Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Talent (1)
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Twelve years had passed since I was reborn as Sion Aleyas.
I had more or less adjusted to this new life.
Truth be told, the early days had been grueling, one after another.
After all, it was the body of a baby who couldn't speak or move on her own.
With Igzard's help, I could manage some movement... but I still had to watch out for prying eyes.
Things started to ease up once I reached the age where running around wildly didn't seem out of place.
I could finally train my body without worrying about what others thought.
'As expected of a body carrying the Aleyas bloodline.'
I'd felt it since childhood, but Sion Aleyas possessed an incredibly ideal physique.
Muscles built easily, full of elasticity overall. Sturdy bones too.
Each training session brought noticeable improvements in physical prowess, making every day feel rewarding.
'And unlike my Hausel days, the food here is plentiful.'
Hausel's boyhood had been utterly harsh.
Just the bare minimum for meals. With such intense training, I was always starving.
Compared to those times, this was paradise.
'Still, it gets stifling.'
I was born in the mansion of my father, Kurt Aleyas.
Whether it was Father's policy or the Aleyas family tradition, the household atmosphere was suffocatingly rigid.
We started mornings with group prayers in the mansion's attached chapel. Prayers before every meal at the table, and bedtime prayers in our bedrooms.
For someone like me with no real faith, it was suffocating.
'And moreover...'
Swinging a wooden sword in the mansion's rear garden, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and casually glanced over my shoulder.
The response came immediately.
"Young Master, is there anything you need?"
"No, nothing."
The elderly man watching over my training... Hazel, who had retired from the Holy Knight Order a few years back and become the mansion's steward.
'Always being watched like this is just uncomfortable.'
He seems like a decent fellow, but it's still burdensome.
'Sure, a twelve-year-old kid is supposed to live under adults' care... but it's stifling.'
With those thoughts, I kicked off the ground and leaped.
Twirling midair, I swung the sword three times before landing and heaving for breath.
'I'm growing fast, but still a long way off.'
Just when would Father think, 'That kid's fine on his own now—no need to worry.'
Mulling that over, I kept swinging the wooden sword.
* * *
"Young Master Sion is a genius."
"You think so too?"
Listening to Hazel's report, Kurt Aleyas interlaced his fingers.
"In my view, he's already at the level of a Grade 2 Knight."
"And he's only just twelve..."
Typically, new Holy Knights started as Apprentice Knights.
After gaining combat experience and proving their skill, they advanced to Grade 2 Knight. One more promotion made them Grade 1 Knight.
"Even including you and me, there aren't many in this mansion who could spar with that boy and hold their own."
"Indeed. Even the burly ones would get thrashed and collapse against Young Master Sion."
"Hazel, when was the last time you sparred with him?"
"Two years ago."
"Right, and you haven't since you accidentally sprained his wrist."
"My apologies. I got carried away without thinking..."
"No, I'm not blaming you. It was that killing intent he flashed in that instant."
Kurt let out a sigh as he said it.
"Him being a genius only makes me worry more."
"Kurt..."
"My siblings mustn't find out."
"The Knight Order Leader hasn't said anything about a successor yet?"
"True, but who knows what might come up at the upcoming gathering."
The current Knight Order Leader was Ianus Aleyas, head of the Aleyas family... Kurt's father.
Ianus had four children, one of whom was slated to become the next Knight Order Leader.
But it seemed Ianus was considering even the successor after that when deciding.
"Hazel, I don't want Sion to be the successor after next. I just hope he becomes an outstanding Holy Knight."
"Kurt..."
"The next Knight Order Leader position? I could yield that to my brother or sisters. It doesn't appeal to me much."
"But the others don't see it that way. They're still wary of you."
"Yes... that's the problem."
Kurt had been childless for a long time.
He'd lagged in the successor race, until Sion was born twelve years ago.
If Kurt raised Sion well, he'd pose a major threat in the successor competition. Someone might try to eliminate Sion over it.
"Anyway, Kurt, I think it's best to keep spreading rumors that the Young Master is dim-witted, like we have been."
"Yes, that he skips scripture study and just causes headaches."
"That's partly true, too. He doesn't seem to have much faith."
To protect Sion, Kurt had gone around calling him a worthless dimwit.
Kurt himself avoided the spotlight, living half in seclusion.
"At the very least, until Sion grows properly... until he can protect himself... we need to shield him."
"Understood, Kurt."
"Even if he's at Grade 2 Knight level now, he's still just a twelve-year-old child."
Sion had talent.
But for now, he was still a child who needed adults' protection.
And so Kurt and Hazel reaffirmed their policy.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Never teach Sion the Holy Celestial Eight Desolations Method."
The Holy Celestial Eight Desolations Method.
It was one of the cultivation techniques for condensing mana within the body.
To become a proper Holy Knight, one needed to handle mana, and this method was considered the finest among those endorsed by the Holy Spirit Church.
Only Aleyas family members and close retainers like Hazel could learn it.
"The same goes for any other mana cultivation methods. You know that, right?"
"Yes."
"Given his talent... teach him the Holy Celestial Eight Desolations Method, and he'd reach 1st Circle in no time."
Through cultivation, mana condensed into ring shapes.
These were called circles, and possessing one marked the 1st Circle stage.
To be recognized as a proper knight, one needed at least 1st Circle mana.
"That's too soon. I'll teach him the Holy Celestial Eight Desolations Method myself when the time is right. For now, just let him practice swordsmanship."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
Kurt's overprotectiveness had its reasons.
A few years back, a tragic fratricide had erupted in a branch family over the successor seat.
Jealous older brothers and sisters had banded together to slaughter their talented youngest sibling.
Kurt feared the same could happen to Sion.
* * *
"Good night, Young Master."
Once the maid extinguished the lights and left, I lay in bed, lost in thought.
'I wonder how the Dialogue Church is faring.'
A twelve-year-old could only gather so much information.
Thus, I hadn't yet grasped the full picture of the Dialogue Church's status.
From eavesdropping on adults, it seemed Aquilast the Pontiff Archbishop was still in position... but beyond that, I knew nothing.
'Aside from getting rid of me, maybe there haven't been major changes.'
At least, there didn't seem to be any big conflicts like in my time.
Losing a key asset like Archbishop Hausel would've made Pontiff Archbishop Aquilast hesitant to wage war on the Holy Spirit Church.
'I have no lingering attachment to the Dialogue Church, but I'm curious about my subordinates.'
The Dialogue Church had loyal vassals devoted to Archbishop Hausel.
Had they been purged like me, or...?
'To gather intel, I need to break out of this situation soon.'
My freedom of movement was too limited now.
It was unavoidable for a twelve-year-old, but it was getting frustrating.
'Then...'
Staring at the dark ceiling, I slowly spoke.
"Isn't it about time we got moving?"
I was alone in the room.
No one should have heard my voice.
Yet a reply came.
[Well, you're twelve now. Probably fine to start.]
The arrogant voice echoed in my mind.
The presence that had spoken to me since starting this new life as Sion Aleyas... the being within.
The entity I'd shared over ten years with since reincarnating. Demon Sword Igzard.
[You were too young before. We've focused on building your body till now, but yeah, time to move.]
"Good."
That settled our course.
Time to act in earnest.
"Alright then... let's begin today's routine."
[Do it.]
I rose silently from the bed.
Closing my eyes in the darkness, I took a deep breath.
"Huu..."
Right then.
A dark crimson aura began to ripple across my entire body.