As one would expect with the way the conversation was going, the scenery changed. We were no longer on the orbal train heading to Roer.
Several figures could now be seen in what appeared to be the inner hall of a massive, tatami-style dojo. On the ground floor were wooden planks neatly aligned at its seams. Even if one walked on it, it wouldn't creak, which signaled that the place has been properly maintained over the course of the years. The dojo seemed quite old, but still durable. The tatami mats, on the other hand, were on a slightly elevated platform which is where either training or sparring took place.
And this time, it was the latter.
For this place was the Eight Leaves One Blade dojo that nestled itself deep within the Eisengard Mountain Range. Several steps carved out of stone could be seen placed one after another, equal in distribution. It didn't look haggard or overgrown. On each side of every step were bamboo shoots that stood erect. Despite it being summer, little bits of snow could be seen on its tips. Unlike other places, it snowed all year round here. As for the sole building itself, one could see the symbol of the Eight Leaves hoisted upward on a wooden sign.
Inside, several figures could be seen aligned next to each other. On the leftmost side stood Emma. Next to her was Angelica. Going from there were Anelace and a black-haired girl who had indigo highlights that I could recognize from a mile away. A look of worry could be seen in her eyes as she observed a black-haired boy who stood present on the raised platform in front of her.
Elise Schwarzer, heir to the Schwarzer Barony. Rean Schwarzer's half-sister. In a way, both Elise and I are in the exact same position. Except, what puts us apart is that I share a blood tie with Rean, while Elise, on the other hand, did not. That was why Princess Alfin liked teasing Elise in the games about her relationship with Rean. Given enough pushes, it could actually develop into something. But reality played another card, and it turned Rean into a sis-con, becoming way too overprotective of her. Who knows, if I decide to give my own little push, Elise could accomplish something this time around. We'll see.
After all, Rean does encounter several different people much like myself. He very well could create a harem of his own. Haha!
But right now, it isn't about that.
Some time had passed since Emma and I arrived in Roer. It was just as grand as I remembered it to be. It mirrored Zeiss back in Liberl quite well with its own escalator. It had raised buildings built entirely on an elevated platform, and a ground floor. The Reinford Group building stood tall. It was a freaking castle that overlooked the rest of the city. Too bad we didn't have plans to head inside there. Instead, we had a nice dinner at the Rogner Estate, which stood on the outskirts of the city. It wasn't in the heart of the city itself. I introduced myself as Duke Phoenix to Marquis Rogner.
Marquis Rogner was definitely skeptical at first, but with Angelica beside me, she was quick to remind him what happened back at His Imperial Majesty's coronation. It took a moment for it to register in that head of his, but after that, it was very funny to see his panicked reaction. He was there to see the abolishment of the Four Great Houses, only for them to become the Five Great Houses. But I let him do his thing, and didn't attack him for it. It was as expected.
Thanks to that, the dinner went smoothly. Emma was mostly quiet during this exchange, and knew her manners. During it, we invited Angelica on the proposed trip to Ymir, and she immediately accepted to join us. Marquis Rogner wanted to object to his opinion, but rank meant everything in the noble circle. Dukes outranked Marquises, so he could only accept what was in front of him. In return, he assigned a couple of guards to hide in secret, along with Father's secret agents. Thankfully the two didn't collide with each other. That would have been a sight to behold.
Angelica very much looked forward to taking a dip in Ymir's famous hot springs. She's been there on multiple occasions, unlike Emma and I. Which made since Ymir was close to Roer.
With all of that happening, some time had passed, like I said. We could now all be seen inside the Eight Leaves One Blade Dojo.
Word traveled quickly that this little event was happening. Ymir wasn't a big town. Several tens of people at most. As such, Elise came rushing toward the dojo, only after it was approved by her parents, Teo and Lucia Schwarzer. They too were present here in this dojo. Master Yun stood beside the two.
As for Rean, he could be seen on the elevated platform on the right side. I could be seen on the left side. Shizuna stood off to the side, ready to act as a referee. Rean just looked on, still confused as to why I now stood in front of him, ready to face him in a spar.
"I'm still unsure why you chose me out of Master's disciples. Both Shizuna and Anelace are more experienced than me. I'm still a beginner in the Eight Leaves One Blade.", Rean said, looking at me.
"Both of them indeed have more experience and are stronger than you. But I have my reason.", I said. Rean held onto his tachi, not his wooden blade. I too held onto Glistening Moonlight.
At this time, I turned my head back and looked toward Master Yun. "And I am sure you of all people have figured it out."
"Hoho, I told you last time, did I not? We simply happen to be crossing paths. No more. No less. It will be up to you if you want to make your name known here in this dojo. I have no more further comment to add.", Master Yun replied, remaining aloof on the matter.
I knew it. Yun Ka-Fai probably knows all about me already. He has that omniscient eye and everything. What I didn't know at the time was that he along with several older disciples had gotten together recently to talk about me.
"I am feeling strangely familiar looking at this boy too...", Teo uttered, also taking a moment to observe me from the sidelines. He became even more confused after Master Yun said that.
Eh, screw it. What happens next, I'll tackle it myself.
I took my stance. The very same stance my Teacher, the Sword Fox, uses. Bringing Glistening Moonlight outward, and shifting my right leg back. I increased the sound of my voice, and declared my intent for everyone to hear it.
"While I do indeed go by different titles, I am the sole disciple of the one who calls himself, the Sword Fox, and the one and only son of the famed Blood and Iron Chancellor. Naoto Osborne. Do not take this spar half-assedly. Rean Schwarzer!", I yelled out, letting my aura release. I didn't activate Limit Break. We weren't having a life-or-death battle. I didn't use all of my Stats either, as they were already approaching end-game Stats.
But it was enough to let the ground beneath us subtly quake, letting my Mana run rampant. Such a shame I haven't developed Battle Qi yet.
And since Rean's memory has already elapsed, he doesn't know he is Father's son anymore. Because of that, I think I am safe enough to declare myself as General Osborne's one and only son. The now Blood and Iron Chancellor.
"...!", Rean tried to exclaim, but found no words for his shock. He saw the seriousness in my eyes, ready to attack at a moment's notice. Seeing my resolve, he too took his stance.
"W-W-WHAT!?", Teo exclaimed, equally as shocked to hear that name
"Lord Husband?", Lucia asked, confused to see Teo react like this.
"I-It's nothing. Perhaps given the time, I will consult with you...", Teo uttered, keeping his voice to himself. Guess it really was like that with him. He swore an oath of secrecy with Father in the games, so we'll see where that develops.
Master Yun just kept to himself, likely knowing this was the outcome. Elise too watched on with both confusion and surprise in her eyes. As for Rean, he just looked more confused.
"The name Osborne sounds familiar...", Rean uttered.
"Haha, I'll leave that up to your imagination. As you said, you are still a beginner. You can only piece things together bit by bit, unlike your Master over there. Continue along your path, and you will learn how to see the bigger picture. Much is the way of the world we live in. I am no less. Whether you win or lose in this spar, Rean, I hope it can give you a bit of insight.", I happily said to Rean. I meant it. Seeing him grow stronger is my duty as his half-brother. And this likely won't be the last time we butt heads!
Rean's shocked eyes turned to that of clarity, acting as if had reached an understanding. Any shred of doubt in his eyes was now gone. He nodded his head.
"Very well. Then I hope to meet your expectations, Naoto. I am Rean Schwarzer, Beginner Level of the Eight Leaves One Blade. At your will!", Rean said, and finished his stance with his tachi.
Seeing the two of us ready, Shizuna nodded her head, acting pleased with the result.
"It looks like the two of you are ready. Let the battle begin!", Shizuna exclaimed, and made a gesture of her hand by swinging it downward.
Rean tried to enter one of the stances he knew well. The very same stance he used against Shizuna.
"Second Form...!?". Rean tried to utter while rushing out toward me. He was about to slash me with his blade.
I didn't give Rean a single moment to spare. My Mana churned, and my blade suddenly ignited into a crimson flame, which heated the atmosphere around us. At the same time, I began to hop back and forth. I didn't stop my momentum. As for what Rean was experiencing, he saw afterimages form. My Speed was pretty insane. You never get to see your Speed stat in the hundreds until very late game on longer story arcs.
Rean even saw several instances of my blade ignite into a hot inferno. Sweat beaded down his face just feeling the intensity alone.
Rean blinked once, and he no longer saw me.
"Crimson Swallow!", I exclaimed, executing one of my Crafts. It was upgraded a while back, and now it can inflict the fire element onto my targets. I made sure not to include all my strength though, as this was just a spar. I don't want to see something bad happen to Rean this early on, haha!
Thwack!
Besides Shizuna and Master Yun who seemed to be observing the flow of the battle that had just started, everyone else saw me vanish, only to strike out from behind. Rean's blade sliced through the air, feeling empty. He no longer saw me. Instead he felt something hot strike against his body.
With a hard and searing thwack striking inside the dojo, the spar was now underway!
*
A/N: Before the rewrite, Naoto declares himself as heir to the Auslese in this Spar. I have changed it to him declaring himself son of Chancellor Osborne. We shall see how this plays out :3.