Chapter 6: [Guidance of the Martial god]

Normally, he would lie down in a corner of the garden and drift off in the pleasant weather.

However, on this day, Hyde was being led by his father to the training ground, a place that had been off-limits until now.

(Well, I was prepared for this. As a noble, I knew this day would come. But I never thought my peace would be shattered so soon!)

Being born as the eldest son of the Rügen family, Hyde knew that swordsmanship was an inevitable path. However, he never imagined that his training would begin when he was only five years old.

“Are you nervous?”

Dolph, walking beside Hyde, asked.

“No, I was just thinking about my mother. She seemed really worried during both breakfast and lunch.” 

Hyde quickly replied, trying to cover it up, but part of it was the truth. Today, Cordelia had been deeply concerned about Hyde. She had repeatedly told him not to overdo it and to avoid injury.

When Enju heard that Hyde was starting sword training, she had exclaimed, “That’s unfair!” and had been envious. She had great potential for the future.

“Cordelia, huh… She’s always been too much of a worrywart. She’s been like that since the old days.”

“Since the old days? 

Dolph smiled wryly as he spoke.

“Well, before… actually, it was before you were born. I once got badly injured and came back home. She held me all night. ‘Don’t leave my barrier until you’re healed!’ she yelled. That was the first time she’d ever yelled at me, and I was taken aback.”

Dolph’s voice, as he recalled the incident, sounded somewhat amused.

(It’s nice to have that kind of relationship.)

It was the kind of relationship that could be seen as an example of a good marriage. 

Of course, it wasn’t all good.

Cordelia, who doesn’t want to put Hyde in too much danger, and Dolph, who insists that he fulfill his noble duties.

Perhaps Hyde didn’t know, but they might have been fighting as well.

Even so, Hyde couldn’t help but feel envious of the two of them.

A relationship like theirs was something he never managed to have in his past life.

The grounds of the Rugen family’s estate are vast.

The path leading from the expansive garden to the mansion is wide enough for carriages to pass each other without issue.

The flowerbeds, carefully tended by the estate’s gardener, are nothing short of impressive.

And behind the grand mansion, which boasts at least fifty rooms, there is a bit of distance to the barracks and training grounds of the knight’s order owned by the Rugen family. Beyond the facility, a forest stretches out, providing a place for the knights to conduct field training.

As one approaches the so-called knight’s district, the sound of clashing swords grows louder.

“Captain, good work!”

The members of the order, noticing Dolph’s presence, stop their training and salute.

They hide their practice swords behind their backs and bring their opposite hands together in salute, a knight’s gesture of respect.

Dolph, a Count, also serves as the captain of the Rugen family’s direct knightly order.

Among the order’s members, he is often referred to as “Captain” rather than by his noble title.

Once one of the knights notices, the rest of the dozen or so members in the training grounds stop what they are doing, one after another, and salute Dolph.

Waving his hand to quiet them, Dolph addressed the members.

“Starting today, I’ll be teaching my son swordsmanship. It would be appreciated if someone could keep an eye on him while I’m away.”

“What? The captain’s son…?”

At Dolph’s words, the attention of the knights all shifted to Hyde.

“Oh, he’s grown that much already.”

“He has quite a sharp look about him.”

“I suppose he’s starting to awaken his swordsmanship skills?”

As the knights spoke, Dolph silenced them with a single cough.

(He’s amazing. He’s completely in control of these grown men. …I can hardly believe this is the same person who was just talking about his son so proudly a moment ago.)

Now that I think about it, it’s the first time I’ve seen my father working in front of his subordinates, I realize belatedly.

While Hyde is overwhelmed, the knights efficiently clear a space and bring over wooden practice swords.

One of them is clearly sized for a child.

“Hyde. From now on, I’ll teach you swordsmanship, but before that, there’s something you need to do first.”

With that, Dolph handed Hyde a child-sized wooden sword.

(Ugh, it’s heavy… But… it does make me a little excited.)

Like a souvenir from a school trip, men tend to get a little carried away with things like this.

Even Hyde, who longs for peace, was no exception.

“As you know, I have the skill of [Swordsmanship]. It’s not just me. Both my predecessor and the one before him have protected the people from monsters with [Swordsmanship].”

As he spoke passionately, Dolph casually swung the wooden sword with practiced ease.

“Hyde, you’re not yet aware of your own skill, are you?”

“Uh, yes…”

Hyde answered, trying to appear calm despite his nervousness.

Dolph nodded slightly.

“It’s a given, but everyone is born with a skill. However, it’s rare for someone to realize their skill until around the age of five. Do you know why that is?”

“Um… Is it because we don’t try to use the skill?”

“Exactly.”

For example, imagine a child who has a skill that helps with farming.

Such a child wouldn’t realize their skill until they actually begin farming.

Skills can be used by simply desiring to use them.

Just like how Hyde unknowingly used his skill right after being reincarnated.

“In most cases, people become aware of their skills through daily life. But [Swordsmanship] is different. You won’t encounter situations where you need it when you’re young. So—”

“—!!”

It was at the moment when Dolph paused his words.

Hyde’s body was suddenly struck by a sensation—his mana seemed to drain away, and the scene before him began to stretch out.

And then, his skill activated.

[Guidance of the Martial god]

(—What is this?)

Hyde’s consciousness finally registered that Dolph had swung his wooden sword and was now right in front of him.

It was likely a split-second event. Normally, it would be an ambush too fast for the eye to catch.

However, to Hyde’s eyes, it seemed to unfold in slow motion.

In that world where time had stretched out, a beam of light appeared, guiding his path.

Almost instinctively, Hyde followed the path that was laid out before him with the wooden sword in his hand.

And then,

“…!!”

With a sharp clang of the wooden swords colliding, Dolph’s eyes widened in surprise.

Hyde’s wooden sword had knocked Dolph’s sword aside.

The training grounds fell silent.

The knights who had gathered around watched in stunned silence, unable to speak.

Amidst the chaos, Hyde glanced at Dolph’s wooden sword lying on the ground and then hesitantly looked up at him.

“Y-You surprised me, Father. I was so caught up in the moment that when I swung the sword, it just happened to hit your wooden sword, so everything turned out fine…”

He rambled out what he hoped might be an explanation, unsure if it would help.

This was completely unexpected for Hyde.

(After all, I didn’t think Father would suddenly attack me, and I couldn’t have imagined that [Guidance of the Martial god] would activate when I’ve never used it before!)

His goal had been to live quietly, concealing his strength.

As he felt that goal slipping further away, Hyde frantically tried to make up for it with his words.

In front of him, Dolph was looking down at the wooden sword on the ground, his face buried as his shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

Then, finally, Dolph muttered something.

“Wh-What should I do?”

“F-Father…?”

“My child… a genius!!”

As Dolph shouted, the knights who had been silent suddenly burst into applause.

“Woahhhhhh!”

“A prodigy! The leader’s child is truly a prodigy!”

“The Rügen territory is safe!”

The booming cheers of the burly knights filled the air.

Bathed in their applause, Hyde weakly dropped the wooden sword he was holding in his right hand.

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