The Second Son of the Kluoren Family

Assessing Felis has always been a challenge for me. My retainers perceive him as skilled, but lacking any exceptional qualities, making him appear mediocre. However, they fail to comprehend his true nature as my younger brother. Felis keeps his accomplishments to himself and remains unfazed by criticism, causing frustration rather than anger.

Ordinary nobles would respond appropriately to insults from commoners, but Felis has never retaliated against such behavior. Perhaps he does not view mere words as worthy of his ire. In this sense, I can understand why some see him as mediocre.

But why does Felis receive such unfair treatment despite treating others kindly and repaying his close friends’ kindness? The soldiers of our defense force have the capability to serve with pride anywhere in the country, and Felis possesses the same ability, qualifying him to partake in the defense force’s training.

Undeniably, Felis fails to fulfill his responsibilities as a noble, which makes it natural to consider him unsuitable for his position. However, why does he receive disrespect as a warrior? Is it because he cannot measure up to my abilities or Jito’s?

Felis praises us as geniuses, while deprecating his own abilities. But to me, Felis does not lack talent, rather he possesses a unique one that sets him apart from others.

~~~~~~~~~~

The day of the decisive battle has come.

I hate to say it, but for me, it’s an easy match when the opponents are neither my elder sister and brother nor the captains. While Captain Glagas and Captain Mitzi don’t seem to underestimate me, the rest seem to assume that I’m weak. So, dealing with them won’t be a problem.

Looking back, it’s been a long journey. I should have left my home much earlier, but my family was unexpectedly kind, so I became complacent. It was essential for me to break free from my noble status and have the freedom to travel the world.

“But I think I can manage somehow.”

I recall the time before my birth. The request I received from God when I was reincarnated was something that couldn’t be accomplished while staying in this household. It was to receive an oracle in a specific place before I turned twenty. I was free to do whatever I wanted with the oracle, but I had to receive it. That’s what makes it a bit different.

Since nobles can’t leave their territory without permission, I had to find a way to abandon my status eventually. However, I was fortunate enough to be able to leave the house before I did so.

“Now all I have to do is win.”

I mutter to myself and take a deep breath before pushing open the old wooden door and entering the training ground of the defense force. My parents, siblings, and over ten members of the martial and magic squads are waiting for me.

“Ah, Felis, you’re here.”

“Yes.”

My father nervously taps his arm with his fingers. Although he has long relinquished his position as the lord, he still seems to worry a lot. On the other hand, my mother says nothing and just smiles at me.

“Your determination hasn’t changed, has it?”

 

“Yes. I want to leave this house and pursue the path of a craftsman.”

“I see… As a parent, I won’t stop you, but the law is the law. Follow the rules and show us your strength.”

Nodding, I headed towards the center of the training grounds. My opponent, Sasetto, also approaches the center. Then, Miru-nee steps between us and declares:

“As the lord, I will proceed with the departure ceremony. The use of martial arts, magic, and tools is allowed. The match will be judged by death, surrender, or our verdict. Felis Klueren, as someone who walks alone with their own strength, please demonstrate your power. Sasetto Shiruga, please demonstrate your strength as a polished soldier to the fullest.”

“Excuse me, what do you mean by ‘our verdict’?”

Was there such talk before? I don’t want to be suddenly burdened with unknown provisions before the match.

 

“For example, if one of you were to faint, there would be no surrender, but the match would still be over. There may be various possibilities, but remember that we who are watching may make some kind of judgment.”

… What? It seems like there’s some kind of plan, but I can’t read it.

Miru-nee and Jito-niisan would never make an unfair judgement, but I don’t know what the other members around us might say.

Do I have to fight in a way that is obvious to everyone?

The conversation had become complicated. Miru-nee must have noticed my confusion, as she whispered to me in a voice that only I could hear.

“Sometimes, you should show your true strength.”

“Hmm…”

My true strength, huh?

I thought of several winning strategies in my head, including Miru-nee’s earlier words – “Show the power to walk alone.”

If that’s the case, then maybe this is it.

I stepped back from Sasetto and threw away the long sword I had been wearing. She must have taken it as a provocation because her eyes narrowed in anger.

With a wry smile inside, I took out a hatchet and a short stick from my bag, which I use for hiking in the mountains. These were my trusted partners that I had been pouring magic into and training since I was seven years old and aimed to become a magic core artisan.

As a craftsman, I am serious and ready to use both hands.

When Jito-nissan looked at me, his eyes somehow sparkled.

“I am ready now. Anytime is fine,”

“…Don’t you think you’ll need a sword?”

“No, it’s just that I cannot win with a sword,”

Although I use a sword during my regular training, I have never claimed to be good at it. On the contrary, it was only because it was a necessary subject for nobles that I practiced it, even though I was not good at it.

Regardless of how much sasetto may misunderstand, my main weapons are the axe and the stick.

Since it was both unsophisticated and troublesome to be ridiculed, I never used them in public.

“You made a fool of yourself.”

A small murmuring flowed, and the opponent’s gaze was filled with resentment. I snorted at that.

“If that’s what you think, it’s only natural to be ridiculed,” I snorted. Speaking ill of someone’s masterpiece was unacceptable, and those who had no eye for good things and declared it openly were just idiots.

 

Frustration swelled up inside me. I usually tried to live without asserting myself too much to avoid causing trouble for my siblings, but there were times when I became irritated. Was it okay to let it out today? I urged Miru-nee with my gaze, and she responded by distancing herself from us and raising her right hand high.

 

“Introduce yourself.”

“–Fourth in the martial arts division, ‘[Rush] sasetto Silga.”

“–From the House of Viscount Klueren, [Magic Core Craftsman] Felis Klueren.”

“Begin!”

My right hand swung down. At the start, I leaped back, while Sasetto put all her strength forward. It was a move befitting of her nickname. However, it was nothing unusual, just her usual opening move. As she attacked my throat, I slammed my short stick onto it. Her prized weapon, which she boasted about every day, was easily sliced in half by my attack. As she was frozen in shock, I thrust my staff into her solar plexus. At the moment of impact, I used wind magic, and Sasetto was sent flying into the wall of the training ground without any resistance.

“Guuh!”

Though I could have ended her life, I hesitated, unwilling to decrease the number of people in the territory. As a result, my attack was not as potent as it could have been, leaving Sasetto conscious but barely on her feet as she staggered back to the center of the field.

“Remarkable fortitude,” I remarked coolly, casting a weak yet massive fireball at her. Sasetto deflected it with relative ease, but the spell’s size obscured her vision, creating an opening.

I took advantage of the opportunity and hurled a needle made of magic cores at Sasetto’s knee.

“Gi, i!” The needle found its mark, leaving her weapon and leg disabled. I gathered magic power and aimed for her forehead, but Jito-nissan intervened.

“Wait, it’s over!”

After a few moments, Sasetto fell to the ground, groaning in pain. She made no attempt to retaliate. I released the magic power I had been holding back and sighed as I looked at the group of people gathered before me. Some wore sour expressions, while others looked surprised.

“Well, well, isn’t it magnificent? To think that a sword crafted from a dragon’s fang could be taken down in a single blow.”

“Oh, I see. So that’s what the weapon was. I thought it felt a bit too hard.”

My Hatchet had no magical properties like a magic sword or a holy sword. It was a functional weapon that prized durability and sharpness above all else. Yet, that was precisely why it never failed to be a first-rate weapon.

“For now, that was my full strength. Was there anything lacking?”

“I don’t think so, but others might have some complaints.”

“And what might those be?”

Though law and emotions were two separate things, complaints might still arise. However, we had decided the outcome based on the rules, and to object would be to selfishly override the law.

Were there people among us who could do such a thing? If so, they were welcome to try.

“I’d like to ask everyone participating in this match, do you have any objections?”

“……No, that was impressive,” said the sixth-ranked magician of the Magic Corps, his voice strained.

What a foolish attitude. Nothing was more unsightly than a fist that could not be swung.

“What about the others?”

Each person looked around at each other, trying to read their expressions. They should speak for themselves, even though the words of the sixth-ranked magician, who reluctantly spoke up, still made sense.

As I surveyed the low caliber of the people around me, I felt both amazed and irritated.

“It seems that the defense team captain has no objections, but what about the martial arts and magic teams’ captains?”

“I, for one, have no complaints about Felis’s-sama’s departure, even without such a thing,” replied Captain Glagas, who knew my abilities to some extent.

“Then, what about Captain Mitzi?”

“I have no complaints. But, well… since my subordinates were treated so kindly, I want to have a go too.”

With a draw of her sword, Captain Mitzi leapt onto the stage. She seemed confident that she would not be turned down.

“Very well.”

I provoked her with the thought of “If you’re that crazy, I’ll take you on.” If her head was that messed up, she would be worthy of a fight.