 

“Come in, everyone! Hahaha.”

Duke Termion welcomed us very warmly.

“Father!”

“My daughter! You seem to have grown even more. How did your exams go?”

“Of course they went well. You’ll be shocked when you see my report card later!”

“I look forward to it. Haha.”

Of course, the one he was most happy to see was his own daughter, Leila.

They say it’s a family tradition that doesn’t tolerate failure, but Leila seems to be an exception. Well, for a family like Duke Termion’s, that makes sense.

“Dane. We meet again.”

“Duke. Have you been well?”

“Indeed. Ho. Your frame seems to have improved even more. I hear you’re receiving special training from Professor Keltas?”

At least his ears are sharper than Sir Asmar’s.

“I’ve had many occasions to meet people here and there recently. I also know about your special admission exam success and how you flustered Professor Denabo from the Magic Department.”

Did he perhaps plant spies at the Academy?

“Mm, I heard you formed a club. You led it, Dane?”

“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”

“The name is a bit strange though… What was it, ‘Magic Summoning Exploration Spear Swordsmanship’?”

Oh.

He’s the first person other than me to mention the club name exactly as it is.

“Father, we’re going to change that soon.”

“Right? Even I thought it was a bit strange.”

“…”

What’s wrong with that name.

It’s intuitive and perfectly fine.

Anyway, seeing no mention of the Prince, he doesn’t seem to know that much. Officially, it would just be a simple ‘meeting’ with the Prince.

What would the Prince be doing around now?

Would he be practicing swordsmanship with his now-healed hand?

Well, I’ll find out when I meet him later.

“Ah, this friend must be that Ernest you mentioned in your letter, Leila.”

“It’s, it’s an honor to meet you, Duke! I’m Ernest Dylan, eldest son of the western exploration noble family, Baron Dylan!”

Right, he was in front of a Duke.

I often forget since I see him so often.

Ernest looked as nervous as when he first met the Prince.

“Hehe, there’s no need to be so tense. Today I’m meeting you all as Leila’s father. So, Ernest Dylan. Our family has several ancient artifacts that the Dylan family obtained through exploration. Leila, you’ve made friends with a child from a remarkable family.”

“Of course. Whose friend do you think he is?”

“Haha. You’ve gotten quite cheeky. Come, everyone, let’s go inside. I’ve prepared a small banquet for dinner since you’re visiting.”

Might there be tart too?

The strawberry tart I had when staying here while waiting for the entrance ceremony sometimes appears in my dreams.

“There’s strawberry tart too. I told them in advance.”

At Leila’s whisper, I swallowed my saliva.

Leila, you really are…

The best friend ever.

“Ah, Dane. I heard the story from Sir Asmar. Since today happens to be a day when the knight order has training, it would be good to have some enjoyable time briefly before dinner.”

I expressed my gratitude at Duke Termion’s words.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

It’s one piece of welcome news after another.

This looks like I’ll get a proper workout today.

“Not at all. Consideration, what consideration. Thinking of the friendship I shared with Aken, this much is nothing. Do you know? When Aken and I first met, we were exactly your age. People think we built our friendship on the battlefield, but we first met at the Princess’s debutante ball. Ah, your Mother Lily was there too at that time…”

By the way, was this man always such a talkative person?

 

 

I ended up staying in the same room I had stayed in when I first came to this mansion.

Even though I only stayed for a few days, it feels strangely familiar.

Ernest was in the room right next to mine.

“Dane, so you’re going to spar with Duke Termion’s knight order later?”

“That’s probably how it’ll go.”

“Amazing. I’ll cheer you on from the side!”

“Don’t just cheer, watch carefully how swordsmanship unfolds. You decided to learn a weapon later, didn’t you?”

“That’s true, but… honestly, when I see your or Leila’s swordsmanship, I don’t even dare think I could follow along.”

Ernest shook his head as if it was absurd.

Well, without special talent, learning a weapon art like swordsmanship that takes a long time at age 14 might be a bit much.

“There’ll be a weapon art that suits you.”

“I suppose so? I’d like to try learning archery that you showed me last time too.”

“Archery is good.”

Since I noticed there was an archery range when I came last time, it might be good to ask Sir Asmar or Leila to let me try holding a bow again.

My strength has increased considerably, so I might be able to draw a bowstring now.

Anyway, after a brief rest, an attendant came to find me.

“Young Master Dane Sogress, I’ll escort you to Training Ground No. 1. Please change into the outfit left at your door and then come find me.”

At those words, I took Karnas out from my chest to reassure him.

“Can you stay alone?”

“Kyreuk!”

The fellow nodded as if it was obvious.

I was already thinking he needed training to be alone anyway, so this worked out well.

The fellow adapted quickly wherever he went and was already looking for a place to lie down.

“Kyreuk!”

And as if this spot was good, he coiled up in the middle of the bed and even yawned.

“He’ll be fine.”

I changed into the comfortable clothes the attendant had brought and followed him out with Ernest.

“A ducal family’s knight order… I’m really nervous.”

Ernest’s fuss naturally followed. The attendant responded by quickly listing off the knight order’s accomplishments.

“Duke Termion’s knight order prides itself as the Empire’s finest, excluding the Imperial Knight Order. Even now, countless knight candidates are applying to Duke Termion’s knight order.”

His pride seems tremendous.

It’s actually a knight order worthy of such pride.

They say they’re the best excluding the Imperial Knight Order, but in reality, they’re evaluated as matching or even surpassing the Imperial Second Knight Order.

“Of course, only a very few among them can enter the knight order, and even those with outstanding skills must be verified before they can finally join.”

“Verification?”

“Yes. It’s a method where they designate one member of the knight order and challenge them.”

It’s a truly cruel method, but on the other hand, it’s the reason Duke Termion’s knight order can maintain the highest level.

It gives existing knight order members the tension of potentially being expelled at any time, while providing candidates with a clear target point.

“I understand Count Sogress’s knight order also has a tremendous reputation.”

Then the attendant suddenly mentioned our family’s knight order, making me curl up the corners of my mouth.

Our family didn’t become a renowned spear arts house simply through Father’s martial prowess alone.

A spear arts knight order that could be called virtually unique in the Empire.

Starting with Father teaching spear arts to the knights who followed him on the battlefield one by one, that force gradually grew and naturally formed into a knight order.

I heard there was originally a knight order that mainly used swordsmanship, but it changed to a spear arts knight order during Father’s generation.

So I too often sparred with other knights besides Father during my childhood. Though I didn’t do it often since they kept letting me win, which made it boring.

“The training ground will appear soon.”

With that anticipation, we arrived at the training ground.

The First Training Ground.

There, the training of Duke Termion House’s knight order was already in full swing.

“Wow…”

Ernest let out an exclamation.

Even from my perspective, it was a magnificent sight.

About fifty knight order members were lined up in perfect formation without a single deviation, practicing identical movements in perfect unison.

Each individual’s capability was at least Quad-level.

The level of the candidates staying in separate quarters at the Duke’s mansion and waiting for opportunities was the same.

“You came?”

Just then, Leila came to greet us.

Leila pointed to the knight order’s training with a proud and satisfied expression.

“This is both of your first time seeing our family’s knight order, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Amazing, Leila!”

Indeed, it was amazing.

When I focused my mind for a moment, I could feel a vigorous, intense, yet orderly flow of mana.

And the fact that my heart was starting to beat a little faster like this was certainly no coincidence.

“Are you ready for the sparring match?”

Just then, Duke Termion also arrived.

A warrior with skills beyond Sir Asmar who leads this knight order, and one of the strongest men in the Empire.

Despite his casual attire, an intimidating presence could be felt as soon as he entered the training ground.

“Duke. Thank you for giving us this good opportunity.”

“Hmm. A good opportunity. That might be something we should be saying instead.”

Duke Termion smiled and raised his hand.

Then Sir Asmar immediately shouted.

“Everyone, halt training and form a circle formation!”

As soon as the words fell, the fifty knights moved in perfect unison and instantly formed a circle formation centered around the middle of the training ground.

That must mean we’ll fight inside there.

If it were an ordinary knight, just standing inside there would create tremendous pressure.

“Let’s start lightly, Dane.”

Duke Termion then sent a second signal, and again Sir Asmar shouted.

“Candidates! Form a circle formation!”

Then dozens of candidates ran up from below the training ground hill and formed a new circle formation inside the one the knight order had just created.

So those are the candidates.

People who are always waiting for a chance to enter the knight order.

I heard there are people who have spent over 10 years as candidates alone.

Perhaps that’s why.

Compared to the relaxed knight order members, the candidates’ faces were full of fierce determination.

“So I’ll be sparring with the candidates.”

“That’s right. Spar to your heart’s content until the evening banquet.”

What was Duke Termion’s intention?

No matter how much I’m the son of an old friend, the eldest son of Count Sogress, and a guest visiting the Duke’s house…

This is quite a large scale.

“Dane, you can designate someone yourself, or accept direct challenges.”

I nodded.

The method didn’t matter either way.

What I needed right now was to resolve the combat instincts that had begun awakening again after the battle at Saint Aimar’s Hall.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.

“What happens if I defeat one of the existing members?”

“Huh?”

“Then would I become a member of Duke Termion House’s knight order?”

“Hahahaha!”

Duke Termion burst into loud laughter.

Then he wore a satisfied smile as if pleased.

“I didn’t expect you to say something like that.”

“Was that an inappropriate thing to say?”

“Not at all.”

Duke Termion continued in a serious tone this time.

“Our knight order’s rules are simple. If anyone who is designated is defeated, their positions are switched. That’s all. If you designate one of the members and achieve victory… I would be accepting one genius.”

At those words, I looked at the Duke and smiled.

“I’ll consider joining.”

“Hehehe… To think there would be someone who would say they’d ‘consider’ joining our knight order.”

Despite saying that, his expression showed he was very pleased.

“Are you planning to use a sword?”

I shook my head.

“Today I’ll use a spear.”

“That’s a shame. I wanted to see your swordsmanship.”

I did consider it a bit, but in this kind of official setting, I needed to honor Father’s reputation as the youngest son of Count Sogress.

That was my reason for choosing the spear.

“Then, I’ll begin.”

“Very well. I’m counting on you.”

A tone as if asking me to teach them a lesson.

In response, I nodded.

Duke Termion added to this.

“Wait. Yes, now that it comes up… knowing your personality, you probably won’t join the knight order.”

Indeed, he knows me well.

“How about this? I’ll give you a reward commensurate with that.”

“This isn’t a sparring match I’m doing for a reward.”

“My reputation is different. You think I’d bring my friend’s son here, have him spar, and then keep my mouth shut?”

At those words, I answered with a faint smile.

“Then I’ll gratefully accept whatever consideration you show.”

“Very well. I’ll think about it.”

As I entered the circle formation, I briefly made eye contact with Leila.

Leila was looking at me with a strange expression.

I didn’t know about other things, but one thing was certain.

Her sharp eyes were filled with determination to observe everything thoroughly.

Good.

Shall I show them something?

“Young Master.”

I received the practice spear the attendant handed me and finally entered the circle formation.

It had appropriate length and weight.

At the same time, a voice could be heard.

“Listen everyone. Today, the youngest young master of Count Sogress, who has a special relationship with our Duke Termion House, Young Master Dane Sogress, has personally requested to spar with you all.”

It was Sir Asmar.

“Today, His Grace has promised a great reward to the candidate who wins in sparring. Any candidate wishing to request a duel should step forward now and formally observe proper etiquette when applying for the match.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a man stepped forward.

“Boyan Delkimar, 40th candidate of the Termion Ducal Knights, humbly requests a sparring match with Young Master Dane Sogress.”

The 40th candidate, then.

I nodded my head.

“Boyan Delkimar. I accept your request for a duel.”

The candidate named Boyan drew his practice sword, and I too swung my spear once through the air before taking my stance, aiming it toward him.

Whoooosh….

With only the sound of wind blowing, the training circle was filled with heavy tension.

“The rules are simple. You lose if your buttocks touch the ground, if you kneel on one knee, or if you drop your weapon. Or if you declare surrender. Mana usage is free, but for safety reasons, weapon surface mana enhancement is prohibited. That’s all.”

Basic sparring rules.

“I’ll learn a thing or two from you, Young Master.”

A polite phrase accompanied by a sly, youthful smile.

It was provocation.

And—

Thud!

Candidate Boyan moved first, charging at me.

A swift and fast rush.

His gripped sword aimed at me.

Excellent.

However.

Thwack!

I can see all of this with my eyes.

I instantly deflected the horizontally flying sword with my spear shaft and immediately changed direction to thrust my spear tip forward.

“…!”

Dilated pupils.

An expression of disbelief.

The tip of my spear lightly touched Boyan’s neck, bearing that expression, and stopped.

“….”

“….”

Silence spreading in all directions.

Quiet.

What this means is simple.

My victory.

Boyan’s trembling transmitted through the spear shaft past the spear tip.

I asked him.

“Well. Have you learned something now?”

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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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