Swear Fealty To Me, My Subjects!

As the successor of the Haines Empire, the palace had prepared the best educational resources for Rayne.

Although Rayne was a simpleton in his first life, he still had some common sense.

As the future Emperor, there was no way he could be ignorant and incompetent.

Therefore, Rayne would study hard for most of the classes.

That was... except any classes related to combat.

Be it magic, swordsmanship or horsemanship, Rayne was not willing to put in any effort.

The reason was simple.

In the Haines Empire, even a fool knew that the Imperial Guards were the main force of this country's output. In this country where ordinary armies lacked performance, what was the use of an Emperor like Rayne practicing his sword techniques?

No matter how fierce he was, could he be fiercer than the Imperial Guards who protected him?

However, Rayne could not slack off in today's swordsmanship class.

That was because Rayne had a new teacher.

This was an important figure.

A duke of the Empire, the Marshal of the North Region Army, the initiation teacher for the swordsmanship of two generations of Imperial Guards and was lauded as the strongest mortal sword master in the Empire—Archduke Norman.

This archduke of the Empire who was in his fifties was still in his peak condition due to the tempering of his magic and martial arts. Not only did he command a large army, he was also on good terms with the Imperial Guards. The faction he led was also one of the strongest political factions in the Haines Empire.

Towards such a big shot, even the prince had to smile accordingly and try his best to please this old man.

After hitching a ride with Imperial Guard Hela, Archduke Norman retreated from the front line and returned to the capital to rest.

Upon discussion with the Empress, the archduke decided to seize this opportunity and teach the prince swordsmanship for a period of time.

The archduke had good intentions.

Archduke Norman had been a straightforward soldier since he was young. Now that the Empress was sick and Prince Rayne was the official successor of the throne, Archduke Norman was now loyal to the latter.

Since that was the case, it was only natural for Archduke Norman to interact more with the prince to establish a relationship of trust.

Also, Archduke Norman hoped that he could guide this young prince as well. After all, the current style of Prince Rayne was truly… unlike a ruler.

"In that case, before the lesson begins, Your Highness, how about you try to defeat me first,"

Archduke Norman chuckled. "Don't feel pressured, Your Highness. I'll hold back."

When the archduke and prince arrived at the usual training field and both parties wielded their swords…

The worldview of the archduke collapsed completely!

Theoretically speaking, Archduke Norman was the new teacher of the prince and did not know the level of the prince yet. Therefore, he should have a few trial rounds with the prince first to see his strength.

However, the combat strength of the prince trampled violently on the archduke's understanding of things!

Clang!

The training sword flew out of his hands and Archduke Norman's throat was blocked by the prince's sword.

Once more…

The battle ended the moment it began.

The archduke's gaze trembled and his face convulsed. He looked at the prince in horror and began to stutter.

"H-How did I lose again?! Your Highness… d-did you use magic?"

Rayne replied, "No, just plain, old, ordinary swordsmanship."

The archduke broke down. "Then why... how... are you so fast?!"

Rayne said, "I merely chose the shortest path of resistance for my sword."

The archduke asked with a quivering voice, "You mean to say… a straight line?"

Rayne, a reincarnator who had undergone a thousand rebirths and had already cultivated his swordsmanship to a godly level with 10,000 years of leisure time, shook his head calmly.

"No."