The banquet was finally ending, and the nobles began to return to their estates.
Amelia stayed with Haruto until the very last moment, sensing that he was deep in thought. She noticed that, despite his calm demeanor, his mind was somewhere else.
Amelia (softly): "You're going to train, aren't you?"
Haruto (calmly): "Yes."
Amelia huffed playfully. "You never stop, do you?"
Haruto, with the smallest hint of a smile, responded, "Why should I?"
Amelia sighed. She remembered him mentioning his birthday earlier when they were getting to know each other but didn't stop him. Instead, she placed something in his hand—a small charm, simple yet carefully made.
Amelia: "Happy birthday, Haruto. Even if no one else remembers… I do."
Haruto gripped the charm for a brief moment before slipping it into his pocket. Without another word, he turned and left, heading for the abandoned courtyard.
The sky was dark, the estate silent, and midnight struck—marking Haruto's ninth birthday.
No one in his family acknowledged it.
But Haruto didn't care. His only focus was sharpening his swordplay.
In the abandoned courtyard, he began executing Phantom Step, Silent Fang, and Echo Slash, refining his techniques. He pushed himself harder than usual, fueled by his vow to prove his worth.
Training Sequence
Haruto stepped forward, steadying his breathing, and dashed forward using Phantom Step. His footwork was sharp, each movement calculated. He followed up with a rapid Echo Slash, striking through the air so fast that it produced a sharp whistle.
He pivoted, transitioning into Silent Fang, suppressing all unnecessary movement before striking forward. His wooden sword met the air with deadly precision, the force behind each swing controlled yet powerful.
His breathing grew heavier, sweat forming on his brow. But he did not stop.
"Faster. Stronger. Sharper," he repeated in his mind.
A Hidden Observer
But tonight… he was not alone.
Unbeknownst to Haruto, someone had been watching him for a while. Lord Aldric Valtor, the former general and master swordsman of House Valtor, had been silently observing his grandson's movements.
At first, Aldric assumed Haruto was simply a stubborn child—but after seeing the way Haruto moved, how he wielded his wooden sword with deadly precision, how he trained relentlessly despite blindness, he realized something shocking.
Lord Aldric's Thoughts:
"This boy… he's already a warrior."
"Despite being cast aside, he does not break. He grows stronger."
"Perhaps I have misjudged him."
Haruto was mid-strike, executing a perfect Phantom Step, when suddenly—a deep, commanding voice echoed through the courtyard.
Mysterious Voice: "That footwork… That is not something a blind child should be able to do."
Haruto froze, gripping his wooden sword tightly. He immediately sensed a powerful presence nearby. Someone strong, someone experienced. His instincts screamed danger, but also… curiosity.
Haruto's Thoughts:
"This presence… It's different. Strong. Focused."
"Who is watching me? And why now?"
Haruto (calmly): "Who's there?"
From the shadows, Lord Aldric stepped forward, his old yet powerful figure illuminated by the moonlight. He studied Haruto with sharp eyes.
Lord Aldric: "You've been hiding your strength well, boy. But not well enough."
Without another word, Aldric picked up a nearby wooden training sword. He tapped it against the ground twice, signaling a challenge.
Haruto listened carefully, tightening his grip on his sword.
Haruto's Thoughts:
"A challenge… from someone this strong?"
"This is no ordinary noble. He knows how to fight."
Lord Aldric: "Come. Show me if you are truly worthy of the blade you wield."
Haruto did not hesitate. He rushed in, attacking with everything he had.
The First Test
Haruto struck with precision, his blade moving fast—but Aldric dodged effortlessly, deflecting every strike with minimal movement.
Haruto attempted Phantom Step—Aldric countered instantly.
Haruto tried Silent Fang—Aldric blocked it as if he knew exactly where it was coming from.
Haruto gritted his teeth. His movements were sharp, his attacks swift, but none of them landed. He had never faced someone who could read him so easily.
Within seconds, Aldric moved behind Haruto and tapped his shoulder with the wooden sword—an undeniable "defeat."
Lord Aldric (smirking): "You're good. But not good enough."
Haruto clenched his fist but did not protest.
Instead of dismissing him, Aldric stepped closer, truly looking at Haruto for the first time.
Lord Aldric: "You fight without sight. You move like a warrior, not a noble. Who taught you?"
Haruto (calmly): "No one."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
Lord Aldric: "Then… you truly are wasted in this house."
Aldric's gaze hardened as he thought about his own son—Duke Reinhardt—who had neglected his eldest boy entirely.
Lord Aldric's Thoughts:
"Reinhardt… you fool. You abandoned a warrior before he could even rise."
"You let your prejudice blind you, while your son, the one you cast aside, forges himself in the shadows."
After a long pause, Aldric let out a sigh and rested his wooden sword on his shoulder.
Lord Aldric: "I will teach you. But only if you are prepared for true discipline."
Haruto, without hesitation, responded.
Haruto: "I am."
Aldric studied him for a moment, then nodded in approval.
Lord Aldric: "Then we begin at dawn."
Time Skip – 5 Years Later
At age 14, Haruto had spent years secretly training under Lord Aldric, refining his Phantom Blade Arts, swordsmanship, and combat awareness. Despite his blindness, he had become far stronger than any noble could ever expect.
The Valtor Estate was alive with activity, as carriages carrying noble families arrived one after another. The estate had been lavishly prepared, with banners displaying House Valtor's crest, and a massive dueling arena set up for the day's combat exhibition. The air was filled with tension and anticipation, as nobles and warriors from different factions gathered to watch their heirs prove their strength.
Among the Attendees:
House Vermillion – Known for elite swordsmen and powerful fire mages.
House Lothair – A militaristic noble family focused on strength and discipline, home of Gideon Lothair.
House Valtor's allies & rivals, including Lord Vincent Valtor, a cunning noble with political ambitions.
The Combat Exhibition was a tradition where noble heirs dueled in front of their families, showcasing their abilities in swordsmanship, magic, and strategy.
Haruto arrived with his family but remained in the background, unseen and unnoticed.
Leon (Age 12) was introduced formally as House Valtor's future heir, standing proudly beside Duke Reinhardt. Leon's Thoughts: "This is my moment. I will prove to everyone that I am the rightful heir."
Lilia (Age 10) clung to Haruto's arm, excited to be at such a grand event, oblivious to the tension. Lilia (excitedly): "Big Brother, look at all the knights! This is amazing!"
Haruto (laughing softly): "Yes, Lilia. It is quite the spectacle."
Lady Selene (Mother) watched quietly, her expression unreadable, but her presence offered silent support to Haruto. Selene's Thoughts: "He stands so calmly, despite knowing he is unwanted here. My son… how strong have you become?"
Lord Vincent (Uncle) smirked from afar, observing everything with a calculating gaze. Vincent's Thoughts: "Let us see how this forgotten son conducts himself today."
The noble guests mostly ignored Haruto, still seeing him as the "blind failure" of House Valtor. Haruto's Thoughts: "They can ignore me all they wish. Their opinions do not matter. Only strength matters."
The Duels Begin
The event began with a series of duels between noble heirs. The first fights were between lesser noble families, with young warriors demonstrating their skills.
Fight Sequence: The clashing of steel, bursts of magic, and roars of the crowd filled the arena.
Gideon Lothair (Age 15) stepped forward and defeated his opponent with brute force, showcasing his overwhelming strength.
Gideon (boasting, laughing): "House Lothair produces warriors, not weaklings!"
Elise Vermillion (Age 14) followed next, defeating her opponent with precision and fire magic.
Elise (smirking): "Too slow. Try again when you can actually touch me."
The crowd cheered, impressed by the young nobles' talents.
Meanwhile, Haruto remained unnoticed. Haruto's Thoughts: "Strength, speed, technique… I see their styles. I hear their movements. But none of them are beyond my reach."
Gideon's Challenge
Gideon, still soaking in his victory, scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Haruto, smirking. He walked toward him, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Gideon: "Why is the blind disgrace even here?"
Laughter erupted from nearby nobles.
Noble Guests:
Noble 1: "Is he here just to watch? How pathetic." Noble 2: "Maybe he's hoping to learn something—though I doubt he can."
Gideon grinned, stepping closer. "You came all this way just to watch? How pathetic."
The nobles laughed again, expecting Haruto to remain silent as always.
Leon watched quietly, unsure whether to step in or let Haruto be humiliated. Lilia, however, clenched her fists.
Lilia (angrily): "Big Brother isn't pathetic!"
Haruto, however, remained calm.
Haruto (calmly): "If you want to amuse yourself, do so elsewhere."
He turned to walk away.
Gideon scowled, insulted that Haruto didn't react.
Gideon (mocking loudly): "That's right, run away like the coward you are!"
Turning to the crowd, he smirked. "Shall we see if the blind prince can even hold a sword?"
The nobles laughed, entertained by the idea.
Duke Reinhardt did nothing to stop it—he simply watched, uninterested.
Duke Reinhardt's Thoughts: "Let him be humiliated. He is not my heir. This is not my concern."
Amelia, standing among the nobles, clenched her fists, angered by the humiliation.
Amelia's Thoughts: "How can they ridicule him like this? They have no idea who he really is…"
Gideon tossed a training sword at Haruto's feet, expecting him to refuse.
Gideon (mocking): "Come now, blind prince. Show us what you're made of. If you can."
More laughter followed. The nobles whispered among themselves.
Noble Guests:
Noble 3: "He won't take it. He knows his place." Noble 4: "This should be amusing."
But instead, Haruto calmly picked up the sword.
Haruto (softly): "Very well."
The laughter stopped.
The nobles realized something was different.
Noble Guests:
Noble 5 (whispering): "He actually picked it up…?" Noble 6: "Does he seriously think he can fight?"
Leon's eyes widened slightly, watching his older brother with an unreadable expression.
Leon's Thoughts: "Is he really going to fight? He never even trained with us… but something feels… off."
Lady Selene's fingers tightened slightly around the folds of her dress. Selene's Thoughts: "This is it. Will they finally see the truth?"
Lord Vincent raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. Vincent's Thoughts: "Interesting."
Gideon scoffed, rolling his shoulders.
Gideon (grinning): "Alright then, blind prince. Let's see if you can even last a few seconds."
The tension in the air shifted. This was no longer a joke. Something was about to happen.
To be continued…