A month had passed since training began.
The clan had assigned me all sorts of instructors to find the weapon best suited to me.
Starting with swords and spears, then axes, scythes, whips, and even the staves used by mages.
As I trained with every kind of weapon imaginable, I couldn't help but marvel at how every single one of these numerous instructors was a top-class expert.
Truly, as expected of a martial clan— all these teachers belonged to the Yeon Clan.
And maybe because of that...
Every instructor I faced showered me with praise.
Not just calling me a genius or saying I had god-given talent, a treasure of the clan, and all sorts of flattery—they even zealously tried to take me as their direct disciple.
Over half of the instructors, all in their thirties or older, had made offers to take me on. At this point, I started wondering if they were really seeing my talent or just my title as Young Clan Head.
Well, even some of the elders overseeing my education had made offers too.
And the most aggressive of them was the spear instructor elder.
The old man who introduced himself as Jeong Seon Jin-cheol had taken a huge liking to me after I blocked his attacks. Ever since the first lesson, he'd persistently tried to recruit me as his disciple.
After I kept refusing, he stopped mentioning disciples, but now he was practically brainwashing me to try wielding the spear.
He'd probably switched tactics to get me hooked on spears first.
Still, training under so many different instructors had its benefits.
First off, my position in the clan had solidified.
I'd been the legitimate heir and eldest son, so the Young Clan Head spot was practically guaranteed, but since I was so young, there'd been some skepticism about whether I truly had the talent.
Of course, I'd awakened Aura at six and gotten certified as a genius by the Clan Head and even the elders, but some people don't believe it until they see it themselves.
Anyway.
Even those skeptics seemed to fully come around after hearing the instructors' evaluations from the training sessions.
Thanks to that, it was now all but confirmed within the clan that I'd be the next Clan Head, and the elders supported me too, so talks of succession had completely died down.
The second benefit was learning how to handle various weapons.
Facing off against so many different ones firsthand let me ingrain the counters into my body.
You can't deal with a swordsman the same way as a spearman, after all.
I knew that in theory, but experiencing it directly made it crystal clear just how different they were.
The trickiest weapon to face was the whip, by far. A beginner might not be so bad, but when a master like the instructor used it, the trajectory was completely invisible.
Aim for the left? It hits the right. Right? It comes from below. Thanks to that, my senses sharpened tremendously just dodging the whip.
Just on instinct? you might ask.
I didn't know either, but it worked.
Later, I ditched sight entirely and relied purely on feel to evade, leaving the instructor chuckling in exasperation.
Anyway, after trying and facing all sorts of weapons, I finally knew what suited me best.
"Too slow! Move faster!"
"Haat!"
Bam—!
I dodged the fist flying at me, leaving a faint afterimage, by the width of a single sheet of paper.
As the punch whistled through empty air, I bent my knees in my sideways-leaning stance.
Then, I stepped forward powerfully and thrust my fist toward his solar plexus.
Thud—
"Excellent!"
"Whoa!"
What was that, hitting an iron plate in my gut!?
And it hurt...!
I controlled my lightly flung body and barely landed, only to feel intense pain shooting through my hand.
Looking down quickly, I saw my hand swollen bright red, filling my vision.
"No way..."
I let out a bewildered mutter at how I'd taken more damage than the guy I'd hit. The instructor facing me burst into hearty laughter as he approached.
"Hahaha! Well done! To think you'd already force me to take a hit! As expected, you have the talent of a fist master!"
That's right.
Fist arts.
The other weapons showed some aptitude, but nothing like fist arts...
"Hahaha! With your skills, you might become the world's strongest martial artist!"
My father had said my body was a 'Heavenly Martial Body,' and fist arts were the best way to make full use of it.
Using your body directly as the weapon let you push your abilities to the limit more than with any tool.
That was the reasoning behind choosing fist arts, but...
"Kuhahaha! Good! Now, let's do a hundred laps around the clan grounds in a handstand!"
This instructor was way too muscle-brained!
"No, that's impossible."
"You can do it! Where there's a will, there's a way—that's humanity!"
Here I go first—follow me!
Hahaha—!
The instructor vanished into the distance, his booming laughter trailing as an afterimage.
I watched his retreating back, tinged with a hint of regret.
─── After a month of training centered on fist arts, I suddenly sensed a commotion stirring in the household.
"The clan's getting noisy all of a sudden. What's going on?"
"Probably because of the Imperial Dragon Tournament, Young Master."
"Imperial Dragon Tournament?"
I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term, and Seon-hwa at my side explained.
"It's a martial arts tournament the Imperial Empire holds every four years. Top rankers get titles like Dragon or Phoenix, and the champion receives the Imperial Dragon title."
Hmm... Like those Dragon-Phoenix Gatherings in wuxia novels?
"It's a huge festival every four years that draws massive crowds, and this time it's being held here in Yeon Province."
"Participation limited to young martial artists, as usual?"
She widened her eyes slightly at my question before answering.
"Yes. The point of the Imperial Dragon Tournament is to scout hidden talents from the wilds, so established martial artists can't join."
"Huh? But aren't there plenty of hidden masters who aren't exactly newcomers? Why exclude seasoned experts?"
"Those are reclusive eccentrics who wouldn't come even if invited. Besides, most famous ones already have reputations, so it's better to unearth new rising stars."
"Interesting. I didn't know the Imperial Empire had a tournament like this."
The games only ever showed Academy City's Agora Martial Tournament. The Imperial Empire didn't have much weight in the games, so info was scarce.
'They probably revealed more in 3.'
Well, now that it's reality, who knows.
"I'm the one surprised, Young Master. The Imperial Dragon Tournament is pretty famous across the continent—even kids my age know about it."
Hmm... I'd been so focused on training lately that I'd neglected outside news. Seeing Seon-hwa's gaze cooling, it must be a festival every kid in the empire knew.
"So the clan suddenly got busy because we're hosting the Imperial Dragon Tournament."
"Pretty much. The imperial family handles operations, but venues rotate. Since it's our turn, the clan plans to make it grand."
As I watched the servants hustling about and chatted, my exclusive maid, who had stepped away, approached.
"Perfect timing, Young Master."
"Yeah?"
"The Clan Head summons you."
"Father does?"
Calling me in this chaos? Something felt off...
"Actually, I've got something really important right now? Tell Father I'm sorry!"
"Impossible. He said to drag you if necessary."
"...What!?"
Chae-hyeon snatched my attempt at a quick escape in an instant. Damn it! This is when the Aura restriction bites! Who knew wearing the Mask of Restraint all the time would backfire like this!
"No! Stop!"
"It's fine, Young Master. The Clan Head won't say anything too tough."
"I know exactly what it'll be! Something about the tournament! No way! It's definitely an annoying request!"
"...Tch. Quick-witted brats are such a pain..."
"You just clicked your tongue! So it is an annoying request!"
"Don't worry. It won't take long."
"Urk! Why won't it budge!? Seon-hwa, help!"
Dangling helplessly as I flailed, Seon-hwa averted her eyes. No way! I trusted you...!
"Heehee, it's easier if you give up, Young Master."
"No! Let go! Yu Seon-hwa! Seon-hwa...!"
Thus, I was hauled off to Father like a dangling kitten.
"Tomorrow, His Majesty will visit. The Imperial Princess comes too—prepare accordingly."
It really was annoying...! The Emperor!? The guy who gets obsessively fixated on targets of interest! Forcing me to meet someone I avoid even being near!?
"That's ridiculous...!"
And an Imperial Princess!? That Emperor got married!? The same guy who was yandere for the hero in 2!? The one mockingly called 'Royal Gay' for his intense obsession!
And if the princess takes after the Emperor...
Chill— Wrong. I couldn't predict what might happen at all!
Bursting from the closet, crawling out from under the bed. A creepy CG flashed in my mind, but I shook my head desperately, shoving the memory away.
"I oppose! Absolutely oppose!"
"You have no choice."
It's already decided.
Ignoring me sprawled on the floor, Father stated it firmly and left without a backward glance.
No.
"This is real...?"
Meeting the Royal Gay!?
My faint mutter in the empty room scattered into the air.
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