Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: First Service: Be Proactive!
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Clang!
"Your movements are especially full of vitality today, Young Master Rubelt."
"Are they? Well, today is the best day I've had in ages!"
The training grounds at the Eldra estate.
There, I was sparring with my renowned Hunter private tutor, receiving his guidance.
As proof that last night's events weren't a dream, I'd done it with Rize again this morning, bathed, and eaten breakfast as usual.
Deep down, I wanted to spend the whole day with Rize, all lovey-dovey... no, with a bit of sticky sweetness mixed in.
But I restrained my lust, reminding myself that I could do it with her every single day from now on.
Besides, today's lesson with the private tutor was essential for conquering one of the heroines.
Still, my exhilarated mood must have shown in my movements, because today's tutor noticed it.
The master of the Heavenly Thunder Style.
Denrai Satoru.
With his lightning-like spiky white hair and golden yellow eyes, he was the father of one of the Blaze Blood heroines.
Denrai Chisaki's dad.
In Blaze Blood, Denrai Chisaki handled the lightning-attribute DPS role, and the Heavenly Thunder Style swordsmanship she used was a highly versatile skill that shone even in the main story.
It had high accuracy, so misses were rare, and per the setting where it infused blades with electricity, every Heavenly Thunder Style skill had a chance to paralyze enemies.
Paralysis was a powerful effect in any game.
Not only did it give you a moment to regroup in a crisis, but it also made battles much easier overall.
Of course, other characters had their own strengths and advantages, and you could enjoy combat in plenty of ways without relying on paralysis.
But in reality, paralysis would be incomparably more useful than in any game.
My goal was partly to build a connection with Denrai Chisaki, but I'd also hired Denrai Satoru as my tutor to acquire such a convenient, high-utility skillset.
By the game's lore, Heavenly Thunder Style was passed down through a single heir. After his wife died young, Denrai Satoru had raised his only daughter single-handedly.
Only Denrai Chisaki could inherit it.
Even knowing that, I'd previously requested him as my tutor and met with him.
"Heavenly Thunder Style is passed to one heir only. Even for the famous heir of the Eldra family... the Golden Kirin, I have no intention of teaching you."
His initial response was, of course, a firm refusal.
"I wish to learn the Heavenly Thunder Style wielded by Denrai, a master unmatched in swordsmanship."
"...Flattery won't work. Go home. Plenty of others would line up to teach someone called the Golden Kirin."
"I only seek knowledge from those I deem worthy."
"To catch the eye of the Eldra heir—what an honor. But go home."
Denrai Satoru stated firmly that he had no desire to teach me.
"Rize."
"Yes. Here it is, Young Master."
Rize placed the case she was holding in front of me.
"What's this?"
"This contains the amount we're offering in hopes that Master Denrai will teach you."
"...You're trying to buy me off with money? You look down on me... on Heavenly Thunder Style."
Sparks crackled as electrified mana enveloped Denrai Satoru's body.
The intimidating pressure and killing intent from a true powerhouse washed over my skin, a warning to the insolent fool.
"Not at all. Far from it. Heavenly Thunder Style is the greatest sword art I know. This merely reflects its value."
"Judging its worth by mere money... "
Click! I opened the case and showed him the contents.
"..."
Denrai Satoru silently examined the case's contents, then withdrew his pressure and killing intent.
He slipped his arm into his yukata sleeve, crossed it over his chest, and spoke.
"Young Master Rubelt."
"Yes."
"Heavenly Thunder Style has always been passed to one heir. Do you know why?"
"Because it's too exceptional?"
"Correct. It's the world's finest swordsmanship. Our ancestors feared it would spread too easily and be abused endlessly, so they established the single-heir tradition."
"I see."
"But traditions must evolve with the times. Clinging blindly to the old ways, ignoring the present era, could lead to Heavenly Thunder Style's decline."
"That would be a shame."
"Yes. So, while upholding the basic single-heir tradition... I think it's fine to specially pass it to those worthy of wielding it properly."
"A profound and excellent idea."
I chimed in with his face-saving rationale, then cut to the chase.
"So, when would you like to start the lessons?"
"Next week. First, this money..."
"If it's alright, how about depositing it in one of the Eldra-affiliated banks? We can issue an account and card right away for full access."
"Hahaha, no need to go to such trouble."
"Hahaha, it's nothing compared to your teachings, Master Denrai."
"Hahahahaha!"
Acquiring the single-heir Heavenly Thunder Style was supposed to be impossible.
Even protagonist Isihoon couldn't learn its techniques in the game.
But I'm Rubelt Eldra.
If single-heir tradition blocks it...
Just pile on enough money to make him want to teach it anyway.
Getting rejected for that reason just means you didn't offer enough.
If throwing around dance-inducing sums solves it, it's no obstacle for me.
Being rich is the best.
"Young Master Rubelt? Your mind seems elsewhere."
"Ah, sorry. I was recalling the time I first asked Master for your guidance."
"I see. Nostalgic, isn't it? Even then, you brimmed with talent. And now you've reached the intermediate level of Heavenly Thunder Style."
"My goal was to hit intermediate by adulthood... A renowned style like Heavenly Thunder lives up to its name; it's no easy feat."
"Hahaha! Reaching intermediate at your age is impressive enough, Young Master Rubelt. You've mastered all but the ultimate techniques."
"But your daughter, who's my age, has already reached the advanced level, hasn't she?"
I haven't met Denrai Chisaki in person yet.
Even with the lessons, his doting nature meant he wouldn't let us meet.
And since the tutoring was at the Eldra estate, there was no reason for me to seek her out.
"Chisaki's a genius among geniuses. But... even at advanced level, she's still immature. In a no-holds-barred spar, you'd win, Young Master Rubelt."
"As a fellow student under you, someday I'd love to beat her in swordsmanship and boast that I'm your top disciple."
"Haha! Hearing that makes me proud and a bit embarrassed!"
But that didn't mean my conquest of Denrai Chisaki was stalled.
Getting close to her doting, daughter-obsessed father was practically skipping the infamous "overprotective dad trial" event.
"Chisaki's entering the Academy this year too. You'll have plenty of sparring opportunities there. I look forward to the day you two hone your skills against each other."
"If you're that eager, shouldn't we meet at least once? Still so overprotective, Master."
The master widened his eyes.
"Hey now! Even for you, Young Master Rubelt, I can't just let you meet our precious Chisaki easily! Besides, you're a fine man, if not quite on my level...! What if she meets you and starts fixating on romance...? Ugh! I'd... I'd be so lonely I'd cry!"
"Ha, haha..."
His doting side was as strong as ever.
But our friendship had softened his reactions considerably.
If I'd said I wanted to meet Chisaki back when lessons started, he surely would have...
"Even the Eldra heir... if you eye my Chisaki, I'll strike you down...!!!"
...and unleashed killing intent.
But now, he secretly hoped we'd end up together but delayed it, fearing he'd lose her attention.
This reaction was the result of my efforts.
Once he grew fond of me, I'd steered multiple conversations toward Hunter polygamy culture.
Starting with: Is it truly right for the world to have me wed only to Eli?
Through those talks, I planted the idea that if I was considering polygamy, pairing me with Chisaki might be better.
He hated handing his adorable, cute daughter to another man.
But he couldn't let Heavenly Thunder Style's lineage die.
So, wouldn't it be best to pair her with someone likable, wealthy, promising, who wouldn't let her suffer?
That's how I'd guided his thinking.
That's why he now fretted over losing her focus rather than radiating killing intent.
Lesson over—it was time for the master to head home.
Thwack!
"Sebas."
"At your service, Young Master."
I took the case from Sebas, the Eldra family butler, and called out to the master.
"Master, please accept this."
"Hm? What's this?"
"A day late, but happy New Year. My New Year's gift to you."
Click!
"...! Th-This is Thunderflash Sake! The one where a sip sends electric sparks dancing in your mouth...!"
The master was a heavy drinker, as Chisaki complained in a game event.
"Yes, that's Thunderflash Sake. I thought you'd like it, so I prepared some."
"Hahahaha! Thank you so much, Young Master Rubelt! Ah, care for a drink together? You're an adult now—time to learn!"
Beaming happily, he offered, but I shook my head.
"Sorry, but let's save that for another time. I decided to learn my first drink from Father."
"Ah! How thoughtless of me! Haha! Of course—your first drink should be from your parents."
"But after Father teaches me, I'd love to share a cup with you too, Master. You're not just my swordmaster—you're like a second father to me."
"Y-Young Master Rubelt...!"
The master closed the case with the Thunderflash Sake.
"Then I'll save this until we can drink together!"
"You don't have to."
"No! I... ahem! I have no son, but I think of you like one. This fine sake... I want to enjoy it with you."
"To hear you say that... thank you, Master."
Over years of sword lessons, we'd grown close.
Honestly, even if it started for conquest purposes, his words touched me.
While Rubelt trained with Denrai Satoru...
In the Eldra estate break room, Rize faced off with head maid Anna.
"So! So! How'd it go, Rize? Spill!"
"Uh, um... Anna."
"Quickly!"
"O-Okay. Th-Thanks to you, Anna... yesterday went smoothly with Young Master... Eek! We, we did it."
"Kyaaaaah!"
Anna's cheer echoed through the break room.