'Eleven each, but if my grandfather wanted to hide them and the Royal Knight Commander knows them, it can be only two groups because as the Commander and as Marquis he doesn't need to show respect except two families.'
"I think I know it, they are the people who received the blessing of the Gods."
"No young duke, think again."
"I think they are my father, the duke and each of their 10 personnel guards."
"Yes, the First Prince is right, it's them, but how do you know?
"Because I heard that my father, the duke and their close knights stagnated in the realm of Transcended, the king and the duke have been very close since youth and you were talking about Transcended people, so it could only be them."
"Yes they all reached the peak of the Supreme Ruler, seven of the ten Royal Guards and six of the Duke Guard have reached the Demi-God Realm, both your fathers are almost entering the stage of being a God. Becoming a God is almost becoming immortal."
"Why are they hiding their strength?" Arthur asked.
"They are waiting until you become 18 years old, so the prince can rule the country, while the young duke will rule the kingdom."
"Can you tell me how strong they are? Viktor asked.
"If the 22 people would participate in the tournament of the strongest of the world they would enter the Top 50, with the Demi-Gods taking all the spots in the Top 15, with the King Marcus Von Reinhardt first place and the Duke second place."
"Once we are 18 years old, what will they do? Arthur asked.
"They will keep their positions but you will become the acting King and the acting Duke. While you are doing that they will be leaving for space and inspecting the other space and will be doing some research there."
"Why would they do that?" Viktor asked.
"When the late King Arthur Von Reinhardt went to visit countries for political reasons he saw unknown species on his journey. He captured it and sent it back to the kingdom for research. Once he had returned from visiting other countries he sent spies to inspect the other countries and found out that there are many of them in many species and some are even working with humans."
"But still, what does that have to do for us, because I am pretty sure that we aren't allowed to go to space and have to do extra while ruling."
"You are right, First Prince, you have something to do. Once it is known that the King, the Duke and second in command until there is an heir and 20 personnel, strong guards are missing, some countries will try to attack us because we lost two important persons in our country."
"What has that to do with us, are you saying we should prepare for war?"
"Yes First Prince, your grandfather had it all planned before his death. He planned how to win, after that you could use that to start a war to conquer the world and go aid the King, the Duke and knights in space. He even made martial arts and technology that will be revolutionary in the world to aid you."
"Do you know something more about it that you are hiding from us, Marquis?" Arthur said with a serious tone, eyes shining red by aura and released some of his bloodlust on the Commander.
'Impossible, how does he have this amount of bloodlust, I think the King doesn't have this amount of bloodlust.' thought the Commander too himself as he looked at the prince with a bewildered gaze and trying to not be overwhelmed by his intent.
"I … don't … know … more … First Prince." Marquis Aegon Reddragon answered out of breath.
"When do we start preparing for that period and who does know about it, Marquis?" Viktor asked.
"The moment you enter the Royal Academy you can start preparing for the coming eight years to be ready for their leave and only the high officials who have a very friendly relationship with both your fathers like me. Do you have more questions?"
"Nope, we should start at the start and not in the middle. I am leaving, I'm going to train on my own. See you in six days" Arthur said while leaving the training ground for his training spot in the Royal Garden.
"I'm going to train in the estate of my father, see later" Viktor said.
'I am f*cked, how am I going to explain it? Hmmm, yes, I will have a letter sent to them after leaving for the mission.'
After finalizing his plan the Commander also left the training ground.
Once Arthur arrived at the palacehe was greeted and saluted in unison by the palace guards.
"Good morning, First Prince."
"Good morning to you too."
Arthur saluted them back and went to his room with a dark expression on his face.
The prince washed and changed himself and went to the dining room with the same expression as before, the people he passed found it strange because Arthur was always happy.
He saw his parents and siblings sitting on a table waiting for the food to be served.
"Good afternoon everyone." Arthur said with an emotionless face and the same dark face as he entered the palace.
"Good afternoon brother." said the twins.
"Good aftern…?"
The Queen stopped the greeting while looking at Arthur.
"Arthur, is there a problem?" the King asked
"Nope, I am just thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"About what the Commander, Aegon Reddragon said at the training ground, but it isn't something to worry about."
"Sure Arthur?" the Queen asked
Arthur also sat down at the table continuing to think about what the Commander said.
'If it is true, why didn't I find information about them before my death. Even after conquering the world I didn't find information about martial arts and revolutionary technology. The only new revolutionary technology are space ships and other things charged by aura and mana. I think I will need to conquer the world faster to have my questions answered, because I think my father has less information about them than me.'
After finishing eating he went back to his room and cleared his mind and went to his training spot in the Royal Garden. He practiced until almost midnight, returned back to the palace, got changed, ate something and went to bed. When he woke up he ate his breakfast, prepared to go out training and went to his training spot.
***************************************************************
Until the day of the spar Arthur repeated the same routine. In his past life he had learned everything about this swordsmanship except Form 7 because the second son was going to become King in his place.
When Arthur arrived at the training ground he sat down and meditated. He was preparing the best way to win fast while maximizing the moves with the memories and experience of his past life and the tips he has received from the Commander.
After one hour he finished and waited only for the arrival of the Marquis, because during his meditation he felt the presence of an Expert and once he opened his eyes he saw Viktor also preparing for the spar.
When the Commander arrived ten minutes later, he gave each of them four bracelets.
"Good morning. Sorry that I took so long, the meeting with the King took much longer than I thought."
"Hello Commander."
"Goodmorning Commander."
"You can put on these bracelets and start sparring once you are ready."
"Okay."
"Understood."
The two went each to a side of the training ground with their bracelets and wooden sword, they both put on their bracelets and positioned themself in Mountain Stance to begin the spar. The Commander went between them and stretched out his arm.
"Killing and hurting isn't allowed and only the one with the best Swordsmanship can win. You can begin the spar."
"Haaaaaaaaaaaa!"
When the match began, the sound of wooden swords clashing filled the Royal Training Ground. Viktor moved first, shouting as he sprinted across the dirt, his steps heavy but determined. His wooden sword pointed straight toward Arthur's chest as he executed the 10th Move, Seismic Thrust, concentrating all of his power into the tip. The speed of his charge caused the air around his blade to whistle. It was a strike that could knock down even an armored knight if landed cleanly.
Arthur didn't move. His calm red eyes followed Viktor's movements, reading every step, every twitch of his shoulders. Just before the wooden blade reached him, only four inches away, Arthur finally acted. He lowered his stance slightly, rooted his feet into the ground, and used the 4th Move, Aura Anchor, not by channeling energy, but through perfect control of his balance and center of gravity. The moment Viktor's thrust came in, Arthur twisted his wrist and blocked the attack cleanly, his body unmoving like a stone pillar.
"Yawn," Arthur muttered lazily. "Is that all you've got? I'm not even warmed up yet. Let me show you how it's really done."
His casual tone burned at Viktor's pride. The young duke's face turned red as he gritted his teeth, raising his sword again. Arthur, with a faint smirk, stepped forward and countered with the same 10th Move, Seismic Thrust. But his version was different. Precise, stable, and effortless. The impact struck Viktor squarely on the hip, sending him rolling backward across the ground. The blow didn't hurt much, but it was powerful enough to throw him off balance.
"Prince!" Viktor shouted, scrambling back to his feet. His grip on the sword tightened as he launched himself forward again, this time attacking relentlessly. He slashed from the right with the 3rd Move, Rock Splitter, swung overhead with 6th Move, Bedrock Bash, and attempted a quick 2nd Move, Stone Cut, from below.
Arthur blocked every strike without taking a single step backward. His sword intercepted each attack with minimal motion, his stance steady and unbreakable. The spectators could see the difference. Viktor fought with passion and energy, but Arthur fought with precision.
"You're still forcing your movements," Arthur said calmly as their blades locked. "Your strikes are strong, but your balance is all over the place."
"Shut up!" Viktor roared, pulling back and swinging again.
Arthur sighed quietly, almost disappointed. He parried once, twice, three times, then returned every blow with the same order of moves Viktor had used, executing them perfectly. His movements were clean, mechanical, and without hesitation. The ideal demonstration of the Stone Pillar Form's fundamentals.
Viktor's breathing grew heavier, his footwork sloppier with each strike. Meanwhile, Arthur's face remained relaxed, his expression unreadable. After one final exchange, Arthur stepped back and lowered his sword slightly.
"I think we're done," he said. "I'd like to go home now, so I'll end this spar with the next move."
Viktor spat on the ground. "Yes, First Prince, you'll end this spar, but not with a win!"
He shouted and charged again, this time faster than before. The ground beneath his boots kicked up dust as he lunged for Arthur's chest with everything he had, aiming again with Seismic Thrust. His stance was lower now, his momentum sharper. It was a desperate but genuine improvement.
Arthur's eyes narrowed. For the first time that day, he shifted his stance. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled and combined three movements into one seamless counter. Aura Anchor to hold his ground firmly, Weight of the Earth mimicked physically by focusing his weight through his hips and knees, and Seismic Thrust as the finishing strike.
The two swords met in a loud crack that echoed through the field. Dust exploded upward from the impact, and both fighters slid back half a step, their arms trembling from the vibration. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then a second later, Viktor's sword split cleanly in half.
The top half clattered onto the ground as Arthur's blade stopped just an inch from his opponent's throat.
"What did I tell you?" Arthur said, lowering his sword and stepping back. "Oh right, I'll end the spar and go home."
He turned around and walked away, leaving Viktor kneeling in silence.
Viktor stared at the broken weapon in his hand, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. He wanted to be angry, to shout, to throw the sword, but instead he laughed softly. Arthur's movements hadn't been flashy. He hadn't used aura, tricks, or speed beyond human capability. He had simply fought with perfect control, perfect timing, and perfect calm.
"I'll catch up to you," Viktor muttered to himself, gripping the broken hilt tightly. "One day, I'll stand beside you as an equal."
Arthur stopped at the edge of the field, his back still turned. Without looking back, he spoke in a calm, confident tone. "Then keep training, Viktor."
"Commander, you don't need to console me, it is just that the prince was better this time."
"No, young duke he already has finished mastering the first chapter he even combined the 4th, 9th and 10th moves to maximize the power and during the whole spar he didn't even move his feet."
"So are you saying he is an unlimited genius in swordsmanship and in learning?"
"Yeah something like that young duke, something like that."
"I am going home to the dukedom and will keep training over there."
As the Marquis was now alone on the training ground, he thought about the fight he had just seen with eyes.
'The First Prince is a monster, there is nobody that could be able to learn swordsmanship at this pace and not forgetting that he is still 7 years old. He didn't even learn it but even was able to combine it. It took me 3 months to think about combining moves after having learned the 6 first moves and next it took me 4 months to make something that would be strong even without the use of aura.'
After clearing his thoughts, he cleaned up the training ground and went to his office. When he sat down he wrote a report of their training progress and about the secrets he had spilled to them.
"Butler."
The door opened.
"Yes, Commander."
"Send this letter to his majesty once I am gone for the mission."
"Okay, but may I ask a question?"
"Yes , you can?"
"What have you done this time for not giving the report yourself."
"Uhm, I gave secret intel to the First Prince and young Duke of the Vermius family. Intel should have been kept hidden for the coming next eleven years."
"It was good to have known you Commander." The butler said as he bowed to the Commander.
"Why do you say that?"
"I heard rumours that say that since last week the First Prince and the young Duke are behaving differently.
"How so then?" the Commander said, shocked.
"The First Prince has an emotionless and dark face whenever he is alone and the young Duke has abandoned some of his normal habits and routines. I think that the King and the Duke already have their suspicions but the moment they know about it they will hunt you down themselves."
"Just give it tomorrow, because then I am already gone for the mission."
"Okay Commander."
"I am leaving for my estate now so you can leave now."
Once the Commander was outside, he used the Royal Swordsmanship to fly as fast as possible back to his own castle.
Looking from the Garden Arthur saw the Marquis leaving for his estate, he looked at him until he couldn't see his body or aura.
'That guy made me curious, now I really want to know what my grandfather had prepared, because I didn't find any new technology on earth when I ruled the world in my past life. I think maybe it has to do with the part that I couldn't use the 7th Form properly.'
Later that evening, Arthur stood on the balcony of the palace, the faint breeze carrying the scent of pine from the distant hills. His body was sore but steady, his breathing even. He replayed the spar in his mind, the rhythm, the timing, the stance. Every mistake, every movement mattered.
He looked down at his training sword and whispered softly, "Form One: Stone Pillar. Stability before strength, balance before victory."
Far below, in the Vermius mansion, Viktor trained late into the night, repeating the Seismic Thrust until his hands blistered. Each strike was faster than the last, each movement closer to perfection. And though he was still far behind, he didn't stop. He knew that today's defeat was only the beginning.