[Several Years Later]
The training grounds were alive with energy as the scorching sun beat down on my back.
At eleven years old, I stood facing my Martial Arts tutor, a seasoned warrior whose expertise was renowned throughout my family's Estate.
He wasn't quite on the level of the best, but considering how many branches existed in the Nile Family, this man was still impressive for being distinguished in our branch.
"Haaa..." Releasing my pent-up breath, I steadily brandished my blade.
This spar was not just a test of my skills but also a testament to the legacy of our household, which prided itself on the mastery of Martial Arts.
As I faced my opponent, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with a tinge of nervousness.
'I've been training and exercising; both in private and with him... just for this moment.'
Throughout his time as my tutor, we had yet to have a serious spar. Well... my chance was finally here!
As the only son of my branch, and a potential heir of the Nile Family, a lineage of renowned Martial Artists, it was expected of me to excel in the art of combat.
The Nile Family's aspect was tailor-made for Knights in particular, enhancing their martial prowess and unleashing their true potential.
'The Prime Aspect...'
Would I be able to wield it in this life as well?
In my previous life, I had been a Martial Artist, with the Class of Knight.
'Though now that I think of it, knowing some Magic would also not be detrimental to me. I should do my best to learn both...'
Unfortunately, awakening as a Magic Swordsman was extremely rare. In my previous life, I only knew of two Magic Swordsmen in the entire world.
That was how rare they were.
'I shouldn't put my hopes on that. Learning enough Magic to at least understand the concept when facing opponents should be enough.
In the end, I knew that my focus had to be primarily on the Martial Arts that defined my family's lineage.
With that determination, I launched myself into the spar. My movements were swift and precise, trained to exploit any weaknesses in my opponent's defense.
I tapped into the Essence within me, feeling it surge through my limbs, lending strength and agility to my every action.
The Nile Family's Martial Arts were not widely known, a secret passed down through the generations of pure Nile descendants and potential heirs.
Even my tutor, a skilled warrior himself, was unaware of the techniques I was about to unleash.
'Father only showed me a few moves, so I can only display those ones... even though I know way more.'
As I engaged in combat, my mind danced between strategy and instinct. I evaded my tutor's attacks with deft footwork, twisting and turning with grace.
I countered with precision strikes, targeting vulnerable spots with calculated accuracy. The exhilaration of battle coursed through my veins, fueling my determination to prove myself.
Clangs echoed in the air as sparks flew in multiple directions, yet we weren't distracted by all the noise around us. Instead, we kept up the frenzied dance that consumed us.
I fortified my attacks with the Essence within me, channeling its power to enhance my strikes.
Each blow landed with a resounding impact, rattling my opponent and forcing him to retreat.
The sheer force of my onslaught overwhelmed him, leaving him struggling to match my speed and technique.
In the heat of battle, a fire burned within me and I tightened my grip on the blade.
It suddenly felt like I was in the past, fueled by the blazing Essence that coursed through my body, and the instincts that somehow sent sparks flying in my mind.
'[Clear Water]...'
A technique that allowed me to focus my Essence in both my eyes, allowing me to read the most minute of the movements of my opponents.
Their gazes. Their breathing. Their muscles. I absorbed everything in an instant, translating them into predictive information.
In essence, I was able to read where my foe would strike next.
As the spar neared its climax, I unleashed yet another technique unique to our family's Martial Arts.
'[Clear Stream]'
The fluidity of movement, the precise strikes, and the seamless transitions from offense to defense bewildered my tutor.
He had no answer to the skills honed over generations, passed down to me through blood and tradition.
~FWIIISHH!~
And then, with one final strike, I overpowered him, knocking him to the ground.
"Haa... haa..."
The training grounds fell silent as victory washed over me. It was a hard-fought triumph, a testament to my dedication and the strength of my resolve.
In that moment, I stood tall, a young warrior ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.
The spar had proven my mettle, but it was just the beginning. My training, my quest for strength and skill, would continue unabated.
"It looks like you win, young master." My tutor bowed his head while smiling sheepishly.
"As expected of the Genius and future Star of the Nile Household."
Ah yes. There was that too.
Thanks to my determination to grow far stronger than I was in the past, I was now regarded as a genius within my immediate family.
'They now have expectations of me, especially when it relates to my cousins...'
News was bound to have reached the other families within our Nile Household, and I knew the current calm wouldn't last forever.
However...
'I don't plan on backing down. Not until I achieve what I want.'
*********
[A Few Days Later]
As I received the summons to my father's office, a mix of anticipation and curiosity welled up within me.
I made my way through the grand halls of our estate, each step echoing with a sense of purpose. The scent of polished wood and faint hint of aged parchment filled the air, signaling my approach to my father's sanctum.
As I reached the double doors leading to his office, I couldn't help but be struck by their imposing presence. The intricate carvings on the wood depicted scenes of valor and honor, a testament to the Nile Family's rich history.
"Haaa..." With a deep breath, I pushed open the doors and stepped into the pristine space beyond.
The office was a symphony of refined elegance, bathed in warm hues of mahogany and gold. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting ethereal rays upon the meticulously arranged bookshelves that lined the walls.
The scent of aged tomes and leather-bound volumes infused the room, creating an atmosphere that spoke of knowledge and authority.
In the center of the room stood my father, a figure of distinction and strength. His tailored robes exuded an air of authority, accentuating his noble bearing.
A proud smile adorned his face as he turned to greet me, his eyes alight with paternal pride.
"Aksel, my son," he exclaimed, his voice resonating with warmth and admiration. "Look how much you've grown. I am truly proud of the person you are becoming."
My father, Lucian Nile, always talked like this anytime we met. Since he was usually busy on expeditions, or with our family-related work, we hardly saw each other.
Still, I felt he was always exaggerating my growth anytime we met.
"Thank you, Father," I replied, my voice tinged with genuine appreciation. "I owe much of my growth to your guidance and support."
His expression softened, a glimmer of paternal love evident in his eyes. "You have earned every bit of it, my son," he said, his voice filled with unwavering belief. "And now, I have an important matter to discuss with you."
My curiosity piqued, I listened intently as my father spoke.
"It's about the Nile Grand Assembly."
The moment he said this, I expressed surprise. Though, internally, I already knew this was coming.
'It's finally time.'
The Grand Assembly was a momentous event that occurred every decade. It was a gathering of the all the families under the Nile Household.
'I should be more than qualified to attend. Isn't that right... father?' I narrowed my gaze on my father.
"I want you to accompany me to the Nile Grand Assembly. What do you say?"
A broad grin stretched across my face, elation bubbling within me.
The opportunity to attend such a significant event, to witness the power of the other families, and also to display the strength of ours, was a privilege I relished.
It would be a chance to observe, learn, and perhaps even forge alliances that could aid in my journey of vengeance.
'I've been working so hard all this time so I can qualify for attending.'
Usually, the head of a household could only be accompanied by two entourages, and these entourages would reflect the state of their families.
For him to have chosen me, out of everyone else in our estate, it really proved just how much he trusted my abilities.
'This is completely different from my past life!'
And with this significant change I made to the timeline, I planned o changing even more things to suit my desires.
"Father, I would be honored to accompany you," I responded, my voice filled with genuine excitement.
"To witness the Grand Assembly, to represent our family, it is a dream come true."
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[A/N]
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