The Illegitimate Who Devours Weapons

Episode 10

A crossed pine tree, a sword, and a red circle surrounding it all.

Pine trees symbolize integrity and vitality.

The spirit of black sage.

The red circle represents blood.

It was the emblem of the Sungmu family.

It was a seal that was never stamped unless there was a special reason, and it was a symbol that signified an order at the family level.

“What? What’s it about?”

My aunt looked at the envelope and asked.

“It’s the naming ceremony. The date has finally been set.”

[Muster Order]

-Target: 9 Princes (English)

– Contents: Naming ceremony scheduled. Applicants should gather at the central training ground by 10:00 on September 10th.

-Scheduled date: September 10th, 10:00

-Note: If you bring items other than those listed in the attached regulations, you will be severely punished.

-Lee Myeong-jeong, head of the household

I smiled as I read the contents of the envelope, which was decorated with a luxurious gold border.

The second test that the direct line of the Sungmoo family would face was the date set for the naming ceremony, a special ceremony for boys unique to the Lee family.

“It’s a naming ceremony.”

I think it was originally early winter.

Why did it change?

“A naming ceremony! A naming ceremony!”

My aunt suddenly started screaming.

“Why are you suddenly like that?”

“It’s starting to look like it’s going to happen! Now is the time! But you have to be there for the naming ceremony! No! Don’t accept the naming ceremony!”

In principle, the naming ceremony is a test for children who have not been able to receive intensive instruction from their teachers. Therefore, the immediate family members had to receive group education six months before the naming ceremony.

“You know that’s not possible, Aunt.”

“But… … .”

My aunt’s expression became sad.

The nanny, who had already seen her aunt like that often, was awkwardly mumbling, not knowing what expression to make.

“Nanny. Have you heard any detailed schedule regarding education?”

“Sungmoo has posted a related document on the intranet. It will be conducted for six months as usual, and the training leader is the leader of the Blood Tiger Warriors, Lee Jung-kwan. The rest of the instructors will also be formed from the Blood Tigers.”

The leader of the Blood Tiger Warriors, Lee Jung-kwan.

He was my fifth cousin and the leader of the Blood Guardians, one of the family’s warrior corps.

He was from a very close collateral line and was highly trusted by his family due to his outstanding abilities and achievements.

‘Nothing has changed.’

Only the date changed, the instructor and the course were the same.

I looked at my aunt, who was just poking the floor with a pouty expression.

“Aunt.”

“……why.”

“The time will be shortened a little, but the training in magic arts and the restoration of ancient magic arts will continue as before. Don’t worry.”

“Huh… …? How? You don’t know, but that class must be very busy.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll both do fine.”

The naming ceremony was clearly a dangerous and important test.

But every time something like this happens, if you compromise and focus on something else, you’ll end up compromising again next time.

I am an illegitimate child. I cannot achieve anything by compromising. I have to do what others say I cannot do.

“Really? Are you really going to keep training?”

My aunt’s eyes sparkled.

Even though aging is slowed down by magical power, it doesn’t seem easy to do something like that at that age.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, let’s quickly finish the 1-star training that we’ve been doing, completely restore the amplification technique, and… … .”

My aunt started muttering again and began to lose herself in her own world.

At that moment, the nanny who had been quiet suddenly opened her mouth.

“No, your highness.”

“……huh?”

“I know that Elder Lee Kyung-hwa is helping you, and I also know that you are working harder than any of your brothers. However, the naming ceremony is dangerous. This time, you should focus only on group education.”

It was a harsh tone, unusual for a nanny who always respected my will and intentions.

“Nanny, don’t worry. I won’t neglect group education either.”

“I know. I know how you feel, Master. But Master, this nanny is worried.”

The nanny held my hand tightly.

At that moment, my aunt, who had been mumbling, carefully opened her mouth.

“Ah, but we still have so much to do… … Our baby… … .”

“Elder. If you care about the young master, then it is right for you to stop him.”

She looked at her aunt with a face that looked like not a single drop of blood would flow out even if her nanny stabbed her.

“Oh, uh, I see. But, I’m not a senior… … .”

My aunt muttered in a voice that sounded like she was crawling. Then she turned away and started to act like nothing happened.

“Your Majesty. Could you please listen to this nanny just this once?”

I held the nanny’s hand tightly.

The worry and concern about me that comes from those hands.

Thank you so much.

But that doesn’t mean I can grant the nanny’s request.

“No, Nanny. But I have no intention of stopping my training with you.”

“master!”

“Nanny. I am an illegitimate child. I understand what you are saying. In the Sungmoo family, illegitimate children are looked down upon and ignored, and are like the common people who have nothing to say even when they are treated unfairly.”

“No! Your Majesty! It’s a heavenly thing!”

“No matter where I go in the main house, there are hardly any staff or family members who greet me. There are even cases where I get scolded for being too gentle with the warriors. Nanny, even though I’m young, I know that much.”

The nanny flinched at my words.

You probably didn’t know I could speak so coldly.

“That’s why I shouldn’t focus on just one thing. I won’t be able to prepare good teachers, expensive elixirs, and luxurious, cutting-edge martial arts books like my other brothers.”

“master…….”

The nanny’s eyes became sad.

I felt my heart warmed by those gazes.

My nanny was a family member to whom I could completely entrust my heart.

That’s why I had to say it firmly.

“I have to be different from my brothers. I have to work twice as hard as them and be twice as prepared as them. My brothers are really monsters. They have tremendous talent and need support to grow accordingly.”

There is something I have to do even though I have nothing.

Effort, more effort than in your previous life.

Moreover, the efforts in this life are different from those in the past. There is a clear goal and a path to follow.

“And let me say it again, I am confident. I am confident that I can crush my brothers with my own strength, not with strength gained through trickery or others. And for that, I need the training I am doing with my aunt.”

The nanny felt a firm sensation in the fingertips that she held tightly, something that she could not have guessed was a child.

A hand that can never be considered a child’s hand.

The skin, which should have been soft and supple, was hard and covered in calluses at every joint.

“Nanny. I am a child of the Lee family. Don’t try to raise me to be weak.”

“ah…….”

The strength left the nanny’s body. A gasp of air came from her slightly open mouth.

She stared blankly at the young master she had raised.

And before I knew it, I opened my eyes wide.

‘When did you grow so big?’

It was clear that she had been carrying him on her back until recently, but now that her master had grown up so much, he felt unfamiliar.

“Nanny. Still, thank you. You’re the only one who thinks of me like this.”

I hugged my nanny tightly.

The nanny also hugged me gently, wiping away the tears from her eyes.

At that moment, my aunt, who was next to me, started kicking the floor again out of habit.

“… … I have one too. I think about our baby a lot too.”

“Isn’t it true that all your aunt’s thoughts are about ancient times and establishing magical theories?”

“Oh, no! You bad child! No, you damn little brat!”

My aunt screamed.

I lightly ignored her and made eye contact with the nanny.

“I’m sorry, Master. I did that because I was worried about you. It doesn’t happen every time, but I heard that naming ceremonies are tests where accidents sometimes happen… … .”

“Then let’s do this, Nanny.”

I snickered and suggested something.

The nanny’s mouth opened when she heard those words.

“That’s ridiculous. Even for a young master like you, that would be difficult.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it no matter what.”

I said with a snicker.

* * *

The family training center where the naming ceremony group training is taking place.

Jang Wook, the senior instructor and leader of the first unit of the Blood Tiger Corps, entered the training ground on time.

“Then, let’s begin today’s training.”

Two pairs of eyes followed him.

The direct descendant of the Sungmoo family. The eighth son.

And the ninth spirit, ‘from outside’.

Compared to the eighth who had a slightly tense expression, the ninth had a rather confident face.

Jang Wook glanced at the ninth and became nervous.

“What kind of training will we have today?”

And the ninth question began again today without fail.

‘Damn. Is that a stand?’

Jang Wook grimaced.

A tone of voice that seems to treat subordinates as if it were a given.

Of course, within the Sungmu family, the direct line is the absolute superior. No matter how much it is a relationship between an educator and an educated person, it is right to maintain that hierarchical relationship.

But I was perplexed that the ninth child, who had grown up neglected in his family, was like that.

‘But I’m an instructor… … What on earth is that kid doing?’

Should I call it experience? Or should I call it charisma?

These are all expressions that are not suitable for a ten-year-old.

But in those unwavering eyes and speech, there was clearly the air of those born to reign.

“… … Today, we will be teaching the application of magic sources, magic and magical defense, basic fighting techniques, and field survival techniques.”

The ninth nodded slowly.

Only then did Jang Wook briefly relax and open his mouth.

“Then, let’s begin the training.”

The education system was such that those born illegitimate, without any education or support, were at a disadvantage. The curriculum was designed so that only those who had mastered magic and martial arts could keep up.

but.

‘He was famous for stamping his attendance at the direct line training center… … but is that even possible?’

The training has been going on for several months already.

In the process, the ninth spirit was receiving excellent education.

No, in fact, it couldn’t be evaluated as simply excellent.

The ninth one shows a level just barely above the educational level.

If you think that’s enough, he showed that he is of a higher level.

“Ugh!”

Two children were inside a large cylindrical machine, surrounded by glittering sparks.

Basic training to resist low-level sorcery and magic.

The eighth one was holding on just with his insanely high body endurance, thanks to the elixir he had consumed.

The ninth one showed a classic response of using magic to repel them one by one.

Clearly, this training was dangerous enough that it could raise human rights issues if it was done to children from outside.

Because they were thrown into the field without any training in resistance techniques.

As expected, the ninth one, who had not even received basic training, would have been shocked and thrown out right away.

but…….

‘It’s different again.’

The ninth one, who had been responding in a standard manner but not letting his guard down, began to change.

Did you grow up in the meantime?

Even though it was clearly excessive training for the ninth level, his face suddenly relaxed.

Now that he has some free time, the ninth one even glances at the eighth one who is training next to him.

Did you grow in the meantime, or did you gain some insight?

Jang Wook couldn’t figure out the ninth one.

That moment.

Shudder-.

Jang Wook met eyes with the ninth.

Deep brown eyes were staring at him indifferently.

Those eyes seem to be asking if this is the end.

A chill ran down my spine without me realizing it.

‘It’s almost like… … you’re testing it out.’

All the questions I had for so long were suddenly resolved.

The ninth is testing.

Eighth, yourself, your instructors.

How much do you know about yourself? If you know, do you know it for sure?

The ninth is to slowly raise the level of education and review it, as if reviewing.

And he checks his level by looking at the eighth person closest to him, and forces the instructors to educate him at a higher level.

Even this education is nothing more than a process of self-discipline for that child.

‘Crazy… … A kid who’s only ten years old?

That can’t be true.

But then, how do you explain those eyes?

‘I’ve seen so many direct descendants over the years… … .’

Jang Wook stopped thinking.

Any further training is pointless.

“That’s all for today’s training. Thank you for your hard work.”

The eighth one nodded at those words and was seen glaring at the ninth one too openly.

The ninth one didn’t even look at me as if he wasn’t interested.

“… … Tsk.”

The eighth one turned his head and left the training ground.

“Then is it okay to continue like this?”

“Yes, your highness.”

It was a polite tone. The ninth nodded at Jang Wook’s words and turned around to follow the eighth.

Jang Wook caught it.

“master.”

“huh?”

“Honestly, I thought you would not be able to keep up and would drag on. It was because of your status.”

At those words, the ninth’s eyes opened like a crescent moon.

And then he blurted out a word.

“Did you think I didn’t know that?”

“… … !”

“So, why did you catch me?”

Jang Wook swallowed dry saliva.

I remembered what Lee Jung-kwan, the training captain and leader of the Blood Tigers, had said.

‘The first young master, the general, and a woman of unknown identity… … even the head of the household is showing interest.’

Jang Wook chose his words carefully.

Just a boy. Just a boy at best.

It was rude of a warrior to describe this child in such a way.

“I apologize for ignoring you, my lord. From now on, as an instructor, I will do my best to pass on my knowledge to you, my lord. Not as a mere training for the naming ceremony, but as a senior warrior who has entered the path of martial arts a little earlier.”

Jang Wook spoke with all his heart.

The ninth one, who seemed a bit sharp, smiled brightly.

“Okay. Please.”

* * *

“Phew.”

I walked out, patting my aching body.

“What a crazy family. Throwing them into a magic generating device to increase their magic attack resistance.”

Although Sungmoo Lee is training because he believes in his uniquely strong body, it is still not normal training. Shouldn’t he at least teach the theory?

But it wasn’t without value.

I smiled as I felt the magic wriggling inside me. I wanted to run to my aunt right now and brag about what I had gained.

“Ugh. Before that, let’s go and rest for a bit… … .”

He stretched and loosened his stiff body.

at that time.

Hwaak-!

As I was passing the corner of the wall, something suddenly flew into my face.

I just raised my arm and caught something flying at me.

‘hand?’

A pure white hand appeared.

“Hey, stand up.”

The eighth painter was glaring at me with his eyebrows furrowed.