The Illegitimate Who Devours Weapons

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]

Chapter 10

Crossed pine trees, a single sword, and a crimson circle encompassing them all.

The pine trees symbolized integrity and vitality.

The sword embodied the spirit of martial devotion.

The crimson circle represented blood.

This was the emblem of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan.

A seal rarely stamped unless for an urgent matter—a symbol of an order issued at the Clan level.

"What is it? What does it say?"

My aunt asked while looking at the envelope.

"It's for the Naming Ceremony. The date has finally been set."

---

[Summoning Order]

- Recipient: Ninth Young Master (Young)

- Subject: Naming Ceremony to be conducted. All designated participants must assemble at the Central Training Grounds by 10:00 AM on September 10th.

- Scheduled Date: September 10th, 10:00 AM

- Notice: Strict punishment will follow if any items other than those listed in the attached regulations are brought.

- Acting Clan Head: Lee Myeongjung

---

Reading the contents of the envelope, adorned with luxurious golden trim, brought a smile to my face.

This would be the second trial the direct lineage of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan had to undergo—a special coming-of-age test exclusive to the Lee Clan: the Naming Ceremony.

"The Naming Ceremony, huh..."

I could have sworn it was originally scheduled for early winter.

Why the change?

"The Naming Ceremony?! The Naming Ceremony?!?!"

My aunt suddenly let out a shriek.

"Why are you reacting like that?"

"Things are finally starting to come together! This timing is crucial! But if you go through with the Naming Ceremony, you’ll be stuck there! No! Don’t do it!"

By principle, the Naming Ceremony was a test given to children who hadn't yet undergone formal training under a master. Because of this, the direct lineage had to undergo six months of intensive group training leading up to it.

"You know that’s not an option, Aunt."

"But...!"

Her expression crumpled into one of distress.

The nanny, accustomed to these emotional outbursts, awkwardly hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"Nanny, do you know the exact schedule for the training?"

"There was an official announcement on the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan intranet. It’s planned to proceed as usual for six months. The head instructor will be Warrior Lee Joongkwan, commander of the Blood Tiger Squad. The rest of the instructors will also be selected from the Blood Tiger unit."

Lee Joongkwan.

To me, he was a distant uncle from the fifth branch of the Clan and the commander of one of the four elite warrior units of the Clan—the Blood Tiger Squad.

Despite coming from a relatively distant branch, his remarkable skills and achievements earned him the deep trust of the Clan.

‘So nothing has changed.’

Only the date had been altered. The instructors and training program remained the same.

I turned my gaze to my aunt, who was sulking and stomping at the floor in frustration.

"Aunt."

"...What."

"The training time might be shortened a bit, but I will still continue with both my mana training and the restoration of ancient magic. You don’t need to worry."

"Huh...? You don’t understand—those lessons are incredibly demanding!"

"Don't worry. I will manage both just fine."

The Naming Ceremony was undoubtedly a difficult and critical trial.

But if I compromised now and shifted my focus elsewhere, I would just find myself making the same excuses again in the future.

I was a bastard. If I wanted to achieve something, I couldn't afford to settle for "good enough." I had to accomplish what others deemed impossible.

"Really? You’re really going to keep training?"

My aunt’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Even though mana slowed down aging, it still wasn’t easy for someone her age to look this eager.

"Yes, I mean it."

"Then... if that’s the case, hurry up and complete your First Star training, fully restore the Amplification Technique, and then—"

She trailed off, mumbling to herself as she sank into her own little world again.

At that moment, the nanny, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.

"You must not, Young Master."

"...Huh?"

"I know that Elder Lee Gyeongha is assisting you. I also know that you work harder than any of your siblings. But the Naming Ceremony is dangerous. Just this once, you should focus solely on group training."

Her voice was firm—uncharacteristically so. The nanny had always been someone who respected my choices and supported my will.

"Nanny, don’t worry. I won’t neglect group training."

"I know. I understand your heart, Young Master. But still, this nanny is worried for you."

She grasped my hands tightly.

At that moment, my aunt, who had been muttering to herself, cautiously spoke up.

"Ah, but... there's still so much we need to do... Our little one..."

"Elder, if you truly care for Young Master, you should be stopping him too."

The nanny fixed my aunt with a stare so sharp it seemed like it could draw blood.

"Ah, uh... okay. B-but I’m not an elder..."

My aunt mumbled in a small voice, then averted her eyes as if to escape the conversation.

"Young Master, please... Just this once, listen to me."

I squeezed the nanny’s hands in return.

The warmth in her grip carried her concern, her worry.

I was grateful—truly.

But that didn’t mean I could grant her request.

"No, Nanny. I have no intention of stopping my training with Aunt."

"Young Master!"

"Nanny, I am a bastard, an illegitimate child. I understand exactly what you’re trying to say. In the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan Clan, bastards are looked down upon, ignored. Even if we suffer unfair treatment, we have no right to speak up."

"That’s not true! Young Master, you are not—"

"Go anywhere in the main household, and you’ll hardly find a servant or retainer who greets me. Even among the warriors, those who show me warmth get scolded for it. Nanny, I may be young, but I’m not blind to reality."

The nanny flinched at my words.

She hadn’t expected me to say it so coldly.

"That’s exactly why I can’t afford to focus on just one thing. Unlike my siblings, I won’t have access to great masters, expensive elixirs, or the latest advanced martial arts manuals."

"Young Master..."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

And yet, seeing that expression filled my chest with warmth.

She was the one person in this Clan I could entrust my heart to.

Which was why I had to speak firmly.

"I have to be different from my siblings. I have to work twice as hard as them. I have to prepare twice as much."

"My siblings... they are monsters. They are born with overwhelming talent and receive support worthy of that talent."

For someone like me, with nothing, there was only one path forward.

Effort. I have to work harder than I did in my past life.

But the effort in this life was different.

This time, I had a clear goal. A clear path.

"And once again, I will say this—I am confident. Not in power gained through tricks or borrowed strength, but in power I seize for myself. I will crush my siblings with my own strength."

"And for that, I need the training I am doing with Aunt."

The nanny felt the calloused roughness of my tightly clenched hands—hands that could hardly belong to a mere child.

Soft, delicate skin should have been there, but instead, each joint bore the hardened marks of relentless training.

"Nanny, I am a child of the Martial Lee Clan. Don’t try to raise me as if I’m weak."

"Ah..."

The strength drained from her body, a quiet breath slipping from her slightly parted lips.

She simply stared at me, the boy she had raised.

And without meaning to, her eyes widened.

‘When did he grow up so much?’

Not long ago, she had carried me on her back. Now, standing before her, I seemed like someone entirely different—so much taller, so much stronger.

"Still, Nanny, thank you. You’re probably the only one who truly worries about me like this."

I pulled her into a firm hug.

She wiped the corners of her eyes before embracing me back, gently yet tightly.

At that moment, my aunt, who had been idly tapping the floor out of habit, muttered under her breath.

"...I'm here too. I think about you a lot, you know."

I turned to her with an amused smirk.

"Aunt, your head is filled only with ancient studies and theories about mana techniques and magic arts."

"T-That’s not true! You little brat! No, you wicked little rascal!"

She flared up instantly, shouting in protest.

I ignored her outburst and met the nanny’s gaze once more.

"Young Master, I’m sorry. I only said all that because I was worried. The Naming Ceremony isn’t always dangerous, but I’ve heard accidents do happen from time to time..."

"Then how about this, Nanny?"

I flashed a small, knowing smile and made a proposal.

The moment she heard it, her mouth fell open.

"That’s impossible! No matter how skilled you are, Young Master, that would be too difficult!"

"Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll make it work."

I grinned confidently.

***

The Clan’s training grounds, where the Naming Ceremony’s group education was taking place.

Right on time, Jang Wook, the senior instructor and squad leader of the Blood Tiger Unit’s First Division, stepped into the field.

“We’ll now begin today’s training.”

Two pairs of eyes immediately focused on him.

The eighth-born direct descendant, Lee Hwa of the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan.

And the Illegitimate child, Lee Young—the illegitimate child.

Compared to the slightly tense eighth-born, the Illegitimate child stood with an air of unwavering confidence.

Jang Wook glanced at Young and felt himself tense.

“What’s today’s lesson about?”

And, as expected, the Illegitimate child spoke first.

‘Damn it. And that is supposed to be a bastard child?’

Jang Wook’s face twisted slightly.

That casual tone, as if speaking to a subordinate.

Of course, within the Esteemed Martial Lee Clan, the direct descendants were absolute superiors. Even in a student-teacher setting, that hierarchy had to be maintained.

But for someone like the Illegitimate child, who had grown up being ignored by the Clan, to act this way—it was unsettling.

‘And yet… I’m the instructor. Just what is this kid?’

Was it wisdom beyond his years? Charisma, perhaps?

None of these words seemed quite right to describe a mere ten-year-old.

But in those unwavering eyes and steady voice, there was something—an unmistakable aura of someone born to rule.

“...Today, we’ll be covering mana core application, defenses against sorcery and magic, basic combat techniques, and field survival training.”

Young nodded slowly.

Only then did Jang Wook allow himself a brief moment of relief.

“Then, let’s begin.”

For an Illegitimate child with no prior training or resources, today’s lessons were bound to be disadvantageous. Everything was designed for students who had already mastered magic and martial arts at a high level.

And yet—

For months now, training had continued.

And every single time, the Illegitimate child Young had not only kept up but excelled.

No, excelling wasn’t the right word.

Every session, Young performed just slightly above the expected level—just enough to be impressive, but never too much.

The moment it seemed like he had reached his limit, he would reveal a fraction more of his true capability.

“Hhup!”

The two children entered a large cylindrical machine, sparks of energy flickering around them.

A basic resistance training exercise against low-level sorcery and magic.

Lee Hwa, strengthened by countless elixirs, was simply enduring the onslaught with sheer physical durability.

Meanwhile, the Illegitimate child was deflecting each surge of energy using mana manipulation—the proper technique.

If an outsider saw this, they might accuse the Clan of child abuse.

Throwing children straight into live resistance training without any prior lessons was brutal, to say the least.

By all logic, the Illegitimate child—who had never received foundational training—should have collapsed from electrocution within seconds.

But instead—

‘He’s changed again.’

The momentary caution in Lee Young’s stance was fading.

His energy was shifting.

He wasn’t just enduring anymore.

He was adapting.

Had he grown in that short time?

The training should have been excessive for the illegitimate child, and yet—his expression was relaxed.

Not only that, but now he even had the composure to glance sideways at Lee Hwa training beside him.

Had he truly grown stronger in this short span?

Or had he realized something?

Jang Wook could no longer decipher the Illegitimate child.

And then—

A subtle jolt. The Illegitimate child’s eyes met his.

Deep brown, calm yet sharp, staring at him with quiet scrutiny.

That gaze—it was as if the boy were criticizing him.

As if to say: Is this all?

A chill ran down Jang Wook’s spine.

‘It’s like… he’s testing me.’

And in that instant, all his lingering questions suddenly clicked into place.

the Illegitimate child was testing.

Testing Lee Hwa. Testing himself. Testing the instructors.

He was measuring his own knowledge. Confirming what he knew, ensuring that he truly understood it.

Like reviewing a lesson, he steadily raised the bar of his training, step by step.

Observing Lee Hwa to gauge his own level. Pressuring the instructors to push him further.

Even this training—it was nothing more than a process for him to refine himself.

‘Insane… A mere ten-year-old?’

It couldn’t be possible.

And yet, if that weren’t the case… then how could he explain that gaze?

‘I’ve seen countless direct descendants before, but…’

Jang Wook stopped himself.

There was no point in continuing today’s training.

“That’s enough for today. Well done, everyone.”

Lee Hwa nodded, but her sharp glare toward the Illegitimate child was impossible to miss.

But the Illegitimate child? He didn’t even spare her a glance.

As if she wasn’t worth his attention.

“...Tsk.”

‘A hand?’

A pale, slender hand reached out, caught mid-air in my grip.

"Hey, bastard child."

The eighth-born, Hwa, stood before me, her refined brows furrowed in irritation as she glared.

I blinked.

And then, I laughed.

“Haha, you couldn’t hold on any longer?”

"What, was that a joke?"

Her jaw tightened.

"You… what the hell are you?"

A familiar line. I’d heard it before. More than once.

But there was something different in her voice—something sharp. Urgent.

Her fingers twitched in my grasp, as if itching to tighten into a fist.

I sighed and let go.

“You should’ve asked that before throwing your hand at me.”

"Next time, ask before you start swinging."

Lee Hwa scowled, rubbing her wrist.

“I don’t get it. You’re just a damn—”

She stopped herself.

The words were right there on her tongue. ‘Just a damn bastard.’

But she didn’t say them.

Instead, she took a slow, deep breath.

"I’ll have to see your damn face at the next training, won’t I?"

I grinned.

"Of course. I don’t plan on missing it."

Hwa scoffed and turned on her heel.

Her steps were quick, but the tension in her shoulders told me enough.

She didn’t just dislike me.

She resented me.

And I…

I found that amusing.

[Translator - Helga ]

[Proofreader - Lucky]