"Yes, swing your sword like this."
Swish!
Vined demonstrated the arc of his blade, his movements sharp yet fluid. His two sons followed in unison, imitating the swing.
"Good, that's it," Vined said, nodding with approval. "Your swordsmanship is improving. That's very good." Pride glimmered in his eyes as he watched them.
After they had finished swinging their swords a few times,he nodded at them in pure delight.
"Alright, that's enough for today," he added with a warm smile.
"Haaah…" Both boys exhaled heavily before collapsing onto the bare ground, sweat clinging to their brows.
They were utterly drained, but Vivian was so spent he couldn't even muster the strength to speak.
"Father, what do you think?" Edward asked eagerly, his breath still uneven as he regained some of his strength.
"Just from yesterday's training, my mana core has already reached two stars, and my swordplay has improved too!" His voice brimmed with excitement, clearly fishing for praise.
"Yes, well done," Vined said, his voice filled with pride as he patted on his head.
"Reaching two stars at such a young age is impressive,but what pleases me more is that your swordsmanship has kept pace with your rapid progress." His eyes softened as he looked at Edward.
He had every reason to be proud, and so did the rest of the family.
Edward was not only talented but also diligent.Unlike many gifted children who grew complacent, he never slacked off, swinging his sword day after day, polishing his skills through sheer effort.
Vivian, on the other hand, was different. He was a natural prodigy.
The moment he saw a sword technique, he could reproduce it flawlessly, as though it were etched into his very bones.
His mastery over mana was equally unmatched,unlike anything the family had ever witnessed before.
But there was one shadow cast over his brilliance: his illness. It shackled him, preventing him from fully unleashing the potential that should have made him soar above all others.
'Haa…'
Vined sighed as his gaze settled on Vivian, who was already panting heavily after only a few swings of his sword.
Pride and sorrow warred in his chest. He admired his son's brilliance, yet the cruel illness that bound him filled Vined with helplessness.
'There's nothing I can do… nothing to ease his burden.' The thought tore at him, a wound that had festered for years.
For a decade he had searched for answers, but every path led to disappointment.
Still, he clenched his fists, hard enough for his knuckles to turn white. 'No… I won't give up. No matter how long it takes, I'll find a cure. I swear it.'
Even as determination surged through him, it was laced with bitter self-reproach. Ten long years, and he had failed his son again and again.
"Father, I heard that Brother will be leaving to attend Akron Academy. Is it true?" Edward asked, breaking Vined's train of thought.
"Ah,Yes," Vined replied with a small nod. "He'll be leaving next week, together with Princess Charlotte."
Edward's chest tightened at the answer. "But… why does he have to go? You can teach him yourself, can't you?" His voice carried a hint of heaviness he couldn't hide.
Before Vined could respond, Vivian smirked. "Why? Will you miss me, little brother? Ah, Edward's going to miss me!" he teased, his tone light.
"N-No, of course not!" Edward shot back, his face flushing as he sprang to his feet. "Go wherever you want, I don't care!"
"Alright, go and wash up," Vined said, realizing the time. "Elena and Princess Charlotte are waiting for us to have breakfast, so hurry along."It was already half past eight, his wife and the young princess must have been expecting them, so he told them to get themselves cleaned before they have breakfast.
"Yes, Father," the brothers replied in unison before heading toward the exit of the training ground.
Vined watched their retreating figures, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. 'Haa… if only they could stay like this forever.'
He knew his sons well,there would never be the kind of bitter rivalries that often plagued noble houses or royal bloodlines.
Edward admired his brother too much, and Vivian, despite his teasing nature, cherished and adorned Edward deeply. Conflict between them was unthinkable.
But Vined's heart tightened. 'What I fear is not discord… but loss.' The thought of Vivian's fragile body failing him, of Edward being forced to carry that grief, haunted him.
Such a wound would carve itself too deeply into Edward's soul.
And Vined… as a father, he would never forgive himself if that day ever came.
*****
After breakfast, Vivian found himself walking alongside Princess Charlotte in the garden. His mother had suggested it, and though he was reluctant at first, he eventually gave in.
After all, the possibility of the so-called villainess awakening was always in the back of his mind,it was better to keep an eye on her.
They strolled down the stone path, the morning sun spilling over the neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant blossoms. For a while, neither spoke, until Charlotte broke the silence.
"So, Vivian," she asked lightly, her violet eyes studying him, "what subjects are you planning to take at Akron Academy?"
"Swordsmanship," Vivian answered without hesitation.
Of course, that much was obvious. Even though he had transmigrated only a few days ago, his body carried an uncanny muscle memory when it came to wielding a sword.
Techniques came to him naturally, as though etched into his very being.
Combined with the original Vivian's memories, it was almost unfair how easily he could recreate strikes and forms others struggled years to perfect.
"And?" Charlotte tilted her head, clearly expecting more.
"Do I need to take other subjects as well?" Vivian asked, genuine confusion flickering across his face.
Charlotte gave a small laugh, covering her lips with her hand. "Of course. You have to choose at least three subjects. There is plenty,history, alchemy, magic…" She paused for a moment, her expression softening. "Magic is the one I chose as my major subject."
She studied him more carefully before adding, "You could try your hand at magic too… though, no. You shouldn't. It would put far too much pressure on your body."
Her tone shifted from playful to firm, almost protective, as though she were speaking less as a princess and more as a guardian.
"Okay… I won't choose magic then. So, what should I pick?" Vivian asked, taken aback by her sudden change in tone.
"Hm?" Charlotte tapped her chin thoughtfully. "History should be good, don't you think? And there's alchemy too… no, never mind. That would put too much pressure on you." She paused, then nodded firmly as if making a royal decree. "Alright, I've decided, you'll take history and literature as your minor subjects."
Vivian blinked, half amused. 'Was that a suggestion… Or an order?'
"Well, I'll choose those then," he said at last, giving in with a small smile.
As they continued walking, Vivian suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"By the way, Charlotte," he said, recalling something about the academy, "I heard you won the election for student council president. Is that true?"
It was a logical thought, at the academy, the council was a powerful group. But no matter how he tried to picture the role, his mind kept drifting toward a certain character… and inevitably, toward thoughts of boobies. He quickly shook his head to clear it.
"I'll be stepping down from that position now that you're attending the academy with me," Charlotte said matter-of-factly, as though it were of no consequence.
"What? Why?" Vivian blinked in surprise. "Isn't that election only held once every four years? Why would you give it up after winning?"
Charlotte shrugged lightly. "It's just a title. It doesn't matter to me. Besides, I'll have to take care of you, won't I? I won't have time to waste on council work."
Vivian froze, her words striking deeper than he expected. His face flushed red, warmth crawling up his neck.
'Why… why is she so kind?', he didn't know anymore, but one thing was certain: her feelings for him were genuine….no it was to the point where it seemed like she could do anything for him.
And that alone was enough to make the emotions stirring in his chest grow even stronger.