The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman - Chapter 5: The Siblings' Reactions

“——Five-year-old Luca manifested aura?!”

With a dull thud, the drink on the table spilled spectacularly. A stain formed on the cream-colored carpet, but the white-haired man showed no sign of caring about it as he raised his voice even further.

“Yes, it’s true. I just heard it from Father.”

“Damn!”

The ones speaking were the sons and daughters of The Salvatore ducal family. In other words, Luca’s brothers and sisters.

Both had white hair swaying, and the man in particular was severely agitated.

“Impossible. Aura at five years old? Even the first family head didn’t first awaken aura until he was eight! Three years earlier than that…”

“Definitely the fastest in history. Apparently he won a duel against Kamren with that power.”

“Hah! Kamren’s just small fry anyway. Someone who can’t even use aura isn’t even worth using as a measuring stick.”

“But Kamren is seven. Defeating someone two years older isn’t easy. You understand that, don’t you? You can’t beat me, after all.”

“Sh-shut up! I’ll kill you soon enough. But right now, it’s about Luca’s matter. If Luca really manifested aura, that talent far exceeds ours. Even the first family head—”

“That’s right. We awakened aura when we were around twelve. It’s an overwhelming difference.”

“Who would have thought a stronger enemy than Norn-nee-san would emerge…”

“We still don’t know if that talent is genuine, do we?”

“What are you saying? Norn-nee-san manifested aura at ten. She’s now the strongest swordsman excluding Father. Without doubt, Luca will rise to the top.”

“In exchange, we’ve moved further from the position of family head.”

The white-haired woman gazed out the window with melancholy. However, the man harbored killing intent instead. Leaving Luca alone like this wasn’t a good strategy.

“Damn, damn, damn! Can I just sit here with my hands tied?!”

Biting his nails and violently kicking his chair, the white-haired man left the room. Watching him go, the white-haired woman murmured quietly.

“What a foolish man. With your level of talent, you can’t beat Luca. We’re ultimately—”

The sound cut off from there. There was no need to put it into words.

☆

The next morning. I woke up feeling refreshed, and as soon as I finished breakfast, a male butler led me to the training ground.

Apparently, head Lucius had prepared a special opponent for me. Was I going to be made to fight someone again?

What awaited me as I thought this was—a black-haired woman.

She was considerably older than me. That was natural. She was the eldest daughter of The Salvatore ducal family, Norn Salvatore.

Her red eyes shone mysteriously yet beautifully.

“Good day, Luca. It’s been a while since we’ve met face to face like this.”

“It’s been a while, Norn-nee-san. When did you return to the mansion?”

“I returned yesterday. I was resting peacefully when Father suddenly came to see me. He said Luca has talent so I should teach him swordsmanship and aura. Can you really use aura despite being five years old?”

“I can use it. Look, like this.”

Yesterday, under Lilith’s supervision, I trained with aura. My aura manipulation ability, which had been mediocre, had improved since yesterday.

Norn-nee-san should probably be able to sense even minute amounts of aura.

“! It’s true. Amazing, Luca. Overwhelmingly fast. Faster than even the first family head…”

“Thank you. I’ll become a fine swordsman like Norn-nee-san.”

“Fine? Oh my, hehe.”

Norn-nee-san was the strongest swordsman in the clan, excluding our father Lucius. Though her manner of speaking was graceful and gentle, her abilities were genuine.

A member of the Salvatore family who had once challenged her in battle—one of my brothers—had died from receiving her sword. With a single blow, at that.

Though she appeared gentle now, she also possessed the fierce aspect typical of Salvatore family members.

“——Oh, that’s right. I heard about it. That Kamren was bullying Luca, that you dueled, that he said terrible things.”

“Eh? Ah, yes.”

How did she know about that? I didn’t think Lucius would talk about it…

“That won’t do. Despite having no talent, interfering with the talented Luca’s progress.”

Nee-sanr’s voice gradually became lower. She was definitely angry.

“As a member of the Salvatore family, he should die. Perhaps I should kill him for you? Both Kamren and the butler who interfered with Luca.”

“Tch.”

Though her tone remained unchanged, dense killing intent emanated from her body.

The nearby male butler trembled and turned pale. Even a veteran like him was like this. I too couldn’t stop sweating.

This was the existence said to be the strongest even within the Salvatore family! She had appeared in the game too. As one of the enemy characters, she boasted overwhelming strength.

Such an opponent was before me. Within range of my sword.

I couldn’t reach her yet… but someday, my blade would kill her. I wanted to become strong enough to kill her.

But that was that, and this was this. It had nothing to do with now. I somehow managed an awkward smile and said to her:

“No. You don’t need to kill Kamren-nii-san or the butler.”

“Really? Even though they’re small fry? Do they have… value in living?”

“Kamren-nii-san might grow, after all. Besides, the master stopped it too. If you killed the butler without permission, you’d get scolded.”

“Mmm… I don’t like being scolded by Father. It can’t be helped. I’ll specially forgive them.”

With a smile, Norn-nee-san dispelled her killing intent. Both the butler and I breathed sighs of relief.

“By the way, Norn-nee-san, you’re going to teach me swordsmanship and aura?”

“Yes. It’s Father’s order, and I’d be happy to do it for my cute, cute little brother.”

Norn-nee-san hugged me tightly. Two abundant swells pressed against my face.

Didn’t you just talk about killing one of your brothers?

Talent, I guess. Those with talent get recognized as brothers. The Salvatore family really was completely insane.

I was the only normal one. (T/N: Yeah right, just above, you talked about killing Norn)

“Well then, let’s start by reviewing swordsmanship. You practice regularly, don’t you?”

“Yes. Personally, I’d like to devote time to aura training though.”

“I understand the feeling well. Swords just need to be swung to kill opponents. Only mediocre people prattle about technique. If you crush them with overwhelming power, everything works out nicely.”

“Haha. I agree.”

Like hell I do.

That’s only possible for Nee-san and Lucius, who boast overwhelming aura output.

It’s impossible for me, who hasn’t reached that level yet. For now, I can only learn technique and aura manipulation and control.

I became slightly anxious about having her as my instructor. However, it was also true that the head’s decision couldn’t be overturned.

While sighing inwardly, I trained with Norn-nee-san.