The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 3

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

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Chapter 3

“My lady. I’ve brought it.”

Helen, the head maid, handed Sylvia a white bowl with steam rising gently from its contents.

“Thank you.”

Sylvia cooled the elixir in the bowl while gazing at the sleeping Raon.

“It’ll be difficult to get him to drink it, won’t it?”
“Children dislike bitter things. You also hated bitter medicine when you were young, my lady.”
“Me too?”
“You probably don’t remember, but there were times you ran away because you didn’t want to take your medicine.”
“Oh, Raon will hear you.”
“Hehe.”

The two of them smiled faintly as they watched Raon, whose breathing came in soft, rhythmic sounds.

“True, no child likes medicine. And since Raon is so young, he’ll dislike it even more.”
“My lady. Still….”
“I know. I have to get him to drink it.”

Sylvia nodded with determination.

‘It’s an elixir Father gave me. I can’t waste even a single drop.’

Perhaps moved by how Sylvia had pleaded with her father that day, Pedrick visited the Annex Building again and handed her three high-quality fire-attribute elixirs.

Since the elixirs would be diluted for use, they could last quite a long time, and she could search for other elixirs during that period. She was truly grateful that he had come.

“Raon.”

Sylvia gently stroked his head so as not to upset him.

“Mmm….”

Raon opened his eyes, his tiny fingers wriggling.

“Did you sleep well?”
“Oooh.”
“Starting today, Raon has something he needs to do. You’ll need to finish all of this.”

Sylvia scooped the medicine with a small wooden spoon and brought it to Raon’s mouth.

‘He’ll eat it, but he’ll cry right after.’

By instinct, the child would consume the medicine, but he would surely grimace at the bitter taste and spit it out.

“Come now, eat up.”

Sylvia carefully placed the elixir into Raon’s mouth, tensing to prevent it from spilling out.

“Ugh….”

I could see Raon’s face contort. I braced myself, waiting for the wail that would surely come.

But no cry came.

“Huh?”

Opening my eyes slightly, Raon was waving his fern-like hands back and forth—as if asking for more.

“Helen. This is….”
“It, it seems like Young Master is asking for more, doesn’t it?”
“Isn’t it? That’s right, isn’t it?”

Sylvia’s eyes widened. She picked up the spoon again, scooping a slightly larger amount of elixir and pouring it into Raon’s mouth.

“Ooh!”

Raon’s eyebrows curved into an inverted V-shape. Yet he still did not cry. His hands moved even faster than before, gesturing eagerly.

“Ah….”

Sylvia’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

“Does Raon understand my heart?”
“Absolutely! Young Master seems to understand Miss Sylvia’s wishes and is enduring it for her sake.”

The way he furrowed his brow made it clear the medicine was bitter. Yet the fact that he kept asking for more proved he understood her feelings and was willing to bear it.

“Raon!”

Sylvia could no longer hold back and pulled Raon into a tight embrace.

*

*

*

‘That’s enough—please give me more medicine already.’

I patted Sylvia’s shoulder and waved my hand.

‘A little bitterness is nothing. I can’t afford to miss an opportunity like this.’

If it were just any ordinary medicine, it would be different. But this was a fire-attribute elixir—exactly what I needed most. No matter how bitter it coated my tongue or how scorching it felt, I had to consume every last drop.

“Raon, look! Isn’t he eating so gracefully?”
“Indeed!”

I paid no attention to whatever Sylvia and Helen were saying, gulping down the elixirs they handed me one after another.

‘Whatever this is, the effects are extraordinary.’

The moment the elixir touched my stomach, a scorching warmth blazed through me like a roaring furnace. The intense heat flowed through my mana circuits, driving away the bitter cold.

‘The potency and concentration are just right.’

A potent elixir could prove toxic to a frail child’s body.

Sylvia and Helen had clearly taken care—the elixir’s concentration was perfectly calibrated for me to accept.

“Ugh.”

I sucked down every last drop of the elixir clinging to the spoon, let out a small burp, and closed my eyes.

“My lady.”
“Yes. Let him sleep for a while.”

Sylvia and Helen gazed at me with eyes brimming with emotion for a long moment before stepping outside.

“Phew.”

The moment the two of them left, my eyes snapped wide open.

‘They won’t be back for a while.’

Even if they did return, there would be no reason to disturb me.

I’d eaten my fill and taken my medicine—Sylvia and Helen would have no cause to wake me. This was the perfect moment for cultivation.

I drew upon the warm energy surging through my body and began forging the Ring of Fire.

‘Thanks to the elixir, I’ll create the Ring of Fire faster and melt away the cold even quicker.’

A smile spread across my lips without my realizing it.

*

*

*

Time flowed like a river, and two and a half years had passed since I began forging the Ring of Fire.

My daily routine during that time was remarkably simple.
I’d wake in the morning, play with Sylvia and Helen, eat lunch and take my elixir, then pretend to nap while forging the Ring of Fire.
After dinner, I’d sleep a bit early, wake around midnight, and begin my second cultivation session while everyone else slept.

Whatever else might be said, I could confidently claim to be the most diligent three-year-old on the entire Continent.

‘If all goes well, the Ring of Fire might reach the first star today.’

Thanks to the elixir, my progress remained unimpeded despite the limited time spent cultivating.

If I could secure adequate time and focus, it seemed I might even be able to synthesize the Ring of Fire today.

‘But truly, he shows no interest whatsoever.’

Glen Zigheart had never shown his face once since naming me. It seemed he had no interest not only in me, but in his own daughter Sylvia as well.

‘Well, it matters not.’

If he shows no interest, I need not offer any in return. As I thought before, I’ll simply take what I can gain and leave the family behind.

‘Though just a little….’

I found myself concerned about Sylvia, Helen, and the other maids who would remain here. Over these three years together, small seeds of emotion had begun to sprout.

“Raon. Call me mother!”

While I was fidgeting with my fingers, lost in thoughts of the future, Sylvia embraced me with a delighted laugh.

“Mama!”
“Ooh! One more time!”
“Mama!”
“Kyaaah!”

As I deliberately slurred the word, calling her mama, Sylvia’s face bloomed with radiance. Her eyes were brimming with pure joy.

“Raon. Just one more time!”
“Mama!”
“Miss Sylvia. I’ve brought the elixir.”

As I played with Sylvia, my face growing slightly weary, Helen arrived carrying the elixir warmed to the perfect temperature.

“Ah, thank you for your trouble.”

Sylvia received the bowl containing the elixir from Helen.

“Now then, Raon.”

She cooled the warm elixir slightly before offering it to me.

“Aah!”

My small mouth opened to meet the spoon filled with medicine.

“You’re eating well!”

Even after two and a half years, Sylvia and Helen smiled brightly as they watched me swallow the elixir.

“So sleepy….”

After finishing the elixir, I blinked my eyes as if drowsy.

“You’ve finished your medicine. Shall we take a nap?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. Off to sleep.”

Sylvia laid me down on the bed placed before the window and gently patted my belly.

“Mmmm….”

I pretended to sleep, closing my eyes. Shortly after, I heard Sylvia and Helen leaving the room. This time while I feigned sleep was their rest period.

‘Now I can begin.’

With my eyes closed, I inhaled deeply while reciting the incantation for the Ring of Fire synthesis.

Whoooosh.

I circulated the natural mana drawn in through my breath throughout my entire body.

‘The flow of mana is smooth.’

I breathed as usual, but the mana flowed gently. A feeling arose as though I might accomplish something.

‘Stay calm.’

Exhaling steadily, I connected the lines of mana flowing through my mana circuits. My small lungs left me breathless and my fingertips trembled, but I endured.

A roaring surge of power!

I scraped away the frigid energy within my mana circuits using the searing force of the elixir and natural mana, then circulated it throughout my entire body.

A sharp crack echoed through me.

I felt the elixir’s essence and mana seeping into my bones, muscles, and skin.

Maintaining my focus—sharpening like a blade being honed—I continued to synthesize the Ring of Fire.

How much time had passed?

A brilliant flash!

A scorching sensation, as if a ball of flame were searing across my heart, made my chest resound.

Blazing energy swirled around my heart like a hoop. At last, the Ring of Fire was complete.

‘Finally… I’ve done it….’

As I opened my eyes to cry out in triumph, a golden light flashed brilliantly.

A crystalline chime rang out.

[The first Ring of Fire has been synthesized.]
[Your first Achievement has been created.]
[The trait Ring of Fire (1-Star) has been generated.]

‘What… what is this?’

A luminous magical circle—the kind that appears when mages cast spells—hovered before my eyes.

[Through the effect of Ring of Fire (1-Star), your body becomes considerably more resilient.]
[Through the effect of Ring of Fire (1-Star), your strength increases.]
[Through the effect of Ring of Fire (1-Star), your agility increases.]
[Through the effect of Ring of Fire (1-Star), your stamina increases.]
[The trait Water Resistance (1-Star) has been generated.]

After the message confirming my acquisition of the Ring of Fire, a cascade of additional information continued to flow before me.

‘Huh?’

I rounded my lips in surprise.

‘What is all this….’

As the messages appeared, my body felt lighter.

Since I was in a child’s body, the difference wasn’t dramatic, but the change itself was unmistakable.

‘And the pain has lessened too.’

The sharp pain of the cold energy blocking my mana circuits had diminished.

‘Did the Ring of Fire have this ability?’

The Ring of Fire was certainly called a legendary cultivation method, but it showed no significant effects until three rings formed, and only demonstrated its true power from the fourth ring onward.

In my past life, achieving the first star never brought about such changes.

‘Is it the elixir, or this child’s body?’

I pondered various possibilities, but no answer came to me.

‘Or could it be because of this message….’

I read the message floating before my eyes again.

There were many differences between my past life and now, but the most significant was this message.

“Young master. You’re already awake.”

Helen’s voice came from above my head. It seemed she had returned to the room while I was cultivating.

“Helen! Look at this!”

I pointed at the message that looked like a magic circle.

“Yes? The bed?”

Helen simply smiles at the bed, unable to see the message.

‘Is it only visible to me?’

Judging by the fact that Helen couldn’t see it, the message appeared to be visible only to me.

[To confirm the changes, please check your 【Status Window】.]

‘Status Window? What?’

As I repeated the words “Status Window” without understanding what they meant, a luminous window identical to the message burst forth before my eyes.

【Status Window】
Name: Raon Zigheart.
Title: None.
Condition: Curse of Bitter Cold (Nine Strands), Poor Constitution, Full-Body Chills, Reduced Physical Ability, Diminished Mana Sensitivity.
Traits: ???, Ring of Fire (1-Star), Water Attribute Resistance (1-Star)
*Additional abilities have not been unlocked.

I examined the Status Window that appeared before me slowly.

‘Curse of Bitter Cold, poor constitution, full-body chills, reduced physical ability and diminished mana sensitivity…’

The conditions listed seemed to indicate my current state.

‘My body really is wretched in every way.’

The Curse of Bitter Cold was one thing, but the chills combined with my poor constitution explained why I grew exhausted from even the slightest movement.

‘Still, it doesn’t matter.’

I pressed my lips together. Though my constitution was riddled with afflictions, I felt no anxiety whatsoever.

In my previous life, I was called the greatest assassin, and I know the Ring of Fire—an ancient and supreme alchemical technique.

If I perfect the Ring of Fire based on my past experience, such disadvantages would be as nothing.

‘Besides, this is the Zigheart.’

If I master the secret sword techniques that Zigheart possesses, beheading Derus Robert would be entirely within my grasp.

But I cannot afford to think only of revenge.

‘I’m only three years old, after all.’

Derus Robert stands among the strongest on the Continent. If I let my emotions run hot and attempt revenge now, my mind will shatter under the strain.

There are scarcely any who could kill him anyway. Even if it takes time, I must build my strength steadily and end it all in one decisive moment when the opportunity arrives.

I clenched my fist as if making a vow and gazed at the status window once more.

‘But what exactly is this message?’

I couldn’t fathom why this message and status window suddenly became visible to me. All my assassin’s instincts could discern was that they posed no threat.

‘It must be connected to my reincarnation.’

I could only vaguely surmise that the reason I retained memories from my past life and was reborn, and the appearance of this message, were somehow intertwined.

Just as I would slowly pursue Derus Robert’s neck, I would need to uncover this mystery at my own pace.

‘Don’t rush. Take this calmly.’

*

*

*

[The second Ring of Fire has been created.]
[The Ring of Fire (2-Star) elevates your soul’s rank.]
[The Ring of Fire (2-Star) increases your mana affinity.]
[The Ring of Fire (2-Star) increases your mental fortitude.]
[The Ring of Fire (2-Star) increases your vitality.]

I let out a quiet laugh as I read the messages.

‘Finally.’

After two and a half years of steady cultivation since the first ring’s formation, the second ring of fire had finally emerged.

The first ring of fire encircled my heart horizontally, while the newly formed second ring of fire wrapped around it vertically.

Perhaps due to the message about increased resonance, my sensitivity to the mana drifting through the room had sharpened considerably.

That message truly seemed to grant special benefits.

‘Two rings of fire at just five years old.’

Mastering the legendary-grade cultivation method of the rings of fire at such a tender age was likely the first occurrence in the entire history of the Continent. Pride swelled abundantly in my chest.

‘But I mustn’t grow complacent.’

I couldn’t afford to let my guard down just because things were progressing according to plan. I had to remain thoroughly prepared, never knowing when or what kind of interference might come.

‘Because I don’t want to cause them harm.’

Sylvia, Helen, and the other handmaidens had only ever given to me.

Since I was destined to leave, I couldn’t offer them help in return, but I refused to exploit their kindness.

“Sigh.”

Just as Raon was about to resume cultivation, the door suddenly burst open.

“Son!”

Sylvia entered. She wore a smile, but her complexion seemed slightly darkened.

“Mother?”

Since I was now past five years old, I had to address Sylvia properly as mother. Though my pronunciation still carried a slight lisp, I couldn’t help that.

“Didn’t I tell you we have somewhere to go with mother today?”

She spoke those words while placing the deep crimson formal robe she’d brought onto the bed, then removed her nightgown.

‘That’s right.’

Not long ago, she gathered the young direct and branch family children to conduct some kind of verification.

“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.”

Sylvia smiled reassuringly, as if to calm me.

“Okay.”
“How can our son be so well-behaved and beautiful?”

Sylvia rubbed her cheek against mine while changing my clothes.

‘Please… stop…’

Raon trembled, unable to do anything but shake his hands.

It was Helen who finally stopped Sylvia’s rampage as she continued to hold me even after changing my clothes.

“Madam. This is not the time for that! The ‘Aptitude Test’ is about to begin!”

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

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