After washing himself thoroughly and putting on fresh clothes...

"..."

Kyle prepared a special gift and left Rose Manor. The fourth floor was so vast that it hardly seemed possible for it to be inside a tower, yet when he opened the manor's door with the elevator in mind, it led straight to the elevator.

'Well, isn't that something.'

He had been told that this was a gift from the Dragon King, fashioned from all manner of magic, but the Sword Tower's structure and mysteries still made no sense to him. There was no particular need to understand them, either. This was simply that sort of place.

It certainly was convenient, though. Instead of crossing the distant grasslands himself, he could go straight to the elevator. It was all thanks to his having been registered as a pureblood of the Sword Tower yesterday.

Of course, that did not mean he could freely connect to the other manors on the fourth floor. To enter a private place like that, he had to ask permission, much as he would knock on a door.

For now, he had no business at his relatives' manors. He had barely even spoken to anyone other than Erika. So he took the elevator down to the first floor as planned, to thank his grandfather Julius for the many precious, useful gifts he had sent.

'And play like we did yesterday.'

Thanks to the three elixirs that worked on his body, his stamina was incomparably better than yesterday. Now he could "play" even better. He had gained far more strength than was normal for his age, too, so aside from his small stature, he should be able to wield a sword reasonably well.

'A shame I can't hold a real blade.'

He might have more than enough talent, but five was too young to wield a real sword. Being so young was unfortunate, yet it also meant he had plenty of room left to grow. Kyle felt no impatience.

The central hall on the Sword Tower's first floor. The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw—

"Lucia, did you really lose to that little brat?"

"Be honest. You weren't trying, were you?"

A pair of brats surrounding another brat and giving her grief.

"No, I fought seriously."

"Liar! You fought seriously and lost to that little brat? That doesn't make any sense!"

"It's true. The head of the house told me to give it everything I had without using mana."

"How is it everything you've got if you aren't using mana? Liar!"

"Lucia, you showed him around the first floor yesterday. What did you say to him?"

"Well..."

"You bad-mouthed me, didn't you? Didn't you? You sucked up to him by bad-mouthing me!"

The one making these utterly ridiculous accusations was a large boy with brown hair and green eyes.

Bruno Alastor, son of Varkas, the second son. Bullying Lucia alongside him was Vecius Alastor, the second son of Cartan, the eldest son. Both boys were ten.

"Lucia would never do that...!"

Fortunately, one girl was taking Lucia's side. Vivian Alastor, daughter of Dante, the fourth son. She was seven, two years older than Kyle.

"What do you know about it?"

"Vivian, are you taking Lucia's side?"

"Dad said demons are a vicious, evil race who lie all the time. That makes Lucia a liar, too."

Bruno tossed out the racist remark without hesitation. Lies, was it? As Kyle stepped out of the elevator, he thought back to the demons he had encountered in his past life. They had certainly been vicious, but he didn't recall them being particularly dishonest.

"Lucia's a nasty liar. She bad-mouthed us to that little kid and even lost on purpose to get on his good side."

"I did not bad-mouth you, Master Bruno, nor did I lose on purpose."

"You're lying again!"

"I am not lying."

"That's right. She isn't."

Kyle spoke as he approached his cousins. Bruno and Vecius had been so busy harassing Lucia that they had failed to notice the elevator doors opening. They spun toward him in surprise.

"Lucia didn't bad-mouth you, and she didn't lose on purpose."

"Y-you..."

"Hi."

Kyle greeted them with a curl of his lips. The utterly senseless bullshit peculiar to children. Having grown up squabbling with children his own age in a mercenary company in his past life, he was quite familiar with this sort of crap.

"Why are you giving Lucia shit?"

"G-giving her shit?"

This was no ordinary noble family, so foul language was hardly unfamiliar. Still, hearing that from a five-year-old cousin he had only met yesterday left Bruno gaping.

"Do you know who we are?"

Beside the huffing Bruno, Vecius narrowed his eyes. Unlike Bruno, who was built like a bear, Vecius was slender. He glared at Kyle while twisting his blond hair around his fingers.

"I do. You're Vecius. He's Bruno."

"And do you know how old we are?"

"Ten."

"Then why aren't you showing us any respect?"

Vecius's eyebrows shot up.

"Because I don't feel like it."

"Wh-what?"

"I don't feel like it."

Kyle didn't bother trying to reason with him, either. Why was he speaking so casually? Just because. Children's arguments needed neither clear logic nor reasons. You simply had to dig in your heels and be loud.

"I'm five whole years older than you! And my dad is your mom's older brother!"

"I know."

"Then call me big brother!"

"No."

"Why not?!"

"Because I don't feel like it."

At the repeated answer, Vecius beat his chest in frustration. Bruno, who had been standing there openmouthed, began breathing heavily. Unlike Vecius, who had at least tried to gain the upper hand with words, Bruno clenched his fists and strode toward Kyle.

"B-Bruno!"

Startled, Vivian tried to catch his arm, but he swung it sharply and shook her off. She staggered and nearly fell, only for Lucia to rush over and steady her.

"Master Bruno...!"

Lucia cried out, emotion coloring her voice. Vecius immediately snapped at her.

"Lucia, do you dare get angry at Bruno?"

Lucia's brow twisted. Her talent might have earned her a place in the Sword Tower, but she was an outsider who did not bear the Alastor name. Worse, she was half demon, descended from a race regarded as foreign enemies until a few centuries ago.

"Get angry."

Kyle's voice reached Lucia just as she closed her mouth and lowered her head. Startled, she looked up at him. The hulking Bruno was marching straight toward him, yet Kyle was grinning.

"You're stronger than him. That means you can get angry. Right?"

"Wh-what are you saying?"

"Just beat the crap out of him."

Horrified, Vecius turned toward Kyle. That five-year-old brat had to be out of his mind. Get angry? Beat him up? Lucia was an outsider without the Alastor name. A lowborn thing abandoned on a beach, whose parents were unknown.

"Y-you understand the blood that runs through our veins, don't you? A mongrel like Lucia could never..."

"You shouldn't call people mongrels."

"What's wrong with calling a mongrel a mongrel?!"

"That mongrel is stronger than you. Isn't strength what matters most here?"

The look in Kyle's eyes abruptly changed, though his grin remained. Lucia and Vecius. He didn't need to see them fight to know which was stronger. Even Lucia's stance was better. Perhaps Vecius had some hidden trick, and that sloppy stance was an act—

As if. A two-year age gap meant little to someone who was half demon.

Despite a bloodline that inevitably invited contempt, Lucia had earned her place in the Sword Tower on talent alone. Kyle had only trounced her because his experience and ability to anticipate her moves outweighed the difference in their physical abilities. Unless someone was truly exceptional, beating Lucia at their age would be difficult.

"..."

Lucia had never imagined she would be pushed like this. Get angry and beat him up? Naturally, she could not go that far. Still, Kyle's question—wasn't strength what mattered most?—planted a tiny seed in her heart.

"Hey."

Bruno stopped in front of Kyle and glared down at him as fiercely as he could. Perhaps he took after the bear-like Varkas; he was far bigger and more heavily built than a typical ten-year-old.

"What makes you think you can act like such a little shit?"

Bruno asked in a deliberately low voice. What gave him the confidence? Kyle had plenty of answers to that question. A simple "Grandfather" would leave Bruno with nothing to say.

But that answer was neither entertaining nor what Kyle wanted. He intended to use his grandfather's favor as a shield against pressure from the adult relatives, but his opponent here was another little brat.

Children naturally feared adults. Merely invoking an adult could stop a fight, but it would solve nothing at its root. They would be living in the same place and crossing paths from now on, so it was important to get things right from the very start.

"I've got confidence in myself."

Adults were far away; fists were close at hand. Kyle answered with a grin.

"You think you're somebody?"

"Yep."

"And who are you?"

"Kyle."

"I know your name! I'm asking what makes you so great!"

"Lots of things."

"You think you're better than me?"

"Yep. A whole fucking lot better."

The answer, delivered with a radiant smile, finally made Bruno snap. He raised a large hand to shove Kyle in the chest, but Kyle moved first. As Kyle swiftly sidestepped, Bruno stumbled with the force of his own shove.

"You little bastard!"

Bruno grew angrier still. He shouted and swung a fist at Kyle, but once again it missed.

Kyle delighted in feeling the effects of the elixirs he had taken earlier. Bruno's slow, predictable punches would have been easy to dodge even before the elixirs. Now everything was so effortless that it was almost boring.

'They must be watching, but no one's coming to stop us.'

The Funeral Knights guarding the first floor had to be watching this fight. Yet none intervened. Was it because this was a squabble between children? Or did this, too, fall under the rule that the strong reign supreme? Either way, it suited Kyle.

"Just! Stay! Still!"

Bruno shouted, huffing. Not one of his wildly swinging fists touched Kyle. Every punch seemed about to land, yet somehow missed, leaving him frustrated and furious.

"If I stay still, you'll hit me."

Kyle dodged another punch with an infuriating smile. The elixirs really were good. His body moved instantly with every thought, and even moving this quickly and continuously did not tire him at all.

"Ngh...!"

Provoked beyond endurance, Bruno spread his arms wide. He meant to rush in and grab Kyle, but instead of dodging, Kyle stepped straight into his reach.

THUD!

Kyle's little fist struck Bruno squarely in the solar plexus.

"Gah!"

A strangled cry burst from Bruno's mouth. The blow was impossibly heavy for a five-year-old's fist. His breath caught and his legs went weak.

Bones hardened by ironclad dragon marrow. Muscles made strong and elastic by blood-demon tree fruit. Kyle had held back, thinking a full-strength punch might cause a catastrophe, but apparently he had held back too much.

'He's ridiculously tough, too.'

Then again, Bruno must have been given elixirs as well, even if not as many as Kyle. He was plainly sturdy to begin with, and he would have learned a mana cultivation method. It was only natural that he was tough.

"Ugh...!"

Bruno staggered, clutching his stomach. He barely managed to keep from collapsing. Along with the pain came an overwhelming sense of humiliation. At ten years old, he had not only been punched by a five-year-old, but had nearly crumpled to the floor.

"B-Bruno?!"

Vecius's eyes widened until they looked ready to pop out. Vivian and Lucia were left openmouthed as well.

"Want some more?"

Kyle asked Bruno. That taunting question snapped the last thread of Bruno's reason.

"I'll kill you...!"

Bruno jerked his head up. Murderous intent filled his bloodshot eyes. A faint red glow flared around his clenched fist.

Compared with what Kyle had seen in his past life, it was utterly insignificant, but aura was still aura. It was not something to bring into a children's fistfight. Kyle had not even begun learning mana; if that fist struck him, even his elixir-strengthened body would suffer serious injuries at the very least.

"Master Bruno!"

Lucia screamed, but Kyle's eyes remained calm. However powerful and dangerous an attack might be, he only had to avoid being hit.

'Drawing out aura means he's using mana. How much will that change his movements?'

If anything, Kyle was curious. He wanted to know how much a mana cultivation method would transform this little bear.

"Die!"

Bruno roared and lunged at Kyle. At the same instant, Lucia rushed forward to stop him.

Unfortunately, Kyle's curiosity went unsatisfied.

A black shadow darted in and caught Bruno's fist.

"That's enough, young master."

A low, calm voice. A Funeral Knight—not the one who had visited Rose Manor earlier—looked down at Bruno.

"L-let go! He started it...!"

Bruno struggled, but the knight's hand did not budge. His paltry aura faded uselessly within the knight's grasp.

"Sparring between family members is encouraged, but lethal attacks are forbidden. Using aura in particular crossed the line."

The knight looked coldly down at Bruno. Beneath that icy gaze, Bruno froze. His anger drained away, replaced by fear.

"Release him."

An authoritative voice rang through the hall. Everyone turned toward it.

At some point, the door to the corridor leading to the Hall of Sword Pinnacles had opened.

"M-my lord...!"

Vecius and Vivian hurriedly bowed their heads, while Lucia dropped to one knee. Bruno went deathly pale.

Julius looked from Bruno to Kyle, who stood perfectly composed.

"A ten-year-old using aura against a cousin five years younger? Were you trying to kill him?"

"I... I..."

"I certainly heard you shout for him to die. Answer me, Bruno Alastor. Were you trying to kill your cousin?"

"N-no. I was just... so angry that I lost control..."

"You used aura because you were angry? Unable to properly control your emotions. Your mind is shallow and frivolous. You wield more power than you deserve."

Tears welled in Bruno's eyes.

"I-I'm sorry. Please forgive me..."

"Leave."

"Yes...!"

Bruno backed away as though fleeing. After a moment's hesitation, Vecius followed.

The Funeral Knight withdrew as well, leaving only Julius, Kyle, Vivian, and Lucia in the hall.

"Grandfather!"

Kyle approached Julius with a sunny smile, as though the fight had never happened.

"I did well, didn't I? He didn't hit me once, and I even landed a punch."

Julius let out a chuckle. It was absurd that the first thing out of the boy's mouth was a boast rather than an apology for causing a disturbance.

"Yes, well done. The elixirs are certainly working."

Julius knew it was not simply the elixirs. Despite the tremendous strength his body had gained, Kyle had not been overwhelmed by it. He controlled it perfectly, read every one of Bruno's attacks, and countered with precision. He had sensed it during yesterday's "play," too: his grandson's talent—especially his feel for combat—went beyond anything the word genius could describe.

"What brings you to the first floor?"

"I came to play with you again, Grandfather. And to thank you."

"Ha. So you want to play again."

Smiling, Julius held out a hand. Kyle promptly took it.

"Aren't you two coming?"

Kyle looked back at Lucia and Vivian. Vivian, who had been standing in a daze, gave a start and shook her head vigorously. Lucia composed herself and lowered her head as well.

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Then let's play another time."

With that, Kyle headed for the Hall of Sword Pinnacles, holding Julius's hand.

"Thank you for the gifts."

As they walked down the corridor, Kyle looked up at Julius.

"Did you like them?"

"Yes, I did. They didn't taste good, though."

"Good elixirs are always bitter."

"They hurt an awful lot, too."

"But you gained a great deal in exchange for a little pain, didn't you?"

"It wasn't just a little. I thought I might die."

Julius faltered.

"Don't tell me you took them all?"

"Hm? Yes. I took them all."

"All three...?"

Even a full-grown adult would not dare take another immediately after consuming one. He had sent those elixirs to be taken over several days. Hearing that Kyle had consumed them all at once left Julius dumbfounded.

"Wasn't it agonizing?"

"It was. But it felt like the more it hurt, the stronger my body became, so I just took them all."

"Ha."

What remarkable endurance, Julius thought, inwardly marveling.

"This is my gift to you, Grandfather."

Kyle took out the "gift" tucked inside his clothes.

"A gift...?"

Julius looked in surprise at what Kyle held.

It was a letter.

"Read it later."

Naturally, Kyle had written it himself.

Filled with gratitude and affection for his grandfather.