ã€ŠRebirth Of The Blade Supremeã€‹


 Reborn

    Red...

    Everything is drenched in RED...

    The soil takes on a reddish hue, stained by the blood flowing from the fallen¡ªmages, swordsmen, kings, nobles, and even innocent people who had no part in this battle.

    The battlefield is littered with corpses, a massive pile of lifeless bodies stacked upon one another like heaps of cotton. And atop this mountain of the dead stands a lone figure.

    His face is well-groomed, his sharp jawline and slightly arched brows giving him an air of cold refinement. His piercing eyes survey the carnage beneath him.

    He wears a long black vest-like coat that reaches his knees, tattered at the edges and soaked in blood. Around his waist, a sturdy belt holds the sheath of his sword. Beneath the coat, he wears fitted black pants and a simple white tunic, now stained red at the front. Small daggers are embedded in his chest, clustered around his heart. His legs are clad in leather boots¡ªboth drenched in blood and Shivering a little.

    His face, especially the right side, is smeared with blood. His black hair flows from his head down his back. His hands hang at his sides, one gripping a sharp sword, its blade soaked in blood, as if it has cut down hundreds in battle.

    He gasps for breath¡ª

    Then collapses to his knees. His sword slips from his grip, falling from the pile of corpses onto the blood-soaked soil.

    "Uhh... ahh..." He grunts in pain, pulling the five daggers from his chest one by one. Blood trickles from the fresh wounds, but he doesn''t hesitate. He knows his time is running out¡ªdeath is inevitable. Yet, there is no regret in his eyes. How could there be?

    After all he was, Devin Arian¡ª The Blade Supreme The one who reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. The man who fought countless battles against noble families and crushed them to unite a vast land known as the, Land of Nobles.

    He was dying, but his name would live on in history. Of that, he was certain.

    "It''s time... I think," he murmurs, his voice weak. His eyes begin to close slowly, his energy draining from his body. His mind fades into unconsciousness.

    ''It was a good life...'' he thinks to himself.

    Suddenly, many faint images appears before him¡ªa man with white hair, wearing the same kind of attire as his own. It¡¯s Wills Throne, his friend, the one who fell in battle right before his eyes.

    ''...I''m sorry, Wills. I couldn''t keep my promise... But I know, my descendants will fulfill it for you...''

    Soon, everything fades into pitch-black darkness. He sees nothing¡ªonly an endless void.

    But then¡ª

    A faint light appears before him. His eyes flutter open, his vision slowly adjusting. He blinks in disbelief.

    He is in a cradle, surrounded by stuffed toys. The soft glow of the room feels unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting.

    He tries to lift his hand¡ªit feels weak, unsteady. With effort, he finally raises it, only to see tiny fingers, delicate and small.

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    ''A... a baby''s hand?!''

    His eyes widen in shock. ''I-I''m a baby?!''

    He looks around and realizes he is in a room filled with luxurious furniture and decorations. Everything exudes wealth and nobility.

    Turning his head to the left, he spots a large bed where a woman sleeps, her golden-blonde hair cascading over her face and shoulders. Even in the dim light, she looks breathtakingly beautiful.

    Beside her lies a man, though his face is barely visible in the darkness. They are likely this baby''s¡ªhis¡ªparents.

    He tries to speak, but no words come out. His mouth refuses to form even a single sound, as if he hasn¡¯t spoken in centuries.

    ''W-What the fuck is going on?! Why can''t I speak?!''

    No matter how hard he tries, his body betrays him. And then, before he can stop himself¡ªhe starts crying.

    His wailing shatters the silence of the night, waking the woman on the bed. Startled, she sits up, then quickly moves toward him, gently lifting him into her arms.

    She was wearing a luxurious nightgown, its fine fabric draping elegantly over her long legs.

    With a gentle touch, she wiped away his tears and patted his back, her voice soothing and warm. "There, there... Ehan, it''s alright. Mommy is right here with you."

    ''Ehan? Who is that? And... she''s my mother?''

    His cries quieted, though tears still trickled down his cheeks. She wiped them away with care before placing him on the bed, right between herself and the man beside her¡ªundoubtedly her husband, his father.

    Lying on the other side of him, she whispered softly in his ear, "Sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight, but don¡¯t make it a habit..."

    With that, she pulled the blanket over them, closed her eyes, and drifted back to sleep.

    Now, Ehan ¡ªformerly Devin¡ª lay sandwiched between them, his tiny body nestled between the warmth of his new parents.

    He didn¡¯t know what was happening¡­

    Had he been reborn?

    Or is it just a dream?

    And if it''s real then, what is his name in this world?

    Was it the same world as before, or is he in a different reality?

    Countless questions flooded his mind, but as the night stretched on, his eyelids grew heavy. Slowly, his thoughts faded, and before he knew it, he drifted into sleep.

    The next morning, when Ehan¡ªformerly Devin¡ªwoke up, he was already in his mother¡¯s lap, surrounded by several maids in what appeared to be a grand estate.

    His mother held him gently, while the maids gazed at him with playful admiration.

    "Hey! Hey! Look! He opened his eyes!" one of the maids exclaimed excitedly.

    "Ohh... isn''t he so cute?" another cooed.

    "His cheeks look so soft. I''m sure he''ll grow up to be a handsome man," a third maid added with a smile.

    Ehan didn¡¯t fully understand the situation he was in, but one thing was clear¡ªwherever he had been reborn, it was into an insanely rich family. So rich, in fact, that even the maids were dressed in luxurious, high-quality uniforms.

    After a few days, Ehan began to understand his surroundings. The first thing he grasped was his mother¡¯s name¡ªLydia.

    But what truly shocked him was the surname. Arian...

    Lydia Arian.

    The same family name he had carried in his past life. The same lineage he had belonged to when he died.

    With that, it became clear¡ªhe had been reborn into his own bloodline. This was still his previous world.

    Though he had no idea what time period it was.

    Soon, he learned his father¡¯s name as well¡ªAlexander Arian. A tall and muscular man, with piercing eyes, a sharp jawline, thin eyebrows, and short, blackish hair reaching his neck.

    But what stunned him the most was¡ª

    His father was a mage. Magic user.

    And not just him¡ªhis mother, Lydia, his relatives, his cousins¡ªevery single one of them.

    All were Mages.

    He couldn''t comprehend what kind of world this was. His bloodline being mages?

    That had never been the case in his time¡ªnor in the eras before his death. The Arian family had always been a lineage of swordsmen.

    Sure, the wives were exceptions, as they often came from other families, sometimes mage bloodlines. But the men? Every single one had been a swordsman. Even the daughters were swordswomen.

    This realization made one thing clear¡ªhe had been reborn in the future.

    Long after his death.

    Years passed, and he finally began to speak. Though his pronunciation was still imperfect, he could now form words. And as he grew, he uncovered a shocking truth¡ª

    He had been reborn 100 years after his death.

    Yet, that revelation didn''t surprise him much. He had suspected it from the moment he first arrived in this world.

    But what truly shook him was his family¡¯s status.

    The Arian family was not just a common noble house.

    They were the Imperial Family.

    His father, Alexander Arian, was the King of the, "Land of Nobles."

    The same nation that Ehan, ¡ªonce Devin¡ªhad unified in the past.

    The same land for which he had fought countless battles. The same land for which he had given his life.

    Now, in the present¡ª

    Ehan sat on his bed, deep in thought. He is Seven years old now.

    His room is massive and lavishly decorated. A grand golden crystal chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the space. Two maids working only for him, at his beck and call. Stationed just outside his room''s door.

    To his side, a large balcony overlooked the Arian Estate¡¯s garden. The garden itself is as vast as a field, adorned with towering trees, vibrant flowers, and elegant statues.

    And among those statues, standing at the very center¡ª

    Was Devin Arian¡¯s statue.

    Inside his room, a large study table stood near an enormous bookshelf, filled with countless books.

    "Ehan... what a strange name," he murmured to himself.

    Slowly, he was getting used to it.

    With nothing else to do, his gaze drifted toward the bookshelf.

    After a while, he stood up, walked over, and pulled a book from the shelf.

    ''I need to gather as much information as I can.''

 Understanding Society

    Days passed, and Ehan continued reading¡ªprimarily books on history.

    This not only helped him understand the current state of society but also improved his pronunciation of words in this new body.

    From his studies, he grasped that society in ''Land of Nobels'' was now divided into five distinct categories:

    1. The Imperial Family ¨C The Arian Family, the most powerful, influential, and wealthiest family. It is also the Imperial family and controls governance, army, bureaucracy, law making, defence and etc.

    2. The Five Great Nobles ¨C Five noble families that possessed immense wealth, second only to the Imperial Family.

    3. The Lesser Nobles ¨C Numerous noble families that enjoyed prosperity and wealth, but were below than the Five Great Nobles in status and influence.

    4. The Commoners ¨C Ordinary people, including peasants, farmers, daily wage workers, and laborers.

    5. Slaves ¨C The lowest class, subjected to servitude with no rights.

    This system was far more structured than it had been a hundred years ago.

    Back in his time, society was simply divided into three vague categories¡ª

    The rich (all nobles), the poor (peasants and common folk), and slaves (who remained unchanged even now).

    But after a century, the hierarchy had evolved into a well-defined system.

    And to Ehan, this level of organization was both surprising and impressive.

    Ehan also read that after Devin Arian unified the Land of Nobles and passed away, the Arian family took over as the imperial family. In the early decades of their rule, they monopolized trade and business, which made them immensely wealthy.

    However, over time, they loosened their grip on trade and decided to distribute economic opportunities among the other noble families under their rule in the Land of Nobles.

    Among those noble families, five took advantage of this distribution the most, rising in wealth and influence much faster than the others.

    Eventually, they became known as the Five Great Nobles.

    And those Nobels who were left behind in this race, were know as The lesser Nobels.

    Ehan spent days, which soon turned into weeks, engrossed in history books.

    The two maids stationed outside his room reported everything to Alexander and Lydia, but rather than being concerned, they were pleased to hear that their son was developing a deep interest in books.

    Then, one day, as Ehan delved further into his readings, he finally came across the names of the Five Great Nobles.

    The five noble families were :

    Makris, Dukas, Throne, Ragnulf, and Valois.

    "Throne..." he murmured. Then suddenly¡ª

    A spark of memories surged through his mind.

    His friend, Wills Throne.

    The countless hours they spent training together. The sound of clashing swords. The laughter, the sweat, the unbreakable bond between warriors.

    And then¡ªthe moment it all ended.

    Wills, standing before him, his chest pierced by a blade. His death.

    And the promise Ehan -Devin- had made to him...

    Ehan pulled out more books, mainly newly published books focusing on the Five Great Nobles. He got one which was published just some months ago.

    As he read, he stumbled upon something shocking.

    Among all the Five Nobles, the Throne family ranked the lowest. Their financial situation is stable for now, but their family is in a mess due to internal conflict¡ªone centered around their Sword Academy.

    The conflict?

    "Should a woman be allowed to be the Headmaster of the Sword Academy?"

    For over a century, the Sword Academy had been their pride, a place that trained warriors of noble blood, along with Commoners and slaves all together.

    But now, under the leadership of Callesta Throne¡ªwho was not only the Headmaster but also the Head of the Throne family¡ªthe academy was slowly falling apart.

    Funding had been the lowest ever since they opened. Investors were hesitating in the investment. The academy''s reputation was still there but people didn''t like, a woman being the Headmaster.

    The Academy was in the top 3 well known Sword Academies in the Country. But now it  fell to 7th position.

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    And the Throne family members were blaming Callesta.

    "Damn! These family members... Piling all the blame on a woman just because the academy is not going well?" Ehan muttered as he read.

    Then it hit him.

    "Wait... If she''s the Head of the Throne family, then that means she''s Wills'' direct descendant!"

    The promise he made to Wills echoed in his mind.

    He couldn¡¯t ignore this.

    The Throne family was in crisis. Their Sword Academy would be in ruins.

    And Callesta Throne¡ªhis friend¡¯s descendant¡ªcould be forced out of her position of headmaster.

    And that can even force her to get away from the post of head, and shift it to someone else.

    From the branch family who were not the real members from the head. But from relatives side.

    "I need to help her. I need to help the Throne family. For Wills... and for my promise."

    Ehan stared at his reflection in the mirror.

    His body¡ªweak, feeble, pathetic compared to what he once had.

    In his past life, he had been strong, a warrior, a swordsman who unified an entire nation.

    But now?

    He was a child. Helpless. Powerless.

    ''Damn it... If I stay like this, I won''t be able to do anything.''

    He clenched his small fists, determination burning in his golden eyes.

    He needed to change.

    He needed to rebuild himself.

    But he also couldn''t ignore Callesta Throne''s situation.

    ''I may not have my strength yet¡­ but I have something else.'' he thought and that thing was¡ª

    ''Wealth.''

    The Arian family was the most powerful, influential, and wealthiest in the entire empire.

    Even as a child, Ehan had access to a great fortune.

    And money could solve many problems.

    But...

    He couldn¡¯t publicly hand over a huge sum¡ªit would raise suspicion to his family.

    But an anonymous donation? That could work.

    Days passed as he carefully planned his approach. He would funnel funds into the Throne Academy, slowly and secretly. It wouldn¡¯t solve everything, but it would be a start.

    And while the money helped keep the academy alive¡­

    He would focus on rebuilding himself.

    Because strength was the only thing that truly mattered in this world.

    Ehan knew that handling the finances of the Arian family wasn¡¯t something just anyone could do.

    The one in charge of it all was Gale, the Economy and Finance Manager of the Arian family.

    A trusted, loyal man. Someone who didn¡¯t question much, but at the same time, wouldn¡¯t let money flow out carelessly.

    Would he accept an anonymous donation?Ehan wasn¡¯t sure.

    "If I tell him outright, he might refuse¡­ or worse, report it to Father."

    He needed a cover story. Something believable. Something simple. And so¡ªhe would lie.

    He would tell Gale that the money was meant for one of his cousins¡ªsomeone who needed some financial assistance.

    It wasn¡¯t unusual for the younger Arian family members to receive allowances or gifts.

    And if Gale believed that, then the money would flow exactly where Ehan wanted it to go¡ªinto the Throne Sword Academy.

    "It¡¯s a small step¡­ but it¡¯s a start."

    Now, all that was left was executing the plan.

    Ehan now stood outside the Economy and Finance Manager¡¯s office, gripping a letter in his hand.

    Inside the envelope was a cheque¡ªa sum of money meant to be delivered anonymously.

    There was no address, no sender¡¯s name, nothing that could trace it back to him.

    ''Alright, alright, Eha¡ªno, Devin. Just walk in, hand over the letter, and say it¡¯s for my cousin Amelia. Tell him not to mention our name or address. Saying that it''s a surprise gift for her. That¡¯s it. Simple.''

    He took a deep breath, steadying himself.

    But¡ª

    Just as he reached for the door, a voice called out from behind.

    "Young Lord Ehan, is that you?"

    Ehan froze. His heartbeat skipped for a moment before, he slowly turned around.

    It was Gale. The man he was about to deceive.

    He wasn¡¯t in his office as Ehan had expected. Instead, he stood there, watching him with calm, calculating eyes.

    Gale was a man of striking appearance¡ªhis milk-white skin contrasting sharply with his deep blue eyes, framed by round golden spectacles. He wasn¡¯t particularly tall but carried himself with a sense of authority and precision.

    Draped in a sleek black suit, complete with a matching hat, he looked like someone who never missed a detail.

    And right now, he was looking straight at Ehan.

    "Oh, G-Gale. I-I was just coming to see you..."

    Ehan stammered, his fingers instinctively tightening around the letter, trying to subtly hide it behind his back. But Gale''s sharp eyes had already caught sight of it.

    "Is that a letter?" Gale asked, adjusting his glasses. "Did the Lord ask you to deliver it to me?"

    "Oh¡ªyeah! Yes!" Ehan nodded quickly, forcing a smile. "Dad asked me to give it to you. And he also said not to mention our name or address on it!"

    With a swift motion, he slid the letter toward Gale.

    Gale accepted it with his usual composed demeanor, his fingers brushing over the envelope as if weighing its significance.

    He glanced at Ehan and asked, "Alright, Young Lord. I''ll handle it. Is there anything else the Lord instructed you to tell me?"

    "Ah, no. Nothing else." Ehan shook his head, stepping back hastily. "I shall be going now."

    Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, trying his best not to seem suspicious.

    Gale, however, watched him go, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smirk before he finally entered his office.

    Once inside, he settled into his chair and took a closer look at the letter. Running his fingers over the sealed envelope, he murmured to himself¡ª

    "Hmm... An anonymous donation, huh?"

    His smirk deepened as he tucked the letter into his coat pocket.

    "Must be a lucky person," he mused, his voice tinged with amusement. "To receive money directly from the Young Lord himself."

    On the other side, Ehan walked down the grand staircase of the mansion, his thoughts racing.

    ¡®Did he notice I was lying?¡¯

    It was too late to worry about that now. The deed was done. There was no turning back. He just had to be ready to face the consequences.

    Or¡ªif things went smoothly¡ªthere would be no consequences at all.

    The money he sent should keep the academy stable for a at 5 years, but he knew that wasn¡¯t the real issue. The problem was never just the academy¡¯s downfall¡ªit was Callesta¡¯s gender.

    She was a woman. A powerful swordswoman. That was why everyone blamed her.

    They couldn''t defeat her in combat, so they attacked her through politics and bureaucracy instead.

    Ehan clenched his fists. But he''s weak to do anything.

    ¡®Damn! This imperial life is way too easy. I should be training at this age! But¡­¡¯

    Just then, a voice called out from below.

    "Ehan."

    Ehan looked down from the stairs and saw his father, Alexander Arian, stepping out of a room on the ground floor.

    His heart pounded. This was the perfect moment.

    He could tell him now. He could tell him that he didn¡¯t want to be a mage. That he wanted to wield the sword.

    Taking a deep breath, he descended the staircase and stopped in front of his father. A soft breeze drifted in through a nearby window, making his cape flutter behind him.

    Alexander looked at him, his expression unreadable.

    "Ehan," he said, his deep voice steady. "You''re growing at a fine pace. You even learned to read without needing much help from your tutors. I think it¡¯s time to show you some...real things."

    Ehan met his father¡¯s gaze, his young but determined eyes locking onto Alexander¡¯s piercing ones.

    And then, without hesitation, he said¡ª

    "Dad, I don¡¯t want to become a mage."

 Decision

    Alexander Arian gasped in shock at his son¡¯s words. His brows furrowed, and he took a step forward, towering over Ehan as if trying to intimidate him.

    "What?! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

    But Ehan didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t move an inch. His eyes remained locked onto his father¡¯s, unwavering and resolute. Then, slowly, he lowered his head slightly and continued¡ª

    "It¡¯s just as I said, Dad. I don¡¯t want to become a mage. I want to become a swordsman. I want to fight with a sword."

    For a moment, silence filled the air.

    Alexander composed himself, exhaling sharply as he studied his son. He had expected childish whims or hesitation, but what he saw instead was determination.

    The eyes Ehan looked at him with¡­ They were different.

    Alexander sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

    "Look, son, if you really like swords, then you can become a comb¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Ehan interrupted¡ª

    "No. I don¡¯t want to become a Combat Mage." His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

    "What I want to become is a real swordsman."

    Alexander''s expression darkened.

    "But our family has always been mages." His voice was measured but heavy. "We are the most powerful mages in the world. Just look at your cousins. They are among the strongest warriors alive¡ªwithin the top ten in the Continent. And I Alexander Arian, your father, is the world''s strongest mage right now."

    His piercing gaze bore into Ehan, as if trying to make him understand the weight of his words.

    But Ehan didn¡¯t back down. He had already made his decision.

    "I still want to become a swordsman," Ehan repeated, his voice unwavering.

    Alexander let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples. "Ugh¡­ How do I explain this to you¡­"

    Ehan took a deep breath. "Dad, it''s not like our family has always been made up of mages. There were swordsmen too. Like our ancestor¡ªthe Great Lord Devin Arian."

    Alexander exhaled sharply, thinking that Ehan must have read about their family''s past in history books.

    Of course, that¡¯s where he got this idea from.

    But what Alexander didn¡¯t know was that his son Ehan, was Devin Arian himself¡ªreborn a hundred years into the future.

    "Yes, son," Alexander admitted. "Our ancestors were swordsmen. But that was long ago¡ªa century ago. That era was different from now, and¡ª"

    Before he could finish, a voice echoed from the staircase.

    "Dear, why don¡¯t you let him choose what he wants to do?"

    Both father and son turned to see Lydia standing there, watching them with a calm yet firm expression.

    She descended the stairs gracefully, coming to stand beside Ehan.

    "Alex," she said gently but decisively. "If our son wants to be a swordsman, then he will become one."

    Alexander sighed, rubbing his forehead in frustration. He attempted to reason with Lydia, but she didn¡¯t let him get a word in.

    I smirked, knowing the ball was now in my court. Even after a hundred years, some things never change.

    A man can¡¯t win a debate against a woman¡ªespecially if she¡¯s his wife.

    In the end, Alexander let out a deep breath and shook his head. "Fine. Our son¡­ will become a swordsman."

    Lydia smiled warmly and knelt before Ehan, placing her hands gently on his shoulders. "Ehan, are you happy now? But remember, you''ll have to work hard to achieve your goal."

    Ehan nodded, a genuine smile forming on his lips. "Thanks, Mom. I''m happy¡­ And yes, I will work hard for my goals."

    For a moment, his mind drifted to the past¡ªto another life, another mother. Memories of his previous mother flashed through his mind¡ª

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    the woman who had raised him, cared for him, and loved him despite his origins.

    Because in the past¡­

    Devin had not been a true member of the Arian family. He had been an orphan¡ªan outsider¡ªadopted by the Arian family''s head only because they had no heir.

    <hr>

    Approximately 120 years ago, when the Arian family was just another noble house ruling over a small kingdom, they were surrounded by other minor kingdoms governed by rival noble families.

    It was a stormy night, rain pouring relentlessly over the land. At that time, Erik Arian was the head of the Arian family¡ªa well-respected figure in his domain. His wife, Freya Arian, a black-haired, fair-skinned woman in her mid - 30''s, had been married to him for years, yet she had been unable to bear a child.

    That night, amidst the howling winds and rumbling thunder, the distant sound of a baby crying echoed through the estate¡¯s backyard. Beyond the garden¡¯s fence lay a dense forest, and the wailing seemed to be coming from within its depths.

    Concerned, Freya and a few servants ventured into the jungle, following the heart-wrenching cries. As they moved closer, the sound became clearer. And then, beneath the shelter of a towering tree, they found¡ªa small child, barely a year old, wrapped in damp cloth, shivering and crying in the relentless downpour.

    But that wasn¡¯t all. A short distance from the child, two lifeless bodies lay sprawled against a large stone. A couple, likely travelers. Their faces were mangled beyond recognition, crushed against the rock.

    The servants assessed the scene and concluded that the couple had likely been journeying through the forest when they slipped in the rain and met their tragic end, leaving their child behind.

    Freya¡¯s heart ached as she gazed at the helpless baby. Without hesitation, she scooped him up and cradled him close to her chest. Without caring about his origins, she brought the child back to the Arian estate.

    When she presented the child to Erik, he was momentarily taken aback but soon softened at the sight of the boy in Freya¡¯s arms. Though the child was not of their blood, Erik saw the hope and longing in his wife''s eyes.

    ¡°I want to adopt this child,¡± Freya declared, holding him tightly.

    Erik, knowing how much she had longed for a child, had no objections. Stepping forward, he embraced both Freya and the baby, his warmth shielding them from the cold of the storm. He then asked, "Have you thought of a name for him?"

    Freya looked down at the boy, her eyes filled with a newfound purpose. "Yes, I''ve thought one... Devin... Devin Arian."

    And so, Devin Arian became a part of the Arian family.

    <hr>

    And now, in the present¡ª

    Alexander said to Ehan, ¡°Since you¡¯re so determined, you must already know how hard swordsmen train to polish their skills and techniques. How disciplined they are¡­¡±

    ''I know that better than you...Dad...''

    Ehan looked up at his father and replied, ¡°Yes, Dad, I know. And I understand that I have to become stronger if I want to be a swordsman.¡±

    Alexander sighed upon hearing these words.

    But now, listening to him, Alexander realized there was something deeper. His words weren¡¯t just those of an excited child¡ªthey were filled with determination.

    As Alexander was about to say something, Ehan added,

    "And I promise that I won¡¯t tarnish the Arian family¡¯s name on my path as a swordsman."

    Alexander smiled¡ªa genuine, proud smile. At that moment, Alexander, Ehan seemed far more mature than his age.

    He had initially assumed that Ehan¡¯s interest in swordsmanship stemmed from reading about flashy moves and techniques in books.

    Alexander said to him, "I believe you, Ehan."

    Lydia hugged him tightly and added, "I believe in you too, Ehan."

    Just as they were having a heartfelt family moment, Ehan suddenly spoke again¨C

    "Oh yeah, Father, I also have another request. The thing is, my body is weak, and I need proper training. So, I was thinking¡­ if I could train myself for a few years in Selucion."

    The warmth of the moment instantly shattered as both Lydia and Alexander widened their eyes in shock.

    "What?!" they exclaimed in unison.

    ''Looks like I said it at the wrong time.'' Ehan thought.

    "A-A training in Selucion? Away from all of us?" Lydia stammered, her voice filled with concern. "But why is there a need for this, Ehan? Yo¡ª"

    "Ehan," Alexander interrupted, his tone firm yet composed. He took a deep breath before continuing, "I suppose I''ve been underestimating you... and your dedication. If this is truly what you want, then I have no objections."

    ''Yes, Alexander. I knew only a man can truly understand another man best,'' Ehan thought to himself with satisfaction.

    "But," Alexander added, his voice turning serious, "for your security and well-being, we must assign a bodyguard to accompany you during your training period. After all, you are the future King of this land. If you agree to that, then onl¡ª"

    "I agree," Ehan interrupted without hesitation. "I have no problem with a bodyguard being with me."

    "Very well..." Alexander said, nodding in approval.

    Lydia, who had been holding Ehan in a warm embrace, slowly rose to her feet again.

    Her voice, filled with concern, carried a slight tremor as she spoke. "If this is what you believe is necessary to achieve your goal, then I won¡¯t stop you, Ehan."

    She took a step back, standing beside Alexander.

    ''Oh, don''t get emotional now, Mom,'' Ehan thought to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.

    Alexander raised his hand, casting a brief glow of magic into the air. Moments later, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall.

    Soon, a figure appeared¡ªa maid.

    Her glowing skin radiated under the light, and her golden bangs partially covered her forehead, with a small split in between.

    A neatly tied ponytail rested behind her head. She wore an elegant maid uniform¡ªa black, long-sleeved top, a smooth skirt that reached just below her knees, and black stockings held up by a garter belt.

    ''Wait¡­ she''s my bodyguard? But¡­ she''s pretty.''

    Alexander turned to the maid, speaking to her briefly before shifting his attention back to Ehan.

    "Ehan, this is Rose. She is one of our maids here."

    Rose smiled warmly, her eyes meeting his as she bowed slightly in greeting.

    "She will be your bodyguard. She is a highly skilled mage with immense power. She will protect you and look after you during your training."

    Ehan nodded slowly, unsure if to believe his father''s words. But he finally said. "Okay, Dad."

 Training Period

    And just like that, Ehan was sent to the mountain. The terrain was harsh¡ªsteep slopes, jagged cliffs, and a treacherous path winding upward.

    At the base of the mountain, the large carriage carrying Ehan and Rose came to a halt. This was as far as it could go.

    From here, they would have to make their way up on foot. The journey was dangerous, filled with loose rocks and unstable ground, but Rose, being a highly trained mage, was unfazed.

    Without hesitation, she activated her magic. A soft glow surrounded her feet as she lifted into the air, effortlessly defying gravity.

    Reaching out, she took Ehan with her, their ascent now smooth and controlled.

    The flight was slow but incredibly serene, allowing them to take in the breathtaking view of the mountains stretching endlessly beneath them.

    As they soared higher, Rose glanced at Ehan, curiosity evident in her golden eyes. "Young Master Ehan, why did you choose swordsmanship? You could have easily become a top-class mage under your father''s guidance."

    Ehan, thought for some time and replied, "because I don''t want my family''s roots to be forgotten."

    Rose was taken back with that answer, she didn''t expect this type of words from Ehan. Especially from a boy who is just 7 or 8 years old.

    She has heard about the Arian family originally being a swordsman, but no one really pursue it at this time.

    She smirked slightly and asked tightening her grip on him, as they were flying. "So what are you going to do in this training of yours?"

    ''What I''ll do...'' Ehan pondered.

    He was well aware of his body''s current state¡ªweak, lacking the strength or form needed to perform advanced sword techniques.

    Taking a deep breath, he answered.

    "It''s simple. First, I need to start with the basics¡ªbuilding my strength, stamina, endurance, agility, and more. And some Sword fundamentals. I need my body in full form before joining a Sword academy."

    "Well, that''s a very well-structured plan for your training. So, how many years do you plan to dedicate to it?"

    Ehan hesitated. He wasn''t sure how long it would take for his body to fully adapt to his style and preferences.

    Instead of giving a direct answer, he posed a question to Rose.

    "At what age can a kid join a sword academy?"

    "Hmm... According to my knowledge, the usual age is around 14 or 15."

    ''I''ll become 8 in few months... If I take 15 as the standard age, then that means... seven years?'' He quickly did the calculation in his mind.

    "I''ll train for at least seven years," he declared with firm resolve.

    They reached the top, where three small huts stood amidst patches of tall grass.

    A few trees were scattered around, and the sun shone directly overhead, casting short shadows beneath them.

    Rose glanced at Ehan and smirked. "Young Master, I must say, you''re quite remarkable. Most of your cousins only started training when they were twelve or when they entered the Mage Academy. But you... you''re different."

    ''Of course, I''m different, kid. I can''t afford to live without strength,'' Ehan thought to himself.

    Rose clapped her hands, tilting her head slightly as she gave him a warm smile. "Well then, let your training begin. I promise not to interfere with your progress¡ªunless you''re in danger. And remember, I''ll always be here with you, Young Master."

    As soon as she finished speaking, she vanished. It was as if she had never been there.

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    Ehan blinked. ''She just disappeared? Some kind of magic, huh?''

    Though he could still faintly sense her presence nearby, he couldn''t pinpoint her exact location.

    ''Looks like Alex wasn¡¯t joking about her being powerful, I can''t see here even though she''s nearby only.'' Ehan looked here and there and sighed.

    ''Guess I should start training then,'' Ehan thought as he looked down at his weak, thin forearm.

    ''If... If I truly want to reclaim my past... to become the Blade Supreme once again...''

    With a determined gaze, he stepped inside the middle hut. The room was simple, with little furniture, but in the center, resting on a wooden table, lay a small wooden sword.

    Ehan''s fingers tightened into a fist before he reached for it.

    ''I will train again, from scratch... And I will master the Black Rain Sword Style once more.''

    Gripping the wooden sword firmly, he felt a spark ignite within him¡ªthe first step on his path to reclaiming what was once his.

    And just like that, Ehan¡¯s training began in his new body. His routine was simple in theory but grueling in execution.

    Every morning, he would run from the top to the bottom of the mountain and back, carrying rocks as makeshift dumbbells to build his strength. He pushed his body to its limits¡ªdoing push-ups, pull-ups using tree branches, and countless endurance exercises.

    Meditation was another crucial part of his training. He practiced it three times a day¡ªat dawn, before breakfast, and at night before sleeping¡ªto sharpen his focus and control his breathing.

    To toughen his body, he struck trees with his palms, forearms, legs, and shins, conditioning his bones to withstand impact.

    And alongside all of this, he diligently practiced the fundamentals of swordsmanship¡ªstances, guard positions, footwork, and basic strikes.

    Everything was already ingrained in his mind. Every step, every movement¡ªhe knew them all. The challenge was adapting them to this new, weaker body.

    At first, his execution was sloppy. His footwork was unsteady, and his strikes lacked power. But as the days passed and he pushed himself harder, he could feel the difference. Slowly but surely, he was improving.

    Rose watched over him from the shadows, always prepared to intervene if danger arose. Though the chances of a threat were minimal in this secluded place, she never let her guard down.

    Ehan continued his training, pushing his weak body to its absolute limits for years. He showed visible improvement, but whenever he noticed progress, he only pushed himself harder.

    To intensify his regimen, he tied small but heavy rocks to his wrists and ankles, gradually increasing their weight and size each month.

    The added strain made every movement a grueling challenge, turning his daily training into an endless cycle of pain and perseverance.

    It was hellish. Every step, every strike, every exercise burned his muscles and drained his stamina. But he had no other choice. If he wanted to regain what he had in the past, he had to endure.

    Years passed like a gentle breeze, and finally, the seventh year arrived.

    Rose, who had been watching over Ehan all this time, barely had to assist him with anything.

    To her, it felt as if Ehan had already known everything from the start¡ª how to survive, how to start a fire, how to find food in the forest, how to distinguish between edible and poisonous plants, how to hunt animals, extract the leather from the body of a wild animal and even how to cook.

    He adapted so naturally that it was hard to believe he was the son of a noble.

    Now, at 15 years old, Ehan has changed significantly.

    His once frail body had grown athletic and muscular.

    His height had increased, reaching somewhere between 169 to 170 cm.

    His jawline had become sharper, and the once-weak forearms he started with were now strong, bearing small scars from years of rigorous training.

    His chest had broadened slightly, and his hair had grown long, which he now maintained by tying it into a simple ponytail that reached his lower back.

    A few bangs fell over his forehead till his left eye, adding to his refined yet rugged appearance.

    His voice took a deeper tone. He wears a robe that he made from the body of a dead animal. And a black trousers.

    He was beginning to look slightly as he did in his past life, 100 years ago. When he was in his teens, back then.

    Not just in strength, but in appearance as well.

    And that thought made him happy.

    Ehan packed his remaining belongings into a small pouch, slinging it over his shoulder.

    Before stepping outside, he took one last look around the small hut¡¯s interior.

    A smirk formed on his lips.

    Then, without hesitation, he closed the door behind him and walked away.

    Taking a deep breath, he called out, "Maid Rose, come out now. My training is over."

    In the blink of an eye, Rose appeared before him once again.

    Now, they were equal, the same height.

    She smirked, arms crossed, and said, "Young Master, you''ve changed a lot over these years."

    Her gaze moved up and down, assessing him, before she added in a playful tone, "Though... you need a change of clothes. And maybe a new haircut as well."

    Ehan ran his fingers through his long hair and frowned.

    "My hair? But why? I actually like it this way..."

    ¡®How the fuck can I cut it now? I¡¯ve finally started looking like how I did 100 years ago.¡¯ He kept that thought to himself, unwilling to let go of the past.

    Rose sighed and shook her head with a smirk.

    "Well, Young Master, your mother will surely be furious if she sees you like this."

    Ehan chuckled. "Oh, come on. I like it this way. I''m not cutting it now."

    Then, stretching his arms, he added, "Anyway, forget about that for now. First, let''s head back. I''m starving for some real food..."

    Rose smiled knowingly. "I know, Young Master. I''ve watched over you all these years. Let''s head back quickly."

 Return

    Upon reaching the Arian Estate, the guards at the gate were stunned to see Rose and Ehan. One of them immediately opened the gate and called for the others.

    The massive gates creaked open, and soon, many servants¡ªbutlers, and maids gathered on both sides of the pathway, bowing their heads in respect to Ehan.

    Rose also stepped aside and joined the line of servants. Her duty of accompanying Ehan had now come to an end.

    Some among the crowd couldn''t resist sneaking glances at him, surprised by how much he had changed after all these years.

    Some of them whispered to each other¡ª

    "Is that really the Young Lord?"

    "He looks so different after all these years..."

    "W-What kind of training was he really doing?"

    "Since he left so suddenly, there were rumors in the kingdom that he went to train as a mage. Even the Lord didn¡¯t reveal much about him."

    "Then why does he have a wooden sword on his waist?"

    "He looks... more, like a swordsman to me."

    Meanwhile, inside the estate.

    Alex and Lydia received word from one of the guards that Ehan had returned.

    They rushed to the mansion''s entrance, flung open the doors, and saw their son walking down the path toward them.

    Lydia¡¯s eyes widened with joy. A warm smile spread across her face as she saw Ehan after so many years. Without hesitation, she ran to him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace.

    Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes as she whispered softly into his ear, "Ehan!... Y-you¡¯ve changed so much¡­"

    Ehan came to a complete stop. It had been so long since his mother hugged him like this.

    ''What¡¯s this¡­ feeling?''

    For a moment, the cold, disciplined mindset he had cultivated over the years melted away. Slowly, he lifted his arms and hugged her back with the same warmth and intensity.

    From behind, Alex approached, watching the emotional scene unfold.

    ''It¡¯s the same feeling I had back then¡­ when¡­ Mother Freya¡­''

    He could see it clearly¡ªEhan had been pushing himself far beyond the limits of an ordinary boy. Alex had recognized his son¡¯s determination seven years ago, but the result of that resolve¡­ it was beyond what he¡¯d imagined.

    Alex smiled softly and said, "Welcome back, son¡­"

    ''It¡¯s a good feeling, I guess¡­''

    Lydia gently pulled back, wiping away the unspilled tears forming at the corners of her eyes.

    "First, let¡¯s get you cleaned up and into some proper clothes."

    "Yes, Mom," Ehan replied with a small smile.

    Ehan got cleaned up¡ª

    washed thoroughly after what felt like an eternity.

    It had been so long since he¡¯d bathed in the mansion¡¯s grand bathing chamber, with its warm water and polished marble floor.

    The sensation was nostalgic, almost surreal.

    He changed into fresh clothes¡ª

    black trousers and a short-sleeved shirt.

    The fabric felt strange against his skin, so different from the rugged leather robe he had crafted on the mountain from the hide of a dead beast.

    That robe had become a part of him during his years of training.

    Still, he accepted the new clothing, knowing he had returned to a different world now.

    Just as Rose had predicted, Lydia insisted he cut his hair.

    Ehan refused flat-out, and what followed was a drawn-out argument that lasted for hours.

    Eventually, they reached a compromise.

    His long ponytail was cut in half, and the bangs covering the left side of his face were trimmed just enough so they no longer fell over his eyes.

    Ehan had protested at first, but in the end, he saw no better option and reluctantly agreed.

    Now, his hair still remained long¡ª just no longer trailing to his lower back.

    It reached down to his upper back instead, and his bangs stopped neatly at his eyebrows.

    A few other minor adjustments were made, but nothing too drastic.

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    He still looked rugged, still different¨Cbut a bit more polished than before.

    After eating lunch, Ehan wandered through the mansion, recalling the familiar places and noticing all the changes that had taken place during his absence.

    Then, his eyes met Gale''s.

    In that moment, memories flooded back¡ªreminding him of the time when he had handed Gale the letter and tried to deceive him. His breath hitched for a minute.

    Soon, Gale stepped forward and said, "Young Lord Ehan, it''s a pleasure to see you after so many years. You look... like a completely different person."

    Ehan took a deep breath to compose himself before replying, "Oh, yeah. It''s nothing¡ªit''s just... as you must have heard, I was training..."

    Gale then leaned in closer and whispered in Ehan''s ear,

    "The money you wanted to send seven years ago¡­ it was successfully delivered to the person."

    Ehan froze for a moment. There was no point in denying it now.

    ¡®Shit¡­ I should¡¯ve known already.¡¯

    Gale pulled back slightly and added with a calm smile, "But don¡¯t worry."

    He stepped back and continued, "I refined the funding more. What you sent would¡¯ve lasted about four or five years¡­ but I made some changes."

    Ehan narrowed his eyes. "What kind of changes?"

    "Rather than sending it slowly through only one anonymous route, like you wanted me to do¡­" Gale explained,

    "I distributed the entire amount into small portions and handed them over to several small and big investors¡ªtold them to invest or redirect the funds toward the place you intended."

    He paused for a moment and then smiled again.

    "And some of those investments did well. The returns we gained were reinvested back into the same cause. And we did that again and again until we can. Because of that, the money will now continue flowing to the organization for a full eight or nine years."

    Ehan¡¯s eyes widened in surprise after hearing that.

    He hadn''t expected Gale to go above and beyond, making his work even easier.

    And turning what was supposed to be five years'' worth of funding into eight? That was no small feat.

    His respect for Gale quietly deepened.

    He finally understood why Gale was the Economy and Finance Manager of the Arian Family.

    ''That means¡­ the money is still going right now.:

    "Thank you, Sir Gale," Ehan said with a rare, sincere smile.

    Gale bowed slightly and replied, "It''s simply my job to manage your money, Young Lord. No need to thank me."

    Then, after a brief pause, he raised his head and added, "But I do have one question, Young Lord..."

    "Why are you so eager to fund the Strom Viel Sword Academy?"

    Ehan paused for a second, considering how much to say.

    Before he could speak, Gale quickly added, "I''m sorry if I''m stepping into your personal matters. I know it''s not my place. If you''d prefer not to answer, I completely understand, Young Lord."

    Ehan smiled genuinely and said, "Because I promised something to my friend. And to fulfill it¡­ I needed to do it."

    Gale nodded respectfully. "I see, Young Lord."

    He gave a small bow and said, "Well then, I shall be taking my leave. Wishing you a good day, Young Lord Ehan."

    With that, Gale turned and walked away. There was nothing suspicious about him.

    He truly was one of the Arian Family''s most loyal and capable men.

    Just then, Ehan heard a voice behind him¡ª

    "Oi, Ehan!" The moment the voice hit his ears, he froze.

    ¡®Why the hell is he here¡­?¡¯

    He turned around, and as expected¡ªit was his cousin.

    Julien.

    Tall and sharp-featured, Julien had a confident smirk on his face. His slightly brown hair swayed in the breeze, neatly styled to fall over one side. He wore a fitted full-sleeved shirt, the sleeves rolled up casually to his elbows to reveal toned forearms, paired with earthy brown trousers.

    Ehan noticed how a few passing maids glanced at Julien and giggled softly.

    Still the same show-off.

    Julien was now 21. A popular mage and the pride of the Arian 2nd in line branch family. He was the son of Uncle William, who belonged to one of the more influential branches, though not part of the main bloodline.

    Julien had made a name for himself early. He joined the top magic academy and quickly rose through the ranks¡ªhis talent, charisma, and confidence gained him a big fanbase.

    But once he mastered the fundamentals and learned everything he wanted from the academy, he dropped out at 18 and began traveling across regions¡ªseeking thrill, adventure, and magical anomalies to toy with. And now he''s one of the continents strongest warrior.

    And now, he was standing in front of Ehan, eyes scanning him from top to bottom.

    Julien whistled. "Well damn¡­ you''ve changed. I barely recognized you with that rugged hair and those muscles. Looks like the wild suited you."

    "What are you doing here? Weren¡¯t you off exploring?" Ehan asked, his tone polite but laced with mild curiosity.

    Julien shrugged casually.

    "Eh, nothing major. Just came back to stay for a while. Honestly, I didn¡¯t know you were returning either. Uncle Alexander kept things pretty hush-hush. No one really knew where you¡¯d vanished off to."

    He paused, then added a playful grin, "But I did hear early on that you left to train as a mage."

    Ehan blinked.

    "M-mage...? What nonsense are you talking about?"

    Julien raised a brow, clearly surprised by the reaction.

    "Huh? I mean, that¡¯s what people were saying. All across the Land of Nobles, there were whispers and chatting. That Lord Alexander sent his son away to train in secret¡­ to become an elite S-Class Mage or something."

    Ehan¡¯s jaw dropped slightly. Mage? The last thing he expected was to be mistaken for one.

    ''So¡­ that¡¯s what people thought I was doing this whole time?''

    He composed himself, took a deep breath, and sighed.

    "Julien, I wasn¡¯t training to be a mage."

    Julien tilted his head. "Then what were you training for?"

    "To be a swordsman." Ehan replied firmly.

    Julien blinked. "A swordsman?!"

    "Yes," Ehan repeated. "A swordsman."

    Julien¡¯s eyes widened in genuine surprise, before laughing slightly. "Oh¡­ that actually makes sense now. I mean, when you arrived, you did look all rugged and wild. Like you''d just crawled out of the mountains or something."

    Ehan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

    ''Rugged and wild, huh? You little shit!¡­ I used to look like that only 100 years ago¡­''

    Julien then asked with renewed interest, "So, if you''re going the sword route¡­ have you decided which academy you''re joining?"

    Ehan looked at him for a moment before answering, "Strom Viel Sword Academy. That¡¯s where I¡¯m headed."

    "Strom Viel Sword Academy?..." Julien repeated, pausing for a moment as he processed the name. He then added.

    "Oh, that academy that was on the verge of collapsing but somehow managed to stabilize recently? You''re seriously going there? It¡¯s not even in the top five sword academies in the Land of Nobles."

    "I¡¯ve already decided," Ehan said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll head there and nowhere else.¡±

    ¡®I may have helped their finances stay afloat¡­ but I need to fix it myself. From it''s inside. And help Callesta, bring it back to its former glory. Just like it was a hundred years ago¡­ when Wills was still alive¡­¡¯

    Julien sighed and shrugged. "Hmph, whatever. Do as you like. But... do you really intend to learn from a woman?"

    Ehan¡¯s expression darkened slightly. His brows narrowed, a flicker of annoyance passing through his eyes.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± he asked, voice sharp. ¡°Can¡¯t a woman be just as capable as any man?¡±

    Julien raised his hands in mock surrender, smirking. ¡°Relax, I was just asking. You know how the older nobles talk... Not many women run sword academies, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Ehan didn¡¯t respond. He simply turned around and walked away from there, his gaze distant.

    Julien smirked slightly as he watched Ehan walk away, his footsteps calm yet heavy with purpose.

    In a low voice, he muttered, "He really did become stronger, huh..."

    His eyes fell to his own hand. His fingers trembled slightly as he stared at them.

    "That gaze of his... it was completely different," he whispered.

    For a brief moment, he stood there silently. Then, he clenched his fists tightly, the sound of his knuckles cracking faintly audible.

    A grin slowly spread across his face as he turned around and began walking away.

    ''I¡¯ve been slacking off... I should also start some training now...'' Julien''s thoughts...

 Sword Academies

    In this world, there exist countless sword techniques¡ªsome inspired by nature, others by elements or deep philosophies.

    But among them, in the Land of Nobles, five sword techniques stand above the rest. These are known as the Advanced Sword Styles.

    Each of the 5 Great Noble families governs one of these techniques, passed down through generations, refined and protected like sacred treasures.

    While the Arian family built their empire they but, left Swordsmanship¡ªdominating the Mage world with unmatched talent and influence¡ªthe other noble families realized something vital: they could never rival the Arian family in the field of magic. Competing would be a futile struggle.

    So instead, they turned to the sword.

    Abandoning the pursuit of arcane knowledge, the Five Great Nobles carved their own path through the way of the blade. Each family established their own prestigious sword academy, becoming masters of their unique styles.

    These weren¡¯t just Academies¡ªthey were legacies.

    Now, each academy teaches an Advanced Sword Style exclusive to their Academy''s students, their history etched into every form, every strike.

    Some nobles still clung to magic, refusing to walk the warrior¡¯s path. But for the Five Great Nobles, swordsmanship was no longer just a discipline.

    It was an identity.

    The 5 Advanced techniques and the family who teach them are¡ª

    Azure River flow Sword Style :

    Taught by Markis Family.

    Four Seasoned Sword Style :

    Taught by Dukas Family.

    Moonlight Sword Style :

    Taught by Valois Family.

    Obsidian Strom Sword Style :

    Taught by Ragnulf Family.

    Pure Rain Sword Style :

    Taught by Throne Family.

    These Sword Techniques are considered to be advanced, and powerful in the Land of Nobels and beyond.

    Due to the dominance each of the 5 Great Noble Families hold over their respective sword styles and academy, the head family¡¯s child is always taught their sword style exclusively in their own family-run academy.

    It¡¯s not just tradition anymore¡ª It¡¯s practically a restriction now.

    However, the branch families of the 5 Great Nobles, who do not descend directly from the main bloodline, have the freedom to enroll in any academy of their choice.

    In fact, this happens quite often.

    Most of the time, children from branch families¡ªespecially those fifth in line or beyond¡ªfeel discriminated against within their own family.

    As a result, their parents often avoid sending them to the family academy, fearing they might be marginalized or oppressed by the head family''s son or daughter.

    Apart from that...

    The Pure Rain Sword Style was once a shining beacon of swordsmanship across the Land of Nobles. Developed by the legendary swordsman Wills Throne, it was elegant, balanced, and precise¡ªcrafted to be passed down through generations.

    Wills founded the Strom Viel Swords Academy for this very purpose¡ªto ensure the Pure Rain lived on and grew stronger with each era.

    At its peak, it was hailed as the second most powerful sword style in the world.

    But that glory has faded.

    In the current age, the Pure Rain Sword Style has weakened. Some of its original texts, and scriptures mysteriously vanished over time. Without them, the technique has become incomplete, leaving students unable to grasp its true essence.

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    No one knows when or how the knowledge was lost¡ªonly that one day, it was simply... gone.

    And above it all Sword styles, once stood the legendary Black Rain Sword Style ¡ªa technique of unmatched mastery.

    Its creator, Devin Arian, also known as The Blade Supreme, was a swordsman whose skill rivaled myth. It was said that no one could match him. Except¡ª

    The Mad wise man from far East.

    And

    The Ice hearted women from the North.

    Except for them, not even the strongest mages of his time couldn''t.

    But in a decision that confounded history, Devin never passed his art down. Not to his disciples, not even to his own children.

    He died with the secrets of Black Rain locked within him.

    Though scriptures and fragmented texts still exist, no one has been able to interpret or recreate the style. The knowledge is there¡ªscattered, cryptic¡ªbut its meaning has become lost to time.

    And so, the Black Rain Sword Style was forgotten. Reduced to a myth. A tale parents tell to inspire young swordsmen, or a fantasy written in children''s books.

    ''These are the things I read from all those history books,'' Ehan thought, gazing out of the window as the landscape passed by in a blur.

    He was headed to the Strom Viel Swords Academy¡ªthe academy that once stood second only to legends, now a shadow of its former glory.

    Back home, his father had initially been surprised by his decision. The heir of the Arian family¡ªwanting to join that academy?

    But deep down, Alexander Arian knew his son was different. And for that reason, he hadn¡¯t opposed it. He allowed Ehan to follow his path.

    And so, after staying at home for just four days, Ehan had departed for Strom Viel Swords Academy.

    Now, sitting inside the royal black-and-gold carriage of the Arian family, gently rocking on the dirt road, he leaned back on the cushioned seat.

    ''Some of the texts and scriptures of Pure Rain, just vanished without a trace? That¡¯s absolute bullshit,'' he scoffed inwardly.

    His gaze hardened.

    ''Is this also connected to Callesta¡¯s case? The internal politics to remove her from the family head¡­ and the academy¡¯s headmaster?''

    He folded his arms, his brows furrowed as thoughts spun like a storm inside his mind.

    So many theories, so many possibilities¡ªyet not one gave a solid, logical explanation for why anyone would make the Pure Rain Sword Style weaker.

    Every road of reason led him back to one frustrating, unshakable question:

    ''Even if the family holds a grudge against Callesta¡­ why the hell would they harm their own sword technique?''

    Why sabotage their own legacy?

    Why destroy something so powerful their ancestors built?

    It didn¡¯t make sense.

    Not yet.

    ''Humm... I don''t think I used such complicated language in my sword style scriptures¡ªI simply wrote what I liked and left it as is. And these asshole, historians can''t even interpret it after 100 years...''

    Just then, the carriage came to a halt. The wheels creaked softly, and the soft clip-clop of the horses died down.

    They had arrived at the Strom Viel Swords Academy''s Campus¡ªthe academy nestled deep within a quiet, forest-covered campus.

    The old coachman, dressed in a clean white tunic paired with a black scarf and fitted trousers, stepped down from his seat and opened the door with a respectful bow.

    ¡°Young Lord Ehan, we¡¯ve reached Strom Viel,¡± he said with a warm tone.

    Ehan gave a small nod and stepped out of the carriage. He had only one thing with him¡ªa simple black backpack slung over his shoulder.

    ¡°Thanks for taking me this far,¡± Ehan said, glancing back at the old man.

    The air felt calm, almost too quiet. Ehan looked around the gate area¡ªaside from one or two staff members wandering nearby, the entrance was practically empty.

    The old man noticed the confusion on Ehan¡¯s face and quickly explained, ¡°Young Lord, we arrived an hour earlier than scheduled. That¡¯s why the entrance is so quiet right now. But within the next hour, everyone taking the admission will start arriving.¡±

    Ehan nodded slowly, now understanding. ¡°Oh, I get it. Thanks for explaining.¡±

    "If you like, I can call the management and ask them to open up for you right now, Young Lord," the old man offered respectfully.

    Ehan shook his head lightly. "Oh, no, leave it. There¡¯s no need for that, really. You can go back now. I¡¯ll just roam around the campus area until then. And tell my father I reached safely."

    "As you say, Young Lord. I shall take my leave. I hope you do excellent in your academic life."

    With a slight bow, the old man climbed back onto the carriage, gave the reins a gentle pull, and the horses began to trot away, slowly disappearing down the tree-lined path.

    Ehan stood at the gate, gazing at the academy beyond the walls. A faint breeze passed, ruffling his hair and coat.

    The campus of Strom Viel Academy¡ªcommonly referred to as simply "Strom Viel"¡ªwas like a town in itself. Surrounded by tall, fortified walls, it had only two gates: one at the front, used for student entry and public access.

    And a second, hidden gate known only to academy staff, or Throne family''s trusted people, but it was used only during emergency.

    When the academy was first established, it attracted settlers¡ªtraders, businessmen, workers, and craftsmen¡ªwho saw opportunity in the constant flow of students and visitors. Gradually, a thriving community built up around the academy. Some families settled nearby only, so their children could learn the way of the sword while the parents worked within the campus.

    Strom Viel¡¯s administration imposed a small tax on all commercial activity within the campus, but the amount was very minimal that no one ever complained.

    However, due to the sheer number of residents and businesses, even those modest taxes added up to a significant revenue stream for the academy.

    The campus had everything¡ªwell-maintained roads, hospitals, builders, food stalls, full-scale restaurants, bar, even a small police station. It wasn¡¯t just an educational institute; it was a self-sustaining territory, which was governed directly by the Headmaster.

    This wasn¡¯t unique to Strom Viel. All five academies run by the 5 Great Noble Families were structured the same way, like autonomous towns. And because of this, the position of Headmaster wasn¡¯t just an academic title¡ª

    It was a symbol of true power.

    In these families, the official family head often held a ceremonial role, while the Headmaster of the sword academy wielded real authority.

    The one who led the academy led the family. And that was why the post of Headmaster was not just prestigious¡ªit was everything.

    Ehan passed the academy''s huge gate and got inside, he looked here and there. People were in their shops and some small vendors on the roads selling things.

    Ehan sighed and said, "It''s changed so much...Wills. When you started it was just a simple big grassland. Only the academy and some small shops were there. But now. It''s a city itself."

    Ehan smiled and went on the path, the Strom Viel Swords Academy was right in the centre, of the campus.

    At this time, only the campus people were there, and some visitors were chatting, drinking, and some small children playing. It was joyful inside the campus even though the gate was all empty.

    There was no students or staff at this time. Only Ehan was the one looking like a student, some were staring at him while he was going to the academy.

    ''I know, it''s in good state right now. Because of the money I funded. I''ll last till last year and so according to gale.''

    Ehan cliched his fists while walking. And tighten his jaws slightly.

    ''Dont worry, Wills and Callesta. Now I''m here... I''ll save Strom Viel. I promise.''

 Introduction

    Ehan kept walking. The academy was right in front of his eyes, the view was breath taking the academy was like a palace itself. but...

    The gates were closed.

    ''As I expected.''

    He looked around and noticed a small street stall nearby, where a middle-aged man was arranging dishes on the front display.

    ''Let¡¯s ask him when the academy will open.''

    Ehan walked up to the stall. Before he could say anything, the man glanced at him and spoke first.

    "You¡¯ve come a little early, kid. The academy isn¡¯t open yet."

    "You¡¯re right¡­ Can you tell me when it will open?"

    The man turned his head toward the large clock tower at the center of the crossroads and replied,

    "It should open in about 20 minutes, if I¡¯m guessing right."

    Ehan sighed and sat on the wooden stool placed near the front of the stall.

    ¡°Damn it, I need to wait here then...¡± he muttered.

    The man resumed arranging the remaining dishes. After a moment, he looked at Ehan and said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you try some food from my stall? I can cook something to your preference.¡±

    Ehan thought for a second. He''s got time¡­ and starting to feel hungry too anyway. He looked aup at him and asked,

    ¡°You got some meat in your shop?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I do. Just tell me what you want.¡±

    ¡°Just make anything you like with the meat. I¡¯ll eat.¡±

    ¡°Sure thing.¡±

    The man turned to his stove, twisting the knob on the small gas burner until a steady flame came to life. He pulled out a few ingredients from behind the stall¡ªa slab of marinated lamb, chopped onions, diced peppers, some herbs, and a small bowl of spiced butter.

    He tossed the meat onto a hot iron skillet, and a loud sizzle echoed as the aroma of seared lamb filled the air.

    The man took his time in making the dish and in the end, he sliced of lemon and handed the plate to Ehan.

    ¡°Here. It¡¯s called Herbed Flame Lamb. Old recipe of mine,¡± he said with a slight grin.

    Ehan took the plate, the warmth radiating from it comforting in the cool morning air.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, eyeing the food. ¡°Smells good.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll like it,¡± the man replied confidently, already cleaning his skillet for the next customer.

    Ehan dug in, the first bite making his eyes widen slightly.

    ''Not bad at all....''

    "It''s good," Ehan said, taking another bite. "No, it''s very good. Thanks for the dish."

    The man grinned. "I knew you''d like it, kid. What''s your name, by the way?"

    "Ehan."

    "Ehan..." The man paused, thinking for a moment. "I feel like I''ve heard that name before, but I can''t quite remember where."

    Ehan finished the food just as a number of other students began gathering near the academy''s entrance. Most of them looked around his age.

    Some wore the fine clothing of lesser noble families. A few stood out¡ªclearly elites, likely from one of the Five Great Families. Others were dressed more simply¡ªcommoners, and even a few with markings that signified slaves.

    Ehan reached into his pocket, pulled out some coins, and handed them to the man.

    "Thanks again for the dish. I should get going now."

    Ehan slipped into the growing crowd, blending in with the commoners and lesser nobles like water merging into a river.

    Back at the stall, the man was still lost in thought, placing the coins in his drawer as the name Ehan echoed faintly in his head.

    "Ah, whatever. Must be some noble kid," he muttered to himself.

    He picked up the folded newspaper lying on the side and began casually flipping through it. As his eyes skimmed over a headline about the Imperial Family, something made his heart skip a beat.

    "Ehan A-Arian...? Th-The Lords?" he read aloud, his voice cracking slightly.

    The newspaper trembled in his hands. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as his eyes widened in disbelief. He gripped the paper tighter, staring at the name printed in bold.

    He had been running this small stall for years, feeding students and wanderers alike. But never¡ªnot even in his wildest dreams¡ªdid he think he¡¯d serve a meal to someone from that family.

    The Arian family.

    And not just anyone¡ªEhan, the son of the head of the family, the future king¡­ the blood of Alexander Arian himself.

    On the other side, Ehan walked quietly among the crowd. As the group neared the academy¡¯s massive gates, they slowly creaked open. Everyone stepped forward in unison¡ªEhan too, tucked neatly between the commoners, unnoticed.

    Ahead of them marched the lesser nobles, walking with practiced pride. And in front of them were three students who stood out sharply¡ªwell-dressed and poised unmistakably from the Five Great Noble Families.

    Two were male, one was female, all radiating the kind of presence only prestige could give.

    In total, around forty fresh faces entered the academy that day¡ªyet none of them knew that walking humbly in their midst was the son of the imperial family''s head.

    As they stepped into the academy grounds, a man approached them. He wore a tight-fitted vest, black pants, and leather boots¡ªclearly staff member. He stopped in front of the group and scanned them once.

    "You all freshers," he said. "Follow me. I¡¯ll take you to your designated area."

    He moved with confidence, like a tour guide well-versed in his route. The students followed him as he guided them around the exterior of the main building.

    He pointed toward the separate structures behind the academy¡¯s central hall¡ªeach a dedicated facility. There was a massive training battlefield, wide and dusty, ready for sparring and practice.

    Farther along were the boarding houses¡ªone for girls, another for boys¡ªlarge dorm-like buildings, all situated within the academy walls, creating a self-contained world. He took us there and told us to keep our stuff in our rooms, that were assigned to us.

    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    We were given, our room keys back then only when we gave the admission test, 2 days ago.

    After the exterior tour, the guide led them into the heart of the main building¡ªa towering structure with arched halls and stone interiors.

    He brought them into a large hall, designed like a lecture room in a university. Rows of seating curved around a wide central platform.

    "This will be your class for now. Settle down here. Your first teacher will be here shortly," he said, before turning and walking off without another word.

    As the students began finding their seats and settling into the new atmosphere, Ehan quietly picked a spot in the last row, blending in like a shadow among the crowd.

    Soon after, a figure stepped into the room. At first glance, she didn¡¯t seem much different from the students¡ªaverage height, dressed in a plain white outfit. And was very beautiful. Her short red hair framed her pointed ears¡ªan elf.

    She held a book in one hand, lazily flipping through the pages. Everyone assumed she was just another student¡ªuntil she stepped up to the lecture stand, let out a yawn, and muttered in a somewhat irritated tone:

    "Good morning, everyone. I¡¯m Viola¡ªyour history teacher."

    The class froze for a second before the murmurs began.

    "What? A teacher?"

    "Wait¡­ she¡¯s an elf?"

    "She¡¯s my height¡ªhow is she even a teacher?"

    "Yeah, where¡¯s her qualification, I waana see it?"

    The students¡¯ voices filled the room in disbelief and confusion.

    Viola closed her eyes for a moment, rubbed her temples, and then said in a cold, razor-sharp voice:

    "You all¡ªshut the hell up. Can¡¯t you brats show a little respect to your teacher?"

    The room went silent instantly.

    She took a slow step forward and mumbled under her breath, "These Freshers..."

    Then she raised her voice again, sharp and clear, "Listen up, you fresh shits. I might not look old to you, but I am a qualified teacher. Yes, I¡¯m an elf. And if any of you have a problem with that, take it up with the imperial family¡ªthey¡¯re the ones who passed the law allowing anyone to teach if they¡¯re qualified."

    No one dared respond. Her eyes, calm yet piercing, and the firm edge in her tone made it crystal clear¡ªshe wasn''t just some fake. She had authority, experience¡­ and zero tolerance for nonsense.

    "And if you still need convincing," she added, smirking slightly, "we elves live a hell of a lot longer than you human asses. I¡¯m not some teenager like you all¡ªI¡¯m forty-five years old."

    No one dared to speak. Viola walked leisurely across the floor, her sharp eyes scanning the students as she moved. Eventually, she stopped at the leftmost corner, where a boy sat quietly.

    "You," she said, her voice firm. "Stand up and introduce yourself."

    The boy immediately rose to his feet. He had short hair and wore a simple shirt and trousers¡ªclearly a commoner. With a respectful tone, he spoke,

    "Miss Viola, my name is Andres Nim. I''m a commoner, and I''m here to learn the way of the sword at Strom Viel Academy."

    Viola gave him a short nod and gestured for him to sit back down. Andres did as instructed.

    Then, without pause, she turned to the student beside him. "Your turn. Introduce yourself."

    And so, one by one, the introductions continued.

    When it was the turn of one of the three elite nobles from back then who were in front of everyone, he stood up before Viola even instructed him to. He had black medium length hair and a pretty face.

    Draped in an expensive, well-fitted coat, shirt and trousers made of fine material, he carried himself with an air of importance.

    "Miss, my name is Einar Ragnulf, from the Ragnulf branch family, 8th in line. It is a pleasu¡ª"

    Thud!

    A piece of chalk flew through the air and smacked him squarely on the forehead.

    Viola stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unimpressed.

    "You little shit. Did I ask you to stand up?"

    Einar flinched, rubbing his forehead. "Uh... No, Miss." He quickly added, "I''m sorry, Miss."

    Viola clicked her tongue. "Keep this in your little heads, you punks. In my class, you don¡¯t move your asses until I tell you to. Got it?"

    "Yes, Ma¡¯am!" the class responded in unison.

    "Now, let''s get back to where I was¡­" Viola muttered, rolling her shoulders.

    Meanwhile, another elite noble, sitting in the row behind Einar, patiently waited for his turn.

    When Viola finally called on him, he stood up with a composed demeanor. Like Einar, he was dressed in expensive, finely tailored clothing. He has Short Grey haired and sharp jaw he had along with a good height.

    "Good morning, Miss Viola. I am Cedric Throne, younger brother of the head of the Throne Family. It¡¯s my pleasure to be in this academy."

    Viola raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh, Callesta¡¯s younger brother, huh?" She let out a small chuckle before waving a hand dismissively. "Alright, you can sit."

    The introductions continued. Eventually, the last of the three elite nobles stood up¡ªthe girl.

    She wore a long overcoat made from expensive fabric, its edges adorned with intricate detailing. Beneath it, a knee-length skirt and a well-fitted shirt completed her refined yet authoritative look.

    She stood with a poised expression and introduced herself. "Miss Viola, I am Lena Valois, from the 6th in-line branch of the Valois family. I¡¯m pleased to be here."

    Viola rubbed her chin, her eyes briefly scanning Lena before she murmured to herself, "Hmm, the Valois family¡¯s 6th in line branch¡­"

    Then, with an exaggerated yawn, she waved her hand again. "Take your seat."

    As Lena sat down, Viola glanced at the class, her lips curling into a smirk. As she think¨C ''Looks like we got some interesting kids this year.''

    The introduction continued until it was finally Ehan¡¯s turn. Sitting in the last row, he had remained unnoticed until Viola pointed directly at him.

    "You, last-row brat. The one in the corner with the long ponytail¡ªintroduce yourself."

    ''...Wills, I¡¯m only doing this for you. Otherwise, I had no plans engaging in this academy with these kids.'' Ehan thought to himself.

    Unlike Einar, Cedric and Lena from the 5 Great Nobels, Ehan¡¯s attire was far from extravagant. He wore simple, somewhat rugged clothes¡ªan old long overcoat that looked cheap, paired with trousers and a plain white shirt that lacked any sign of wealth. He blended in completely with the commoners, a stark contrast to the elite nobles who had introduced themselves before him.

    Standing up, he smirked slightly before speaking in a calm, confident tone.

    "Good morning, Miss Viola. My name is Ehan Arian, from the head of the Arian Family. I¡¯m very pleased to be here at Strom Viel Swords Academy."

    The moment Ehan uttered Arian, the entire hall fell into an eerie silence.

    For a few seconds, no one reacted¡ªuntil the whispers started.

    "D-Did he just say Arian?"

    "No way... H-He¡¯s from the Imperial Family?"

    "The son of Alexander Arian? That Ehan Arian?"

    "W-Wasn''t he training to be a mage?"

    "What is he doing at a sword academy?

    Einar, Cedric and Lena turned around, some with wide eyes, others with skeptical expressions. A few lesser nobles swallowed nervously, while the commoners and slaves stiffened in their seats.

    Einar and Cedric exchanged glances, their brows furrowing. Lena, however, tried to be composed, but slight discomfort could be seen, her sharp gaze locked on Ehan, as if trying to analyze him.

    Viola, who had been watching with mild interest, smirked and rested her chin on her hand.

    "Oh? The Arian family''s future head?" She clicked her tongue and chuckled. "And here I thought you were just another street rat."

    Some students flinched at her blunt words, but Ehan only smirked in return, unfazed.

    Viola tilted her head. "I guess even the mighty Arian family sends their kids here now? What happened, little lord? Did Alexander ran out of mages at home?"

    ''This mf teacher¡­ Living off my funding and yet showing talking like that to me?...''

    Ehan sighed, then smirked slightly before speaking. "I could ask you the same question, Miss Viola..."

    He paused, locking his intense, critical gaze on her.

    "Shouldn¡¯t an elf like you be deep in the forest, worshipping nature and trees? What happened, Running out of trees? Let me ask what happened to your...Elf Queen, Alva?"

    Viola¡¯s expression shifted¡ªher eyes widened in shock, and a flicker of anger crossed her face at the mention of Elf Queen.

    Ehan didn¡¯t stop. His voice remained calm, but his words were sharp.

    "Oh, my apologies, Miss. I forgot¡­ She passed away without naming a successor, didn¡¯t she? And your tribe fell into chaos for the successor''s race. Killing each other. Tell me, who was it again that came begging to Devin Arian asking to protect their tribe around hundred years ago?"

    He leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening.

    "Ah, yes¡­ Siv. An elder elf, wasn¡¯t he? I assume, as a history teacher, you¡¯d be quite familiar with that chapter of your tribe¡¯s past."

    Viola¡¯s jaw tightened. Her fingers curled slightly as she processed his words. She did know. She knew very well the history of her people¡ªthe downfall of their last queen, the internal conflict that followed, and how Siv had sought refuge under Devin Devin''s time while he was unifying the land of nobels.

    A few students exchanged glances, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

    Viola took a step forward, anger flashing in her eyes, but then she took a very deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. After a moment, she spoke in a low, dangerous tone.

    "I¡¯ll let you go this time, Ehan. But remember this¡ªif you ever bring up my tribe again, it will be the last day you see this world."

    Ehan, unfazed, leaned back into his seat. "I¡¯ll keep that in mind, Miss Viola. Likewise, don¡¯t speak ill of my family, and I¡¯ll keep your tribe out of our conversations."

    The tension in the room was thick. Some students held their breath, unsure whether the elf teacher would strike back, while others stole glances at Ehan, realizing he wasn¡¯t just some commoner dressed in cheap clothing.

    Viola turned abruptly, facing the blackboard. Her grip on the chalk was tight, but after a moment, a small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

    "Ehan¡­ Arian¡­ That dickhead is really different from the others," she murmured under her breath, barely audible.

    Shaking her head, she focused on the board, chalk scratching against the surface as she started writing.

    "Alright, listen up, freshers. Let¡¯s see how much history you really understand."

    Despite her composed demeanor, a thought lingered in her mind.

    ¡®This year¡¯s batch¡­ They¡¯re really something else...Especially that Arian kid¡­¡¯