Chapter 3: Discipline (1)

“Haa… haa…”

Yuri lay sprawled on the training field, gasping for air.

“It’s time for you to learn mana technique,” Bernard said. Mana techniques are typically learned after the onset of puberty. Introducing them too early could cause the body to collapse.

“You’ll teach me?”

“I could teach you mine, but for a prince of Briol, it would be considered low-tier.”

“Didn’t you get strong with that technique?”

“What’s exceptional is me, not the technique.”

As usual, Bernard made a cut through the air with his sword. True to his nickname, “Demon of the Sword,” he never let his blade rest for a moment.

“Learn the technique of Briol.”

That was the name of the mana technique passed down by the royal family of Briol.

“Why?”

“It’s an excellent technique. If we were to classify it, it would be in the highest tier. It has pure energy and outstanding efficiency.”

In his previous life, Yuri had learned the Briol technique. After becoming a mercenary, he modified it slightly to conceal his identity, but in the end, he mastered something very close to it.

“I don’t know…”

Briol was a kingdom of knights, and its royal family had produced master swordsmen for generations. Whenever the finest swordsmen on the continent were mentioned, King Fiore was named.

Even so, Yuri felt the royal technique didn’t quite suit him.

“Planning to learn another?”

“I’m considering it.”

Yuri remembered something. It wasn’t a pleasant memory, but he definitely had another option.

“Bernard.”

“Yes.”

“Recommend someone competent from the royal guard.”

“You mean someone skilled?”

“No.”

“Someone with good character then?”

“Not that either…”

How could a sword-obsessed maniac like Bernard possibly speak about character?

“I mean potential.”

“Not skill, but potential? That’s a tough question.”

“You already need a certain level of skill to join the royal guard. What matters is future potential.”

“Hmm…”

In his past life, Yuri hadn’t paid much attention to the knights, so he didn’t have much information. On the other hand, Bernard had crossed swords with almost every knight in the palace. There was a reason the guards avoided Bernard the moment they saw him.

“Jared is exceptional.”

“That idiot?”

Yuri tried to jump up but clutched his side, where he’d been hit during training.

“Ugh… Jared has potential?”

“Yes.”

“That guy.”

Yuri recalled his past life. Jared was one of the last to stay and defend the kingdom until the end. However, he had never particularly stood out for his skill.

“He’s just like Your Highness.”

“Like me?”

“He’s lazy.”

“Am I not training hard right now?”

“I meant the old prince.”

If Bernard was right, then Jared was a puzzling case. A lazy person wasn’t ideal, but if he made it into the guard despite that, he must’ve had considerable talent.

Now that he thought about it, he remembered having a conversation with Jared.

‘It’s frustrating, Your Highness.’

‘What is?’

‘If I could go back in time, I’d train until I died…’

‘Ugh, stop saying nonsense.’

When had that been?

After the hand-to-hand battle against the Empire’s troops? Many knights died in that fight. Jared died in the next one.

He was someone skilled at retreating, so maybe it wasn’t a voluntary death.

The final phase of the war had been nothing but a search for a place to die. Only Yuri had broken the oath of Briol and survived.

“……”

As Yuri clenched his teeth in silence, Bernard continued.

“Besides him…”

He listed names both familiar and unfamiliar. Yuri decided he would judge them for himself.

“Good info. Thanks, Bernard.”

“It’s been years since I started training Your Highness, but I think this is the first time you’ve thanked me.”

“Really?”

Yuri shrugged.

“Maybe you’ve just never done anything worth thanking before.”

“Put that way, it makes sense.”

“Try harder, Bernard.”

“Thanks for your words.”

“Thanks for what?”

“Thanks to that, I can hit you tomorrow without guilt.”

“Hey.”

“That’s all for today.”

After training, Yuri straightened himself up and headed to the royal guard’s yard.

It was a place he had barely visited in his past life.

A knight recognized him and saluted.

“Your Highness! What brings you here?”

Yuri spoke with his hands behind his back.

“Inspection.”

“Excuse me?”

“I came to check the discipline of the guard.”

“Ah, I see. Loyalty! No irregularities in service.”

Even in the past, the guards tolerated Yuri’s cruel jokes. A mischievous child like him couldn’t truly harm them.

That was the confidence born from power.

“Are the guards training?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Training diligently?”

“Of course. As hard as Your Highness, if not harder.”

It seemed the rumors of his change had reached even the guards.

“If you’re going to say you train as hard as me, you should at least spar one-on-one with Bernard.”

“That sounds terrifying. I take it back. We’re training a little less than Your Highness.”

“Quick to retract, aren’t you? That’s knightly. Come on, guide me, Sir Rosso.”

“Oh, you remember me?”

“You lost everything the moment you sat at the card table.”

“Yes… that happened…”

“Guide me.”

“Understood…”

As they headed toward the yard, the sound of clashing swords could be heard beyond the wall.

Rosso opened the gate.

“Oh…”

Yuri was impressed.

Men, bare-chested, clashed swords while flashes of light crossed between them. Anyone you looked at showed notable skill.

“Impressive.”

“Not as much as Your Highness, but everyone trains diligently.”

With arms crossed, Yuri sharply observed the knights.

“Where’s Jared?”

“Who was that…?”

“The recruit.”

It was the time when Jared had just joined the royal guard.

“Ah, the newbie. Come to check out the new faces? Didn’t know Your Highness cared so much for the guard.”

“I’m always watching.”

“It’s an honor. Jared is over there.”

In the direction Rosso pointed, the young-faced Jared was engaged in sword practice.

“They said he doesn’t train, but it doesn’t look like that…”

Yuri trailed off.

He immediately understood what Bernard meant.

“That guy…”

He furrowed his brow.

That wasn’t training.

Real training is done with the intent to improve. But he had no such goal.

Yuri muttered.

“He’s already rusty.”

The very fact that he could fake training like that showed Jared’s natural talent.

No wonder he’d survived even the most hopeless battles.

“Is something wrong?”

Rosso tilted his head, not noticing anything strange.

“No, nothing.”

Jared had managed to fool the veteran knights, but he couldn’t deceive Yuri’s eyes—eyes that had lived through a thousand battles as a mercenary.

Yuri turned his gaze from Jared and began observing the other knights.

Bernard’s judgment was accurate but also incomplete. He only evaluated physical potential, ignoring mental aspects.

Most of those Bernard deemed promising didn’t grow much in the future. In fact, many of those he overlooked ended up developing the most.

Those with great talent were the ones who wasted their potential the most. And that applied to Yuri too.

“Now I see the royal guard’s level.”

“Is it impressive?”

“So mediocre it makes me want to lie down on the floor.”

“Excuse me?”

Yuri raised his chin.

“Give me a sword.”

“Ah, so you mean you want to end up on the ground after getting beaten with a sword?”

It wasn’t unusual for royalty to train with the royal guard.

Even Cedric, whom Yuri respected, used to practice with them.

Rosso, excited, asked.

“Whom would you like to face? Who looks the weakest? Who seems the most pathetic? Just say the word!”

Yuri pointed at Jared.

“That lazy guy.”

“Oh, I see. Well, being the recruit, it’s only fair that Your Highness instills some discipline.”

Rosso quickly prepared the training area.

Yuri and Jared were given wooden swords. The veteran knights gathered around Jared, whispering for him to go easy.

“Perfect.”

That was the privilege of being a prince.

The opponent had to be careful with every move, but he could attack freely.

Jared, confused by the sudden challenge, looked perplexed.

“I’m Jared.”

“Sir Jared.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“About me?”

“They say you have great potential. That’s why you got into the royal guard at such a young age.”

“T-That’s too much praise. Thank you.”

Yuri raised his wooden sword.

“Sir Jared. Could you show me what kind of knight you are?”

“Yes.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuri charged at him.

The knights cheered them on.

“Go, Your Highness!”

“Come on, rookie, show your stuff!”

“Your leg’s open—watch it!”

But Yuri couldn’t close the distance.

Jared held his ground, always keeping a safe distance, as if trying to finish the duel without any trouble. There were many ways to deal with that.

Yuri suddenly opened his eyes wide in surprise and looked behind Jared.

“Father?”

Instinctively, Jared turned to look.

And so did all the knights watching the duel.

It was just a moment.

But by the time Jared realized he’d been tricked, it was already too late.

Yuri’s wooden sword was headed for his side.

Clang!

However, Jared blocked it.

Now it was Yuri who was slightly surprised. Catlike reflexes.

Jared stepped back, counterattacked with his wooden sword, and reestablished the distance.

“What was that?”

“His Majesty?”

“I tricked you.”

“Wow.”

The knights chuckled in disbelief.

The rebellious prince was even more brazen than they imagined and fiercely competitive.

“This is getting interesting.”

Rosso, who had accompanied him, smiled in satisfaction. After all, a young man full of competitive spirit should have that kind of guts.

Clasping his hands, he shouted:

“Go, Your Highness!”

Ignoring Jared’s defense, Yuri charged again.

The knights started murmuring.

Although it was a duel without mana techniques, the level was evenly matched.

“The prince’s doing better than expected.”

“Right?”

Yuri always followed the most efficient path. It was a habit he had picked up on the battlefield.

“There are no wasted movements.”

“Bernard trained him well.”

“At his age, I could barely—bah.”

While the knights watched the duel casually, Jared grew increasingly confused.

It wasn’t that Yuri’s talent was overwhelming or that he felt pressured.

“What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing.”

The distance was always the same.

Whether attacking or dodging, the space between their bodies and their swords didn’t vary.

Sure, Jared kept some distance for the prince’s safety.

But the range Yuri established was closer and consistent.

That could only mean one thing.

“Are you having fun?”

Yuri asked.

As Jared stared into his eyes, their swords clashed again.

From the outside, it looked like an intense duel, but to them, it wasn’t.

They reacted like beasts, even without mana techniques, calculating every space with pinpoint precision.

It was almost a performance.

A fake fight, swinging swords in the air.

“It’s not fun, is it?”

Jared was a genius.

His perception was sharper than anyone’s, and his spatial sense was as exact as a compass.

He could grow strong without trying too hard.

That’s why no one noticed he was barely training. His senses were just different from everyone else’s.

But this prince was different. He’d immediately picked up on his lack of effort.

He was just as, or maybe even more, brilliant than him.

“I think I’ve seen enough.”

“Huh?”

“To know what kind of knight you are.”

“I…”

Jared tried to justify something. But the prince didn’t give him a chance.

“Now it’s my turn, right?”

Yuri raised his sword.

And with that alone, Jared understood. The distance between them began to compress.

Closing in. Closer.

When Jared took one step back, Yuri took two forward.

Were they now only a hair apart?

Jared furrowed his brow.

Zero. No, even less. Yuri lunged. They were already in the middle of the clash.

“Now I’ll show you what kind of guy I am.”