A crossed pine tree and a single sword, all encased in a red circle.
The pine tree symbolized integrity and vitality.
The sword represented the spirit of martial arts.
The red circle signified blood.
It was the emblem of the Soongmu family.
A seal that was rarely stamped unless it was of utmost importance, symbolizing an order at the family level.
"What is it? What does it say?"
My aunt asked while looking at the envelope.
"It's the Naming Ceremony notice. The date has finally been set."
.....
[Summons Order]Recipient: Ninth Young Master (Yeong)
Content: The Naming Ceremony is scheduled. The recipient must assemble at the Central Training Grounds by 10:00 AM on September 10th.
Date: September 10th, 10:00 AM
Important Notice: Bringing any items other than the specified ones listed in the attached regulations will result in severe punishment.
Issued by: Acting Head, Lee Myeong-jeong
.....
As I read the contents of the luxurious, gold-trimmed envelope, a smile appeared on my face.
This was the second trial that the direct descendants of the Soongmu family had to undergo—the Naming Ceremony, a special coming-of-age ritual unique to the Lee clan.
"A Naming Ceremony, huh…"
I could have sworn it was supposed to be held in early winter.
Why did the date change?
"A Naming Ceremony?! A Naming Ceremony?!"
My aunt suddenly started screaming.
"Why are you reacting like that all of a sudden?"
"We were just starting to get everything in order! This is an important time! But if you have to go through the Naming Ceremony, you'll be stuck there! No! Don't take part in it!"
By principle, the Naming Ceremony was a test given to children who had not received focused mentorship from a master. Because of this, direct descendants had to undergo group training for six months before the ceremony.
"You know that's not possible, Aunt."
"But…"
My aunt's face turned into a frown.
The nanny, having seen my aunt in this state many times before, awkwardly shifted, unsure of what expression to make.
"Nanny, have you heard any details about the training schedule?"
"A notice has been posted on the Soongmu family intranet. It will proceed as usual for six months, and the head instructor will be Master Lee Joong-gwan, leader of the Blood Tiger Martial Squad. The rest of the instructors will also be from the Blood Tiger Squad."
Lee Joong-gwan, the leader of the Blood Tiger Martial Squad.
He was my fifth cousin once removed and also the head of one of the four elite warrior units of the family.
Despite coming from a relatively distant branch of the family, his exceptional skills and achievements had earned him deep trust within the clan.
'Nothing has changed.'
Only the date had shifted—both the instructors and the process remained the same.
I looked at my aunt, who was sulking and stomping the ground in frustration.
"Aunt."
"…What."
"There might be less time, but I will continue both my magic training and the restoration of ancient magic. Don't worry."
"…Huh? How? You don't realize how busy those lessons are going to be."
"Don't worry. I will do both properly."
The Naming Ceremony was undoubtedly a dangerous and significant trial.
But if I compromised and shifted my focus now, I would end up making more compromises in the future.
I am an illegitimate child. If I settle for the middle ground, I will never accomplish anything. I must achieve what others say is impossible.
"Really? You'll really keep training?"
My aunt's eyes sparkled.
Even though her aging had slowed due to her magic, I couldn't believe she could act so childishly at her age.
"Yes, I will."
"Then, you should hurry up and complete your First Star Cultivation, fully restore Amplification Magic, and then…"
She started muttering again, slipping into her own little world.
At that moment, the nanny, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
"No, young master."
"…What?"
"I know Elder Lee Kyunghwa is helping you. I know you work harder than any of your siblings. But the Naming Ceremony is dangerous. This time, you must focus solely on the group training."
Her tone was firm, unlike her usual self, who always respected my wishes and decisions.
"Nanny, don't worry. I won't neglect the group training."
"I know. I understand your determination well. But, young master, this nanny is worried."
She clasped my hands tightly.
I could feel the concern and worry in her grip.
I was truly grateful.
But that didn't mean I could do as she asked.
"No, nanny. I still won't stop training with Aunt."
"Young master!"
"Nanny, I am an illegitimate child. I know exactly what you're trying to say. In the Soongmu family, bastards are targets of scorn and neglect. Even if they suffer injustice, they have no right to complain."
"No! Young master! You are not some lowborn—"
"There's hardly anyone in the main house who greets me. Even among the warriors, those who act warmly toward me get reprimanded. Nanny, I may be young, but I'm not ignorant."
Hearing my words, the nanny flinched.
You probably didn't expect me to speak so coldly.
"That's why I must not focus on just one thing. Unlike my other siblings, I won't have the luxury of great mentors, expensive elixirs, or the latest refined martial arts books."
"Young Master..."
The nanny's eyes grew sorrowful.
I felt a warmth in my chest from that gaze.
She was the only family I could entrust my heart to completely.
That's why I had to speak firmly.
"I must be different from my siblings. I have to work twice as hard as them, and I must prepare twice as much. My siblings… they are monsters. They are born with immense talent and receive the support to match it."
For someone like me, who has nothing, my path is clear.
Effort. More effort than in my past life.
Moreover, the effort in this life is different from before. I have a clear goal and a road to follow.
"And once again, let me say this—I have confidence. Not in strength gained through shortcuts or the power granted by others, but in the power I will seize with my own hands. I am confident that I will crush my siblings beneath that power. And for that, the training I am doing with Aunt is necessary."
The nanny felt the calloused, firm hands gripping hers.
Hands that could not be mistaken for a child's.
The skin that should have been soft and delicate was instead hardened with layers of calluses.
"Nanny. I am a child of the Lee family. Don't try to raise me to be weak."
"Ah..."
Strength drained from her body. A faint breath escaped her slightly parted lips.
She stared blankly at the boy she had raised.
And without realizing it, her eyes widened.
'When did he grow this much?'
It felt like only yesterday that she had carried him on her back, yet now he had grown so tall that he felt unfamiliar.
"Nanny. Still, thank you. You're probably the only one who worries about me this much."
I pulled her into a firm embrace.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and gently hugged me back.
At that moment, my aunt, who was standing nearby, habitually tapped her foot against the ground.
"…I'm here too, you know. I care about our little one a lot too."
"Aunt, your head is filled with nothing but ancient studies and theories about magic arts."
"N-no, it's not! You rude brat! No—this cheeky little rascal!"
My aunt erupted in a fit of shouting.
I casually ignored her and locked eyes with the nanny.
"Young Master. I'm sorry. I only said those things because I was worried. Naming ceremonies aren't always dangerous, but I've heard that accidents do happen sometimes..."
"Then let's do this, Nanny."
I smirked and made a suggestion.
Hearing it, the nanny's mouth fell open.
"That's impossible. No matter how talented you are, that would be too difficult."
"Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll succeed."
I grinned confidently.
***
The family's martial training ground, where the group education for the naming ceremony was taking place.
Senior Instructor and Squad Leader of the Blood Tiger Division, Jang Wook, arrived at the training ground on time.
"We will now begin today's lesson."
Two pairs of eyes followed him.
The eighth child of the Soongmu family—Hwa.
And the ninth child, born "outside"—Young.
Unlike the slightly tense eighth child, the ninth one stood tall with unwavering confidence.
Jang Wook stole a glance at the ninth child and felt an unease settle within him.
"What is today's lesson about?"
As expected, the ninth child spoke up first.
'Damn it. And he's supposed to be an illegitimate child?'
Jang Wook's face stiffened.
The tone was as if addressing a subordinate—it was simply expected that he would answer.
Within the Soongmu family, direct descendants were absolute superiors. Even in a teacher-student relationship, the hierarchy had to be maintained.
But for the ninth child, who had likely grown up ignored within the family, to speak this way was baffling.
'But I'm the instructor here… What kind of kid is this?'
Was it maturity? Or sheer charisma?
Words like that seemed unfitting for a mere ten-year-old.
Yet, in those unwavering eyes and composed voice, there was an unmistakable air of someone born to rule.
"…Today's lesson will cover the application of magical energy sources, defenses against spells and magic, basic combat techniques, and survival skills in the field."
The ninth child slowly nodded.
Only then did Jang Wook allow himself a brief moment of relief before opening his mouth.
"Then, let us begin."
The education was inherently disadvantageous for an illegitimate child who received neither support nor training. The curriculum was designed so that only those already versed in magic and martial arts could keep up.
However.
'He's famous for showing up at the direct-line-only training grounds... but is that even possible?'
The training had been going on for months.
And throughout it, the ninth child had excelled in every session.
No, in fact, he couldn't simply be described as excellent.
The ninth child would always perform just slightly above the required level—just enough to keep expectations in check.
Whenever it seemed like he had reached his limit, he would reveal that he was capable of even more.
"Hngh!"
Two children stood inside a large cylindrical machine, enveloped by crackling sparks.
It was basic training to resist low-level curses and magic.
The eighth child, likely thanks to the elixirs he had consumed, was enduring purely through his body's insane durability.
The ninth child, on the other hand, was responding in a textbook manner, using magic techniques to deflect each strike.
If such training were conducted outside, it would have sparked human rights concerns—it was that dangerous.
They had been thrown into the exercise with no prior instruction on resistance techniques.
Under normal circumstances, the ninth child, who had never received even basic training, should have been electrocuted and knocked out immediately.
And yet...
'He's changed again.'
Even while responding with textbook precision, the ninth child's demeanor began to shift.
Had he grown in the meantime?
Despite this being excessive training for his current level, his expression suddenly became relaxed.
Now, as if he had room to spare, he even took a moment to glance at the eighth child beside him.
Had he improved in such a short time? Or had he realized something?
Jang Wook couldn't grasp the ninth child at all.
At that moment—
Flinch.
Jang Wook's eyes met the ninth child's.
Those deep brown eyes gazed at him indifferently.
That gaze seemed to ask, "Is this all?"
Unconsciously, a chill ran down his spine.
'It's like... he's testing us.'
Suddenly, all the questions he had been harboring clicked into place.
The ninth child was testing.
The eighth child. Himself. The instructors.
What did he truly know? Did he know it with certainty?
Like reviewing a lesson, the ninth child was carefully pushing the training level higher, verifying everything step by step.
He gauged his progress by observing the eighth child beside him, and he pressured the instructors to raise the difficulty.
To him, this training was nothing more than a means of refining himself.
'This is insane... A mere ten-year-old?'
That couldn't be.
But if not, then how could he explain those eyes?
'I've seen countless direct descendants before, but...'
Jang Wook stopped thinking.
There was no point in continuing the training.
"This concludes today's session. Good work."
At his words, the eighth child nodded—though he made it painfully obvious that he was glaring at the ninth.
The ninth child, however, didn't even spare him a glance.
"...Tsk."
Clicking his tongue, the eighth child turned sharply and exited the training grounds.
"So, we're free to go now?"
"Yes, young master."
The response was respectful. At Jang Wook's words, the ninth child nodded and turned to follow the eighth.
Jang Wook stopped him.
"Young master."
"Hm?"
"To be honest, I expected you to fall behind and end up in tears. Because of your status."
At those words, the ninth child's eyes curved into crescent moons.
Then, he casually replied,
"You think I didn't know that?"
"...!"
"So? Why did you stop me?"
Jang Wook swallowed dryly.
He recalled the words of Lee Jungkwan, the head of the training division and leader of the Blood Tiger Corps.
'The first young master, the general overseer, some unknown direct-line woman... even the family head himself has taken an interest in him.'
Jang Wook carefully chose his words.
A mere illegitimate child. Just an illegitimate child.
Using such words to describe this boy would be an insult to a warrior.
"I apologize for underestimating you, young master. From now on, I will dedicate myself to teaching you—not just as an instructor fulfilling his duty, but as a senior warrior who has walked the path of martial arts before you."
Jang Wook spoke with sincerity.
The ninth child, whose sharp features gave him a slightly fierce look, broke into a bright smile.
"Good. I'll be counting on you."
***
"Phew."
I stretched my aching body as I walked out.
"This family is insane. Throwing kids into a magic-infused device to build resistance to magical attacks?"
Perhaps this kind of training was fine for people with naturally strong bodies like the Soongmu clan, but still—shouldn't they at least teach the theory first?
Still, it wasn't entirely without value.
Feeling the magic writhing inside me, I smirked. I wanted to run to my aunt right now and boast about what I had gained.
"Ugh. But first, I need a break..."
Stretching to loosen my stiff muscles, I rounded a corner.
Whoosh—!
Something suddenly flew straight toward my face.
I instinctively raised my arm and caught it.
'A hand?'
A pale, white hand.
"Hey, bastard."
The eighth child, Hwa, was staring at me with a deeply furrowed brow.