The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Chapter 52 - 52

As the trainees ventured into the enveloping fog, a chorus of complaints swelled among the spectators seated in the tribune.

"That’s too harsh; they are just kids."

"Yeah, this could be too traumatic for them."

"There’s no way any of them can pass this test in under three hours."

Listening to the escalating discontent from the crowd, Erina decided to address their concerns.

"We’re not expecting any of them to succeed in under three hours. All we want is for them to understand their current limitations, face the best version of themselves, and overcome whatever trauma still lingers in their hearts. As Lionhart swordsmen, they must prepare their minds for any situation. Real battlefields are not as forgiving as mere illusions."

"By understanding their limitations, they will grow into better swordsmen. And, don’t underestimate your kids that much; some of them might even pass it in just under three hours," Erina asserted, facing the disapproving voices.

As Rick and Erina were about to take their seats, footsteps reverberated from the fog.

PAK

PAK

PAK

PAK

"Is that the sound of footsteps I’m hearing?"

"But five minutes didn’t even pass; how is it possible?"

"It must be a mistake."

"You’re right; there is no way any swordsman on Xyros can pass the Aequalis Array in just five minutes and a trainee at that; that is just impossible."

"It must be the Array malfunctioning."

Skepticism echoed through the tribune, just as a silhouette started to emerge from the fog. The spectators, including Roman Lionhart, stood in amazement as Erina, with her heightened perception, recognized the incoming presence.

"T-That’s a trainee coming out already. H-h-how is it possible? And that life force! It’s a Lionhart child," Erina exclaimed, her voice slumbering as she spoke. As a blind individual, she could discern people only by the colors of their life force.

’That’s the life force of Klaus Lionhart,’ she thought, unable to voice her concern loudly. Shock and awe spread through the spectators as the silhouette approached.

The footsteps continued to draw nearer until a boy with silver hair and piercing blue eyes emerged from the fog.

"That’s Klaus Lionhart!"

"Impossible!"

The onlookers in the direct line section, collaterals, and vassal families couldn’t believe their eyes. Even those in the commoner section, who might not have recognized Klaus, were struck with shock.

"That’s definitely a child groomed by the Lionhart’s direct line."

"Of course he is, didn’t you hear that the instructor said he was a Lionhart child?"

"This time they groomed a monster!"

As Klaus walked confidently, the commoners began to murmur about the unprecedented feat.

Klaus surveyed the standing spectators with a cold gaze, catching even the patriarch, Roman Lionhart, in a state of shock. He allowed a faint smile to grace his lips as he noticed his parents and the maids among the astonished crowd.

Approaching Rick, who stood with a blank expression, Klaus’s entrance had left everyone in disbelief, including Roman and Ludovic Lionhart.

"He even beat the record held by the patri..." A man hesitated, covering his mouth in fear of his words causing trouble.

"That’s just crazy!"

"How can a brat who looked like he was on his deathbed just five months ago manage such a feat?"

"For a swordsman trainee, heck, for even a fully-fledged swordsman to pass it in under five minutes is unheard of in the entire Runiya continent."

"Just who is that kid?"

"This news will certainly shock the entire continent."

"This is not something any aura user, no matter their specialization, can do."

The murmurs persisted across all sections of the audience, disbelief etched on their faces.

Rick, turning his gaze to the still-shocked Roman Lionhart, cleared his throat and announced loudly for everyone to hear.

"Ranking first for the first test, with the incredible time of four minutes and fifty-nine seconds, I present you the trainee four hundred and one, Klaus Lionhart!"

The spectators, unsure of whether to applaud or not, turned their attention to Roman Lionhart, who remained standing in shock. The man’s expression mirrored the collective astonishment of the entire audience.

***

In the aftermath of Klaus Lionhart’s astonishing performance in the Aequalis Array, an air of disbelief and tension lingered. Melo’s telepathic plea echoed in the mind of Roman Lionhart.

{{|My lord, please, everybody is looking at you. You must fix your facial expression.|}}

In response, Roman let out an unexpected burst of laughter, the sound of which reverberated through the grandeur of the Lionhart estate like thunder.

"Ah," Roman Lionhart chuckled, the laughter escaping from deep within him, a rare expression of mirth that seemed to defy the gravity of the situation. The members of both the direct and collateral lines stared at their patriarch in awe. It was an unprecedented moment—their revered leader laughing without a care for the world. The shock etched on their faces revealed it was the first time they had witnessed such an unguarded display of emotion from Roman.

"You are indeed my grandson!!!" Roman declared, his amusement breaking into genuine applause. The entire assembly, catching the infectious spirit, joined in the applause. The sound echoed through the grand hall, mingling with the murmurs and gasps of the onlookers.

As the applause resonated, Greed, Klaus’s inner companion, interjected with characteristic arrogance.

{Why are they looking this excited? Just what did you see in that pitiful fog?}

’Have you no understanding? I thought you shared my senses. Weren’t you affected by the illusion?’

{HAHAHA, what a stupid question. How can the GREAT me be affected by such a simple array? Even if I wanted to be affected just to see whatever you were seeing or hearing, I’m so GREAT that even if I wanted to, this mundane array couldn’t still affect me HAHAHA.}

Meanwhile, Klaus, undisturbed by Greed’s laughter, observed the seemingly delighted audience with a discerning gaze. He saw beyond the surface of their standing ovations, recognizing the feigned sincerity that masked their true sentiments. Ignoring the applause, Klaus strode confidently towards Rick and Erina.

The Lion Arena, adorned with intricate Lionhart banners, witnessed Klaus’s approach. The mosaic tiles beneath his feet seemed to resonate with the weight of the moment. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Klaus, his silver hair catching the glint of the torchlight, stood with an air of cold determination.

"What’s the next test?" Klaus inquired, his eyes fixed on Rick, their blue hue now emanating a menacing glow. The air hung heavy with the unspoken challenge that awaited Klaus in the subsequent trials.