Chapter 28: With the Jet-Black Knights [Part One]

Edgar noticed Ren immediately and hurried toward him. Guided by the knight at his side, Ren descended the stairs, and the two met on a landing.

“Had you contacted me, I would have come to meet you at once,” Edgar said as they continued downward.

“I’m sorry. I planned to visit Werlich-san first and come here afterward.”

Whenever Ren needed Edgar while the butler was staying in the Imperial Capital, he could leave a message at a designated location. Edgar generally used the same inn, making him easy to reach.

“I came today hoping to observe the training or borrow someone’s strength for a spar.”

“As I told you before, you will always find someone willing to cross swords with you in the innermost hall. It will unquestionably benefit you. Since I am here today, however, I would be pleased to accompany you myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. My lord has many parties to attend at this time of year, so I am staying in the capital with him. We expect to remain for roughly a week after the New Year. During that time, I will gladly train with you whenever your schedule permits.”

Ren could not have asked for a better offer.

“Thank you. Please do.”

They stepped into the enormous training ground beneath the atrium. Ren had just begun preparing when a large man approached.

“You are Ren-dono, correct?”

The knight’s muscular body matched the enormous sword he carried. Standing beside Ren, the difference in size appeared greater than that between an ordinary adult and child. He seemed to be in his late thirties.

“My name is Ren Ashton.”

Ren answered without showing the slightest hesitation.

The man studied him.

“Seeing you in person, I can believe you possess exceptional promise. Even so, I have one concern.”

“A concern?”

“Edgar-dono asked us to spar with you whenever you visited.”

Ren looked at Edgar.

“You did?”

“I did. Training with the knights here will polish your swordsmanship, and I am convinced that your presence will also inspire them.”

The large knight had no objection to Ren visiting, nor did he bear the boy any ill will. He was simply uncertain about one point.

“We would never refuse a request from Edgar-dono,” he said, folding his arms, “but…”

The knight who had guided Ren finished the thought.

“Edgar-dono instructed us to use the Mighty Sword Style when facing you. We are concerned that we might injure you.”

“If you were already one of our knights, I would not hesitate,” the larger man added. “But receiving the Mighty Sword Style causes severe exhaustion, even when the body suffers no wound.”

“Still, we heard that you withstood Edgar-dono’s sword…”

Other knights gathered around, sharing the same uncertainty.

One finally suggested that they first examine Ren’s aptitude-training vial.

“I will answer their concerns,” Edgar said. “Ren-sama, please prepare. Training swords are arranged along the wall. Choose whichever you prefer.”

“Understood. Here.”

Ren reached into his jacket and handed Edgar the small vial.

He no longer needed it for training, but kept it as a memento of a genuine accomplishment. It was small enough to carry without inconvenience.

Edgar turned toward the knights while Ren went to select a sword.

“I said Ren-sama’s presence would benefit everyone here. Allow me to show you why.”

He raised the vial.

The assembled Mighty Sword Style practitioners fell silent.

Even a tiny mark on the crystal sphere inside would demonstrate aptitude for the style. Ren’s crystal had not merely been scratched or cracked; it had shattered completely.

“Does anyone still have reservations?” Edgar asked.

No one answered.

Not one knight entertained the foolish idea that Ren had opened the bottle and broken the sphere by hand. They all understood what Edgar meant: witnessing talent of this magnitude would force them to reconsider their own limits.

The large man eventually laughed.

“He should not require long to master Mantle.”

Another knight nodded.

“I would not be surprised if he learned it within days. I have never seen aptitude like this.”

“Especially in someone who learns best through practical experience.”

When Edgar also described Licia’s exceptional result, the knights were astonished all over again.

Ren returned with a training sword. The large knight stepped forward eagerly.

“Allow me to be your opponent.”

Excitement and curiosity shone in his eyes.

Ren looked to Edgar for judgment.

“A sound choice,” Edgar said. “I will observe your exchange and provide technical advice as needed. We will proceed one step at a time.”

“Understood.”

Ren began warming up.

A few minutes later, he faced the knight with growing excitement. The enormous sword in the man’s hands did not intimidate him. Ren calmly raised his own weapon.

The atmosphere changed at once.

A presence resembling fighting spirit radiated from Ren, and the knights watching him became alert.

“Show me your strongest sword,” the man said.

Ren stepped forward.

His attack was sharper and faster than the knight expected. Despite his immense build, the man moved with remarkable agility and brought his greatsword horizontally across his body to receive Ren’s head-on strike.

“What…?”

The impact did not carry the distinctive force that shook an opponent from the center of the body. Ren had not yet mastered Mantle.

That only made the result more alarming.

Without Mantle, Ren’s ordinary blow already carried force reminiscent of an attack from a Mighty Sword Style practitioner. Sweat formed on the man’s cheek as he imagined what the boy would become once he acquired the technique.

“There is no need to worry about injuring you! In that case, receive my sword as well!”

Having grasped Ren’s strength, the knight counterattacked.

He swept the greatsword toward Ren’s side. The blow moved so quickly that the sound of displaced air seemed to trail behind it.

Ren braced his training sword and caught the strike.

A deep shock traveled through his entire body. His expression tightened for an instant.

The man’s raw strength hurled Ren away. He rolled across the ground several times, controlled his fall, and came to a stop. Nothing was injured, but his hands were violently numb and exhaustion spread from the core of his body.

Even so, he rose immediately and raised his sword again.

Ren wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled fearlessly despite the numbness and fatigue.

“Even while holding back, I struck you with the greatsword of a Sword Adept, yet you stood again immediately…”

A line of sweat ran down the knight’s face.

The spectators watched Ren—still younger than the normal academy entrance age—with open admiration. Some stared in amazement; others smiled with growing excitement.

Edgar felt the same thrill.

“You have improved again, although so little time has passed since our last training.”

Ren had grown enormously since summer. A Sword Adept’s greatsword embodied physical force powerful enough to shake the body from within. The Ren of several months earlier would likely have been thrown aside without managing to stand again.

Now he was already at the threshold of becoming a true Mighty Sword Style practitioner.

Ren had continued practicing every day, struggling to refine his mana and control its use. The insight gained when he shattered the crystal sphere was now driving his aptitude toward full expression.

(I think I’m close to understanding something.)

Simply receiving the blow had taught him more than words could.

The same had happened while crossing swords with Edgar. Ren had not merely endured the unfamiliar shock. Each impact had taught his body something about the force passing through it.

(I’ll learn everything I can from this power.)

Sweat covered his forehead. He wiped it away and smiled at his opponent.

“May I ask you to do that again?”

“Of course. As many times as you wish.”

One exchange had already filled Ren’s muscles with weariness, yet he raised his sword again beneath the eyes of the assembled knights.

He repeated the exercise a second time, then a third, continuing until his strength was exhausted.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

After returning to Elendil, Ren nearly fell asleep in the bath.

He dragged his heavy body through the rest of his preparations and joined Licia and Lessard, who had returned that evening, for dinner.

Licia looked at him anxiously.

“R-Ren? You look completely exhausted. What happened?”

“I went to Lion’s Holy Office.”

Ren explained the day’s events. The visit had not originally been scheduled, but since he was already in the capital, he had stopped by. By chance, Edgar was present, and Ren had received instruction that included sparring with one of the knights.

“My body moved much better than it did in summer, so I became carried away and trained too hard. I plan to return tomorrow.”

Licia and Lessard both laughed.

“That is just like Ren.”

“Father! I want to train with Ren as soon as possible!”

“I know,” Lessard replied, “but you must be patient for now. After the recent movement between factions, we need to learn which nobles may change allegiance. That means attending the current round of parties.”

Edgar had said something similar. Ulysses was also remaining in the Imperial Capital because of the numerous gatherings.

The information gained there was unquestionably important to House Clausel.

(Then I need to use this time to improve my swordsmanship.)

Strength was the power to protect others.

Ren intended to continue visiting Lion’s Holy Office over the coming days. He renewed his determination before the evening ended.

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