Regardless of Ian’s sharp evaluation, the fight between the man and the girl grew increasingly fierce.
“That tiny girl dodges so well! Damn, she’s quick!”
Whooosh! Whooosh!
As the girl evaded the spearhead of the halberd aimed at her torso, the halberd sliced through the empty air, striking the training hall floor repeatedly.
Thud! Thud!
No matter how old and worn the hall was, the floor was still made of stone.
A weapon without even a trace of aura shouldn’t be able to pierce it as easily as soft tofu.
Truly, the massive physique was no mere decoration; the strength was remarkable.
“I’m not dodging well.”
Despite her small, almost animal-like frame, the girl responded without the slightest hint of intimidation in front of the threatening halberd.
“Ever think maybe you’re just too slow?”
Thud!
Once again, the halberd punctured the floor.
Tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!
Seizing the opening, the girl leapt onto the thick blade of the halberd and vaulted into the air.
In midair, she pulled two small pouches from her chest and hurled them toward the massive man.
Poof!
A violet powder spread over the man’s head.
Any fool could guess that the powder was poison.
The man understood that too.
“Hmph! You think cowardly, dirty tricks like poison will work on a real man?!”
Rrrrrrrr!
With a firm grip on the halberd, dug deep into the floor, he yanked it out with a grinding sound.
Crossing his hands, he spun the halberd with a rapid, deadly arc.
Whoooooosh!
The wind from above scattered the purple powder, rendering it harmless.
The three kids watching the fight frowned as the remaining powder drifted toward them.
“Tch! Damn it…”
Whir!
A sickly-looking child silently formed a hand seal, creating a transparent barrier to block the poison.
Thud, thud!
Another child, of normal build and sharp features, with a sword at his waist, stepped back two precise paces, out of reach of the powder.
“Heh… poison, huh!”
A girl in priest’s robes flailed defensively at the powder, fumbling due to her timid nature.
“…Look at this.”
Watching the two in combat and the three reacting to the chaos, Ian’s expression shifted slightly.
According to Alex, the newly inducted Ian’s squad members were mostly peers of his own age.
The real reason, of course, was likely that Alex didn’t want a strong, fully capable squad under Ian.
Yet Ian couldn’t dismiss the fact that all five were more competent than expected.
You can judge a whole by a part.
The two fighting were clearly extraordinary for their age.
By observing the three watching, Ian inferred they were no less skilled.
The reasoning was simple: among the three spectators, none showed signs of being intimidated.
Even the priest-robed girl, fumbling with purifications against the powder.
“So, despite being treated like idiots, they’re still talented…”
Ian’s eyes gleamed.
From the perspective of a former tyrant ruling the empire, these were uncut gems.
Untouched by anyone, they were mere troublesome misfits.
But if properly trained, they could become dazzling treasures.
“Interesting.”
Though the training hall and base were shabby, and the squad consisted of just five, Ian began to anticipate the coming days with curiosity.
Whoooosh!
Lost in thought, the wind tousled his hair again.
His gaze fell on the man, now furious.
“You little brat…!”
Slowly, a faint orange aura began emanating from the halberd.
‘Hmm, even aura?’
It was faint, but unmistakably there.
Though small and unrefined, the aura’s presence confirmed the girl’s power.
Judging by her reckless nature, she had likely never received formal training.
And yet, at under twenty, she had developed this ability on her own.
A remarkable talent indeed.
But admiration aside, Ian sensed intervention was necessary.
‘If this continues, it’ll go beyond childish play.’
The girl seemed aware of this as well. Her gaze now carried tension and determination.
Rustle!
With preparations in her chest and the man gripping his aura-infused halberd, the two collided.
“Dieeee!”
Fwoooosh!
The halberd, infused with aura, came down toward the girl’s head. She clenched something in her hands to counter just as the weapon descended.
Thwack!
A sudden hand pressed on her elbow, stopping her movement.
At the same time…
Kiiiiing!
A long, thin sword deflected the halberd from above.
Crash!
The halberd, aura-infused and embedded in the floor, now had Ian’s foot on it.
“Since we’ve just met, I think this is enough play.”
The girl, sensing something from Ian’s gaze, slowly relaxed her stance and collected her items.
“…I wouldn’t have bothered if that boar hadn’t provoked me.”
The man, unaware of Ian behind him, continued shouting in anger.
“What are you talking about?! If you’re in the way, I’ll deal with you first!”
Rrrrrr!
He flexed, veins bulging, attempting to lift Ian along with the halberd.
“…Huh?”
His reaction lagged.
Ian, still with his foot on the halberd, faced him calmly.
“Then I’ll have to quiet you by force.”
Shaaack!
“Ughh!”
In Ian’s left hand appeared a short, blunt sword. The sword’s edge struck the man’s temple directly, flipping his gaze.
“Y-You… bastard…”
Caught off guard, he left a single curse before collapsing to the training hall floor.
Thud!
Splash!
Cold water hit the man’s face, bringing his dazed mind back to clarity.
“Ugh…”
Feeling a dull ache in his temple, he opened his eyes.
Five figures were present, not counting him.
This was the hall where he had collapsed.
“You coward, hitting me from behind…”
“Everyone is awake, so let me properly introduce myself.”
Ian cut him off.
“Pleasure. I am Ian Lichtenauer, appointed commander of the Submerged Dragon… or, as your friend put it, the Worm Squad. I believe you’ve heard of me, so no need for long introductions.”
A subtle fury radiated from everyone, including the stunned man.
Ian Lichtenauer.
No one could have been unaware of the rumors.
Two seemingly incompatible titles defined him: the direct heir of the Lichtenauer Clan and a half-baked fool.
This contradiction alone was said to be a thorn for his older brother, Alex Lichtenauer, heir to the clan.
So, when he was named the leader of a newly established squad immediately after the induction ceremony, it was infuriating.
Unlike others, his bloodline as a direct heir gave him a high starting position, a fact that made everyone else resentful.
Even worse, some of those present had been chosen to serve under this so-called “fool.”
“No way I’m putting up with this!”
Bang!
Ralph, the massive man who had just awakened, shouted in rage.
“Born with a silver spoon, lucky brother, never suffered a day in his life, and he dares to stand above me? Don’t make me laugh!”
Ralph Kalia.
A cadet of the Kalia branch, part of one of the three main vassal families of the Lichtenauer Clan, known for handling heavy weapons with deadly skill.
Though a branch, he was effectively the third son of Vito Kalia, the current head’s younger brother.
Yet he was stuck in minor positions due to reckless behavior and being disliked by Manus Kalia, another potential heir alongside Alex.
Hence, acknowledging Ian under Alex’s shadow would not be easy.
Swoosh!
“Ralph’s words are harsh, but I agree. Setting aside your lineage, what right do you have to command us? Are you truly fit to lead?”
Ryuan Falkion, a sharp-eyed youth with a sword at his waist, added.
The fourth son of the Falkion Sword Clan, another vassal family of the Lichtenauers.
Despite being direct bloodline, he fell out of favor for choosing a saber over a sword, a grave offense in the sword-centric Falkion tradition.
“….”
Silia Clonen of the Clonen secret family said nothing, only casting Ian a curious glance.
The mage and the purification priest girl were similarly silent.
Being direct heirs or close, no one dared challenge them.
With talents in full bloom, none saw a reason to serve anyone else.
“Hmmm…”
Ian scratched his chin, looking at the five awaiting his response.
“So, to sum up. You all refuse to acknowledge me, yes?”
Swoosh!
Ian rose from his seat.
The five watched carefully.
Many had tried to recruit them before.
No matter how unruly, they knew their own talent best.
“Please, just cooperate. Why so rebellious?” some would plead.
“You’re unworthy of the Lichtenauer name!” others would shout.
What would this half-baked heir do?
Would he whimper to the clan head as rumors suggested?
If so, fine.
The Lichtenauer half-baked fool was just that: a fool.
This appointment was clearly wrong.
Yet, instead of responding, Ian walked past them into the nest-like building.
He paid no attention to their stunned expressions.
“…Hey? You—!”
Ralph shouted, but Ian didn’t even turn his head.
“Can’t acknowledge me? Then get lost. I have no use for fools clinging to petty pride.”
And with that, he walked on without a word.
The five remained, slack-jawed, staring at Ian’s retreating figure.
“…What the hell is that?”
Swoosh!
As Ralph muttered in disbelief, one of them quietly followed Ian, curious about his next move.
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