The Game Rune System

Tetsuya's training was so immersive that only his work as a servant could help him deal with the passing time.

Since it was Milady Yuhi's birthday today, Tetsuya was ordered to stay with her while the head butler and his people took the job of dealing with other matters such as welcoming guests and so on…

The Thera Household's territory spanned over 5% of the whole Yulia Household which was huge considering how many families were here. She had a lot of land to take care for and the birthday party was in one mansion solely built with 'party' purposes.

Here, Tetsuya and Milady Yuhi were looking over servants checking up the chairs and food for the last time.

The whole mansion was really spacious, however.

Even with all tables, food and servants going around, Tetsuya could see the big open space in the middle where nothing was around.

Anyone from Tetsuya's world would think that this was where the guests and the celebrant would dance, but the truth was different in this world.

It was an area.

Since the swordsmanship was common and noble practice here, the nobles literally used every means to show off their household's strength.

It was not only the birthday, but also any simple meeting would turn into a small sword contest. The nobles couldn't possibly 'demand' something like sword training from others, but it was different during such occasions.

The celebrant, Milady Yuhi, also used to enjoy such contests.

Her children weren't interested in swordsmanship, but they managed to make her feel proud many times in the past. Now, they weren't even here as they had escaped to pursue their passion in other provinces.

Tetsuya expected Milady Yuhi to grasp the sword on her own or either watch the descendants of other nobles and just give them some rewards from her own treasury.

Yes, the contests weren't just to get experience and show off as noble's custom was to also reward the talented youngsters with appropriate reward. It could be rune for research or sword, it didn't matter as long as there was reward.

Because a noble lady such as Milady Yuhi surely wouldn't reward with cheap stuff!

-

"The master from Gnara Household, Gnara Ren and his 3rd son, Gnara Hiro, has arrived."

After the head butler announced yet another pair coming into the party, his eyes swept through the party in a joyous mood.

One by one, powerful masters from influential families gathered and stepped in to greet his milady, Thera Yuhi.

She sat on her chair with the usual lazy and mostly expressionless face, but a faint smile flashed each time she received presents and greetings along with it.

Behind her was the new recruit whose talent and sword made their milady smile and even grasp the sword in recent months!

The butler's eyes got filled with happiness, then he continued to receive and announce new guests.

The birthday party was pretty loud, but each talk could pull Tetsuya's attention.

"Gnara Ren… How have you been? It's been more than ten years since you left your household. Is it because…" The noble glanced at Hiro's body. His eyes widened and he commented, "It indeed is." The 3rd son was exuding so much sharp aura that it seemed like his sword rune couldn't be contained within his body.

But this young man, twenty years old swordsman, was challenging every youngster here as he knew that Milady Yuhi wouldn't make moves on her own.

Basically, every master somewhat expected battles between younger generations instead of theirs!

"My first son is marrying the princess in the Stone Red Empire. This should open an easy route for us and we will be able to trade these with Mystic Academy. And now, my third son has reached the stage where I can proudly say that no one in the younger generation can match him!" Gnara Ren was all smiles. For the old masters, his smile was like a vile snake filled with confidence.

For all descendants, they saw the old man happily boasting about his family's well being, so they could only smile back at him and be jealous.

'It's weird how all those nobles spread their influence throughout other provinces, but keep each other in check in their own one,' Tetsuya inwardly thought while listening to the old masters scattered around.

For him, the old man looked like a vile snake that wanted his third son to go all out and even hurt some people. In this way, the other masters would call their older descendants and provide even more challenges.

Of course, Tetsuya had just such assumptions, but he was nearly spot on, 'It might be dangerous to speak about their moves in their own province, though. Either way, I am just here to support Milady.'

Tetsuya was also thinking of a present for her.

In the past, he would certainly use his talent, looks or god knows what could this ego sovereign think about, but Tetsuya has changed and his thinking was much different compared to the past.

Tetsuya's initial thought was to ask for a mission outside this province. He wanted to go to the Milady Yuhi's descendants and ask them to go back, but he was too weak as per head butler's words.

Some other presents also appeared within his mind, but all of these turned out to be minor compared to the initial one… Tetsuya's heart swelled with anger, but he turned this to his sword and managed to make his teacher smile a lot, so there was it.

"Let's have a sword contest!" One of the old masters finally proposed. He turned his eyes to Milady Yuhi who expressionlessly nodded. She didn't show any emotions on her face other than boundless calmness, but Tetsuya could see that she was bothered by the fact that no one from her family could be here.

Her sons also haven't left their descendants here!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of swords clashing with each other quickly filled the party. One could see many techniques being utilized here, causing each slash and contact to sound different! It was a pleasant song formed by every experienced descendant to the old master's ears.

Soon, Gnara Hiro stepped forward with his aura so sharp it could be felt on skin. It seemed like no one wanted to challenge him which was sheer truth.

Annoyed by that, Gnara Hiro boldly stepped into the area which was in a way an insult.

However, his father quickly apologized, "Please, forgive my son! He has spent so many years secluded in our household with my family, his sword must be aching just like his body! I will prepare a reward for anyone who accepts his challenge, so Milady Yuhi, please overlook this slight insult." He bowed which was too much in many old master's eyes.

"His desire for swordsmanship is genuine." Milady Yuhi closed her eyes, inwardly feeling jealous of such a descendant, "It would be a loss to everyone gathered here if he were to be kicked out. Continue."

Gnara Ren knew what Milady Yuhi felt within her heart all this time. He had been even slightly pitied her, but because of this jealousy Gnara Ren knew his limits. He smiled brightly at her, then some challenges appeared in the arena.

All of them were enticed by the reward from Gnara Ren.

No matter what, the reward would be theirs! If they were to lose, then they would just accept it and leave the stage with closed eyes!

The battles began then!

"Amazing." It was a word said basically by every old master and descendant. The skills of Gnara descendant were so amazing and flashy that jealousy began to sprout within everyone's hearts.

His anger and yearning for swordsmanship was also genuine, fueling his sword even deeper. The powerful weight of his sword and emotions destroyed everyone!

Looking at this man and his spectacle, Tetsuya's face suddenly flashed with a grin! He grasped his wooden sword tightly, then entered the area in a common walk.

Many mistook him as a servant who wanted to clean the area and help the wounded one, but the sword in his hand immediately shattered these thoughts. People glanced at Milady Yuhi's whose calmness was broken by this sudden entrance.

Her eyes wide, lips slightly parted.

Such a rare, but beautiful painting was now exposed to everyone on her face.

"Narashi, Milady Yuhi's servant." Tetsuya pointed his sword at Gnara Hiro, "Would you like to exchange some pointers with this lowly servant?" The smirk on Tetsuya's face didn't match his words that should be lowly.

But Tetsuya was just feeling gleeful inwardly knowing that beating this man would be one of the best presents for Milady Yuhi.

His smirk didn't bother Gnara Hiro at all, "All swordsmen are welcomed to face me. You have first move." He even allowed Tetsuya to let out the first slash!