The Reincarnated Assassin is a Genius Swordsman - Chapter 651

Raon stepped out of the annex, draping the Black Dragon Robe over his shoulders.

Sylvia was standing alone in front of the garden. She was quietly gazing at the withered flowers and trees.

“Did I ever tell you? Tending to the garden was my solace.”

Sylvia spoke without turning around.

“You did.”

Raon nodded. Sylvia had always personally taken care of the garden. It was not just a hobby for her; it was one of the things that gave her the strength to continue living.

“The garden was a treasure to me. I poured my heart and soul into it.”

Sylvia picked up a dried flower petal that had turned brittle.

“But not as much as I did for the children.”

The children she was referring to were, of course, the maids of the annex.

“When I saw the children suffering, the destruction of the garden and the annex didn’t even register. I wanted to protect them, but there was nothing I could do.”

The flower petal in Sylvia’s hand crumbled into tiny pieces.

“There were times when I wanted to bash the Deputy Head’s head in, but I had to hold back. And knowing I couldn’t win even if I tried… it made me feel so powerless.”

She bit her lip, recalling the time when the entire annex was under the oppressive hand of the Deputy Head.

-Head! She said she wanted to bash his head in!

Wrath trembled in disbelief as he looked at Sylvia.

-That demonic bastard! It’s because of him that Mother’s language has become so harsh!

Wrath screamed, insisting that Sylvia’s elegant and gentle tone had turned rough because of Raon.

Though Raon wasn’t sure whether to take the insult as a curse or a compliment.

“Thank you for giving me a chance to release that frustration.”

Sylvia clenched her fist, still holding the crushed petal, and turned around. Her bright red eyes shone with sincerity.

-Tsk….

Wrath, sensing Sylvia’s emotions, clicked his tongue and frowned.

“Are you confident you can win?”

Raon asked, meeting Sylvia’s crimson eyes.

“I doubt I’ll win. But I won’t go down easily.”

Sylvia’s tone was calm, but it carried a firm resolve for revenge.

“I won’t be walking out of the training ground on my own two feet.”

She gripped her sword hilt tightly, indicating that she would fight until she could no longer stand. The relentless training of the past three weeks had paid off.

“And….”

Sylvia bit her lip as if making a firm decision.

“Whether I win or lose today, the training ends, right?”

“Huh? Well, yes.”

“Ahhhhh!”

She suddenly looked up at the sky and screamed.

“It’s finally over! Hell is over!”

“Uh, Mom?”

Caught off guard, Raon reflexively called her ‘Mom’ instead of the usual ‘Mother.’

“It was so hard. I almost started to hate you!”

Sylvia buried her face in her hands, genuinely lamenting how tough the training had been.

“Uh….”

Raon blinked in confusion, watching Sylvia’s outburst.

‘This wasn’t the atmosphere I expected.’

They were supposed to be encouraging each other before heading to the training ground, but instead, she was talking about nearly hating him. It was bewildering.

-What’s so confusing about that? It’s only natural!

Wrath gnashed his teeth, caressing Sylvia’s head.

-Who could like someone who curses other people’s parents and stabs their own?

‘If someone heard that, they might think it’s true.’

-Did you not do that?

‘I mean, I did, but….’

The Deputy Head was the one who first targeted Sylvia, and Raon had struck Sylvia down for the sake of training.

But since both were technically true, he couldn’t really argue.

-Ehehehe!

Wrath began to dance, wagging his tail while perched on Sylvia’s shoulder.

‘Ugh….’

Raon bit his lip, watching Wrath’s wriggling form. It was frustrating to lose to him in a battle of words, but even upon reflection, he had nothing to say.

“…Let’s go.”

Raon approached Sylvia and swatted Wrath off her hand. Ignoring Wrath’s shriek as he was flung away, Raon gestured towards the main building.

“Yeah. I’m not afraid of anything now.”

Sylvia nodded, more relieved that the training had ended than concerned about the upcoming duel.

“Whew….”

Raon sighed and shook his head.

‘I have no allies.’

-Allies? You killed them all!

‘…….’

***

The Deputy Head’s office.

The room, which had been a mess like a battlefield, had returned to its usual neat and elegant state.

The Deputy Head was sipping tea, sitting on a newly acquired ebony desk.

Knock, knock.

Just as he was finishing his cup, there was a dull knock on the door.

“Come in.”

The Deputy Head nodded, and the door opened to reveal Crisson. He was dressed in a uniform designed for dueling and bowed deeply.

“Deputy Head. It’s time.”

“Indeed.”

The Deputy Head looked out the window. He set down the teacup, observing the sun rising higher in the sky.

“Crisson.”

“Yes!”

Crisson’s voice was full of energy as he straightened his back.

“Are you ready?”

“Of course!”

His voice was filled with excitement and confidence as he nodded.

“Thanks to the elixir you bestowed upon me, my aura has transformed entirely. I won’t disappoint you!”

“Hm….”

The Deputy Head clicked his tongue and scrutinized Crisson.

‘His aura and demeanor have certainly changed.’

As soon as Raon Zieghart’s challenge was issued, the Deputy Head had given Crisson a high-grade elixir and assigned a seasoned elder warrior to train him.

Thanks to that, the fool had turned into a completely different person from three weeks ago.

‘With this, there should be no problem defeating Sylvia.’

The Deputy Head was a man who kept his word. Since he had vowed not to participate, Sylvia was the only one from the annex who could step up.

Even if her rank was high, she had been away from the sword for a long time, so as long as Crisson didn’t get careless, he should be able to put up a decent fight.

“Win at all costs. You are the face of this office.”

The Deputy Head patted Crisson’s shoulder, his lips curling into a subtle smile. It wasn’t just a figure of speech; it carried a genuine expectation.

“Of course! I will win, even if I have to lay down my life!”

Crisson, moved by the words that he was the face of the office, seemed on the verge of tears.

The Deputy Head watched Crisson clench his fist and inwardly sneered.

‘Yes. Even if you have to die, make sure you take that woman down with you.’

He couldn’t afford to be weakened before facing Raon.

In a battle between masters, even the smallest difference could decide the outcome. If he wasted his aura on Sylvia, there was a chance he could lose to Raon.

‘Though I’m almost certain I’ll win, it’s better to eliminate any uncertainties.’

For the past three weeks, the Deputy Head had been gathering information on Raon Zieghart, studying his swordsmanship and aura.

Handling both fire and ice was tricky, but Raon’s swordsmanship still lacked a systematic foundation.

He was confident he could win if he fought in perfect condition.

“Yes. If I can’t trust you, who else would I trust?”

Feigning kindness, the Deputy Head stood up from his desk.

“Deputy Head….”

Crisson’s lips trembled, overwhelmed by emotion once again.

“Let’s go.”

The Deputy Head opened the office door, patting Crisson’s shoulder. As he stepped into the hallway, a faint smile crept onto his face.

“It’s a shame to bury such a young man on such a beautiful day.”

***

Boom!

The heavy iron gate of the Grand Arena rumbled as it opened, shaking the ground.

People began pouring into the wide-open entrance of the arena.

Although they entered in an orderly manner, as soon as they passed through the gate, they sprinted to the bleachers to secure the best seats.

The Grand Arena, as its name suggested, was a vast venue, but today it quickly filled up, and people were already starting to stand due to the lack of seats.

“Barely managed to find a spot.”

Burren fanned his face, sighing in relief.

“Why are there so many people?”

Martha scowled, irritated by the crowded space.

“Where did all these people come from?”

“I heard that not just the residents of the inner Zieghart, but also those from the outer regions have flocked here.”

Dorian shook his head, watching the people flooding in like waves.

“Even the people from the outer regions?”

“Yes. Apparently, Raon’s scathing remarks didn’t just reach this area; they spread throughout all of Zieghart. Everyone knows about it.”

He added that Raon’s insults toward the Deputy Head had become so widespread that they were now being passed down as songs.

“This is why you should age gracefully.”

Martha smirked, looking at the Deputy Head’s seat beside the training ground.

“At that age, all you have left is your honor, but now it’s been dragged through the mud and smeared with filth. Serves him right.”

She chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation.

“Right. If he had just stayed quiet, he might have saved some face.”

Krein waved his hand dismissively, finding the Deputy Head pathetic.

“It’s so warm, I’m getting sleepy….”

Runaan began to nod off, bask

ing in the sunlight.

“Hey! Don’t fall asleep! You need to watch that old geezer get beaten!”

Martha shook Runaan by the collar, but she didn’t wake up.

While the Light Wind Division was mocking the Deputy Head, the spectators were also discussing today’s duel.

“Who do you think will win today?”

“Didn’t they say it’s a 2v2 duel?”

“The Deputy Head and Crisson will fight for the Deputy Head’s side.”

“And for the annex? It’s obvious that the Light Wind Division leader will be one of them, but who’s the other?”

“I’m not sure, but whoever it is, it’ll be tough to win, right?”

“Even if Raon Zieghart is strong, it’s hard to imagine him beating the Deputy Head.”

“No way. The Light Wind Division leader recently acquired the Sword Saint’s techniques, didn’t he? The outcome isn’t set in stone!”

“But it’s been less than a month since he got those techniques. What could he have possibly improved in that time? Not yet.”

While there were a few who supported Raon, the majority of the audience was betting on the Deputy Head’s victory.

“Hey.”

Martha turned around, her nose wrinkled in annoyance.

“You think that old man is going to beat our Captain? Are your eyes just for decoration, huh?”

She ground her teeth as if she was ready to pounce on them.

“N-No, that’s not what we meant….”

“We were just discussing the odds….”

“Should I just cut your throats?”

Martha licked her lips, her hand resting on her sword.

“Please, don’t cause any trouble!”

“P-Please stop!”

“It’ll be a disaster if you start something here!”

Burren, Dorian, and Krein grabbed Martha’s arms, trying to calm her down.

“If you’re so confident about who will win!”

A lively voice echoed from below the bleachers.

“Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is? Bet on the annex, the Deputy Head’s office, or even a draw! Your judgment could decide your future fortune!”

It was Rimmer. He had set up a makeshift gambling stall and was gathering people around it.

“Ah….”

“That guy… no, that damned elf!”

“So embarrassing….”

The Light Wind Division lowered their heads in shame at the sight of Rimmer, who had even hired professional dealers to collect the bets.

“Ooh!”

“A gambling stall for the duel!”

“Let’s go!”

The spectators who had been arguing about the duel’s outcome rushed down to throw their coins at the stall.

“Uhehehehehe!”

Rimmer’s grin stretched wide as he watched the crowd flocking to him. His eyes seemed to sparkle with the glint of gold coins.

“Ugh, someone should arrest him.”

Martha sighed, shaking her head, when she heard the flutter of a long cloak from the now-quiet entrance.

The murmuring spectators fell silent as a figure appeared.

Step.

With a stride that naturally commanded attention, Raon emerged, draped in a black robe. Sylvia followed closely behind him, also dressed in black martial attire, as if they had coordinated.

Their golden hair, gleaming like sunlight on the sea, and their crimson eyes, as if they could draw in souls, captivated the audience. Even in Zieghart, they were considered among the most beautiful, and their presence left the spectators momentarily speechless.

Raon leaned back in his chair, which was placed at the front of the training ground, wearing a faint smile, seemingly enjoying the calm before the storm.

“He really knows how to set the mood.”

Martha smirked as she watched Raon.

“Raon looks so handsome today. And his mom is stunning.”

Runaan, now awake, blinked as she stared at Raon and Sylvia.

“When did you wake up?”

Martha chuckled in disbelief.

“What surprises me more is that Lady Sylvia endured Raon’s training.”

Burren shuddered slightly, as if the thought scared him.

“If I were told to do individual training with that guy for three weeks, I would’ve run away long ago.”

He shook his head, insisting he couldn’t have handled it.

“Hey, no matter how crazy our Captain is, would he really treat his mother the same way?”

Martha snorted, finding the idea absurd.

“Exactly. Even a demon king would recognize his own mother.”

Krein chuckled, nodding in agreement.

“Um….”

Dorian stared at Sylvia, his lips trembling.

“Doesn’t Lady Sylvia’s gaze seem familiar?”

“What do you mean?”

“Her gaze?”

The Light Wind Division followed Dorian’s gaze to Sylvia’s eyes.

There was a faint, wavering light in her eyes, like a heat mirage. A hint of madness was seeping out.

“That look… isn’t that….”

“Yes, that’s how our eyes looked when we went through the focus enhancement training!”

“Damn….”

“Did he really train his mother like that?”

Burren and Martha’s mouths fell open in disbelief.

“…Is he even human?”

“He’s a demon king, no, something even worse!”

***

“Ugh.”

Raon sighed, watching Rimmer’s betting stall and the Light Wind Division running wild.

‘I don’t understand why no one on our side is calm.’

-Are you really the one to say that?

Wrath exhaled in disbelief.

‘What’s wrong with me?’

Raon shook his head slightly as he heard heavy footsteps from the entrance of the Grand Arena.

Looking back, he saw the Deputy Head and Crisson walking in, both dressed in pristine white robes. Their confident smiles and dignified strides were reminiscent of victorious generals returning from war.

“Hmph.”

The Deputy Head let out a short laugh and walked to his designated spot on the opposite side of the arena. As he reached it, a small voice echoed from the bleachers.

“There’s an old man who doesn’t know the laws of nature, something even children understand. Why is that?”

“If someone reaches that age without knowing something so basic, it’s clearly because their parents didn’t teach them properly!”

The lines that had filled Zieghart’s sky three weeks ago were now being sung like a nursery rhyme by the children.

“Grr!”

The Deputy Head’s previously calm expression turned crimson with rage, and blood vessels bulged in his eyes.

“Eek!”

“Uh….”

The children who had been singing trembled, their lips quivering under the weight of his murderous intent.

“D-Deputy Head! Please calm down! They’re just children! And the duel is about to start!”

The host hurriedly ran over to the Deputy Head, trying to calm him down.

“Tsk.”

The Deputy Head clicked his tongue and suppressed his killing intent. Instead, he glared at Raon as if he wanted to kill him on the spot, his lips twisting into a snarl.

Raon met the Deputy Head’s murderous gaze with a smirk. Seeing the sly old man lose his cool was quite satisfying.

However, Sylvia didn’t smile. She stared at the Deputy Head with a calm intensity, as if reaffirming the resolve she had expressed before they arrived.

Boom!

As Raon nodded in satisfaction, a loud sound resonated from the entrance of the arena.

“The Lord of the North, Glenn Zieghart, is entering!”

“Pay respects to the family head!”

As the gatekeepers loudly called out Glenn’s name, everyone in the Grand Arena fell to their knees, facing the entrance.

Raon bowed his head, observing Glenn as he entered the arena. Without sparing a glance at anyone, Glenn made his way to the platform, with Sheryl, Roen, and Aris behind him, nodding encouragingly.

“Begin.”

Glenn nodded after surveying Raon, Sylvia, the Deputy Head, and Crisson in turn with the same dry eyes he used in the family duels.

“Yes!”

The host, bowing his head, climbed onto the stage.

“The 2v2 duel between the annex and the Deputy Head’s office will now begin!”

As he raised his hand energetically, the crowd roared with such intensity that it shook the arena.

“Typically, duels are conducted with the loser having to fulfill a promise to the winner, but it seems that promise hasn’t been decided yet!”

The host continued, glancing between Raon and the Deputy Head.

“Why don’t we decide that after the duel?”

Raon casually nodded towards the Deputy Head.

“The winner gets everything they want.”

“…Agreed.”

The Deputy Head replied firmly, clearly confident in his victory.

“Hmm….”

The host hesitated, then looked up at the platform. Glenn signaled that it was acceptable, and the host finally nodded.

“Very well. The loser of today’s duel must fulfill the winner’s every desire. However, commands such as taking your own life are forbidden.”

“Understood.”

“Understood.”

Raon and the Deputy Head nodded in unison.

“Then, let the vanguard step forward onto the stage!”

As soon as the host’s words ended, Crisson stepped onto the stage.

Sylvia didn’t follow immediately. Instead, she looked over at the maids standing in the bleachers.

She nodded to the maids, who were clasping their hands together as if in prayer, then stepped onto the stage.

“Lady Sylvia?”

“Sylvia is the vanguard?”

“I heard she got an artificial dantian, but to participate in a duel?”

“Isn’t that too much? Her dantian probably hasn’t stabilized yet.”

“The Deputy Head’s office will definitely win the vanguard round.”

“Ah, I bet wrong!”

The spectators were convinced of Sylvia’s defeat, shaking their heads.

“It’s been a while.”

Crisson narrowed his eyes at Sylvia.

“This time will be different. I’m going to break your jaw.”

He rubbed his slightly misaligned jaw, vowing not to underestimate her.

“…….”

Sylvia didn’t respond. She only glared sharply at the Deputy Head before taking her position in front of Crisson.

“Let’s see how long that expression lasts.”

Crisson shot the host a look, urging him to start.

“Ahem.”

The host cleared his throat and raised his hand.

“Then, let the vanguard battle begin!”

As his hand dropped like a lightning bolt, he quickly retreated.

“Haaah!”

Crisson stomped on the stage, charging at Sylvia with the intent to destroy it. His movement was fierce, like a predator pouncing on its prey.

Sylvia stood still, her sword drawn. She didn’t move until Crisson’s sword was about to slice through her jaw, and then she suddenly ducked, as if a candle had been blown out.

Swoosh!

Crisson’s sharp strike barely missed, cutting through the air above Sylvia’s head as she pivoted on her right foot and stepped to the left.

“Urgh!”

Crisson stumbled back in surprise, and Sylvia followed up immediately. She deflected his hastily aimed counterstrike with the back of her hand and then slashed upwards from below with her sword.

Crack!

Sylvia’s sword struck Crisson’s jaw, sending him airborne. His jawbone shattered, and blood-soaked teeth scattered from his mouth.

“Guh….”

As Crisson fell, Sylvia swung her sword around and struck his head.

Thud!

Crisson’s skull split open, and he collapsed to the ground. He didn’t even twitch, but blood continued to pour from his mouth and head.

“Uh….”

“Wha….”

“No way….”

The spectators were stunned, not just by Sylvia’s victory, but by how quickly the duel had ended.

“S-Sylvia Zieghart is the victor!”

The host slapped his own cheek to regain his senses, then announced Sylvia’s victory.

“Grr….”

The Deputy Head didn’t even glance at the twitching Crisson, his gaze fixed solely on Sylvia. His expression was one of barely contained rage.

“Can you continue?”

The host asked Sylvia.

“Yes.”

Sylvia nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Then, would the leader of the Deputy Head’s office please step forward?”

“Whew….”

The Deputy Head exhaled deeply and stepped onto the stage.

“You think you can continue? Do you really believe you can defeat me?”

He twisted his lips and frowned.

“You have no chance of winning. Stop wasting time and step down.”

The Deputy Head’s eyes glowed with a menacing light, as if he were issuing a death threat.

“Even if I have no chance, it doesn’t matter.”

Sylvia shook her head, her gaze calm and unwavering.

“A warrior—or rather, a person—must fight, even if they know they will lose.”

She stood tall, straightening her back and lifting her chin, undeterred by the Deputy Head’s fierce aura.

“You might not understand, Deputy Head. But for someone as base, ignorant, and poorly taught by their parents… Ah, I’ll stop there.”

Sylvia covered her mouth and laughed softly.

“You wench!”

The Deputy Head trembled with rage, his shoulders shaking like a dragon whose reverse scale had been touched.

-Nooo! Stop!

Wrath screamed, clutching his head.

-You’ve corrupted our mother! That’s not who she is!

Meanwhile, Raon applauded Sylvia, smiling.

“Bravo.”