《The Illegitimate Who Devours Weapons》 Chapter 1 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 1 My life had been a series of failures. Bastard. Illegitimate child. Incompetent. Worthless. Those were the names I was called instead of my own. The label of an illegitimate son made me the target of jealousy and disdain. Powerless, I had always lived with my things being taken from me. Still, there were moments when I dared to hope. For instance, when I was young and realized the weight of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan name. Or when I was chosen by a Heaven-ranked sword during the Steel Selection Ceremony. I thought, ¡®If I continued proving myself, if I worked tirelessly, perhaps one day, I would be recognized.¡¯ But that never happened. ¡ª Hmm. I¡¯ve never seen a mana circuit like this before. It¡¯s unsuitable for magic... and it lacks the stability for martial arts. You¡¯d be lucky to even reach the 9th rank as a warrior. Once my peculiar constitution was discovered, the recognition I had received during the Steel Selection Ceremony and the Naming Ceremony was dismissed as mere luck or a mistake. Even those who once held faint expectations for me eventually left, thinking, Of course, it was too good to be true. Still, I persisted out of sheer stubbornness. And I made some progress. Despite the prediction that I wouldn¡¯t even reach the 9th rank, I became a 7th-rank warrior by the age of 25. Of course, the other children of the Clan had already achieved that before reaching adulthood. Then, at 30, I was finally expelled from the Clan. The only reason I managed to leave in one piece, without losing an arm or a leg, was thanks to my eldest brother¡¯s help. And yet¡­ So, it¡¯s come to this after all. The visitor at my doorstep was an unexpected one. Or perhaps I had seen this moment coming all along. A man clad in black. The moment I saw him, I felt my heart grow cold. His outfit¡ªa fusion of modified hanbok and a Western-style coat¡ªwas the official uniform of the Shadow Sword Squad, a group that followed only the direct orders of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s patriarch. He pulled out a white envelope from his robes. ¡°This is an official order for you, young master. Please confirm it.¡± Young master? A low chuckle escaped me. Even after throwing it all away¡­ this cursed bloodline will follow me to my grave. I accepted the envelope. For ten years, I had erased my traces and lived like a dead man, running from my past. Yet, the Clan had found me. I tore open the seal and read the short mission briefing inside. [Mission Order] Target: Ninth Young Master, Lee Cheol Objective: Investigate anomalies in the Unexplored lands, Sector B-1. Join the expedition team by 18:30 today. ¡ªClan Head, Lee Gunseong A dry laugh slipped out. The Unexplored lands? Not even a dungeon or a gate, but that place? A hellscape untouched for centuries. A land infested with ancient monsters that had adapted to Earth¡¯s environment. And Sector B-1, in particular, was the recent site of unexplained phenomena. ¡°You¡¯re sending a 7th-rank warrior like me to explore that place? Do you realize this is a death sentence?¡± ¡°Are you refusing the order?¡± The Shadow Sword operative didn¡¯t even flinch, but a chill ran down my spine. Refusing an order without a valid reason meant death. I ran my fingers over the seal at the bottom of the order. Lee Gunseong¡­ So, in the end, the third brother became the Clan head. It had been a chaotic time. The Unexplored lands was expanding, monster attacks were intensifying, and amidst it all, my father¡ªthe head of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan, once hailed as the pinnacle of martial strength in Korea¡ªhad passed away. The strongest candidate to succeed him had been my eldest brother. He had the legitimacy, the character, and the talent. Yet, the one who emerged victorious was the third brother. ¡°You should prepare. I¡¯ll return in an hour.¡± The Shadow Sword operative vanished into thin air, like a specter. ¡°¡­Ha. Fuck.¡± Clenching the crumpled order in my fist, I gritted my teeth. * * * "We''re all going to die. This is insane." "Goddamn it. Lee Gunseong, you son of a bitch..." When we first set out, the expedition team had 150 members. Now, only 48 remained. We had traveled just 10 kilometers in 10 hours. To advance a mere 10 kilometers, over 100 warriors, who were elite martial artists of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan¡ªhad all perished. Was this a purge disguised as an expedition? I clenched my lips shut and glared at the Shadow Sword operatives, who were controlling the expedition under the guise of providing protection. What the hell did Third Brother do to them? Even in this godforsaken Unexplored lands, the Shadow Sword operatives had suffered no casualties. It wasn''t because they were overwhelmingly powerful. Even when gravely injured, they healed instantly¡ªlike monsters. Even when their arms were severed or their chests pierced, they would not die. The Shadow Sword Squad. Once loyal warriors who followed only the commands of the patriarch, they had now become something inhuman. ¡°We¡¯re moving forward. Captain, we¡¯re almost there.¡± ¡°¡­Understood.¡± Our march was grueling, directionless. Then¡ª After countless deaths and relentless progress, an unknown ruin finally emerged before us. ¡°Why is there a ruin here?¡± ¡°How has such an ancient structure remained intact for so long?¡± The buildings were in ruins, with collapsed roofs and crumbling walls, yet they still bore unmistakable traces of Eastern architecture. In a land teeming with monsters as numerous as grains of sand on a beach, it made no sense that a structure like this could have remained untouched. As the expedition team hesitated in shock, a Shadow Sword operative urged us forward. ¡°Proceed.¡± We stepped deeper into the ruins. At the very heart of the structure, a massive clearing opened before us. Scattered across the ground were countless skeletal remains, their identities long lost to time. And then¡ªwe saw it. Something massive. Something that made our blood run cold. ¡°What¡­ what the hell is that?¡± It was the corpse of an enormous monster. A fossil now, its gigantic skeletal frame loomed over the clearing like a monument to its own death. ¡°We found it.¡± The Shadow Sword operative¡¯s eyes gleamed. Then, he spoke. "Begin." ¡°¡­Begin what?¡± Lowering his mask, the operative grinned¡ªa cruel, twisted smile. ¡°What else? The purge.¡± Schlk! Blood sprayed through the air. "You¡­ you murderous bastards! I should have known¡­! Gah!" "No¡­ no!" "A massacre in the 21st century¡­ this can''t be happening!" "These fuckers have gone mad! That arrogant¡ª!" With every swing of the Shadow Sword operatives'' swords, death followed. "What the hell are you doing?!" "You all knew this was coming. Your lives were forfeit from the start. At least you can die serving the Clan. Consider it an honor." "Aaagh!" "Urgh!" It was a one-sided slaughter. The once-sprawling clearing was now thick with the stench of blood. A Shadow Sword operative approached me next. I gripped my sword and raised it to my chest. The operative''s lips curled into a mocking smirk. "Our lord ordered us to bring you here¡­ and to kill you cleanly if you didn''t resist." "Shut up!" I had no intention of dying quietly. I lunged forward, swinging my sword. "Pathetic." The operative flicked his blade. Clang! My sword shattered¡ªsplintering like a brittle twig, the pieces scattering into the air. I saw it all too clearly. Even after leaving the Clan, I had never skipped a single day of training¡ªnot once. Yet I couldn''t withstand even one exchange. Boom! A flash of light erupted before my eyes. "Ugh¡­!" Darkness swallowed me whole. When I came to, I had been flung dozens of meters across the clearing, embedded in the monster''s massive skull. "Half-blood or not, the direct bloodline is something else. You survived that?" Pain wracked my body, bones shattered, but I forced myself to stand. It was pathetic. Despised by the Clan for my weakness. Forced to flee to survive. Yet now¡ªbecause of this cursed bloodline¡ªI was going to die. Too weak to protect what was mine. Too weak to defy them. Now even my life would be taken. ¡®I can''t¡­ I don¡¯t want to die like this.¡¯ I needed a weapon. Through the crimson haze clouding my vision, I saw something. A sword¡ªembedded in the monster''s skull. There was no time to wonder why it was there. I stretched out a trembling hand and grasped the hilt. Crunch. The moment my fingers wrapped around it, the sword crumbled to ash. Even my final act of defiance¡ªdenied by the heavens. "The blood of the Lee Clan¡­ how disgraceful." Schk! The Shadow Sword operative''s sword tore through my back. A searing heat, like molten iron, spread from the wound across my entire body. Ah¡­ Agonizing pain consumed me. Memories flashed before my eyes¡ªevery wretched moment of my damn life. And I thought¡­ If I were to be born again¡­ I would never live like this. Wuuuuung¡ª Beyond my dimming consciousness, I saw it¡ª The ashes of the shattered sword slithering toward me like living shadows. Darkness swallowed my vision. And then¡ª Nothing. Pain wracked my entire body. My mind was hazy. The light was blinding. Even the air I breathed and the faintest brush of wind against my skin stabbed like needles. Sounds thundered in my ears, so loud I thought my eardrums would burst. Ah¡­ what kind of torment is this? Did I fall into hell? Unbearable pain tore through me, and before I knew it, my mouth opened¡ª Waaah! Waaah¡ª! ¡­Huh? An infant¡¯s cry? Could babies be sent to hell too? "This child¡­ Is he Yoojung''s son?" A low voice. A shiver ran down my spine. Father? A cold, emotionless tone. Distant and muffled, yet unmistakably his voice. "What happened to Yoojung?" "When we found her¡­ she was already¡­" "¡­I see." A rough hand touched my body. I had no choice but to accept it. Despite the careful touch, my father¡¯s hand felt rough and calloused. Waaah! Waaah¡ª! The cry left my mouth before I could stop it. W-wait¡­! The wailing that filled the room¡ª It was coming from me? My gaze darted around in panic. And there they were. The greatest swordsman of his era. The Patriarch of the Lee Clan, Lee Taeshin. The signature thick black hair of the Lee bloodline. A stern expression, deep brown eyes, and an imposing presence that could make anyone freeze in place. My father. The father who had already died. Standing before me, very much alive. Our eyes met. For a brief moment, something flickered in his gaze. Curiosity, perhaps. ¡°¡­Lee Young. That name will do.¡± ¡°As you wish.¡± ¡°Assign a wet nurse and ensure part of the Shadow Sword guards his safety.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± ¡°When is the Steel Selection Ceremony for the eighth child?¡± ¡°Next April.¡± ¡°Have Young attend as well.¡± ¡°¡­Pardon? The young master isn¡¯t even prepared, and he was born months after the eighth young lady.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± Father gave me one last look before turning away. I could only let out a hollow laugh. The butler who had been an old man in my past life, was now in his prime. And my father¡ªwho had long since passed¡ªwas alive and well, just as I remembered him in his strongest years. But more than that¡ª Their conversation. The Steel Selection Ceremony¡­ A special rite held during the first birthday celebration of Lee Clan infants. I forced my tiny arms to move, struggling to lift them toward my face. It was exhausting. Finally, I managed to shift my eyes toward my hands. Small. Delicate. Doll-like fingers. This can¡¯t be real. It made no sense¡ª But I couldn¡¯t deny it. A creeping sense of dread took root inside me. No matter how much I wished otherwise, the truth was clear. I had been reborn. Back into this damned Clan. * * * Several months had passed since I awakened in the body of an infant. I couldn''t determine my exact date of birth, but based on my development, the wet nurse estimated that I was around nine months old. However, since the bloodline of the Martial Lee Clan grew at an exceptionally rapid rate, even that estimate wasn¡¯t entirely accurate. To think I would see my wet nurse again. With a weary expression, I watched as she fed me baby food, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. Only recently had I grown enough for things to stabilize, but for months, she had barely slept more than two hours a day. Even during those precious few hours, she would wake up frequently to check on me, catching only brief moments of sleep. The least I could do was drink my formula without fuss, pretend to fall asleep easily, and burp as quickly as possible. ¡°Our young master is truly an angel. He eats well, sleeps so soundly¡­ Young Master, I¡¯ll take a short moment to eat my meal too, alright?¡± The wet nurse yawned widely before placing me in the cradle and starting to peel an apple. She wasn¡¯t even my real mother, yet she had raised me like her own child, remaining by my side until the very end as one of the few people who truly stood with me. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without a mother of my own, she had been the closest thing I had to one. But even she was eventually driven out of the household by my brothers and sisters¡­ because of me. I failed to protect her. Her head bobbed as she dozed off, still holding the paring knife. It was a precarious sight. I squeezed my eyes shut. Regression. I have returned to the past. If that were the case, would my talents and physical traits remain the same? Yes, they likely would. Once again, I might end up a powerless failure, unable to wield mana, stripped of everything by my own Clan. "To think the bloodline of the Lee Clan would be this disgraceful." I could still hear the voice of the swordsman from the Shadow Sword Unit as he cut into my back. A burning sensation crawled down my spine. It wasn¡¯t quite resentment or a thirst for revenge. It was the overwhelming helplessness, humiliation, and rage toward myself that I had felt in my final moments. I want to be strong. I refused to live that kind of life again. This was my second chance¡ªthere was no way I would let myself drown in the same misery. Thud! At that moment, the wet nurse, having briefly dozed off, dropped the paring knife near me. That startled me. It was within my reach. Not wanting her to accidentally cut herself, I instinctively pushed the knife away. And in that instant¡ª Whoosh¡ª Dark particles extended from my body, wrapping around the knife and absorbing it. "Wow, this knife is really sharp. And it hasn''t even been sharpened much." "I heard Butler Choi got it from a famous craftsman. The retired secretary mentioned it once." "Really?" . . . "Young Master, I¡¯ll take a short moment to eat my meal too, alright?" Foreign memories flickered through my mind. Memories of conversations and scenes I had never seen or heard before. What¡­ was that just now? And that wasn¡¯t all. I stared in shock, my mouth agape. Woooong¡ª A faint halo of light had appeared at my fingertips. The very power I had spent my entire previous life struggling to obtain¡ª Magic. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 2 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 2 The Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. The direct bloodline of the Lee Clan is born with extraordinary abilities. All children of the Martial Lee Clan undergo a special coming-of-age ceremony called the Naming Ceremony when they turn ten. It is through this rite that their abilities are awakened. In other words, a child of the Lee Clan who has not undergone the Naming Ceremony is nothing more than an ordinary child, albeit one with a slightly more robust physique. ¡®Could I have awakened?¡¯ Even as I muttered the words, I knew it was impossible. And yet, the sensation of magic flowing through my body was too vivid to dismiss as mere imagination. "Let''s try using it." If nothing else, I prided myself on knowing more magic techniques than anyone. In my previous life, I had desperately sought ways to utilize my damned body. From rudimentary street magic to the clandestine spells found in back alleys, and even the techniques permitted within the limits of my family''s authority¡ªI had explored them all. But now¡­ ¡®This is different.¡¯ My body¡­ felt different. The distorted energy pathways I once had¡ªtwisted and malformed¡ªwere nowhere to be found. My current magic channels were completely different from the past. Was it because I was still an infant? No, that wasn¡¯t enough to explain it. My body¡¯s energy pathways were so normal that it was unrecognizable as my own. A chilling realization settled over me. I had once been diagnosed with an abnormal constitution¡ªso rare that there were no recorded precedents. I recalled the doctor¡¯s words, uncertain whether my condition had been congenital or acquired. ;Did someone tamper with my body in last life?¡¯ Political intrigue within the clan flashed through my mind. A bastard child from an outsider. And yet, despite that, I had drawn attention during the Steel Selection ceremony. To those who held power within the clan, I must have been nothing more than a thorn in their side. Several names immediately came to mind. Madam Baek Hwayeon, the matriarch of the clan. My half-siblings. The Elders. The heads of branch families and vassal houses. ¡®Come to think of it, this doesn¡¯t add up.¡¯ The Steel Selection Ritual, the Naming Ceremony, and the years that followed¡ªhow had my abnormal condition remained undiscovered for so long? Someone had attacked me. Silencing¡ªthe act of eliminating a future rival before they could rise. A common tactic among those vying for power. ¡®Was it a curse? Sorcery? Or poison?¡¯ For such a thing to happen while I was under the protection of the Shadow Sword Unit¡­ ¡®Damn it.¡¯ My head felt like it was burning. I had suffered so much in my past life because of my body¡¯s defective energy flow. I exhaled deeply, forcing myself to remain calm. ¡®No point in agonizing over it without solid proof. More importantly¡­¡¯ For the first time since my regression, I observed my energy pathways. ¡®What the hell¡­ is this?¡¯ A black aura swirled around my fingertips. It was not magic. It was an unknown force. Something that had never existed in my previous life was now residing within me. I glanced at the nanny before I began crawling across the room, touching everything I could reach. Nothing happened. The last thing left¡­ was the decorative sword mounted on the wall behind the sofa. ¡°¡­¡­¡± I looked between my tiny body, the sofa, and the sword hanging two meters above the floor. ¡®Nanny, just sleep a little longer.¡¯ I started climbing onto the sofa, struggling with every movement. The mere one-meter height of the sofa felt insurmountable. If I had been a normal child, climbing it would have been impossible. But the strong blood of the Martial Lee Clan, combined with my restless efforts after regression, seemed to work in my favor. "Made it." I cautiously reached for the sword. Crunch¡ª A metallic groan, as if iron were crumbling. The same black aura surged forth, wrapping around the blade. And then¡ªvisions flashed before my eyes. A warrior raising his sword. Countless warriors following suit, lifting their weapons in unison to a commanding call. An ancient, long-forgotten ceremony of the clan. A ritual of the past. With that, the memory was abruptly cut off¡ªunnaturally severed. A wave of dizziness hit me, and I nearly lost my balance. I barely managed to catch myself with my arms, preventing a fall from the sofa. For a moment, I simply stared blankly into the air. "Could this be¡­?" A wisp of black energy flickered at my fingertips, drifting like smoke. But the moment I clenched my fist, it vanished without a trace. As the days passed, I found myself moving more and staying awake longer. My body was growing at a pace visible to the eye¡ªevery time I woke up, I could feel the difference. And then, the awaited day finally arrived. The Steel Selection Ritual. The first crucial milestone in my life within the clan. The ceremony that would determine my place in this family. Since early morning, my nanny had been bustling around, preparing me for the occasion. She dressed me carefully, adjusting every piece of clothing, every accessory¡ªeven making sure my hair was perfectly arranged. Sensing her efforts, I remained still, leaning into her touch to make things easier for her. ¡°Young Master, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll achieve great results today,¡± she whispered. ¡°Your path will always be paved with success.¡± She knew full well that an infant couldn¡¯t understand her words, yet she spoke to me anyway. I could feel the genuine encouragement in her voice¡ªalong with a deep sorrow. ¡®Of course she would feel that way.¡¯ I was a bastard child, left in the care of the clan with no backing or support. My half-siblings had received nurishing food, elixirs, and secret rituals even before birth. Meanwhile, I was forced to enter this ceremony without having absorbed a single drop of an enhancement elixir. ¡®Don¡¯t worry, Nanny.¡¯ I reached up and gently stroked her cheek. She blinked in surprise before breaking into a warm smile. Just then, a voice interrupted us. ¡°The nanny will follow directly behind the Clan Head until we reach the ceremonial hall. When the Young Master¡¯s turn arrives, you will present him to the Clan Head.¡± It was Butler Choi, the family¡¯s head steward. ¡°Yes, I understand,¡± the nanny replied, clutching me a little tighter, as if bracing herself. I turned my gaze forward¡ªto the man standing ahead of us. The Patriarch of the Lee Clan. Lee Taeshin. One of the only ten 1st-Ranked Martial Masters in the world¡ªan existence so powerful that even among those ten, he was regarded as being on another level. "Father." In my past life, our paths had rarely crossed. Even when we did, he had never once spared me a glance. But at that moment¡ªhis eyes landed on me. I did not look away. I met his gaze head-on. ¡°¡­Interesting.¡± A flicker of interest flashed in my father¡¯s otherwise expressionless eyes as he looked down at me. Behind my father, following in procession, was my eighth sister, just a few months older than me walking along with her nanny. I was carried closely behind them by my own nanny. Whoosh! As we passed through the arched corridor, a vast circular plaza came into view. The stands surrounding it were packed with people, all gazing down at me. Among them were members of the branch families, vassal families, and the gathered elite under the sky of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. They had all come to witness the birth of a new direct descendant of the Lee Clan. ¡°Honor!¡± ¡°Honor!¡± Boom! Hundreds of warriors stood in formation before Lee Taeshin. A flawless, synchronized display. Their weapons, raised high toward the sky, were all different in shape and form. Though they were arranged in categorized ranks by weapon type, each warrior wielded their own unique armament. This was the Steel Selection Ritual¡ªan esteemed tradition of the Lee Clan. Unlike hollow ceremonies that relied on ceremonial weapons meant only for show, The Martial Lee Clan paid homage with the weapons they actually wielded in battle. ¡°¡­Hmm.¡± Snap! At the slightest nod from Lee Taeshin, the warriors stepped back in unison, parting to form a path. He strode forward, making his way to the ceremonial platform at the center of the plaza. Countless weapons were embedded in the ground of the platform. Swords, sabers, spears¡ªthe fundamentals. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gauntlets, staffs, bows, and even firearms. A single glance at the sheer number of amazing weapons made it clear: this was the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s undeniable strength. Standing before them, Lee Taeshin swept his gaze across the audience before speaking in a deep, steady voice. ¡°The Steel Selection will now commence. Hand Hwa to me.¡± ¡°Yes, my lord.¡± The eighth sister¡¯s nanny carefully passed her into his arms. At the center of the open ceremonial ground stood a massive stone, its surface carved with a hollow just big enough for a child to sit. Lee Taeshin set the eighth sister down in that hollow and unsheathed a dagger. ¡°Waaaah¡ª!¡± A thin cut formed on her fingertip as the dagger barely grazed her skin. A few drops of blood dripped onto the stone. And in that instant¡ª Vwoooom! Brilliant blue light erupted from the altar, branching out like a web toward the many weapons surrounding it. Then, all at once, the light converged on a single point. ¡°Oh! That sword¡­ could it be?!¡± A wave of cheers rippled through the crowd. A sword gleaming white, radiating light. I recognized it immediately. The Ivory Sword. "That¡¯s right¡­ The eighth sister was chosen by the Ivory Sword." A legendary blade that had remained dormant for generations. The Ivory Sword was a sacred relic. And not just any sacred relic¡ªone of the highest-ranking among them. In the distant future, this very sword would be wielded by my eighth sister to single-handedly cut down hordes of monsters. That was when people would bestow upon her the grand title: White Knight. Whoosh. As Taeshin Lee waved his hand through the air, the Ivory Sword soared effortlessly to the front of the platform, as if it had wings. "Just how much mana does one need to achieve something like that?" The distance was a full fifteen meters. Moreover, the Ivory Sword, known as a sacred relic, possessed considerable magic resistance. Yet, he had pulled it in with a mere gesture. It was impossible to fathom the level of mastery required for such a feat. "The Ivory Sword. A fine blade." After making this simple remark, Lee Taeshin continued speaking. "The Ivory Sword now belongs to Lee Hwa." With that declaration, my father stepped down from the platform and handed my eighth sister back to her nanny. One of the escorting martial artists stepped forward to receive the Ivory Sword. Now, it was my turn. "Young master, you must do well." My nanny whispered softly in my ear before carefully passing me to my father. "The ceremony for Lee Young will now commence." Soon, a dagger traced a shallow cut across my hand. "Ugh." Was it because of my infant body? The wound wasn¡¯t deep, yet it burned as if seared by fire. Still, I did not cry. Perhaps for that reason, my father spoke in an impassive tone. "You are admirable." It was the first compliment I had ever heard from him, yet it was only because I had not cried. The thought left a bitter taste. Moments later, a few drops of my blood fell. Now, my Steel Selection had begun. "Will it be the Clear Echo again?" In my past life, the weapon that chose me had been the Clear Echo Sword, a top-tier Heaven-grade sword, even stronger than the Ivory sword. Woooom¡ª A blue light spread across the clearing. Then, as it erupted outward¡ª The ceremony ground fell into complete silence. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 3 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 3 "It''s the Ivory Sword!" "A Sacred Relic has chosen Young Lady Hwa!" A wave of awe and cheers erupted from the spectators'' stands. Even in the exclusive seating reserved for the direct bloodline and senior members of the family, a murmur of excitement spread. "A relic of this caliber... and it''s a Sacred Relic at that." "Another extraordinary talent has been born into the family." "This is a great honor for our household." As the elders exchanged words of admiration, a middle-aged man seated in a quiet corner smiled silently. Our family is truly blessed. A man with a robust build and piercing eyes that belied his age¡ªhis name was Lee Taehong. He was the younger brother of Lee Taeshin and a key figure in the family, holding the position of General or the Minister of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. Of all weapons, the Ivory Sword chose her... Taehong felt a grin spreading across his face. The Ivory Sword was no ordinary relic¡ªit was a Sacred Relic recognized by the Papacy, ranked among the highest-tier sacred weapons. Being chosen by any relic was already a remarkable feat, but the Ivory Sword was in a league of its own. Wishing for the ancestors'' blessings upon the girl¡¯s future, Taehong nodded in satisfaction. Before long, the eighth child exited the ceremonial hall, and another child was placed in Lee Taeshin¡¯s arms. At that moment, the previously jubilant atmosphere cooled as if ice water had been poured over it. The lively discussions in the audience quieted, replaced by murmurs. "That child, isn¡¯t it¡­?" "The one from before¡­" "Tsk, a bastard child." Whispers filled the air as countless eyes turned toward the child. Taehong¡¯s gaze also landed on Lee Young. So, that¡¯s the one. Patriarch¡¯s Illegitimate son¡ªrecently brought into the household. Taehong still remembered his surprise when Butler Choi first told him about it. A bold child. Despite being a newborn, the baby had stared straight at him, unafraid, as if trying to gauge him. It had been an unsettling experience. Since then, the child¡ªnow called Young¡ªhad been on his mind. "I will now begin Lee Young¡¯s ceremony." Taeshin¡¯s voice rang through the hall. What kind of talent will this child possess? Taehong¡¯s eyes gleamed as he looked down at the ceremonial hall. And then¡ª "You seem to have quite the interest in the bastard child, Minister." A familiar voice reached Taehong¡¯s ears. He turned his head to see the speaker. "¡­Head Elder." His brows twitched slightly. Lee Cheoljung. An inscrutable elder of the family¡ªsomeone who always seemed to have a thousand schemes brewing beneath the surface. "I noticed you sitting alone and thought I¡¯d offer some conversation," Cheoljung said with a pleasant smile. "That child, correct? The one the family head brought in from outside?" "Yes, that¡¯s right. I hear he was found and taken in by the Shadow Sword Unit." "A bastard child of unknown origins undergoing the Steel Selection Ceremony¡­ The family head¡¯s judgment is truly puzzling." Cheoljung chuckled, his laughter dripping with condescension. Taehong clicked his tongue, his voice firm. "What does it matter if they are legitimate or not? They carry the blood of the Lee Clan all the same." "¡®All the same¡¯? A bastard is still a bastard. Without any proper preparation, what talent could possibly manifest? Surely, you, of all people, know this better than anyone?" A narrow-minded old fool, lost in his obsession with pure bloodlines¡­ Taehong gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, his fingers digging into the wood. He knew. In the Steel Selection Ceremony, every child of the Lee Clan revealed their innate talents. Lee Taeshin, chosen by dozens of swords, had become the strongest swordsman of his era. His first son, chosen by a sword, a grimoire, and a staff, had mastered both magic and swordsmanship. To ensure such talent, Lee Clan children were nurtured from the womb, receiving countless blessings and preparations before birth. A child born and raised outside the family, receiving none of these advantages, would inevitably start at a severe disadvantage. No one understood that reality better than he did. "And come to think of it¡­" Cheoljung mused. "You yourself were an outsider once, weren¡¯t you, Minister~?" Flash¡ª! At that moment, a burst of light erupted from the ceremonial hall. All eyes, including those of Lee Taehong and Lee Cheoljung, turned toward the source. The reactions were mixed. Some sighed. Some were shocked. Some were puzzled. But most¡­ sneered. "Hah! To think he was only chosen by a Common-tier weapon." The light had emerged from the outermost section of the ceremonial hall¡ªthe area where the lowest-grade weapons, the Common-tier, were embedded. "As the Minister said, the child carries the blood of the Lee Clan, and yet the weapon that chose him is nothing but a worthless piece of scrap. Has there ever been a case in the history of the Steel Selection Ceremony where a child of the family received only a Common-tier weapon? Truly fitting for a bastard." "Tsk¡­" Taehong let out a long sigh instead of answering. But soon, he shook his head. So what if the first step was a misstep? With effort, they could still carve out their own path. And if martial talent isn¡¯t their strength, they can always develop their administrative skills. The result wasn¡¯t ideal, but what did it matter? The child was still an infant who couldn¡¯t even walk yet. The road ahead was long and uncertain. Flash! A second light flared before Taehong¡¯s eyes. Could it be¡­? He quickly turned his gaze toward the new burst of light. But once again, disappointment washed over him. A Common-tier Red Bow. A slight improvement over the iron sword, but still within the Common-tier. "Hah, well, this is a bit unusual. Two talents, huh? Not that it matters when both are bottom-tier." Then¡ª A brighter, more intense light burst forth. Taehong''s eyes widened as he followed its source. Master-tier! The light had come from closer to the center of the hall¡ªthe section where Master-tier weapons were kept. That staff¡­! Master-tier Willow Staff¡ªLiuZong. A wand painstakingly crafted over decades in the Mage Tower of France. "He has an aptitude for magic?!" Taehong couldn''t stop himself from exclaiming. Unlike martial arts, magic was highly dependent on innate talent. And unlike the Iron Sword or Red Bow, the Willow Staff was an unquestionable Master-tier artifact. Taehong struggled to suppress a smile. "Seems we shouldn''t be so quick to dismiss a ¡®bastard¡¯. Talent in archery, swordsmanship¡­ and now magic." Cheoljung¡¯s brows furrowed. So what? A bastard was still a bastard. Even if magical talent was rare, it didn''t change the child''s status. "A handful of scattered abilities won¡¯t amount to much. Mastering even one field is difficult enough, and his choices barely surpass Master-tier. There''s a clear limit to his potential." Flash! But as if mocking his words, yet another brilliant light exploded from the hall. "Another one?" It wasn¡¯t just one or two lights. They erupted simultaneously, all at once. Master-tier Blood Spirit Spear. Master-tier Iron Dragon Blade¡­] And that was only the beginning. The light, which had started from the outermost Common-tier section, steadily moved inward. That direction¡­! The glow advanced. Further and further. Slowly but surely, deeper inside. Until, at last, it reached the area where Sacred Relics were embedded. Sacred Relic¡ªHoly Sword. Sacred Relic¡ªCrossbow Eungnyong. Brilliant light poured forth from the space where the Sacred-tier weapons rested. A bastard had been chosen by Sacred relics. Not just one. Too many to count. "Hahaha!" Lee Taehong could no longer hold back his laughter as he turned to look at Lee Cheoljung¡¯s twisted expression. "As you said, this is truly unprecedented! Have any of the legitimate heirs ever displayed talent of this magnitude?!" Cheoljung''s brows were furrowed so tightly they formed a deep crease. Seeing that sour expression was immensely satisfying. Legitimate heir? Bastard? Did any of that even matter now? Taehong smiled brightly as he turned back to the ceremonial hall. Fwoooosh¡ª! A brilliant explosion of light flared up, so intense that Taehong instinctively closed his eyes. Again? He squinted, trying to make out the source of the light. The closest pedestal to the ceremonial altar. The very heart of the ritual hall. Taehong¡¯s jaw slowly dropped. That¡ªthat¡¯s where the Heaven-tier weapons are¡­! A grade reserved only for weapons of legendary power and history¡ªHeaven-tier. These were not mere relics. They were weapons so powerful they were classified as strategic assets. Throughout the long history of the Lee Clan, only a handful of people had ever been chosen by Heaven-tier weapons during the Iron Selection Ceremony. And yet, in this very moment¡ª The blood of this child had awakened multiple Heaven-tier weapons. "¡­¡­." A stunned silence blanketed the hall. Then, one by one, people began to react. A murmur. A stir. An uproar. ¡°What¡­ did I just witness?¡± ¡°There must be some kind of mistake.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible. The Steel Selection Ceremony is¡­¡± Voices thick with disbelief, shock, and suspicion. But all of them were silenced by a single voice. "Quiet." At that single, quiet yet commanding word, everyone fell silent. Once the atmosphere had settled, Lee Taeshin spoke. "By principle, all weapons chosen here should rightfully belong to Young." Gasps of shock rippled through the gathered crowd. Taeshin let his gaze sweep over the assembly before continuing. "I believe in following the laws of our family. However, handling this matter so simply would not be wise. I will hear your opinions." His eyes turned toward the seats where the senior council members sat. "Head Elder. What is your view?" ¡°¡­There must be some mistake. Such an event has never occurred in the history of the Iron Selection Ceremony." "You know very well that such a mistake is impossible." Taeshin¡¯s words were cold and final. He then shifted his gaze to Lee Taehong, who sat beside him. "Minister. What do you think?" "Would you grant me a moment to consider?" "Very well." S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Taehong closed his eyes, his mind tracing through the long history of the Lee Clan, searching for precedents. After careful thought, he opened his mouth and spoke with deliberate clarity. "Granting all the weapons at once would go against the spirit of the Steel Selection Ceremony. This ceremony exists not just for the present, but as a tradition that must continue into the future." The Steel Selection was a rite meant to prepare for the days ahead. Not just for this child¡¯s future, but for the generations yet to come. Giving away every chosen weapon at once would be unreasonable. "A similar event occurred during the Great War. At that time, the Lee Clan¡¯s armory was nearly depleted. Yet even amidst those limited resources, a newborn child was still chosen by multiple weapons." Taehong recalled a lesser-known chapter of their family¡¯s history. "Our ancestor allowed his child to choose, much like a doljabi ceremony. After the war ended and the household regained stability, the remaining weapons were granted over time." [TL/N: Doljabi is a Korean tradition where a one-year-old baby chooses an item from a set of objects that is said to predict their future.] "A doljabi, you say¡­" "It would be best if the Head of the Family first narrows down the selection, and then the child chooses one from among them." Taeshin pondered for a moment before nodding. "Not a bad suggestion. Does anyone object?" No one spoke. Even Lee Cheoljung, despite his discomfort, only let out a reluctant grunt. He did not object. "Then, we shall follow the precedent set by our ancestors and resume the ceremony accordingly." Taeshin slowly raised his hand. At his gesture, ten weapons¡ªstill glowing brilliantly¡ªrose into the air and floated before the ceremonial stage. "Now¡­ choose, my son." Taeshin addressed his youngest son, Lee Young, as he let the ten weapons hover before him. *** It was an unprecedented event. Even I hadn¡¯t expected this to happen. At first glance, it seemed like a great fortune, but it wasn¡¯t something I could take lightly. "I believe in following the family''s rules, but handling this matter so simply would not be wise." At my father¡¯s words, I nodded. He¡¯s right. Too much can be just as bad as too little. This wasn¡¯t just one or two weapons¡ªthere were hundreds of them. If they were only of common or master grade, it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. But among them were Sacred Relics and even Heavenly-Tier Weapons. And I was nothing more than a bastard child with no power or influence. Even if I were granted these weapons, I had no means to store them or protect them. ¡°It would be best if the Head of the Family first selects a few among them and allows the youngest to choose from those.¡± Lee Taehong, the Minister (Chief Administrator) of the family¡ªsomeone I had encountered a few times before¡ªoffered a wise solution. ¡°Now, choose, my son.¡± I looked at the weapons floating before me, shining with an overwhelming radiance. Most were Heavenly Weapons, while three were Sacred Relics, though their power was no different from the Heavenly-grade ones. And they expect a newborn to handle these? These were blades so sharp that even the lightest touch could leave a deep scar. Yet, despite myself, I laughed. Because this absurdity was perfectly fitting for the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. Still, this isn¡¯t a bad situation for me. I was caught off guard, but in the end, my first step had turned out to be far beyond expectations. I turned my gaze to the weapons hovering before me. A sword that has slain dragons, Frach. A holy spear said to have been forged with a saint¡¯s own flesh and blood to slay a mighty beast, Baekyeong. A staff crafted from the branches of the World Tree, where the Fairies sleep, Bralhain. A spirit sword, forged at the alignment of the moon, sun, and stars. And many more¡ªeach one a legendary weapon, each one waiting for me to choose. And I can only pick one¡­ I didn''t hesitate for long. Slowly, I reached out my hand. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 4 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 4 The child chose a sword. Lee Taeshin narrowed his eyes as he gazed at the blade his son had picked. ¡°So, that¡¯s your choice.¡± A double-edged sword with a flat spine. Its design resembled a Western sword more than an Eastern one. The name of this ancient blade, its material unknown, was Black Twilight. It was said that the founder of the Martial Lee Clan had discovered it in an uncharted land. However, throughout generations, no one had ever been able to awaken its hidden power. It had remained shrouded in mystery, gathering dust over the centuries. Though sharper and more durable than most sacred relics, it was nothing more than a well-crafted longsword. Its known abilities weren¡¯t enough to classify it as a Heavenly-tier weapon, yet because of its connection to the family¡¯s founder, it had been stored alongside them. A sword that not even a single ancestor or patriarch was chosen by. Lee Taeshin looked at his son. Was this simply the meaningless choice of a newborn? Or was it the beginning of something much greater? For the child who had created an unprecedented spectacle in the Steel Selection Ritual, perhaps this was the most fitting choice. ¡°Young has chosen Black Twilight. With this, the ceremony is complete.¡± Thus, the chaotic Steel Selection Ritual came to an end. Time passed since the events of the Steel Selection Ritual, and soon, he turned nine years old. Time flowed faster than ever. With each passing day, his body adapted. The moment he could freely walk and run, he began his training. ¡°Nanny, I¡¯m heading to afternoon training. Can you prepare my training clothes?¡± ¡°¡­Young Master, I worry that you¡¯re overexerting yourself.¡± He trained twice a day, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., for three hours each session. It was a regimen far beyond what any normal nine-year-old could endure, and the nanny couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Nanny. I make sure to rest enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll escort you there. Let¡¯s go together.¡± The nanny let out a quiet sigh, careful not to let him hear. A child looked down upon simply for being a bastard. So kind, so intelligent¡ªyet receiving no support, forced to struggle alone. She had always felt sorry for him. When he was little, she pitied how little care he received. Now that he had grown, she pitied how relentlessly he pushed himself. How lonely must he feel? How unfair must it be? He was far more mature than his age. Perhaps he instinctively understood that, without support, he had no choice but to work even harder. ¡°Young Master, I will always be on your side. If things get too difficult, please tell me, alright?¡± ¡°Hm? Oh¡­ yeah.¡± The nanny¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears. Though she had only intended to see him off, she ended up following him all the way to the training grounds. As usual, he headed to the innermost Zone. ¡°Young Master, other areas are open too. Why do you always go to Zone one? Isn¡¯t it too worn out?¡± The direct lineage had ten training Zones in total, with the higher numbers boasting the latest facilities. Naturally, the newer Zones were superior, but to him, Zone one was the best training ground. ¡°I have someone waiting for me there.¡± He smiled at the nanny. Just then¡ª A voice rang out from Zone Seven. ¡°No, not like that! If you grip the sword too tightly, you¡¯ll hurt your hands. Always handle it as if it¡¯s a part of your own body¡­¡± ¡°Ugh! Master, why do you nag so much? I can hold a sword however I want!¡± ¡°No, no, my lady. Please, calm down a little and try again.¡± A man, clearly flustered, was instructing a young girl in swordsmanship. ¡°The eighth child¡­¡± The child who had undergone the Steel Selection Ritual alongside me¡ªand, in all likelihood, would also go through the Naming Ceremony with me. "Young Master, you should call her ''older sister.''" "She''s only five months older than me. What kind of ''older sister'' is that?" If you only looked at how babies grow in their early years, that gap might seem significant. But since I wasn¡¯t exactly sure when I was born, even that wasn¡¯t certain. And even if it were, I had no intention of addressing that girl as my elder. Instead, my gaze drifted toward the man teaching her how to wield a sword. Noticing my interest, my nanny spoke up. "The one instructing Lady Hwa is Commander Baek Leehyun. He leads the Ebony Squad within the family¡¯s martial corps." The leader of the Ebony Squad? That meant he was an exceptional warrior. For a nine-year-old child, he was an overwhelmingly skilled teacher. My nanny, now looking concerned, added hesitantly, "¡­Young Master, I¡¯ve been searching everywhere. A great teacher who recognizes your true potential will appear soon, I promise." She was worried about the upcoming trial I would have to face. Children born into the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan must pass three major tests as they grow. The first is the Steel Selection Ritual, held around their first birthday. The second is the ''Naming Ceremony,'' which takes place when they turn ten. The Steel Selection Ritual is something even an infant, barely able to walk, must undergo, so it is what it is. But the Naming Ceremony¡­ That one is truly dangerous. A single mistake could cost you your life. To prepare for it, the children of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan are given all kinds of potent elixirs from a young age. They are also taught by the best instructors money can buy. ¡®And many powerful warriors compete to become the mentor of a legitimate heir of the Lee Clan.¡¯ Yet, not a single person had come forward to take me as their disciple. After all, no one wanted to waste their time on an illegitimate child. ¡®But I don¡¯t feel bitter or regretful about it.¡¯ They weren¡¯t coming for the person¡ªI knew that well. They were coming for the benefits that came with the person¡¯s status. A teacher like that? I wouldn¡¯t take a hundred of them, even if they were offered to me. "It doesn¡¯t bother me, Nanny. Besides, children who haven¡¯t undergone the Naming Ceremony are not supposed to have a teacher yet." "That may be the official rule, but these days, it¡¯s quite different¡­¡± * * * The Zone 1 training ground for direct lineage members could be described as antique at best¡ªor outdated at worst. Instead of modern shock-absorbing materials, the ground was covered with old stone slabs. There were no high-tech measuring devices or weight machines, only straw dummies and primitive strength-training equipment. Even the armory and storage room were housed in wooden buildings dating back to the era of the Great War. ¡®To be honest, it¡¯s more of a symbolic space than a real training ground.¡¯ Zone 1 was a representation of the family¡¯s long history. While countless buildings had crumbled and been rebuilt through cataclysms and world wars, this place had remained untouched¡ªmostly because it barely had any structures to begin with. "Buildings may fall and people may perish, but this land, where we have fought and bled for generations, remains unchanged. This is the true heart of the Lee Clan." That was what the great ancestor¡ªthe hero who rebuilt the declining Martial Lee Clan¡ªhad said upon returning from the battlefield. But symbolism aside, I had only one reason for coming here instead of the modern training facilities. ¡®The armory here holds the oldest weapons in any training ground.¡¯ As soon as I opened the armory door, a musty scent of rust and dust poured out. It was clear that these weapons had gone untouched for ages¡ªperhaps even neglected. Anyone else would have just grabbed any sword and begun training, but for me, training always started with selecting a weapon from the armory. Because these ancient weapons were my true masters. ¡®There it is.¡¯ I soon found an old iron sword, gripped it, and stepped outside. As soon as I reached the training ground, I held the sword lightly and closed my eyes. At that moment, a dark energy stirred from deep within my chest, seeping out and coiling around the training sword. When I opened my eyes again, the world before me had completely changed. A group of swordsmen stood, swinging their blades in unison. "This is the foundation." The man at the front spoke. "Whether it¡¯s advanced swordsmanship or basic techniques, the fundamentals remain the same. Build a solid foundation." Dressed in an old-fashioned martial uniform¡ªsomething you¡¯d only see in the Lee Clan¡¯s museum¡ªhe moved, demonstrating each motion. A downward slash. A horizontal sweep. A thrust from behind. Diagonal cuts. Straight cuts. Single-point strikes. "These are the basics. They are the beams that hold up a house, unwavering in any storm. Engrave them into your sword." The vision did not last long. It cut off abruptly, and the dark energy dissipated from the training sword. This was the power I had gained after my regression. A force that made up for the lack of elixirs and teachers in my life. ¡®Still not proficient enough.¡¯ By using the black energy coiled within my heart, I could read a weapon¡¯s memory. And once I had fully grasped that memory, I could convert the weapon into pure magical energy at will. The ancient weapons stored here were, without a doubt, the best teachers I could ever ask for. "Hahh..." I let out a slow breath. I steadied my stance and regulated my breathing. The Seven Star Sword Technique¡ªthe foundational form practiced by the Lee Clan¡¯s elite guards. Whoosh! The blade sliced through the wind. Even with a child''s body, the sword was heavy, yet my swings remained steady and precise. ¡®Once I master the Seven Star Sword¡­ I¡¯ll have gone through nearly every weapon in this training ground.¡¯ The older and more exceptional a weapon was¡ªor the more its wielder had favored it¡ªthe clearer its memories became to me. The weapons in other training grounds were too new, which was why I had chosen Zone 1 in the first place. ¡®Even with their age, these are still just training weapons, huh?¡¯ The skill level of their previous owners left much to be desired. In just two years, I had already read the memories of most of the weapons buried in this armory. I glanced toward the entrance of the training ground. ¡®Still not here today? He should be showing up soon¡­¡¯ But if I kept looking, I¡¯d only lose focus. I pushed the thought aside and immersed myself in training. One hour passed. Then two. Sweat dripped onto the old stone slabs, forming scattered droplets. I lowered my sword. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡®That¡¯s it. The Seven Star Sword is complete.¡¯ I knew it instinctively. And then¡ª A voice rang out from the corner of the training ground. The voice I had been waiting for. "Impressive." I turned toward the speaker and bowed. "Greetings, Minister." "Hah, you still won¡¯t call me ¡®Uncle¡¯? It¡¯s been since New Year¡¯s, hasn¡¯t it?" Lee Taehong. A 4th Rank martial astist and the Chief Administrator of the Lee Clan. ¡®Finally¡­ the time has come.¡¯ A faint smile tugged at my lips. * * * In my past life, not a single person had sought me out to be my teacher. But there was one¡ªjust one person¡ªI could truly call my mentor. "I heard you still haven¡¯t found a teacher. I¡¯d like to help, if you¡¯ll allow it." Lee Taehong. My uncle. And just like that, I became the student of a man who held the prestigious title of 4th rank Martial Artist. But my uncle was burdened with the heavy responsibilities of the Clan. Unlike the tutors assigned to the direct descendants, he couldn¡¯t dedicate much time to me. ¡®And after he was pushed aside due to the family¡¯s internal politics¡­¡¯ That was the end of it. I never heard from him again. Now, Uncle Taehong dropped down onto the dusty floor of the training ground without a care. Any other elder would have scolded him for lacking propriety, but he clearly didn¡¯t concern himself with such things. That was part of why I liked him. "Why are you just standing there? My neck is starting to hurt. Sit down and cool off for a bit." He patted the spot beside him. "Thank you." "You¡¯ve been working hard. I see you here every day, never missing a single session." I had already known my uncle passed by this training ground on his way to and from work. In fact, I had deliberately adjusted my training schedule to match his routine¡ªjust to hasten this very meeting. "It must be exhausting, isn¡¯t it?" Taehong gave me a wry smile as he looked at his sweat-drenched nephew. In this clan, discrimination was an inescapable reality. ¡®There were days when I wasn¡¯t even invited to New Year¡¯s gatherings whenever Lee Taeshin wasn¡¯t present. That alone spoke volumes about my usual treatment.¡¯ Lee Taehong thought to himself. "It must be difficult, being treated so differently from your siblings. It probably doesn¡¯t make any sense to you. But I hope you¡¯ll endure it." "I¡¯m fine." Difficult, huh? Yes¡­ there were times when it was. In the past, at this age, I had often been wounded by childish emotions. I had cried in frustration and despair, feeling the sting of injustice. But now? "Regardless of everything, I am still of the Esteemed Martial Lee bloodline." I lifted the training sword in my hand slightly. "In the end, I only need to prove myself with this. That is what I was taught about our clan. That is the meaning behind the two characters that define us." Lee Taehong¡¯s eyes widened. Could there be words more fitting than those? He looked at his young nephew. Exceptional talent, unwavering effort, a fitting character, and an astute mind. "Ah¡­ how could a child like this have been born as an Illegitimate?" It was truly a shame. But Taehong quickly shook his head. He had always believed that discriminating against an illegitimate child was one of the family''s uglier flaws¡ªso what right did he have to pity the boy for it now? "Truthfully, I came here today because I wanted to help you in some way. I want to be your teacher." My eyes gleamed. "It¡¯s here." The first opportunity I had been waiting for. I had longed for this moment¡ªfor the day I would meet my uncle, for the words I had been hoping he would say. Though he had stepped away from active duty to become the Chief administrator, my uncle had once been on the verge of reaching the 3rd rank martial artist status. And more than that, despite his position as an illegitimate son, he had risen to become the Chief Administrator of the martial Lee Clan¡ªa master strategist and an influential figure. I carefully chose my response. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 5 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 5 He was someone who had always looked out for me, a man of exceptional skill, and by no means weak in terms of martial prowess. My Uncle, Chief Administrator Lee Taehong, was such a person. But my answer was already decided. "I''m fine, Uncle." I cannot take my uncle as my teacher. I don¡¯t know the exact moment, but in my previous life, someone destroyed my mana pathways. The incident during the was inevitable, but if I were to receive direct instruction from my uncle, it would only further provoke those who wish to harm me. I have no desire to attract attention before I am fully prepared. "¡­What?" "I know how much work you do for the clan, Uncle. I don''t want to burden you." Uncle''s expression tightened, as if he were displeased. "A burden? I simply wish to make time for my nephew. There''s no need to hesitate." "I heard the government recently requested assistance regarding the Unexplored regions in the north." Lee Taehong''s eyes flickered. "How did you¡­?" "I overheard the bodyguards talking. I don¡¯t know the details, but they said the administrative office has been extremely busy. And you¡¯re the Chief Administrator aren¡¯t you, Uncle?" Lee Taehong let out a deep sigh. A new government had taken office this year, and as always, every new administration prioritized stabilizing the Northern Unexplored regions. Nothing had been decided yet¡ªor rather, because nothing had been settled, the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s administration was overwhelmed with work. That was why, despite wanting to visit me earlier, he could only come now. "Besides, isn¡¯t it a rule that we can¡¯t formally serve a master until after our Naming Ceremony? If I were to receive your teachings, Uncle, it would put you in a difficult position." "Tch! They even break the rules when they are suitable. Do you think they''d have the gall to call me out on it?" "They wouldn¡¯t say it outright, but it would still create trouble for you." I looked at my uncle with a gentle smile. He let out another sigh. "Does this not bother you? All of your siblings are receiving the finest elixirs and training from the best masters." "Just because no one follows a rule doesn¡¯t mean I should ignore it too. And¡­ I will prove myself, even without elixirs or a master." "Hah¡­" Lee Taehong could only sigh in admiration at the confidence in his young nephew¡¯s voice. ¡®Is this child really only nine years old?¡¯ As he met my clear, unwavering gaze, a familiar face flashed through his mind. And the moment he realized whom Lee Young reminded him of, his mouth opened slightly in surprise. ¡®Elder Brother¡­ Yes, he looks just like my elder brother.¡¯ Eyes like these were rare. And those few who possessed them had all left an indelible mark on history. Lee Taehong let out a faint smile. "But as your uncle, it still doesn¡¯t sit right with me to do nothing for you. Is there anything I can help you with?" I took a deep breath. I had been waiting for these words. "I want to visit the underground vault of the ." The ¡ªthe place where the Clan¡¯s countless treasures were stored. And beneath it¡­ "The holds weapons that were sealed away for various reasons. Are you aware of that?" "Those weapons remain locked away, unable to find a master, forgotten in the darkness. Every one of them must have a story¡­ Isn¡¯t that just too tragic?" I spoke with as much innocent sincerity as a child could muster. Uncle narrowed his eyes and observed me closely for a moment. "Are you saying you want to see them simply because you feel sorry for them?" "In the future, I will wield countless weapons. Each of them will share many stories with me. To properly honor the weapons that choose me, I want to see them. I believe it will help me understand how I should treat my own weapons moving forward." "Haha, this kid¡­" Lee Taehong let out a quiet chuckle. For the first time, his nephew had said something that truly felt childlike in its innocence, yet the reasoning behind it was admirable. "It''s good to see you thinking that way. Alright, if that¡¯s the case, I''ll make it happen." "Thank you!" "But be warned¡ªsome of those weapons are classified as , capable of devouring their wielders. I cannot allow you into the sealed chambers where they are kept." Common, Master, Sacred Relics, Heavenly¡­ Among the many classifications of weapons, and could not be measured by mere ranking alone. Especially ¡ªas his uncle mentioned, they carried a mysterious and perilous nature, capable of consuming their owners. "Yes, I wouldn¡¯t want to see those either." "The regular energy inspection is scheduled for tomorrow, so that would be a good time. Normally, it only takes an hour, but for you, I''ll extend it to two. Will that be enough?" I nodded with a bright smile. Uncle ruffled my hair roughly with his large hand. ¡®It¡¯s set.¡¯ I clenched my fist. Now, I was ready to find . --- For those seeking extraordinarily rare or seemingly impossible treasures, people often say: The was so legendary that such phrases had become common expressions. It housed artifacts comparable to those in the Vatican or the Mage Tower which were massive, nation-level organizations. And because of that, its security was unparalleled. A massive structure reinforced with the most advanced technology and layered with countless mystical arts. Though it appeared to be a modern building on the surface, there were intricate geometric patterns adorned its outer walls¡ªseals, enchantments, barriers. This enormous facility, with six floors above ground and one beneath, was the of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan. "Are you that excited?" Uncle smirked at me. It seemed I had been unable to hide my enthusiasm. I let out an embarrassed laugh. "Of course! I¡¯m going into the !" "Hah, well, it is quite the spectacle, isn¡¯t it?" Behind us, administrative officials from the clan¡¯s governing body followed closely. Their gazes were not particularly kind, but none dared to show open displeasure in front of my uncle. I looked up at him. ¡®I never realized it before, but¡­¡¯ Despite being of illegitimate birth, my uncle, Lee Taehong, had risen to the rank of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s Chief Administrator. Only now did Young fully realize how incredible that feat was. No one knew better than he did how difficult it was for someone born a bastard to attain such a high position in their Clan. ¡°Halt.¡± Clack! The moment they approached the massive walls surrounding the Clan¡¯s Warehouse, the guards stationed at the entrance crossed their spears, blocking our path. ¡°State your identity and purpose for visiting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the regular inventory check. I am Chief Administrator Lee Taehong, accompanied by the Military Supply Director, officials from each combat division, and my youngest nephew, Lee Young, who is here as an observer. Fourteen people in total.¡± Taehong handed over the documents, and the guards took them inside for verification. ¡®They do this every week¡­ and yet, they¡¯re this thorough.¡¯ After a short while, the guards lifted their spears. ¡°Confirmed. The documents check out. You may proceed.¡± Normally, all visitors would have to undergo additional security screenings, including inspections of their personal belongings. However, since this was a routine check, they were allowed to pass without issue. ¡®Perfect. That¡¯s exactly what I was counting on.¡¯ I subtly felt the object hidden inside his loose-fitting coat and exhaled deeply. ¡°Young, I¡¯ll have my secretary escort you to the entrance.¡± ¡°The keycard is for access, and the security token is for bypassing magical barriers. My secretary will hold onto the keycard, but you must keep the security token on you at all times.¡± My uncle, clearly worried, emphasized his instructions while assigning his personal secretary to accompany me. ¡°This way, Young Master.¡± The secretary¡¯s voice was curt as he guided me down into the underground levels. Descending the stairs, I let out a small, bitter smile. ¡®¡­This brings back memories.¡¯ The beige linoleum floor echoed with each step. The air was thick with the scent of metal and the oil used for maintaining weapons. Up until this point, I had been excited. But now, as I stepped into the Warehouse, my excitement faded, replaced by quiet determination. The first¡ªand last¡ªtime I had entered this place was right before I was cast out of the Clan. It was the day I had returned Clear Echo, the sword that had chosen him during the Steel Selection Ritual. They continued descending until, at last, a massive iron door loomed before them. ¡°Young Master, we¡¯ve arrived. I will be waiting at the entrance. If anything happens, please call for me immediately.¡± ¡°Understood. Thank you.¡± Thud¡ªclick¡ª As the keycard touched the scanner, the heavy iron doors unlocked with a deep, resonant sound. ¡°Hmm.¡± A stale, musty scent drifted out from within. It was no wonder this place was often called the Graveyard of Weapons. The underground Warehouse stretched at least 200 pyeong (approximately 660 square meters), filled with rows upon rows of sealed weapons and artifacts. ¡®Let¡¯s begin.¡¯ I hadn¡¯t come here simply to browse. There was a specific weapon I needed to find. The blade I had chosen during the Steel Selection Ritual¡ªBlack Twilight (Heugya)¡ªwas currently unusable. ¡®I don¡¯t just need a decent weapon¡­ I need its abilities.¡¯ I needed it, Boundless! Though it appeared to be an ordinary dagger, it had unique properties. It had been locked away here until its secrets could be unraveled. And it wasn¡¯t until my third brother, Lee Gunseong, discovered it that its true nature was revealed. ¡®There are at least hundreds of weapons here¡­ Finding one among them won¡¯t be easy, but¡­¡¯ At that moment, a dark aura flickered to life around my hand. For someone like me, who could read the memories of weapons, this task wouldn¡¯t be difficult. It would just take time. And with the two hours I had been given, I had more than enough. ¡®Let¡¯s do this.¡¯ --- The black aura stretched out and coiled around the nearest dagger. Time passed swiftly. Among the countless weapons, I continued reading the memories of various daggers as I moved forward. And then, I came across an unexpected discovery. ¡®I can¡¯t believe the Great Thief Clan was wiped out because of our Clan.¡¯ My eyes gleamed as I grasped a particularly striking dagger. The Infamous Gol Clan, once known as a Clan of thieves, had vanished without a trace one day. But as it turned out, they hadn¡¯t simply disappeared. Seeking to elevate their reputation, they had infiltrated the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s Warehouse, a place considered impregnable¡ªand they had paid the ultimate price for it. ¡®So this is the Gol Clan¡¯s dagger technique¡­¡¯ I returned the dagger to its place. A part of me wanted to absorb all the knowledge contained within it, but I couldn¡¯t afford to waste time. Just skimming the surface of its memories was enough. ¡®Even a dagger from a different species¡­ This place truly has all kinds of things.¡¯ I continued my search, inspecting various weapons for nearly an hour. ¡®Not this one either.¡¯ I set down what felt like the thirtieth dagger. At that moment, something heavy fell to the ground with a dull and rolled across the floor. It was a small, rusted lump of metal¡ªso decayed it was practically rotting away. The rust had accumulated to such an extreme degree that it covered more surface area than the actual metal itself. In fact, it was so corroded that it resembled a chunk of wood more than a weapon. ¡®This much rust? Is that even possible?¡¯ I reached down to return the lump of metal to its stand¡ªbut hesitated. If I removed the rust and restored the handle just a little¡­ It was worth checking. Slowly, I released my black aura. ¡°Ah?¡± A dumbfounded sound escaped my lips. The black energy, which had always obeyed my will, suddenly surged forward uncontrollably, pouring into the dagger in one massive wave. A wave of dizziness struck me, My vision blurred. And then¡ª Ilost consciousness. * * * When I opened my eyes, the world before me was drenched in red. Even the sky was steeped in crimson, as if it were bleeding. The moment I turned my gaze to take in these surroundings, my mind reeled. It was a massacre. Corpses¡ªboth human and monster¡ªwere strewn everywhere. ¡®What the hell is this?¡¯ The air was suffocatingly heavy. The stench of blood was so thick it made me want to vomit. This memory¡­ It was completely different from any I had ever seen before. Was I witnessing the memories of the weapon¡¯s owner? Or¡­ was I actually standing in this place myself? The entire scene felt surreal, like something out of a dream¡ªlacking the weight of reality. And yet, every sensation against my skin was painfully vivid. ¡ªHoo¡­ A faint exhale reached my ears. I turned toward the source of the sound. There, amidst a mountain of corpses, stood a man¡ªalone, drenched in blood. His attire was ancient, something that belonged in a museum. In his hand, he held a chipped longsword, its tip dragging lifelessly against the ground. Thud¡ª! The ground trembled. The sound alone sent a chill racing down my spine. Forcing my gaze away from the man, I turned toward the source of the noise. A beast, wreathed in thick, swirling mist. Each of its footsteps sent the earth into violent convulsions, as if the very ground itself was screaming. Every breath it exhaled reeked of death¡ªan acrid, poisonous stench rising into the air. And the moment my eyes locked onto it¡ª ¡ªI forgot to breathe. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡®What the hell is that¡­?!¡¯ It felt as if I had been cast into the deepest, blackest abyss. Even breathing was painful. The air itself pressed down on me, stabbing into my skin like a thousand tiny blades. Even someone like me¡ªweak, inexperienced¡ªcould tell immediately. This was not just a mere monster. This was something beyond that. Its very presence sent waves of terror through the atmosphere, warping the world around it. Even nature itself seemed to recoil in fear. I knew what creatures like this were. ¡®An extinction-class monster¡­¡¯ The ancient horrors that had emerged from the depths of the Blue Hole long ago. Monsters so powerful they had devoured entire civilizations¡ªnow sealed away in an endless slumber. The blood-soaked man lifted his gaze to meet the beast¡¯s. And then, he raised his sword. ¡®No¡ª! He¡¯s going to die.¡¯ That thing was destruction incarnate. The idea of a mere human defeating it was impossible. But then¡ª Shkk¡ª! A single flash. No deafening explosion. No violent tremors. Just one brilliant streak of light¡ªslicing across the world. And then¡ª The world itself¡­ split apart. A long, thin line traced diagonally across the beast¡¯s massive body. And then¡ª It collapsed. I stared in utter disbelief, forgetting even to blink. And then¡ª The man turned his head toward me. ¡ª¡­? His gaze was filled with curiosity. He was looking directly at me. I flinched. But my body refused to move. I could only stare, frozen in place, as the man slowly¡ªvery slowly¡ªbegan to walk toward me. The very same sword that had just cleaved the monster in two moved in eerie silence. And then¡ª ¡°Hah¡ª!¡± Thud. I gasped, collapsing onto the cold ground. Something heavy tumbled from my hand, hitting the floor with a dull clunk. ¡®What¡­ was that¡­ just now?¡¯ The oppressive weight of the air, the suffocating stench of blood¡ªit all still lingered in my senses. It was as if I could still feel it pressing down on me. Had I just witnessed a memory? Or¡­ had I actually been there? My clothes were drenched in cold sweat. It was hard to believe I was still in a dim, underground chamber. Drkk¡ª. A deep, heavy vibration shook the floor. The metal object that had fallen moments ago began to tremble. Before my eyes, the thick, rusted layers that had encrusted its surface crumbled away. The dull, yellowish lump of metal was shedding its decay, revealing a gleaming, sharp edge beneath. It was unmistakable. A dagger. ¡®No way¡­¡¯ I pressed the tip of my finger lightly against its blade. A tiny drop of blood welled up. And then¡ª ¡°I shall become the master of all afflictions.¡± Like a sorcerer casting an incantation, I spoke the words, imbuing them with my power. At that moment¡ª Vmmmmm¡ª! The dagger hummed, as if coming to life. A clear light burst forth from the dagger. Without hesitation, I channeled a fraction of my mana into it. The moment my energy flowed in, the dagger responded as if it were a part of me, effortlessly absorbing my power. ¡®I¡¯ve found it.¡¯ I gripped the dagger tightly. Boundless. The legendary treasure that my third brother had once obtained. And now¡ª It was in my hands. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 6 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 6 Boundless. This was the nickname of my third eldest brother, as well as the rare title given to the weapon itself. Boundless¡¯s ability was simple yet remarkable. A sword, a spear, a bow¡ªwhatever I desired. Even within the same weapon, its weight could be adjusted to be heavier or lighter. Its length, hardness, and countless other properties could be freely manipulated. I watched Boundless for a moment before cautiously channeling my mana into it. As Boundless absorbed my energy, its shape began to shift. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. My entire body burned with heat. My mana circuits were overheating. I stared at the slowly transforming Boundless with regret before cutting off the mana flow entirely. ¡°Hah.¡± A hollow chuckle escaped my lips. The handle and overall shape remained that of a dagger, but the blade had awkwardly elongated by about a hand¡¯s length, throwing off its balance. Worse still, parts of the extended blade were sharp, while others were dull and misshapen. I lacked both the necessary mana and the technique to control it precisely. But that was something time could fix. Only one thing truly mattered. ¡®Boundless is mine now.¡¯ I recalled the sight of my third eldest brother wielding Boundless with effortless mastery. At mid-range, he wielded it like a spear. In close quarters, it became a sword. At long range, it transformed into a bow or throwing knives. He adjusted its weight, extended or retracted its length, and even altered its hardness and durability at will. Every movement flowed seamlessly, swift and natural. With that overwhelming versatility and unpredictability, my brother had earned the respect of countless warriors. For someone like me, who could read the memories of all weapons, there was no weapon better suited than Boundless. Then, suddenly, I caught myself. ¡­I really had changed. I gazed down at Boundless in my hands. The me of the past¡ªdrowning in helplessness and defeat¡ªwould never have even considered such a thought. But now, I felt like I was walking down a road stretching infinitely before me. The uncertainty remained, but it was different. This time, it was an uncertainty filled with anticipation and hope. ¡°¡­Tch.¡± I felt a strange heat rise in my nose. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I bent down to pick up Boundless from the ground. Then, after struggling for quite some time, I infused my mana once more¡ªfinally shaping Boundless back into the form of a dagger. "Forget about surpassing my brother¡ªI need to learn how to wield it properly first." Feeling the complete emptiness of my drained mana, I let out a hollow laugh. Just then, I heard the sound of a door opening near the entrance. "Young Master, it¡¯s time." I hurriedly tucked Boundless into my clothes. Then, I pulled out an object I had hidden in my inner pocket. "Young Master? Where are you?" "I''m here." As I spoke, I placed the object back onto the stand as naturally as if I had just been inspecting it. It was a dagger identical to Boundless in appearance¡ªexcept for the fact that it showed no signs of rust. In the underground floor of the secret warehouse, many items had remained sealed and abandoned, their true nature never revealed. Over time, they became nothing more than ordinary relics. I had relied on my past-life memories to request this fake from my nanny. While there were some minor differences in appearance, this would suffice. "It¡¯s time to leave, Young Master. Your session is over." "Understood." I adjusted my collar and walked out at a steady pace. There was no need to worry¡ªI wouldn¡¯t be searched when leaving. Even if they did decide to inspect me, there would be no issue. Boundless had already changed form. Unless I infused it with my mana, no one would notice anything unusual. I might get scolded a little, but I could just claim it was mine to begin with. Despite being just a small dagger, its weight in my arms felt substantial. A satisfying weight. --- The Zone 1 Martial training halll was always deserted. Even the patrol officers and facility staff who managed the grounds avoided entering. Direct descendants of the family trained in these zones, and no one was permitted to interfere. Thanks to that, I could focus entirely on my training. It had been a week since I obtained Boundless. During that time, I had devoted myself to practicing a single stance¡ªover and over again. "Hoo¡­!" I steadied my breathing and opened my eyes. In my mind, I pictured a man. Slowly, I stepped forward. Then, in one swift motion, I slashed downward from above. The moment my mana-infused slash struck, the training dummy''s torso was deeply carved by the blade. But that was as far as it went. The sword stopped just short¡ªabout a hand¡¯s length away from a full cut. "Another failure." Frustrated, I ran a hand through my sweat-drenched hair and collapsed onto the ground. "Haa¡­" As I lifted a hand to shield my eyes from the sun, my gaze fell on the black ring wrapped around my finger. Boundless¡ªtransformed into a more portable shape. I spun the ring absentmindedly with my thumb, recalling the moment I first acquired Boundless. The technique I was training now was a sword strike I had seen from within Boundless¡¯s memories. Or¡­ could I even call it a "memory"? I had that horrific scene with my entire being. It was vivid¡ªpainfully so. And yet, it felt impossibly distant, like an illusion beyond reality. That had never happened again. No matter how many times I tried to read Boundless¡¯s memories, I never experienced anything like that first time. Now, all I got were disjointed, fleeting fragments¡ªfleeting glimpses of unknown battles and unfamiliar warriors. Yet from those fragmented images, I had extracted a single sword technique. "A sword technique? More like just one move." A dry chuckle escaped me. I had thought I was getting better at using this ability, but clearly, I wasn¡¯t. One stance. That was all I had managed to extract when I peered into the memories. The technique¡¯s name was the . As if to say I wasn¡¯t yet ready, the black energy had only shown me that single motion, along with its name. At first, I had only wanted to tap into Boundless¡¯s ability, but this¡ªthis was an unexpected reward. My heart pounded with excitement. Before my regression, I had been nothing¡ªa failure who wasn¡¯t even taught the family''s basic sword forms. Even if it was just one move, this was the first time I had laid hands on a true high-level martial art. "Let¡¯s try again." I steadied my breath and gripped the training sword once more. A heavy gust cut through the air¡ªfar too powerful for a mere nine-year-old child. Mana Arts, First Stage: Steel Body. I had already unlocked the first gate of mana refinement¡ªabsorbing mana and reinforcing my body. With careful control, I infused my mana and attempted the strike once more. It felt completely different from the strike in my memory. The man¡¯s movements had an effortless grace, a seamless fluidity. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t replicate it. I must have been doing something wrong¡ªmy joints ached as if I had been lifting weights with improper form. Once again, I focused, recalling Boundless¡¯s memories. A fleeting memory fragment, barely ten seconds long. A man stepping forward, his blade descending in a powerful slash. I focused on the flow of mana and the movement that followed. Once. Twice. Three times... Until there wasn¡¯t a single ounce of energy left in my body. "Focus. You can do this." It wasn¡¯t my body, but in the man''s memory, I could feel¡ªmore clearly than anyone¡ªhow he moved, how he wielded his strength. A sudden thought crossed my mind. Slowly, I looked down at myself. For a nine-year-old, my physique was solid, but still, I was just a child. Even after nine years in this body, I still felt awkward in it sometimes. Especially when my short limbs failed me. The man¡¯s movements had been effortless. As if every fiber of his being was under perfect control¡ªnothing excessive, nothing lacking. I gripped the training sword again and adjusted my stance. This time, I focused on my body''s coordination. I accepted my own form as it was. No need to force the motion. I moved the sword naturally, at my own pace. And in that instant¡ª A sharp, piercing sound rang through the air. A clean sonic tear, unlike anything before. I had changed. My stance had improved. I clenched my fist. "I think... I¡¯m getting the hang of it." Before, I had been completely lost. Now, I could finally see the path forward. But another problem remained. "Mana." I let out a bitter chuckle. Was it because my understanding of martial arts was too shallow? Or was there another reason? No matter how hard I tried to mimic the man''s mana control, something crucial was missing. It felt impossible to replicate. I spun the training sword in my grip and adjusted my stance once more. Effort was second nature to me. If effort itself was a talent, then in that one aspect, I would never lose to anyone. Then¡ª "Little one." Instinctively, I stepped back, dropping into a defensive posture. A woman stood before me. Forties? No, at a glance, she could pass for early thirties. Her hair was a wild mess, covering most of her face, as if she hadn''t bothered brushing it. She wasn¡¯t wearing shoes¡ªbarefoot and unkempt. Her entire appearance was... off. My brow furrowed. I was about to ask when I noticed the faint brown eyes peeking out from beneath her dark bangs. ¡°¡­Are you?¡± Jet-black hair and lightly pigmented brown eyes¡ªdistinctive traits of the direct lineage of the Martial Lee Clan. This woman was a direct descendant of Martial Lee Bloodline. ¡°Me? You don¡¯t know me?¡± ¡°No. This is our first time meeting.¡± She suddenly pouted, then nodded in understanding. ¡°Hmm, I guess that makes sense. I¡¯ve never seen you before either.¡± ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really show my face much. But now that you¡¯ve seen me, you know me, right?¡± What was she even trying to say? She tilted her head, her expression vacant and absentminded. ¡°So, what¡¯s your name? This place is only for my family, as far as I know.¡± ¡°¡­Young.¡± ¡°Lee Young? That¡¯s a weird name.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my childhood name. I haven¡¯t had my official naming ceremony yet.¡± ¡°Oh, so you family! Which older brother¡¯s son are you?¡± Did my father have a younger sister around her age? My father¡¯s siblings were as numerous as mine, but as far as I knew, only three uncles and one aunt were still alive. And that aunt was far older than this woman. A distant memory flickered in my mind. A daughter born to the previous family head late in life, hidden away from the rest of the clan. I vaguely recalled my uncle mentioning her once. That was before he left the family. Back then, when I had asked about our relatives, he had only spoken briefly about the youngest aunt. "That child¡ªyour aunt¡ªwas different from the others. Your grandfather couldn¡¯t accept that. He barely acknowledged me, his illegitimate son, so imagine how he must have felt about her." ¡°¡­Hehe.¡± She spun in circles, grinning as she curiously examined me from different angles. I wasn¡¯t sure what kind of expression I should be making. ¡°My father¡¯s name uses the characters for ¡®Tae¡¯ and ¡®Shin.¡¯¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°So, you¡¯re the eldest brother¡¯s son. And you speak so formally for someone so young! But I thought he had a daughter? Did your gender change?¡± That was an absurd thing to say, but she didn¡¯t seem to be joking. She genuinely didn¡¯t know. Calmly, I clarified, ¡°I came from outside. I¡¯m the ninth child.¡± ¡°Oh, just like little brother!¡± ¡ªmeaning I was an illegitimate child. Even at those words, she didn¡¯t show any reaction. It had been a long time since I¡¯d met someone, aside from my uncle, who didn¡¯t treat me differently because of my birth. That, in itself, was a strange feeling. --- ¡°Little one, my name is¡­ Ah, what was it again? Oh! Right! It¡¯s Lee Gyeongha! Nice to meet you!¡± She beamed and stretched out her hand. I stared blankly at it, and she suddenly pouted. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to shake hands when you greet someone!¡± ¡°¡­Oh, yes. Of course.¡± The moment our hands met, Lee Gyeongha vigorously shook mine with an almost ferocious energy. My shoulder screamed in protest. As soon as she let go, I clutched my aching shoulder, barely suppressing a groan. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Hmm, you must be weak.¡± I barely stopped myself from grinding my teeth. ¡°Oh, by the way, kid.¡± After grinning at me for a while, she suddenly stepped closer as if she had just remembered something. ¡°Yes, Aunt?¡± ¡°Where did you learn that?¡± Her transparent brown eyes locked onto mine. I saw my reflection in her gaze. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°That ancient martial arts. Your dear auntie here old martial arts.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± ¡°You see, back in the day, magic techniques weren¡¯t developed, there were no awakenings, no special abilities, no science¡­ But back then, ancient monsters still roamed the land. And in those times¡­¡± She had asked me so suddenly, but now she was rambling on about something completely different. I had no choice but to play along. ¡°¡­So that means it¡¯s quite an impressive sword technique, huh?¡± ¡°Yes! That¡¯s why it¡¯s so fascinating. Auntie loves it! By the way, your name was¡­ what was it again? Oh, right! Lee Yeol!¡± ¡°¡­It¡¯s Lee Young, Aunt.¡± ¡°Same thing.¡± She grinned mischievously. Then, all of a sudden, she tilted her head. ¡°Hmm¡­ But why did I come here again? Do you know?¡± ¡°¡­How would I know that?¡± Talking to her was exhausting. ¡°Oh! Right! I saw you swinging a sword while I was passing by. But why did I come home again? Hmm¡­¡± She furrowed her brows as if genuinely struggling to recall. Then¡ª She abruptly turned her head, staring blankly into the air. ¡°Oh, my brother¡¯s calling me. That¡¯s right, I came to see him! I have to go now. It was nice meeting you, nephew. And here¡ªthis is a gift. Keep it safe! I¡¯ll come back for it!¡± Before I could react, she shoved a thick, well-worn notebook into my arms. It was old, with Post-it notes and scraps of paper sticking out from between the pages. I glanced down at it briefly. And in the moment I looked back up¡ª I whipped my head around, searching for her. But she had vanished without a trace. Like a ghost. I could only shake my head in disbelief. Without much thought, I flipped open the notebook. And the moment my eyes landed on its contents¡ª I clenched it tightly. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 7 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 7 Unlike the other buildings within the main estate of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan, the main house was eerily tranquil. It was as if time had stopped¡ªonly the faint chime of a wind bell hanging from the eaves broke the silence. A young man was walking down the corridor of this quiet residence. With neatly slicked-back hair and sharp, clear eyes, he gave off a composed and approachable impression. His name was Lee Myeongjung. He was the eldest son of Lee Taeshin and the most promising candidate to become the next head of the Clan. ''A summons from Father, huh?'' As Myeongjung walked through the main house, his hand brushed over the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist. ''Could it be because of that?'' It was no secret that the government had recently requested Esteemeed Martial Lee Clans¡¯s cooperation in developing Unexplored lands and stabilizing high-risk zones. Northern expeditions were practically a ritual, repeated every time a new government took power. There was no better way to boost approval ratings and secure votes than through policies concerning Unexplored lands. But this time, something was different. ''When they first sent the request, I assumed they were organizing another expedition.'' Even if they weren¡¯t launching an actual expedition, there should have been at least some performative publicity efforts. Yet, there was nothing¡ªonly an unsettling silence. ''There¡¯s definitely something going on.'' All across the world, vast Unexplored lands still remained, and even in stabilized danger zones, scattered monster attacks persisted. In particular, the Asian continent was home to the world''s largest Unexplored lands territory, stretching from northeastern China and Mongolia to southeastern Russia. Ting¡ª The distant chime of the wind bell pulled Myeongjung back to reality. He suddenly realized he had arrived in front of the head of the Clan''s office. ''No point in speculating on my own. The answer lies in what Father has to say.'' Shaking off his unsettled thoughts, he adjusted his attire and smoothed his hair. ¡°Father, it¡¯s Myeongjung.¡± ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°Yes.¡± The moment he stepped inside, Myeongjung flinched in surprise. He had only sensed his father¡¯s presence in the room, yet there was someone else there¡ªa woman. ''How¡­?'' Even now, standing face to face with her, he couldn¡¯t sense her presence at all. It was as if he were looking at a ghost or a hologram. The woman tilted her head slightly before breaking into a broad, playful smile. That was when Myeongjung realized his mistake. Lowering his head hastily, he spoke. ¡°Greetings. I am the eldest son, Lee Myeongjung.¡± ¡°Hello, little one! Don¡¯t you remember me? I saw you when you were this big!¡± She gestured around her waist and grinned mischievously. ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± Lifting his gaze, Myeongjung studied the woman closely. Pale, almost ghostly white skin, unkempt hair, and a constant, amused smile. His eyes widened in shock. ¡°¡­No way. Aunt Gyeongha?¡± ¡°Bingo! Hello! You¡¯ve grown up well¡ªhow admirable, how wonderful!¡± Rising onto her toes, Lee Gyeongha reached out and ruffled his hair. Myeongjung wasn¡¯t sure how to react, so he settled for an awkward smile. He didn¡¯t remember much from back then, but he vaguely recalled that she had been kind to him. ¡°Sit.¡± His father, Lee Taeshin, finally spoke in a low voice. With a brief nod, Myeongjung took a seat. ¡°There has been an anomaly in the North.¡± Taeshin wasted no time getting to the point. ¡°Seismic waves and magical energy fluctuations have been detected at the King¡¯s Nest.¡± At those words, Myeongjung felt his breath catch in his throat. In the Unexplored lands, there was only one being worthy of being called a King. A monster so powerful that even humanity¡¯s strengthened forces struggled to handle it. A beast of extinction scale, one that had wiped out countless civilizations. As soon as he heard his father¡¯s words, the strange events of late suddenly made perfect sense. ¡°¡­Are you saying it¡¯s waking up?¡± ¡°It may awaken, or it may not. That¡¯s why we¡¯re going¡ªto find out.¡± ¡°This is too sudden.¡± ¡°There have been signs for the past nine years. As if something has been triggering it.¡± Lee Taeshin lifted the teacup in front of him, his expression indifferent. ¡°This will be different from my previous excursions. I¡¯ll be away from the Clan for a long time.¡± Taeshin had always left the Clan estate periodically¡ªsometimes for several months, sometimes just a few weeks. And yet, this time, Myeongjung finally understood another lingering question. ¡°So that¡¯s why the government has been so quiet about the expedition.¡± ¡°Yes. They approached us in secret. This time, the mission is to explore the King¡¯s Nest.¡± ¡°What did they offer in return?¡± ¡°A 20% stake in a Netanium mine.¡± Netanium was a rare earth mineral formed from the fossilized remains of ancient monsters, mixed with coal and other fossil fuels. It was an invaluable resource with limitless applications¡ªan extremely rare and costly mineral. A 20% stake in such a mine was beyond estimation in value. If that was the price they were willing to pay, then the danger involved had to be just as severe. ¡°You should at least take the Shadow Sword Unit with you. There¡¯s no telling what might happen.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be bringing a few hidden subordinates. No need to worry.¡± Myeongjung pressed his lips together in silence. Even assembling a massive expeditionary force might not be enough to explore the Unexplored lands¡ªlet alone a place where the King might have awakened. And yet, his father spoke as if it were nothing. ¡°I will protect the Clan in your absence, Father.¡± ¡°Good. I trust you. If any government agent requests to come in, consult the Head Elder. For internal matters, refer to the Chief Administrator. And¡ªGyeongha.¡± ¡°Hm? What?¡± ¡°I want you to come with me.¡± Lee Gyeongha blinked in surprise. ¡°You might be needed. There¡¯s no one else alive today who understands long-lost combat techniques as well as you do. If we go there, you may even find something you¡¯ve been searching for.¡± At that, Myeongjung finally understood why Gyeongha had been summoned. She had always been considered somewhat unstable¡ªmentally eccentric. The only thing she was ever truly interested in was history from an era so ancient that no records of it remained, along with archaic martial arts techniques. But aside from her romanticized fascination, those old techniques were just obsolete relics of the past. Modern combat methods, refined and perfected over countless generations, were naturally superior. For a brief moment, Myeongjung considered the possibility that her knowledge might hold unexpected value. At the same time, it also made him wonder¡ªwas this situation so dire that even Aunt Gyeongha¡¯s niche expertise was necessary? ¡°I¡¯ll give you time to prepare,¡± Taeshin continued. ¡°There are also a few things I need to ask you beforehand, so clear your schedule.¡± ¡°Hm¡­¡± Gyeongha hesitated for a moment before speaking carefully. ¡°Do I really have to go?¡± Taeshin gave her a questioning look. ¡°Don¡¯t you love exploring ancient ruins? You¡¯ll find plenty of undiscovered traces there.¡± ¡°Mmm, yeah¡­ But I still don¡¯t want to go. Brother, I¡¯d rather stay.¡± sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Do you have a reason?¡± ¡°I found something interesting. A cute little one.¡± Gyeongha let out a quiet giggle, grinning like a child eager to play with a new toy. ¡°I even gave him a gift¡­ But I can¡¯t remember his name. Yeol? You¡ªOh! Yeoli! Brother, it¡¯s your son!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a son named Yeoli.¡± As Taeshin frowned in confusion, Myeongjung suddenly widened his eyes. ¡°¡­Are you talking about Young, our youngest?¡± ¡°Young? Oh! That¡¯s it! That was his name! He¡¯s tiny, really cute¡ªbut his eyes are a little scary. Like Taehong, he came from outside.¡± ¡°What about him?¡± ¡°He¡¯s special. There¡¯s something different about him.¡± Taeshin studied Gyeongha closely. ¡°¡­Did you see something?¡± ¡°Mmm¡­ I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s why I want to stay with him. It seems more fun.¡± Taeshin remained silent for a moment before finally nodding. ¡°¡­Alright. Do as you wish.¡± Lee Taeshin readily respected Lee Gyeongha¡¯s decision. Lee Myeongjung fell into deep thought. ''Young hasn¡¯t even had his naming ceremony yet.'' It might sound like an excuse, but Myeongjung had never made the time to visit his youngest sibling. He was training in two different disciplines, each difficult to master on its own, and he was constantly flooded with requests and assignments. In his memory, his youngest brother remained the small child he had seen long ago during the Steel Selection ritual. ¡°Aunt, are you planning to stay at the Clan estate for a while?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s my plan.¡± ¡°Then I will arrange a quiet residence for you. Also¡­ do you wish to meet the youngest now?¡± Gyeongha nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ¡°Then, would you like to go together?¡± ''Of course!'' Gyeongha beamed brightly. --- Immediately after meeting my aunt, Gyeongha, I returned to my room. ¡°Young Master? What about your training?¡± ¡°I just came back for a moment. Nanny, could I be alone for a bit?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, of course. I was about to leave to prepare lunch anyway.¡± After sending my nanny away, I sat down at my desk. Since beginning my training, I had never once left midway¡ªif anything, I always pushed myself further. No wonder my nanny had looked puzzled as she left the room. I hadn¡¯t intended to stop my training either, but I had no choice. The notebook my aunt had casually tossed to me as a "gift" contained something far from ordinary. ''The handwriting is a mess, but¡­ isn¡¯t this magic arts?'' Since it wasn¡¯t written for others to read, it was completely unorganized, filled with old Chinese characters and unfamiliar symbols. After painstakingly deciphering it, I realized the notes were about magic arts. ''Not just magic arts¡­ there are martial arts techniques here too.'' Their level was so advanced that I struggled to fully grasp them. I began to wonder if what I had heard about Gyeongha wasn¡¯t entirely accurate. ''These are¡­ ancient magic arts that rely on mana circuits, aren¡¯t they?'' I took out an old dictionary from my bookshelf and continued reading the notebook. In the past, magic arts had no concept of a for storing energy, so practitioners relied solely on the flowing through their bodies. After countless attempts over the centuries¡ªtrying to store mana in places like the , the brain, and other areas¡ªit was ultimately determined that the heart was the most stable and effective place to accumulate mana. > ''But I wonder¡­ how did humanity survive before magic arts even developed?'' A small note Gyeongha had scribbled in the margins of the notebook. This was one of the greatest mysteries debated among modern historians. Before awakenings, supernatural abilities, and even basic knowledge of mana manipulation had advanced, how had ancient humans managed to survive? Records from the medieval era onward were abundant, but documentation from even earlier periods was nearly nonexistent. Some remnants remained in ancient ruins and artifacts, but many aspects remained shrouded in mystery. ''¡­What is this? Amplification techniques? Transformation techniques?'' As I read further into the notebook, my eyes lit up. These were techniques used by the people of the distant past to harness mana. > ''Just because ancient magic arts didn¡¯t develop further, should we dismiss them as outdated? Maybe they weren¡¯t simply abandoned¡ªjust lost to time.'' [TL/N: It¡¯s written in the book.] They had likely fought monsters more fiercely than we do now, despite modern society being more stable. The techniques of Amplification Arts and Transformation Arts were proof of that. Those concepts didn¡¯t even exist in today¡¯s world. Were we too focused on mana circuits as just a path for mana to flow? ''This is difficult¡­'' Even in modern times, where magic arts were practiced through mana cores, no one took mana circuits lightly. After all, just because water flowed from a reservoir didn¡¯t mean the water channels were unimportant. ''Even so¡­ does Aunt think the way we use mana circuits now is cruder compared to the past?'' At the end of the memo, one sentence stood out: > ''Perhaps the people of that era were actually more skilled at handling mana itself.'' What a shame. If only more records remained from back then, I might have been able to recreate some of their techniques. Then, a face suddenly flashed through my memory. ''Boundless¡¯ magic arts!'' I immediately focused on my mana circuits. Mana surged from my mana core, spreading through my entire body. Instead of letting the mana return to the core, I kept it circulating purely through the mana circuits. This much followed exactly what was written in the notebook. Then, using the memory I saw in Boundless¡ªone I had struggled to comprehend before¡ªsuddenly clicked into place. I grasped the strange mana manipulation method used by the man from Boundless¡¯ memory. ''This¡­ this works!'' A missing puzzle piece had just fallen into place. Before I knew it, a sword was in my hand. Slowly, I stepped forward and swung it. At that moment¡ª ¡°Little Baby!¡± The door suddenly burst open, and my aunt appeared directly in my sword¡¯s path. ¡°No!¡± But the blade was already in motion. It was my first time using this magic art, and I couldn¡¯t stop it now. CLANG! Something interposed itself between me and my aunt. It was a human hand. My sword had struck flesh, yet the sound that rang out was like metal shattering. ¡°Well, this is quite the lively welcome for my first visit to my little brother¡¯s room.¡± A young man smiled at me as he spoke. The moment I saw him, my eyes widened in shock. ¡°Brother?¡± The one who had blocked my sword was the person who had once taken me out of the Clan estate and helped me when no one else would. My eldest brother¡ª**Lee Myeongjung.** [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 8 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 8 Esteemed Martial Lee Clan¡¯s eldest son¡ªLee Myeongjung. My eldest brother was strong. The title given to him was Twin Stars. He was an unprecedented powerhouse, Quasi-2nd Rank in magic and Official 2nd Rank in Martial Arts. He had single-handedly slain dozens of Disaster-Class and Nightmare-Class monsters. Because of his overwhelming combat prowess, some even speculated that he might be on par with Father, a 1st Ranked Martial artist. People revered him. They admired him. At the same time, many feared his overwhelming power. But to me, he was different. If Lee Taehong was like a father to me, and my nanny like a mother, then my eldest brother was the only one I could truly call family. "Well, well¡­ What a grand welcome for my first visit to my little brother¡¯s room." A young man blocked my sword strike with ease, brushing the dust off his arm with a gentle smile. "Myeongjung hyung¡­?" My aunt gasped in shock and hurriedly grabbed Lee Myeongjung¡¯s arm, her face filled with concern. "Are you alright? Myeongjung, are you hurt?" "I¡¯m fine, Aunt. I sensed an unusual energy fluctuation beyond the door, so I was already on guard." "I see¡­ Still, I could¡¯ve blocked it! You mustn¡¯t get hurt!" "Of course. Thank you for your concern." I stood there in a daze, staring at my eldest brother. His neatly combed-back hair. His clear, light brown eyes, reflecting his kind nature. Yes. Without a doubt. This was my eldest brother¡ªLee Myeongjung. "Hmm? What¡¯s wrong? Did you get injured?" "Ah¡­ No, not at all." I couldn¡¯t afford to remain lost in emotion. In this life, nothing had even begun yet between me and my eldest brother. These feelings¡ªthis nostalgia¡ªbelonged to me alone. "Greetings. As the youngest, I formally greet my eldest brother." I quickly sheathed my sword and bowed my head. For a moment, Lee Myeongjung widened his eyes in surprise before letting out a soft chuckle. "Haha! How admirable. At your age, I wasn¡¯t nearly as well-mannered. Did you already know about me?" "Of course. Even if I¡¯m only a half-brother, how could I not recognize my eldest brother¡¯s face?" I spoke as respectfully as I could. But at my words, my eldest brother¡¯s expression twisted slightly. "¡­Half-brother? Never say that again. No matter where we were born or who our mothers are, you and I are brothers." "Ah¡­ I apologize." "No need to apologize. Just understand." Lee Myeongjung let out a short sigh as he looked at me. He hasn¡¯t even had his naming ceremony yet, and he already calls himself a half-brother¡­ It left a bitter taste in his mouth. The way I seemed far too mature for my age. The fact that I even knew and used the word half-brother at this stage. "Next time, no need to be so formal. I¡¯m just your brother¡ªno need for all that etiquette." "Huh? Ah¡­ Yes, I understand." I carefully observed my eldest brother¡¯s expression. The way he furrowed his brows¡ªI could tell exactly what he was thinking. ¡­Big Brother was always like this, even in the past. It felt nostalgic. After leaving the family, I had never seen him again. But now, here he was, standing before me in his youth. A stark reminder that I had truly returned to the past. "I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t been around as an older brother. It¡¯s no excuse, but I¡¯ve been a little busy. I¡¯ll be staying at the main house more often now, so let¡¯s have meals together whenever we can." Lee Myeongjung patted my shoulder lightly as he spoke. "Yes, I¡¯d love that. Just call me anytime, and I¡¯ll come right away." I nodded with a bright smile. But my eldest brother looked at me curiously, as if something about me was unexpected. "You¡­ You¡¯re a little different, aren¡¯t you?" "Huh? What do you mean?" "I don¡¯t know¡­ I just can¡¯t quite put it into words." Lee Myeongjung couldn¡¯t find the right words and closed his mouth. No matter how much he tried to reach out, most of my siblings either kept their guard up or pushed him away¡­ This was Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. Here, instead of grabbing coins or silk threads at their first-birthday ceremony, children grasped their destined weapons. While others read fairy tales and dreamed, they studied the art of battle and accumulated knowledge for survival. In Esteemed Martial Lee Clan, sibling affection was rare. To grow stronger. To reach greater heights. They competed endlessly. And when that competition escalated, they trampled on each other, slandered each other¡­ and sometimes even killed each other. That was the reality of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. ¡°No matter how close we are by blood, this is the first time we¡¯ve ever had a real conversation. Doesn¡¯t that bother you?¡± Only then did I realize why my eldest brother seemed so perplexed. ¡°To be honest, it is a bit surprising. But since you¡¯ve acknowledged me as your younger brother, I am simply treating you as my elder brother.¡± ¡°Haha¡­ You called me ¡®hyung.¡¯ I see¡­ Every sibling I¡¯ve met so far only ever saw me as a rival.¡± I stared at Lee Myeongjung, who smiled brightly. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You misunderstand.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t see you as a rival.¡± Lee Myeongjung¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I was born into this family with the surname Lee. That alone makes you my competitor, whether we like it or not.¡± ¡°I¡­ see.¡± Lee Myeongjung was genuinely taken aback. His youngest sibling still had the soft, round face of a child¡ªbaby fat barely shed¡ªyet every word was spoken with sharp clarity. He was far too composed for his age. ¡°But don¡¯t see me as just a cute little kid. One day, I may become your greatest rival.¡± Lee Myeongjung¡¯s view of his youngest brother shifted. He had heard about the unprecedented incident that happened during the Steel Selection Ceremony. And now, to see such a fierce and determined gaze from someone so young¡­ He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but he knew¡ªhis family was obsessed with blood purity. The boy must have faced overwhelming discrimination. A normal child might have broken under that weight, turning bitter and twisted. But this boy¡­ he possessed unyielding strength and an unshakable will. This kind of person would never be easily broken. Calling himself a half-blood earlier¡­ Now, Lee Myeongjung understood. It wasn¡¯t self-deprecation. It wasn¡¯t submission. It was simply a fact¡ªone that didn¡¯t define him or hold him back in any way. That strike from earlier¡­ Lee Myeongjung recalled the weight of his youngest brother¡¯s strike. A child with no formal master¡­ A boy who taught himself martial arts¡­ Yet, he can already wield a sword like that? ¡°Just what kind of monster is he¡­?¡± His gaze darkened with deep contemplation. And then, the boy spoke again. ¡°But at the same time, you are also my brother. I hope we can be worthy rivals.¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± How many times had he been surprised today? At this point, all he could do was laugh. ¡°Aaaahhh! Enough, enough!¡± Suddenly, their aunt shoved Lee Myeongjung aside and stuck her pale face between them. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s dragging on! Stop talking already! I want to talk with Yeol too! Yeol-ah, what was that just now? You saw my present, didn¡¯t you?!¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°Aaaah! I found it! But¡­ maybe I didn¡¯t? Yeol-ah, tell me what it was!¡± Like a child, she began throwing a fit. I let out a long sigh. ¡°¡­Aunt. My childhood name is ¡®Young.¡¯¡± --- After that, my eldest brother lingered for just a moment longer before leaving due to a summons from the administration. ¡°Consider this a gift to commemorate our first meeting. I obtained it around the time I entered the Eiffel Tower Academy of Magic in France. It seems more suited to you than to me.¡± He handed me a small glass vial. ¡°I look forward to it, little brother¡ªthe day you become my greatest rival.¡± At first glance, it was nothing more than an ordinary glass bottle. A tiny flask, small enough to fit perfectly in my child-sized hand. ¡°What the¡ª? It¡¯s just a glass bottle. There¡¯s nothing inside.¡± My aunt tilted her head in confusion, examining the bottle from different angles. But I knew exactly what it was. ¡°No. There is something inside.¡± ¡°¡­Huh?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ invisible.¡± It was a liquid clearer than water. The moment I swirled the vial, the seemingly empty bottle shimmered, revealing tiny fragments of light. I stared at the glowing particles, momentarily lost in thought. I can¡¯t believe he gave me something like this. The Divine Liquor¡ªNectar. Of course, it wasn¡¯t actually the mythical drink of the gods. It was simply named that. At this point in time, it shouldn¡¯t even be fully developed yet¡­ This must be a prototype. It was an incredibly rare elixir, produced in limited quantities¡ªonly 500ml every ten years¡ªby the Magic Tower in France. What my eldest brother had given me wasn¡¯t even 50ml, just 10ml, but that alone was an astonishing gift. He didn¡¯t give me any warnings or instructions¡­ Does that mean it has no side effects? Whether or not the true nectar of the gods existed, the future version of this potion would certainly live up to its name. Which meant that even this early prototype must be extremely potent. ¡°Thank you, big brother.¡± At this moment, there was no better gift for me than this. Before I could fully process my gratitude, my aunt¡ªunable to contain her excitement¡ªgrabbed my arm and shook me back and forth. ¡°Forget that! What was that thing earlier?! You saw my notebook, didn¡¯t you?! That was amplification magic, wasn¡¯t it?!¡± ¡°¡­That¡¯s¡­.¡± I hesitated for a moment. Even if she was acting favorably toward me now, I couldn¡¯t trust her completely just yet. If I answered her question, would I still be able to hide my abilities? Even if I could, would telling her be beneficial to me? And if I didn¡¯t tell her, could I still get what I needed? Then again¡­ knowing her personality, it¡¯s not like she¡¯d give up just because I refuse to answer. In that case, I might as well take control of the conversation and turn it into a bargain. I slowly nodded. ¡°Yes. It was amplification magic.¡± ¡°How did you do it?! How?!¡± My aunt practically bounced in excitement, her voice full of energy. ¡°It just¡­ happened.¡± ¡°Come on! Tell me how you did it!¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± At my response, my aunt¡¯s eyes went wide. ¡°Because you figured it out using my notebook!¡± ¡°You gave that notebook to me as a gift. Besides, the words inside were too complicated for me to fully understand.¡± ¡°Still, my notebook helped you! So tell me!¡± ¡°Would you ask for an entire building just because you lent someone a single screw?¡± My aunt stared at me in stunned silence before fidgeting anxiously. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ve spent my whole life chasing this! I¡¯ve been looking for more than ten years! Even when I was kicked out of the house! But I never found anything! It¡¯s maddening! So you have to tell me!¡± She was so worked up that her words came out jumbled and frantic. When I didn¡¯t respond, she began stomping the floor in frustration. There wasn¡¯t even any magic in her movements, yet the entire room seemed to vibrate slightly. I felt a little guilty watching her like this, but I couldn¡¯t afford to give in. ¡°Even so, I can¡¯t tell you.¡± ¡°Urgh!¡± Her sharp glare shot up at me¡ªbut then, just as quickly, it softened. Her shoulders slumped as if she had lost all her strength. ¡°¡­You¡¯re just like my brother.¡± ¡°You mean my father?¡± ¡°No. My second brother.¡± ¡°¡­Huh? You mean Uncle Lee Baekcheol?¡± Lee Baekcheol was the head instructor of the family¡¯s martial training division and one of the greatest archers of his time, even earning the title Bow King. Even in my past life, I hadn¡¯t interacted with him much, but I knew him as the embodiment of a warrior¡¯s discipline. ¡°Baekcheol is actually the third brother.¡± ¡°¡­What?¡± It took me a moment to understand what she meant. In the history of the Martial Lee Clan, sibling relationships had always been drenched in blood. Brothers turning on brothers¡ªkilling each other for power¡ªwas not unheard of. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if some names had been erased from the family records. And even if someone¡¯s name remained, they might have been hidden from history¡ªjust like my aunt. ¡°You really are a child of the Martial Lee Clan.¡± Her face twisted into an expression I couldn¡¯t quite read¡ªwas it disappointment? Surprise? Acceptance? Then, after a long pause, she sighed and nodded. ¡°¡­Fine. What do you want? What will it take for you to tell me?¡± That was exactly what I had been waiting for. I met her gaze and, slowly, I opened my mouth. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 9 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 9 ¡°Please promise me three things.¡± I held up three fingers toward my aunt. ¡°First, don¡¯t talk about me to anyone unless I give you explicit permission. Not even to my eldest brother or father.¡± As I lowered my first finger, my aunt tilted her head in confusion. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m a bastard. I have no desire to stand out, nor do I want to be noticed. And honestly, being associated with me wouldn¡¯t do you any favors either.¡± ¡°...Why?¡± Once again, my aunt looked like she didn¡¯t understand. Family status, social perception, the way people viewed bastards¡ªthere were many reasons. But none of them were things a nine-year-old should be saying, and I doubted my aunt would fully grasp them. So, I gave a simpler explanation, like soothing a child. ¡°I just don¡¯t like people talking about me behind my back. You wouldn¡¯t like it either, right?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, I get that. I wouldn¡¯t like it either.¡± My aunt¡¯s expression suddenly darkened, as if she had remembered something unpleasant. I folded another finger and continued. ¡°Second, you must never lie to me.¡± ¡°Lying? Why?¡± ¡°Because we need to be able to trust each other. I¡¯ll always tell you the truth as much as I can, so please don¡¯t hide things from me either.¡± My aunt hesitated, like a child struggling with a difficult question. Then, as if deciding it wasn¡¯t worth the effort, she shrugged. ¡°Fine. What¡¯s the last thing?¡± I calmly stated my final condition. My aunt furrowed her brows. ¡°¡­That¡¯s unfair. I don¡¯t know much about that, but I was told never to make promises like that so easily.¡± ¡°I promise I won¡¯t abuse it. And I¡¯ll never make unreasonable demands. Besides, I¡¯ll do my best to keep the first two promises as well.¡± My aunt pressed her lips together and fell into thought. But, true to her nature, she didn¡¯t dwell on it for long. ¡°Alright! That¡¯s settled then, right? Now tell me!¡± She threw her arms up in excitement. And just like that, my aunt and I formed an alliance. --- Nearly a year had passed since the quiet send-off of the family head. As the acting head of the household, Lee Myeongjung had taken on the Acting Patriarch¡¯s duties. The role was far more difficult than he had imagined¡ªnot because of the workload but because every decision carried immense weight. Each matter required careful deliberation, making even a single decision time-consuming. Even in the midst of his busy schedule, there was one thing that consistently caught Myeongjung¡¯s attention. Lee Young. The youngest sibling his father had brought in from the outside. And the aunt who had chosen to stay by that child¡¯s side¡ªLee Gyeongha. His eccentric aunt, whose way of thinking was bizarre enough to be called unconventional. The peculiar child who carried something different from others. For the past several months, those two had been up to something. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Is the food not to your liking?¡± He asked as he watched his younger sibling hesitate between bites. Since their first meeting, Myeongjung had made a habit of having meals with his youngest sibling and Lee Gyeongha whenever he had the time. ¡°No, it¡¯s delicious. I¡¯m enjoying it.¡± Narrowing his eyes, Myeongjung carefully observed his sibling. ¡®That¡¯s an unusual flow¡­¡¯ Despite saying otherwise, the child was moving with an odd level of precision, even when lifting a spoon. Because of magic. A barely perceptible flow of magic coursed through the child''s body¡ªso faint that even he himself might struggle to pinpoint it precisely. ¡®¡­This isn¡¯t just impressive. How is he even doing that?¡¯ At higher levels of mastery, such control wasn¡¯t impossible. But right now, his younger brother¡¯s magical capacity was still at the very first stage. In other words, with his current age and magic reserves, such fine-tuned control should have been impossible. ¡°This must be because of the training you¡¯ve been doing.¡± I hesitated without meaning to. ¡°You knew?¡± ¡°If you become proficient in magic arts, you¡¯ll be able to do it too. It¡¯s not like you were hiding it, right?¡± Seeing my elder brother smile, I felt a bit taken aback. ¡®Even if I wasn¡¯t actively concealing it, how can he so easily perceive what¡¯s happening inside someone else¡¯s body?¡¯ As expected of my eldest brother. He said that I, too, could achieve this level of control with enough skill in magic arts, but I couldn¡¯t even begin to fathom how advanced one needed to be for that. ¡°What exactly have you and Aunt been working on?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ closer to research than training.¡± ¡°Research, huh.¡± Since the conversation had already taken this turn, Lee Myeongjung took a more relaxed stance and observed his younger sibling more carefully. ¡®It¡¯s already unbelievable that he can manipulate magic at this level at his age. But even more intriguing is how different his technique is from any magic arts I¡¯ve ever seen.¡¯ It was strange enough that his mana flowed so smoothly at his age¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t just stable. It wasn¡¯t erratic either. Rather, it was meticulously controlled, shifting in a way that seemed deliberate and adaptive. ¡°This seems related to magic manipulation¡­ but what exactly is your goal?¡± ¡°Secret! It¡¯s a secret! Myeongjung, stop! I won¡¯t tell you! Don¡¯t look!¡± Aunt suddenly cut in, waving her hands wildly. Myeongjung turned to his younger sibling, looking slightly wounded. But even his supposedly trustworthy younger brother shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re shutting me out like this.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll find out naturally once it¡¯s complete.¡± ¡°¡­It must be something incredible if even I can¡¯t know about it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not something you need to concern yourself with, Brother.¡± A gentle yet firm rejection. Myeongjung let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re ruthless.¡± He didn¡¯t know what that strange magic flow signified, but he could tell how precise and refined the control was. ¡®He¡¯s no ordinary child.¡¯ This was the same kid who had once boldly declared himself his rival, despite being young enough to be his nephew. If he let his guard down and treated him as just a cute little brother, he¡¯d end up regretting it. ¡®¡­Every time I see him, he feels more extraordinary.¡¯ He was still just a child, yet already at this level. What would he become in five or ten years? ¡®Am I¡­ actually feeling tense? Because of this child?¡¯ The thought was so absurd that he let out a quiet chuckle. What a strange feeling. Though still far in the distance, it felt as if someone was chasing me right from behind. How long had it been since I last felt this way? "Don¡¯t be so on guard. You still have a long way to go before you reach where I am." At those words, I looked up at my eldest brother. There was a strange heat in his gaze. Setting my spoon down, I replied, "It won¡¯t take that long." ¡°¡­What? Hah!" ¡®So, he finally sees me as a competitor.¡¯ I like my eldest brother. I respect his character, his talent, and his abilities. I even admire him. But at the same time, I want to surpass him. Not just him, but everyone in this family¡ªeven our father, who stands so high above the rest. At that thought, I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. ¡®A competitor? A rival to Father? ¡­And yet, I haven¡¯t even mastered a single magic technique.¡¯ The reason my recent days have been so exhausting¡ª It wasn¡¯t just because I was learning my first proper magic art. It wasn¡¯t just because of the grueling training. It was because of this magic research. --- ¡°Yeol. Just how did you do it this time? I need an explanation." "I keep telling you, don¡¯t call me Yeol¡ª" "Fine! I¡¯ll call you baby!" "It¡¯s not baby, and it¡¯s not Yeoll either. It¡¯s Young¡­ Haa, call me whatever you want." Zone 1- Martial arts training field. As soon as Lee Gyeongha saw the magic technique her nephew had demonstrated, she pouted her lips and started sulking like a child. "Young, Yul, whatever! You¡¯re not a baby anymore! You little rascal!" "A rascal, really?" She grumbled, kicking at the stone fragments on the training ground. "I¡ªI worked for ten years to do this! And you just did it like it was nothing! And on top of that, you even applied it already?!" She had spent her entire life creating that magic technique. He hadn¡¯t even fully understood the notes she¡¯d written, yet he had managed to complete it¡ªthen went on to refine and adapt it in such a short time. She should have been happy. He had broken through the obstacle she had been stuck on. She was happy. And yet¡­ why was her stomach boiling with frustration? "It wasn¡¯t exactly instant. It¡¯s been months now. And besides, it¡¯s all thanks to you¡ª" "Shut up! I¡¯m an idiot. I¡¯m a fool. But you¡­ you¡¯re a genius¡­" With a sulky expression, Gyeongha stared at her nephew¡¯s clenched fist. A fist extended into empty air. To those unfamiliar with magic arts, it might have seemed like nothing. But to those who could perceive it, the flow of magic within that fist was incredible. "The way magic flows when wielding a sword and when throwing a punch are completely different. How did you¡­?" "I just tweaked it a bit to apply it to martial arts. It worked. I only reimagined the concept¡ªyou and I basically developed it together, didn¡¯t we?" "¡­You think so?" "You were the reason I could do it, Aunt." "I''m not stupid, right?" "Of course you are." "Hehe¡ª." Lee Gyeongha grinned but then suddenly froze. ¡®Huh? Then why do I feel bad?¡¯ Why did it feel like she was being teased? She couldn''t figure it out. "Anyway." Lee Gyeongha¡¯s eyes sparkled. She felt a pang of jealousy, but she couldn''t deny the progress that had been made. "So, you¡¯ve gotten pretty used to it if you can apply it like that?" "Yes. But it¡¯s still difficult." Nearly a year had passed since I made my deal with my aunt. During that time, I had begun researching magic arts alongside her. The foundation of that research was built upon her study materials and the memories of Boundless that I possessed. "It¡¯s bound to be difficult. You know that, right?" "Yes, I do. I''m not complaining. Just stating a fact." Ancient magic arts did not utilize Mana Cores, meaning they couldn''t efficiently alter or store mana¡¯s properties. According to my aunt, in ancient times, the nature of mana was considered a gift from the heavens, something determined by innate talent. Because of that belief, ancient magic arts developed in a different direction. Rather than manipulating the core, they focused on delicate control¡ªhandling each individual meridian through which mana flowed. Boundless''s magic techniques belonged to this category. They say that a brilliant scholar can derive hundreds of truths from a single fragment of knowledge. The moment my aunt saw how I controlled my mana, she was able to fill in the gaps in her own research and refine her magic techniques considerably. "I understand. I walked this path myself. The beginning is always the hardest. If we were just restoring something that already existed, it would be fine¡­ but that¡¯s not what we¡¯re doing, is it?" Lee Gyeongha''s eyes darkened. "A new magic art that combines Mana Core techniques (new age theories) with ancient magic arts. You can do it." There was a dream she had dedicated her entire life to achieving. Using the Mana Core for energy storage and property alteration. Using the Mana Circuit for fine control and practical application. A magic art that combined modern mana theory with the lost techniques of the past¡ªthat was her ultimate goal. "I hope you master it quickly. That way, I can teach you everything I¡¯ve discovered so far. And also¡­ all the techniques I¡¯ve completed and even the ones I developed on my own. I started too late in life to perfect them myself, but you can." This wasn¡¯t a finished product. It was still a work in progress. And because of that, no one could predict where it would lead or how far it could go. ¡®No¡­ He can do it. This child will make it happen.¡¯ Lee Gyeongha clenched her fist tightly. "Why does starting late have to be a problem? Does that mean you can¡¯t master it either, Aunt?" "Yeah. To be precise, I can¡¯t master it properly. The longer you¡¯ve relied on a Mana Core, the harder it becomes to train in both at the same time. It¡¯s like¡­ losing a sense, almost as if it¡¯s deteriorating." "I see¡­ Still, this method of controlling mana is pretty exhausting." "Think of it as reawakening a dormant sense. If you want to get used to controlling Mana Circuits, you have to keep practicing without breaks. Luckily, you¡¯re still in Stage 1, and you haven¡¯t trained with a core for too long, so you¡¯re adapting quickly." "But I can¡¯t even control it properly yet. I¡¯ve barely gotten a feel for it." "It took me five years just to reach that stage, but you understood it the moment you heard about it. And now you¡¯re even applying it¡­ You really are a genius. Don¡¯t rush yourself too much." She spoke about my talent, but all I could feel was a hunger to grow stronger. There was my eldest brother, whom I had witnessed today. And there was my third brother, who had managed to surpass him. And above them all¡ªsomeone beyond imagination¡ªmy father, Lee Taeshin. This family was filled with monsters. And I wanted to surpass them all. "Aunt." "Hm? What is it?" "You saw my father when he was young, right?" She nodded. "If I complete this¡­ If I never stop pushing forward¡­ Do you think I could surpass him?" Lee Gyeongha fell into deep thought. Lee Taeshin. Her eldest brother. Surpass him? She couldn''t even imagine it. "I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s different." "Different?" "I¡¯ve always felt that I was different from other people, but my eldest brother¡­ he¡¯s on another level. Honestly, I don¡¯t get why people compare him to the Tower Master, the Saint, or even the Leader of the Nine Dragons Guild. To me¡­ he¡¯s just on a completely different plane." "¡­¡­." The Tower Master. The Saint. The Nine Dragons Guild Leader. The names she mentioned all belonged to powerhouses who ruled the world. Right now, they are warriors so powerful that even looking up at them feels overwhelming. And yet, Aunt placed my father above them all. It wasn¡¯t for nothing that Lee Taeshin was spoken of as the strongest. "Hehe." Lee Gyeongha stifled a laugh. Her face was filled with an expression that made it clear¡ªshe could see right through me. "But there¡¯s one thing I do know," she continued. "You have something that your father doesn¡¯t." "¡­What?" Lee Gyeongha grinned and added, "You¡¯re different. Very different. But it¡¯s not the same kind of ¡®different¡¯ as him. You¡¯re walking a path that no one¡ªnot even your father¡ªhas ever imagined before. So, in a way¡­ you¡¯re another kind of different. Ah, what am I even saying?" I couldn¡¯t help but admire my aunt¡¯s utter lack of eloquence when talking about anything unrelated to ancient magic. Still, I understood what she meant. I smiled at her. ¡®Yeah¡­ since when did I waste time with such discouraging thoughts?¡¯ I had always fought desperately to push forward. Instead of dwelling on these useless worries, I should be focusing on refining my mana control. And then¡ª "Young Master!" A voice rang out from the entrance of the training ground. I turned to see my nanny, breathless and running toward me. "Nanny? What brings you all the way out here?" "Here, take this!" She urgently handed me something. A white envelope, sealed with the emblem of the Martial Lee Clan. "Huh? What¡¯s this? What¡¯s this?" Aunt widened her eyes, examining the envelope from all angles. "So it¡¯s finally here." Slowly, I tore it open. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 10 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 10 Crossed pine trees, a single sword, and a crimson circle encompassing them all. The pine trees symbolized integrity and vitality. The sword embodied the spirit of martial devotion. The crimson circle represented blood. This was the emblem of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan. A seal rarely stamped unless for an urgent matter¡ªa symbol of an order issued at the Clan level. "What is it? What does it say?" My aunt asked while looking at the envelope. "It''s for the Naming Ceremony. The date has finally been set." --- [Summoning Order] - Recipient: Ninth Young Master (Young) - Subject: Naming Ceremony to be conducted. All designated participants must assemble at the Central Training Grounds by 10:00 AM on September 10th. - Scheduled Date: September 10th, 10:00 AM - Notice: Strict punishment will follow if any items other than those listed in the attached regulations are brought. - Acting Clan Head: Lee Myeongjung --- Reading the contents of the envelope, adorned with luxurious golden trim, brought a smile to my face. This would be the second trial the direct lineage of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan had to undergo¡ªa special coming-of-age test exclusive to the Lee Clan: the Naming Ceremony. "The Naming Ceremony, huh..." I could have sworn it was originally scheduled for early winter. Why the change? "The Naming Ceremony?! The Naming Ceremony?!?!" My aunt suddenly let out a shriek. "Why are you reacting like that?" "Things are finally starting to come together! This timing is crucial! But if you go through with the Naming Ceremony, you¡¯ll be stuck there! No! Don¡¯t do it!" By principle, the Naming Ceremony was a test given to children who hadn''t yet undergone formal training under a master. Because of this, the direct lineage had to undergo six months of intensive group training leading up to it. "You know that¡¯s not an option, Aunt." "But...!" Her expression crumpled into one of distress. The nanny, accustomed to these emotional outbursts, awkwardly hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "Nanny, do you know the exact schedule for the training?" "There was an official announcement on the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan intranet. It¡¯s planned to proceed as usual for six months. The head instructor will be Warrior Lee Joongkwan, commander of the Blood Tiger Squad. The rest of the instructors will also be selected from the Blood Tiger unit." Lee Joongkwan. To me, he was a distant uncle from the fifth branch of the Clan and the commander of one of the four elite warrior units of the Clan¡ªthe Blood Tiger Squad. Despite coming from a relatively distant branch, his remarkable skills and achievements earned him the deep trust of the Clan. ¡®So nothing has changed.¡¯ Only the date had been altered. The instructors and training program remained the same. I turned my gaze to my aunt, who was sulking and stomping at the floor in frustration. "Aunt." "...What." "The training time might be shortened a bit, but I will still continue with both my mana training and the restoration of ancient magic. You don¡¯t need to worry." "Huh...? You don¡¯t understand¡ªthose lessons are incredibly demanding!" "Don''t worry. I will manage both just fine." The Naming Ceremony was undoubtedly a difficult and critical trial. But if I compromised now and shifted my focus elsewhere, I would just find myself making the same excuses again in the future. I was a bastard. If I wanted to achieve something, I couldn''t afford to settle for "good enough." I had to accomplish what others deemed impossible. "Really? You¡¯re really going to keep training?" My aunt¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement. Even though mana slowed down aging, it still wasn¡¯t easy for someone her age to look this eager. "Yes, I mean it." "Then... if that¡¯s the case, hurry up and complete your First Star training, fully restore the Amplification Technique, and then¡ª" She trailed off, mumbling to herself as she sank into her own little world again. At that moment, the nanny, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. "You must not, Young Master." "...Huh?" "I know that Elder Lee Gyeongha is assisting you. I also know that you work harder than any of your siblings. But the Naming Ceremony is dangerous. Just this once, you should focus solely on group training." Her voice was firm¡ªuncharacteristically so. The nanny had always been someone who respected my choices and supported my will. "Nanny, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t neglect group training." "I know. I understand your heart, Young Master. But still, this nanny is worried for you." She grasped my hands tightly. At that moment, my aunt, who had been muttering to herself, cautiously spoke up. "Ah, but... there''s still so much we need to do... Our little one..." "Elder, if you truly care for Young Master, you should be stopping him too." The nanny fixed my aunt with a stare so sharp it seemed like it could draw blood. "Ah, uh... okay. B-but I¡¯m not an elder..." My aunt mumbled in a small voice, then averted her eyes as if to escape the conversation. "Young Master, please... Just this once, listen to me." I squeezed the nanny¡¯s hands in return. The warmth in her grip carried her concern, her worry. I was grateful¡ªtruly. But that didn¡¯t mean I could grant her request. "No, Nanny. I have no intention of stopping my training with Aunt." "Young Master!" "Nanny, I am a bastard, an illegitimate child. I understand exactly what you¡¯re trying to say. In the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan, bastards are looked down upon, ignored. Even if we suffer unfair treatment, we have no right to speak up." "That¡¯s not true! Young Master, you are not¡ª" "Go anywhere in the main household, and you¡¯ll hardly find a servant or retainer who greets me. Even among the warriors, those who show me warmth get scolded for it. Nanny, I may be young, but I¡¯m not blind to reality." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The nanny flinched at my words. She hadn¡¯t expected me to say it so coldly. "That¡¯s exactly why I can¡¯t afford to focus on just one thing. Unlike my siblings, I won¡¯t have access to great masters, expensive elixirs, or the latest advanced martial arts manuals." "Young Master..." Tears welled up in her eyes. And yet, seeing that expression filled my chest with warmth. She was the one person in this Clan I could entrust my heart to. Which was why I had to speak firmly. "I have to be different from my siblings. I have to work twice as hard as them. I have to prepare twice as much." "My siblings... they are monsters. They are born with overwhelming talent and receive support worthy of that talent." For someone like me, with nothing, there was only one path forward. Effort. I have to work harder than I did in my past life. But the effort in this life was different. This time, I had a clear goal. A clear path. "And once again, I will say this¡ªI am confident. Not in power gained through tricks or borrowed strength, but in power I seize for myself. I will crush my siblings with my own strength." "And for that, I need the training I am doing with Aunt." The nanny felt the calloused roughness of my tightly clenched hands¡ªhands that could hardly belong to a mere child. Soft, delicate skin should have been there, but instead, each joint bore the hardened marks of relentless training. "Nanny, I am a child of the Martial Lee Clan. Don¡¯t try to raise me as if I¡¯m weak." "Ah..." The strength drained from her body, a quiet breath slipping from her slightly parted lips. She simply stared at me, the boy she had raised. And without meaning to, her eyes widened. ¡®When did he grow up so much?¡¯ Not long ago, she had carried me on her back. Now, standing before her, I seemed like someone entirely different¡ªso much taller, so much stronger. "Still, Nanny, thank you. You¡¯re probably the only one who truly worries about me like this." I pulled her into a firm hug. She wiped the corners of her eyes before embracing me back, gently yet tightly. At that moment, my aunt, who had been idly tapping the floor out of habit, muttered under her breath. "...I''m here too. I think about you a lot, you know." I turned to her with an amused smirk. "Aunt, your head is filled only with ancient studies and theories about mana techniques and magic arts." "T-That¡¯s not true! You little brat! No, you wicked little rascal!" She flared up instantly, shouting in protest. I ignored her outburst and met the nanny¡¯s gaze once more. "Young Master, I¡¯m sorry. I only said all that because I was worried. The Naming Ceremony isn¡¯t always dangerous, but I¡¯ve heard accidents do happen from time to time..." "Then how about this, Nanny?" I flashed a small, knowing smile and made a proposal. The moment she heard it, her mouth fell open. "That¡¯s impossible! No matter how skilled you are, Young Master, that would be too difficult!" "Don¡¯t worry. No matter what happens, I¡¯ll make it work." I grinned confidently. *** The Clan¡¯s training grounds, where the Naming Ceremony¡¯s group education was taking place. Right on time, Jang Wook, the senior instructor and squad leader of the Blood Tiger Unit¡¯s First Division, stepped into the field. ¡°We¡¯ll now begin today¡¯s training.¡± Two pairs of eyes immediately focused on him. The eighth-born direct descendant, Lee Hwa of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan. And the Illegitimate child, Lee Young¡ªthe illegitimate child. Compared to the slightly tense eighth-born, the Illegitimate child stood with an air of unwavering confidence. Jang Wook glanced at Young and felt himself tense. ¡°What¡¯s today¡¯s lesson about?¡± And, as expected, the Illegitimate child spoke first. ¡®Damn it. And that is supposed to be a bastard child?¡¯ Jang Wook¡¯s face twisted slightly. That casual tone, as if speaking to a subordinate. Of course, within the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan, the direct descendants were absolute superiors. Even in a student-teacher setting, that hierarchy had to be maintained. But for someone like the Illegitimate child, who had grown up being ignored by the Clan, to act this way¡ªit was unsettling. ¡®And yet¡­ I¡¯m the instructor. Just what is this kid?¡¯ Was it wisdom beyond his years? Charisma, perhaps? None of these words seemed quite right to describe a mere ten-year-old. But in those unwavering eyes and steady voice, there was something¡ªan unmistakable aura of someone born to rule. ¡°...Today, we¡¯ll be covering mana core application, defenses against sorcery and magic, basic combat techniques, and field survival training.¡± Young nodded slowly. Only then did Jang Wook allow himself a brief moment of relief. ¡°Then, let¡¯s begin.¡± For an Illegitimate child with no prior training or resources, today¡¯s lessons were bound to be disadvantageous. Everything was designed for students who had already mastered magic and martial arts at a high level. And yet¡ª For months now, training had continued. And every single time, the Illegitimate child Young had not only kept up but excelled. No, excelling wasn¡¯t the right word. Every session, Young performed just slightly above the expected level¡ªjust enough to be impressive, but never too much. The moment it seemed like he had reached his limit, he would reveal a fraction more of his true capability. ¡°Hhup!¡± The two children entered a large cylindrical machine, sparks of energy flickering around them. A basic resistance training exercise against low-level sorcery and magic. Lee Hwa, strengthened by countless elixirs, was simply enduring the onslaught with sheer physical durability. Meanwhile, the Illegitimate child was deflecting each surge of energy using mana manipulation¡ªthe proper technique. If an outsider saw this, they might accuse the Clan of child abuse. Throwing children straight into live resistance training without any prior lessons was brutal, to say the least. By all logic, the Illegitimate child¡ªwho had never received foundational training¡ªshould have collapsed from electrocution within seconds. But instead¡ª ¡®He¡¯s changed again.¡¯ The momentary caution in Lee Young¡¯s stance was fading. His energy was shifting. He wasn¡¯t just enduring anymore. He was adapting. Had he grown in that short time? The training should have been excessive for the illegitimate child, and yet¡ªhis expression was relaxed. Not only that, but now he even had the composure to glance sideways at Lee Hwa training beside him. Had he truly grown stronger in this short span? Or had he realized something? Jang Wook could no longer decipher the Illegitimate child. And then¡ª A subtle jolt. The Illegitimate child¡¯s eyes met his. Deep brown, calm yet sharp, staring at him with quiet scrutiny. That gaze¡ªit was as if the boy were criticizing him. As if to say: Is this all? A chill ran down Jang Wook¡¯s spine. ¡®It¡¯s like¡­ he¡¯s testing me.¡¯ And in that instant, all his lingering questions suddenly clicked into place. the Illegitimate child was testing. Testing Lee Hwa. Testing himself. Testing the instructors. He was measuring his own knowledge. Confirming what he knew, ensuring that he truly understood it. Like reviewing a lesson, he steadily raised the bar of his training, step by step. Observing Lee Hwa to gauge his own level. Pressuring the instructors to push him further. Even this training¡ªit was nothing more than a process for him to refine himself. ¡®Insane¡­ A mere ten-year-old?¡¯ It couldn¡¯t be possible. And yet, if that weren¡¯t the case¡­ then how could he explain that gaze? ¡®I¡¯ve seen countless direct descendants before, but¡­¡¯ Jang Wook stopped himself. There was no point in continuing today¡¯s training. ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. Well done, everyone.¡± Lee Hwa nodded, but her sharp glare toward the Illegitimate child was impossible to miss. But the Illegitimate child? He didn¡¯t even spare her a glance. As if she wasn¡¯t worth his attention. ¡°...Tsk.¡± ¡®A hand?¡¯ A pale, slender hand reached out, caught mid-air in my grip. "Hey, bastard child." The eighth-born, Hwa, stood before me, her refined brows furrowed in irritation as she glared. I blinked. And then, I laughed. ¡°Haha, you couldn¡¯t hold on any longer?¡± "What, was that a joke?" Her jaw tightened. "You¡­ what the hell are you?" A familiar line. I¡¯d heard it before. More than once. But there was something different in her voice¡ªsomething sharp. Urgent. Her fingers twitched in my grasp, as if itching to tighten into a fist. I sighed and let go. ¡°You should¡¯ve asked that before throwing your hand at me.¡± "Next time, ask before you start swinging." Lee Hwa scowled, rubbing her wrist. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. You¡¯re just a damn¡ª¡± She stopped herself. The words were right there on her tongue. ¡®Just a damn bastard.¡¯ But she didn¡¯t say them. Instead, she took a slow, deep breath. "I¡¯ll have to see your damn face at the next training, won¡¯t I?" I grinned. "Of course. I don¡¯t plan on missing it." Hwa scoffed and turned on her heel. Her steps were quick, but the tension in her shoulders told me enough. She didn¡¯t just dislike me. She resented me. And I¡­ I found that amusing. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 11 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 11 ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± I shoved the approaching fist aside, furrowing my brows. It was Lee Hwa, my eighth sibling. Even in my past life, she had never been particularly fond of me. As a child, she was wary of me for drawing a sword superior to hers during the Steel Selection Ritual. And after my constitution developed problems, she simply ignored me altogether. She had a mischievous streak, but as someone chosen by the Sacred Sword, her nature was fundamentally good. She used to pick small fights with me from a young age, but it had always been more like childish whining. Never before had she suddenly attacked me like this. ¡°Watch your mouth! I¡¯m a legitimate child, and you¡¯re just a bastard! And I¡¯m older than you by a whole year!¡± ¡°What do you mean, a whole year? It¡¯s barely a few months.¡± I clicked my tongue and ignored her outburst, continuing to walk away. Or at least, I tried to. ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t ignore me! I¡¯m not done talking!¡± The air trembled. The attack coming at my back was much faster than the earlier punch. This was on a completely different level. A regular punch was one thing, but the moment mana was infused, even a child¡¯s fist became a lethal weapon. Any thought of handling this peacefully vanished. I twisted my body slightly, letting the punch graze past me. The wind that followed was sharp, but as long as it didn¡¯t hit me directly, it didn¡¯t matter. Without hesitation, I reached out, grabbed her by the collar, and yanked her right up to my face. ¡°...!¡± Her face tensed with fear. I made sure my tone was sharp and menacing. ¡°If you wanna whine, go cry to your mother. I¡¯m already busy enough, so don¡¯t cling to me and be a nuisance.¡± She trembled like a frightened puppy. Despite having enough strength to fight back, she was too scared to even resist, her body frozen in place. Losing interest, I let go of her collar. Even if we shared blood, she was still just a ten-year-old brat. Still shaking, she shouted with a voice filled with frustration. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s all your fault!¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You¡­ You caused that incident at the Steel Selection Ritual¡­! Because of that, people always compare me to you, and Mother always scolds me! And now even in training¡­! Just stay quiet like a proper bastard and stop standing out! You idiot! Moron! I hate you!¡± For a moment, I felt blank. It sounded like nothing more than a childish tantrum, but for some reason, the words stuck with me. ¡°It¡¯s not fair! I never get to sleep properly, I can¡¯t even have snacks, all I do is train every day¡­! And you¡ª! You were born with so much talent¡­! I didn¡¯t want to, but Mother¡ª¡± ¡°Hngh¡­!¡± She abruptly covered her mouth, sneaking glances at me. ¡­Well, that just took the tension out of everything. I let out a deep sigh. How pathetic. Lee Hwa I remembered was a formidable swordswoman who had once stood her ground fearlessly against dozens of massive monsters, enduring their attacks with sheer grit. And yet, looking at her now, she was no different from any other spoiled child her age. I looked at her. She flinched under my gaze for a moment but quickly glared back, determined not to back down. ¡°Must be nice.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°It must be so easy to just blame others. Blame your siblings, blame your mother, blame talent itself. But like you said, I¡¯m just a bastard. Even complaining is a luxury for someone like me.¡± ¡°¡­¡­¡± Her lips pressed together tightly. Even if she was still a child, she was a member of the Esteemed Martial Lee clan. A prodigy, no doubt. She understood exactly what I meant. ¡°If you¡¯re really part of the Lee clan, stop wasting time on this nonsense and go swing your sword a few more times in the training hall. Can¡¯t sleep? Then don¡¯t. Can¡¯t have snacks? Dont. If you can¡¯t keep up, stop eating altogether.¡± I stared her down. She was slightly taller than me, thanks to growing up in comfort, eating the best food, and living in the best conditions. Yet, for some reason, she looked much smaller than me now. ¡°Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?! You don¡¯t know anything!¡± ¡°I do. Because I¡¯m also an Esteemed Martial Lee blood. If you really wanted to beat me, you should¡¯ve gone all the way. If you weren¡¯t planning to compete, you should¡¯ve at least broken one of my bones with that sneak attack.¡± ¡°T-That¡¯s¡ª!¡± ¡°Get serious. You can do it, can¡¯t you?¡± Her expression went blank. ¡°If you resent me so much, then find a way to beat me. Make me acknowledge you. That¡¯s the way of the Esteemed Martial Lee clan as I know it.¡± I turned away and walked off. Behind me, she shouted at the top of her lungs. ¡°F-Fine, then! I¡¯ll outperform you at the Naming Ceremony and completely crush you! You¡¯ll be calling me ¡®big sister¡¯ and begging for forgiveness!¡± At that, I scoffed and shook my head. --- The results of the Naming Ceremony¡¯s group education were sent out weekly to each child¡¯s guardian. The nanny stared blankly at the report on the clan intranet, mumbling to herself. ¡°This¡­ this doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡± ¡°What doesn¡¯t make sense?¡± ¡°I mean¡­ this, this is just¡­¡± She fumbled with the mouse, dragging and releasing it repeatedly, then rubbed her eyes before looking at the monitor again. [Week 14 Academic Report] [Birth Name: Lee Young] [Gender: Male] Mana Arts: 1st Weapon Arts: 1st Written Exam: 1st ¡­¡­ [Overall Rank: 1st] The nanny couldn¡¯t believe the results in front of her. Not even once had my ranking dropped¡ªno matter the week, no matter the subject. Even on a bad day, it never slipped below Grade 1. ¡°Young Master¡­ have you finally put my worries to rest?¡± ¡°Nanny¡­!¡± Her expression wavered with emotion. ¡°There¡¯s nothing this old nanny can do for you¡­ and yet you¡¯ve accomplished so much on your own.¡± Her eyes welled up with tears. She had always known I was extraordinary, but she had never imagined that I would achieve Grade 1 in every single aspect of my education. ¡°¡­Alright. Do as you wish, Young Master. To think you¡¯d actually keep your word and stay at Grade 1 this whole time¡­¡± ¡°If I can¡¯t even manage this, how do you expect me to survive in this viper¡¯s nest of a household?¡± ¡°A viper¡¯s nest¡­? Young Master, where on earth did you hear something like that? I swear, you always say the strangest things.¡± At that, I simply grinned. BANG! The door suddenly burst open, and my aunt barged in. ¡°Hey, kid! You¡¯re here! Let¡¯s go train!¡± ¡°¡­I literally just finished training.¡± ¡°Which is we should go! Training your magic arts will help shake off your fatigue!¡± More like increase my fatigue¡ªespecially if I was training with her. The nanny looked at me with a sympathetic expression but said nothing. ¡­Come on, nanny. Even if you promised not to interfere, this is when you¡¯re supposed to say something. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go. I have something to show you anyway.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± I stood up. My aunt, who had been tilting her head in curiosity, suddenly froze in shock. ¡°Y-You! D-Don¡¯t tell me¡ª!¡± ¡°Shall we?¡± I smirked and stepped forward. There was no tension in my movements, just an easy, natural fluidity. And within that movement, mana flowed smoothly through my body, unhindered, balanced. ¡°You¡¯ve reached First Star!¡± My aunt¡¯s face lit up in sheer delight. * * * The Naming Ceremony¡¯s group training was of a high level. Just because I had consistently received a first-class ranking in every session didn¡¯t mean the training itself was easy. It was simply favorable for me. Comprehensive physical training, survival skills, magic techniques, weaponry, navigation, history... My physique had already been honed through years of rigorous training, and I had mastered various academic subjects in my past life. Even in disciplines where I expected the instructors to struggle to keep up¡ªsuch as weaponry and magic techniques¡ªI had retained knowledge from the training grounds¡¯ armory, and thanks to the relentless training with my aunt over the past few months, save for when I slept, I hadn¡¯t found any of it particularly difficult. With my grades secured, I decided to use my training time differently. ¡®And it paid off quite well. No, immensely well.¡¯ Just then, I sensed a foreign flow of magic seeping into my mana pathways. It was my aunt¡¯s magic. She had placed her hand on my back, deliberately stimulating my mana. At that moment, my own magic instinctively resisted hers. In the process, neither my mana path circuits nor my mana core became unbalanced¡ªthey maintained perfect harmony. ¡°Perfect¡­! You¡¯ve really reached it!¡± My aunt, still resting her hand on my back, blinked in astonishment, unsure whether she should be shocked or overjoyed. ¡°Does it feel awkward to control your mana? How did you grasp it so quickly? I thought it would take at least another year!¡± ¡°I realized it during training.¡± ¡°Training? They teach that kind of thing there?¡± It was during a particular exercise where they threw us into a machine that unleashed a barrage of lower-tier magic spells. Unlike my eighth sibling, who had been practically drowning in magic-enhancing elixirs, my mana reserves were naturally lower. So, I had no choice but to block the attacks by manually controlling my mana with precision. When I failed to control it properly and my mana core or circuits threatened to fall out of balance, I instinctively stopped calculating and overthinking. Instead, I focused solely on protecting myself, using my mana as naturally as possible. ¡°That was when I understood why you never bothered teaching me any shortcuts, Aunt.¡± ¡°Huh? Uh, huh?¡± Lee Gyeongha blinked, momentarily confused by what her nephew was saying. ¡®Shortcuts? Are there even shortcuts for this?¡¯ But when she saw the unwavering trust in his eyes, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to admit the truth. ¡°There was never any need to force the balance between the mana core and the mana path circuits in the first place. I just had to leave them alone. Mana flows like water¡ªit moves naturally. In the end, our bodies are nothing more than vessels that hold mana. Trying to separate those vessels was a foolish mistake.¡± As her nephew spoke, Lee Gyeongha felt a deep, growing shock. ¡®Let mana flow freely¡­?¡¯ It was a concept that deviated slightly from modern magic theory. Most conventional teachings revolved around the strict control of mana. As a result, the idea of letting mana flow naturally had never even been considered, let alone understood. Like everyone else, Lee Gyeongha had always attempted to forcibly synchronize her mana core and mana pathways, ensuring they worked together to wield magic. ¡®Our bodies are vessels¡­ vessels¡­¡¯ Yes, they were nothing more than containers. Mana existed in the world, and humans merely stored it within themselves. Ah. Lee Gyeongha let out a quiet gasp. ¡°A-Ah, kiddo. I think¡­ I can do it too.¡± ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± "It''s done. That whole thing about being too used to my mana core to control it properly¡­ I think I can do it now. Just like you, kid¡­ Though it¡¯ll probably take me a long time." My aunt started rambling incoherently. ¡®Did she realize something?¡¯ The moment the vacant look in her eyes sparked with understanding, she suddenly shot up from her seat. "Thank you! You lucky little thing! I take it back¡ªyou''re no cunning brat, you''re my little blessing!" Without warning, she pulled me into a tight hug. A rather ominous sound echoed from my bones. ¡°Ugh! Gah! A-Auntie! My ribs! My ribs!¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to train twice as hard! No, three times harder than before!¡± ¡°If you train any harder, I might actually die¡­!¡± ¡°No way, you¡¯ll be able to keep up.¡± Finally, Lee Gyeongha loosened her grip, releasing her beloved nephew. She couldn¡¯t hide the grin creeping up her face. ¡°Let¡¯s move on to Second Star.¡± ¡°¡­Huh? Already?¡± ¡°For you, reaching Second Star won¡¯t be a challenge. And once you do¡­¡± She hesitated. She was never good with words. So, the only thing she managed to say was¡ª ¡°The Naming Ceremony will be a piece of cake!¡± [TL/N: Aunt¡¯s magic arts are divided into stage of stars. In the manhwa it¡¯s mentioned that normally it went from IronBody Stage -> Qi Manipulation Stage -> Qi Energy stage. But aunt mana arts are different. It helps in showing more abilities. Chapter 8 of manhwa.] [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 12 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 12 A woman walked across the floor of the private training ground reserved for the direct lineage. Her neatly pinned-up hair, pale skin, sharply defined nose, and long eyelashes gave her an ageless beauty. But beneath those lashes, her emotionless eyes carried a chilling impression. Her name was Baek Hwayeon. Once, she was a warrior renowned by the title , and now, she was the esteemed mistress of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan. ¡°Madam, you¡¯ve arrived.¡± The Nanny of the eighth child cautiously lowered her head as she approached. ¡°Step aside. I need to speak with my daughter.¡± At Baek Hwayeon¡¯s gesture, her attendants and the nanny retreated to wait at the entrance of the training ground. She strode toward the center of the arena. ¡°Huff¡­ Huff¡­¡± There, drenched in sweat, swinging a sword with all her might, was her youngest daughter. After observing for a while, the girl finally seemed to notice her presence, her body flinching. ¡°Ah¡­ Mother?¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°I greet you, Mother.¡± ¡°I asked, what are you doing?¡± ¡°I¡­ I was training.¡± ¡°And where is your sword instructor?¡± ¡°The lesson ended. I was reviewing on my own¡­¡± Baek Hwayeon gazed at her daughter in silence. She had never been one to avoid training, but she wasn¡¯t the most diligent either. Yet today, for some reason, she was still here, practicing even as dusk settled in. There was only one conclusion¡ªshe was trying to appear busy to avoid being reprimanded. How pathetic. ¡°I heard what happened. You were overpowered, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°¡­¡­!¡± Hwa¡¯s eyes trembled. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? If you can¡¯t handle something, break them.¡± Her tone wasn¡¯t angry, nor was it irritated. It was eerily flat. As if she felt nothing at all, Baek Hwayeon stared at her daughter with cold, piercing eyes. Seeing the girl frozen in tension, unable to respond, her gaze only grew frostier. She knew her daughter had a soft heart. That might be a virtue elsewhere, but not in Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan. A Clan built on steel and blood. And her youngest daughter was a direct heir of that lineage. Such half-hearted resolve was worse than having none at all. ¡®Had she at least talked back or shown defiance, it would have been better.¡¯ Watching her daughter lower her head, fists clenched tightly, Baek Hwayeon felt the urge to sigh. ¡°How disappointing. If you¡¯re only training to avoid punishment, then stop. I don¡¯t even intend to scold you anymore.¡± At those words, Hwa, still looking down, murmured in a suppressed voice. ¡°¡­I¡¯ll handle it myself.¡± Baek Hwayeon¡¯s steps halted. ¡°What did you say?¡± --- Hwa''s body was still tense, but her eyes gleamed with determination. "I understand what you must be thinking after watching me train, but I''m doing this because I want to." Baek Hwayeon''s brows slowly furrowed. "I''m¡­ I''m going to defeat him properly. But not because he''s a bastard, and not because you told me to. I''m doing this because I want to. So, I''ll handle it my own way." Baek Hwayeon stared at Hwa, her gaze piercing. There was a hint of stubbornness in her daughter''s voice. She was still far from adequate, but at least those eyes weren¡¯t as pathetically lifeless as before. "If you want to prove you''re not inferior to a bastard, you¡¯ll have to put in the effort. That''s obvious. And yet, you''re failing at something so obvious." Baek Hwayeon''s sharp words made Lee Hwa flinch. But she didn¡¯t stop speaking. "That doesn''t matter. I won¡¯t concern myself with what the Clan thinks anymore. I want to grow stronger because I¡ªbecause I WANT TO." Baek Hwayeon''s expression turned even colder. "So, you''ve let yourself be inspired by that rootless illegitimate brat?" "T-That¡¯s not¡­" Hwa wanted to refute it with confidence, but as she met her mother¡¯s gaze, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say the words. "You are the heir of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan. You and that boy were never equals to begin with. You were born into privilege, receiving countless gifts, while he is nothing more than a bastard who happened to be born with a rare talent. Defeating him should be a given, yet here you are, letting yourself be inspired?" For the first time, there was a flicker of anger in Baek Hwayeon¡¯s otherwise cold expression. She looked down at Hwa and pulled a small glass vial from her sleeve. "Take it." "Huh? What¡­ is this?" A sense of unease crept over Hwa. With trembling hands, she carefully took the vial and looked up at Baek Hwayeon with wary eyes. Then, in a slow and measured tone, Baek Hwayeon revealed its contents. "It is called Dream-like Trance¡± Her gaze lingered on the colorless, transparent liquid swaying inside the bottle as she continued. "It is a deadly poison." For a moment, Hwa thought she had misheard. "It is a rare treasure, found only in the floating dungeons of the world. Its usage is highly restricted¡ªit only works on children under fifteen, and it evaporates if exposed to air for more than five minutes." "M-Mother¡­" Hwa''s hands trembled violently as she held the vial. No matter how her daughter reacted, Baek Hwayeon spoke without hesitation. "A child who comes into contact with will suffer permanent damage to their mana pathways. It seeps into the body, spreading slowly over time, leaving no trace." "Mother¡­ W-Why are you giving this to me?" Even as Hwa reeled in shock, Baek Hwayeon remained indifferent, delivering her final words. "If you cannot surpass him, then crush him. That is the way of Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan." With that, Baek Hwayeon turned and walked away. Hwa stood frozen, watching her mother¡¯s retreating figure with a hollow expression. * * * S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Stages of Magic Arts The progression of mana arts follows these stages: The first stage involves harboring mana within the body and using it to enhance one''s physical abilities. This is known as the . The second stage allows for the transformation of mana¡¯s properties, enabling a variety of applications. This is referred to as the . The third stage grants the user superhuman abilities through mana¡ªsuch as running across water, reinforcing weapons, or concealing one¡¯s presence. This is known as the . Typically, those with talent reach the second stage around the age of fifteen. Those without talent usually reach it before adulthood. "¡­Or so I¡¯ve heard." "Our Clan is full of strange people who reach that stage ridiculously early. I entered it when I was twelve, so it¡¯s not that big of a deal. Let¡¯s just get started!" Hearing my aunt dismiss common sense so casually, I let out a dry laugh. "Aunt, I don¡¯t think you realize this, but I¡¯m still only ten years old." "Of course I know that. the weird one." Somehow, I had become the odd one here. "That¡¯s not what I meant. I¡¯m saying I¡¯m ten. I just reached the first stage not long ago, and you¡¯re already talking about the next one?" "But you¡¯re a genius. Obviously, you can do it." A genius, huh? The truth was, I only appeared advanced because of my regression. I was simply more mature and had learned to wield mana a little earlier than others. "Besides, the second star of the mana arts created isn¡¯t the same as the world¡¯s conventional second stage." "Ah, I knew it. So then, does your first star¡­?" "It¡¯s probably somewhere the second and third stages, I¡¯d say." "¡­" "It¡¯s like going from learning calculus straight into fluid dynamics¡ªthere¡¯s not that big of a gap." I had no idea what she was talking about. I was past confusion¡ªI was starting to worry. Even though the third stage wasn¡¯t some mythical realm, it still required years of effort. What she was suggesting was an leap. "Besides, think about the first star you achieved. Do you think it¡¯s the same as the standard first stage?" "I know it¡¯s different." The new mana art my aunt was teaching me was so new it didn¡¯t even have a proper name, it started with controlling mana at its core. It was obviously too different to be considered the same as conventional first-stage techniques. "Tell me, what do you think you¡¯re best at?" Out of nowhere, my aunt threw that question at me. Something I was best at¡­ It was probably the sword. I had wielded countless weapons in my past life, but the sword was the easiest to carry and the one I had trained with the longest. So, with confidence, I answered, "The sword." To which my aunt immediately responded: "I don¡¯t think so. You don¡¯t seem all that talented with the sword." Her words hit me so hard I almost snapped. "You¡¯ve never seen me train in swordsmanship, have you, Aunt?" "I have, though? I watched you train by yourself a few times when I was bored¡­" My relationship with my aunt was more of a partnership than a teacher-student dynamic. Her goal was to perfect the mana arts she had developed by refining them through me. That¡¯s why she never interfered with anything beyond mana arts. "What I¡¯m saying is¡­ It¡¯s not that you talent. You¡¯re incredible, really. It¡¯s just that, compared to your other talents, your swordsmanship isn¡¯t what stands out the most." "Then why did you bring this up so suddenly?" "Because your greatest talent is mana arts aka magic." "¡­What?" "Your talent for mana arts is extraordinary. So much so that everything else pales in comparison." Her eyes practically sparkled as she said it. "I¡¯ve never seen anyone like you. I¡¯ve had other people try my mana arts, but no one else could do it." She ruffled my hair as she spoke. I felt¡­ bewildered. Maybe it was because of my past life¡¯s influence, or perhaps because I had never been formally taught by anyone, but I had never considered myself especially gifted in handling mana. "The mana arts I created are inherently more versatile than conventional techniques. Someone at the same stage as us would have a much more limited range of abilities. But can do more because we utilize mana path circuits differently. That¡¯s why I divided it into , rather than using conventional stages." Her explanation made sense. In typical mana arts, the only allowed for mana accumulation and basic physical enhancement. But I was already capable of mana control. Just as my aunt had said¡ªwhat I had achieved wasn¡¯t simply the . It was the . "What we¡¯re learning is an entirely new technique¡ªone that¡¯s never existed before. Forget the common classifications and conventions. Now, I¡¯ll teach you a proper technique, so focus!" "Yes, I understand." I nodded. That was enough complaining. I sharpened my focus, making sure I wouldn¡¯t miss a single word of what she was about to teach me. "From the onward, you¡¯ll need to learn proper techniques¡ªlike amplification arts or concealment techniques. Let¡¯s start with the one we reconstructed." "You mean ?" A fragment of an ancient mana technique¡ªsomething my aunt hadn¡¯t been able to replicate herself. It was a technique she had derived from the remnants of an art I had deciphered due to Boundless. "But I already know how to do that." "Yeah, but you can¡¯t just stop there. Don¡¯t limit it to your internal mana flow¡ªtry expelling it outward. In other words, you need to practice ." "But isn¡¯t a third-stage technique? Is that even possible at this level?" "The reason it¡¯s a third-stage ability is because controlling external mana is incredibly difficult. But have a far more precise control thanks to our mana paths. Give it a shot. That¡¯s what it means to reach the ." "Understood." I gave a short nod and closed my eyes, focusing inward. I began to vibrate the mana stored within my mana core. That vibration was maintained by the mana path circuits, slowly circulating through my body. ¡®Through the arms, shoulders, heart, and down to the dantian.¡¯ Each part of the mana circuit had a different function. As my mana brushed against the circuits, the vibration intensified. At the same time, a mist-like mana began to seep out of my body. ¡°It probably won¡¯t work well at first. It took me a whole month just to stop it from leaking outside.¡± Sweat trickled down my forehead. I focused even harder. Then, the mana that had been dissipating outside suddenly began to gather in my palm with a clear sense of direction. And at that moment¡ª BOOM! A deafening sound, like the tearing of a leather drum, rang out as the forming mana burst apart. The mana pushed against the air, creating a gust of wind that sent both mine and my aunt¡¯s training robes fluttering. ¡°Wh-what the hell?¡± For the first time, my aunt swore in front of me. ¡®That was¡­ easier than I expected?¡¯ Since I had never actively tried to release my mana outward before, this was essentially my first attempt at emission. It still felt a little rough, but once I got the hang of it, I was sure it would be easy. ¡°You¡ªyou can¡¯t just pull that off on the first try!¡± ¡°Is there¡­ a problem?¡± I flinched in concern. After all, a mistake in mana manipulation could easily lead to internal injuries. ¡°No, no problem at all. The issue is that you did too well!¡± My aunt threw her hands up in triumph. [Pr/N: Absolute Cinema] ¡°From now on, you need to use mana while moving. A still mana technique is a dead mana technique. Are you ready?¡± That was exactly what I had been waiting for. Training with my aunt had always been on the static side, and I was itching to move. ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get started!¡± With that, she turned to the massive wooden barrel beside her and gave it a few resounding pats. ¡°¡­Come to think of it, what is that?¡± ¡°Oh? Just some iron balls.¡± A bad feeling crept over me. ¡°And why exactly¡­ did you bring those?¡± ¡°Huh? To throw them at you, of course! You need to dodge while controlling your mana! We¡¯re starting now!¡± I had no time to prepare. Before I could even get up properly, my aunt started hurling iron balls at me with terrifying speed. * * * Time flew by like an arrow. Training with my aunt, group education, and personal training¡ªevery moment had been packed so full that I hardly noticed the passing of time. Still, since I was at an age where growth was crucial, I made sure to strictly maintain my rest and sleep schedule. I even deliberately increased my food intake. By the time there were about two months left until the Naming Ceremony, the regular group education curriculum had come to an end. From that day on, the instructors who had been leading the group training sessions stopped participating. And in their place, The Squad leader, Lee joongkwan, who had only given minor instructions up until now, stepped forward to stand before us. A pillar of the Lee Clan¡¯s elite warrior squads, the Blood Tiger Squad, he had now taken direct charge of our training. ¡°From this moment on, I will instruct you in the vision of the Esteemed martial Lee Clan.¡± With a stern expression, Lee Joongkwan addressed me and Lee Hwa. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 13 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 13 Lee Hwa and I stood atop a massive martial arts stage, spanning 40 meters in both width and length. Before us appeared a man. A solidly built body, with a grotesque scar running diagonally across his right eye and cheek. For a warrior of his caliber to bear such a scar¡ªespecially in an era where medical advancements could easily erase such marks¡ªone could only imagine the kind of hell he had endured. He opened his mouth to speak. ¡°My name is Lee Joongkwan.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. The same situation as in my past life. The same sight before me. The only difference was Hwa, now glaring at me with wary, venom-filled eyes, and myself¡ªhaving gained far more than I had in my previous life. ¡°From this moment on, I will instruct you in the secret techniques of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan. Choose the weapons you will wield.¡± At Lee Joongkwan¡¯s command, Hwa and I descended from the stage and headed toward the weapon rack. There were no wooden or bamboo swords¡ªonly real weapons, their edges gleaming with razor-sharp precision. That was when I noticed Hwa staring at me with an odd expression. ¡°What are you looking at? Got something to say?¡± ¡°W-What?! I wasn¡¯t looking at anything! And why would I have something to say?!¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t, then don¡¯t. No need to shout.¡± Her gaze suggested otherwise, but I had no intention of prying. Then, as if making up her mind about something, Hwa awkwardly approached me and spoke in a hushed voice. ¡°Hey¡­ You use a sword too, right?¡± I responded flatly. ¡°No.¡± ¡°What? But during weapons training, you clearly¡ª¡± Ignoring her words, I grabbed a whole armful of weapons from the rack and cradled them in my arms. ¡°Hey, hey! What the hell are you doing?!¡± I didn¡¯t answer and simply walked back up to the martial arts stage. Lee Joongkwan¡¯s brows furrowed as he watched me struggle under the weight of the weapons. ¡°¡­What exactly are you doing?¡± ¡°You told us to choose our weapons, so I brought them.¡± ¡°I said to bring the weapon you use.¡± ¡°These are the weapons I use.¡± From short daggers to long spears¡ªtwelve different types of weapons in total. ¡°¡­I thought you had some sense, but turns out you¡¯re just an idiot.¡± Lee Joongkwan sighed, clearly uninterested in wasting more words on me. Shortly after, Hwa stepped onto the stage as well. ¡°I don¡¯t like repeating myself, so listen carefully and remember what I say.¡± Lee Joongkwan¡¯s sharp gaze shifted from me to Hwa. ¡°I said I would teach you the clan¡¯s secret techniques, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll be teaching you specific stances or techniques. That¡¯s not what you need to learn.¡± He then unslung the weapon from his back. Kiing¡ª! The sound it made was eerie, like the intertwined roots of a tree groaning under pressure. When he removed the leather covering from its blade, a peculiar resonance filled the air. A sacred weapon-level spear¡ªMokho. ¡°The Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan possesses many secret techniques. But none of them are structured martial arts based on forms or stances. They are simply individual techniques¡ªnothing more.¡± Words I once struggled to comprehend in my past life. But now, I understood them completely. Lee Joongkwan continued speaking. --- --- "To master these secret techniques, there are many conditions to fulfill. But the most fundamental¡ªthe very first requirement¡ªis this: The dormant ¡®sense¡¯ in your blood must awaken." The bloodline of the Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan was different from that of ordinary people from the very beginning. Those who inherited the clan¡¯s blood strongly were born with three undeniable blessings, though their degree varied. The first was an absolutely strong body. The second was a unique ability, awakened through the Naming Ceremony. And the third¡ª "The Sixth Sense." Lee Joongkwan¡¯s voice was resolute. "From this moment on, I will awaken your senses. Rather than wasting time learning rigid, outdated martial forms, those of us who carry the blood of Esteemeed Martial Lee need only draw out the instincts our bodies already possess for combat." One step. Then another. Lee Joongkwan steadily closed the distance between us. "Secret techniques, ultimate moves, even the most basic forms¡ªyou won¡¯t be able to grasp any of them until your senses awaken." ¡°W-why¡­ why are you coming closer?¡± Unconsciously, Hwa took a step back. I, on the other hand, wordlessly threw the weapons I had been carrying across the stage and drew a longsword. "Get ready. Unless you want to pass out the moment this begins." I directed my words at Hwa, but by then, Lee Joongkwan was already upon us. "Don''t make this harder than it needs to be. Your bodies will naturally find the way." A spear strike curved in from the left. The textbook response would be to deflect it by angling my blade sideways. But¡ª "Kuhk!" Clang! Even though I had anticipated the attack, I barely managed to deflect the blow. The impact rattled through my body, shaking my organs so violently I felt like vomiting. "And you call that blocking?" Could I even say I had blocked it? A strike so powerful that it seemed to burrow into my very core¡ªmy stomach churned, nausea clawing at my throat. "Hah. At least you''re not a complete fool." "Kyaaah!" Boom! Hwa, unable to withstand even a single thrust, collapsed unconscious on the spot. So much for buying me some time. I clicked my tongue in frustration. ¡®To think I¡¯d have to go through this insanity again.¡¯ I had already experienced this ordeal once before. Lee Joongkwan¡ªhe would wield his spear with terrifying precision, striking just hard enough to avoid killing his opponent. And since I was an illegitimate son, he might not even bother to hold back. Suppressing the bile rising in my throat, I narrowed my eyes. "In my past life, I never even received proper training." Back then, I had failed to keep up with the group training. I had been cast aside early on, forced to watch from the sidelines as the others continued. This time would be different. Boom! Lee Joongkwan kicked off the ground. Gritting my teeth, I swung my sword. --- --- More than a month had passed since training with Lee Joongkwan began. Boom! Crash! Crack! The dueling platform echoed day after day with the sounds of things shattering, exploding, and breaking apart. "Damn it!" I rolled across the ground, dodging a sweeping spear strike, then swung my sword with all my might. Zzt! For a split second, I thought I had dodged it¡ªbut the spear reappeared right in front of my face. Even though I had infused my blade with amplified magic, it was completely shattered by his attack, which didn¡¯t contain a single ounce of mana. The next thing I knew, I was airborne¡ªbefore slamming into the ground. "That one wasn¡¯t bad." His voice grew closer. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I scrambled to my feet. Lee Joongkwan never hesitated to attack a fallen opponent. "Grrk!" Suddenly, he stopped. Hwa, who had taken a direct hit to the left side of her ribcage, had started foaming at the mouth. Lee Joongkwan furrowed his brow slightly. "Call the medics." "Kugh¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­ y-yes, sir." I staggered off the platform, pulled out my phone, and contacted the medical unit. They must have been on standby because within five minutes, doctors rushed in and began examining Hwa. "Her ribs are fractured. And the impact on her liver has caused a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to breathing difficulties." "Tch. We¡¯re running low on potions¡­ Use one. How long will it take?" The doctor¡¯s face darkened slightly. He probably wanted to prescribe complete bed rest, but he knew that wasn¡¯t an option. "Even with a potion, at least ten minutes." "Ten-minute break." The moment I heard that, I collapsed onto the ground. "Damn it. What kind of insane training is this?" A regimen where broken bones and internal injuries were routine. This wasn¡¯t training for ten-year-olds. But I wasn¡¯t going to complain. No, I had no reason to complain. Little by little¡ª Bit by bit¡ª I could see it. "The path is becoming clear." At times, when I focused intensely, I would be overcome by a strange sensation. This is how I should swing. This is how I should move. It wasn¡¯t just sight¡ªit was a feeling, an instinct. It was still vague, but I was beginning to grasp what they called the Sixth Sense. "Illegitimate or legitimate, you¡¯re all weaklings. The moment I call for a break, you collapse like dead weight. The future of this clan looks bleak." Lee Joongkwan sneered. Just then¡ª "Hah!" Lee Hwa¡¯s eyes snapped open. Not ten minutes¡ªbarely five had passed. --- She looked around, seemingly unable to grasp the situation, before turning her gaze to me. ¡°No way, again?¡± ¡°Yeah. You fainted for the 22nd time. I¡¯ve only fainted sixteen times.¡± ¡°Ugh! If only I had prepared on the first day!¡± Hwa stood up, gripping her sword in frustration. Lee Joongwan smirked. ¡®Not bad.¡¯ His words were harsh, but in truth, he was quite pleased. ¡®Eighth round. That kid¡¯s body is seriously tough. I went a little overboard, but she hasn¡¯t even suffered a single major injury?¡¯ He admired her resilience for a moment before shifting his gaze to the side. That was where the real interest lay. ¡®And that illegitimate one... I noticed it on the first day, but... he¡¯s something else. No wonder my subordinates felt uneasy, like they were the ones being evaluated. His ability to assess the situation, that bizarre mana art¡­ And on top of that, he¡¯s hiding something.¡¯ At first, when the guy showed up carrying a whole armory of weapons, Joongwan thought he was just another idiot. But his proficiency with each weapon was impressive, and his adaptability exceeded expectations. There were even moments when his unpredictability had caught Joongwan off guard. ¡®And now, I bet he can see it¡ªjust a little. It''s only been a month... Maybe he¡¯ll break the record.¡¯ Joongwan grinned and swung his spear with even greater intensity. Then, the moment came naturally. It wasn¡¯t triggered by any drastic change. The vague feeling sharpened into certainty. ¡°Hey.¡± I called out to Hwa. She looked at me, panting heavily. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a signal. Just block once for me.¡± ¡°Why the hell should I?¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t if you don¡¯t want to. I just thought I might finally land a hit on Uncle.¡± A murderous glint flickered in Hwa¡¯s eyes. Yeah, she was pissed off too. The moment I said there was a chance to strike back, her expression changed. ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll owe me for this!¡± Hwa exhaled sharply. I was the first to move. Up until now, I had dodged his spear purely by instinct. But now, that instinct had turned into certainty. ¡®He¡¯ll strike from the right.¡¯ I twisted my body, slipping past the spear¡¯s edge. ¡®The moment his foot touches the ground, he¡¯ll thrust upward.¡¯ A strange sensation washed over me. My body moved exactly as I envisioned. I could feel my will coursing through every muscle fiber. ¡°Oh?¡± Lee Joongwan¡¯s eyes gleamed sharply. I grabbed a spear lying on the ground and swung it without hesitation. Clang! Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal. His counterattack was inevitable. In that instant, I shot a quick glance at Lee Hwa. ¡°Yaaahhh!¡± Though she looked displeased, her eyes were sharp and focused. A split second. A moment within a moment. But I saw it¡ªa clear opening. I abandoned the spear mid-swing and seized a sword lying nearby. The grueling training sessions with my aunt had never stopped, even after enduring this hellish routine. I wasn¡¯t perfect, but I had already grasped the threshold of the 2nd-Star level. Vrrrnnng¡ª The sword technique I acquired from Boundless. Demon Piercing strike. Amplified mana coursed through the blade, its energy perfectly stabilized. I struck, aiming for that fleeting gap¡ªmy sword slashing straight toward Lee Joongwan¡¯s chin. ¡°¡­¡­!¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His expression twisted. In a split second, he yanked back his spear to block my strike. It didn¡¯t matter. I never intended to land that hit in the first place. Whoosh! I let go of the rebounding sword and lunged straight into his guard, driving my fist forward. ¡°Hm?!¡± Joongwan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡®This one¡¯s going to land!¡¯ Thud! The sharp sound of metal colliding filled the air. I looked at my fist, eyes filled with disbelief. ¡®He blocked that?¡¯ Crack! A sudden, searing pain shot through my abdomen. His other hand. Why the hell was it pressing into my stomach? ¡°Guhh¡ª!¡± ¡°Congratulations. Looks like you¡¯ve awakened.¡± Joongwan nodded, satisfied. ¡®Damn it, if you were going to congratulate me, did you really have to punch me first?!¡¯ I clutched my stomach, barely holding back a groan. ¡°That¡¯s what instinct feels like. But you¡¯re still rough around the edges. If your senses were fully sharpened, you would¡¯ve dodged that last hit too.¡± His demeanor had shifted slightly. Unlike his usual mocking tone, Joongwan spoke with unexpected seriousness. ¡°Thirty-seven days, huh? I¡¯ll be honest. That was impressive. Even the eldest, Myungjeong, took forty-five days. Just as I predicted¡ªyou were faster.¡± At his words, I momentarily forgot my pain and stared up at him in a daze. And then¡ª ¡°You¡¯re still far from done.¡± ¡°Gyaaah!¡± Thud! Hwa, who had attempted a sneak attack, was immediately countered and sent crashing into the ground. ¡°That¡¯s it for today¡¯s training.¡± With that, Joongwan ended the session about an hour earlier than usual. I sat there, replaying everything that had just happened. ¡°You traitor! I trusted you, damn it!¡± Hwa yelled, rubbing her bruised shoulder in frustration. Meanwhile, Joongwan walked away from the training grounds, his gaze fixed on his own palm. A small bruise had formed there. ¡®Even after drawing out my mana¡­ it still got through?¡¯ It wasn¡¯t much, but he had broken his own self-imposed restriction against using mana. It was an outcome he hadn¡¯t anticipated. That level of combat instinct¡ªfar too advanced for someone who had merely awakened their sixth sense. ¡®And to think he was willing to abandon that level of skill¡­¡¯ A kid his age, possessing such skill, would normally flaunt it. Yet, he held back until the very last moment¡ªand ultimately chose to discard it. He was impossible to read. His mana technique defied classification. His swordsmanship was something that could have easily been mistaken for a secret technique of the family. And the fact that he built an entire setup just to throw it all away in an instant¡­ ¡®He¡¯s got potential. If he keeps growing like this¡­ Well, the old geezers in the clan are definitely going to lose their minds.¡¯ Joongwan dusted off his sleeves and smirked. On the forty-seventh day of training, Hwa finally awakened her sixth sense. At that point, Joongwan declared the training complete. He left us with time to rest and reflect on what we had learned. I took full advantage of the break, continuing my research on mana arts with my aunt. And then, the day arrived. The Naming Ceremony. The second trial to prove myself as a true warrior of the Esteemeed Martial Lee clan. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 14 [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky] Chapter 14 When the children of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan reach the age of ten, they discard their childhood names through the Naming Ceremony. This ritual awakens the latent abilities within their bloodline and grants them their true names. Unlike the Steel Selection Ceremony, which allows direct descendants and even relatives up to the fourth degree (tl/n:4th cousins kinda) to participate, the Naming Ceremony extends its challenge to collateral relatives with the Lee surname, up to the eighth degree¡ªprovided they have the will to take part. However, the number of collateral clan members who actually attempted the Naming Ceremony was always low. Even direct descendants risked death during the trials, so very few parents were willing to send their children into such danger. That was why, in this Naming Ceremony, the only participants were Lee Hwa and me. Unlike the grand and boisterous Steel Selection Ceremony, where the entire Esteemed Martial Lee Clan gathered, the Naming Ceremony was far more subdued, consisting only of a brief departure ritual. And even then, hardly anyone had come to see me off. "I''m sorry." After finishing his speech on the podium, my eldest brother looked in Hwa''s direction with a bitter smile. A group of elders and high-ranking members of the clan had gathered around Hwa, offering their blessings and words of encouragement. "What are you sorry for?" "For¡­ being born into this kind of clan." I turned to my eldest brother with a surprised expression. It wasn¡¯t something I ever expected to hear from him¡ªsomeone who took immense pride in and had deep love for our clan. "Enough, Myeongjeong. There''s no need to say such things," my uncle interjected. But my brother simply let out another wry smile. "Little brother." "Yes, brother?" "Which Trial Chamber do you plan to challenge?" "That''s a secret." For a moment, my brother looked taken aback by my response. Then, he let out a quiet chuckle. "Is it because of that damned rivalry again?" "No, it''s not that." "Oh, please. Do you think I don¡¯t know you by now? Fine, I get it." It seemed like he was convinced I would challenge the same Trial Chamber as him. ''But that¡¯s not it at all.'' I didn''t bother correcting him. There was no need to ruin this strangely warm moment right before our departure. "Oh, my little one! I hate seeing you go, but you have to do exactly what I told you, okay?" "Yes, Aunt, I will." After a brief farewell with my aunt, I turned to my nanny. "Nanny, I''m off." "Yes, young master." She gave me a simple nod, her face calm and unreadable. She was probably putting on a brave front so I wouldn¡¯t worry. I grinned. "Nanny, when I get back, I think I''ll be craving for your cooking." "...What?" "I''m going to complete the Naming Ceremony safely and perfectly. So, get ready to make something delicious for me when I return." Her eyes widened in surprise. Then, a bright smile spread across her face, and she nodded. "Yes! When you return, I''ll make sure to show off my best cooking skills!" I gave her a cheerful smile before heading toward the vehicle prepared to take us to the trial grounds. At last, the Naming Ceremony was about to begin. * * * The Naming Ceremony¡¯s Island The Naming Ceremony was held on a small uninhabited island near the western sea, in the northern regions. It was known for its land, which changed color¡ªeither red or blue¡ªdepending on the concentration of mana in the atmosphere. To the south, it bordered a danger zone. To the north, across the sea, lay the unexplored zones. ¡°The items being handed to you are tracking devices. Please wear them at all times unless absolutely necessary,¡± said the Shadow Sword Unit member who had escorted Hwa and me to the island, as he handed us a wristwatch-like device and a small brooch. Though labeled as tracking devices, these tools had hidden features: they transmitted footage for evaluation, monitored heart rate and body temperature, and facilitated the delivery of emergency rations. Twice a week, a small supply drop of field rations¡ªblock cakes¡ªwould be sent, guided by these devices. ¡°You are already aware of the details, so I will keep this brief. The tasks given to the young lady and young master participating in the Naming Ceremony are as follows.¡± Survive. Hunt. And challenge the ¡®Trial Chamber.¡¯ The mana concentration and quality within the Island far exceeded that of the mainland. Lingering here for too long could cause adverse effects on the body, and the island¡¯s rich mana scent had lured countless monsters to its shores. A special barrier had been installed, preventing creatures too powerful for children to handle from entering¡ªaside from the island¡¯s native guardian. Yet, even with such restrictions, the sheer number of monsters inhabiting the island was overwhelming. ¡°For three weeks, you must survive in the Island and prove yourselves by hunting monsters. Your performance in this trial will influence your future assignments.¡± ¡°The Trial Chamber will open for two days after the third week. It does not assess physical prowess alone, so be sure to reflect on everything you¡¯ve studied and make your choices wisely before entering.¡± The Trial Chamber was the true test of the Naming Ceremony. Only those who passed it would awaken the latent abilities within their Esteemed Martial Lee Clan bloodline. ¡°With that, I wish you both good fortune.¡± With those final words, the Spirit Sword Corps member left the island. As we stood in silence, staring at the ominous land before us, Hwa finally spoke. ¡°This place¡­ feels cursed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s hardly the ideal place for people to live.¡± Despite being a rocky island, it was covered in an overgrown primeval forest. The roots twisted together like tangled veins, and even though it was midday, the forest exuded an eerie, shadowed atmosphere. With monsters swarming the area, even securing food would be a challenge. ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Hwa asked. ¡°Why should I tell you?¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re really stingy.¡± Hwa opened and closed her mouth several times as if debating whether to say something. Then, with a sudden glint of determination, she locked eyes with me. ¡°Hey. I need to talk to you.¡± I didn¡¯t avoid her gaze. ¡°So, you¡¯ve finally decided.¡± ¡°Huh? What?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been wanting to say something since our training sessions, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°W-What? How did you know?¡± Hwa¡¯s eyes wavered at my words. ¡°How could I not? Go ahead. I¡¯m listening.¡± Pressing her lips together, she took the brooch and wristwatch¡ªstill unworn¡ªand stuffed them into her pocket. As if to say she wasn¡¯t planning on showing them to me again. Then, from within her sleeve, she pulled out something small. A glass vial. I frowned as soon as I saw it. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Poison.¡± After saying that, Hwa looked surprisingly relieved. I, on the other hand, forgot how to breathe for a moment. "Its name is Dreamlike trance. A treasure from the Floating Dungeon. There are a lot of conditions to using it, but in short, once it enters your body, it disrupts your mana circuits for an extended period.¡± A cold chill ran down my spine. I stared at the glass vial in Hwa¡¯s hand. ¡®¡­So it really was that.¡¯ If what she said was true, then this was without a doubt the very substance that had ruined my life in my past. A poison that didn¡¯t threaten life but instead crippled mana circuits. Colorless, odorless, leaving no trace¡ªthere weren¡¯t many toxins with such distinct properties. I had spent a great deal of time researching it after my return, so I had my suspicions. But I never imagined I would see it before it had even been used¡ªright here, right now. ¡®Could it be that Hwa was responsible in my past life as well?¡¯ No. That was impossible. Dreamlike trance required very specific conditions to activate. In my past life, Hwa and I had barely interacted. That meant this was a consequence of my actions in this life. "Who gave that to you?" "I''m not telling you that." Hwa clenched the vial tightly before hurling it toward a distant rock wall. With a small sound, the glass shattered. "Now there''s no evidence. That poison completely evaporates in five minutes." Hwa looked at me with unwavering determination. "I''m going to defeat you fair and square. I won¡¯t rely on something like that. So you¡¯d better go all out in this trial, too." Hearing her declaration, the storm of emotions surging within me quickly settled. ¡®Not that it really matters¡ªI was already preparing for something like this.¡¯ I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly opened them. "¡­I was going to go all out whether you said that or not." "Good." Hwa nodded. "One last thing. Don¡¯t head into the island¡¯s center until you''re completely prepared. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it gets." "¡­." "The mana concentration there is higher, so the monsters are stronger and more numerous. They fight fiercely just to survive, which makes them even more vicious." "I know that already. But why are you telling me? Are you worried about me or something?" "What? Worried?" Hwa scoffed in disgust. "Don¡¯t say creepy things. I threw away that poison because I made a promise to defeat you fairly¡ªI don¡¯t want you dying like an idiot in some random place before I get the chance." ¡ªBoooooo! A loud horn echoed across the island. The trial had begun. At that moment, a deep, resonant sound echoed nearby, heavy like the horn of a passenger ship. "Then don¡¯t die. I¡¯m going ahead." With that, Hwa leaped along the shoreline, heading westward across the island. I stood still for a moment, gazing into the darkness lurking within the forest¡¯s depths. Then, without hesitation, I stepped into the primeval jungle. Toward the island¡¯s center. * * * In the command and control room of the Esteemeed Martial Lee clan''s main house, a small map was being updated in real time on a large screen. Below it, multiple screens were broadcasting live footage. "As expected, the eighth is outstanding. The number of monsters she has already taken down is quite impressive." It was Elder Council Head Lee Cheoljung. Stroking his beard, he spoke with satisfaction. "This should be her first real combat experience. Well, who awakened their instincts? No way they¡¯d be clumsy. What was it? Forty-seven days?" Lee Cheoljung smiled slightly and turned to look at a man sitting in the corner of the meeting room¡ª Lee Joongkwan, the captain of the Blood Tiger Squad. Watching the footage in silence, Lee Joongkwan finally spoke. "That child was never at this level before. I expected her to take the full two months." He still believed that. Hwa had exceptional talent, but that was it¡ªjust talent. But something had provoked her. The ninth. That child had pushed Hwa, forcing her beyond her natural limits. "Hmm. The eighth is certainly incredible. But I''m worried. Even following the textbook approach is dangerous enough, yet she keep fighting like that..." This time, it was Chief Administrator Lee Taehong who spoke, watching Hwa¡¯s screen with a worried expression. A safe shelter, water, food, fire¡ªthese were the essentials for survival in the wild. Yet the eighth had abandoned all preparation, diving straight into combat. It was impressive, but also reckless. "Haha, the General Overseer is always so concerned. How many children here have ever truly followed the textbook method?" It was true. Esteemeed Martial Lee Clan taught the principles of survival, but few adhered to them. They didn''t need to. Their bodies were built to endure, and their instincts were razor-sharp. "Hmm. But what is that one doing?" Lee Cheoljung frowned as he looked at the lower screen¡ªthe ninth¡¯s feed. The ninth wasn¡¯t fighting. Instead, he was carefully making their way inland, moving deliberately, cautiously. If a monster appeared, he would hold his breath and hide, avoiding conflict altogether. "Looks like he¡¯s searching for a shelter," said Lee Joongkwan. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Head elder snorted, unimpressed. "Hmm. Esteemeed Martial Lee blood, yet¡­" "Scurrying around like a rat, avoiding fights. A coward through and through." "¡­Preparing a shelter in a dangerous place should be considered prudent, not something to criticize," interjected Lee Myeongjung with a firm expression. "Ahem. That is true." "Haha, maybe we¡¯ve been spoiled watching the eighth. Honestly, even reaching that level at this age is no small feat." The elders chuckled, nodding in agreement. All except Lee Cheoljung. "In the Esteemeed Martial Lee clan, being ordinary is a sin." His voice was quiet, yet it silenced the room. "Wouldn¡¯t you all agree?" Lee Cheoljung smiled, the wrinkles on his face deepening with warmth. It was a gentle, grandfatherly smile. And yet, it commanded the entire room. "Yes. When you put it that way¡­ you¡¯re absolutely right." "The descendant of the Esteemeed Martial Lee clan acting like some ordinary commoner¡ªwhat a joke." The elders began chattering amongst themselves again. Lee Myeongjung felt a suffocating weight in his chest as he listened. ¡®How did our clan end up like this?¡¯ Building a shelter was fundamental, even explicitly written in the survival code. Even if most didn''t follow the textbook rules, at least the basics were upheld. This wasn¡¯t about being ordinary or extraordinary. The elders knew this too. They were only looking at the youngest through tainted lenses because he was illegitimate. ¡®Or maybe... it¡¯s always been like this.¡¯ Perhaps he had just failed to see it before. If not for the youngest, he might never have realized. ¡®But... why is that brat acting so steadily?¡¯ The frustration in his heart was quickly replaced by unease. He turned his head slightly, glancing at the Chief Administrator, whose expression mirrored his own. ¡®That¡¯s not how he should be acting. He¡¯s the kind of guy who¡¯d charge headfirst into a beast without hesitation... What is he up to this time?¡¯ And he wasn''t the only one. Someone else found the youngest¡¯s behavior strange. ¡®Hmm. That brat¡¯s not the type to act like this. The one who tested the instructors and even counterattacked me¡ªwhy is he suddenly being so cautious?¡¯ It was Lee Joongkwan. Those who knew the ninth¡¯s nature couldn¡¯t understand this overly passive approach. Soon, Young found a suitable cave and began inspecting the inside. He burned mugwort and various herbs to drive out insects and bats, then skillfully wove branches together to conceal the entrance. Not just by-the-book¡ªhis execution was expert-level. Even the more cynical elders watched with interest. Yet Lee Myeongjung and the Chief Administrator still felt uneasy, and Lee Joongkwan remained suspicious. Then suddenly, the ninth removed all the surveillance devices. "Wh¡ªWhat is he doing?" "No, that brat¡ª!" The elders recoiled in shock. The ninth mercilessly stripped off the bracelet and brooch that transmitted his video feed, tossing them to the ground. Then, he walked off and tore off a large tree leaf. "Wh-Why would he...?" Lee Taehong¡¯s voice trembled. And then¡ª Paf! The screen went dark. Everyone in the conference room sat there, mouths agape. "Ha! As expected of an illegitimate child¡ªhe¡¯s full of tricks." Lee Cheoljung burst into laughter. Lee Joongkwan burst into hearty laughter, clearly entertained. Meanwhile, Lee Myeongjung and the Chief Administrator could only sigh and press their hands against their foreheads. --- ¡°No need to show them anything unnecessary.¡± Right now, hunting wouldn¡¯t do much for my evaluation. It was far more important to obtain what I needed on this island without being seen. I could always start making a show of things when it actually mattered. While I was at it, I tossed the Steel sword I had brought deep into the cave. I only carried it because of other people''s expectations. But that average sword was nothing compared to what I already had on my finger. Slowly, I roused my mana. ¡ªFwoosh! The unassuming black ring on my finger, Boundless, trembled before seamlessly shifting into a dagger. With continued training and increased mana reserves, the transformation was much faster now. "Alright, time to move." Since I was already inside the Scarlet Depths, I might as well make the most of it. I flipped the dagger into the air, caught it effortlessly, and kicked off the ground. [Translator - Helga ] [Proofreader - Lucky]