Episode 32
Chapter 12: Struggle, Seize, Enjoy (Part 2)
Hoo-ah!
Jin let out a long, deep breath as soon as he returned to his room. He closed the door firmly behind him and leaned against the wall, finally feeling some of the tension begin to ease.
No, to be precise, it was more like the tension was only now fully releasing.
“Damn it. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest.”
Recalling the conversation he’d just had with his uncle, Jed Runcandel, Jin was amazed at himself.
Thanks to his memories from his past life, he knew Jed’s personality, understood his own strengths, and had a good idea of what to say. But still, Jed was no ordinary opponent.
If he’d shown even the slightest hint of fear while provoking Jed, he’d have lost at least a limb—maybe even his head, just as Jed had threatened.
But Jin had done well. He’d left an unforgettable, powerful impression on Jed and the cadets, and from the very start of the hierarchy battle with the Tona brothers, he’d taken the upper hand.
Though the price he’d paid for this victory might seem small, Jin knew better than anyone else: in Runcandel, even the smallest misstep could cost you your life, and nothing could be gained without giving it your all.
Struggle, seize, enjoy… Those three core virtues of Runcandel, which he’d once despised in his previous life, were now closer to him than ever.
“Gilly.”
“Yes, young master.”
“The real hierarchy battle with the Tona brothers has begun. But it looks like Anne and Mew are backing them up.”
Gilly stopped wiping the teacup in her hands.
She had expected that once Jin reached the intermediate class, a power struggle with the Tona brothers would be inevitable—they all shared the same circle, after all.
But the fact that the Tona brothers had allies was unexpected. A fierce determination flashed in Gilly’s eyes.
“The young ladies… really?”
“Yes. Today, I cut down a cadet who was with the Tona brothers. Turns out he belonged to their faction. There’s no way the Tona brothers would already have a five-star knight under their wing.”
Even within the Runcandel family, factions were usually made up of those weaker than the leader. The Tona brothers were only mid-three-star knights.
“Sigh… I didn’t expect the young ladies to start keeping an eye on you already. They’re already knights, after all.”
Mew and Anne were both seven-star knights, having proven themselves on many battlefields, and had earned their family’s knight status.
Among Siron’s thirteen children, only four had yet to become knights: Jin, the Tona brothers, and the youngest daughter, Yona.
Gilly’s face grew troubled as she fiddled with a dry cloth.
“The fact that the young ladies are already watching me is actually a good thing. It means that even though I’m already a knight, they still see me as a threat.”
“That’s harsh. You’re only fifteen, young master. Knights are supposed to fight among themselves—that’s the unspoken rule!”
Gilly burst out indignantly.
“It’s fine. I just need to make them afraid of me, not just wary.”
Bang!
The sound of Murakan shifting from his cat form back to human echoed from the other side of the room.
“Wait, wait! What’s going on? Let me hear too.”
After Gilly gave a brief explanation, Murakan sighed.
“It’s a shame I can’t reveal myself. Two seven-star knights? I could take them down in one bite. Why are they so desperate to catch you, the only one in the family who can chew through G.P.L.?”
“Chew through G.P.L.,” Jin thought. Murakan’s words were spot on. As long as he had the power of Solderet, once Jin’s growth was complete, Runcandel would trample G.P.L. and rise to the top of the world.
For now, G.P.L. held the advantage. If a full-scale war broke out, G.P.L. would likely win.
There were two reasons G.P.L. hadn’t yet gone to war with Runcandel: the heavy damage both sides would suffer, and the presence of Siron Runcandel.
But there was one thing G.P.L. didn’t know: the god they so desperately wished for, Solderet, was currently with Jin.
“Is it because they don’t know you’re Solderet’s contractor?”
“No, they just hate anyone who shows potential. If they knew I was the contractor, they’d probably be ten times more cautious. I probably wouldn’t have survived this long.”
“Still, whether a thousand years ago or now, this family is a pain in the ass. Though, at least your first ancestor wasn’t heartless, just rude.”
“…So, what do you plan to do now, young master?”
“What else? The young ladies have already taken a hit from me. The cadet I cut down was top-tier intermediate class, and on the first day, no less. Plus, his faction officially switched to the Tona brothers.”
Jin explained in detail what had happened during training.
Kazin was no longer part of Anne’s faction publicly, since the Tona brothers had claimed him as “my cadet.”
“This means the Tona brothers will probably get their asses kicked by the young ladies. I bet they’ll show up at the training ground tomorrow with swollen faces. It’s basically impossible for them to pressure me as a faction in the intermediate class now.”
If a king gave a general excellent troops but lost them all on the first day, he wouldn’t give that general another chance.
That was exactly the situation with Mew, Anne, and the Tona brothers.
“Besides, the young ladies, already knights, can’t just come to the intermediate class and crush me. So there’s only one way they can pressure me.”
Gilly sighed, understanding immediately.
“Through missions!”
“Right. They’ll probably try to manipulate my mission schedule using their authority as knights. They’ll pick only the hardest, most dangerous missions, hoping I’ll die or get seriously hurt.”
“I’ll talk to the young ladies’ maids. We can’t let that happen.”
Kind-hearted and simple, Gilly wasn’t used to scheming.
“No, Gilly. If you do that, the young ladies might punish you for overstepping. Besides, mission management is the knights’ authority—we have no grounds to interfere.”
“Damn it! Shit! Sorry, young master. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay, Strawberry Pie.”
Murakan answered for him, and Jin smiled as he continued.
“But there’s one thing the young ladies don’t realize. Many high-difficulty missions are solo assignments… and on solo missions, I don’t have to limit my abilities.”
Unlike group missions, solo missions allow the use of magic and spiritual energy freely—provided no witnesses are left alive.
“So solo missions are actually an opportunity. If the young ladies send me on solo missions, I’m grateful. I was getting frustrated using only my sword. Now I can unleash my hidden power, wipe everything out, and rack up achievements.”
Mission achievements were the absolute measure of success in the intermediate class.
Some excelled in swordsmanship but lacked combat experience; others were less skilled with the sword but strong in battle. Naturally, combat experience was more important.
Among these, high-difficulty solo missions were the best way to earn top marks. They usually involved assassinations or espionage, making them the most dangerous.
“Not a bad plan, kid.”
“If I use all my hidden power, I should be able to handle even the lower ranks of the advanced class.”
Murakan and Gilly knew Jin’s true combat strength well. His swordsmanship was rapidly improving, and before his first mission, he’d likely reach four stars.
“Also, if there’s a mission you can’t handle, you can take me along. Even on solo missions, bringing a cat shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“No problem. But you have other things to do.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll tell you later. Looks like we’re done talking for now. I’m off to train with Luna. Don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone.”
The real training in the intermediate class had begun.
Aside from using real swords and the increased intensity, the training was much like the beginner class.
However, when afternoon training started, Jin and the Tona brothers went to a secret area within the training ground to receive direct instruction in ‘Runcandel swordsmanship’ from Jed himself—a privilege reserved only for purebloods.
“Our family’s swordsmanship is all about overwhelming force. Destructive and relentless. It reflects the very nature of Runcandel.”
Jin and the Tonas nodded in formal sitting posture.
The Tona brothers’ faces were swollen like steamed buns, thanks to a night of beatings from their sisters.
Jed didn’t even ask why their faces looked like that. He had already sensed, before Jin arrived, that the Tonas’ potential wasn’t top-tier.
‘Never thought I’d feel sorry for the Tona brothers. Well, serves them right.’
Though in his past life he’d been a madman and killer, and now was on the path to becoming one, the Tona brothers were still considered prodigies outside.
But to Jed, they were far from impressive and barely worthy of attention.
And since they’d been thoroughly humiliated by Jin yesterday, Jed was even less pleased with them.
Still, Jed wasn’t without some affection for the Tona brothers.
“Don’t challenge the youngest until you’re strong enough. If you want to live long, that is. That kid isn’t your match.”
After leaving only the Tona brothers behind at the training ground yesterday, Zed spoke to them.
“As you all probably know, our family’s swordsmanship doesn’t follow any formal style. There are secret techniques and finishing moves, but those are only taught once you become a master.”
The swordsmanship taught to the direct descendants of the family—the Runkandel style—is formless. It’s completely different from what the cadets learn.
No set forms, no fixed principles, no specific footwork, not even a proper shape. That’s the defining trait that sets Runkandel apart from other martial houses.
“Do you know why our family’s swordsmanship has no form?”
“It’s because of the unique physical abilities and senses inherent to the Runkandel bloodline.”
“Exactly. The blessed Runkandel lineage is born with a connection to their body and blade that ordinary humans can’t even begin to imagine. Every single one—without exception, whether a hundred or a thousand.”
Though the timing and level at which this blessing manifests varies, in a thousand years of history, there hasn’t been a single Runkandel who didn’t possess it.
On the other hand, their affinity for magic is so low it’s almost indescribable. That’s why Jin is such a rare exception even among the Runkandel.
Zed continued his explanation.
“So, what you’ll learn from me is simple and straightforward. Stand up.”