The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority Chapter 72

Swordmaster (2)

Before anyone noticed, time had passed...

There was now only a single day left until the opening of the Sword Dragon Hall.

Ian had spent about two weeks relentlessly absorbing the aura stored in Vladiark, and succeeded in reaching the entry-stage of Swordmaster-rank.

'I really did it...!'

He had become a Swordmaster at the mere age of 14.

This was an achievement a full four years faster than the previous record set by Ragnar, head of the Five Heavenly Sword Clans―the fastest in human history.

A monumental feat that would be eternally engraved in both history and legend was achieved quietly in the basement of Heavenly Sword Palace's side building.

"Alright...!"

Truly an incredible speed of growth.

At this rate, it might even be possible to surpass the level he reached in his previous life and become a fully-fledged Grandmaster before turning 18.

'If this rate of growth continues from here on out...'

Eleven years from now.

By the time the demon world's grand dukes invade this world, just how much stronger will he have become?

'Vladiark. You are the key to my growth. Keep helping me from here on out.'

― Woooong!

Ian's heart raced with excitement and joy, but he did his best to calm himself.

There was still a long road ahead.

It was time to focus on the remaining tasks before the Sword Dragon Hall officially opened.

'Let's focus again.'

Thanks to the massive growth in his aura, he could now easily project Elder Vampiric Sense.

─《Authority of Projection》─

◆Item

[Elder Vampiric Sense Lv.71]

─────────

The projection level of Elder Vampiric Sense was a whopping '71'.

The highest level among anything he'd ever projected so far.

As expected... It was a level worthy of a stimulant that raised one's senses to the Swordmaster level.

'Let's try it right away. I need to see how it feels.'

Ian moved to the private training room in the basement.

In one corner of the room, which resembled a stone dueling arena, there was a magical control panel used to set training modes.

It was possible to summon golems for sparring, or training devices that fired concealed weapons for reaction training—an advanced magical training system.

'This time, let's go with the concealed weapon reaction training.'

He set the difficulty at mid-Master level.

'If I can get through this with ease...'

The reason Ian wanted Elder Vampiric Sense.

He would then be able to safely counter Yuria's Heavenly Flow 4th Form.

― Wooooong!

― Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!

As soon as he pressed the start button, the magic control panel disappeared into the wall, and sinister mechanical devices began rising from various spots in the training room.

― Chunk!

Ian gripped Vladiark's hilt even tighter and projected Elder Vampiric Sense into his abdomen.

― Tssssss!

For a moment, his vision blurred, but quickly became clear again, with everything now much sharper.

'Not bad at all.'

Not just his sight, but his hearing, sense of touch, and every other sense had all become so sensitive that they far surpassed the entry-stage of the Swordmaster-rank.

'Let's do this.'

Ian lowered his stance.

It was time to test the performance of combining entry-stage Swordmaster senses with Elder Vampiric Sense.

* * *

Lunabreeze Residence.

Now evening.

"Mmm... I'm hungry..."

Having just finished a grueling physical workout and showered, Sophia draped a towel around her neck and patted her growling stomach as she headed for the kitchen.

'Hm? Where is Young Master?'

He usually came to the kitchen first in the evenings.

Always saying that diet was important for training.

Mostly to stop Sophia from being picky with her food.

'Is he showering?'

Sophia moved toward the first-floor shower.

But there was neither any sign of him nor the sound of running water.

'So he's not showering... where could he be?'

She checked the garden—no one.

She checked the vegetable patch—he wasn't there.

She checked the outdoor training ground—absent again.

'Is he in the basement training room?'

If he was still training, he'd be there.

'Geez... How can someone not realize it's mealtime!?'

He even skipped lunch, so Sophia had to eat alone!

'The Young Master is generally a thorough person, but...'

Sometimes when he became absorbed in something, he neglected his own well-being completely.

'Hmph. In the end, if I don't take care of things, Young Master would be in trouble.'

Muttering that Ian definitely needed her, Sophia headed down to the basement.

- CHAANG! CHING! CHAAAANG! KAAANG!

"...?"

But as soon as she entered the basement hallway, she heard the screeching clash of metal.

"Huh?"

The sound of blades striking.

"Wh-what!?"

What is that noise!?

She could tell it was swords clashing, but why would it be coming from the basement training room!?

'N-no way!'

Was Young Master fighting someone!? Trading blows with swords!?

"Ah!"

Sophia's heart plummeted.

"Y-Young Master!?"

She rushed toward the training room with her little feet.

― CHING! CHAANG! CHACHACHANG! KWACHIK!

The closer she got to the training room, the more intense the clashing of blades became.

The pace grew so fast, it was now impossible to count how many times swords met per second.

― KAAAAANG! KAANG! CHACHACHANG!

With terrifying metallic crashes, the sound of metal shattering grew louder.

'Young Master Ian! Young Master!'

Soon, Sophia arrived at the basement training room where Ian was present.

"Huh...?"

The scene inside was completely different from anything Sophia had imagined.

― KAANG! KANG! CHAANG! CHACHACHANG!

There were no masked villains or assassins as she'd imagined.

Instead—

Ian was standing in the middle of the training room, deflecting throwing weapons flying toward him from all directions.

The stream of concealed weapons pouring at him was nothing short of a torrential downpour.

"W-what...!"

But it was clear there was nothing to worry about.

Ian's technique was so incredible that not a single blade could even brush him in that storm.

"That's... insane..."

Was that even humanly possible?

― PABABAT!

The speed of the throwing knives shot from the concealed weapon launcher was as fierce and swift as bullets.

― CHANG!

But Ian moved even faster.

― CHACHACHACHANG!

Ian spun his body and greatsword freely, as if swimming on water, deflecting every incoming weapon.

"H-how is that even possible..."

Sophia stared in awe, not realizing her jaw had dropped.

Each time Ian waved his sword, the weapons shattered and scattered into clouds of magic particles.

It looked just like stars scattering in all directions.

The curves Ian's movements and sword traced looked like dancing, like painting—beautiful.

― CHWARARANG!

Just like rowing atop the Milky Way, Ian's blade sliced through the air once more.

At the same time, all the starlike falling weapons were shattered and dropped to the ground.

"Wow..."

Only then did Sophia let out the breath she'd been holding.

She didn't even realize how long she'd been holding her breath watching Ian.

'Th-this is Young Master's true ability...'

It was a level of swordsmanship worlds apart from what he showed her when teaching.

For Sophia, who was seeing a Master's prowess for the first time today, the shock was even greater.

'My goodness...'

She realized anew how high a mountain she was trying to climb.

"Y-Young Master! Young Master Ian!"

His name burst from her lips like an exclamation.

"A-amazing! What was that just now!? How did you do that!?"

She knew Ian was much stronger than her, but she never imagined it would be to this extent!

"Wow...! Is it even possible to get this strong just one month after awakening aura!? That's crazy! You're a total genius!!"

Sophia hurried over and wiped the sweat from Ian's forehead with the towel she'd had around her neck.

"Great job!"

"Thank you, Sophia."

Although, for some reason, the towel was a bit damp...

* * *

That night.

"zzZ..."

Sophia had fallen asleep, oblivious to the world.

'I can't sleep...'

Ian simply lay there, staring up at the ceiling.

'Is this another side effect of Elder Vampiric Sense?'

Insomnia.

'There really isn't any such thing as a free lunch.'

While Elder Vampiric Sense flowed in his blood, all of his senses felt twice as strong.

Even during training, he could distinctly hear Sophia's breathing and swallowing from far away.

'But still...'

Once the effect wore off, he got a mild headache and a queasy feeling in his stomach.

It was just like a hangover after drinking too much.

'I should only use this as a real trump card.'

Otherwise, the longer the fight went, the more he'd suffer from side effects and his skills would drop.

'Still, until I become a Grandmaster, it's going to be very useful.'

More than anything, his biggest gain was that he could now safely counter Yuria's Heavenly Flow 4th Form.

'Things have been eventful in a lot of ways...'

But at least he was able to figure out how to handle the Heavenly Flow 4th Form before clashing with Yuria again at Sword Dragon Hall.

'Tomorrow really is the day.'

The formal opening of Sword Dragon Hall.

'I'll have to continue to diligently train after entering.'

He hadn't yet absorbed all the aura stored in Vladiark.

There was still about a third remaining.

'If I absorb the rest, I'll probably reach early-stage Swordmaster.'

Ian reached his right hand up toward the ceiling.

― CRACKLE!

Sparks shot out between his fingers.

This was the Thunder Energy he'd gained by breaking through the Master wall with the Sky Thunder, Deep as the Clouds method—the aura training technique gifted by the Heavenly Sword Lord.

'I need to practice handling Thunder Energy as well.'

He sensed the aura inside his dantian, rumbling and roiling like a thundercloud.

'For now, let's rest.'

He still couldn't sleep, but Ian closed his eyes with the intent to at least meditate.

And at some point, without realizing, he drifted off and greeted the morning sun.

* * *

Next morning.

The opening day of Sword Dragon Hall.

Morning had broken.

"Young Master! Wake up! You don't have time to dawdle!"

"S-Sophia?"

Sophia must have already showered, as her wet hair was wrapped in a towel.

"Today's the first day of training at the Sword Dragon Hall! You have to get ready quickly!"

"I know, but..."

Usually, he was the one waking her up, so it felt strange having Sophia rouse him today.

But, since it was an important day, Sophia's attitude seemed a bit different than usual.

"Young Master! Hurry, hurry!"

"Alright~"

There wasn't much to prepare to go to the Sword Dragon Hall.

If they were moving into a dorm, they'd have to pack a lot, but since Ian and Sophia commuted from Lunabreeze, there was nothing like that.

Just wear the issued student uniform and bring his sword.

"Wow! What perfect weather! What kind of adventure will be waiting now, I wonder! I'm so excited!"

"Yeah. There'll be tough times, but also lots of fun. And you'll grow each time you overcome those."

"Yup! My first goal is to reach Early-stage Aura User!"

Though Sophia had trained hard for two weeks, she still hadn't broken through the beginner level for users.

Realistically, this was the normal rate of growth.

Ian's vertical growth with his unique opportunities and powers just wasn't normal.

"I hope the food is good!"

"..."

Sophia didn't seem worried about anything except the food at Sword Dragon Hall.

"... Isn't there anything else you're concerned about?"

"Not really?"

Having that short conversation while walking, they soon arrived at the Sword Dragon Hall's training ground.

"Oh..."

In the month or so they'd had off, the new students had grown, and now formed little groups around the field.

"Hmm..."

As soon as Ian entered, he felt sharp gazes focused on him.

'They're really staring.'

Most notably, Aris's slave gladiator, barbarian Kuga.

And Hector, second son of the Goldhound family, along with his crew.

Both groups had been thoroughly beaten by Ian during the entrance exam.

'As expected, they're eager for revenge after what happened at the entry test.'

But Kuga and Hector's glares were a bit different.

Kuga's eyes blazed with combative competitiveness, while Hector's dripped with a deep grudge, looking at Ian as if he were a sworn enemy.

'Well, let them do what they want.'

Petty grudges from users were of no concern to Ian, who had already reached Swordmaster level.

'As long as nothing happens to Sophia, it's fine.'

Ian scanned the faces of the other students.

He was looking for Yuria among the crowd.

And then—

'Huh?'

A familiar face almost identical to Yuria's.

'Charlotte?'

Charlotte Hisperion, Yuria's older sister and the fifth child of the Heavenly Sword Lord.

'Why is she here?'

At age 15, Charlotte should have entered the Sword Dragon Hall a year ahead of Ian, as his senior.

Yet the color of her name badge was the same white as Ian's.

Meaning, she was in the same class.

'What's going on?'

As Ian looked at Charlotte in confusion—

― Swish.

"Young master Ian Greysel?"

"...?"

A tall, lean Heavenly Sword knight approached and spoke to Ian.

"May I ask who you are?"

"Greetings, sir. I am Ophelia, a senior knight of the Heavenly Sword Knights' training division."

"..."

He'd never heard the name before.

"What brings you to me?"

"The Heavenly Sword Lord instructed me to deliver this letter to you, young lord, timed for the opening of the Sword Dragon Hall."

"A-a letter...?"

Again?

"Yes. It's handwritten and unique, so please take care of it."

Another handwritten letter?

"A-alright."

― Bow.

Ophelia bowed and withdrew to one side of the training field.

"The Heavenly Sword Lord sure writes you a lot of letters. Does he have a hobby of writing?"

"... I doubt it."

Or...maybe. Who knows. It just doesn't fit.

He seemed more the type to enjoy extreme sports.

'For now...'

― Thud.

Ian broke the thick seal and checked the letter.

The handwriting was as dense as before, but this time the content was shorter.

To summarize...

― To my dear Ian.

― Charlotte, not yet mature, has made another mistake against you.

― During the entrance exam, she bribed the officiating mage to interfere with you.

― I know you'll be angry, but for my sake, don't hate Charlotte too much.

― She did it to get my attention. She bears no ill will toward you.

― As punishment, Charlotte has been demoted a grade and will train with you from now on.

― Charlotte may be spoiled and prickly, but deep down she's a good child. I hope you take care of her.

― As you spend time together, I'm sure you'll grow closer.

― And perhaps, over time, you may even develop feelings. If you do, you have my full blessing to pursue a relationship. If it's you, Ian, I welcome it with open arms.

― Sorry for laying this burden on you. I will make it up to you when I return from my expedition.

"..."

Ian almost crumpled up the letter on the spot.

"What does it say?"

"... Nothing good..."

"...?"

Why did the Family Head keep trying to match him with his daughters?

Aris was disturbing enough; now even Charlotte...

'I don't want this... I really don't.'

Except for Yuria, the Family Head's daughters were all sworn enemies in his previous life.

'Ugh...'

Ian was now seriously considering making plans to run away with Yuria.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Darkan pushing Ian to have a harem with his daughters...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】