"I overdid it…"

By the time I realized that, it was already too late.

“You really went all out again, didn’t you?”

“That was amazing, Brother!”

The overly enthusiastic voice of the old man and Alice’s innocent praise stabbed deeply into my conscience. What made it worse were the countless knights sprawled across the training ground.

“Ugh…”

“Ow…”

“This is insane…”

All of them were groaning in pain, their bodies twitching slightly. The only one still standing amidst this tragic scene was me, and, needless to say, I was the one who had put them in this state.

—This is seriously awkward…

Despite being the heir of a marquess family and inheriting the "Primal Magic" bloodline ability, I was still just a young boy. Who could have predicted such an outcome from a training session? Even I, the perpetrator, was bewildered. It had to be a mistake… No, I desperately wanted it to be a mistake.

After all, I hadn’t even given it my all.

—I was only using, at most, fifty percent of my "Blood Flow Manipulation." I still had plenty of room to spare.

“…Did they hold back?”

As the heir to the Marquess family, the knights might have been careful, fearing the consequences if something happened to me. This suspicion began to take root in my mind, but the old man shot it down.

“That’s not it. They may have held back at first, but halfway through, they were genuinely trying to bring you down. The ones facing you would know best. Isn’t that right, Clay?”

“….”

All I could do was glare at the smug old man. This damn geezer had known this would happen all along and had played me like a fiddle.

—Damn it… I swore I wouldn’t stand out or get carried away…

Now, I looked like nothing but an obnoxious kid showing off and drawing attention. Curse this hot-blooded nature of mine.

“This is your current strength and potential. How does it feel? Doesn’t this make the idea of future training even more exciting? You have the talent to grow even stronger.”

“….”

I hated how pleased he sounded. Even though I was being genuinely praised, it didn’t sit right with me. The realization of my growing strength and potential was thrilling, but the regret overshadowed it all.

“I really messed up…”

“Oh, it was a truly spectacular performance.”

“You were so cool, Brother!”

“….”

That’s not what I meant. Well, maybe it was, but there was something else I wanted to say. While I was lost in thought, the knights, who had been groaning on the ground, began to get up and surround me.

“Wha—?!”

Their unsteady movements, reminiscent of undead, sent chills down my spine.

I braced myself, expecting them to gang up on me to take revenge for their humiliation. But—

“You’re incredible, kid!”

“Where on earth does that monstrous strength of yours come from!?”

“Hey, you fools! This is the Marquess family’s heir! Show some respect!”

Apparently, my expectations were off the mark. Instead, the knights, brimming with excitement, praised my performance during the spar.

“….”

Their unexpected reactions left my brain struggling to process. In my previous life, I was never genuinely praised. Compliments were always a front, filled with ulterior motives. No one ever truly saw me for who I was. So now, confronted with such sincere admiration, I didn’t know how to react.

“What’s the matter? Embarrassed? You’re still just a kid.”

“Shut up, you damn geezer!”

The old man’s taunt snapped me out of my daze, and I lashed out reflexively. Honestly, though, I was grateful. If they had continued to shower me with praise, it might have brought out a side of me I’d rather keep buried.

—I was already barely holding myself back.

The truth is, the more I’m praised, the more arrogant I become. It’s a flaw that’s led me to make unnecessary mistakes and even challenge nations without realizing I was just a pawn. Even though I know better, my body instinctively reacts to praise, almost like a curse.

—Is this some kind of hex…?

While lost in thought and trying to escape the excitable knights, another voice called out to me.

“Such impressive skill. The future of the Bradley family is in good hands.”

“Haha, thank you… W-WHAT!?”

When I turned toward the voice with a polite smile, my mind went blank. Standing before me was a knight clad in crimson armor, his presence dwarfing everyone else in the training ground. Even at a glance, I could tell he was as strong as the old man—no, perhaps stronger.

“Oh! You were watching, Gilflare!”

The old man called out to him cheerfully. That knight… Gilflare Ashflame. Of course, I knew who he was. Anyone in this kingdom would.

One of the Seven Peerless Swords, the elite knights personally recognized by the king. Gilflare Ashflame was undoubtedly one of the strongest warriors in Chronostalia.

“W-why is someone like him…?”

Why was he here? How long had he been watching? Overwhelmed by the flood of questions, I froze as he approached me with a courteous bow.

“It’s an honor to meet you. My name is Gilflare Ashflame, Fourth Seat of the Seven Peerless Swords of Chronostalia. I look forward to working with you, Claym Bradley.”

“I-I’ve heard many great things about you. It’s an honor to meet someone of your caliber in a place like this…”

“I’m flattered that you know of me.”

Even as he knelt with the utmost respect, I couldn’t relax. Though I outranked him in social standing, his sheer presence was suffocating. In my previous life, I might have felt a surge of superiority. Now, I was anything but relaxed.

—He’s a monster, isn’t he?

Even from his stance, it was clear. This knight’s strength was overwhelming. As I struggled to compose myself, he posed an unexpected question.

“Claym, you still seem full of energy. Were these knights insufficient as training partners?”

“Wha—?! N-not at all! Everyone went easy on me, considering my inexperience. It was an invaluable training session!”

“Strange, then, as I could hear some rather dissatisfied remarks during the sparring.”

“….”

I winced, recalling my arrogant remarks during the heat of the moment.

—Getting carried away never ends well…

As I silently berated myself, Gilflare made a shocking suggestion.

“If it pleases you, would you like to spar with me?”

“…Huh?”

“Oh! That’s a great idea! Do it, do it!” the old man eagerly chimed in.