Chapter 6

Reincarnated as a Sword Emperor in the Sword Clan (6)

Number 1, whose complexion had been fluctuating between red and pale, soon gritted his teeth and glared at the two as if he were about to kill them, saying,

"...Fine. Your ignorance in not recognizing who you should serve, and your lack of worth for me to personally visit, is clear."

Despite his appearance filled with anger, his eyes were accurate. He had recognized that Leonard's attitude and aura indicated someone who could not be swayed.

If he stayed any longer, it would only be a waste of time.

Without a word, Number 1 turned around and left the room with unhindered steps. The sounds of his followers, who had been waiting outside the training room, chasing after him echoed.

Only then did Number 2's laughter finally stop.

"Ahaha, ha, ha... I haven't laughed so much in a long time."

"That's, good."

Matching his words to the rhythm of his exercise, Leonard, who had exerted all his strength until the end, replied.

"I've never seen anyone deal with Number 1 like you did."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, it was fun. So I'll return the favor."

Number 2 gently rubbed his eyes and said,

"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but didn't you say you wanted to skip the basic sword training?"

"That's right."

Leonard was not surprised by this.

The Cardenas lineage generally has very high physical abilities, including their senses. As a direct descendant, Number 2's hearing could approach the level of ground listening techniques without even trying.

It wouldn't be strange if he had overheard Leonard's mutterings even outside the training room.

"Why did we suddenly form factions?"

Number 2 asked out of the blue.

"Who knows."

"Think about it. I, and Number 1, hate troublesome things. Well, he might be a bit different since he wants everyone to worship him. Anyway."

Leonard gave a simple answer.

There's only one reason to do something you don't want to do.

"We must need to form a group. Or it just happened."

"Ah."

Number 2 clapped his hands in agreement.

"Right. You're perceptive. Number 3 probably guessed from observing us, and Number 7, being a fool, followed the collateral line's words."

"Is team-based training starting?"

"If you want to know more, join my side."

Number 2 didn't answer his question but smiled meaningfully.

But Leonard turned his head without a moment's hesitation.

"Fine. I don't need to know."

"......"

Except for Number 1, who had been annoying from the first meeting, Number 2's cheeks puffed up for the first time meeting a boy who wouldn't bend to his will.

It was a face that even experienced instructors, who would normally scold and then let it go, found exasperating.

But Leonard, who was only 14 years old on the outside but had the mind of a sword-fighting fanatic, didn't flinch.

"I'll help you once. Be satisfied with that."

It was a principle he had maintained since the days of the Sword Emperor.

To return a minimal favor to those who had benefited him. For the same reason, Number 7 had given him information about the faction disputes at the restaurant the night before.

How Number 2 interpreted this, she deflated her puffed cheeks and chuckled.

"Sure. I'll look forward to it, Number 25."

Smiling and waving, Number 2 left the training room. Leonard, now alone again, grabbed the exercise equipment.

'Finally, it's quiet.'

That was his entire impression after meeting the direct descendants.

* * *

When Leonard returned to his usual routine after a week of rest, the way people looked at him had changed significantly.

Among the roughly 500 people, Number 381 was below average, but climbing to Number 25 in less than a week was an event no one had predicted.

If it weren't for the instructors watching closely, his surroundings would have been swarming with children.

"Your skills are impressive, Number 25."

The problem was that these instructors also found him annoying,

"Your ability to control your muscles is remarkable. Let's increase the weight."

"I'll support you. Three more times from now!"

It wasn't entirely annoying, so he could tolerate it.

Now that he had learned how to use the equipment, he could use it efficiently even when he came alone.

'Learning new things isn't a waste of time.'

His thinking, which became open-minded only in matters of martial arts, was one of the reasons the martial arts world couldn't categorize him as either righteous or evil. He would seek guidance from wandering knights or miners if there was something to learn, and ignore even famous scholars if there wasn't.

Leonard finished his morning training with the instructor's support and immediately headed to the cafeteria.

"Hey! Number 25!"

At that moment, Number 7, who had followed him, approached.

"To become Number 25 in just a week. I knew my judgment was right! They said you even rejected Number 1 and Number 2 when they came to see you yesterday?"

"...The rumors spread fast."

"It means the factions' power struggles are intense. It seems there's a competition over who will take you."

Leonard shook his head at this.

"I told you. I have no intention of joining anyone."

"Was that serious? I thought you were just trying to raise your value."

Number 7, with wide eyes, scanned him from head to toe and then shrugged.

"Well, as long as you don't fawn over the direct descendants, we have no reason to treat you harshly."

The two walked side by side, got their food, and naturally sat at the same table.

Number 7 initiated the conversation, and Leonard gave short answers, but the dialogue continued. There were attempts to join their conversation, but anyone who got too close was met with a fierce glare from Number 7, causing them to stop.

"Is Number 3 your leader?"

Leonard, who had almost finished his meal, asked.

"Huh?! Oh, yeah. He's the only one who can match Number 1 and Number 2. I'm not particularly smart either."

It was the first time Leonard had spoken, so Number 7, though surprised, answered with a bright expression.

It felt like the distance between them had slightly decreased.

"What about Number 4? Isn't he also a direct descendant?"

At this question, Number 7's face twisted in displeasure.

"Oh, that guy is a bat. He pretends to be neutral but plans to join the winner. Those who don't want to get involved in faction disputes and don't want to take unnecessary risks all follow him."

"If you provoke him first, he'll join the opposite side. Not a bad strategy."

"He's a very cunning guy, despite being a direct descendant!"

If it were a dark cult, it would be meaningless, Leonard thought, analyzing Number 4's stance.

In this training camp, killing or severely injuring another child is prohibited. If you can't completely isolate them, it's a losing proposition to provoke them.

'I can see how they might try to manipulate me.'

While Number 7 passionately explained why Number 4 shouldn't be associated with, Leonard, having finished his meal, turned to leave.

He planned to meditate until the sword training started in an hour.

Right at that moment,

Ding—, ding—, ding-ding—.

The trainees, who had been moving around, froze and then began to move in the same direction.

It was the signal for all trainees to gather in the drill field.

The bell had a slightly different interval from the one that signaled class times.

'It doesn't seem like an emergency... Is it what Number 2 mentioned?'

While the other children were tense, Leonard's face remained calm.

'If so, I don't have to do the basic sword training.'

He didn't mind any training as long as it wasn't a waste of time. He could enjoy fighting with the instructors in teams or fighting each other.

2nd, who had almost figured out his nature, was curious about the abilities of 1st, 4th, and other high-ranking numbers.

Leonard's steps became lighter.

"Attention! I will now announce the instructions!"

A short while later.

Within 10 minutes of the bell ringing, all the children were lined up tightly in the drill field.

The instructor, standing in front of them, with a red badge on his right shoulder, shouted in a loud voice.

"I have determined that the trainees of this batch have reached a satisfactory level in basic sword skills and will proceed with outdoor training!"

Outdoor training.

The children didn't move at the words, but the air was restless.

Leonard noticed a few children who remained completely calm amidst the restlessness, as if they had known in advance.

'1st and 2nd are obvious... There are about three others, including the one who looks like 4th.'

One of them must be 3rd, so the others are likely the second-in-command or the smart ones of each faction.

The difference between direct and collateral descendants in accessing training information is significant. 3rd might only have guessed the direction, but he wouldn't know how it would proceed or what awaited them.

To Leonard, it didn't matter.

"Rest assured! What I just said is true, but you are not alone! The trainees standing next to you, in front of and behind you, can all be your support!"

The senior instructor, reading the anxious atmosphere, laughed.

"Form groups now! The number of members is irrelevant! Those who become group leaders will be recognized regardless of their number! Go ahead!"

The trainees began to move in a flurry.

The flow of movement was divided into four directions, just as Leonard had predicted.

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.

Children gathered around these four leaders, leaving empty spots in the drill field.

'So, those two are 3rd and 4th.'

Leonard's eyes quickly scanned the two.

4th, with his blond hair and golden eyes, was a rare spectacle, a boy wearing glasses.

3rd, a black-haired girl, was surrounded by the collateral descendants, including Number 7.

They were the ones who hadn't been swayed by the instructor's words.

'And five groups of children who couldn't decide on a faction. If so, I have a high chance of being in Group 5.'

The factions' sizes were in the order of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 3rd.

Except for 1st, which accounted for nearly 40% of the total, the others were similar in number.

There were about 60 trainees who could be considered unaffiliated, Group 5.

'...I've decided.'

Having thought this far, Leonard moved his feet.

The high-ranking numbers, who had been watching him, lit up, and the instructors were curious about his choice.

And.

"Number 25!"

"Yes."

The senior instructor, rarely showing surprise, asked.

"Explain the meaning of your actions."

Leonard moved to the outer edge of the drill field, where the trainees had scattered into four groups, leaving no one by his side.

Number 1, sensing his choice, glared, thinking, "He's still arrogant."

Number 2 clapped, impressed by Leonard's unexpected move.

Number 3 looked interested, and Number 4 adjusted his glasses, updating his assessment of Leonard.

"Exactly as you see, Instructor."

Leonard faced the senior instructor and answered.

"I will go in alone."