Genius Gamer Reborn into a Family of Heroes

Chapter 8: Kaladan Proving Ceremony (1)

The Kaladan Certification Ceremony was one of the largest events in the Herrael Empire.

Every three years, it was the only day when all the bloodlines that were spread across the empire, performing missions and protecting the nation, gathered in the ‘Principality of Kaladan.’

The Principality of Kaladan.

The vast territory of the prestigious Kaladan family was granted the title of ‘principality’ by the Emperor of the Herrael Empire himself.

On the surface, it seemed as though the Principality of Kaladan was a vassal state of the Herrael Empire, but no one in the world would actually think that.

It was common knowledge that, based on its unrivaled military might, the Principality of Kaladan could replace the emperor of the Herrael Empire anytime they wished.

The Principality of Kaladan, capital Kalambrenyu.

Harang always wondered what it would feel like to watch countless carriages passing through warp gates from all directions.

‘So, this is what it feels like.’

Dozens of noble families were gathering for the sake of one single family.

Having always commuted between the 7th Training Ground and his old lodging, Harang now realized how enormous the palace of Kalambrenyu was.

The gigantic palace, reminiscent of a Renaissance castle, sparkled in the sunlight as if it were made from millions of embedded jewels.

In the sky, four airships, round like enlarged hot air balloons, patrolled the area, and a ship-like flying vessel hovered gracefully.

A river flowed around the palace, and the ever-sturdy silver moat had been lowered grandly, likely to welcome the arriving families from all over the country.

A seemingly endless procession of carriages crossed the moat. Each flew their family’s banner, and while Harang could not recognize all of them, they shared one common trait.

They were either vassal families loyal to Kaladan, or branch families that had once been part of Kaladan’s bloodline but had lost their silver eyes.

‘There are this many families?’

Only the largest and most loyal vassal families were allowed to participate in the Kaladan Certification Ceremony, so there were no insignificant families present.

They were all famous noble families, well-known wherever they went, excelling in fields like magic, politics, martial arts, and economics.

“…Young Master, shall we go?”

“Oh, yes.”

Harang, who had been watching the procession of vassal families’ carriages, nodded at Instructor Hans’ words and headed towards the ‘Sword Hall.’

The Sword Hall.

The only place where one could greet the sacred sword left by the legendary hero Kaladan long ago. No one had managed to draw the sacred sword since it was last used by the hero Kaladan hundreds of years ago.

‘It’s like the legend of King Arthur.’

The interior of the Sword Hall was a long, straight path, and at its center was the sacred sword Terandal, symbolizing the Kaladan myth, embedded in a pure white altar.

At the very end of the Sword Hall were seats reserved for the pure-blooded direct descendants, while the stepped seats, spreading like wings to the sides, were for the collateral bloodlines.

Harang took a seat at the very edge of the winged section.

As the vassal families began to fill all the seats, he realized the time had come.

‘The Certification Ceremony, huh.’

In truth, waiting until the Certification Ceremony three years later would have been a more secure way to be recognized for his talents.

However, Harang knew that receiving a more definite curriculum during his developmental years would have a significant impact on his future.

Heading to White Night Castle, which only those recognized for their talents could enter, was the best route Harang could choose.

‘I’m lacking in experience and knowledge compared to my peers, but there’s nothing effort can’t overcome.’

If he failed here, Harang might have to live his entire life as a loser. He was determined to succeed.

‘Failure is not an option.’

Harang believed that, although his learning was insufficient, his abilities were on par with, or even surpassed, those of the ten-year-old geniuses.

After gaining the 200% ability boost from the ‘Unyielding Challenger,’ he had relentlessly reduced his sleep and trained until he bled.

Even with the numerous buffs granted by the system, it was not enough to catch up with the training others had done over three or four years in a short period.

‘Today is the day to reap the results of those efforts.’

After waiting for a while, the collateral families began to take their seats one by one.

Though they glared at Harang, who had dragged a chair to the corner and sat down, no one openly criticized him.

They wouldn’t engage in behavior that lacked dignity in front of so many vassal families.

‘Oh, those are the direct descendants…’

As the pure-bloods with deep silver eyes began to appear, Harang’s eyes sparkled.

‘Each one of them is formidable.’

His skin tingled.

Fear? Nervousness?

Half right, half wrong.

As a professional gamer, Harang had never gone into a match without feeling nervous. At such times, he occasionally felt this way.

It was a feeling akin to a sense of conquest.

Harang clenched his fist tightly.

“I will make every rival before me kneel and ensure I stand at the very top,” he thought with a burning fighting spirit.

“The Duke is entering,” a loud voice announced as the tightly closed main doors finally opened.

The head of the great Kaladan family of swordsmanship.

The king of the Principality of Kaladan.

A transcendent of the ten-star level and a constellation of the sword.

Even without these titles, everyone present knew of his great status and renown.

Boom…!

When the middle-aged man with a mix of black and white hair first appeared on the platform, Harang felt as if a giant had taken a step forward.

Boom…!!

With each step, the entire space seemed to scream in agony. Was it an illusion? The others did not seem startled by the sound.

“Is it only audible to me?”

Boom…!

Finally, Kalel, who had reached the throne at the highest platform in the Sword Hall, stood with his hands behind his back and slowly surveyed the hall.

Most people avoided his gaze or trembled under his overwhelming presence, but Harang stared back with all his might.

And then, the moment he met Kalel’s eyes…

Boom!!!

“Ugh!”

It felt as though a giant lion had trampled on him, and Harang broke out in a cold sweat.

For a moment, Kalel’s gaze lingered.

Was it an illusion? No. One reason Harang felt he had locked eyes with him was the feeling of a giant lion piercing his heart with its fangs.

He was examining Harang.

Harang was certain of it.

In reality, it was only a second.

But to Harang, it felt like a long, drawn-out period.

“Gasp, gasp…”

Though sweating profusely, Harang did not avert his gaze, which made the eyes of Duke Kalel Paul Kaladan sparkle.

It lasted only for a moment. Once Duke Kalel turned his gaze away, the tension released, and Harang slumped back into his seat.

“That is a swordsman who has reached the pinnacle…”

The first emotions Harang felt upon seeing him were awe and overwhelming power.

So, wasn’t he still afraid?

Yes, he was terrified.

Because he sensed an insurmountable difference in absolute power from Kalel.

But the fear quickly turned into a fighting spirit, igniting Harang’s heart.

Some might despair at the sight of Kalel, who had reached the ten-star level, seeing him as being on an unattainably high level, while others might give up just looking at such a blinding pinnacle and lower their heads.

But Harang felt something else.

“I can catch up.”

If he wielded his sword and soared upward…

One day, he would reach him.

No, wasn’t his goal beyond that from the start?

“To defeat those who tried to kill me, I must surpass even that level.”

The moment he had that conviction, a quest message appeared in the air.

—

[Sub Quest]

Proving the Sacred Sword, Terandal

Every three years, the main family of Kaladan tests the talents of their bloodline before the hero’s sacred sword. Pass the test of the sacred sword, and obtain a hint to prepare for the darkness.

– Objective: Pass the test of the sacred sword and come into contact with Terandal.
– Reward: The Mana Training Method of Hero Kaladan