Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 55

Victor spoke quickly, trying to catch his breath.

“No, it’s alright. Try again.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, try again.”

“Yes, sir!”

Logan grinned, picked up the sword rolling on the floor, and handed it to him.

‘He certainly has a remarkable talent.’

It was no empty compliment.

He was only sixteen years old and had been learning swordsmanship for a year.

He had only learned basic swordsmanship for a year. But even when he swung wildly, he naturally used the correct stance.

His body remembers the basic moves perfectly.

Moreover, the power of his wild swings was greater than his proper form.

It meant that this style suited Victor well.

Even though Victor was changing as a person, his sword skills were still fierce and strong.

‘I can even see his natural talent for swordsmanship.’

Just as Victor had changed, so too was he changing.

A chuckle escaped him at the not-unpleasant feeling.

However, there was a problem….

“Haaah!”

Whack. Scritch.

Wham!

Violent swordsmanship that raged fiercely; such a style of swordsmanship could never be perfected by practicing alone.

‘Now he needs an opponent.’

He needs someone to practice with who is not too strong, but also not too weak. Someone who is almost as skilled as a ‘Force User’ but not quite.

He needed sparring matches like real battles with A-class mercenaries or elite soldiers.

“Does it feel frustrating?”

Victor, who had been swinging his sword with all his might, nodded silently.

Normally, according to his nature, he would have answered no and just swung his sword diligently, but…

‘That means he’s feeling it himself.’

A future Aura User.

That talent once again filled Logan with admiration.

And fortunately, the way to solve the frustration he was feeling now was simple.

“Tomorrow, I plan to leave McLaine Castle and train soldiers in Tesron. Probably for the entire winter.”

“Yes?”

“Come with me. Tell your sister properly.”

However.

“Can’t I go with Lia?”

This fool who thinks only about his sister was talking nonsense.

“Take a girl to a soldier training camp full of only men?”

“Can’t I go with her?”

“Do you really think that would be good for your sister?”

“I want to go with her!”

He was truly an incomprehensible fellow.

He usually seemed so mature, but he became a child whenever his sister was involved.

Taking a young girl to a camp with many young men is not a good idea.

‘What kind of trouble is he trying to cause, hmm… wait?’

A thought flashed through his mind, and Logan nodded, contrary to his initial thought.

“Alright. Let’s take her.”

“Thank you!”

Logan watched Victor, who was overjoyed, and sighed inwardly.

‘Haa… this guy, really.’

It was good that Victoria was his controller, but his obsession was too severe.

‘At this rate, he might try to take care of his sister first no matter what I ask him to do later.’

Maybe I can help him become less obsessed with his sister while we are there.

If things went as planned, surely….

“But know that if any problems arise, it’s all your responsibility. It’s something you brought upon yourself.”

“Yes! I will take good care of her.”

“That’s not it! I’ll give Victoria separate tasks, so clearly distinguish between public and private matters. If you can only think about your sister and not your duties, then I don’t need you.”

“I’m sorry.”

He answered dutifully, but Victor’s eyes were wavering.

“Victoria, come here!”

Victoria, who had been anxiously watching from the side since he appeared, scurried over.

“Please, sir, I’m sorry! I don’t know what Victor did wrong, but please don’t be angry with him!”

As the small child bowed her head repeatedly with a pale face, Logan felt a headache coming on.

“Ugh. None of that.”

Even when Logan was kind, they were still careful and cautious. Both siblings were like that.

‘Maybe the reason that guy said he would go with his sister is also….’

Logan smiled sadly. He felt empty inside.

Children who had only each other to rely on, who had lived hard lives.

He had hoped that they had received enough comfort during the past year, but it seemed like too much to ask for just yet.

“We will go to Tesron Castle during the winter. Your brother will move with the soldiers for training, so you will accompany the serving staff in charge of meals. Understand?”

“Yes!”

At least her answers were better than her brother’s.

After Lia disappeared to pack her things.

“Is your sister that precious to you?”

Logan asked casually, out of curiosity.

He was his past self, regretting his family for the rest of his life because of his own mistakes.

Logan was constantly trying not to leave that regret again.

But Victor’s heart for his sister seemed to be different from that.

“Because she’s my only family.”

The answer came easily, to the point where Logan’s worries felt futile.

Was it simply an instinct that came from blood relations?

“Hmm. Is that all?”

When Logan questioned, Victor hesitated a little this time before opening his mouth again.

“My parents died because of me.”

The unexpected answer left Logan speechless.

“Lia lost her parents because of me. I have to protect Lia, my only remaining family.”

Victor bit his lip and lowered his head.

Not wanting to see the expression on the head of the guy who lowered his head, Logan looked at the distant sky for no reason.

I will do anything to wash away my sins.

I will bet everything to protect my family, my sister.

No, I have to.

Who else could understand that complex emotion of love and resentment as well as Logan himself?

A question thrown out on a whim revealed a bitter truth and also helped him renew his determination.

“Alright. Let’s cheer up.”

‘Both of us.’

Logan could only pat the shoulder of another self who was still so young.

50 soldiers and about 300 mercenaries escorting 500 applicants, no, now trainees.

The road to Tesron with them was a little slow, but stable.

The tents and camping gear prepared by the mercenaries and soldiers were not very good, but to those who were camping for the first time in their lives, they were simply amazing.

Logan stood by a large pot, the steam rising in the cold air, and ladled thick, warm stew into bowls for each trainee. The smell of meat and vegetables filled the air, a welcome scent in the winter chill.

“I value those who are capable regardless of their status. So work hard. Work hard and become capable people. If you only have the ability, I will make you knights regardless of your status or origin.”

Perhaps it was just for show, and the food was basic.

The applicants, who were still naive, were easily moved by the small kindness shown by their lord.

Also, regardless of the fact that most of them would not become knights, the fact that Victor, who was standing proudly next to Logan, was a slave even worse than a peasant farmer, spread and encouraged their motivation.

– Let’s become knights.

It was the moment when this determination was firmly engraved in the hearts of the trainees.

Especially those from particularly difficult families among McLaine’s farms, those who were smaller and more humble than others.

The determination of the children who were selected based on new criteria, whom Logan thought had talent, was even stronger.

– Definitely…….

“Thank you.”

“I will work hard.”

In a large, simple room, small voices spoke with determination. Tiny hands, holding wooden spoons, clenched into fists.

Even though they had bowls of simple stew in front of them, the children’s eyes shone with a shared fire of determination.

Most of the children looked at Viktor. Logan watched this and felt very pleased. Bringing Viktor here was important to his plan. He wanted the children to see Viktor.

“Perhaps my chances of fixing this place are better than I thought,” Logan murmured to himself.

But Logan knew another problem was coming soon.

He felt like the hope for his family’s future was growing stronger, and this made him smile.

People in Tesron Castle had very different ideas about Logan.

Just six months ago, he had killed the old lord and his son. He had also led the fight that killed many local soldiers.

But now, some people saw him as a miracle worker. He was giving food to people starving in the spring famine, and even the dry land seemed to be turning green again.

They stayed far away from him, fear and respect in their eyes. No one dared to come close.

From the villages on the outskirts of Tesron Castle to the inside of the castle, which was twice as large and wide as Macin, all the territory residents who encountered the flag of flames and Logan’s face lowered their heads and avoided him.

Then, at the inner castle gate, Logan saw Vector. Vector greeted him in a way Logan didn’t expect.

“Welcome back, Young Master. Are you hungry, or would you like to hear my report first?” Vector bowed deeply.

Vector’s eyes, always watchful, moved quickly, but Logan saw no anger in them.

“Vector, you’re different.”

Ha! Of course. A servant should always obey his master.

“But you didn’t before.”

“I am doing what the Lady wants. She is in charge of my life now.”

“So, it’s your mother’s fault?”

“If you’re still angry with me, just kill me. I won’t complain.”

“Really? Really?”

*Clang.* Logan drew his sword quickly. He saw sweat on Vector’s face and his hands shaking, even though Vector’s voice was still firm. But Vector’s eyes, which used to dart around, were now fixed on Logan, steady and direct.

“‘I… I hope this doesn’t cause problems for the Lady,’ Vector stammered. ‘Please, just punish me and forget about it.’

Watching him, Logan chuckled and put his sword back.

Even if the old animosity remained, Vector’s loyalty to his stepmother was genuine.

“Just keep doing that in the future.”

Instead of a sword, Logan’s hand landed on Vector’s shoulder as he walked past. Vector, a middle-aged man with greying hair, stumbled a little, as if surprised. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.

“‘Stand up straight, Vector,’ Logan said, trying to sound stern. ‘People will think I actually hurt you.’

“‘I, I’m sorry. I was just relieved….'”

“‘Tsk,’ Logan clicked his tongue. ‘You’re too eager. Calm down. I’ll hear your report first.’

“Understood.”

Fortunately, Vector was more capable than he thought.

Vector quickly gave Logan a summary of everything. The money situation was improving, the people were doing a little better, and the new soldiers were ready to be chosen.

Vector’s active cooperation helped quickly complete the selection of Tesron’s recruits the next day.

‘Hmm. Only about 250 people here seem to have the gift for sensing magic,’ Logan thought. ‘I need crossbow riders quickly. And…’

The Empire had only found a method with a high probability; it had not perfectly revealed the mechanism for awakening the Force.

Those who seem to have no talent now might become Force users.

Logan patted himself on the back and selected 500 recruits from Tesron as well.

Thus, 1,000 recruits were selected.

Fortunately, the barracks built in Tesron were spacious enough to accommodate nearly 1,500 people, including the existing soldiers.

The recruits, many of them very young, looked around at the large dormitory. It was new to most of them, and their faces showed it.

“I’m Rom,” one boy said with a friendly smile. “Let’s work together.”

“‘Tes,’ another replied, nodding. ‘Good to meet you.’

But not everyone was friendly. “Hey, watch where you’re going!” one voice snapped. “Are you going to apologize?”

“‘You were in my way,’ another voice retorted.”

“‘What did you say, you little punk?!'”

“‘Stop it, please!’ someone cried.”

The young bloods placed in an unfamiliar environment found it difficult to fall asleep easily.

“Everyone, be quiet!”

“If you don’t sleep, I’ll force you to sleep!”

Even with the senior soldiers and instructors cracking down, the recruits’ dormitories were full of those who couldn’t sleep.

The next day, more than half of those who hurriedly gathered in the training ground to the sound of the early morning bugle call, clumsily huddled together, had bloodshot eyes.

And Kai, the head instructor who saw that pathetic sight, didn’t even bother to point out the messy formation, and abruptly ordered the first training from the platform.

“Five laps around the inner castle wall. The last hundred to come in will do two extra laps.”

The recruits, who had been gathered together haphazardly, looked bewildered at Kai’s sudden words.

“Huh?”

“Run!”

“What suddenly….”

“R, run!”

Even amidst the bewilderment, the reaction was quick when one person started running.

The recruits rushed to run along the inner castle wall, which was nearly 5 km in circumference.

They started running without considering that running around it five times was almost impossible for an ordinary person.

It was only natural that those who staggered began to appear from around the time they returned from one lap, after about an hour.

“Haa. Haa.”

“Haa. Haa.”

“Huuuuh!”

The majority of the jogging turned into a level no different from walking, and some even began to lose focus in their eyes, beyond just their legs giving out.

But among them, there was only one person.

The boy with blue hair and eyes of different colors was sprinting at the head of the group without the slightest sign of exhaustion.

“Wh, what’s with that guy?”

“Th, that. Slave….”

“‘Th, the Young Master’s?'”

The distance gradually widened as the others grew tired and staggered.

Viktor’s performance stimulated those who followed behind.

‘Even that slave is doing it….’

‘There’s no reason I can’t.’

‘I can’t lose!’

The light returned to their fading eyes, and a little more strength entered their staggering legs.

Even if they suffered a little more later from the aftereffects of this overexertion, the entire group of recruits immediately began to follow Viktor as if they had been bewitched.

‘The Viktor effect……. Just as Lord Logan said.’

Kai, who was running with them to supervise the recruits, smiled as he watched the scene.

What Logan and Kai wanted to see in the recruits now was not strong physical strength.

They only needed the will not to give up.

Therefore, the first training was immediately stopped on the fourth lap, when a hundred people had given up running.

“Those who have given up or collapsed will do two more laps as soon as they get up. If you can’t do it this time either, that guy just goes home. Understand!”

The faces of those who were struggling to sit down turned pale.

Those who had barely endured let out a sigh of relief.

“Huu, huu. I’m alive.”

“Hoo, don’t… talk to me.”

“Cough. Ssssh. Hooaa.”

“Th, that monster.”

While everyone was sitting down, only one boy was loosening his muscles with light stretching.

Everyone else knew that it was better to loosen up the body than to rest immediately after strenuous exercise.

But even if they knew that, it was difficult to put it into practice right after training that squeezed out their limits.

In other words, it was the same as saying that this training, which stimulated the limits of the other recruits, was not a big burden for Viktor.

And Logan was watching the scene from inside the inner castle office, far away from the training ground.

His golden eyes scanned Viktor’s expression and physical condition thoroughly, leaping over the long distance.

As a result, Logan was able to smile with satisfaction.

‘The Force is definitely seeping in. It won’t be long.’

If Viktor were to awaken during training, all the soldiers with him would know.

That even a slave can become a knight.

And that would be a more certain motivation for the soldiers than anything else.

‘Because he’s a slave, Viktor’s talent will be even more amazing to them. If even a slave can be this strong…’

Just then, Kai, the head instructor, walked over to Viktor.