Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Measurement Ceremony (3)
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After the measurement ceremony ended.
I entered Ianus's office alongside my father, Kurt.
"Kurt, you've raised your son exceptionally well. I thought he might be lacking since you never showed him to me before, but it was the opposite."
"I'm sorry, Father. I wanted to show him to you after he'd grown a bit more..."
"Enough. There's no need for you to apologize when you've raised him so splendidly. You deserve praise instead."
"Father, to be honest... Sion grew up on his own. I didn't do much."
"Is that so?"
While Kurt conversed with Ianus, I stood politely to the side.
"I knew Sion was a genius. But I thought if his talent became known too early, it would put him in danger."
"You figured he'd face envy and jealousy?"
"I believed there could be physical threats as well."
"You worry a lot."
"Sion is still too young. No matter how much mana he has... he'd be at risk if attacked."
"Hmm... So what do you want to do with him? Lock him up at home so no one can attack him?"
"To be frank, yes. Keep him at home like now, and once he's older..."
It was a stifling conversation.
So I subtly interjected.
"By the way."
"Sion, what's on your mind?"
"Why can't I get attacked?"
"What?"
"If I'm attacked, I can just repel them."
"......"
"And if I'm lucky, I could capture the attacker alive and uncover who's behind it. That way, I'd find out who's targeting me faster, right?"
Both Ianus and Kurt fell silent for a while.
After a moment, Ianus burst into hearty laughter and addressed Kurt.
"Hey, Kurt."
"Yes, Father..."
"He's worlds apart from a timid guy like you. Totally different caliber."
"Ah, he's just a kid with no fear."
"No, this one's way of thinking is completely different."
Ianus seemed done listening to Kurt.
He just wanted to let his cute grandson have his way.
"Sion, what did you say you wanted to do going forward?"
"I told you I want to lead an independent knight brigade in the provinces."
"Right, with the power of a three-star knight, you qualify to command a brigade."
"Ah, Father...!"
Kurt raised his voice, but Ianus silenced him with a raised hand.
"But there aren't many knights who'd follow a twelve-year-old's orders."
"That makes sense."
"And even if you joined the Holy Knight Order right now, you'd start as an apprentice knight. It'd take ages to promote to second-grade or first-grade knight."
That was true.
I'd heard it took Sena years to reach first-grade knight.
"Plus, starting as an apprentice means a lot of hardship. Sion, can you handle that?"
"Hardship... like what?"
"For starters, you'd have to endure beatings from your seniors. Even as my grandson, it wouldn't make much difference."
"......"
The Holy Knight Order has strict discipline.
If I tried anything against my seniors... it'd be a real headache.
"Right, apprentice life would be too tough at your age."
Kurt spoke up from the side.
"Let's put off joining the Holy Knight Order for a few years. Sena joined at sixteen, Cain hasn't enlisted yet, so..."
"Sion."
Ianus cut Kurt off.
"There's an enlistment exam in six months."
"Ah, Father!"
"You'll join the Holy Knight Order through the enlistment exam. We don't normally accept twelve-year-olds, but I'll make special arrangements."
The enlistment exam!
It's the Holy Knight Order's public test for recruiting new knights.
While Aleyas family members and those connected to the Order can join without testing, outsiders must pass the exam.
"As I said earlier, joining without the exam means starting as an apprentice."
"......"
"Even passing the enlistment exam starts you as an apprentice. But good scores can let you begin as a second-grade knight. And the top score..."
Ianus smiled as he spoke.
"...lets you start as a first-grade knight."
"Wow..."
I let out a deliberately childish exclamation.
"A first-grade knight can lead a small brigade. So, to become a brigade leader like you want... isn't this the fastest path?"
"I think so too."
"Ah, Father!"
Kurt interjected again from the side.
"You're really going to set him up as a brigade leader?"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm just giving him a chance."
"Still..."
"Sion just has to prove himself there."
The enlistment exam isn't a one- or two-day affair.
Knight candidates undergo an extended training camp where their abilities are evaluated, and ranks assigned accordingly.
If I take top scores, I could become a first-grade knight—and with luck, snag a brigade leader position.
"So Sion, take the enlistment exam and earn first-grade knight status. Understood?"
"Yes, I understand."
Passing the enlistment exam to become a first-grade knight.
That was my immediate goal now.
"By the way, Grandfather."
"What?"
"First-grade knight isn't the end, right?"
"Haha, of course not."
Apprentice, second-grade, and first-grade are administrative ranks.
True elite Holy Knights receive 'official ranks.'
"You should aim for an official rank."
"Official rank..."
"Don't settle for Iron Rank or Martial Rank. Aim to be a Heavenly Rank knight like your father... no, a Sky Rank knight like your grandfather!"
Heavenly Rank and Sky Rank.
They are the highest honors for a Holy Knight.
Multiple can hold Heavenly Rank, but Sky Rank is for one alone.
Thus, it's almost always held by the Knight Order Leader.
"Father, that talk..."
Kurt swallowed nervously, his face tense.
Aiming for Sky Rank was tantamount to eyeing the next-next Knight Order Leader spot.
And me as next-next meant Kurt as next.
"Kurt, you've been too cautious all this time."
"That's..."
"I get fearing your power-hungry brother and sisters, but how long will you cower in the provinces?"
"......"
Kurt bit his lip.
As Ianus pointed out, Kurt had indeed been passive.
Likely to protect me, but it was time for him to move past that.
"I want you all competing to reach greater heights. Your rivalries will strengthen the Holy Knight Order."
"...Understood."
Kurt nodded with resolve, as if he'd made up his mind.
"Good, then..."
Ianus turned back to me.
"Sion, sorry, but as Knight Order Leader, I have much to do. This meeting has to end here."
"No, thank you for making time despite being busy."
"Good kid..."
"When can I see you next?"
"Next year's kin meeting... you'll be in the midst of the enlistment exam, so probably not. Who knows when."
"I see..."
"Hmm..."
Then Ianus smacked his desk as if struck by an idea.
"Right, Grandfather has one last gift for you."
"A gift? You've already given me so much."
"Tsk tsk, those don't count as gifts. I just want to spoil my grandson, so name something you want."
Ianus clearly took a real liking to me.
"Then, Grandfather..."
I voiced my wish.
* * *
[In the end, things went your way.]
Inside the carriage leaving Ianus's estate, I conversed with Igzard while pretending to sleep, eyes closed.
[Heading to the Holy Knight Order's enlistment exam will free you from Kurt Aleyas's overprotection.]
'Yeah.'
The exam means a training camp for a while, but it's a break from being confined and babied at home.
Just that eased my breathing.
[Get first-grade status there, snag a small brigade leader spot, and you'll finally act freely.]
For normal advancement, starting in an elite central unit like Sena is faster.
But I want somewhere with more freedom.
Independent brigades follow orders too, but once dispatched, they operate autonomously.
'And it'll be easier to gather intel on the Dialogue Church.'
Independent brigades roam the continent on missions.
That makes intel gathering straightforward.
Ultimately, it was ideal for me.
[And... Kurt Aleyas will return to active Holy Knight duty.]
'Dad's been held back by me too long.'
With me away, he'll snap out of it.
I want him reclaiming his Heavenly Rank knight prowess, clashing with Archbishop Hausel repeatedly.
'Now the real competition with my uncles and aunts begins. The successor battle will get fun.'
[I'm already looking forward to it. Your uncles and aunts might even send assassins.]
'Plenty possible.'
Mid-conversation, I recalled nearly drowning at my baptism twelve years ago.
I'd suspected kin foul play, but this kin meeting yielded no clues.
Eldest son Sershes, eldest daughter Helena, second daughter Estr—all suspects.
'Sershes, Helena, Estr. All have reason to want me dead.'
Sershes is ruthless, power-hungry—might've wanted to eliminate me as Sena's rival early.
Helena favors cowardly schemes, highest odds, but her open hostility this time makes me doubt.
Estr... always unreadable.
'Doesn't matter. Send assassins all they want.'
As I told Ianus, attacks are welcome.
Capture one, pry the backer.
As a Dialogue Church survivor... I know plenty of ways to extract info from people.
[You really are fearless.]
'Pathetic?'
[Hardly. Just proves you're worthy to wield me.]
'Good. Do well from now on.'
I cracked my eyes, glancing at my waist.
There... was the gift from Ianus.
'Now I've got your sheath too.'
Sheath.
A tangible 'sword.'
I'd asked Ianus for a real sword, not wooden. From his collection, he gave one sized for a twelve-year-old.
'Time to show your true demon sword side.'
[Of course.]
A sinister energy—befitting a demon sword—stirred within me.
[Behold the true face of Demon Sword Igzard.]
With a proper sword in hand and the enlistment exam ahead.
My real activities could now begin.