The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Chapter 49 - 49

Alex approached Klaus with a scowl etched across his face, trailed by his most trusted collaterals—minion, sorry, friends.

Coming to a halt before Klaus, he leveled a challenging gaze at him before shifting his focus to Myre, Ken, and Keeryl, his expression one of palpable disdain.

"I can guarantee that you three will fail," Alex declared, addressing the three collaterals concealing themself behind Klaus’s back.

"And you!" Alex exclaimed, redirecting his attention to Klaus.

"Today, I will illustrate the vast disparity between someone from the direct line and someone at the bottom of the collateral hierarchy. Don’t presume that just because we share a superficial similarity, we are equals. Today, I will secure the top spot. Just watch me," he finished, turning away, but Klaus interjected with a calm yet cocky tone.

"Wanna bet?" Hearing those words, Alex pivoted back to face Klaus, locking eyes with Klaus’s composed gaze.

"Sure! If I claim the top position, you will become my slave," Alex tempted, a grin creeping across his face.

"Sure, but if you fail to secure the first spot, you will address those three as young masters," Klaus countered, gesturing with his thumb towards Myre, Ken, and Keeryl.

"How dare you!!!" The collateral’s children, standing next to Alex, exclaimed in unison.

"Shut up! I’m not talking to you,"

Klaus retorted, his eyes emanating a cold blue hue, releasing a subtle killing intent that nearly caused them to lose their footing.

"Aah."

Alex stood in front of them, shielding them from the killing intent Klaus subtly emitted.

"Sure, if I don’t rank first, I will start calling those three traitors, young masters," Alex declared.

"How did they betray you?" Sarah asked, genuinely curious. Alex ignored her and made his way to the training ground.

"He really lacks manners. Is he really a direct line member?" Sarah remarked,, shaking her head left and right in a dismissive manner.

"Young Master Klaus, why did you do that?" Keeryl asked, fear evident in his expression.

"Just to have some fun," Klaus replied, resuming his way to the training ground.

***

The expansive training ground played host to all four hundred and one trainees, their collective anticipation palpable in the air as they awaited the arrival of their instructors. An hour of restless waiting passed, and finally, Erina and Rick made their entrance, causing a murmur of relief and frustration among the trainees.

"Finally!"

"Let’s just start already."

The children’s initial fear and anxiety morphed into annoyance toward their instructors, who had arrived late for this crucial test.

With a gravelly voice, Erina addressed the assembly, "Good morning, ’Temporary’ trainees. I hope some of you are already prepared to go back home!" The word "temporary" hung in the air, laden with significance.

"Form four lines and follow us," Erina commanded, turning and leading the way out of the Lionhart youth training ground, with Rick in tow.

"What? Will the test not happen here?"

"Then why did they make us wait here?"

"Tssp!"

"Let’s just follow them, before they turn this into a reason to fail us," murmured some trainees, forming orderly lines and trailing their instructors. At the front of his line, Alex took the lead, while Klaus and Nicholas positioned themselves at the back of their respective lines. Sarah and the three collaterals chose to stay close to Klaus.

Exiting the familiar confines of the Lionhart youth training ground, the trainees marched in disciplined formation, following the footsteps of their instructors like a battalion on a mission.

The rhythmic sounds of their synchronized steps resonated through the air as they walked with an air of seasoned swordsmen. Along the way, residents of the Lionhart estate cheered and waved, casting encouraging glances at the determined trainees.

"Good luck, kids!"

Waving back at the crowd, some trainees felt a sense of accomplishment, as if returning from a victorious battle. The march continued through the vast Lionhart estate, revealing a peculiar stillness. Shops that should have been open were closed, and towering buildings stood vacant. The atmosphere felt like a parade, with the estate’s residents lining the streets to witness the spectacle.

After an hour of marching, the trainees arrived at a colossal structure that dominated the landscape—the Lion Arena. Towering over the youth training ground, its grandiosity left the trainees in awe. Only the direct line children were privy to its identity, but even they had never set foot inside.

"That’s the Lion Arena. Don’t tell me that we will do the test here," Alex thought, swallowing hard as anticipation and uncertainty filled the air.

The Lion Arena, nestled within the prestigious Lionhart estate, was renowned for hosting official duels among direct line members and competitions to determine ranks within the Lionhart armed group. Alex found it perplexing that a mere trainee test would take place in such a revered location.

Even Erina and Rick were uncertain about Roman’s decision to hold the test there. In truth, Roman desired firsthand observation of his grandchildren’s development, particularly Klaus. Since learning that Klaus had secured the top rank in the initial test, Roman had eagerly anticipated witnessing his grandchild’s progress. However, openly visiting the Lionhart youth training ground to observe his grandchildren would have raised suspicions about his intentions.

To mask his true motive and ostensibly assess the Lionhart family’s future, Roman sanctioned their test as an official event. With his presence guaranteed, all Lionhart direct and collateral line members, vassal families, and influential figures within the Rikxia Empire were mandated to attend.

As the massive golden gates of the Lion Arena creaked open, the children were taken aback to find the seats filled with spectators. Among the crowd, their relatives stood out.

The parents of the recommended children shouted their names and waved enthusiastically. The trainees wore expressions of astonishment, Klaus included. None had anticipated that their test would draw such a large audience—over a thousand people filled the vast arena.

"Young Master Klaus!"

"We are here!"

The maids from the Annex residence screamed and waved at Klaus.

"Oh my God, he looks even better than four months ago," exclaimed one of the maids.

Indeed, Klaus appeared more refined than when he first arrived at the Lionhart youth training ground. Standing at an impressive 1.70 meters, he had grown taller, his physique well-defined and sculpted. His hair now reached his shoulders, tied in a chignon for the occasion. His striking blue eyes accentuated his nearly perfect face.

Seated in the aisle shared by commoners and merchants, Klaus noticed the disparity and gritted his teeth in frustration. The Lion Arena featured four grand aisles, each separated by thick walls. The division between the aisle for commoners and vassal families was more pronounced, making it nearly impossible for commoners to catch a glimpse of the vassal family members on their left side.

The wall separating vassal family members from collateral line members was slightly shorter, facilitating interaction between the two groups. The separation between collateral line and direct line members was even shorter.

Above the four aisles, Roman Lionhart sat, his imposing figure seated on a golden throne resembling a lion.