Chapter 3

It's been 5 weeks after I'm reborn as Tarakager "Tara" Wycliffe, in one of the founding clans of The United Crownlands of Aldria, The Wycliffe Clan.

I heard a lot, the statement of "magic and magic does not exist at the same time" because of it, the "bioenergy".

I did know there's what made things here in this world, and my past life world, Tellus, different. It's Spirium —a force in the air, part of the world itself, a "mana oxygen", a bioenergy, I referred as, that couldn't be everyone tapped into easily. It's everywhere including in every living being.

Each country in this world had a different way or method like "there's various magic systems of each country in a world" setting close to the story I read from my past life, The Blood Sigil Convergence of the Crimson Dominion, a story featured having "each country having their own magic system" in the story world itself.

A kind of fantasy world…I would have to know more about and experience it myself. Should I know what I know that statement was sort of different should there be a day of me seeing one of the Geistatmung moves one day and different than the so-called what in my eyes called "not magic" and different from my perpective than I expected, so be it because the game of Beast Hunter I played did have a fantasy elements.

In here, The United Crownlands of Aldria, there's one item, an Aldrian-exclusive item for Geistatmung, the Aldrian method, I would need to gets my hands on and possess, the Geisterklinge des Reiches. The pendants were what made the Aldrian method be itself and the stories of how the Aldrian method, Geistatmung, developed and refined by The Wyynser Royal Dynasty's ancestors and the predecessor of The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon during [The Birth of Geistatmung Period].

As a swordsman, this was what I needed, and to put the things I had from my past life — being The Royal Hidden Blade of Steinburgia, my 'side job' occupation for being part of The Vongola Famiglia, serving the Steinburgian Crown as Cedric Arboleda Vongola — to good use while doing fixes and upgrading my Heavenly Azure Fang Arts as Tarakager "Tara" Wycliffe in this world I'm currently living in.

My past life world, Tellus, does not have that, no magic at all, no weapon summoning, and no "mana oxygen".

There were just many things for me to observe, and learn various topics.

I also grasped some names of my kinsmen, retainers and staff of the Houe, and persons that may be of importance with the exception of House Wellenstein and other clans and families who were my other relatives in this life.

I also tracked topics that may and would also be important including the names of the Aldrian entities throughout the country.

While Vongolo Primo gave the bonuses before he reincarnated me into this world, with the bestiary classification counted, it's only a habit of mine to take down the important words or terms to remember such as [The Waffenarian Order for State and Realm Building], [The Crown State Administrative Council of the Reich], [The Grand Royal Central State Oversight Administration], [Bestiary Central Information Network System], [The Crown Sovereign Administration of Beastiary Affairs], [The Charter of the Mankind Declaration], [Mundo Gilders], Geistatmung, Aldrianer Wyrmstahl and the names of the Aldrian currencies, [Mythenspiegel Virtual Simulator System], etc., to be added to the growing collection of my memory palace.

Currently at the portion of the Wycliffe Clan compound, I'm almost somewhat bored except the other day of remembering the elemental synthesis related-things spoken by the adults here and those from [The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon].

I couldn't do anything in this infant body except to listen to a story narrated by one of the Silver Dragon Cross Knights, an Aldrian occupation that was seen as the Aldrian version of hunter, a hunter named Isolde Starthril, narrating the story, wore her custom armor suited to her skill set.

The story dated 100 years ago was about one of the Aldrian figures, one of the dukes of House Blernan, Trysten Traummond, known as The Black Prince of Traummond, one of the [The Knights of the Boundless Wings], one of the living legends in this country, did one of the remarkable feats during the Rampage that took place at The Kingdom of Eryndral.

The Knights of the Boundless Wings, they were the GOATs. I heard of this in person and understood what it was from their mouths and discussions. One of my late ancestors in this life as Tarakager "Tara" Wycliffe, Gisella Wellenstein, was one of them. It became very rememberable of being surrounded of Aldrian children who wanted to be one of them like here and there in the Wycliffe Clanlands for what happened such as my parents go visit their training and the rites, or visiting the Wycliffe Clan Shrine during their childhood.

Included in the summary of my previous weeks, I was able to grasp a bit of the Aldrian method too at when one of the Wycliffe children enrolled in one of the [The Silverwing Academy Network] academies asked the adults here and the Silver Dragon Cross Knights about tips, or Riella left some drawing or poster of the orders including from [The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon] to catch my attention or interest as an infant while my materns discussing on the plans regarding mysel and my siblings, or some reminiscence of their days when they were knight-cadets back in their day, or training.

This current situation of mine I'm experiencing in this nursery portion of the Clan Compound, there's group kinsmen of mine, those children to be exact, listening to the narrated story.

It was part of Blue Star World history but toned down for children's story.

I had no comment to that. I was told of many tales from my past life before when I was Cedric Arboleda Vongola save for the fake news garbage espoused by The United Sovereign States of Belamor and its clown circus legion.

Besides, what's wrong with knowing this world's history retold as a child?

"And the sight of Pine of the Blackforest Shroud, a blade wielded by The Black Prince of Traummond, a Knight of the Boundless Wings, slained the Vorathis, the Spectral Dragon, ending The Rampage in Ravencairn Valley. The end."

'Another piece of story narrated for today with the Aldrian children excited from hearing a tale. Just a typical normal behavior for a child and their innocence.' Having the normal sight of my 'older' kinsmen, the children, a bit excited from listening, I let them be until —

"I cannot wait for the start of my training next week." said Isolde, a 4-years-old sky blue-haired Wycliffe clansman, her ruby red eyes showing some excitement. "It's a dream of mine to be a Knight of the Boundless Wings."

"Me too."

"Me three."

"Me four."

"Me five."

The one who narrated the story, Marice Starthril, a Silver Dragon Cross Knight, here in the Wycliffe Clanlands through The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon - Wycliffe Clanlands Branch, a beautiful red hair-colored Vyrmaldrian female Aldrian sporting violet eyes, smiled a bit. "Well then, young Isolde, children, I look forward to seeing that happen. However, as part of the ancient traditions set forth by Carolus the First Cross, before enrolling in any of the esteemed schools within The Crossed Blades of the Silver Dragon Academy Network—the Aldrian hunting schools—you must first undergo the Rise of the First Hunt to be admitted."

Geisterfang Ritual, informally called [The Rite of the First Hunt], it's an Aldrian rite of passage for the Aldrian children who would be enrolled in any of [The Crossed Blades of the Silver Dragon Academy Network] schools to start off the journey of becoming a hunter dating back during [The Birth of Geistatmung Period]. With traditions and practices refined and compiled, and taking place at the controlled hunting grounds, this not only involved studying and training but also involved having to do the first hunting and first kill to complete the passage. This was also the fated day of receiving that pendant and joining the ranks of The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon as the knight-cadet of The Crown Order itself and becoming part of the The United Crownlands Hunter Community.

"Understood, Miss Marice." said Isolde, her sight of determination and excitement, present. "I will be serious in my studies and training to reach my dream. Nothing else would stop me from chasing it."

'If you can back it up and your seriousness and determination, I look forward to see you towards your success and possibly one of my future comrades in arms.' I thought, watching some adults and some guards here had their smiles on including Marice Starthril herself.

One of the adults, one of the persons from The Governing Executive Board of House Affairs, Sirius von Wycliffe, spoken up, "Very well, young Isode. Since you've shown such seriousness, and haven't wavered, consider yourself officially in preparation for the Geisterfang Ritual, starting today. The Department will assign an instructor to guide you through the procedure, and both The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon, and The Central Government will be duly informed, as will the CBSDAN, [The Governing Administration of the Wycliffe Clanlands], and relevant entities from [Kaiserliches Staatsmanagement]."

"Thank you…I'll make our ancestors proud."

'Well, that went from being prepared for The National Sentinel Initiative Class and going to the non-Hunting Academy to being groomed for a hunter nd attend any of the hunting academies. Perhaps I should go straight with it since that could give me an excuse and refining my swordsmanship? ' I thought, while watching things unfold into a typical life, and children dispersed to who knows where and escorted by their accompanying adults and guardians, leaving myself to be carried by my birth mother, Elara Wycliffe-Lirengarde, a red-haired woman, wearing a yukata, and her father, one of my grandparents, on the side of House Lirengarde, a Knight of the Boundless Wings, Ser Rouvin Lirengarde, a Vyrmaldrian from House Lirengarde clad in his usual attire that could be doubled as a battle-ready attire.

That thing, it screamed Steinburgian influence but no knew it unless one's a reincarnator. Call me observant, there's Steinburgian ambience places in this world.

"My cute son, Tara, are you inspired now after hearing a piece of history?"

Elara Wycliffe-Lirengarde, my birth mother, one of the consorts of my father, Ser Aelfwine Wycliffe, was also a Skjaldryðir, was one of the candidates for a Knight of the Boundless Wings. For someone like her from House Lirengarde, one of the founding clans of The United Crownlands, I heard she could go to that certain trial for a Knight of the Boundless Wings anytime because of her prowess.

While I'm not trying to smile along at her face looking at, me, I 'played' along towards saying' yes to her answer.

I basically cherished my family in this life.

"Kahahaha, a yes, from one of my cute grandchildren." said my grandfather, Rouvin, who I swore that laugh was not what I didn't expect, as he took me away from my mother's arms for a bit, that gave myself a view of one proudly smiling 20 something year old 'elf' as expected for being a Vyrmaldrian-descent Aldrian, and one of the living legends. "Tara, in the future, we will have more bonding time to come.

While you are a carrier of my blood, a carrier of Lirengarde blood and many more lineages, here in the United Crownlands, we are all family and different from the youngsters who had some squabbling and whatever they have in such important times and development. We're all together because that was what our ancestors including Gaharius the Sage, one of our Reich's founding king wanted to — be united and work together as one, embodying the Spirit of Waffenarian Steel."

'As you wish, my esteemed grandfather. I also forward to that too including seeing your swordsmanship and House Lirengarde's Focused Silver Crown of the Sword swordsmanship style. My kinsmen and future swordsmen should there be that day to come in the future, whatever happens, I hope you'll understand this is only for my growth.' I thought, mentally, remembering the day of my past life, the day I created that 'technique' when I was Cedric, while at the same time, look at him.

Dayum, for being my grandfather, he's handsome.

I had get to get used to it.

'Esteemed grandfather, this never changes the fact your appearance could even fucking pass off for an otome male protagonist or one of the handsome guys in a shoujo work. You even appear to be in 20s…And still I could not get over the fact that I —'

Grinning, my grandfather, Rouvin, put me back to my mother's arms who happily receives me back. Riella who was with them, followed.

We left off and I find Territorial Defense Troops, and other units in their shifts doing their public security while there's Medical Hospitallers, Silver Dragon Cross Knights, and knight-cadets alike going here and there towards their respective destinations including the paths that would lead to [Central Hub of Quests and Assignments], paths to various training facilities and buildings of various Aldrian entities, and the Smithy.

"Father," said my mother, "let's go to the library. My cute son likes it there."

"Indeed, Elara." agreed my grandfather, Rouvin, that had me get a look of that familiar knowing smile. "Perhaps, there'll be a day when Miri—"

"Father, like myself and my siblings two years ago, I'm happy to have another sibling, the timing was that awkward. Imagine the situation where including my cute children, have to address Miri."

'Some comical situation because of the Geistatung combined with genes and our family, I agree with your jest, Mom. I know our lineage got intertwined with the Wyynser Royal Dynasty and various Houses all over the years. How would I even address my aunt, your youngest sibling and sister, for that?' I thought, towards detecting my mother's amused tone in her jest, and watching my grandfather let out a laugh.

"Kahahaha! I bet a couple of Mundo Gilders towards a hilarity that'll occur in the future! If there is anything, someone like Tara would have a playmate only turning out to be his aunt all along! Kahahaha!"

'I give up. I will practice that certain exercise of Geistatmung instead. Dear me, that feels like some story from The People United Federal Domain of Valenfield about an MC cultivating when he was in his mother's womb from the beginning.'

Three hours later at the family room after the library, I watched with my usual boredom towards the adults and kinsman alike visited today in The Wycliffe Clanlands.

The library indeed got me hooked including some books I read. The history was what I thirsted for, and genuine knowledge.

There were many subjects I wanted to know more about.

Besides some selective exclusive books that require being a Silver Dragon Cross Knight, and a position and an affiliation to have an access to these books, there were many things added to my collection that included the one for my future opponents I desire to face on, including using the simulator.

However, at the library, The Grand Hall of Eternal Wisdom, my esteemed grandfather, Rouvin Lirengarde, spot on my 'act', my successful 'attempt', that brought me here, a family room or some sort, in this Wycliffe main mansion after our stay over at the library.

The sliding doors were locked and sealed.

As they say, never underestimate a veteran including the likes of them in this fantasy world. I should have known better but I hoped to my elders and adults that would be a sign for selecting my own path.

"Little Tara did that?"

"I do not recall any Aldrian infant who weren't trained in our Geistatmung, able to pull it off without a knowledge. I know mana oxygen is in us too, but this was very strange."

"We'll nurture him carefully then. A sign of it, must be what we needed to grab on and polish than to waste it. This is what Baelthyr Wycliffe engraved to our House's values." said my father, Aelfwine Wycliffe, smiling. "While I am very happy and proud of my son for that, we'll have to make sure it's not wasted because while our Fatherland has many collection of [Essence Arts] covered including the kind of weapon require for many generations, we still have our techniques and knowledge to impart as per our usual and the guidelines."

'Dad, know that it'll not be a waste since your cute son here is a reincarnator. No need to worry.' I thought, half-jokingly to myself, and to him, my good-looking father, while still doing that deed of that Geistatmung exercise.

There's no use of hiding it. It's my first time doing that but as a reincarnator bestowed with knowledge by whom they knew as Baelthyr Wycliffe in this world gave me such kind of knowledge. The insight from reading the books and hearing it from the practitioners had me drawn what should be done for the Aldrian method.

The current clan patriarch, Ragnaris Wycliffe, the current Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad, sitting in the middling, he's the father of one of my second cousins, Ethan Wycliffe. He has black hair and violet eyes, wearing an attire befitting of his rank. His tied hair, it had that clip bearing the Wycliffe sigil, holding it.

The Wycliffe sigil itself was encompossed by a smooth, silver circular border, symbolizing unity, protection, and the clan's versatility represented by a multi-pointed flaming star's flames pointing at various directions. The color of the sigil, it's silver.

"You're right, Aefwine." commented the Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad. "While now we know Tara doing it without himself knowing, a guidance and instruction would do the trick for his growth as an Aldrian, and joining [The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon]. Infant he may be currently, if polished and raised well, he would be another asset and talent serving the Crown and contributing to The Mankind Declaration."

"Lord Ragnaris, does that mean you're thinking the thing what I am thinking?"

"That's right, Charles." answered The Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad to his chief of staff. "Tara's path would be lined to [The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon]. Have The Department of Education and Development, and that certain leading group, prepare the materials needed to cultivate Tara towards that path. Also inform John Marston, Friedrich Altenburg, and others from [The Fellowship of the Silver Hunt Initiates], to prepare what is necessary for his training.

As for my eldest son, Ethan, we'll think about Skjaldryðir aspect of his education and training, like we planned from the beginning. Know that he's my heir as The Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad."

"Understood. What of Tara's [Geist-Wrought Arms] type, Lord Ragnaris?"

"I will answer on behalf of Lord Ragnaris — someone like us from House Lirengarde, and our family and affiliations, will take care of it." said my Lirengarde grandfather, Rouvin, with that grin, for The Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad, that had The Lord Paramount of Wycliffe Marensgrad, and my father nodded. "Tara's [Geist-Wrought Arms] would likely be a sword because Tara's been observing the knight cadets who are swordsmen including the children train and prepare for their enrollment towards any of the academies. The essential for being a Skjaldryðir, a Silver Dragon Cross Knight, included knowing the Healing Arts as one of the standards. Gerhardt the Pillar emphasized that, as such we have Kultur der Vieseitigikeit, The Aldrian Modularity Crafting Principles, The Spirit of Waffenarian Steel, The Balanced Wisdom Path, and many more in our Fatherland.

Speaking as a Knight of the Boundless Wings, including the training of hunting the small fries, the best way for Tara to grow too was also to look for the commissions from The Central Hub of Quests and Assignments, and have him participate in The Duel Arena, and any of the events while making use of [Mythenspiegel Virtual Simulator System] for his combat training.

This is how we grow and our triumphs including that day when they were around during the reign of Kaiserin Charlotte the 369th , Charlotte the Valkyrie.

From the founding of our Fatherland 55 millennia ago during The Birth of Geistatmung Period, we overcome and grow stronger than ever the last. This what The Spirit of Waffenarian Steel is all about.

The monster worshipping cult of 'youngsters' from that The State of Erezar, the heart of the Edenianinists, the Edomites? Alexandros Wycliffe-Lirengarde, Ser Blitzschlag des Drachensturm von Wycliffe-Lirengarde, also known as Alexandros the Rapid, only showed these fools what it truly means to face a Knight of the Boundless Wings, and slew one of their 'gods', during [The War of the Edenianity].

In the history of our civilization, we had slained many so-called 'gods' worshipped by these cults and its so-called prophets since [The Birth of Geistatmung Era]. For what right do these youngsters look at us with envy of our own heritage? Let them be, but we carry The Spirit of Waffenarian Steel within us."

At the pindrop of that Aldrian history, I could see the adults including the veterans became serious and trace of pride.

I knew the part of that history and a reminder.

It's the aspect of religion itself which was engrained in my values in my past life in my previous world. The books I read, the warning, and the couple more sources that cited dangerous religions that were dealt with by Steinburgia and The Order of the Turquoise Rose, it had me be on guard and viewed those things as cults, with no excuse of religious freedom towards the likes of it and banning the non-governmental organization fronts.

Thanks to whom they knew as Baelthyr Wycliffe who was responsible for reincarnating me and giving those bonuses, the cheats, I understood what they were referring at.

When I was born 5 weeks ago, there's indeed a trace of the knowledge bestowed to me that had me glad I was not born including that era, The 369th Charlottean Era of Aldria, the reign of Charlotte the Valkyrie.

[The War of the Edenianity] itself, that took place in one of the continents, Vedon, was a war against an infamous cult called [The Edenianist Movement] from the defunct State of Erezar whose 'religious' text was very discriminating, and having rituals done by the Edomites, who were the Erezarians.

The Edenianist venom was spread around in the infected continents and having many entities from it that included [The Labor Friends of Erezar in Rutriesal], and many more in a form of Pro-Erezar interests groups and fronts before and during her reign.

Through the knowledge I received, the work of 'them', that classified Aldrian unit, did the job of it, assassinating and killing the fanatics and Edenianists alike outside the Aldrian Realm itself in a manner that it's like my former job again.

This "Eternal Edenianity" 'religion' and analysis of its 'sacred text', Orin' Delath, created by the Edomites also known as the Erezarians, that worshipped, Maloch, an elder dragon-class monster that was also manbeast-class monster, personally slew by the kaiserin himself, only strengthened my stance towards the so-called religions.

From my past life self and my past life world of Tellus, my ancestors, and the operatives of [The Royal Hidden Blade of Steinburgia], and the Order of Turquoise Rose did that too to these so-called cults. I even fucking assassinated the 'priests', acolytes, and the celebrities at that particular disgusting pedophile colony in Little Saint John Islands, one of the pedophile colonies privately owned by that digusting Belamorian sex offender and financier. It was that very satisfying to procure a 'medicine' towards the pests for living such a life in Tellus.

In my current life, while there's veterans from [The War of the Purging Ashes] and previous eras alive, there were also something similar to it too during the reign of Kaiser Galahad the First, simply known as Galahad the White Storm — another 'religion' called, [The Ashen Covenant], a cult that worshipped Nyssoth, an elder dragon-class monster also personally killed by the kaiser himself.

For a world such as this, like one of the living legends, Ser Blitzschlag des Drachensturm von Lirengarde-Wycliffe, Alexandros the Rapid, did during the Edenianist Purge, a so-called 'god' worshipped by these cults, like before and the games I played from my past life, was merely a monster destined to be hunted by a man.

"(Regalis Waffenariae: To pass on the burning flames of Spirit of Waffenarian Steel,)" continued my grandfather, Rouvin, in Regalis Waffenariae, one of the Aldrian languages, "(Regalis Waffenariae: as per tradition, we'll have the veterans from [Die Veteranenhalle des Reiches] also guide my grandson's upbringing and training.

Why? This is our way, our Waffenarian way. Counting the fact we have [Veteranenhalle des Reiches] already created by before formation of our [Regnum Imperiale Draconum Argentum de Waffenaria] through by one of our ancestors, Lynus Basileus, we only need to make it count as per what he originally intended it during that period and have what it means to carry The Spirit of Waffenarian Steel.)

Towards the future challenges ahead for my grandson, Tara, we'll make him strong enough for [The Rite of the First Hunt]."

The adults nodded their heads in agreement and what he also said at the end in Blue Star Common.

'Good job me. Your swordsmanship training is now secured.' Cheering inwardly to myself while at the same time watching the adults discuss things a bit and them pulling out the device, I let things be unfold and observe them for more.

It's only a necessary for someone like myself to learn the "innings" of House Wycliffe up-close than to rely on that knowledge cheat. Experience was a necessity for me.

I also heard them mentioning of informing the Central Government itself, which was a normal procedure.

The Crown Liaison, the guy holding that position that served as link to The Wyynser Royal Dynasty, he did his job, I approve.

My father, sitting beside my mother, taking me in his arms, spoke to the gathered members. "Thank you everyone for the counsel, including Lord Paramount, in this emergency.

Now we have set the path for my son, Tara, it's time for us to translate those plans into a reality. May the Spirit of Waffenarian Steel continue to inspire our hearts and minds, just as it has guided our Reich throughout history."

'I cannot wait too, Dad. I will show this Spirit of Waffenarian Steel too and inspire our fellow men.'

———

Four years passed.

At the simulated environment simulated by [Mythenspiegel Virtual Simulator System], with a single move I made from my past life, Whispering Breeze Steps, I almost amusingly watch the upcoming slashes made by my sparring partner, a 5-year-old black-haired boy sporting green eyes, hitting nothing but air.

Immediately leaning the edge of my training sword, an iaito, a custom fit one for me, "a custom-fit iaito, but it's still an odachi... for a 4-years-old" , on my sparring partner's neck, because I'm behind him, I said to him, "That's another win of mine, Ethan."

"Jeeze, Tara! I'm supposed to be the older one here…well by one year! Yet against you it feels like I am facing someone who had experienced many fights and battles in his life."

Ethan Wycliffe, my second cousin, was basically one of my childhood friends in this life, and a heir to the current Lord Paramount of the Wycliffe Marensgrad, his father. We basically shared the same birth month, Sextus, the sixth month, with me 13 and him 10 for the days of the month itself. As a reincarnator myself, I slowly told him of the things a bit and of course bonding with him since he's a family. We trained and played, many more things to do.

There were some differences though.

While we both shared in pursuing knowledge because that's what were taught to us as per our upbringing, we had different paths and the kind of weaponry we would use..

While I'm a swordsman, I told Ethan that since he's being taught how to use revolvers, and a pair of swords, I told him of gun safety, and safety tips each and every single thing I know.

In us, second cousins, we got brotherly bonds. Him to his revolvers marksmanship, myself to swordsmanship.

Dematerializing my practice sword, I smiled a bit. "It's all practice all along, Ethan."

"You keep saying that!" 'complained' Ethan, turning around, seeing that signature grin of his, which a lot of times present and similar to Baelthyr Wycliffe. "Thinking of what you said ever since we started training, I haven't forgotten many times surprising instructors. It's like you are a reincarnator, Tara."

'You had no idea how fucking close you are, Ethan. I am not the only one here.' I thought inwardly to myself, before smiling, and joked at him. "Jeez young master Ethan, stop teasing this brother of yours, your own second cousin. Who know there might be others who are stronger than me, ne?"

"Maybe!" remarked Ethan, turning a bit serious. "But, monsters such as the living armors and the manbeast-class have what made our Reich be reasonable for the training, and having The National Sentinel Initiative."

"Yes." I replied, as I then looked at the simulated castle luxurious indoors, the part we trained at in this simulated environment. "The accounts written by our ancestors show how things such as the manbeast-class monsters...were, well classified as manbeasts by [The Crown Sovereign Administration of Bestiary Affairs] for good reasons.

While the youngsters complain about our Fatherland being that militaristic as part of our culture, I don't care about that. It's part of us. We had a bragging right of our civilization gifting [Tetranomic Codex Organization Index] to every single mankind. They should see at least be thankful towards what we had done legitimately including destroying these so-called cults as part of our history.

Ethan, my brother, speaking of which…"

Pausing slightly a bit, my second cousin nodded in understanding.

This was all for the good arrangement, and for his sake, including mine. As much I desired to go in the same hunter academy with Ethan and his siblings, the Governing Executive Board of House Affairs, already set things up for our respective paths and growth.

I resumed. "Ethan, while we can't be in the same academy, even if we will be opponents in the tournaments during our time in our respective schools, know that we will work together outside the academy, and after graduating.

You know it well. Our parents and the adults went through. It's our generation's turn experiencing the Aldrian tradition.

As for my part, Ellie, already did hers and I will be coming with her in the same academy. Know that I'm working my keep to that promise."

"So do, I, Tara. While I am the eldest brother among my siblings, as the second eldest after my elder sister, Illyantra, I wanted to give them a show too. We promised that."

"Yeah, yeah, I know such feeling, Ethan. Let's give them that memorable fight in the future."

Watching Ethan grin and offered right his fist to bump, smiling in return, I bumped his fist.

And then, we heard Riella, and the instructors, reveal themselves. Six of them, save for Ethan's guards, they all had proud looks.

"Tara, Ethan, I am happy with the improvements from the last." said one of the instructors, one of my materns, consorts of my father, Cassandra-matern, a beautiful red haired Vyrmaldrian-descent Knight of the Boundless Wings, and a member of The Sanctum of Universal Wisdom and Intellectual Discovery, birth mother to my 2 half-siblings, who has blue eyes, wearing her armor, that caused both me and Ethan smile. "Tara, your movements, while it's impressive, your swordsmanship, I can see traces of our swordsmanship yet you improved it and make it your own like a prodigy or a natural.

As one of your materns, know that I am so proud of you ever since the start of your training, Tara. "

From that, I smiled and thanked Cassie-matern. "Thank you, Cassie-matern. Yourself, my materns, our family, my teachers, for making where I stand today. I continue practicing and applying The Balanced Wisdom Path and many more Aldrian values and ideals yourselves taught to me including The Will of Waffenarian Steel.

And please, Cassie-matern, prodigy is not what I would call myself but a hardworking learner."

Truthfully speaking, I did caused some fuss including the Fenrir Institute itself including that time when I first was given a practice sword the day I 'officially' started my training.

The "magic and magic does not exist as the same time" I heard, it was more of for example, to Aldrian method, the Geistatmung itself. It was some sort of art or science yet in my eyes, they're still a magic to me, and the Geistatmung itself was a magic system. I learned this including when I was provided books and manuals published by the Fenrir including the demonstrations done by one of my teachers, watching the events, and the duels.

Throughout my training, I had considered picking my "main and to-go" after reading the resource materials and the entries in [Bestiary Central Information Network System].

Monsters such as the living armor, which was basically a dullahan in this reincarnator's eyes, and the manbeast-type monsters, had me during those times consider the elements I had to choose from including the synthesized elements.

But in the end, I chose [The Sacred Roar of the Silver Dragon] for what it could do besides one of my mentors, Cassandra-matern, being one of the known users of it. While I still have to explore of possibly of creating a synthesized element that has the properties of [The Sacred Roar of the Silver Dragon], the Geistatmung-related subjects would be a refresher and extensions in the hunting academy once I get to admit there after the Rite in a matter of learning more subjects and knowledge there.

"Tara, you being so humble and cute, I feel like cheering you together with your materns, your father, and your siblings." commented Cassie-matern, smiling, watching her pulling out a mobile device, a gadget, that basically can turn off the simulated environment, through a single tap of the menu. "Ethan, Tara, I will now turn off the simulated environment."

"Okay, Aunt Cassie." consented Ethan, to her, while I nodded my head in affirmative to my matern as a reply.

Her armor was indeed 'Steinburgian' for my taste combined with what was expected of Beast Hunter. It even was paired with a battle cloak that has a hood too. Though while I know there's Wi-Fi here, her helmet which she was not wearing currently, made her look like she's some knight in a fantasy story I read. Her red hair tied into a high ponytail reinforced by a hair pin accessory, I once imagined for what could have been, and many more jokes including the "It should have been me, not him!" towards my situations all over including getting a view of these legs and thighs.

Because Cassie-matern now tapped the button of the day, everything around us disintegrated as the virtual simulated environment disperses, revealing it to be a one of the rooms, a training room found in one of the training facilities of [The Crown State Administration of Training Simulators Affairs].

Technology such as this, it never ceases to amaze me.

'This tech sure brought me back in my past life, except this world is a fantasy one.' I thought in wonder and my observation while I happily took Cassie-matern's right hand.

In a span of time after showering, and changing clothes, at the lobby, now wearing new set of clothes and refreshed, us, the second cousins, were chatting all along.

The topic was Geistatmung-related things, and our country's culture. There were many things all along including about one of the traditions related to the country's royal family, The Wyynser Royal Dynasty.

I was told that Ethan's godfather was the country's current kaiser, Constantine the 10th of the Wyynser Royal Dynasty.

"Tara, once we complete our Rite of the First Hunt, know that we will chat via Gaiasphere."

"Of course, Ethan. We will remain in contact through that. We are family, and as Wycliffes, we support each other."

Ethan because of it, smiled, from what I said.

Good, that should be the way.

I continued talking, changing it to the topic that was part of the tradition since we were members of one of the founding Houses of the Reich itself. "Ethan, as both individual, and part of the nobility community, do you look forward to the day of the debut party?"

"Of course, I do. The day we made debut in the Oath of the Rising Crest, is the day we officially enter. Tara, know that while you are better and stronger than me right now, I will have things I will excel to catch you up." declared Ethan, making me interested a bit for a challenge.

"Very well..you must…"

"I must?"

I grinned. "Git gud!"

At that, I almost laughed at Ethan's confused face, while some passers had some looks.

While I'm holding on for my amusement towards his reaction while walking, the sight of the statue at the lobby came to our sights at the lobby.

The reception lobby itself was where Cassie-matern, Riella, our instructors, and a couple of Ethan's guards were at.

There were many things to describe but there's one thing that was connected to one of my goals, the statue itself.

The overbearing statue was a sight to behold, a grand tribute to Carolus the First Cross, one of my ancestors from the Wyynser Royal Dynasty—a figure who lived long before our country was truly established. He was the one who started it all, laying the foundation for everything, including the creation of what would eventually become The Crown Order of the Silver Dragon. The statue depicted him holding his legendary swords: Iron Resound, the greatsword in his right hand, and Heaven's Tear, the longsword in his left. According to the records passed down through the generations, his fighting style was unique—he could wield both a greatsword and a longsword at the same time, a feat that made him legendary in his own right, and to me, one of the historical figures I wanted to test my strenght against in virtual combat simulator.

Riella Vorbriessen, this same person I very first met, 4 years ago, this black-haired Vyrmaldrian, was wearing her usual battle-ready yukata get up. Our relationship throughout the years, it included of a respectable line of a servant and a student, and one of my mentors and teachers. Not counting herself being one of my sparring partners, I also learned things from her including her stories. As a swordswoman herself, her handling of her [Geist-Wrought Arms], a twin kodachi called Silver Wind of the Twilight Chimes, she's pretty good.

Watching her approach me, this pink-eyed Aldrian, sure was doing her job well, including her being assigned to me. I still find her calling her "Riella-valhnya" in a less formal setting a bit amusing though because this Aldrian maiden to me felt like one of the girls that deserve a headpat because of her appearance.

Hair tied into a ponytail, she smiled, and bowed. "Young Master Tara, Young Master Ethan, welcome back."

My second cousin, Ethan, nodding at me for the sign, I smiled. "Thank you, Riella. Hmm, I think it's time for us to go to back to the Mansion since our takeout orders from Kronenstalh's arrived."

Kronenstalh's, this Aldrian foodchain was one of the best sellers in the country established owned by House Feuervalt. Its specialty was sandwiches and chicken, and its famous combination of herbs and spices. As for me, personally, I'm very pretty much used to anything spicy. There was one thing I always wanted, that was there's the Aldrian Spicy, which was different from the kind of spicy I experienced in my whole life. The United Crownlands, the Reich itself had a reason why there's "Non-Aldrian Spicy", and "Aldrian Spicy". This restaurant had pretty much got many dishes, and variety of drinks including the famed firewater drinks, which 'unfortunately', I don't have access to it yet.

My matern, Cassie-matern, smiled from that. "I agree, Tara. Let's go home now."

Just like that, our entourage left the training facility but —

"ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL, INCLUDING FOREIGN HUNTERS! THIS IS A URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNING ADMINISTRATION! ALL HUNTERS AND STAFF, REPORT TO THE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS IMMEDIATELY!"