Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 28

Weapon-Devouring Illegitimate Son – Episode 28

The training grounds were deserted.

There were no scarecrows for training, no equipment for strength training, and not even the splendor befitting the name of the Soongmoo Lee family.

All that existed was an unbroken expanse of flat bluestone.

Upon it, Lee Tae-shin, the current head of the Soongmoo Lee family, moved his sword alone.

Starting with light warm-ups, progressing to secret techniques and ultimate skills.

No intense phenomena occurred. Each precise sword form merely sliced through the air.

Lee Tae-shin, regarded as the strongest warrior of the era, in reality, his training was this simple.

“Hoo.”

With a short exhale, Lee Tae-shin lowered his sword.

“You’ve worked hard, Head of the Family.”

Chief Butler Choi politely offered a towel and ice water to Lee Tae-shin.

The only person who could attend to Lee Tae-shin at close range during training was Chief Butler Choi.

“The official documents for the matter you ordered before entering training have been processed.”

“Give them to me.”

Chief Butler Choi handed over the documents.

The few pages contained details about the practical training plan to be given to the cadets.

Lee Tae-shin silently read through the documents before shaking his head.

“This is not enough.”

“…7th and 8th grade dungeons, and you say it’s not enough? Even that level would be dangerous for the cadets.”

The cadet corps was not just a place for education.

Cadets of the Soongmoo Lee family were constantly tested for their qualifications and sometimes deployed to dungeons or gates to prove themselves.

And this time, 7th and 8th grade dungeons were prepared.

Normally, a specialized hunter strike team active in the field would be dispatched.

Nevertheless, Lee Tae-shin shook his head.

“Weapons and military provisions can simply be stockpiled, but people are different. Now, we need to create people who can survive, not just mediocre ones.”

Lee Tae-shin was preparing something.

Chief Butler Choi was silent for a moment.

Then, he bowed deeply.

“I will handle it as you instructed. And…”

Chief Butler Choi slowly began to report what had happened in Cadet Corps Class 5.

“The youngest did that, you say.”

At Chief Butler Choi’s words, Lee Tae-shin’s eyes filled with interest.

“Still young, but he knows what struggle is.”

Lee Tae-shin curled up the corners of his mouth as if satisfied.

“He had a different look in his eyes from a young age. The kind of eyes only those who have been deprived of something and thrown to the bottom have.”

Eyes that said he would fight because he had been deprived, and climb up because he had been thrown to the bottom.

Was it because of his status as an illegitimate son?

Or was he born that way?

The important thing was that he suited the Soongmoo Lee family more than anyone else.

“But changing people with one’s own beliefs and leading them afterward is a completely different matter.”

Lee Tae-shin looked at the sword in his hand.

“Let’s change the test content a bit. Class 5… since the eighth is in the same cohort [group], let’s raise the level of the entire cadet corps, including Class 1.”

“You’ve already said you’d raise the difficulty, and you’re saying more?”

“Yes. I need to see if that child is truly capable of leading people. Last time, I saw his qualities as a ruler, so this time, I need to gauge his talent as a commander.”

Lee Tae-shin looked to the distant north.

Since returning from the north, Lee Tae-shin had often looked north.

“And if that child shows something this time, it will give a good sense of tension to the lax atmosphere of the cadet corps.”

Lee Tae-shin wore a meaningful smile.

Chief Butler Choi bowed respectfully at the sight and replied.

“As you command… I will handle it.”

* * *

Since meeting my aunt, there was a daily routine I repeated without fail.

It was magic research with my aunt.

The only slight change was that what used to be done in the training grounds was now done in my aunt’s lab.

“…Hup!”

The magic that had been wriggling on my palm soon began to emit a stream of black light.

A condensed form of magic called aura, or sword energy.

“Baby! Now, shape change!”

The various lines connected to my body shook from the wind caused by the aura.

I once again focused my mind on the aura gathered at my fingertips.

‘Ugh.’

The aura began to wriggle erratically.

But at that moment, the aura began to shake from its extremities, and its form began to collapse.

“Stop! That’s enough!”

My aunt shouted urgently.

I barely managed to recover the magic while holding onto the collapsing aura.

I detached the lines attached to my body and walked out of the lab.

“Ugh, another failure!”

My aunt collapsed on the desk and began to whine.

“Ugh, I’m exhausted. Baby, rub my shoulders.”

My aunt patted her shoulders while lying face down.

“I’m the one who used the magic, but why is my aunt…”

“Ah! Hurry! I’m dying!”

I sighed and began to press down on my aunt’s shoulders.

I knew that my aunt was working hard on magic research, even cutting down on sleep.

“Ugh.”

My aunt made an old man-like sound and began to examine the printed experimental results again.

“Hmm, a problem, a problem. The form always collapses when I try to process the aura.”

My aunt didn’t create magic with just her senses. Rather, she focused on digging through the latest research materials and papers.

‘This magic still needs to be developed.’

After seeing the magic operation of the Cheokma [a mythical horse] a few years ago, my aunt completed the practical framework for the already existing theory with just that.

But it’s still just the basics.

This magic had tremendous potential, so it needed more modification and improvement.

“I can’t believe these problems are happening after the 3-star mark. Take a look at this.”

My aunt shoved a paper with a graph drawn on it right in front of my nose.

It took a while to absorb the rapidly increased magic after the naming ceremony incident.

But once I completely absorbed that magic, I could create the sword energy I had been struggling to draw out whenever I concentrated.

The problem was that the stability decreased the moment I used the various ‘techniques’ that my aunt had theoretically established.

“Aunt. I’m sorry, but I don’t really understand even if I look at this.”

“Really? Anyway, it feels like one important key is missing. How did the old people who used magic circuits use magic? I wish there were data…”

Something came to mind at my aunt’s words.

“…I think I might know how.”

I fiddled with the black ring on my finger, Mujin.

‘If it’s Mujin.’

I felt like I could read the other memories contained in Mujin soon.

I would be able to find clues to the parts that are currently blocked through it.

“Actually, you’ve practically completed the amplification and transformation techniques, so maybe it’ll be the same this time.”

“Yes, thank you every time.”

My aunt sighed deeply.

“Still, it’s already aura. You’re taking the first step for 3-star on your own, you’re really amazing.”

After the naming ceremony, I finally laid the foundation for entering the realm of 3-star Shin Magic.

In terms of the existing magic stages, it was the same as achieving the 4th stage.

Magic 4th stage, the realm of Hwagi (化氣) [Transformation of Qi].

The 4th stage was the realm where one could concentrate the magic emitted externally and handle aura, a pure crystal of power.

“Aunt. What do you do in 3-star?”

“You’ll be able to use aura skills.”

My aunt tapped my hand that was rubbing her shoulders, then took a step back and looked up at me.

“Already… are you saying?”

Ganggi Gong (罡氣功) [Aura Skill], commonly known as aura skills.

Freely manipulating aura was the 4th stage, and giving directionality to that aura to exert a specific power was the 5th stage.

People who can freely use aura, as their level increases, can not only increase their cutting power and become stronger, but also give a specific directionality to the aura.

“It’ll take a long time to do it properly yet. We’ll start when you can completely handle aura.”

“What kind of Ganggi Gong will I be able to handle?”

“What’s the biggest difference between our magic and existing magic? Diversity and stability. If it goes according to theory… you’ll be able to do things beyond your imagination.”

My aunt put down the data and continued.

“Don’t try to do anything weird again, let’s solve the problem first. And don’t try to get ahead by doing unnecessary things.”

I nodded silently.

My aunt gestured towards the training grounds with her chin.

“Want to do a little more?”

“No. I’ll rest today. I have to go to the cadet corps early tomorrow morning too.”

“How’s the cadet corps? You’ve looked tired lately?”

My aunt asked with a worried look.

“It’s just… so-so.”

“I’ll help you out a bit! Trust this aunt!”

My aunt patted her shoulders and puffed out her chest.

I had an ominous feeling at the sight.

I shook my head in disgust.

“You have a lot of work to do, there’s no need to go that far.”

“Heheng! Anyway, I’m going to give a special lecture this time!”

“Yes?”

Suddenly, what lecture was she talking about?

“Theory class and magic class. I’ve decided to be a lecturer for Class 5 a few times.”

My aunt was a senior member of the research institute. Why would she give a lecture when she wasn’t even affiliated with the training center?

Besides, she was always complaining about her personal work and magic research with me?

I stared at my aunt with squinted eyes.

“Aunt. Tell me the truth.”

“I, there’s nothing to tell the truth about?”

I just stared at my aunt.

My aunt rolled her eyes and whistled.

There was an immediate remedy for this kind of aunt.

“…If you tell me the truth now, I won’t say anything unnecessary.”

“R, really? That’s because the budget was cut… If I give a good result as a lecturer, they’ll give me credit, and it’s even more so because Class 5 has so much to say…”

“I know that the research institute has a pretty hefty budget. Besides, the magic department doesn’t need a big budget, does it?”

My aunt hesitated and answered.

“Ah, th, a rare artifact came out, so I bought it a little at the auction house.”

“…I knew it.”

To me shaking my head, my aunt made excuses in a flustered voice.

“Wh, what do you mean you knew it! It’s an artifact from before Christ! It’s the secret of this world!”

“What if you get audited?”

“It’s, it’s data for ancient research! I’m innocent!”

My aunt’s lab was famous for being full of all sorts of useless old junk and ancient books.

“And you’re going to get credit? How are you so sure?”

“Anyway, you’re the class president, so wouldn’t something change even if I just do a little bit?”

I was so dumbfounded by her confident tone that I let out a hollow laugh.

‘Should I be grateful that she believes in me, or should I be angry that she’s irresponsible?’

My aunt fidgeted with her fingers, flustered by my expression.

“Th, baby. You know it’s not just because of the budget, right? This aunt is thinking of her nephew…”

“Yes, yes, I understand.”

“What’s with that tone!”

My aunt’s lion’s roar followed.

I felt like I would get more tired if I got involved, so I sighed and headed to my room.

* * *

Several weeks had passed since the cadet corps began.

Martial arts, weapon arts, and numerous subjects were progressing tightly.

Most days started before sunrise and ended around sunset.

But for some reason, today Lee Jung-ho set the assembly time to 8 o’clock.

The cadets, whose expressions had been dying from the tight schedule, gathered at the training grounds with lively expressions, perhaps thanks to waking up late for the first time in a while.

After lining up the cadets, Lee Jung-ho opened his mouth.

“Today, there will be a special lecture on magic. Everyone, tidy up your uniforms and stand at attention.”

The cadets’ expressions were puzzled at the words special lecture.

Having heard about it in advance from my aunt, I calmly looked up at the platform.

Step by step-

A woman walked up to the review stand.

Confident gait, bright eyes, and a stylish research uniform.

‘I didn’t need to worry. She looks quite presentable?’

My aunt was wearing a neat Soongmoo Lee family’s special research uniform.

A white-toned modified hanbok [Korean traditional dress], the uniform of the researchers, gave off an intellectual atmosphere.

“Everyone! Salute!”

“Chung!”

The cadets, nervous at the appearance of my aunt, immediately raised their hands and stood at attention.

I, who had been doing something else, awkwardly took the salute.

In fact, officially, my aunt was my teacher and an elder of a higher rank.

“Hehe! I’m embarrassed. Guys, stop! Stop it! Sit down! Sit comfortably!”

My aunt waved her hands and twisted her body.

I rubbed my forehead.

That dignified appearance disappeared in just 1 second.

“My name is Lee Kyung-hwa! I’m a senior member of the research institute! End of self-introduction! I hate dragging things out, so I’ll start the lecture right away!”

My aunt winked at me.

I watched my aunt’s lecture.

My aunt was maniacally obsessed with the keyword ancient, but she wasn’t just obsessed with that.

Rather, she was deeply familiar with modern things in order to delve deeper into ancient knowledge.

‘She’s gotten quite good at teaching too.’

I thought she would speak with extremely complex vocabulary like when she taught me, but now she was continuing the lecture with appropriate metaphors.

Meanwhile, the cadets’ eyes were sparkling despite the difficult theory class.

‘This is an opportunity!’

The research institute was the cutting edge of the Soongmoo Lee family.

Moreover, it wasn’t just a junior scholar from the research institute who came out, but a direct senior member’s class. They couldn’t miss a single word.

Like that.

The long but short-feeling class came to an end.

“Okay! That’s the end of the boring class!”

Clap clap clap-

A loud applause was heard. Lee Jung-ho approached with an impressed expression.

“Thank you, Senior Member. It will be of great help to the cadets.”

“It’s not over yet?”

“Yes?”

Lee Jung-ho blinked.

“Instructor. The basic training that the cadets are learning now is Cheolseongi [Iron Sound Skill], right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Okay then, from now on, it’s the real deal! Everyone, from now on, I’ll be teaching you the modified version of Cheolseongi that the research institute has improved!”

At my aunt’s words, Instructor Lee Jung-ho, me, and all the cadets widened their eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s as I said. I’ll explain from the Gugeol [core principles].”

The modified version of Cheolseongi was different from the basic magic operation.

Whether my aunt had really put in effort, it had become a high-level magic that was too good to be seen as basic training.

Even Lee Jung-ho, who had been somewhat worried, was amazed the moment he saw the Gugeol and structure of the magic.

“Okay! Everyone, sit in a proper posture! I’ll only demonstrate it once, so everyone can concentrate!”

My aunt, who was placing her hands on the backs of the children sitting in a proper posture and directly guiding the magic, came to my seat.

“What’s going on?”

I knew my aunt was giving a lecture, but I didn’t expect her to teach the modified magic.

My aunt chuckled at my whispering words.

“Originally, when direct descendants enter the cadet corps, they support them in various ways, right? But you don’t have anything. So this aunt used some power. Ehem!”

My aunt whispered and puffed out her chest arrogantly.

“…Thank you, Aunt.”

“Good, good. According to theory, the power will be twice as strong. Amazing, right?”

“Yes, Aunt. It’s amazing.”

“Hehehe, be more grateful to this great genius Lee Kyung-hwa!”

I chuckled.

Come to think of it, my aunt had changed too.

She used to be an eccentric herself, but now she was even giving lectures to other people.

My aunt didn’t bother to stop for me and started moving on to the next children.

The cadets were amazed as they felt the flow of magic moving within their bodies.

‘A senior member of the research institute… and if it’s Senior Member Lee Kyung-hwa, isn’t she the one who was promoted to senior member with only knowledge?’

‘It’s known that the head of the family directly promoted her to senior member even though nothing was known about her until now.’

It was somewhat different from the truth, but that was the publicly known information.

The cadets regarded it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and glanced at the youngest illegitimate son, Lee Cheol.

‘I thought he was just pushing forward recklessly… was he trying to raise us in this way?’

It was well known that Lee Kyung-hwa was playing the role of the youngest illegitimate son’s teacher.

Moreover, it was quite well known that the two were on good terms beyond the master-disciple relationship.

“There! Concentrate!”

“Yes!”

The cadets focused on delving into magic. They couldn’t waste such a good opportunity.

Lee Kyung-hwa’s magic lecture ended long after lunchtime.

“Attention!”

After a very short time was given to check the magic, Instructor Lee Jung-ho shouted.