Reborn as a Blind Noble Swordsman

Time skip—one year later.

By the age of six, Haruto knew that his biggest weakness was his frail, underdeveloped body. He remembered his past life as Lucian Falken, a master swordsman, but his current form was too weak to handle advanced techniques.

"I have the knowledge... but my body refuses to keep up," he thought. "If I want to regain my strength, I must build it from the ground up. Strength isn't something given—it's something earned. And I will earn it again."

Thus, he began basic training in secret, starting with body-strengthening exercises:

Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and planks to build endurance. Jumping and footwork drills to refine his balance and movement. Silent walking and weight-shifting exercises to perfect his stealth and agility.

Since he was still a child, he trained in short bursts to avoid suspicion. Every moment alone became an opportunity to strengthen himself, even if it meant pushing his young body to its limits.

A Fateful Discovery

One afternoon, while walking in the estate garden, Haruto's foot bumped against something long and smooth. He froze, tilting his head slightly, listening to the faint rustling of leaves in the distance. The object felt out of place in the well-maintained garden paths.

"What is this...?" he murmured, crouching down.

He reached out and ran his small hands over the surface. The texture was rough, yet somewhat polished by nature. His fingers traced along its length, feeling the knots and ridges of the wood.

"It's... a fallen tree branch?"

He lifted it, testing its weight. It was heavier than he expected, but not unbearable. His fingers instinctively adjusted their grip, positioning themselves in a way that felt eerily natural. A memory surged through his mind—

A katana, its handle wrapped in fine leather. The weight of the blade perfectly balanced in his hands. The air parting as he sliced through it effortlessly. The sounds of battle, the clash of steel, the moment of perfect focus before striking down an opponent.

Haruto inhaled sharply, gripping the branch tighter.

"This shape... this balance... it feels like a sword. No, it is a sword."

His lips curled into a small, determined smile.

"I may not have a real sword… but this will do."

This moment marked the beginning of his sword training.

Rebuilding a Swordsman's Instincts

With only his instincts and muscle memory, Haruto started rebuilding his techniques from the ground up.

He practiced basic swings, feeling the weight of the stick as he moved it through the air. He experimented with footwork, mimicking the steps from his past-life training. Using his hearing and sense of air movement, he imagined an invisible opponent and began shadow sparring.

Each movement felt sluggish at first. His arms lacked the strength, his footing was unsteady, and his body struggled to keep up with the techniques engraved into his soul. But he refused to stop.

Training Sequence

Haruto tightened his grip on the branch and took a stance. He raised it above his head, inhaled deeply, and swung downward.

The strike was unrefined. The stick wobbled, and his balance faltered. He stumbled back, his legs giving out, and he fell onto the dirt with a thud.

His palms stung, his arms burned, and his breathing was ragged.

"Damn it… my body won't keep up with me."

Frustration boiled inside him. "In my past life, I could drop opponents with ease… but now, I can't even hold a proper stance. My mind knows what to do, but my body refuses to obey."

For a moment, doubt crept in. Was this truly the same soul that once stood at the peak of swordsmanship? Had he lost everything?

No. He refused to accept that.

Instead of giving up, he adjusted his training:

Focused on precision rather than power. Built his stamina and control first, before practicing stronger strikes. Broke down each movement step by step, mastering form before force.

"If I cannot wield strength now, then I will master control first. Strength will come after."

This setback taught him patience—a key lesson for mastering his new body.

A Mother's Silent Watch

One evening, Lady Selene quietly noticed Haruto's movements changing. She had always sensed that he was different from other children, but now, as she watched him through the window, she realized just how much effort he was putting into something no one had taught him.

He swung his wooden stick with discipline. His steps were deliberate, his breathing controlled.

"My son… you are training?" she whispered to herself.

She felt both pride and sorrow.

Pride—because Haruto was not giving up, despite his disadvantages. Sorrow—because he had to do this alone, without support from his father.

She placed a hand on the window frame, her heart aching. "You shouldn't have to fight like this at your age… but you are stronger than anyone realizes."

She did not stop him. Instead, she silently hoped that his strength would carry him forward.

"If you have chosen this path, then I will not stand in your way… but I wish you did not have to walk it alone."

A Breakthrough

One night, after weeks of practice, Haruto swung his wooden sword with perfect form—and for the first time, he heard something different.

The air around his weapon shifted, creating a sharp slicing sound despite using only a wooden stick.

Haruto froze, gripping the branch tightly. A slow smile formed on his lips.

"…I can do this."

He took another stance, inhaling deeply.

"I don't need sight to be strong."

This moment marked the true beginning of his journey as a swordsman in this world.

Time skip—two years later.

By age eight, Haruto had outgrown his simple training routines in the estate garden. While they had been useful for balance, footwork, and refining his sword swings, he now realized something was missing.

"I've reached my limit here," he thought. "These walls confine me. I need more space… I need freedom."

Training inside the estate was becoming too risky. If he were caught, he could be punished, or worse—his wooden sword could be taken away. He wanted to push his limits without worrying about being overheard by servants or guards. The idea of stagnation frustrated him.

"If I want to become stronger, I can't stay hidden forever. But I also can't be reckless. I need to find a place where I can truly push myself."

Thus, he began exploring the outskirts of the Valtor estate, using his hearing and instincts to map out new areas. Each step beyond the estate grounds was a test, sharpening his ability to navigate without sight.

A Hidden Sanctuary

One evening, while wandering past the garden and through the unused back corridors, Haruto noticed something strange. He paused, tilting his head, feeling the way the air moved differently around him.

"This space… it feels open. Wide. Not like the narrow halls of the estate."

The sound of the wind shifted as it passed through unseen gaps. He followed it, guided by the subtle differences in pressure and echoes. The scent of damp wood, old stone, and faint traces of metal filled his nose—indicators of an area long forgotten.

"Something is here… something abandoned."

After carefully navigating past overgrown vines and collapsed stone walls, he stepped into a vast open space. The moment his foot touched the ground, he knew he had found something valuable.

"A courtyard?"

He crouched down, running his hands along the surface. The stone floor was cracked but solid enough for training. He moved forward, fingertips grazing rusting weapon racks and broken dummies.

"This place was once used for knight training… but now, it's abandoned. Forgotten."

As he explored further, he found an old, unused well. He dipped his fingers in the cool water and smirked.

"A water source. Good. This will be useful."

The high walls surrounding the courtyard made it nearly impossible for anyone to see inside. It was hidden from the estate—a perfect place for him to train without fear of being watched.

Haruto exhaled, gripping his wooden sword.

"This place… it's perfect. I can train freely here without interruptions. I can push myself to my limit."

From that day forward, the ruined courtyard became his true training ground.

The Next Stage of Training

Now that he had a safe space, Haruto escalated his training routine:

Advanced Footwork Drills – Using the uneven ground and broken stone paths, he refined his ability to move without sight, making his steps more precise and adaptive.

Speed & Agility Training – Running across the cracked courtyard, dodging imaginary attacks, and using his hearing to react faster.

Strength & Endurance – Carrying heavy stones to build arm and leg muscles, improving his sword swings.

Combat Drills – Practicing silent strikes, developing techniques based on sound, movement, and deception.

Each training session pushed his body further, testing his endurance and precision. Haruto gritted his teeth as he forced himself through exhaustion.

"I can't stop now. If I want to survive in this world, I need to be stronger. My past life's strength is gone… I must rebuild everything from scratch."

Developing New Techniques

Through trial and error, Haruto started developing his own unique techniques:

Phantom Step – Moving unpredictably, making his presence difficult to track.

Echo Slash – Striking based on sound and air movement alone.

Silent Fang – A precise swing that suppresses all noise until impact.

"If I can't see my opponent, I'll let the air and sound guide my blade."

He refined each technique through repetition, forcing his body to adapt. The courtyard became his battlefield, where he trained relentlessly.

A Breakthrough

After weeks of relentless practice, Haruto started perfecting a unique skill: By using sound, vibrations, and the feel of air pressure, he could strike targets with near-perfect accuracy. He tested this by swinging at loose leaves falling from trees—hitting them midair, every time.

His grip tightened on his wooden sword as he heard the crisp impact of wood striking leaf.

"I did it."

Haruto turned his face upward, feeling the wind against his skin. A slow, victorious smile formed.

"It's working. I can feel it. This is real. I'm not just a blind child—I'm a swordsman. I can fight. I will fight."

His muscles ached, but for the first time in this life, he felt closer to who he once was. He could feel the path of the blade, even without sight.

"I don't need eyes to be strong. I will carve my own path. The world may think I am nothing, but I will show them… I will prove them wrong."

A Hidden Observer

Unbeknownst to Haruto, someone else had discovered his training ground.

From the shadows, a tall figure stood, watching in silence. His gaze was sharp, analyzing every movement Haruto made.

Lord Aldric Valtor, the former general of House Valtor, observed his grandson with interest.

"Blind… yet he moves like a warrior."

His eyes narrowed as he watched Haruto land a flawless strike on a falling leaf.

"Perhaps the blood of a true swordsman still runs in him after all."

Aldric crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. He had seen many warriors in his time, but none like this—none who fought against fate itself.

"He's still young, but his instincts… they're sharpened beyond his years. His body is still weak, but his mind and will are strong."

Instead of confronting Haruto immediately, Aldric decided to wait. He wanted to see just how far the boy could go on his own.

"Let's see what you can become, child. Show me your resolve."

To be continued…