Chapter 19-
Chapter 19: An Unfortunate Replacement
By the end of the sixth day...
Vee finally understood one thing.
His uncle wasn't training him.
He was trying to destroy him...
...and rebuild him stronger.
Every muscle in his body ached.
His palms were covered in blisters.
Even smiling required effort.
Yet...
He had improved more in six days than he had expected.
His footwork had become sharper.
His reactions faster.
His sword swings cleaner.
The soldiers had begun respecting him—not because he was the Duke's son or the Academy's Apex...
But because he never gave up.
---
The following morning...
The Iron Legion gathered once again on the training grounds.
Today's exercise was different.
The soldiers formed a large circle around a wooden arena.
Captain Darius stepped forward.
"Today's lesson..."
"Sparring."
The recruits exchanged excited glances.
Captain Darius unrolled a scroll.
"I'll be calling out pairs."
One after another...
Soldiers entered the arena.
Wooden swords clashed.
Spears spun.
Shields slammed together.
Each match ended with applause and advice from the instructors.
Finally...
Captain Darius looked down at the scroll.
"Vee Ashford..."
Vee stepped forward.
"Your opponent is..."
He frowned.
"...Recruit Marcus."
Silence.
A soldier awkwardly raised his hand.
"Captain..."
"Marcus reported sick this morning."
The captain sighed.
"That's unfortunate."
The soldiers murmured among themselves.
"So Vee gets a free pass?"
"Lucky."
"I wish I were paired with someone sick."
Captain Darius looked toward the balcony overlooking the arena.
"General?"
Every eye turned.
Rowan slowly stood.
He climbed down the stairs with calm, measured steps.
Each footstep echoed across the silent training ground.
The soldiers instinctively straightened their backs.
Even the veterans looked tense.
Rowan stopped beside Captain Darius.
"If Marcus cannot fight..."
"I'll take his place."
The courtyard froze.
"..."
"..."
"...WHAT?"
Several recruits nearly dropped their practice weapons.
One soldier whispered,
"The General himself?"
Another swallowed nervously.
"I almost feel sorry for Vee."
Ethan quietly covered his face.
"Oh no..."
Iris, standing beside him, looked toward Vee with what might have been... sympathy.
Captain Darius nodded.
"As you command, General."
He turned toward Vee.
"Your opponent..."
"...General Rowan Ashford."
Vee stared at his uncle.
Then at the wooden sword in his own hands.
Then back at his uncle.
A long silence followed.
Finally...
He grimaced.
"...Can I respectfully request Marcus to recover immediately?"
The soldiers burst into laughter.
Even Captain Darius smiled.
Rowan remained completely expressionless.
"Denied."
Vee sighed dramatically.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
Rowan picked up a wooden sword from the weapon rack.
He tossed it lightly in one hand before pointing it at Vee.
"This isn't about winning."
"It's about showing me what you've learned."
Vee swallowed.
"...Could I show you through a written report instead?"
"No."
"A presentation?"
"No."
"A dance?"
"...No."
The soldiers laughed even harder.
Rowan slowly walked into the center of the arena.
Vee followed reluctantly.
As he stepped onto the wooden platform, he looked toward the sky.
"If any ancient heroes are watching..."
"...please send help."
Ethan called from the sidelines.
"They're probably watching for entertainment!"
Vee sighed.
"I knew I should've stayed in bed."
Rowan raised his wooden sword.
His voice became calm and serious.
"Take your stance."
The joking disappeared from Vee's face.
He inhaled deeply.
Then lowered into the stance his uncle had drilled into him for six relentless days.
For the first time...
Rowan gave a small nod of approval.
"Good."
"You remembered."
The soldiers noticed it immediately.
"The General nodded."
"That's rare."
"He must've improved."
Rowan pointed his sword toward Vee.
"Come."
Vee tightened his grip.
"...Please go easy on me."
Rowan's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"I won't."
Vee sighed.
"...I had to ask."
The horn sounded.
BWOOOOOO!
The spar...
Had begun.
Chapter 40: The Lesson of Anger
The horn's echo faded.
Silence settled over the training ground.
Vee tightened his grip on his wooden sword.
Across from him, Rowan stood calmly with one hand behind his back.
The soldiers watched with anticipation.
"Begin."
Vee dashed forward first.
Unlike a week ago...
His footwork was smooth.
His breathing steady.
He closed the distance and slashed toward Rowan's shoulder.
CLACK!
Rowan effortlessly blocked.
"Better."
Vee immediately followed with another strike.
Then another.
His attacks flowed one into another.
The soldiers exchanged surprised looks.
"He's improved."
"His movements are much cleaner."
Rowan continued blocking each strike with minimal movement.
"You've learned to move your feet."
Clack!
"You've stopped relying only on instinct."
Clack!
"Your timing has improved."
Clack!
Vee smiled.
"Does that mean I'm finally good?"
Rowan shook his head.
"No."
Before Vee could react—
THUMP!
The wooden sword tapped his chest, sending him stumbling backward.
"You still leave your center open."
Vee gritted his teeth.
He attacked again.
This time he mixed in feints and quick changes of direction.
Rowan nodded faintly.
"Good."
"But predictable."
Another light strike landed on Vee's shoulder.
Minutes passed.
The more they fought...
The more Rowan began speaking.
"Losing your balance."
"Too slow."
"You telegraphed that attack."
"You hesitated."
Each comment irritated Vee a little more.
Then Rowan sighed loudly.
"I expected more from the Academy's Apex."
Vee frowned.
Another clash.
"I suppose the title was given too early."
A few soldiers looked at one another.
The General...
Was provoking him.
Vee's grip tightened.
"I earned that title."
"Did you?"
Rowan's voice remained calm.
"Because right now..."
"I'm not impressed."
Something snapped inside Vee.
His mana surged.
He charged recklessly.
His attacks became faster...
But sloppier.
Each swing carried frustration instead of precision.
"Take this!"
CLACK!
"And this!"
CLACK!
"I'm not done!"
CLACK!
Rowan defended every strike with ease.
Finally...
Vee swung with all his strength.
Rowan stepped aside.
Using Vee's own momentum...
He lightly tapped Vee's wrist.
The wooden sword flew from Vee's hand.
Before Vee could recover—
Tap.
Rowan's practice sword rested gently against his neck.
Silence.
The spar was over.
Vee lowered his head.
"...I lost."
"You did."
The soldiers applauded politely.
Not because Vee had won...
But because he had lasted longer than anyone expected.
Rowan lowered his sword.
"Do you know why you lost?"
Vee nodded.
"Because you're stronger."
"That is true."
"But that's not the lesson."
Rowan looked directly into his nephew's eyes.
"You lost the moment you became angry."
The courtyard grew quiet.
"When I questioned your title..."
"You stopped thinking."
"When I insulted your ability..."
"You stopped observing."
"When anger took control..."
"You forgot everything I taught you."
Vee remained silent.
Rowan continued.
"Anger is a tool."
"It should obey you."
"You should never obey it."
"If your enemies can make you angry..."
"They can make you predictable."
Vee slowly nodded.
"I understand."
Rowan placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Good."
"Because one day..."
"You'll face opponents who are far stronger than I am."
The soldiers exchanged shocked glances.
Stronger than the General?
What kind of enemies was he talking about?
---
That Night
The mountain was peaceful.
The stars filled the sky.
Vee sat outside the house, looking at the moon.
Rowan walked over carrying two cups of tea.
He handed one to Vee.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
Finally, Rowan broke the silence.
"You've changed."
Vee smiled.
"I hope that's a good thing."
"It is."
"You still have much to learn."
"But..."
"You've built a foundation."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"Your week is over."
"Tomorrow..."
"You return to the Academy."
Vee nodded slowly.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"So am I."
Rowan stood.
"Don't waste what you've learned here."
"I won't."
---
The Following Morning
After saying goodbye to Aunt Elara, Ethan, and Iris...
Vee began the journey home.
His mother was waiting when he arrived at Ashford Manor.
The moment she saw him...
She hugged him tightly.
"My baby!"
Vee laughed.
"Hi, Mom."
She looked him up and down carefully.
Then narrowed her eyes.
"...Did your uncle beat you up?"
Vee smiled sheepishly.
"...No."
Rowan, who had just walked in behind him, coughed once.
Ethan muttered under his breath,
"That's... technically true."
His mother looked suspiciously between the two of them.
"Really?"
Vee nodded.
"He only..."
"...trained me."
Rowan added with a perfectly straight face,
"I was gentle."
Ethan almost choked.
Even Iris looked away to hide a smile.
His mother sighed.
"I don't know whether to believe either of you."
His father chuckled.
"As long as he came back stronger."
Vee looked at his family and smiled.
"I did."
A few hours later...
The Ashford carriage rolled out of the estate once more.
Its destination...
The Royal Academy.
Vee rested his head against the window.
His week of rest was over.
The next chapter of his life...
Was about to begin.