3 years ago
I had just turned twelve.
But honestly… it didn't feel that different to me.
Everything was the same as before.
After Alfredo's lesson, I had come to the library. I was looking at the shelves, searching for something new to read.
After wandering among the books for a while, my eyes fell on one.
"First Sorcerers — The Blessing of God"
The title was quite interesting.
Looks like I've found today's book.
I took the book, sat down, and was just about to start reading when—
there was a knock on the door.
Eliot entered.
"Young master, Lord Arieon wishes to see you."
I frowned.
"Why?"
"He wants to introduce you to someone."
I thought for a moment.
"I'm coming. You may leave."
Looks like the book would have to wait.
I stood up and left the library.
I quickened my steps and headed toward my father's room.
I knocked and entered.
My father was not alone inside.
Someone was sitting in front of him.
He was tall—around 190 cm.
Looked about fifty years old.
Blond hair, blue eyes, and a thick beard of the same color.
He wore iron armor, and a sword was hanging on his right side.
Just one look was enough…
It was clear this man was not ordinary.
"Come closer, Lucius," my father said.
Then he added:
"This will be your sword master—Kael Von Clare."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Kael," I said politely.
Unlike my previous life…
this time, since I was a noble, I tried to speak more formally.
Kael looked at me.
"No need to say 'mister,'" he said in a calm, heavy voice. "Just 'Master' is enough."
My father continued:
"Lucius, you know how closely our family is tied to magic. But power is not just magic. One must also have strength to protect oneself and those around them."
He looked toward Kael.
"And the most suitable person for this job is him."
"Kael served in the royal army for many years. For the last ten years, he held the rank of general."
He paused briefly.
"After retiring, I invited him here to be your teacher. I am grateful to him for accepting my offer."
"I understand, Father," I said.
My father stood up.
"I have other matters to attend to. You handle the rest with your master."
He paused for a moment.
"If you need anything, tell him."
"Thank you, Father. Good luck with your work."
My father left the room.
The door closed.
Silence filled the room.
Kael said, "I'll be waiting for you at seven in the morning behind the house."
"Understood, mis— I mean, Master," I said.
Instinctively, I raised my hand to my head. In my previous life, I had seen soldiers salute like that.
But from Kael's reaction, it was clear…
that didn't exist here.
I woke up early in the morning.
I got dressed for training and went downstairs.
When I reached the back of the house, Kael was already waiting for me.
I walked toward him.
"Take this," he said.
And he threw a small wooden sword at me.
I caught it and said, "Hello, Master."
Kael looked at me carefully.
"Let's see what you've got," he said. "Come at me with everything you know."
Holding the sword in front of me, I ran toward him.
But—
in an instant…
it was over.
Before I even understood what happened, I was grabbed and thrown to the ground in seconds.
While I tried to catch my breath, he spoke calmly:
"The gap between us in strength is too big for your age."
He paused briefly.
"But you will grow… and I will weaken."
"With time, and proper techniques, you may even surpass me."
Then he said directly:
"But right now… you are nothing."
"But don't worry," he added. "We'll change that step by step."
Despite his appearance…
he was quite calm and gentle.
Kael continued:
"Don't think of the sword as just a tool."
"It is… an extension of your body."
"The moment you see it as something separate from yourself… you lose."
"You must maintain your body's balance."
"No matter how heavy the sword is, someone who moves it correctly… can strike wherever they want."
"And that… determines the outcome of battle."
Then he gestured.
"Now put the sword aside."
"First, do the movements I show you."
He paused briefly.
"First… we will increase your physical strength."
And so, the next few weeks passed with training.
Remembering what Kael taught, repeating it, and applying it became my daily routine.
After a while, with my father's permission, Kael even started taking me to watch combat tournaments held in the city.
Honestly…
it was more interesting than I expected.
As weeks turned into months, I began to feel changes in my body.
Faster.
Stronger.
More durable.
Now, instead of only lasting a few seconds against Kael…
I could last several minutes.
During this time, I also learned more about him.
Kael had joined the army at a young age.
He quickly became one of the strongest.
He even spent the last ten years as a general.
But… everything changed after the new king ascended the throne.
According to Kael, the king had brought his non-mage brother into the army…
and appointed him directly as a general.
This decision…
was not just unfair.
It was humiliating.
This was the main reason Kael left the army.
Not only him…
many soldiers left in protest of this decision.
My father, after these events, invited Kael here.
To teach me.
In truth…
Kael was not fully in agreement with it.
But he said—
he owed my father a debt of gratitude.
And now…
he was simply repaying that debt.
In fact, I had long reached the level needed to defend myself.
But that wasn't enough for me.
I wanted more.
I told my father this… and he agreed.
So our training continued for a full year.
As always, I woke up early, got ready, and went downstairs.
I approached my master.
At that moment—
Kael threw his sword directly at me.
"Get ready," he said calmly.
I instinctively caught the sword.
He turned his head aside.
"Eliot… begin."
In an instant, a transparent circular barrier surrounded us.
The air changed.
It felt like we were sealed inside.
Wait a minute… Eliot can use magic?!
Kael looked at me.
"Today is the final lesson," he said. "Keep your sword ready. You will fight me."
He paused briefly.
"But this time… not wooden ones. Real swords."
I frowned.
"Because the difference between us is too great… I asked for a small help."
Then he looked back.
"Eliot, do the thing."
"Understood, Sir General."
Suddenly Kael's body began to change.
A thin mist surrounded him.
The next moment—
the giant man standing in front of me disappeared.
In his place…
stood a small boy my age.
And he immediately jumped at me.
Instinct.
I raised my sword.
Clang!
Metal collided.
I blocked the strike and pushed him back with force.
Kael jumped back.
"Good, boy," he said with a smile. "As you can see, the conditions are equal."
He rested his sword on his shoulder.
"In this circle… I am also your age."
"So there is no physical difference anymore."
He lowered his sword.
"Now then… let's fight."
Even though I didn't fully understand everything…
one thing was certain.
Today… I want to defeat my master.
Kael moved again.
This time faster.
He swung his sword from the side.
I stepped back.
The strike barely missed my hair.
He's too fast…
I planted my foot firmly and counterattacked.
I swung my sword downward from the right.
He tilted his body slightly and avoided it.
At the same time—
he struck my ribs lightly with the reverse side of his blade.
"Don't lose focus," he said calmly.
I gritted my teeth.
Attacked again.
Up.
Right.
Left.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Kael blocked them all easily.
He wasn't even stepping back.
Just standing and defending.
"Your technique isn't bad," he said. "But…"
In an instant, he pushed my sword down.
My balance broke.
"…your intent is weak."
I quickly stepped back at the last moment, avoiding his strike.
My breathing grew heavier.
If this continues… I'll lose.
I took a deep breath.
Stabilized my stance.
Held the sword tighter.
As he said… this is not just a tool.
It is a part of me.
Kael didn't wait this time.
He charged straight at me.
I narrowed my eyes.
The strike was coming.
At the last moment, I dodged sideways.
At the same time, I swung my sword upward from below.
Clang!
This time I didn't just block his attack—
I redirected it.
Kael lost his balance for a moment.
Now!
I stepped forward.
Held the sword at his neck.
Silence.
Several seconds passed…
No one moved.
Kael looked into my eyes.
Then smiled slightly.
"So… you finally understood."
I lowered my sword.
Still breathing heavily.
This…
was my first victory.
After a few seconds of silence—
Eliot raised his hand.
The transparent barrier slowly faded.
The air changed again.
The next moment—
Kael's body began to change again.
The small boy returned to the towering figure I knew.
I lowered my sword.
Still breathing heavily.
Kael looked at me.
Didn't say anything for a few seconds.
Then he slowly approached.
"Not bad," he said calmly.
"For one year… you did better than I expected."
I lowered my head.
"Master…"
He cut me off.
"But don't forget."
He paused briefly.
"This victory… was only because the conditions were equal."
I looked up.
"In a real fight," he continued, "your opponent will be stronger, faster… more experienced."
"And you won't always get such chances."
He rested his sword on the ground.
"But…"
He smiled slightly.
"If you keep thinking like you did today… one day, you may truly become strong."
These words…
for some reason, hit harder than anything.
Kael turned around.
"From this day on, I don't have much left to teach you."
"You've learned the basics."
"The rest… is your path."
He paused.
"And remember… the sword is not just something you hold."
"How you use it… shows who you are."
Silence.
"Thank you, Master," I said quietly.
He nodded slightly.
Kael turned and walked away slowly.
And I stood there.
That evening, we had dinner with my family and Kael.
Everything looked normal on the table…
But it was the last time.
After dinner, I stood up.
Looked at Kael.
"Master… thank you for everything," I said quietly.
He looked at me.
"Don't talk too much," he said as usual. "Just don't forget what you learned."
But this time… there was a different tone beneath his voice.
I slightly bowed my head.
Then turned and went upstairs.
The next day—
Kael was gone.
As if he had never been there.
The courtyard was as quiet as before.
The training area was empty.
I stood there for a moment, looking around.
Since I came into this world…
he had become one of the people I cared about the most.
I took a deep breath.
I just hope… one day we meet again.
The only thing left for me to wait for now was—
my fifteenth birthday.
It wasn't just an age.
In this world…
it was a beginning.
After turning fifteen, I would meet my magic teacher.
Awaken my mana…
learn magic…
and then—
go to the academy.
Aethelgard Academy.
The largest magic academy in the country, where my sister studies.