Clang…
Clang…
Clang…
The sound of clashing swords echoed across the Rodieck family training grounds.
The morning air was cold, yet my small body was already drenched in sweat. My breathing was ragged. My hands trembled, barely able to grip the wooden sword that felt far heavier than it should.
Every impact—
felt like it struck my own bones.
"Faster!"
The voice was firm. Deep. Leaving no room for weakness.
I raised my sword again. My legs nearly gave out, but I forced myself to stand.
"Hah…!"
I stepped forward.
CLANG!!
My sword was knocked away. My body was pushed back several steps. My knees almost hit the ground.
The man in front of me didn't even move from his position.
Veil Basten.
The deputy commander of the Rodieck family forces.
A swordsman who had already reached the peak of the Sword Expert Aura… just one step away from becoming a Sword Master.
His eyes were sharp. Cold. As if he could see through all my weaknesses with a single glance.
"Again."
I bit my lip.
My hands hurt.
My body hurt.
But what hurt the most… was the feeling of not being strong enough.
I attacked again.
CLANG!!
This time, harder.
But the result was the same.
My sword was deflected. My body staggered. My breath broke.
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
"That's enough, young master."
I froze.
Those words… always came at the same moment.
Right when I was about to break.
I lowered my head. My breathing was heavy. My vision blurred slightly.
"…yes."
That was all I could say.
Right now… I am five years old.
An age where other children are still playing.
But not me.
Since I could walk… I've held a sword.
Since I could speak… I've been taught to fight.
Because I am part of the Rodieck family.
A military noble house… known across the entire continent of Alteria.
In this world… strength is everything.
Especially in the path of the sword.
The swordsmanship ranks in Alteria are divided into ten levels:
Novice…
Apprentice…
Warrior…
Knight…
Great Knight…
Sword Expert…
Sword Master…
Grandmaster…
Saint…
…and the highest—
Sword God.
A level that isn't even considered real.
A legend.
A myth.
A story that only lives in ancient books.
The same applies to mages.
Magic Circle 10…
the highest level of magic… is also believed to not exist.
People say—
"Humans can never reach that."
But…
I know something different.
I realized it… when I was three years old.
That day—
I had a dream.
But… it wasn't an ordinary dream.
I stood in a shattered world.
The sky was split apart. The الأرض was cracked. The air was filled with pressure that made it hard to breathe.
And there—
There were two figures.
One held a sword.
The other… was surrounded by countless magic circles.
Their presence… wasn't just powerful.
It felt like the very laws of that world.
I couldn't see their faces clearly.
But I felt one thing—
Fear.
A fear so real… that my body froze.
Then—
The sword was raised.
The magic circles spun.
And the world… shattered.
I woke up screaming.
My body trembled.
My breathing was chaotic.
Since that day—
Something changed within me.
I began to feel… something.
A warm flow inside my body.
Like energy moving… following my will.
Aura.
And not just that.
I also felt something else—
Mana.
Magical energy.
Something I shouldn't even be able to understand at that age.
At first, I thought it was coincidence.
Or maybe… just my imagination.
But day by day…
It became clearer.
I could move it.
Control it.
Hide it.
Without anyone knowing.
I looked at my hand now.
A small hand… that seemed weak.
But within it—
There was power no five-year-old should possess.
I slowly clenched my fist.
"…not yet."
I can't reveal it yet.
Not now.
Because I know—
If others find out…
Everything will change.
"Tomorrow."
Veil Basten's voice broke my thoughts.
I lifted my head.
"Tomorrow is your awakening day."
I fell silent.
Yes…
I know.
Every child in this family… goes through it.
The day their talent is awakened.
The day their future is decided.
Whether they will become a great swordsman…
Or just a forgotten shadow.
"Prepare yourself."
Veil turned away. Without looking back at me.
I stood still.
The morning wind blew softly.
But for the first time—
I felt… something far greater was waiting for me.
I looked up at the sky.
"…awakening."
A faint smile formed on my lips.
But it wasn't a child's smile.
It was… the smile of someone hiding a secret.
A secret… that could change everything.