Game started - Part 3

After a brief but pleasant exchange, Leone led everyone to the grand dining hall. The long table was adorned with exquisite dishes, filling the air with a rich blend of aromas that promised a feast worthy of royalty. Silver trays overflowed with roasted meats, golden-brown pastries, and vibrant fruits, while the shimmering crystal goblets reflected the flickering candlelight.

As the maids gracefully placed the last dish on the table, Hugo chuckled, taking in the extravagant spread.

"You prepared a lot, 3rd lord."

Leone waved his hand modestly. "It's not much. If you had informed me earlier, I could've arranged even more."

"No, no, don't worry about that," Hugo reassured him. "This is more than enough."

As they settled into their seats, Hugo's gaze fell on Ashan. There was something about the boy—an air of quiet confidence that intrigued him. His curiosity piqued, he turned to Leone.

"I didn't get a chance to ask—how old is your son now?"

Leone smiled proudly. "He's currently eleven, but he'll be twelve in a few months."

"Oh? I thought he was older. He carries himself with the composure of someone much more mature," Hugo mused. "My daughter is thirteen—I assumed they were the same age."

Leone nodded. "And your other children?"

"My eldest son is twenty-one, and my youngest son is nineteen," Hugo replied.

"They are both skilled in the sword. They are in good ranks by now."

Leone chuckled. "Oh, I have no doubt. With a father like you, they must be formidable warriors."

Hugo smiled proudly. "My eldest is one stage below High Sword Master rank. My youngest is two ranks below. Even my daughter is close to reaching Lower Sword Master level."

Leone raised an eyebrow in appreciation. "That is impressive. I did not expect your daughter to have such talent as well."

Hugo nodded. "And what of your son, 3rd lord? I imagine he is also quite accomplished."

Leone's lips curled into a proud smile. "Ashan has recently reached the first stage of High Sword Master."

Silence fell over the table. The Loyanal family was stunned. Lina and Julia was shocked. Nolan remained composed, but a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. Lucas, on the other hand, clenched his fists under the table.

What the hell? Is he bluffing? That small brat? If this is true, then… Father might look down on me.

Lunara's mouth was slightly open, her expression frozen in disbelief. A boy two years younger than her had already surpassed her level? Her grip tightened around the stem of her goblet.

Hugo studied Ashan more closely.

This boy is incredible. At his age? How is this even possible? Even in Dragoria, I have never seen such talent. Is it the sword style they use? No… We also have unparalleled sword styles. Then, either he is absurdly talented, or he was simply born for the sword.

He turned to Leone. "That is unbelievable. But I have no reason to doubt your words."

Leone nodded. "I would not lie about something like this. He achieved this rank recently."

Hugo exhaled, shaking his head in admiration. "A truly gifted child. To think he reached such heights at his age… I cannot even express how envious I am. You are a fortunate man, 3rd lord. You must have trained him tirelessly."

Leone chuckled. "Thank you, Sir Hugo, but I cannot take all the credit. My son's progress is due to his own efforts."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I only taught him the fundamentals and the philosophy of the sword. The rest was entirely his own doing."

Hugo leaned back, rubbing his hands together. "I am at a loss for words. Unbelievable."

He stole a glance at his sons. Nolan remained impassive, but Lucas was clearly agitated. Lina observed Ashan coldly, her lips hidden behind her fan.

I do not care about Lucas, but this hurts my son's pride. That arrogant man… talking so highly of his son.

Julia, however, had a different perspective.

As I thought, This boy is special. Even though I do not know much about swordsmanship, I have seen how hard my son worked to reach his current level. He may feel hurt now, but perhaps this will be a stepping stone for his growth.

Hugo turned back to Ashan, his curiosity growing. "If you don't mind, could you share how you achieved such a level? It might be of great help to these older brothers and sister."

Ashan looked at them carefully. He could sense their emotions—the barely contained frustration, the quiet resentment, the subtle envy. But beneath all that, he saw potential.

They have the talent to grow stronger, but their emotions cloud their paths. The eldest hides his thoughts well, but his aura tells a different story. The second one is clearly angry, though he tries to suppress it. The girl—she feels lost, discouraged. But if they can take these words to heart, they will reach heights they never imagined.

Ashan nodded. "Alright, Elder. But I did nothing extraordinary. I only followed these five principles."

He raised his hand, lifting a finger.

"First, I weakened my greed. When I started learning swordsmanship, I realized that greed makes one lose sight of their purpose. The thirst for power blinds you. So, I suppressed it with understanding."

He lifted another finger.

"Second, I weakened my anger. When training, mistakes and failures will come. If you let anger take control, you push yourself recklessly and only make things worse. Some believe rage fuels growth, but in truth, it only distorts the path."

Another finger.

"Third, I weakened my laziness. Pushing yourself beyond your limits is painful, but if you give in to laziness, you will unknowingly create your own limitations."

The fourth finger rose.

"Fourth, I kept my mind clear. When you allow distractions, doubts, and emotions to cloud your judgment, it is like looking into disturbed water. The way forward becomes unclear."

Finally, the last finger.

"Fifth, I never doubted myself. The moment you believe you are incapable, you create a limit for yourself. The mind decides the body's limits—not the other way around. So, you must trust yourself."

He lowered his hand. "These are the rules I followed. The five doors to success, Absolute truths."

Not only the Loyanal family, but also Leone, Maria, and Boris were left stunned by Ashan's words. It wasn't something a child should be capable of saying—no, even seasoned warriors and elders would struggle to articulate such profound truths. His words weren't empty; they carried a weight, an unwavering conviction that made it impossible to dismiss them as mere arrogance.

Boris, who had watched over Ashan since birth, felt his chest swell with pride. He had always known the boy was different, but hearing him speak with such wisdom made him realize just how truly remarkable he was. Leone and Maria exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of pride and disbelief. This was their son—one they had nurtured, trained, and loved—and yet, even they had not fully grasped the depth of his understanding.

Nolan, the eldest of Hugo's sons, sat in silence, absorbing every word. His sharp mind quickly processed Ashan's teachings, and in that instant, something shifted within him. A barrier he hadn't even realized existed shattered. The invisible chains holding back his growth snapped, and he felt a newfound clarity settle over him.

Lina, however, was far less impressed. She hid her disdain behind a decorative fan, her lips curling into a mocking smile.

Like father, like son. Both of them love to talk big. What an amusing little show.

Lucas clenched his fists under the table. He wanted to scoff, to dismiss Ashan's words as nothing more than meaningless drivel. But deep down, he couldn't. No matter how much he tried to deny it, every sentence, every lesson struck a chord. He had felt those struggles himself—greed, anger, laziness, self-doubt. And unlike Ashan, he had failed to overcome them.

Lunara, on the other hand, was captivated. She had always been proud of her skills, but now, she could only stare at Ashan in awe. His words weren't just theories—they carried the presence of someone who had lived them, who had conquered his own weaknesses. His calm expression, steady gaze, and unwavering voice—all of it was mesmerizing.

He is… incredible.

Hugo, the head of the Loyanal family, studied Ashan with unreadable eyes.

This boy… He's not normal. Every word he spoke held a truth that even I have struggled to accept. How is this possible? Is he saying that, at such a young age, he has already reached a mental realm that even veteran swordmasters struggle to grasp?

For the first time in a long while, Hugo felt something rare—genuine admiration, tinged with an unsettling sense of intrigue.

Who exactly is this child?

To be continued…