Chapter 26: The Silent Blade

The next morning, after his usual training session, Neo decided to wander around the rest of the mansion. He’d already seen the gardens, the long hallway full of old paintings, and most of the guest rooms nearby. But there was still one part of the estate he hadn’t explored yet.

He made his way down a quiet staircase, following the faint sound of clashing metal drifting from somewhere below. As he turned towards the corner, he found himself standing above a wide training ground, separated from the walkway by a simple wooden railing.

Down below, a group of knights moved through their drills in tight, practiced formations. Swords cracked against each other in short bursts, boots scraped around the ground, and loud orders rang out every few seconds from somewhere near the back.

Neo leaned against the railing, resting his chin on his folded arms, watching quietly.

’Huh. So this is what real training looks like.’

Back home, he’d only ever seen knights standing guard, stiff and formal, never actually training out in the open like this. There was a special training ground in Draven Mansion, which was strictly restricted for him to enter.

He watched carefully, studying the way they shifted their footing before each strike, the way their grips tightened just before a swing, the small pauses they took to reset their stance.

’That guy keeps leaning too far forward when he attacks. He’s leaving his side wide open every single time.’ Neo’s eyes narrowed slightly as he tracked another knight’s movements. ’And that one over there is way too stiff. If someone came in low and fast, he wouldn’t be able to react in time.’

He wasn’t sure why, but watching real combat like this felt strangely satisfying, like his mind was slowly piecing together a puzzle one small movement at a time.

After a few minutes, one of the knights near the edge of the group finally noticed the small figure standing by the railing. He nudged the man beside him, who turned to look as well. Within seconds, word had quietly spread through the group, and several knights straightened up, glancing nervously toward their superior.

A broad-shouldered man wearing a slightly different uniform than the rest stepped forward. He walked up to the railing and gave a short, respectful bow.

"Young Master Neo. My apologies, we weren’t informed you’d be visiting the training grounds today."

Neo simply nodded back, keeping his expression calm and composed, the same way he always did in front of strangers.

"It’s fine. I was just curious." He pushed off the railing and walked toward the small gate leading down into the training ground itself. "Mind if I take a closer look?"

The commander hesitated for half a second before stepping aside. "Of course, young master."

Neo walked in, ignoring the curious stares following his every step. He made his way straight toward the weapon rack lined up along the side of the ground, eyeing the rows of swords, spears, and shields without actually touching any of them yet.

A couple of knights shifted nervously nearby, clearly worried he might grab something sharp and hurt himself.

"Um, young master," one of them said carefully, "perhaps it would be safer if you didn’t touch—"

"I want a wooden sword," Neo said simply, cutting him off. "One sized to be suitable for me."

The knight blinked, glancing over at the commander, silently asking for permission. The commander gave a small, hesitant nod after a moment.

A few seconds later, a wooden practice sword was brought over and carefully handed to him.

Neo wrapped both hands around the hilt and lifted it. It was heavier than he expected, dragging his arms down slightly, but he held on, adjusting his grip until it felt steady enough.

He planted his feet the way he’d seen the knights do earlier, then swung the sword in a slow, careful arc, trying to mimic the same motion he’d watched one of the men perform just minutes ago.

It wasn’t perfect. His stance wobbled a little, and the sword nearly slipped from his grip halfway through, but he managed to finish the motion without falling over.

For a moment, everyone just stared.

*CLAP-CLAP*

Then, one of the knights started clapping. A few others quickly followed, clearly impressed that a five-year-old had managed to copy the movement so closely after only watching it once.

Neo felt his face heat up slightly under all the sudden attention.

’Okay, that’s enough. Everyone, please go back to training. I did not come here to become the main attraction.’

He quickly lowered the sword, clearing his throat and trying to look anywhere except at the knights still watching him.

Just then, the wide doors at the far end of the training ground opened.

A young woman walked in, dressed in a plain, tight-fitted training outfit, her long black hair tied back neatly, her expression completely calm and unreadable. She moved with quiet, disciplined steps, each one perfectly measured.

The knights around Neo immediately straightened up and bowed their heads respectfully as she passed, though none of them said a word. It was clear from their reaction alone that she wasn’t someone to be taken lightly.

Neo’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her approach.

’Wait. I know her.’

He’d only caught a brief glimpse of her the night before, slipping quietly out of his mother’s room in the dark. But there was no mistaking that same calm, controlled presence.

’That’s Mother’s shadow.’

Curious, and a little cautious, Neo quietly appraised her the moment she stopped a few steps in front of him.

[Ding!]

[Do you want to Appraise Eiris?]

[Y/N]

He clicked yes without hesitation.

[Appraising begins...]

[Ding!]

-----

[STATUS WINDOW]

>Name: Eiris

>Titles: Silent Blade of Winter

>Talent: Ascendant

>Race: Human

>Core: 6th Circle

>Rank: Grandmaster (IV)

>Bloodline: Unknown

>Affinity: Ice

[ATTRIBUTES]

[STR: 480/1000] [AGI: 950/1000]

[DEF: 400/1000] [STA: 600/1000]

[INT: 500/1000]

[HP: 1200/1200] [MP: 1800/1800]

[TECHNIQUES]

>Shadow Step Technique

>Silent Kill Formation

[SKILLS & ABILITIES]

>Master Assassin

>Presence Suppression

>Ice Dagger Mastery

-----

Neo’s eyebrows shot up slightly.

’Ascendant talent. And she’s not even thirty yet, probably. No wonder everyone bows the second she walks in.’

He didn’t get much time to think it over, though, because Eiris stopped directly in front of him, her blank eyes settling on the wooden sword still resting in his small hands.

"If it’s alright with you," she said, her voice quiet and even, "should I teach you how to wield a weapon, young master?"