Chapter 10

Introduction to Rascals - Chapter 10 (10/300)

#010

"Seung, you are in the presence of His Majesty."

At Karius' words, Augustus bowed his head with a face full of discontent. The emperor, who had been silent, suddenly snapped his fingers as if a good idea had struck him and began to speak.

"Why don't the two of you have a proper sparring match? No, this is a good opportunity to see the skills of all the princes."

"A sparring match?"

At the emperor's words, Karius smiled. He must have thought there was no reason to refuse a stage where he could shine, believing himself to be the strongest among us.

Augustus, standing beside me, also had a delighted look on his face. He believed he could at least defeat me, even if he was inferior to his other brothers.

'A sparring match.'

If the curse of the veil is lifted, even if those three attack me simultaneously, it won't be a match for my single punch.

I would like to do it right away, but let's think rationally. If the third prince, known as a rascal, knocks out all the other princes in front of so many people?

It might feel good right now, but it would instill unnecessary vigilance in those who never cared about me.

The situation was such that even if I beat one of my younger brothers and humiliated my older brother, it could lead to an assassination attempt. Without building any power base, I would be at a significant disadvantage. As I said before, I have to endure like a sweet potato for the sake of soda.

The emperor ordered the preparation for the sparring match. The Royal Knights took charge, and soon a large stage was set up in the center of the banquet hall.

The news of the princes sparring caused the banquet hall to heat up once again. Nobles seated everywhere watched us with bright eyes, and each prince displayed a confident attitude.

Since we couldn't spar in our formal attire, we returned to our respective palaces to change into appropriate clothing while the stage was being prepared.

"Hmm."

My gaze suddenly fell on Tylving on the table.

Over the past week, she had been a great help to me. When I asked her to teach me swordsmanship, she initially looked bewildered but eventually agreed.

I, 'Leos,' had never even held a sword, but 'Leos' had trained rigorously to reach the intermediate level of Sword Expert at the age of sixteen.

After a few lessons, I managed to recall some of the memories embedded in my body, though not all of them.

This is why I could maintain my composure despite the sudden sparring match.

I was not entirely calm, however. Although I had fought Tylving in intense, realistic sparring sessions, this was my first real duel with someone else, and cold sweat trickled down my palms.

In stories, people who reincarnate or possess a body fight well, but in reality, it's not that easy.

"Tylving?"

I called her name softly, but there was no change.

She said she had not yet recovered from the injuries sustained in a battle over a decade ago and needed consistent sleep to regain her strength.

There was no such story in the original work, but it seemed I had woken her up earlier than planned.

It would have been nice to have her help, but I can only feel regret that I can't.

Besides, even if she were awake, I wouldn't take Tylving with me.

She is a last resort.

I don't want to reveal her in front of so many people, especially the emperor.

"Huh."

I stroked the ring on my left ring finger.

If I fight seriously, I can easily overpower Augustus with my physical abilities alone. Thanks to the system's assistance, I was able to defeat him in the previous incident.

However, there is a significant gap in swordsmanship and mana control. It's a regrettable but inevitable part. Even though I have Leos' body, I have only held a sword for a week, and my practical skills are still clumsy.

Clank.

Lifting the prepared sword, I felt its heavy weight in my hand.

It was heavier than the K-2 rifle I had held in the military, but thanks to its well-balanced center of gravity, it felt like it was a natural extension of my arm.

Whoosh.

Swinging it lightly to loosen up, a sharp sound cut through the air.

Holding the sword, I could feel Leos' body naturally taking a stance. This was not from my memory but from the ingrained effort in his body. The physical memory of swinging a sword thousands, even tens of thousands of times, guided me.

"Let's not get too hasty."

I felt I could get used to this sensation if I had a month, but I tried to calm myself and not get too impatient.

Even knowing the future, the novel's content is not a record of every second.

Moreover, this point in time is before the prologue. It was only briefly mentioned as a side story in the original, so I don't know much about it.

'If I just fight appropriately and lose when the mood changes, it should be fine.'

I don't intend to admit defeat easily. I plan to create a confrontational dynamic with Augustus, which will be a turning point in the negative image of the incompetent rascal. It's a setup for the future.

Clank.

Strapping the heavy sword to my side, I returned to the palace banquet hall. The massive doors opened, and the knight guarding the entrance announced my arrival with a loud voice.

"The third prince of the Ribera Empire, His Highness Augustus von Ribera, has entered!"

As the doors slowly opened, the crowd turned their attention to me.

'Huh.'

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward with a determined appearance.

* * *

"Sword?"

Let's go back a week before the National Foundation Day. When Tylving asked me what I wanted, I replied that I wanted to learn swordsmanship.

She initially looked stunned and then burst into laughter. She found it so amusing that tears formed at the corners of her eyes, and her shoulders shook.

"You're a funny man. If you were trying to make me laugh, it was a huge success. So, tell me what you really want."

After finally suppressing her laughter, she said with a thin smile, but I gave the same answer again.

Reading the sincerity in my expression, Tylving's face hardened. She then asked again, looking incredulous.

"Really?"

"Really."

My firm and unwavering answer left her speechless.

"Not power to look down on the world, nor a strength that no one can challenge?"

"That's right."

If I wanted those things, you would fulfill my wishes without hesitation.

But at the end of that path lies certain destruction.

Great power comes with a great price. It's a famous movie quote, but it applies everywhere.

And I didn't need to acquire such power right now. If someone found out, it would only draw unnecessary attention.

I just needed to draw out some of the power dormant in this body.

"I lost my memories of the past in exchange for seeing the future."

It was a plausible excuse, even to me. This body had reached the intermediate level of Sword Expert and the 4th Class, but the software didn't match, making it all useless.

I only knew how to slash and stab with a sword, and I had no idea what to do with magic.

The reason I wanted Tylving was the same. Besides protecting this body, she could be a good teacher after living for hundreds of years.

It was a bit funny to be taught by a sword, but I had no time to be picky in this situation. Besides, it wasn't unheard of.

"Unbelievable. Everyone who has possessed this body has wanted what I said."

"I don't want to face destruction."

I will survive stubbornly until I leave this place. Selling my soul to Tylving is a last resort. Do you think I would hand it over willingly?

"...Well, maybe this is just a pastime. It's not bad."

She said it dismissively but ultimately agreed to my request. Such a tsundere.

At the same time, I felt a sense of expectation.

Isn't that how it always goes? The protagonists who reincarnate or possess a body in other worlds always have great power.

Compared to them, I might be lacking right now, but Leos' growth is no less impressive.

With the knowledge of the future, I will only be better, not worse.

However, I didn't expect Tylving to be so harsh. She wouldn't teach me half-heartedly, given that she is a divine sword, and we engaged in sparring sessions every day, leaving me a rag by night.

She seemed to have shown some consideration, as I had no major injuries except for minor scratches. After all, the skill gap was too large for her to hit me properly.

"Let's avoid hurting each other."

At the emperor's voice, I snapped back to reality.

Lifting my head, the splendid banquet hall greeted me. Had I been lost in thought, or was it just the fatigue?

The sparring matches were arranged so that each of the four princes would have a chance to duel.

Just before the start of the sparring, the emperor said with a small smile:

"It wouldn't be fun if we just fought. I will grant one wish to the prince who wins the most matches, within reason."

"…!"

The princes and the nobles were stirred by his words.

This was almost like declaring that the strongest prince would be chosen as the crown prince.

And at this point, the one closest to that position is naturally the first prince, Karius.

He looked at us with a confident expression, as if he believed it himself. Darius watched him with fiery eyes, and Augustus also showed determination.

'I'm not even in their consideration.'

"I won't kill you."

Suddenly, a whisper reached my ear. Glancing sideways, I saw Augustus smirking and muttering.

"But I'll make you feel so ashamed you'll want to die."

'Huh.'

His arrogance is laughable. Still, he seems more human than my other brothers, who treat me like I don't exist, and I felt a bit of affection.

I'll beat you up gently later.

"Then, let's start with the youngest."

Following the emperor's words, Augustus and I stepped onto the prepared stage.

"The sparring will continue until the opponent admits defeat or we determine a clear winner. Good luck."

The knight in charge of refereeing gave a few brief instructions. Augustus fixed his gaze on me, as if his body was itching, and I nodded in response to the knight's words.

The knight stepped back after finishing his instructions. There was no common bell or announcement to start the match, but we naturally glared at each other, igniting a sharp sense of enmity.

Swoosh.

With a sharp sound, Augustus drew his sword. The gleaming longsword in front of me made my lips dry.

Despite a week of intense training, I couldn't help but feel nervous. The sparring with Tylving was one-sided due to the skill gap, but with Augustus, it could turn into a messy fight.

If I get cut...

The image of my flesh splitting and blood flowing in my mind made me frown.

"Can't even draw your sword? Tsk, to call yourself a Ribera, you're a disgrace."

Augustus sneered as if he could read my thoughts. Slightly hurt, I defiantly drew my sword with a strong motion.

'Huh?'

At the same time, a familiar voice reached my ear. Thinking it might be an illusion, I turned my head, but only the nobles, watching us with excited expressions, were there.

...Was it an illusion? It sounded like Tylving's voice.

"Haah!"

With a powerful yell, Augustus lunged at me. Although it was a sudden attack, I was mentally prepared and tightened my grip on the sword.

The swords clashed, and sparks flew. The jarring recoil traveled up my arm, but Augustus's sword relentlessly attacked.

"Haah!"

I had no time to breathe. With each blink, his sword swung several times, and I was forced to take deep breaths whenever I had a moment of respite.

Grinding.

"Even now, it's not too late to surrender. If you do, I'll spare your life."

Augustus paused his relentless attack and pressed his sword against mine. He looked at me with a cold gaze from a distance where our noses almost touched.

'There was a reason for his confident words.'

His gaze, as if looking at a bug, made me want to curse. Augustus's sword skills were indeed excellent. I could only block them with my current abilities.

To be honest, I felt more regret than frustration.

My inability to even hold a sword.

My limited abilities due to the curse of the veil.

My lack of practical experience and clumsy sword skills.

If I had more time, I wouldn't be in such a defensive position.

Augustus gradually closed the distance, as if trying to imprint the gap between us.

Glancing around, the nobles seemed surprised by my unexpected resistance.

'I've done enough.'

A sense of satisfaction began to rise in my heart.

Leos in the palace was known as incompetent and foolish. But through this sparring, that image would gradually change. The nobles who witnessed me fighting on equal terms with Augustus would spread the word.

But.

Is it really enough?

Thud!

Seeing his triumphant expression, as if victory was already his, I felt a surge of anger. So, I kicked his abdomen with a sudden move, but he pulled his sword back at the last moment to block it.

"Ugh, you bastard...!"

In the heat of the moment, he couldn't fully block it, and one of his fingers holding the sword was hit by my foot. Augustus grimaced in pain and gritted his teeth.

Does it hurt?

But what can you do?

You'll feel more pain in the future.

I no longer want to lose.