Hector swung his sword.
Clang!
The smell of blood and the stench of the beasts intermingled.
This wolf bastard didnt die even though its jaw was cut in half.
Rather, it glared at Hector and tried to tear into Hectors skin with its teeth.
This is dangerous...
He didnt have the energy to dodge.
Hector!
Bazil suddenly slammed into the wolfs body with his own and pushed it away.
Are you okay?
Hector couldnt even respond; he just nodded.
He swept back his hair, which had stiffened from the blood, and looked in front of him.
The number of wolves in the pack had decreased significantly.
There were only ten or so left, but they werent attacking, only observing him.
Have they noticed my condition?
Well... he looked pitiful enough that even a beast should be able to tell.
Hector couldnt tell how many of these dirty dogs he had decapitated, but he was certain that he was approaching his limit.
This was something that couldnt be overcome by grit and mentality alone: he was reaching the physical limit of his body.
Hector Bednicker.
He heard the voice again.
Hector couldnt raise his head, but he knew to whom the voice belonged.
Charon Woodjack was still observing the situation from the trees.
Will you accept my offer now?
What did Charon mean by that?
The answer was points.
Charon had offered to help if Hector handed over all of his points.
Charon probably wasnt lying... He was definitely capable of upholding his end of the deal.
As annoying as Charon was, Hector knew he was a genius.
Hector smirked.
He had run away from that word his entire life, yet that hateful word had continued to chase him.
Genius...
Hector Bednicker despised geniuses.
***
The first thing Hector had ever grabbed was a sturdy black wooden sword.
A toy sword, made from a light wood and short enough to be used by a child.
When hed first grabbed that sword...
For some reason, Hector had felt like the sword was stuck to his hand.
Just grabbing the sword had made him feel great.
So hed swung it.
As hed recklessly swung the sword, his mother had been delighted.
This child is a swordsmanship genius!
Hed been called a genius when he hadnt even known the meaning of the word. Still, he recognized that he was being praised, and he was elated to hear it.
Soon, the swordsmanship hed begun for fun fulfilled his sense of self.
Hector became even more excited as he energetically and diligently swung his sword. Every time he did so, his mother clapped her hands.
However, this wasnt a path that could be trod because of joy, and that was even more true in House Bednicker.
When Hector turned six, he began to receive swordsmanship instruction.
However, he had not one instructor but twelve.
Honestly, we wanted to hire the Instructor of Swords and Blades, but that man isnt motivated by money. Still, its fine; these people are all experts that other houses desperately wish to hire.
Hector loved his mother.
Every time his mother spoke to him with those blue eyes, he accepted everything she said.
I trust that you will do well, okay?
The six-year-old Hector nodded.
Yes.
From that day on, Hector was unable to simply swing his sword against a scarecrow or even his peers.
Its still lacking! Here, swing a hundred times more!
How can a child of Bednicker be so weak?
Young master, your right shoulder is unguarded.
The lessons were intense.
The young boys hands started to form calluses, and his entire body became covered with bruises.
How is Hector?
...To be honest, his talent isnt that outstanding, though he is very resilient...
Thats not enough. That child, Hector, needs to be a genius.
...Miss?
Help that child create a sword art.
What do you...
Youre only giving the child advice. The creator will be my son, Hector Bednicker. Do you understand?
Hector Bednicker, the genius.
One of the three greatest children of House Bednicker.
None of it was true.
Hector just liked swinging his sword.
He just didnt want to disappoint his mother.
He was just a little brighter than his peers.
He was just an ordinary kid.
***
The Lord of Blood and Iron, Dellark C. Bednicker.
Even though Hector had inherited his blood, he didnt meet the man until he was 12 years old.
The Shadow Sword was said to have been created by Hector, but it had actually been created by the twelve swordsmanship instructors over many months.
That swordsmanship was displayed before the Lord of Blood and Iron.
...
After finishing his demonstration, Hector lowered his head.
Although there hadnt been any mistakes in his swordsmanship, he still felt ashamed for some reason.
Who created this swordsmanship technique?
Of course, Hector
Stop. Wife, I wasnt asking you.
Hector realized that the Lord of Blood and Irons gaze was directed toward him.
However, oddly enough, he found it difficult to talk.
A smooth but oppressive hand covered his shoulder.
It was his mother.
Hector? You need to answer. The family head is asking you a question.
Hector gulped as he answered, ...I-I created it.
It couldnt be helped that his voice trembled.
His mother tried to cover up his awkward response.
Hm. It seems hes quite nervous in front of you.
But even in that moment, Hector felt the gaze of the Lord of Blood and Iron on him.
Was it truly you who created it?
Ah.
At that moment, Hector realized the truth.
He already knows.
Although Hector had no evidence, he was certain.
His father already knew that he wasnt the one who had created this technique, that he wasnt a genius at all.
Hector felt his face burn up.
Embarrassment.
This was the first time Hector had ever felt embarrassed.
Simultaneously, his lips quivered.
He had heard countless times just how cold and scary the Lord of Blood and Iron was.
He wasnt someone who would overlook a liar, even if it was his own son.
If thats the case, make it completely yours.
...!
Hectors head immediately shot up.
For the first time, he saw the Lord of Blood and Irons eyes.
Although they were the same color as his own, the Lord of Blood and Irons eyes were much colder.
He finally understood why the man was called the Lord of Blood and Iron.
However, he also noticed a faint sense of interest in those eyes.
Hector...! Amazing, the family head has acknowledged you!
Incredible, young master.
Congratulations!
A genius! My son is a genius!
After his father left, his mother and his swordsmanship instructors gathered around to say things to him, but he couldnt remember them very well.
Make it completely yours.
The Lord of Blood and Irons final words alone were engraved in his heart as they stirred up a storm within him.
* * * * *
* * * * *
After that day, Hector began training like his life depended on it.
He cut down on rest, meals, and sleep. He also decreased his interactions with his peers.
The time he saved was spent solely on becoming stronger, on developing his swordsmanship technique, on being acknowledged by his father once more.
With that, the attitude of the people around him began to change.
Your swordsmanship becomes sharper with every passing day, young master.
As expected of the family heads child.
His swordsmanship instructors praised him, and the servants became much more polite.
His mothers family treated him well too.
However, what Hector loved most was getting to see his father more frequently, even if it was still only two or three times a year.CHCk for ew stries on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m
One day, his father called him up to the fifth floor. Hector was so happy he could have cried.
Even among the family heads children, only a select few were allowed there.
Father has acknowledged me...!
When he first stepped foot onto the fifth floor, the scenery instantly changed into a beach at sunset.
Hector saw his father standing on the orange beach.
Hector.
Yes.
I will one day cut down the demon lords.
Hector flinched with a shiver.
He understood the weight of the term demon lords.
I know that it is impossible for me alone. Even our ancestor and great hero, Black Fairy Kuset, was unable to accomplish this feat.
...
But if I am not alone, if I have an ally who could be my strength, it is doable. That is why you were created.
Confessing to a child that he was born out of necessity... that was something no father should ever do.
However, Hector wasnt shocked.
Nor did he feel sad.
I wish for you to fight by my side in the future.
Instead, he felt an overwhelming sense of duty.
It didnt matter what the reason was; he was glad that his father needed him.
The wish of the Lord of Blood and Iron became Hectors desire.
It became his dream to go out onto the battlefield where his father needed him, to protect his fathers side.
I can do it.
Genius...
Hector began to consider himself a genius.
He felt his swordsmanship improve day by day, and he became confident that he was stronger than others his age.
The word he had considered a burden was now held up high with pride.
...The moment he had that thought, Hector witnessed a true genius.
...I didnt expect there to be this much of a difference.
It seems Hero will be the family heads successor.
Shush...! Miss will hear you.
Hero Bednicker... In a spar with the eldest son of the House, Hector lost within ten seconds.
However, Heros parting words were a much greater humiliation than the loss itself.
...Thats funny. Why is father relying on an ordinary kid like you?
...
The words that hed finally forgotten and believed hed never have to hear again had reappeared to pressure Hector.
Ordinary and genius.
Hector could feel it.
For the rest of his life, he would be chased by those two words.
***
Hector hated geniuses.
He hated those who looked down on and laughed at people who worked hard.
He also knew that this was born of a feeling of inferiority.
He knew that, but so what?
...I refuse.
If he didnt follow his heart, he would stop being Hector Bednicker.
Charon tilted his head slightly.
Youll die at this rate.
I know.
And youre still going to refuse? Is your pride more important than your life? I dont understand.
You wouldnt.
You wouldnt be able to see the pride of someone below you from your position of arrogant genius.
Also, Hector had no intention of dying here.
Bazil.
Y-yes?
Ill create a path, so use it to escape.
Now that the number of wolves had decreased, it was possible. There was an opening in their encirclement.
Bazils face became pale.
B-but what about you?
Ill be right behind you... is a guarantee I cannot make. But its more difficult to fight while trying to protect you.
I can pull my weight.
Dont try to show off. Youre about to collapse.
But...
Im pretty sure I said this at the beginning: during this test, the team captains word is law.
...
Hector was thankful for Bazil.
Even in this moment of danger, Bazil had never once tried to convince Hector to hand over his points.
Hector didnt know why that was. Maybe Bazil was as pure as he was weak.
Hector chose to view it as the dwarf respecting his useless pride.
And if that was the case, he would respect this young heros life.
...Understood.
At this moment, Hector forgot the situation and laughed.
So dwarves cry like that.
Hector looked at Bazils laughable face.
Bazil, I dont think being a hero suits you. If you survive, look for a different career.
To be honest, my dream job is to become a brewer.
Really? Ive heard that dwarven stout is rather good.
Of course. Ill treat you next time.
After listening in on their conversation, Charon spoke once more.
Hector Bednicker, are you really going to kill yourself and your teammate just for some points?
Its not a problem of points. I am a Bednicker.
What about it?
Bednickers dont negotiate with trash.
...Those words had not come out of Hectors mouth.
Crunch.
Something fell from the sky.
It was a bloody wolf that looked like it had been crushed by a boulder.
It was the work of a young boy.
...
Hector couldnt help but smirk.
It was a face as annoying as Charons. However, he was more than glad to see that face here.
...Right, Brother?
Luan smiled as he looked at Hector.
Novel Bin 