Chapter 10

Reincarnated as the Sword Emperor in the Sword Saint's Family (10)

After the outdoor training had been underway for some time, the instructors gathered in the conference room located at the center of the forest.

Almost all of them were present, except for a few who were managing the children. There were a total of 19 instructors, from the senior instructor Bruno to Collin, who was solely responsible for Group 25.

Including those who couldn't attend, there were 36 in total.

Considering that each one of them was a veteran-level knight, it was clear how serious they were about the children's education.

"Hmm."

Bruno, who had been looking through the reports and the crystal orbs installed throughout the forest, spoke up.

"Everything is going well. I'm very satisfied."

The growth rate was as expected, if not better.

The leadership of the group leaders and the strategies they employed for the outdoor training were quite impressive, even to the instructors.

"Group 1's leader, Number 1, shows remarkable decisiveness. From the first day, he established a grand strategy for victory. It's not perfect, but he's taken a step closer to the goal faster than anyone else."

A younger instructor praised, but another instructor disagreed.

"I agree with his decisiveness, but he's also overly aggressive. There's a sense of arrogance, as if he can't be wrong. If he succeeds this way and then hits a snag, he might suffer a significant setback."

"Another concern is that, apart from Number 5, he doesn't have any close allies. While it's common to want only the best around you, openly displaying this can lead to resentment from those who don't make the cut."

Bruno acknowledged the validity of all three evaluations and looked down at the map spread out on the table in front of him.

In just a week, the map had become quite colorful.

Group 1 occupied the largest area, followed by Groups 2 and 4.

Group 3, composed of capable cadets, had completely collapsed and scattered.

'Group 3 was just too unlucky. While Number 3's response was appropriate, Number 1's aggressiveness was beyond imagination.'

Group 1's reconnaissance team, which started searching the forest on the second day, found Group 3's base and activity range in about four days.

Fortunately, Number 3 managed to subdue a few scouts, but soon Number 1 took action. Realizing he was short on numbers, he led all his cadets in the direction the scouts had disappeared.

Even with a few losses, Group 1, nearly twice the size of Group 3, attacked before they could formulate a plan.

'Number 3, along with Numbers 6 and 7, and other capable cadets, have mostly escaped. If they join other groups, they could be valuable assets.'

Group 3 was almost entirely wiped out, leaving only about ten survivors.

The cadets who had their badges taken were handed over to the instructors, treated, and then continued their training, using their forest experiences as a learning opportunity.

Ambushing or being ambushed, cooperating or being cooperated against.

Pressuring the few with the many, or resisting the many with the few.

These battles, which they had never experienced in a controlled environment, must have been a significant turning point for the children.

"Groups 2 and 4 seem to have agreed to a non-aggression pact after their first encounter."

With similar numbers and no clear advantage in the terrain, a clash would have resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

They likely agreed to a truce, but compared to Group 1, which had rapidly gained strength and influence, their situation was lukewarm. Having experienced and won a forest battle, Group 1's morale and combat effectiveness were now sufficient to handle both groups simultaneously.

"Still, the remaining members of Group 3 are approaching the two groups. Hearing this news, both sides will likely change their stance."

"Will Number 4 surrender?"

"That child bases his actions on his own capabilities and seeks maximum benefit, but he's not afraid of fighting or cowardly. I don't think he'll surrender without a fight."

Bruno, who had been listening to their discussion, looked at one of the instructors.

The instructor responsible for Group 6, Number 25.

It was Collin.

"Collin, how is Number 25 doing?"

"Um…"

Collin, who had momentarily forgotten what to say, finally managed to respond.

"He tamed the wolf we placed at the 13th campsite, and he's using it to hunt and conduct independent training. He hasn't encountered any other cadets yet, and at this rate, he could survive for months."

"……"

"……"

The conference room fell silent.

At first, it seemed like a joke, but Collin's serious expression suggested otherwise.

Bruno, who had been as stunned as the other instructors, spoke up.

"…What?"

While he had hoped for good things from Number 25, he hadn't expected this.

Bruno's meticulously groomed mustache trembled.

* * *

Unaware of the chaos his actions had caused somewhere in the forest, Leonard was simply focused.

Climbing a cliff.

In the martial arts world, this training method is called "Wall Lizard Technique" (壁虎功).

It requires pulling one's body weight with two arms, and any mistake in finding a grip or foothold can result in a fall or slip. It's a method to train both physical aspects like strength and endurance, and mental aspects like courage and judgment.

Even though the cliff Leonard was climbing wasn't very high, a small stream flowed down it.

'The mossy areas are dangerous, but the slippery spots caused by water are even more so.'

Stones that have been washed by water for a long time are as slippery as marble polished by stonemasons. Unless one has the strength to dig their fingers into the surface, they need to look for other points.

But Leonard placed his hand on the slippery rock.

'Even if it's slippery, it's just an irregularly eroded rock. If I carefully feel with my fingertips, I should find a spot to hang my weight precariously.'

His arms and back muscles ached from climbing up and down several times, but his mental focus was undeterred by the pain.

All his senses sharpened, focusing on his fingertips.

He searched for the slightest imperfections, like licking the surface with his tongue.

The moment he felt confident he could climb, he pulled himself up without hesitation.

"Whoosh!"

Like the release of a bowstring, Leonard shot upward, finally reaching the top of the cliff. Heat radiated from his relaxed muscles, and a faint steam rose from his body.

He was so exhausted that even moving a pinky finger felt impossible.

"Enough for today."

Knowing his recovery capabilities, Leonard didn't push himself further and relaxed his muscles.

The art of flexibility is not just about increasing physical flexibility.

It enhances the elasticity of all muscles, allowing them to tighten and relax only when needed, thus improving recovery. The swollen muscles in his arms and back quickly subsided.

Bang!

A distant howl caught his attention.

'He's back.'

The wolf, which had been running through the forest, leaped several times and climbed the cliff.

Its physical abilities were far beyond those of ordinary wolves, let alone humans.

Approaching Leonard, the wolf lay down and dropped a few rabbits it had caught. Despite carrying them in its mouth, they were mostly unharmed.

"Thank you."

Knowing the wolf would bring more if he said it was fine, Leonard simply stroked its nose.

Ultimately, saving time on finding food allowed him to focus entirely on training.

Grrr…

The wolf purred and rolled over at his touch.

"Did you find the others?"

Bang!

"Which direction? This way? That way?"

Bang bang!

"East? How far away were they?"

The wolf, which had been answering smoothly, tilted its head and shook it.

Grr?

"I can't understand that. Well, it doesn't matter if they're close or far."

Grrr?

"I'm not angry."

He patted the wolf, which seemed anxious.

For a creature of such size, its behavior was like that of a puppy.

Of course, it only acted this way in front of him.

Then, suddenly,

Grrr!

The wolf, which had been lying down, stood up and bared its teeth, staring in one direction of the forest.

Leonard, who understood the meaning, widened his eyes.

'The approaching presence is perceived as a threat. A direct descendant, or perhaps a high-ranking number?'

Although the wolf was obedient to him, its combat power could easily take down dozens of cadets.

Excluding the unknown Number 1, even Numbers 2 and 4 couldn't guarantee victory against it alone. Only a single-digit cadet could pose a threat to the wolf.

A faint interest appeared in Leonard's eyes.

And then,

"Huff…! Huff! Huff…!"

A girl staggered out of the forest.

Long, black hair.

Her ponytail, tied at the nape of her neck, swayed, and while her right hand held a wooden sword, her left arm hung limply from the elbow.

A bone fracture or crack, a rare injury for someone with such strong bones, usually unharmed by minor impacts.

"Number 3."

"Y-You?!"

Even with her senses dulled by pain and fatigue, she couldn't miss him at this distance.

Seeing Leonard, Number 3 reflexively leaped backward.

She held her wooden sword in front of her, but the usual confidence was missing. Her physical exhaustion, injuries, and mental fatigue had taken their toll.

When Leonard remained silent, Number 3, whose judgment had returned, asked in confusion.

"Number 25, why are you here? What's with that wolf?"

Leonard didn't answer.

"I don't care. Who gave you those injuries?"

"What? Answer me first…!"

The tip of Number 3's wooden sword trembled.

Ignoring her labored breathing and raising her voice, she left an opening that wouldn't have existed if she had held it with both hands.

Leonard's wooden sword shot out, taking advantage of the opening.

Clack!

Number 3, who lost her wooden sword in one strike, reacted belatedly, but Leonard's hand was already at her throat.

"…Damn."

With a resigned look, Number 3 raised her hands.

Leonard asked, "What happened?"

"To be honest."

The moment her wooden sword was lowered, Number 3's eyes flashed, and she lunged at him.

"I planned this, you fool!"

Whether unarmed or with one arm, it didn't matter.

Moving like a beast rather than a human, she launched a spinning kick, more dangerous than a heavy blow from a blunt weapon, a proper martial arts technique!

"Foolish, Number 3."

Leonard, unmoved, dodged her kick by a hair's breadth and kicked out.

The weakness of foot techniques is the need to support the body during execution.

Kicked in the back of the knee, Number 3 collapsed.

"Ugh…!"

Her legs, already weakened from walking and running with injuries, gave out from the impact.

She wouldn't be able to stand for a few minutes.

Leonard watched as Number 3, despite her condition, tried to get up, then put away his wooden sword and turned around.

"I'll treat your arm first. Stay there. If you attack again, I'll disqualify you."

"Huh? Wh-what…?"

Surprised by the unexpected words, Number 3's eyes widened.

He wasn't taking her badge or demanding answers, but offering to treat her arm?

The action was so far from her expectations that she was speechless.

Even more surprising, he turned his back on her without tying her up.

'—If I ambush him from behind.'

Number 3 considered it but quickly gave up.

For some reason, it didn't feel like it would work.

The growling wolf near Number 25 was also a problem.

"What's going on…?"

She was more confused than when Group 1 had ambushed them.

Being easily subdued by Number 25, despite her injuries, and the wolf, which seemed formidable even when she was uninjured, were beyond her understanding.

Her thoughts went no further.

Her body, exhausted from walking, running, and fighting all day, was ready to lose consciousness at any moment.

"…Sigh."

Wrapped in an inexplicable sense of relief, Number 3 immediately fell asleep.