Five years have passed since my reincarnation.
Recently, I discovered that I seem to have been reincarnated into the same world as before. Moreover, I am the second son of the Reynostia Marquis family, a prominent noble family in the Eldoria Kingdom.
It’s an incredibly fortunate situation. Even in my previous life as a mere adventurer, I was aware of the esteemed status of the Reynostia Marquis family.
What I particularly like is being the second son. If I were the first son, I would have lost my freedom due to the responsibilities of being the heir.
My goal is to master the sword. In other words, having the position of a noble family while enjoying the freedom of being the second son is perfect for me.
Right now, I am facing my parents.
My father’s name is Dimitrion. He has silver hair, blue eyes, and a kind face. Though he looks slim, he is actually quite muscular.
My mother, sitting next to my father, is named Lyseria. She has blonde hair, green eyes, and a strikingly beautiful face with elongated eyes. It’s more accurate to call her beautiful than cute.
“…Kraze.”
“Yes?”
My father calls my name with a deeply troubled expression. I wonder what he is going to say. Even my usually composed mother looks somewhat sad.
“Kraze, there is something we have been hiding from you.”
“Hiding…?”
“Yes…”
Something that’s been hidden. I can’t think of anything that could be significant. One possibility might be that I am not their biological child.
However, I doubt that. When I first woke up in this world after dying in my previous life, the first face I saw was my mother’s.
If there were a sister who looked just like my mother, it might be different, but my mother only has a younger brother. So, it’s hard to believe that I am not their child.
“The truth is… Kraze, you are incapable of using magic.”
My father declares gravely. Hmm… So, I can’t use magic. That’s not a problem at all—in fact, it’s quite a pleasant fact.
I almost want to smile but will hold back. If I smile now, they might think I’m a strange child.
“Could it be that I have a magic circuit deficiency?”
“…You know about that?”
“Yes. I happened to read about it in a book.”
That’s a lie. Although it was mentioned in a book, I first learned about magic circuit deficiency from my previous life, where I also had the condition.
“It’s okay, Kraze. Even if you can’t use magic, we are on your side.”
“That’s right. There are many paths besides magic.”
My mother stands up and hugs me, and my father joins in, embracing us both.
They are wonderful parents. They are completely different from my previous life’s parents who used to hit and kick me. Given how they are, they are likely worried and comforting me because I can’t use magic.
For an ordinary child, the inability to use magic would be a heavy burden, especially if they were a noble.
However… I am different. The fact that I can’t use magic is not a hindrance. It is an element for getting closer to my ideal and a part of my madness.
I feel sorry for my worried parents, but I am simply excited.
“Father, Mother. It’s alright.”
“Kraze…”
“The truth is… I want to use the sword rather than magic.”
“The sword?”
Father and Mother look at me in surprise.
“Yes. I love swords.”
“You mean… you want to become a swordsman?”
“No, Kraze. I want you to live freely, but becoming a swordsman is dangerous. Do something else.”
This is a normal reaction. A swordsman is someone who wears armor and a shield and draws enemies’ attention or acts as a meat shield in front of mages.
Thus, the death rate is high, and they are sometimes looked down upon by mages. It’s not an exaggeration to say that it is the lowest tier. That’s why Mother is opposed to it.
But… it’s different. My ideal swordsman is someone who faces challenges with just a single sword, as I was fascinated by on that day.
However, if I say this now, it will be seen as a childish dream. To be believed, I need solid evidence.
“Mother, the swordsman I idealize is different. My ideal swordsman fights with just one sword, without using armor or shield.”
“That’s even more reason to refuse. No matter how skilled you are with the sword, you can’t win against magic. You might not understand yet, but the range of attack is just too different.”
“I understand. What you say is correct. Therefore, please give me some time.”
“Time?”
Mother crouches down and meets my eyes. Her strong green eyes gaze into my blue ones inherited from Father.
“In five years, the ‘Arcana Eclipse Mysteries and Miracles’ will be held, right?”
“Yes… exactly in five years.”
The Arcana Eclipse Mysteries and Miracles is a festival held once every five years in the capital of Eldoria Kingdom. Regardless of status, nobles or commoners alike celebrate the development of the kingdom on that day.
“I believe there will be a magic combat event.”
“Could it be…”
“Yes. If I win that magic combat event… please acknowledge my path.”
The magic combat event is a magical competition held on the second day of the three-day Arcana Eclipse Mysteries and Miracles. Participants are children aged ten to fourteen. It is not mandatory, but an entry-based competition.
Naturally, since I am ten years old, I am at a disadvantage compared to older participants. Competing in a magic contest with a sword is unprecedented.
Disadvantage due to age, disadvantage due to the sword. It is unlikely that I will win, and participating itself seems impossible.
“That’s…”
Mother hesitates. She is processing a lot of information due to the sudden turn of events.
But it’s not a problem. The person I need to persuade is not Mother but Father. As long as Father, the head of the family, acknowledges me, other opinions do not matter.
“Kraze, what will you do if you don’t win?”
“Of course, I will quietly pursue another path.”
Although my wording might sound harsh, if I cannot achieve this level of trial, I have no worth.
Being fascinated by swords is fine, and being obsessed with them is also fine. However, if I am going to dedicate myself to the sword, winning a mere magic combat event should be a given.
The path I walk is not a thorny or treacherous one. It’s like creating a new path in an empty place.
“…Haha, that sounds good. Alright, Kraze. If you win the magic combat event… do as you like.”
“Thank you very much.”
…As expected. Father definitely treats me as an individual. He didn’t dismiss it as just a child’s dream.
Ordinary parents would likely brush off something like this lightly. They would give a token response.
A shiver runs down my spine.
Until now, I had only thought of Father as a kind man… but that was a grave mistake. He had completely concealed his true nature in front of the family.
Father is not just a kind man. He is a man who has survived as the head of the Reynostia Marquis family in the treacherous world of nobility.
He is undoubtedly a remarkable individual.
“If you say so, I won’t oppose it. Just… don’t do anything dangerous.”
“Of course.”
I nod, meeting Mother’s gaze. Though she seems logical and cold, she is actually quite emotional and surprisingly warm for a noble.
However, Mother also knows her own nature well, so she avoids showing excessive kindness. The clear judgment criterion is still Father.
In cases like this, Mother generally follows Father’s decision. She knows from long experience that it’s better that way.
“Well then, Kraze. If you need anything, just let me know. I will cooperate as much as I can.”
Wonderful. Such a great environment is rare. I mustn’t take it for granted and should be grateful. Of course, I will make full use of it.
“Yes. Thank you very much.”
With that, everything is set.
Now, I just need to become stronger.
