The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family - Chapter 250

Chapter 250: The Patriarch’s Response

Word of Alex’s unprecedented achievement spread across the Rikxia Empire with unnatural speed. Messengers dispatched from Éclair headquarters reached the Lionhart Estate before nightfall, their ceremonial blue cloaks still damp from riding through the lingering storm. They carried formal documentation of the day’s events—five consecutive victories, culminating in swordmaster recognition by Éclair’s Senior Commander Varek himself.

Roman Lionhart received the news in his private study, frost crystals forming unconsciously at his fingertips as he read the detailed account. Outside, darkness had fallen completely, rain still pattering against ancient windowpanes in rhythmic counterpoint to the crackling hearth. The flames cast elongated shadows across walls lined with tomes of imperial history, many documenting the Lionhart family’s contributions over centuries.

“Another swordmaster at fourteen,” the Ice Monarch murmured, setting the scroll aside. “Following in the founder’s footsteps.”

Melo stood silently by the door, his white mask revealing only golden eyes that betrayed nothing of his thoughts. “The reports indicate minimal signs of fatigue even after the fifth duel.”

“Against Varek.” Roman’s tone carried quiet appreciation beneath his usual reserve. The name alone conveyed significance to those who understood Éclair’s internal hierarchy. “A seasoned swordmaster with thirty years of recognized status.”

“Who yielded through acknowledgment of superior mastery,” Melo added, the emphasis subtle but deliberate.

Roman rose from his desk, moving to the window where raindrops traced silvery paths down darkened glass. His reflection stared back—composed, imperial, revealing nothing of the complex emotions stirring beneath the surface.

“Two young swordmasters in the direct line,” he observed, frost spreading briefly across the window before he controlled the unconscious manifestation. “Though Klaus achieved the title earlier still.”

The statement carried weight beyond its simple construction. Klaus had shattered continental records by reaching swordmaster status shortly after his twelfth birthday—an achievement without precedent that had demonstrated the extraordinary potential in the Lionhart bloodline. Now Alex, though not breaking his cousin’s record, had matched the founder of their line by achieving swordmaster status at fourteen—the same age when the first Lionhart patriarch had attained the distinction centuries ago.

“Yenova requests guidance regarding appropriate recognition,” Melo continued. “Éclair tradition suggests a formal ceremony proportional to the achievement’s significance.”

Roman turned from the window, his expression thoughtful. “Equivalent to what we provided for Klaus.”

It wasn’t truly a question, but Melo inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. “The precedent exists. To offer less would suggest differentiation between achievements of comparable merit.”

“Indeed.” Roman returned to his desk, fingers tracing the imperial seal affixed to Yenova’s formal notification. “Though the circumstances differ significantly.”

Klaus had proved his status through public duel against Caidon Veynar, a foreign swordmaster whose challenge had carried political implications beyond the combat itself. The victory had necessitated imperial recognition to solidify alliances and demonstrate the Lionhart family’s continuing strength. Alex’s advancement, while equally impressive from a martial perspective, occurred within Éclair’s internal hierarchy—significant but without the same external political dimensions.

Yet to acknowledge one grandson’s achievement with imperial celebration while treating the other’s as merely internal advancement would create perception problems Roman could ill afford, particularly with the Beast Emperor’s influence now permanently established within the family structure.

“Prepare a formal response,” Roman decided, frost crystals forming briefly around the quill he lifted. “The Lionhart family will host a recognition ball in Alex’s honor, with full imperial acknowledgment of his swordmaster status.”

“Timing?” Melo inquired.

“One month hence. Sufficient time for appropriate preparations while maintaining proximity to the achievement itself.”

Roman began drafting the formal acknowledgment, his precise handwriting flowing across parchment with practiced efficiency. The words themselves followed established protocol—congratulations for extraordinary achievement, recognition of honor brought to family and empire, formal acknowledgment of status earned through demonstrated capability.

Between these official sentiments, however, something more personal emerged. Not overtly stated, but present in subtle word choices and emphasis—genuine pride in Alex’s accomplishment, recognition of dedication demonstrated through systematic advancement, acknowledgment of potential still developing toward greater purpose.

His quill paused momentarily over the parchment, a rare hesitation disrupting his usual efficiency. “He follows the founder’s path precisely—fourteen years to achieve what most never attain in a lifetime.”

“While Klaus broke new ground at twelve,” Melo observed neutrally.

“Different paths to similar destinations,” Roman replied, resuming his writing with renewed precision. “Each extraordinary in his own way.”

The observation carried unspoken implications about the grandsons’ divergent approaches. Klaus had achieved swordmaster status through intuitive genius and unconventional methodology, shattering expectations with seemingly effortless transcendence of established frameworks. Alex had progressed through disciplined mastery of traditional techniques, systematic advancement through established hierarchies, relentless dedication to perfecting what was already known rather than discovering what was not.

Perhaps most significantly, Klaus had achieved his status before his disappearance at Northwatch and subsequent transformation. Alex had reached his while Klaus remained fundamentally altered, the balance between cousins shifting in ways impossible to fully calculate.

*

*

*

Across the empire at Éclair Main headquarters, Alex stood on the balcony of his newly assigned quarters—larger accommodations befitting his elevated status. The rain had ceased though clouds still obscured the stars, moonlight occasionally breaking through to cast shifting illumination across the training grounds below. The now integrated and invisible golden circlet rested upon his brow, its black gem pulsing with steady light as Pride’s consciousness extended beyond their shared physical form.

~The Patriarch writes his response,~ Pride communicated, awareness stretched across impossible distance to witness Roman’s reaction directly. ~Formal recognition equal to what Klaus received—a ball to be held one month hence.~

“As expected,” Alex replied aloud, no longer concerned about appearing to speak to himself when alone. “The achievement demands recognition proportional to its significance.”

~He notes you’ve matched the founder’s accomplishment—swordmaster at fourteen.~ Pride’s satisfaction radiated through their shared consciousness. ~Though he remembers Klaus achieved the same at twelve.~

“Different paths to similar destinations,” Alex quoted, having perceived the phrase through Pride’s extended awareness. The words carried unexpected weight, Roman’s assessment aligning with his own understanding more precisely than anticipated.

Alex’s fingers unconsciously moved to Sovereign’s Reach, tracing the hilt with measured appreciation. Today’s achievement represented deliberate culmination of calculated effort—systematic advancement through established hierarchy, demonstration of capability that would justify future confrontation with his transformed cousin.

~The recognition ball provides perfect opportunity,~ Pride observed with satisfaction. ~Direct comparison before assembled nobility, both youngest swordmasters acknowledged through equivalent celebration.~

“If Klaus attends,” Alex qualified, gaze turning toward the distant horizon where the Lionhart Estate lay beyond visual range. “His condition remains… uncertain.”

Despite Pride’s enhanced perception extending beyond normal human limitations, Alex had been unable to obtain reliable information about his cousin’s exact status. Rumors circulated—silver hair turned white, eyes that reflected unnatural light, temperature fluctuations that accompanied his recent awakening—but concrete details remained elusive even to Pride’s extended awareness.

~He will attend,~ Pride assured him. ~The political implications of absence would prove too significant for the Patriarch to allow, regardless of his condition.~

A knock at his chamber door interrupted these reflections.

“Enter,” he called, turning from the balcony’s edge.

Captain Yenova stepped inside, her formal attire exchanged for more practical garments though her bearing remained impeccably professional. “Messengers have been dispatched to the main estate. The Patriarch’s response should arrive within three days.”

“Thank you, Captain.” Alex maintained equally professional demeanor, though Pride’s influence allowed him to perceive the complex emotions she carefully concealed—pride in his achievement tempered by something approaching concern, as if sensing transformation beyond what visible evidence revealed.

“You’ve accomplished something unprecedented in Éclair’s history,” she continued after brief hesitation. “Five consecutive victories against officers of ascending rank, culminating with a recognized swordmaster.”

“I studied each opponent carefully,” Alex explained, the partial truth flowing smoothly. “Their fighting styles, strengths, and vulnerabilities became my primary focus for months.”

“Cerebral preparation doesn’t explain physical execution,” Yenova observed, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Particularly across five consecutive duels without showing normal fatigue patterns.”

“The Lionhart bloodline has always manifested differently across individuals,” Alex replied with measured confidence. “Our founder achieved swordmaster status at fourteen as well—the same age I am now.”

The statement redirected attention from his unusual stamina to historical precedent, emphasizing connection to family legacy rather than supernatural enhancement. Yenova studied him a moment longer, professional assessment battling familial concern behind her composed features.

“The recognition ball will likely occur within one month,” she said finally, tacitly accepting his explanation though doubt lingered in her eyes. “You’ll be temporarily reassigned to the main estate during preparations.”

“I would prefer to remain with Éclair,” Alex countered smoothly. “Continuing duties here while preparations proceed through established channels.”

Yenova’s surprise briefly showed before professional composure returned. “Most officers would eagerly accept assignment to the main estate, particularly following advancement to swordmaster status.”

“I’m not most officers,” Alex replied simply. “My commitments here remain unfinished.”

The true motivation—maintaining distance from the Lionhart Estate until the formal gathering would bring him face-to-face with Klaus under controlled circumstances—remained unstated. Yenova considered briefly before nodding.

“I’ll note your preference in my communication with the Patriarch. Though final determination remains his prerogative.”

“Of course,” Alex agreed with perfect deference. “I merely express preference, not requirement.”

After she departed, Alex returned to the balcony, gazing once more toward the distant horizon. The golden circlet pulsed with renewed energy, Pride’s consciousness expanding through their shared existence.

~She suspects transformation beyond what you’ve revealed,~ Pride observed. ~Though lacks framework to understand its nature.~

“Suspicion without evidence remains merely intuition,” Alex replied, unconcerned. “The recognition ball provides perfect opportunity to establish new equilibrium while assessing Klaus’s condition directly.”

~And demonstrating comparable transcendence before assembled nobility,~ Pride added with satisfaction. ~Two swordmasters of extraordinary capability—achieved through fundamentally different paths.~

Alex nodded, his expression revealing nothing of the complex emotions flowing beneath his controlled exterior. The path he had chosen—communion with Pride rather than resistance, partnership rather than subjugation—had delivered exactly what was promised. At fourteen, he had achieved what the founder of the Lionhart line had accomplished at the same age. Through systematic advancement, calculated challenge, and precisely measured revelation of capability, he had established position from which larger purpose could unfold.

Yet Klaus had achieved swordmaster status at twelve, manifested unprecedented abilities even earlier, and now apparently awakened into something that generated whispered fears throughout the estate. The trajectory suggested parallel development along fundamentally different paths—both transcending human limitation while remaining seemingly opposed in basic nature.

“One month,” Alex murmured, anticipation building within his enhanced frame. “One month until we stand face-to-face once more.”

The moonlight broke through clouds momentarily, illuminating his features—handsome, regal, enhanced beyond human parameters though the transformation remained carefully concealed. His eyes caught the light, the familiar Lionhart blue now permanently ringed with gold that seemed to glow with inner fire.

Different paths to similar destinations. Each extraordinary in his own way.

The recognition ball would establish new reality for assembled witnesses—two swordmasters of exceptional capability following divergent trajectories toward heights no conventional observer could possibly comprehend.

The Patriarch’s pride in Alex’s accomplishment would manifest through imperial celebration, formal acknowledgment of status earned through demonstrated capability. Yet beneath ceremonial protocols and diplomatic considerations, fundamental questions remained unanswered.

What exactly had Klaus become during his year of unconsciousness? What transformation had occurred within the Temple of Eternal Twilight? What power now resided within the white-haired figure that had once been merely his silver-haired cousin?

Pride versus Gluttony. Willing partnership versus forced possession. Controlled enhancement versus chaotic consumption.

Or so Alex believed, understanding incomplete beneath absolute conviction.