Aldwin’s hand tightened into a fist at his side. "What if something had gone wrong?" His voice cut through the silence, low and edged with fury. "How would you explain that, Edric? How would we have faced it if someone had gotten hurt?"
Edric looked down at his palm, faint tremors still running through his fingers from the spar. A small smirk tugged at his lips, but it wasn’t his usual playful grin. It was tired. Regretful.
"It wouldn’t have," he said finally. "I just wanted to see something, to test him. Maybe I expected too much. He’s still a child. But that kid," Edric glanced toward Rowan, who stood silently, gripping the sword gifted to him, "he’s got the same fire Father once saw in you."
Aldwin’s gaze hardened. "You were testing him?!" His mana flickered faintly, a golden shimmer rippling in the air. "You were toying with my family. Mira is your sister, and Rowan is my son."
Mira, standing just a step behind Aldwin, clenched her hands near her chest. "Brother, that wasn’t training. You could have hurt him."
Edric raised both hands in surrender, a faint chuckle escaping him though his eyes softened. "Alright, alright. I admit it was reckless. But look at him," he gestured at Rowan, whose small frame stood firm, eyes steady despite the heavy silence, "for a six-year-old, he’s got something special. The way he moved, it wasn’t normal."
"He’s talented," Aldwin said coldly, "but he’s still my son. Don’t use him as your experiment."
Edric sighed. "Fair enough." His tone shifted, losing its playful edge. "Anyway, about what I said earlier, the naming ceremony. We’re doing it. Properly this time."
Aldwin frowned. "You can’t just decide that on your own."
"Yes, I can," Edric said with a smirk that returned just a hint of his old arrogance. "You forget, I’m still the Duke’s son. You’ll receive an invitation tomorrow. Everyone will be there."
"Wait, at your father’s mansion?" Mira asked, surprised.
"Of course," Edric replied. "It’s only fitting. It’s time the family acknowledges him."
Aldwin’s expression darkened, but he sighed in defeat. "Fine. But next time, tell us first. And Edric."
Edric turned back, hand resting on the open carriage door. "Yeah?"
Aldwin’s eyes gleamed slightly under the setting sun. "If you ever pull something like that again."
"I know, I know," Edric interrupted with a grin. "You’ll cut me down before I can blink."
He winked at Rowan. "Hey, kid. Keep the sword. Consider it a gift from your uncle. Train hard, and one day, maybe you’ll surpass even me."
The carriage door closed with a click, and the wheels rolled away down the stone path. The air grew quiet again, but the tension lingered, mixed with something else. Pride. Fear. Expectation.
Rowan stood there, clutching the sword, his reflection glinting faintly along the blade. His heart was still pounding.
The sound of hooves faded into the distance as the carriage disappeared beyond the hill.
Rowan stood there, silent, his small hand still gripping the sword that shimmered faintly under the sunlight. The cool breeze brushed against his face, but his thoughts burned hotter than ever.
That was actually fun, he thought, his heart still pounding from the clash. Even if it was short, that spar made my blood race.
His fingers tightened on the hilt.
If I had gone all out, if I had used the techniques from my past life, he wouldn’t have stood a chance.
A faint smirk touched his lips. But I held back. I had to. If I unleashed even a fraction of my sword aura, this place would’ve been in ruins.
He looked toward the horizon where Edric’s carriage vanished.
He wasn’t just sparring with me, he was testing me. Trying to see what I’d do if he went after my mother. Trying to see if I’d hesitate.
His eyes darkened. But if he had truly tried to hurt her, I would’ve ended him.
Aldwin’s voice broke the silence.
"Son, that was incredible."
He approached slowly, half-stunned, half-proud. "I saw how you sparred with him. How did you move like that? Every swing, every step, it was like watching a seasoned adventurer."
Rowan blinked, forcing his heartbeat to calm. "I don’t know," he lied softly. "When he handed me that sword, something inside me just clicked. I felt alive. It’s not like the wooden sword I always use. This one feels real."
Aldwin chuckled under his breath, though the awe never left his face. "Maybe that’s it. You’re my son, after all. Your father once fought monsters that even veteran adventurers couldn’t handle. Maybe your blood remembers what your mind has yet to learn."
Then Mira came running out, her expression filled with worry.
She knelt, grabbing Rowan’s arms, scanning him from head to toe.
"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you? Tell me the truth," she said quickly.
Rowan smiled, the tension in his chest melting away. "I’m fine, Mom. Really."
Her hands trembled slightly as she checked him again anyway.
He looked at her, at the warmth in her eyes, the same warmth he’d once lost in another world.
This time, he thought, I won’t lose her. I won’t lose anyone I love again.
Mira exhaled softly and stood. "Come inside. Dinner’s ready."
As they turned toward the house, Rowan looked one last time at the sword in his hand.