A vast, open ground.
It was one of the many training fields prepared within the main fortress of the Reingrime clan, Banaphen, and by far the largest.
Shaped like an enormous square, the sparring ground was enclosed by towering walls and rows of trees so that no one outside could see in.
At the center, children had gathered.
"Heh, so it finally begins for real?"
"Haah… I prayed this day would never come…"
Some groaned in misery.
"We're all dead. Once the training starts, I'll knock everyone flat and climb straight to the top."
"Oh, really? Why don't you act like that on normal days too? Just the other day you—"
"Shut up!"
Others, by contrast, were brimming with anticipation and excitement for the training to come.
But most of the children focused less on the hellish training awaiting them and more on the long-awaited chance to see familiar faces again.
"Hey, isn't that Seron?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"Wow, look at those eyes. He looks even stronger than before. Just how high is he planning to climb?"
"There's a reason they call him a genius."
They gossiped about the boy with light brown hair and piercing blue eyes—until their attention was stolen away.
"Look over there. Selena Marquess."
A beautiful girl with porcelain skin and hair the shimmering color of blue water.
"Wow, Selena… she practically radiates light."
"Right? No wonder they call her the top beauty of the North."
"Her aura is completely different too. She's almost at Seron's level now."
"I heard she's already mastered the entire Seven Star Sword Forms."
"What? The Seven Star Sword Forms?"
"Hey, I just heard Seron only recently finished the Refinement Form. And you're telling me Selena's already mastered all seven?"
"I'm serious. My sword instructor told me."
"Yeah, yeah, cut the nonsense."
"Forget it, let's just appreciate our Lady Selena's beauty in silence."
The children muttered one after another, unable to tear their eyes from Selena Marquess, enthralled in their own chorus of admiration.
"Tch, boys will be boys…"
A blonde-haired girl, Maylin, clicked her tongue in disapproval, her expression sour.
Then, glaring at Selena, she showed open hostility.
"What's so great about that stuck-up doll? She looks like she'd snap in half if you tapped her. North's greatest beauty? Please. I'm way more— Hey, you. What's with that face?"
She suddenly stopped and fixed her gaze on Ruin.
"What?"
"I don't like that look in your eyes. Be honest. What were you just thinking?"
She spoke with a hint of provocation. Ruin shrugged, answering casually.
"Nothing much."
"Look me in the eyes and say it, Ruin. What were you really thinking?"
"Well, just…"
Ruin trailed off, then smirked and said:
"You'd better not say things like that out loud."
"What?"
"I mean, it's best not to run your mouth carelessly."
He spoke firmly, leaving Maylin with her jaw hanging.
"Ha, what? Are you kidding me right now, Ruin?!"
Her cheeks puffed out in indignation as she snapped:
"Fine, then tell me straight. Compared to that stuck-up doll, what exactly am I lacking?"
Ruin didn't hesitate.
"Height."
"What?"
"She's taller than you."
"Y-you—"
"And her skin."
"Huh?"
"Since ancient times, fair skin has always been considered a hallmark of beauty."
"…."
Ruin's brutally objective words struck Maylin like a blow.
It was true. Selena was nearly a hand taller than Maylin, and while Selena's complexion was white as porcelain, Maylin's skin bore a healthy, sun-kissed tan.
"Tch, like I didn't know that already? But still, saying it to my face—how rude."
"You asked."
"Shut it!"
Though she shouted, her voice and demeanor lacked their usual fire, subdued by the sting of his honesty.
At that moment—
"Hey, isn't that Maylin?"
"Oh, it really is her. Maylin!"
Several children noticed Maylin and waved happily.
Still sulking, she forced a smile and waved back.
Unlike Seron or Selena, who drew awe and admiration, Maylin received genuine warmth and friendly greetings from far more people.
"Maylin, it's been forever! What've you been up to?"
"When are you going to spar with me?"
"Have you tried that new dessert shop yet? Their cakes are amazing—"
Soon enough, Maylin drifted away from Ruin, swept up in conversation with her friends.
The more she chatted, the brighter her expression grew, as though Ruin's blunt words were fading from her mind.
Watching her, Ruin chuckled inwardly.
'Why does she even feel the need to compete with Seron and Selena? She's completely different from them.'
[Indeed. That tomboy girl is clearly cherished by everyone around her.]
Even the Sword Spirit agreed with Ruin's thoughts.
Where Seron and Selena were like distant, untouchable prodigies—respected but apart from the crowd—Maylin had a warm, approachable charm.
She was like everyone's friend, someone anyone could easily be close to.
Just then, new voices rose among the children.
"Wow, Seron, Selena, and Maylin all in one generation? This year's group really is something else."
"It's not just them. Look—Andrei's here too. And I heard there are even two recruits from outside the clan."
"From outside?"
"Yeah. My father said yesterday two outsiders got summons this time. Apparently, that's a rare case."
Usually, Reingrime's summons only went to those within their sphere: direct bloodline, vassals, or people of exceptional talent.
Occasionally, descendants of bloodlines that had left the clan, or those with special ties, would receive summons.
Ruin himself fell into that category.
'So there's another outsider besides me?'
Interested, Ruin began counting the gathered children.
'There are more than I thought.'
At the last Sword Ceremony, there had been only sixteen.
But here, in this open ground, there were easily a hundred children, if not more.
'Well, not everyone gets to participate in the Sword Ceremony anyway.'
The ceremony only admitted direct descendants or truly gifted individuals.
But Reingrime's regular training was open to any child over thirteen.
So this many wasn't surprising.
"Hey, isn't that him?"
"The youngest son of the disgraced branch?"
"Yeah, but I heard he still got to participate in the Sword Ceremony since he's technically direct blood."
"Unbelievable. Some kids work themselves to death and never get called, while others just ride on their bloodline. Must be nice."
"So he's one of the outsiders then."
They whispered while glancing at Ruin.
As usual, most of it was negative—about his father being expelled, or his so-called "undeserved" place.
Then came the sneers.
"Still, for a direct bloodline, doesn't he look weak as a twig?"
"Hah, right? He looks like he'd snap if you hit him once."
"Typical. Kids born with pedigree but no backbone."
The mocking grew bolder, until a boy on the far side muttered:
"Hey, wanna rough him up before training starts?"
"What, him?"
"Yeah. His father's not part of the clan anymore, right? So no one would step in even if something happened."
"Heh, true enough."
Like pups yapping at a tiger they didn't recognize, they let their bravado run wild.
[Heh, they're underestimating you far too much.]
'They're just kids.'
[And you're just going to let them spit on your name like that?]
"…"
Ruin said nothing, only staring calmly at their faces.
'Hmm, they look familiar…'
Then he remembered.
"Still, isn't it risky to mess with him ourselves?"
"What, you scared?"
"No, it's just… even if his father was expelled, he's still direct blood."
"Then let's ask Lord Andrei."
"Andrei?"
That name jogged Ruin's memory.
'Ah, that's right. Them.'
These were the same ones who had flocked around Andrei at the Sword Ceremony, taunting and ridiculing him.
Back then, Ruin had taught them a painful lesson inside the ceremony grounds.
'And yet they still haven't learned.'
Shaking his head, he fixed them with a cold gaze.
"Hey, he's looking this way. Did he hear us?"
"So what if he did?"
"Look at his eyes—pretending to act proud, clueless as ever."
"Should we just do it now?"
"No, let's tell Lord Andrei. That kid deserves proper punishment."
Still running their mouths, they hadn't noticed the shift in the air—until a sharp voice cut in.
"Out of my way."
A new voice.
The children turned, startled.
"Eh?"
"S-Seron?"
The boy with light brown hair and blue eyes stood before them, his expression dark with displeasure.
"Keep your filthy tongues to yourselves. Move."
"Uh—y-yes! Sorry!"
"Won't happen again!"
His cold tone left no room for defiance. They scrambled aside at once.
Seron shook his head and walked forward.
Step. Step.
Just like that, he crushed their hostility without even drawing a blade.
Then he turned to Ruin.
"Ruin."
His voice was flat, icy.
"It's been a while. How have you been?"
Though his gaze was cold, he asked as if politely inquiring after an old acquaintance.
Ruin smiled faintly.
"Not bad. Thanks to you."
"I see."
The boys who had been badmouthing Ruin earlier whispered frantically.
"Wait, what? Aren't Seron and Ruin supposed to hate each other? Didn't they fight last time?"
"Yeah, so why are they talking like that?"
"Did they… make up? Are they friends now?"
"Shut up. Don't say anything. If Seron notices, we're screwed."
They whispered nervously, until Seron glanced at them.
Then he smirked faintly.
"Still the same."
"…?"
Ruin tilted his head. Seron's eyes remained cold as he muttered:
"You shouldn't have come here, Ruin."
"What?"
"But then again, for someone who craves attention and basks in the gaze of others, maybe it was inevitable."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Seron's cryptic words only deepened Ruin's frown.
But Seron didn't explain.
"I'll be waiting, Ruin."
"Hah, waiting for what now? You lunatic."
"You'll see soon enough."
He brushed his hand over the hilt of his sword, lips curling.
"You'll realize just how foolish and pathetic your choice was—chasing nothing but hollow glory."
With that, he shook his head.
"See you later."
"Hey, Seron!"
From beginning to end, he spoke only as he pleased, ignoring Ruin's protests.
Creeeak—bang!
The sound of the training ground's massive doors opening silenced the air.
"…!"
All eyes turned.
Several figures strode in, their presence heavy and intimidating.
Step. Step.
The atmosphere froze instantly as they approached the central platform.
Step. Tap.
One man climbed onto the dais. His scarred face and sharp gaze made the children inhale sharply.
"H-Harken."
"That's him—the infamous demon instructor?"
"Damn it… it's really starting."
Fear and dread rippled through the crowd as Harken stood tall and introduced himself.
"I am Harken Benwar, your head instructor for this training."
His voice was hard as iron as he barked:
"What are you waiting for? Run."
The children blinked in confusion.
"…Huh?"
"Run?"
"Yes. Run! Start running, unless you'd rather die here!"
His roar was followed by other instructors shouting harshly from the sidelines.
At that moment—
Thud!
Someone bolted forward, sprinting at full speed without hesitation.
Everyone's eyes snapped to the figure.
"Seron?"
The boy who'd just been standing before Ruin was already dashing ahead, fast as lightning.
At once—
"Damn it, missed the chance!"
"…"
Thud.
Maylin and Selena quickly followed after him, sprinting hard.
"Hup!"
"I'm going too!"
Tap-tap-tap-tap!
A few sharp-eyed children scrambled to chase after them.
The rest soon realized and panicked.
"What the—? Run!"
"Forget it, just go!"
Soon the entire field erupted into motion as the children began running.
"Huff… they're insanely fast."
"There's no way I can catch up."
Because of the staggered start, gaps had already formed, dividing the group. Those who started late had no hope of closing the distance to the front.
"Damn it, we're too late. No way we can reach the lead now."
"This must be a test, right? The first day's exam."
"What? An exam?!"
"Shit, if I'd known I would've sprinted right away!"
"Doesn't matter, just don't fall behind the ones in front!"
Many poured everything into their legs, desperate not to be left behind.
On the dais, Harken watched their frantic sprinting and murmured with a faint smirk:
"Rankings… sure, they matter. But I wonder—are they really what counts here?"
His eyes curved with a sinister smile.
Then his gaze fixed on one spot.
"…What's that brat doing?"
There, moving at a lazy jog—almost a walk—was none other than Ruin.
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T/N:
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