He gazed down at the world below from a godlike, omniscient perspective.
Just as he became momentarily dazed by this, the text in the Book of Heroic Spirit Development that he was holding began to weave together and rewrite itself once more.
Late Edo Period, during the final years of the shogunate.
A time of national turmoil and widespread conflict, when human lives were as insignificant as ants.
Please choose your place of birth:
A: Samurai Family, B: Ronin, C: Commoner, D: Direct Intervention
(Note: When choosing direct intervention, you may use the Book of Heroic Spirit Development to temporarily double your strength, with up to three uses per simulation!)
"Heroic Spirit Simulation… a text-based game?"
Lucian tilted his head, reading the words that appeared on the Book of Heroic Spirit Development. He couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.
Looking over the options in the book, he eventually chose the "Samurai Family" option.
After all, it's common knowledge that reincarnation is a technical skill—and being born into a privileged family is like starting life on the shoulders of giants!
Moreover, the book had emphasized that this was a time when lives were as fragile as ants.
As for direct intervention… why bother? Should he personally go find a woman to be reborn through?
You have chosen the Samurai Family.
You are born into the prestigious Watanabe family of Kyoto, renowned for their mastery of swordsmanship. Your name: Watanabe Lucian.
As these words appeared, Lucian suddenly felt his body plummet rapidly.
Before he could fully react, he found himself standing inside a residence. Before him was a young boy, who bore a striking resemblance to him, practicing swordplay.
From a young age, you exhibited extraordinary intelligence. You were born with wisdom, able to recognize a thousand characters by the age of one and recite poems by three, earning you the title of prodigy throughout Kyoto.
Without hesitation, you chose the path of the samurai, bringing great pride to your family and elders.
Your goal is clear: to become a Heroic Spirit, an existence born from legends, whose deeds elevate them to the status of a heroic figure worshipped by others after death.
You understand that to become a Heroic Spirit, your life must be one of high profile. The more legendary your story, the greater your chances of becoming a Heroic Spirit.
"... Is this 'projection' based on me?"
Reading the words in the Book of Heroic Spirit Development, Lucian glanced at the young boy in front of him, who resembled him in both face and form.
He quickly understood the situation.
Talent: Swordsmanship Genius activated!
At the age of four, you exceeded the expectations of your elders. Not only were you hailed as a prodigy, but your innate talent in swordsmanship also set you apart from your peers.
Your elders saw you as the future pillar of the family and prepared to send you to study under a renowned master.
You choose...
A: Shinto Munen-ryu, B: Hokushin Itto-ryu, C: Tennen Rishin-ryu, D: Direct Intervention
Lucian paused to think as he looked at the options displayed.
Over the past month, due to his search for holy relics, he had brushed up on some historical knowledge and recognized these swordsmanship schools. They were all renowned in the history of Japan.
Hokushin Itto-ryu and Shinto Munen-ryu were leading schools of the era, while Tennen Rishin-ryu wasn't as prominent at the time.
After a brief contemplation, Lucian decided to choose Tennen Rishin-ryu.
The reason was simple: the swordsmanship talent attributed to his projection came from the Heroic Spirit Okita Souji, who had trained in Tennen Rishin-ryu.
Choosing this school, while not the most prestigious, was the most appropriate choice based on what Lucian knew.
Furthermore, though Tennen Rishin-ryu wasn't as prominent now, it would rise to glory when figures like Okita Souji, Hijikata Toshizo, and Kondo Isami emerged.
At the age of five, you entered the Tennen Rishin-ryu dojo in Edo.
Your choice greatly excited Kondo Shusuke, the head of Tennen Rishin-ryu. After assessing your talent and confirming your potential, he took you under his wing as a personal disciple, teaching you without reservation.
As these words appeared, the residence before Lucian faded away, replaced by the Tennen Rishin-ryu dojo.
Lucian followed his projection into the dojo, where he met Kondo Shusuke, the current head of Tennen Rishin-ryu.
Under Kondo Shusuke's guidance, your swordsmanship progressed rapidly, and you awakened another talent.
Talent: Mind's Eye (False).
At the age of seven, with the awakening of your Mind's Eye (False), you displayed an uncanny ability to anticipate your opponent's moves in battle, as though you could see the sword before it struck. This impressed Kondo Shusuke, who saw even more potential in you.
At the age of nine, under the cherry blossoms that fluttered in the morning breeze, you met the person you were destined to encounter... Okita Souji.
=--
In Edo, one of the most prosperous cities of the era, with a population exceeding one million, land was incredibly valuable. Even beggars on the streets were often chased away.
In the dojo of Tennen Rishin-ryu, under the blooming cherry blossoms in the courtyard...
"Are you Watanabe Lucian?" A young girl looked up curiously at the slightly taller boy standing before her.
Watanabe Lucian, born into the prestigious Watanabe family and known as a prodigy in both Edo and Kyoto, was already gaining a reputation despite his young age.
"You don't look like a monster," the innocent girl remarked with genuine curiosity.
Her older sister quickly tugged at her hand, apologetically glancing at Watanabe Lucian.
The "monster" nickname came from Lucian's tireless training and his frighteningly rapid improvement. At only nine years old, he had already earned a license of proficiency from Kondo Shusuke himself!
In Japan's martial traditions, warriors could attain various ranks—starting with kirigami (cutting paper), followed by mokuroku (registry), menkyo (license), and the highest level, menkyo kaiden (license of full transmission).
Kiri-gami was the entry-level certificate, while menkyo meant one was permitted to teach the school's techniques.
Lucian didn't mind the girl's comment. Instead, he looked at her, her hair as beautiful as the cherry blossoms, and asked, "What's your name?"
"Me?" the girl smiled brightly. "I'm Okita Souji..."
---
You have met Okita Souji. Initially overlooked due to her gender, it was through your recommendation that she caught the attention of Kondo Shusuke.
After a brief test, Kondo Shusuke gave her the highest praise, declaring that she possessed swordsmanship talent on par with yours, much to the astonishment of your fellow disciples.
Standing next to his projection, Lucian couldn't help but laugh at the text in the Book of Heroic Spirit Development.
After all, the so-called prodigy Watanabe Lucian was merely a copy. His talent, including his Mind's Eye, had originally belonged to Okita Souji, the true genius swordsman.
Though Okita Souji's arrival gave you someone to care for, it didn't hinder your growth. You continued to diligently hone your swordsmanship.
The once solitary figure now had a companion beside them.
At the age of 13, you received the license of proficiency from your master, just one step away from attaining the highest license, menkyo kaiden.
At 15, Kondo Shusuke rejected your request once again, and you still had no weapon of your own. Many younger disciples had already obtained their swords, despite being less skilled.
The same year, 15-year-old Okita Souji also earned her license of proficiency.
Faced with this, you made the following choice...
A: Ask for an explanation, B: Leave in frustration, C: Do nothing, D: Direct intervention.
Lucian furrowed his brow as he read the text. Why had his master refused him a sword, despite recognizing his swordsmanship abilities two years prior?
With these questions in mind, Lucian naturally chose to ask for an explanation.
Lucian frowned slightly, looking at the words displayed on the Book of Heroic Spirit Development, then at the elder before him who had refused his request. His eyes revealed a hint of confusion.
At 15, during the turbulent times in Yingzhou, Lucian was already considered of age.
Many men his age had already started their own families.
In fact, two years ago, he had already earned the qualification for the "Kaden" certificate, meaning that his teacher, Kondo Shusuke, had long acknowledged his current level of swordsmanship.
Yet even now, he was not permitted to wield an unsheathed sword...
Perplexed, Lucian naturally sought an explanation.
That night, in Kondo Shusuke's room, the elder lit an oil lamp and quietly knelt, waiting for his visitor.
Before long, there was a soft knock on the door.
Kondo Shusuke's slightly aged face showed a faint smile.
"Come in. It's you, isn't it, Lucian?"
"Yes, teacher," Lucian replied.
Watanabe Lucian pushed the door open and stepped into Kondo Shusuke's view.
Reflected in the teacher's eyes, the fifteen-year-old still had a trace of youthful innocence on his face, but there was also a sword-like aura bursting forth, as if it could soar into the heavens, making it difficult for ordinary people to meet his gaze!
"Did you know I would come, teacher?" Lucian asked, looking at the elder who, despite his gray hair and white beard, still sat upright under the dim oil lamp.
Kondo Shusuke, the man who had taught masters like Okita Souji, Hijikata Toshizo, and Kondo Isami, was no ordinary instructor.
He had already reached the peak of swordsmanship in this era.
However, fully aware of his age and the impossibility of further progress, he chose to lead a dojo and pass down his sword techniques.
"The way you looked at me today wasn't just filled with confusion, especially since Souji already obtained the Kaden certificate from me," Kondo said with a slight smile before continuing, "So how could you not come... though I originally thought you would seek me out two years ago."
"Because I trust that you wouldn't harm me, teacher," Lucian answered.
Hearing this, Kondo Shusuke's face showed a comforting expression, but he quickly smiled again and said, "But seeing that Souji is catching up, you became anxious and couldn't wait any longer, right?"
Lucian didn't answer directly, remaining silent, because that was indeed the truth.
Although Lucian's achievements were undoubtedly a result of his own talent, his initial progress was thanks to Okita Souji, from whom he had drawn power from the relic Kashuu Kiyomitsu.
But by now, every sword swing Lucian made was genuine.
In these fifteen years, ever since he first gripped a sword, he had never once stopped practicing.
"Lucian, how long has it been since you came to me?" Kondo asked.
"Ten years, teacher."
Indeed, Watanabe Lucian had become Kondo Shusuke's disciple at the age of five.