Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 28

The Secret of the Sword King’s Throne

Delrac Hall.

Here, none of the swordsmen were called trainees anymore.

Those who were not from the family were called ‘disciples’, and the Kaladan bloodline members were officially granted the status of ‘Semi Polden’.

Each of these individuals was at least at the 3-star to 4-star level, strong enough to hold considerable positions as lower-ranked knights if they went outside.

“Harang Paul Kaladan. Top graduate of the Black Horse Raw Stone Training Squadron 3. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Except for one.

A young boy, who seemed unlikely to meet the standard, had entered.

To qualify as a lower-ranked knight, one had to reach 3 stars, which was also the minimum requirement to be taught the Kaladan family’s swordsmanship in Delrac Hall.

Appointed as a 3-star lower-ranked knight and swearing eternal loyalty to Kaladan with their sword, they would be given the right to learn Kaladan swordsmanship…

“I heard a 2-star young master entered this year, and it’s true?”

“Is he really a young master? He’s so small…”

“Isn’t he only ten years old?”

“Unbelievable. Has the training standard fallen so much?”

“I heard that since Instructor Lauren took over, the average level actually increased. The rank duel this year was supposedly incredible.”

“Then why? Doesn’t the Kaladan bloodline have to be first to graduate from the training squadron?”

“A 2-star swordsman defeated all the 3-stars to take first place?”

“Could it be that His Highness gave preferential treatment to an adopted child…”

“Watch your mouth. His Highness never makes exceptions.”

The junior knights in Delrac Hall enjoyed a much freer atmosphere compared to the trainees.

The eyes of these junior knights turned to the ten newcomers.

Unlike the nine rigid graduates standing stiffly, Harang stared at the knight reading the documents in front of him with a discontented expression.

“Is that written in a foreign language?”

How many times did he need to read it?

“Ahem, no. I just need to confirm it accurately…”

The knight had to read Harang’s certificate multiple times because he couldn’t believe it. However, there was no way the Kaladan bloodline would falsely acquire a certificate.

“Alright, very well. Disciples and Semi Polden of the third rank, step forward.”

The knight, who had been scrutinizing the certificate for a long time, folded it and climbed onto the podium, and the ten trainees proudly walked past the disciples to stand at the front.

“From now on, the appointment ceremony for the third rank disciples and Semi Polden will begin.”

Those who were not from the Kaladan bloodline were granted the status of ‘third rank disciple’, which was also a rank progression system.

Third rank disciples learned the second and third techniques of Kaladan swordsmanship, second rank disciples learned the third and fourth techniques, and first rank disciples learned the fifth technique.

Moreover, the Kaladan bloodline could learn the secret arts and ultimate techniques, as well as sword techniques beyond the sixth. If they had a master within the family, they might even be taught their visions.

For example, after completing all the educational processes, Harang might receive the vision from his ‘master’, the Duke Kalel Paul Kaladan.

After several years of training and mastering all the techniques, proving their skills, the ultimate goal was to become a proud ‘Polden Knight’ or ‘Gate Knight’, and extend their sword towards the world after completing all the training.

One might ask why the training process was so stringent and complex, but the answer was simple:

‘Because it’s Kaladan.’

The title of the world’s strongest swordsmanship family was not obtained for nothing.

Even after the death of the hero Kaladan, the family continuously evolved and progressed to maintain its legacy.

This was the result.

Although fewer than twenty Gate Knights, proudly bearing the family crest, emerged each year, they were influential enough to make a name for themselves anywhere in the world.

In fact, if the training wasn’t this rigorous, it would be shameful.

‘The intensity of their gazes is no joke here either.’

Sharp sensations pricked at him from various directions.

The disciples considered Harang an irregularity.

But unlike the training squadron, here, they couldn’t bully him under the guise of a duel.

While the training squadron had little distinction between bloodline members and trainees, here the treatment of the Kaladan bloodline changed.

“…I hereby declare that these ten trainees are appointed as third rank Semi Polden and disciples of the first knight division Delrac, and swear to dedicate their lives to the honor of the Kaladan sword.”

With a firm pledge, the ten young men held their swords vertically in front of their chests, completing the appointment ceremony.

Just when he thought it was over…

“First rank Semi Polden, Lidan Paul Kaladan. I object to the appointment ceremony.”

…It couldn’t go smoothly.

The instructor nodded at Lidan’s words, acknowledging his right to object.

“Speak.”

“To officially gain the status of Semi Polden means to be recognized as a knight.”

Without even looking at Harang, Lidan pointed at him.

“But look at him. He’s just a child who hasn’t even properly learned how to hold a sword, let alone earned the qualification of a knight. Allowing him to become a Semi Polden tarnishes the long history and tradition of White Night Castle. I believe he must prove he is truly qualified as a Semi Polden, despite being merely 2-star.”

Behind Lidan stood several children with silver eyes, glaring at Harang with displeasure.

They were all from the collateral branches of Kaladan, who had ascended to become Semi Polden.

“Well, there is merit to what he says, but the opinion of the concerned party is important. Semi Polden Harang, will you prove your qualification according to their suggestion?”

Harang pondered for a moment.

When it came to proving himself, it was obvious. A duel challenge, wasn’t it?

‘Can I win?’

Although it was his first time seeing them today, judging by their presence and pressure, along with analyzing the flow of mana through his Silver Heart, his chances of winning seemed extremely slim.

Lidan Paul Kaladan…

He was nine years older than Harang, having reached 3 stars several years ago, and had likely reached 4 stars by now.

Unlike Kyle, who had just reached 3 stars and couldn’t properly handle sword energy, Lidan’s level was different.

Not only could he freely wield the Kaladan swordsmanship, but after receiving several years of training at White Night Castle, he was estimated to be capable of using at least the fourth technique or higher.

Lidan could already be considered at a graduate level even here.

‘Does it make sense for a high schooler to pick a fight with an elementary student?’

Predicting victory against a 4-star warrior he met for the first time today was impossible.

‘Using the Dragon Words might increase my chances…’

But could he really use the Dragon Words?

The immediate duel was not the problem.

Even now, his siblings were openly wary of him, and if it became known that he possessed Dragon Words, the situation would escalate.

‘It would be utter chaos.’

As Harang was organizing his thoughts and pondering his response…

“From the first day, the new recruit’s welcome seems excessive, doesn’t it? First rank Semi Polden Lidan, what kind of proof do you seek from the third rank?”

“…!!”

At that moment, a voice from behind the podium startled both the disciples and the Semi Polden, causing them to all raise their swords in salute.

Harang also raised his sword in salute and looked at the newly appeared knight.

He was a middle-aged man with a dignified presence, his silver eyes alive with intensity, and the insignias of both the main and collateral branches of Kaladan emblazoned on his chest.

Darian Kaladan, a 7-star swordsman and the Royal Guardian General of the Black Horse Knights.

“Surely, you weren’t planning to challenge the third rank to a duel, were you? While duels are an honorable way for knights to prove their skills, they are only valid when the training is equivalent. Semi Polden Lidan, as a pure-blooded Kaladan, you should be ashamed.”

Grit…

At Darian’s words, Lidan bit his lip and clenched his fist.

“There seem to be many displeased faces.”

Looking around at all the Kaladan bloodline members, Darian spoke with evident dissatisfaction.

“Don’t worry. Semi Polden Harang will soon have to prove his skills.”

After glancing at the bloodline members, he turned his gaze to Harang, meeting his eyes.

“Semi Polden Harang. You will participate in the Honorary Sword Meeting in six months as a first rank.”

‘Huh?’

Harang was not the only one shocked by this statement. Lidan, who had been provoking him, and the other Kaladan bloodline members were also taken aback.

“Guardian General! He has just been qualified as a knight. How can he participate in the Honorary Sword Meeting as a first rank?”

“This is preposterous!”

What was this about? Harang couldn’t fully grasp the situation. Were they jealous and angry about the special treatment of a new recruit already being granted first rank status?

Or did they genuinely believe it was unreasonable and were trying to stop it?

‘Or perhaps both.’

While jealousy was the dominant emotion, a few collateral bloodline members displayed a hint of genuine concern.

It was indeed unreasonable for a ten-year-old boy to participate in the Honorary Sword Meeting as a first rank.

“…Guardian General. This is unacceptable.”

The opposition was not just from the Semi Polden; even the knights serving as instructors expressed their objections.

It was already extraordinary for a ten-year-old swordsman to be appointed as a Semi Polden, but to send him as a first rank was beyond belief.

“This isn’t right, Guardian General!”

“The main family will never accept this!”

As the knights protested, Darian stroked his beard.

Darian, the right-hand man of the Grand Admiral commanding the Black Horse Knights, had significant influence over all internal matters of White Night Castle, including deciding the Kaladan participants for the Honorary Sword Meeting.

The Honorary Sword Meeting was held for young swordsmen, divided by age and skill levels.

Young swordsmen, newly ten years old and achieving 1 to 2 stars, were classified as third rank.

Teenagers in their mid to late teens who had reached 2 to 3 stars and mastered some family swordsmanship became second rank.

Lastly, those in their late teens who reached the peak of 3 stars or the early stage of 4 stars, geniuses who fought with swords and provided the main highlight of the Honorary Sword Meeting, were the first rank.

Three years ago, the previous Honorary Sword Meeting drew attention to the third rank due to the unprecedented genius girl Chorien from the Grand Duchy of Emblitz, but usually, the first rank garnered all the attention.

As such, each family carefully selected their most outstanding members to represent them as first rank participants.

But now…

“How can you send a ten-year-old Kaladan as a first rank participant in the Honorary Sword Meeting?!”

Even the lieutenant protested, and the Guardian General, who had been silently listening with his eyes closed, slowly looked around the room.

He understood their objections.

The knights feared that sending a child would tarnish Kaladan’s prestige, while the first rank disciples resented losing their potential spot to a young Kaladan.

But what could he do?

‘…It is the head’s command.’

Darian himself did not want to make such an absurd decision.

‘What on earth is he thinking?’

It was an order from Duke Kaladan, a 10-star swordsman who had reached the pinnacle.

The Royal Guardian General of the Black Horse First Knight Division couldn’t overturn it.

“This is a decision from above, so accept it.”

At those words, everyone fell silent.

The high-ranking members of Kaladan possessed the power to influence the world.

Neither the Semi Polden nor the disciples, nor even the knights of the Black Horse Knights, could challenge it. They could only keep their mouths shut.

‘Damn it, why him…’

Lidan glared at Harang with a look of irritation.

That pretty face, tied in a ponytail and looking bored, annoyed him. He had planned to prove his skill and rough up that face a bit.

“Lidan, calm down.”

“Challenging a bloodline member half your age might get you punished for violating Kaladan’s rules.”

“Actually, this might work out well. He’s bound to fail miserably in the Honorary Sword Meeting, proving to everyone he’s unqualified.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

While they whispered among themselves to calm Lidan, Darian spoke again.

“And… Semi Polden Harang.”

With a complex expression, he made a statement that shocked everyone present.

“The head has been waiting until the appointment ceremony was over. Proceed to the audience chamber immediately.”

Everyone turned to Harang with wide eyes and open mouths.