Bloodline

Seiya watched as Kuchiki Byakuya clutched his chest, struggling to catch his breath before finally managing to stand.

Unable to help himself, Seiya let out an awkward chuckle.

Even though it was just sparring, the reality was that it was a one-sided beatdown… Sometimes, he wanted to hold back, but it was difficult to find just the right balance.

"Sorry, did I knock the wind out of you?"

Byakuya tried to speak but could only wheeze for a moment before finally managing a response.

"N-No, I'm… fine…"

No, no, that was definitely me going too hard…

Seiya's sparring sessions were never too long.

Since they weren't part of the official training schedule, they usually only lasted about ten minutes.

The goal was simply to loosen up their bodies after the rigid noble etiquette training—returning to a state more suited for combat.

So ideally…

"You don't have to take it so seriously—just treat it as a light exercise."

But even so…

Byakuya always went all out.

Maybe it was just his personality, but Seiya didn't feel right going easy on him either.

"So, do you want to keep going?"

Byakuya, still catching his breath, lifted his head and stared directly at Seiya.

"Yes! Please continue instructing me!"

…So stubborn.

But that was part of Byakuya's charm.

Since that was the case, Seiya had no choice but to continue teaching him.

Clash! Clash! Clash!

The dull sound of wooden swords colliding always carried a weighty intensity, no matter when or where.

Seiya effortlessly deflected Byakuya's attacks, his movements light and composed.

It was obvious—he wasn't feeling any pressure.

Their skill levels weren't even in the same league.

"Your movements and intentions are too easy to read. Don't be so rigid."

"This kind of simple baiting—like what happened earlier—could've been completely avoided."

"Oh, and… this too."

Giving advice was something Seiya did casually.

There was no strict order to it—he just pointed things out as they came to mind.

Stepping to the side to avoid Byakuya's strike, Seiya twisted his wooden sword around and lightly tapped Byakuya's wrist while his arms were slightly raised.

Thwack…

It wasn't a hard hit.

But even so, Byakuya's face contorted slightly in pain, and he instinctively took a half-step back.

His right hand suddenly felt weak.

Quickly switching to his left, he maintained his stance and stole a glance at his wrist.

A red welt was already forming—numbness and pain intertwined, but it wasn't enough to immobilize him.

Gritting his teeth, Byakuya reset his stance, cautiously watching Seiya.

Seiya just smiled lightly, casually twirling his wooden sword.

"Your grip needs some adjustments… Is it just habit? That stance is full of openings."

"In a real fight, it'd be a serious problem. You should try to fix it."

"Speaking of which… This is a rare opportunity. Want to try single-handed swordplay?"

"If you're up for it, I can teach you a few other things while we're at it."

There was no reason to refuse.

Byakuya had come here to learn.

"Please do!"

So eager.

Seiya chuckled, shifting his stance.

"Alright, then—come at me!"

Byakuya surged forward!

Even with only one good hand, he didn't hesitate for a second.

Looking at him now, Seiya couldn't help but recall Byakuya's future self in the original timeline…

Always getting injured, struggling in fights, constantly at a disadvantage—

But still managing to keep a straight face, as if saying, "Hah… Not even a scratch."

Admirable, but at the same time…

A little pitiful.

Proud, talented, yet always just short of standing among the very best.

That must've been frustrating.

Since I have the chance, I might as well teach him properly.

After all, Byakuya was definitely on the right side.

He was cold on the outside but warm-hearted underneath.

And Seiya liked characters like that.

Effortlessly deflecting Byakuya's vertical slash, Seiya shifted sideways and reached out—grabbing at Byakuya's collar.

"Alright, pay close attention. You're about to learn something important."

Byakuya's expression turned serious.

Close-quarters control?

It wasn't unheard of, but it was still a surprising tactic.

But Seiya wasn't going to take him down so easily.

At this range, their fight wasn't just about swordplay anymore.

It was hand-to-hand combat—Hakuda!

Byakuya took a sharp breath and threw his wooden sword away.

If his opponent was trying to restrict his movements, he could use that against them.

A split-second maneuver—

"Two hands against one. I have the advantage!"

Byakuya smacked Seiya's arm aside with his left hand, stepping forward to close the distance—this was it!

Press down on his shoulder, lock his arm—

Even though his right hand was still in pain, he could endure it for a little longer.

As long as the grappling technique worked, he could use his weight to pin Seiya to the ground!

He saw it—Seiya's expression flickered with slight surprise.

For the first time in days, Byakuya had gained the upper hand.

So…

Was he about to win?

That thought barely surfaced before—

Seiya sighed, looking exasperated.

"Nope, not gonna work."

Eh?

What?

"I just told you, didn't I?"

"Don't get excited over a temporary advantage."

Because—

"This was just a simple trap."

The moment he finished speaking, Seiya shifted sideways and kicked Byakuya hard in the back of the knee.

—!!

Before he could even process what happened, Byakuya collapsed.

With his balance shattered, he had no way to resist.

Seiya immediately grabbed his arms, pinning him to the ground.

"You were too focused on upper-body movements."

"That's why you completely ignored your footwork."

"Sometimes, the 'opening' you see isn't an actual opportunity—it's a trap meant to lure you in."

Byakuya opened his mouth, trying to speak—

But at that moment, a familiar voice rang out from nearby.

"Exactly."

"Byakuya, you are worthy as a noble."

"But if you intend to become the next head of the Kuchiki clan, your skills still require refinement."

That voice—!

Byakuya immediately lifted his head, his face filled with shock.

Kuchiki Ginrei stood on the veranda, arms crossed.

His expression was as stern as ever, but his eyes held a glimmer of contemplation.

Seiya, realizing the situation, quickly released Byakuya and stepped back.

He sheathed his wooden sword at his waist and bowed respectfully.

"Kuchiki-dono."

Byakuya scrambled upright, kneeling formally, his posture tense.

"Grandfather!"

His voice was laced with anxiety.

Just because the clan head wasn't present didn't mean rules could be ignored.

Byakuya had deviated from the scheduled training.

If Ginrei hadn't found out, it wouldn't have mattered.

But now that he had, there was no way out of it.

"This was my idea alone. Please do not blame—"

"Enough."

Byakuya swallowed his words immediately.

As the Kuchiki patriarch, Ginrei's authority was absolute.

He didn't even acknowledge Byakuya's plea, instead turning his gaze to Seiya.

"Your technique is excellent, Arima-kun."

His tone wasn't mere courtesy—it was genuine appreciation.

Ginrei's eyes gleamed with admiration.

"My grandson may be inexperienced, but he is a disciple of mine."

"And yet, against you…"

"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Shunpo—he cannot gain an edge in any of them."

"Such talent… Arima Seiya, you are truly remarkable."

Well, yeah.

My stats are ridiculous.

[Zanjutsu: 68][Hakuda: 77][Shunpo: 63]

"Rest assured, I won't hold this against you. As my grandson admitted, this was his decision."

Ginrei stepped into the courtyard, his tone calm as always.

"So the responsibility falls on him. You have nothing to worry about, Arima-kun."

…Wait, is he about to discipline Byakuya?

Seiya hesitated.

He wasn't one to interfere in family matters, especially noble ones.

But…

Should he say something?

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Powerstones?

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