Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 10

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 10

A crossed pine tree and a sword, all enveloped in a red circle.

The pine tree symbolizes integrity and vitality.

The sword, the spirit of martial valor.

The red circle, blood.

It was the crest of the Soongmoo Yi Clan.

An insignia that was never stamped unless it was absolutely necessary, a symbol signifying an order directly from the clan.

“What is it? What does it say?”

My aunt asked, looking at the envelope.

“It’s about the Naming Ceremony. The date has finally been set.”

[Summon Order]

-Subject: 9th Young Master (Young)

-Content: Naming Ceremony scheduled. Those subject to the ceremony are to assemble at the central training grounds by 10:00 AM on September 10th.

-Scheduled Date: September 10th, 10:00 AM

-Note: Severe penalties will be imposed for bringing items other than those listed in the attached regulations.

-Acting Head of the Family, Yi Myung-jung

A smile crept across my face as I read the contents of the envelope, adorned with luxurious gold trim.

The second trial for the direct line of the Soongmoo Yi Clan. The scheduled date for the Naming Ceremony, the Yi Clan’s unique coming-of-age ritual, had been set.

“Naming Ceremony, huh.”

I thought it was supposed to be in early winter.

Why has it changed?

“Naming Ceremony! Naming Ceremony!”

My aunt suddenly started screaming.

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

“We were just starting to get into a rhythm! This is a crucial time! But if you have to attend the Naming Ceremony, you’ll be stuck there! No! Don’t take the Naming Ceremony!”

In principle, the Naming Ceremony is a test given to young children who have not been intensively tutored by a master. Therefore, direct descendants had to undergo collective training for six months before the Naming Ceremony began.

“You know that’s not possible, Aunt.”

“But…”

My aunt’s expression turned mournful.

The nanny, who had seen this side of my aunt often, wore an awkward expression, unsure of what face to make.

“Nanny, have you heard any details about the training schedule?”

“A notice has been posted on the Soongmoo Yi Clan intranet. It’s scheduled to proceed as usual for six months, and the training leader is Master Yi Joong-gwan, the leader of the Bloodhowl Warriors. The other instructors will also be drawn from the Bloodhowl Corps.”

Yi Joong-gwan, the leader of the Bloodhowl Warriors.

He was my fifth cousin, and the leader of the Bloodhowl Corps, one of the Four Divine Corps [elite military units of the clan], as the clan’s warrior forces were called.

He was from a very close branch family, and his outstanding abilities and achievements had earned him the deep trust of the family.

‘Nothing’s changed, then.’

Only the date had changed; the instructors and the process were the same.

I looked at my aunt, who was sulking and poking at the floor.

“Aunt.”

“…What.”

“The time may be a little shorter, but we’ll continue with the mana art training and the restoration of ancient mana arts as is. Don’t worry.”

“Huh…? How? You don’t know this, but that class is going to be very demanding.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll manage both properly.”

The Naming Ceremony was definitely a dangerous and important test.

But if I compromise every time something like this happens and focus on other things, I’ll compromise again next time.

I am a bastard. I can’t achieve anything by compromising moderately. I have to do what others say they can’t.

“Really? You’re really going to keep training?”

My aunt’s eyes sparkled.

Even though her aging was slowed by mana, it didn’t seem easy for her to act like that at her age.

“Yes, I am.”

“Then, let’s finish the 1-Star Yeon-gong [a basic mana cultivation technique] we’ve been doing quickly, completely restore the Amplification Art, and then…”

My aunt started muttering again, lost in her own world.

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

“That won’t do, Young Master.”

“…Huh?”

“I know that Elder Yi Gyeong-hwa is helping you, and I know that you are working harder than any of your brothers. But the Naming Ceremony is dangerous. This time, you must focus solely on the collective training.”

It was an unusually firm tone for the nanny, who always respected my wishes and will.

“Nanny, don’t worry. I won’t neglect the collective training either.”

“I know. I know your heart well. But, Young Master, this nanny is worried.”

The nanny held my hand tightly.

At that moment, my aunt, who had been hesitating, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Ah, but we still have a lot to do… Our baby…”

“Elder. If you care about the Young Master, you should stop him.”

The nanny looked at my aunt with a face that wouldn’t bleed even if you pricked it.

“Ah, uh, okay. B-but, I’m not an Elder…”

My aunt muttered in a barely audible voice. Then, she averted her eyes and started looking away.

“Young Master. Please, just this once, listen to this nanny’s words?”

I squeezed the nanny’s hand tightly.

The worry and concern for me that emanated from that hand.

I’m really grateful.

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

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

“Young Master!”

“Nanny. I am a bastard. I understand what you’re saying very well. In the Soongmoo Yi Clan, bastards are objects of contempt and disregard, and they are no better than untouchables who have no right to speak even if they are treated unfairly.”

“No! Young Master! Untouchables, no!”

“Right now, almost none of the staff or retainers greet me anywhere in the main family. Among the warriors, there are even those who get scolded for being friendly. Nanny, even though I’m young, I know that much.”

The nanny flinched at my words.

She probably didn’t expect me to speak so coldly.

“So, all the more reason why I can’t focus on just one thing. I won’t be able to prepare good teachers, expensive elixirs, and luxurious, up-to-date martial arts books like my brothers.”

“Young Master…”

The nanny’s eyes became sorrowful.

I felt my heart warm at that gaze.

The nanny was family, someone I could entrust my heart to completely.

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 I have to prepare twice as much as them. My brothers are truly monsters. They have tremendous talent and grow with the support that matches it.”

What I, who have nothing, must do is clear.

Effort, more effort than in my previous life.

Moreover, the effort in this life is different from that in my previous life. I have a clear goal and a path to follow.

“And, I’ll say it again, I’m confident. I’m confident that I can crush my brothers with the power I’ve earned with my own strength, not with power gained through shortcuts or others. And the training I’m doing with Aunt is necessary for that.”

The nanny felt a firm sensation in her tightly clasped hand that could not be seen as that of a child.

A hand that could not be seen as that of a child.

The skin, which should have been soft and delicate, was calloused and hardened at every joint.

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

“Ah…”

The strength drained from the nanny’s body. A whistling sound escaped from her slightly parted lips.

She blankly stared at the young master she had raised.

And, without realizing it, her eyes widened.

‘When did he grow up so much?’

She felt like she had been carrying him on her back until just recently, but her young master, who had grown so much, felt even unfamiliar.

“Nanny. Thank you anyway. You’re the only one who thinks of me like this.”

I hugged the nanny tightly.

The nanny also wiped the tears from her eyes and gently hugged me back.

At that moment, my aunt, who was next to me, kicked the floor again as if it were a habit.

“…I’m here too. I think about our baby a lot too.”

“Isn’t your head full of nothing but ancient things and establishing mana art theories?”

“Ah, no! You bad baby! No, you wicked little brat!”

My aunt shouted.

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

“Young Master. I’m sorry. I was worried about you. It’s not an everyday occurrence, but I’ve heard that accidents sometimes happen during the Naming Ceremony…”

“Then let’s do this, Nanny.”

I smiled and made a suggestion.

The nanny’s mouth dropped open at those words.

“That’s impossible. Even for you, Young Master, that would be difficult.”

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

I said with a grin.

* * *

The family’s training grounds, where the Naming Ceremony collective training was taking place.

Jang Wook, the senior instructor and leader of the Bloodhowl Corps’ 1st Squad, entered the training grounds on time.

“Then, we will begin today’s training.”

Two pairs of eyes followed him.

The direct descendants of the Soongmoo Yi Clan. The Eighth, Hwa.

And the Ninth, Young, from ‘outside’.

Compared to the Eighth, who had a slightly nervous expression, the Ninth had a confident face.

Jang Wook glanced at the Ninth, feeling unnerved.

“What kind of training are we doing today?”

And, as always, the Ninth’s question began.

‘Damn it. Is that really a bastard?’

Jang Wook frowned.

The tone was as if he were addressing a subordinate as if it were natural.

Of course, within the Soongmoo Yi Clan, direct descendants were absolute superiors. Even though it was a relationship between an educator and a trainee, the hierarchy had to be maintained.

But it was disconcerting that the Ninth, who had been ignored and raised on the fringes of the family, was acting like this.

‘Still, I’m an instructor… What is that kid?’

Experience? Or charisma?

Expressions that didn’t fit a ten-year-old.

But that unwavering gaze and tone clearly contained the aura of those born to rule.

“…Today, we will be training in the application of mana sources, defense against spells and magic, basic combat skills, and field survival skills.”

The Ninth slowly nodded.

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

“Then, we will begin the training.”

It was training that a bastard from a family who received no education or support was bound to be at a disadvantage. The course was designed to be at a level that only those who had mastered mana and martial arts could barely keep up with.

But.

‘He’s famous for stamping his attendance card at the direct descendants-only training ground… Is that even possible?’

Training that had been going on for several months already.

In the process, the Ninth, Young, was excelling in every training session.

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

The Ninth showed a level that was just a little higher than the expected training level.

Just when he thought it was enough, he showed that he was at an even higher level.

“Hmph!”

The two children were inside a large cylindrical machine, surrounded by sparkling sparks.

It was basic training to resist lower-level spells and magic.

The Eighth was just enduring with his crazy high body durability, thanks to the elixirs he had been taking.

The Ninth was showing a textbook response, using mana arts to deflect each one.

It was clearly dangerous training that would have raised human rights issues if it had been done to a child outside.

It was like throwing them into a real battle without any education on resistance.

As expected, the Ninth, who had no such basic education, should have been electrocuted and fallen out quickly.

But….

‘It’s changed again.’

The Ninth’s aura, which had been responding in a textbook manner without letting his guard down, began to change.

Had he grown in the meantime?

Even though it was clearly excessive training for the Ninth’s level, his complexion suddenly became comfortable.

Now, he even had the余裕 [leeway/composure] to look at the Eighth, who was training next to him.

Whether he had grown in the meantime, or whether he had gained some kind of enlightenment.

Jang Wook couldn’t figure out the Ninth at all.

At that moment.

Twitch-.

Jang Wook made eye contact with the Ninth.

Dark brown eyes were indifferently staring at him.

The eyes seemed to be rebuking him, asking if this was the end.

He felt a chill run down his spine without realizing it.

‘It’s like… he’s testing me.’

Suddenly, the questions he had had all along were resolved.

The Ninth was testing.

The Eighth, himself, the instructors.

How much does he know? If he knows, does he know for sure?

As if he were reviewing, the Ninth was slowly raising the level of the training and retracing it.

And, by looking at the Eighth, who was closest to him, he was checking his own level, and forcing the instructors to provide a higher level of education.

Even this training was just a process for him to train himself.

‘Crazy… A mere ten-year-old child?’

That can’t be.

But if so, how can I explain those eyes?

‘I’ve seen countless direct descendants, but…’

Jang Wook stopped thinking.

Any further training was meaningless.

“We will end today’s training here. Thank you for your hard work.”

The Eighth, who nodded at those words, was seen glaring at the Ninth too openly.

The Ninth didn’t even give him a glance, as if he had no interest.

“…Tch.”

The Eighth turned his head and left the training grounds.

“Then, can I go now?”

“Yes, Young Master.”

It was a polite tone. At Jang Wook’s words, the Ninth nodded and turned to follow the Eighth.

Jang Wook grabbed him.

“Young Master.”

“Huh?”

“To be honest, I thought you wouldn’t be able to keep up and would be crying. Because of your status.”

At those words, the Ninth’s eyes curved like crescent moons.

Then, he spat out a word.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know that?”

“…!”

“So, why did you stop me?”

Jang Wook swallowed hard.

He remembered what Yi Joong-gwan, the training leader and leader of the Bloodhowl Corps, had said.

‘The First Young Master, the Chief Manager, an unidentified direct descendant woman… Even the Head of the Family is showing interest.’

Jang Wook carefully chose his words.

Just a bastard. He’s just a bastard.

It was disrespectful as a warrior to express this child in such words.

“I apologize for looking down on you, Young Master. From now on, as an instructor, I will do my best to impart knowledge to you. Not just as 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, who had a slightly sharp impression, showed a bright smile.

“Good. I’ll hold you to it.”

* * *

“Hoo.”

I walked out, patting my aching body.

“It’s really a crazy family. To throw me into a device that generates magic to build resistance to magic attacks.”

It may be training that relies on the Soongmoo Yi Clan’s unique strong physique, but it’s still not normal training. At least they should teach me the theory first.

But it wasn’t without value.

I smiled, feeling the mana wriggling inside my body. I wanted to run to my aunt right now and brag about what I had gained.

“Ugh. First, I’ll go and rest a little…”

I stretched and loosened my stiff body.

At that moment.

Whoosh-!

As I passed the corner of the wall, something suddenly flew at my face.

I raised my arm and caught what had flown at me.

‘A hand?’

A pure white hand was visible.

“Hey, bastard.”

The Eighth, Hwa, was glaring at me with his beautiful brow furrowed.