Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“How is it? Anyway, aunt is investing time and resources to make Aira the head of the family, isn’t she? I think this is a commendable deal.”

“Yes. As you said, it could be a mutually beneficial transaction. The Miles family will even deal with an enemy if there’s money involved.”

“… You don’t consider me an enemy, do you?”

Liana’s gaze was so icy and stern that it made Christian question, ‘Does she really think of me as an enemy?’

“Indeed, your proposal is revolutionary. No one would dare to think of such a thing. Asking to convert your succession rights into money, how beautiful a family it is.”

Is she really the daughter of a merchant family?

Christian had no doubt that, given Liana’s bright insight into commerce, his proposal would be effective.

“But why did you assume I would accept such a transaction?”

“… Pardon?”

Christian was taken aback by Liana’s cold reaction.

“Aunt? Isn’t this a great opportunity for me to relinquish my candidacy as the heir?”

“You are indeed a child who doesn’t understand the ways of the world.”

“…”

“A transaction involves an exchange and determining what benefits arise from it. However, there are no benefits at all in this deal.”

“Pardon? Why…?”

“Because you currently have no such value. Do you think your succession rights are entirely yours? If you really believed that, this conversation is quite beneficial for me. It shows me with my own eyes that you are unfit to stand above others.”

Liana’s criticism was valid.

The decision of family succession was such a major issue that it was unlikely to be approved by the head of the house, and there would likely be strong opposition from Neiria and her supporting factions as well.

Christian couldn’t help but shrink back at Liana’s scolding demeanor, as if she were reprimanding a naive child.

“I am sorry. I think I spoke out of turn due to my enthusiasm.”

Clearing his mind, Christian admitted his mistake and bowed his head in apology to Liana.

With Christian’s sincere attitude, her annoyance seemed to ease a little as she smiled and spoke.

“Still, it’s surprising. To propose such an absurd transaction just for pocket money. Did your maternal family finally go bankrupt?”

“… They’re not bankrupt.”

“Heh. I wonder how happy your mother would be to hear this. I must visit soon with a nice tea gift.”

‘If only it weren’t for the money!’

In this household, there were only two sources from which money poured.

The official in charge of the family’s finances and Liana Worden, backed by the Viscount Miles family.

If one simply considered the amount of money that could be mobilized, Christian judged that the funds Liana could personally mobilize and those available from the count’s side would be comparable.

Of course, if all other assets and matters were considered, the count’s side would naturally have the upper hand, but speaking solely of cash liquidity, that was his assessment.

In reality, external teachers invited for Aira, the beneficial medicinal herbs, and the divine power showers conducted by priests invited from outside…

The cost of Aira’s education and training alone was equivalent to the monthly operational expenses of a medium-sized estate.

“I am genuinely pleased to know how envious you must have been living modestly while watching Aira.”

“… Have you heard many people say you have a bad personality at your maternal home?”

“Heh. It’s just that I’m unexpectedly overjoyed. Allow me a little laughter.”

After laughing, Liana, whose complexion seemed much improved, looked at Christian and asked.

“But there are parts I don’t quite understand. Making Aira the head isn’t simply about you stepping down from the succession line, is it? How did you plan to make her the head?”

“I intended to train her to be undeniably strong, recognized by anyone. And probably, there’s no one in this world who can teach Aira better than I can.”

“So, what you initially proposed was that, because you are confident you can teach better than any teacher, you were asking me for a suitable reward, can I take it like that?”

“Yes.”

“How bold. And quite amusing.”

Christian almost replied with ‘Thank you’ at that moment.

‘That’s the tone my master uses to mock people…’

“Ah, I see. Did you come to me because you want to enjoy everything Aira receives together? Your family’s and maternal family’s resources won’t suffice?”

“It’s not like that.”

“Alright. If that’s what you want, there’s nothing this aunt can’t do for you. Do you wish to train with Aira?”

“…”

“I will allow it.”

Liana nodded readily, yet her gaze was as sharp as a hawk eyeing its prey.

“You said you wanted money, right? I’ll see to that as well.”

‘… She’s clearly thinking of something strange…’

And to anyone who looked at the suspicious demeanor of Liana Worden, Christian appeared on high alert.

“However, I have one condition.”

“A condition?”

“Spar with Sir Garcia and prove your worth to me.”

“Sir Garcia…?”

Christian tilted his head, not recognizing the name at first, but then his eyes widened as if he’d remembered.

Garcia Felton.

The knight who had stepped in to stop him when he first woke up and attempted to stop Aira from breathing.

Despite his appearance, he was a rather skilled knight, Liana Worden’s closest confidant, and Aira’s swordsmanship teacher.

Christian asked Liana with a reluctant expression.

“Is Sir Garcia a common name in this house? To my knowledge, Aira’s swordsmanship teacher is also called Sir Garcia.”

“Yes, it’s that Sir Garcia.”

“… You want me to spar with that Sir Garcia?”

“Indeed!”

Liana said nonchalantly.

Christian remarked, sounding incredulous, “But I’ve only just succeeded in physical activation.”

“So?”

“…”

So what do you mean ‘so’?

Even if Christian remembered his past life entirely, his body was not the same.

He was merely at the basic stage of accumulating mana and beginning to apply it to his physique.

To spar with a fellow who had been diligently trained as a knight for over ten years with a body that was barely ready to take its first step was absurd.

Purely exchanging swords would be too much for his young and fragile body. No matter how skilled one was, it was useless against someone with overwhelming mana.

‘She must be trying to humiliate me.’

Sensing Christian’s thoughts from his expression, Liana scoffed.

“Don’t be mistaken. I did not say you have to defeat him. I want you to bring back a result that will convince me.”

“Oh, if that’s the case…”

“It doesn’t matter if you can’t win. If the spectators, no, if Sir Garcia acknowledges you, then so will I.”

“Aha. If that’s the case…”

Christian nodded as if it was something he could certainly manage.

“Yes. It’s not particularly difficult, and I’ll gladly accept.”

“…”

Liana Worden, displeased by Christian’s confident demeanor, narrowed her eyes.

“Being humiliated in front of your retainers is something a successor may face.”

“Conversely, sir Garcia might be the one humiliated.”

“The world you see is exceedingly narrow. No matter how much you advance ahead of Aira, that difference is minor in Sir Garcia’s eyes. It will be more challenging to earn his acknowledgment than to defeat him.”

“Thank you for your concern, but challenging the impossible is something I’m used to.”

The word ‘challenge’ was not meant to be used for something anyone could do.

For others, turning what seemed impossible into possible was considered a “challenge,” and the master always taught them to enjoy such challenges.

Thus, this time was no different. When faced with an impossible task, all one had to do was rise to the occasion and achieve it.

However, Christian’s reaction was not what Liana had expected, and she clicked her tongue softly.

“Tsk. Let’s talk again after we see the results.”

“Yes! I will do my best!”

***

“You got permission from Mother?! How?!”

“Conversation.”

“……”

“With sincerity?”

Aira clenched her fist at Christian’s annoying answer, but he replied confidently, not showing any sign of being startled or withdrawing.

“Well, I haven’t gotten full permission yet. About halfway?”

“Halfway?”

“She said she will permit it if I can spar with and be acknowledged by Sir Garcia—well, not kill him.”

“Spar? With the Sir Garcia I know? Is there another knight in our family with the name Garcia?”

“Yes, it’s the Sir Garcia you know.”

Even as Christian loosened his tense body, he answered Aira’s questions sincerely.

“How can you say it like that? Don’t you know what kind of person Sir Garcia is…?”

“Well, he might seem a bit slow, but he’s a capable knight in his way. And Aira, you shouldn’t judge people based on appearances alone.”

“When did I ever say that! And knowing what kind of person Sir Garcia is, how can you be so indifferent?!”

“She didn’t particularly say to win; getting acknowledged isn’t that hard. Aunt also said that as long as the results are something everyone can acknowledge, it’s fine.”

“You really!”

“I have something to gain from this too, so you don’t have to think I’m just doing it for you.”

“What are you gaining?”

“Obviously, this.”

Christian made a circle with his fingers, and even Aira seemed to understand what it meant, letting out a small sigh.

“Understand your brother who’s going through so much just to get some pocket money from Aunt.”

Christian chuckled as he picked up a practice sword and swung it widely.

Even though he swung the sword right in front of her, Aira couldn’t follow his movements with her eyes.

This was because the mana that flowed naturally, like water, activated Christian’s body beyond his limits.

‘Just what is this guy…?’

It could be said that Aira’s mana sensitivity was quite remarkable for her to realize this.

However, for her, the visible gap between her and Christian was more important than any invisible talent or skill.

Seeming to sense Aira’s thoughts, Christian smiled mischievously and said, “Ah, you can’t do this, can you?”

Pointing the practice sword at Aira and motioning with it, Aira flared up and grabbed her own sword.

“But don’t worry too much. This much… hehe… you’ll learn it soon.”

“Don’t regret it.”

With those words, as Aira charged at him, Christian’s face was full of delight.

‘Ugh, master. I finally understand your true intentions!’

Christian remembered how he had been provoked and beaten up by his master in his past life, learning through the beatings.

Although he was in the opposite position now compared to then, the task remained the same.

‘The sins of the past life committed by Master are being repaid by the present Aira.’