Chapter- 4 Recounting

-Ciel -

Elder brother Edward is a kind person at times and daunting to others.

He was someone who I and Cyan used to fear due to his gory appearance from barbaric training and the indifferent look he always appealed to 

Before we obtained a true sense of kinship, both Cyan and I were instructed by our mother to see Edward as a hindrance to the position of the family head until … "I Edward Lionheart would like to retire my position as heir" a mind-boggling utterance made 

After explaining his reasoning both Cyan and I were confused. 

"Father, please heed my request, for I am not fit for such a responsibility ..-"

Gilead

"Patriarch, don't pay any mind to his utterance he does not know what he speaks of!! " interrupted Tanis Lionheart 

" Silence Tanis, allow Edward to give reason to such a request" spoke the Patriarch looking towards my direction "Speak your reason, I am curious" Gilead looked with an amused expression. 

Exchanging a grin I spoke lifting 3 fingers "I have 3 reasons why I am not a capable heir"

"And what may be those reasons? From what I can tell it's quite Ironic that one of the most talented people in the Lionheart lineage utters such a comment"

" allow me to explain, my first reason is because I don't possess the golden eyes of the lionheart family", speaking the first reason I proceed to point my index finger towards my pupils before continuing "Why You may ask? Well it's because the golden eyes are a staple of the Hero Vermonth and I don't want to be discriminated against the collateral lines, now do we?.

Staring towards Gilead I dropped one finger. And spoke my second reason "My second reason is the nuance it would bring to my training"

Now holding only one finger I declared my last reason "My third reason is because it sounds boring"

"Gilead you can possibly accept such presumptuous reasons, he's just being insolent!!" yelled Tannis 

Thinking for several seconds the patriarch spoke "while his reasons may have no reason, truly, it's ultimately his decision not ours." 

That was the day both Cyan and I started to see Edward in a new light. 

But when we asked for help …

"Eldest brother may you assist me in my training" Ciel

"Sure Ciel, but will Cyan be joining " Edward

"No, it will just be the two of us I just need some pointers"

"This won't do get Cyan"

"Why, do you know the idea of just the two of us training together do you perhaps not like your little sister," told Ciel teasingly while covering her mouth and giggling

Smacking Ciel's head I spoke. 

"First of all you're too young to be speaking like that, second Cyan needs to train off his hormones"

Surprised by the lack of response she feebly nodded before getting Cyan. 

"Edward why do you always make us train together" grumbled Cyan 

"Cyan, did you think I wouldn't find those magazines you stashed? Hmm, I am also a man, so I borrowed them for research purposes. Finder keepers loser weepers"

"Shut UP! You don't need to tell the whole damn world!" 

"Cyan what magazines is he talking about" Ciel spoke while narrowing her eyes and forming a sly grin thinking of the teasing she was going to do. 

"But now on topic Ciel what type of help did you need again I forgot?"

"I just needed some pointers in my body's maneuvering"

Understanding what she needed help with I turned and asked Cyan, receiving the same response. 

"I want both of you to spread ten feet apart and perform your own distinctive sword style" 

'I need to see where they're at before I help' I thought assuringly. 

Watching both display their sword styles I found dozens of problems that were very subtle and would affect their performance in the long run, but both showed high potential which would be expected of a Lionheart. 

"Both of you stop as of now you two will join me in my training" 

Both Ciel and Cyan after hearing this lost the color in their face. 

"Eldest brother I think I don't need help anymore thank you for your teachings I have led much" spoke Ciel giving a bow before sprinting frantically in the opposite direction grabbing Cyan's hand and dragging him along 

"All I said was let's train together … ehh never mind to each be their own"

-Hamel-

The hero of the past, a legend and a berserker whose honor was diminished when his dignity was sacrificed for the sake of a good bedtime story oh how so noble>

The hero Hamel sacrificed himself for the sake of his comrades in youth he declared himself a genius, but as history knows this childish disillusion was shattered as he encountered the Hero Vermonth the master-of-all.

But who could have known the stupid Hamel would have reincarnated as a descendant of his rival Vermonth. His new body was superior to his pasts even at age 13 his body was wiry and flexible, extremely muscular to the point it would be hard to imagine that a child's body had such dense mussels and equally dense bones. A body that even if you pushed to its breaking point would heal quickly. 

From the start members of the Lionheart clan have superior body specs in contrast to those of normal lineage.

Hamal Diaz or Eugene Lionheart was reincarnated as one of Great Vermonth's descendants. 

-Eugene-

Currently riding by carriage to the main house of the Lionheart estate. 

Inside said carriage you would see a youth with ruffled hair, a good physique, a soon-to-be handsome face, golden eyes with seemingly no innocence, formal attire, and a smile sometimes tainting while he observed the view of the capital. 

This youth of course was Eugene.

He clearly remembered his past life, his sacrifice, and his belief that Vermonth and his other companions would definitely slay the Demon kings.

However things don't always go as planned? while the world was at peace. With the demon kings no longer having desire of conquering the world, and all of this was due to an 'Oath' the great Varmonth made with the demon kings.

The youth thought through his last 13 years of life reincarnation his birth the learning of the last 300 years of training but most of all his companion's failure.

'Why did he end up making an oath like that? Weren't we supposed to wipe them all out?'

He couldn't come up with a satisfactory reason to understand their decision. But in any case, the war was over, and the world was at peace. A peace that has lasted the last three centuries 

As Eugene clouded his mind in thoughts like this, a distinguished knight sent from the main house to escort him asked. 

" Perchance, are you feeling nervous?" 

Lifting his head up he heard a voice speaking to him. Eugene was currently riding inside of a luxurious carriage. In front of him was a distinguished middle aged man sitting adjacent to him.

" it's because this is my first time in the capital" muttered Eugene 

Several minutes of silence passed when Eugene questioned

"... how many people will be participating in the Bloodline Continuation Ceremony?"

After several seconds of intermission, Gerald responded (knight) 

"Including Master Eugene, there are 6 people from the People from the collateral lines. In addition, 2 heirs from the main house will be participating"

"two from the main house?"

Although Eugene had pitched his voice in an attempt to feign surprise, he had already known in advance who was attending this year's Bloodline Continuation Ceremony. This was thanks to his father Gerhards special precautions. 

Of the three heirs, one was the first wife's son, who is shrouded in mystery, and the other two were twins born from the second Wife. 

"Is the rumor about the first heir having green eyes true?" this seemingly simple question was asked by Eugene to gain more insight into the mysterious first heir 

Hearing the title of the third heir the knight's demeanor shifted to one of fear before reverting to his default stern look. 

"To answer your question he does, but please do refrain from any more queries about the young master" spoke the knight dazedly 

'... Huh! Why is so agitated after hearing the third heir's name? That's not important right now I'll find out when I find out still, I can't help but feel excited to see how talented Vermonths descendants are.'

-Edward- 

When the hell is that carriage going to arrive 

Currently, I have just finished my training and was waiting on the mansion's roof eyeing the entrance to observe anyone's arrival. 

 '!! Finally!!" gasped Edward as he watched a luxurious carriage with the Lionheart insignia plastered on its sides, halt at the entrance of the Lion estate 

 after several hours of laying idol, and practicing mana cultivation, he finally saw their arrival 

He glanced once at Eugene before disappearing. 

The carriage finally came to a stop after driving for quite some time. After opening his door Gordon stepped out of the carriage and walked over to open the door for Eugene.

"Welcome to the Lionheart family's estate" spoke Gordan, with a slight bow of the head

Eugene observed the mansion through the wide-open gates before coming to the stark realization that not a single soul had come out to welcome him.

'The Lionheart'

Eugene slowly raised his gaze. White flags lined the path from the main gate forwards, and a brave lion embroidered in the center of each flag. This was the personal insignia of the main house.

Looking toward the grand estate he couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart due to past regrets

"Have any of my other relatives arrived yet?"

"... Master Eugene is the first to arrive"

'Hurray' Eugene thought while offering a subtle nod. 

****

The place which Eugene was going to take residence was an old annex off the main hall.

On the way there, he only saw one! Relatives who bore the lion single on their chest show they belonged to the main family. The relative in mention stood at 188cm, had an extremely built physique, an eerie black sword bound to his waist, a face adorning several scars, and was accompanied by a pair of oppression green eyes, but he just glanced in my direction offering a light wave before continuing in the direction he was heading in.

But, why were they being so aloof ? only one person acknowledged my presence! Shouldn't they at least feel some curiosity and come take a look at the arrival of their 13 year old relative? 

Upon arriving at the annex, he found only a single attendant who had been temporarily assigned to him.

The female servant was around the same age as Eugene and greeted "Please call me Nina, if you need any assistance please ring this bell," the young female servant bowed her head and handed Eugene a small golden bell. 

Contemplating the situation he spoke

".. do you mind if I speak comfortably"

"Oh of course, please do so" nodded Nina curtly 

"Am I the only one using this Annex?" Eugene asked, already knowing the response, but decided for the sake of confirmation. Eugene already knew that this couldn't really be the case, for example, Nina was far too young to oversee a whole annex independently. 

"I'm afraid that's not the case, but there shouldn't be any nuance during your stay ."

"So you're saying that other relatives will also take residence in the annex, right" Eugene confirmed 

"Yes"

"Do you know when they'll arrive"

"They all should be arriving within the following 4 days at the very latest."

Eugene vexed by the prospect of staying stuck in an annex for the next 4 days asked. 

"Is there a gymnasium around the back?" 

"... ooh ahh yes, there is" nodded Nina 

"Do I need permission from the main house to practice swinging this useless wooden sword?

"...that's.. Um.." Nina not knowing how to respond bit her lips and started dazed 

"Because that's exactly what I'm about to do" boldly declared Eugene already making their way towards the gymnasium leaving Nina with a helpless look as she trailed behind Eugene