Reincarnated as a Son of the Sword Saint and the Sage
Chapter 73 - 73: Another Visitors

"I can't fight anymore. I surrender." Raising both of his hands, as if pointed by a robber's handgun, Seth conceded his landslide defeat.

Through the entire fight, Seth had always been on the offensive. I only took defensive actions by blocking and parrying his non-stop one-sided blows.

Exerting that level of effort caused great strain on the body. Rendering Seth exhausted, the duel went on until he ultimately depleted all his strength.

"What are you going to do now?" I asked, sheathing my blade. "Are you going to quit?"

Seth smiled then stood himself up from the grass, "Of course not. I cannot give up this early."

"Even though you knew that I didn't exert my full power just now?"

"I may not be able to defeat you this time, but I haven't lost hope yet. If I cannot play decently with you now, I have to forge my blade sharper than it ever has."

This one is the type that never gives up until he reaches his goals. I didn't hate his guts, but it's my sister we're talking about, you know?

No matter how hard he tries, the world remains the same. I don't want to tell him the truth yet; it might hurt his feelings and create the possibility for him to enter a slump.

"Hm? Something's coming."

"It is. That crest…" Seth muttered, seeing a green-painted magic carriage following his tracks.

After the exchange of the coachman with the estate gatekeepers, the crest-engraved ebony door pivoted on its steel hinges, giving an entrance to not one but two young and handsome men in sumptuous get-ups.

(Don't tell me…)

Seth and I walked through the front yard, closing the distance between us and the two adolescents waiting at the gate. But before I formally welcome our visitors, Seth steps in.

"Look at what we got here." Seth scoffed, folding his arms. "What are you two doing in this far, secluded place like this?"

The robust one with spiky forest green hair smirked. "What a coincidence, I have the same question for you, Ledfinn."

He got muscles; even his thick coat could not contain his bulging biceps. He is like a boastful delinquent straight out of the manga. I don't know his personality yet, so I cannot judge for now.

"Hmph. There's no need to ask that." The other nobleman with fuchsia pink hair spoke, then pushed his eyeglasses like nerdy characters in anime do. "If you're here, it means we all had the same agenda, yes?"

"Oh ho. So I am not the only one sharing the same fate then."

The way they treated each other, they must have been well-acquainted, perhaps schoolmates. But I can say they are having a free-for-all battle.

Attending the academy wasn't meant only for formal education but also served as a place for sheltered noble kids to gather and socialize with one another.

Whether it's political or personal, one has to befriend others for them to weave connections. Especially in the nobility, where the nation is divided into alliances and factions.

Sometimes, the academy is a place for bachelors to find their partner in life. Socializations like tea parties and events increases the chance of knowing and getting closer to people, develop feelings and so on.

Even though they are all noblemen, they're still inside our premises.

"Pardon my intrusion, gentlemen. I am Raphael Raevender. What can I do for you?"

"So you're Raphael." The spiked one spoke. "My name is Gauss Groniz. The second son of Margrave Groniz."

Contrary to his rough looks, Gauss greeted me with respect. The empire is a country pertaining to meritocracy. My parents are well known throughout the continent, so Gauss acknowledged me, their son, as being as great as them.

Apparently, Gauss came from the mighty family of Groniz. The Margravate of Groniz is a military family situated at the northern border of the Dixon Empire.

They are one of the families that shielded the empire from the threat of the invasive demons.

Since the location of their territory is up in the northern part of the continent, the territories there have a colder temperature than the ones below.

"Nice to meet you, Raphael. I am Alexander Arcenciel. The first son of Arcenciel Earldom. It's a pleasure to make the son of the Sage an acquaintance."

The nerdy one, Alexander, did the way of greeting as Gauss. He mentioned the title of Mom so he had the same reason as well.

The Earldom of Arcenciel is also a well-known family in the empire. They are a family that produces magic-adept children and had roots with a powerful mage in the past. Some even became the Imperial Court Mage.

As a member of a family of sorcerers, he must have heard the deeds of my Mom, the Sage. Alexander must have great respect for Mom, probably to the point of idolizing her.

Based on his physique, he doesn't seem to be a man of the blade; rather, his magical power is lethally overflowing for someone at his Level.

(What are we going to do, a magic show?)

"Hm. It seems like you are also here to challenge me to a duel. Is that right?"

"That's right." Both of them replied at the same time.

"I see."

So they are really looking for a match with me to achieve a certain goal. By defeating me, three young men compete with each other to prove themselves worthy of taking my sister's hand…

(Just when did my sister become a reverse harem protagonist?!)

◆◇◆◇◆◇

With the greetings done, we proceed to the less grassy side yard for us to conduct each of the duel. A sword match between me and Gauss, then with Alexander in a magic contest.

First is my fencing with Gauss Groniz.

"Here I go! Spirit Boost! Horizontal Slash!"

Gauss immediately charges his strong body at me, wielding his sword with both hands. He started with his full power; he didn't want to test my strength because there was no need.

Unlike him, who went all might, I didn't exert my true strength to raise my sword and completely blocked his boulder crushing blow. But my arms are not exempted from the stinging sensation of vibrations due to the destructive power of Gauss' swing.

"I'm not done yet! Overhead Slash!"

"…"

I readied my mithrill blade to stop a super fast and heavy downward chop. It was so powerful that it made me bend my knees for a few degrees.

"Kuh…!"

With both my arms unavailable, Gauss saw that as his chance to deliver a powerful front kick to my stomach. Although it might look dirty in the eyes of the observers, cheap tricks are necessarily needed to win a game.

Hailing from a military family that is on the frontlines to fend off the invasive demons, Gauss showcased his prowess in wielding a sword. Defining the mighty blood of his brave ancestors.

He's too focused on the Techniques and not on pure sword skills. Even though each of his attacks is powerful, his moves are easy to read.

Although not as clean and refined as Seth, Gauss had the strength, due to his trained muscles, that made each of his attacks more destructive, which made me adjust my limit a little bit higher.

"Well done; playtime is over."

"Ack—?!"

Once I got serious, I used Instantaneous Movement to instantly teleport myself to his blind spot. I slashed my blade at incredible speed and stopped it when it reached an inch from his neck.

"You're not the only one who can use cheap tricks."

Gauss froze for a moment, staring at the mithrill in his peripheral vision. He broke a sweat and finally opened his mouth.

"Okay. You win."

The duel concluded with just a swing of my sword. One down, one to go.

"Okay, my turn." Alexander stepped in.

As for Alexander, he truly demonstrated his great skills in magic. His magic power is already high, heightened by his Black Treant wand, and his spells fire up the already blazing summer heat.

He can use three elements, which is more than the average magician can do: fire, wind, and water; each element has a proficiency of at least Level 3.

I countered each throw of his spell with the same spell, but with higher firepower. I wanted to showcase my magic superiority over him. The duel ended when Alexander ran out of mana to consume.

But what's this situation I'm facing right now?

"I've seen your refined and flawless swordplay from the observer's point of view. It made me realize how imperfect my sword is. Please take me as your apprentice."

"Hey, don't forget me too! What with those monstrous strength?! You're the son of the Sword Saint, right?! Take me too!"

"Well, it seems like I have to broaden my magic vocabulary too. Please teach me your wisdom for me to surpass my little sister."

They were so stubborn and persistent that they made me surrender and accept my fate.

(How do things end up like this?!)