The Beggar Young Master of the Namgung Clan

Namgung Hae was still out of his mind.

The floor that had cracked with the thunderous roar.

Although he hadn't seen it directly, just by looking at the traces left on the floor, he could guess that something tremendous had happened in this training ground just now.

"..."

Had a thunderbolt struck this training ground just now?

Namgung Hae had that thought for a moment, but he soon shook his head.

After all, the ceiling of this training ground was closed.

In the first place, it was an environment where a thunderbolt could not strike.

'Then... could it be that what I'm thinking is right?'

In fact, Namgung Hae already knew who had made those traces on the floor.

A person standing in front of him with a sword.

The only person who had been in this training ground before he opened the door and came in was Namgung Il, that brat.

However.

'No way!'

Because the subject was Namgung Il, Namgung Hae's mind became complicated.

Even he couldn't leave such a mark on the floor with a single blow, so that was what Namgung Il had done?

It was a feeling that he had no choice but to deny, no, that he wanted to deny.

"What's going on here?"

Just then, Namgung Il asked nonchalantly.

At that moment, Namgung Hae came to his senses and hurriedly got up.

Soon, a voice that felt somewhat urgent flowed out of Namgung Hae's mouth.

"N-Namgung Il!"

"...?"

"What kind of trick did you pull?"

When Namgung Hae suddenly asked, Namgung Il's face became one of not knowing what was going on.

"What are you talking about?

"The traces on that floor!"

"..."

"You've decorated it so cleverly as if you had done it!"

He had wondered what he was talking about, so it was because of that.

Namgung Il said to Namgung Hae, as if he were somewhat dumbfounded.

"If it happened, it just happened. Why would I decorate it?"

"That's because, of course..."

It was then.

Because Namgung Cheong had come into the training ground late, Namgung Hae had no choice but to shut his mouth in the middle.

Swoosh—

Namgung Il's gaze silently turned to Namgung Cheong.

For Namgung Cheong to appear here in succession.

Namgung Il wondered what this was, but since it was in front of Namgung Cheong, he put the sword he was holding into its sheath.

"..."

Namgung Cheong came into the training ground and looked down at the cracked floor in silence for a moment.

At the same time, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

But he soon returned to his usual expression and turned his head.

"I'm sorry for coming to you so suddenly while you were training."

When Namgung Cheong said that, Namgung Hae's eyes widened in surprise.

Of course, it could be said to be a rude thing to suddenly enter a training ground like this during training... but for that Namgung Cheong to apologize?

Of course, it wouldn't be an apology with a deep meaning, but still, the fact that Namgung Cheong had said such a thing couldn't help but surprise Namgung Hae.

But hearing the words that followed, Namgung Hae's face changed from surprise to astonishment.

"Is your training going well?"

"...It's manageable."

"Yes, I was a little worried at first, but fortunately, you seem to be making the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders your own smoothly."

Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders?

Namgung Cheong had clearly said that just now.

'No... Namgung Il has learned the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders?'

Namgung Hae had, of course, heard that name before.

The Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders, one of the advanced sword styles of the Namgung Clan.

Could it be that the reason Namgung Il was alone here was because he was training the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders?

Only after eavesdropping on the two's conversation did Namgung Hae realize that fact.

'The advanced sword style of the Namgung Clan that even I haven't learned yet... Namgung Il has already learned it?'

Since when had that happened?

Although he wanted to deny those words, if he thought that Namgung Il had learned the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders, he could understand all the questions he had felt so far.

The thunderous roar he had heard in his ears when he opened the door and came in, and that cracked floor now.

If he thought that it was the work of Namgung Il, who had learned the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders, it seemed entirely possible.

'Th-this is bad!'

Namgung Hae finally realized that the current situation was not good.

He had thought that he had definitely become stronger than Namgung Il due to the half-year of closed-door training... but a completely unexpected variable had arisen.

No matter how much he had become stronger through half a year of closed-door training, could he even face Namgung Il, who had learned the advanced sword style of the Namgung Clan?

At that thought, Namgung Hae was now biting his nails with an anxious face.

'Wh-what should I do?'

If he were to compete with Namgung Il for the recommended admission, it would surely be decided through a spar who would be admitted.

But for a variable like the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders to pop out in this situation.

The confidence he had when he first came out of the closed-door training cave had long since disappeared.

"Il-ah, I have something to ask you."

"...?"

"Have you perhaps heard of the Flying Dragon Academy?"

Just then, Namgung Cheong asked Namgung Il.

At that moment, Namgung Hae raised his head with a more nervous face than before.

Like a herbivore wary of its surroundings, Namgung Hae was listening to Namgung Il's voice.

"Yes, I've heard of it."

"Then there's no need for a long explanation."

"..."

"The Flying Dragon Academy has sent a recommended admission letter to the main family."

Hearing that, Namgung Il was able to understand what Namgung Cheong was trying to say to him now.

Recommended admission to the Flying Dragon Academy.

In the past, Namgung Il had also entered the Flying Dragon Academy through that method, so he knew well about recommended admission.

"Last year and the year before, your older brother and sister also entered the Flying Dragon Academy through recommended admission. And I plan to send one of the direct descendants to the Flying Dragon Academy through recommended admission this year as well."

"..."

"The person I'm thinking of this year is the two of you here. You and Hae."

So that was why he had come to see him.

The age limit for admission to the Flying Dragon Academy was between the age of learning (15) and the age of establishment (30), so he was also of an age where he could be admitted.

"Of course, if you don't want to, you don't have to enter the Flying Dragon Academy."

"..."

"Hae came to me and hoped to enter the Flying Dragon Academy. Il-ah, what do you want to do?"

When Namgung Cheong asked, Namgung Il remained silent without answering immediately.

Admission to the Flying Dragon Academy.

In the past, he had been admitted there, but that didn't mean he had to follow the same procedure in this life.

It's not like his life would be ruined if he didn't enter the Flying Dragon Academy.

In the first place, it was questionable whether there was anything for him to learn there.

'Thinking rationally, it would be more beneficial for me to just stay here and hone the sword style of the Namgung Clan.'

Swoosh—

Namgung Il turned his head and looked at Namgung Hae.

A gaze that clearly felt anxious.

Namgung Il looked at him for a moment and then, as if he had made a decision, said to Namgung Cheong again.

"I also want to go there."

That was Namgung Il's choice.

Of course, considering various things, there were few reasons for Namgung Il to go to the Flying Dragon Academy.

However.

The memory of his time at the Flying Dragon Academy in the past, that alone made Namgung Il decide to enter.

'I met Namgung Jeongung there.'

You never know how a person's relationships will turn out.

To think that he and that Namgung Jeongung would become inseparable friends.

Thinking about it now, he had bickered with Namgung Jeongung at the academy, but even that had become a pleasant memory after it had passed.

'Cheongseong, Tang Cheolgo, Jinheo... I met all of them at the Flying Dragon Academy too.'

They were all his peers and friends.

The relationships he had made at that time had continued for decades, and in the end, with their help, he was able to defeat the Blood Demon.

Thinking about it that way, isn't it really amazing?

At first, he didn't even know their names, but he gradually built relationships with them at a place called the academy, and that later led to them fighting together in a war where the fate of the martial world was at stake.

At that time, not only him, but also those brats, no one would have thought that it would be like that in the future.

'If I hadn't attended the Flying Dragon Academy, I might not have met such friends.'

And he might not have been able to defeat the Blood Demon.

Because that fight was a fight that could never have been won without each other's bonds.

The peace now was created with everyone's help.

'In this life too, I want to make such friends.'

Even if they bickered usually, they would move for each other in their hearts... Namgung Il wanted to experience such a pleasant academy life once again.

Such things can't be made just by weighing the pros and cons, can they?

This was the reason why Namgung Il had decided to enter the Flying Dragon Academy in this life as well.

"..."

Hearing Namgung Il's answer, Namgung Cheong smiled faintly.

On the other hand, Namgung Hae's face turned pale.

He had been praying that Namgung Il would not be interested in the Flying Dragon Academy... but in the end, it was a vain hope.

"I understand."

"..."

"However, there is only one person who can enter through recommended admission. So, inevitably, one of you will have to give up the recommended admission."

Namgung Cheong said and looked at the two alternately.

Since he had heard all their opinions, the choice was now his, the clan head's.

Since both were his sons, Namgung Cheong intended to choose without discrimination.

"Recommended admission means that you will be entering the Flying Dragon Academy under the name of the Namgung Clan."

"..."

"So it would be right for the person who can raise the honor of the Namgung Clan more to enter through recommended admission this year."

Of course, the Flying Dragon Academy was not a place that only taught martial arts.

But wasn't the most important virtue for a martial artist, after all, martial arts skills?

If they were to compete for the remaining spot, it would be understandable for everyone if they competed with martial arts, like a martial artist.

"I will recommend the winner of a spar between the two to the Flying Dragon Academy."

"...!"

When Namgung Cheong said that, the expressions of the two were clearly divided.

Compared to the calm Namgung Il, Namgung Hae's appearance was rushed, as if he were being chased by something.

Just then, Namgung Il walked closer to Namgung Hae.

"Wh-what are you doing!"

When Namgung Il suddenly approached him, Namgung Hae was surprised and shouted.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"..."

"You heard what he said, right? When do you want to do it?"

"Wh-what..."

"What do you mean, what? The spar, of course. I don't particularly mind doing it right now."

Namgung Il might not mind, but Namgung Hae did.

Very much so.

If he went on like this, he could vaguely see a future where he would lose and eventually have the recommended admission spot taken away by Namgung Il, so Namgung Hae could not rashly accept those words.

"R-right now?"

"Yes, what's the need to drag it out?"

"..."

"What do you want to do? I don't mind if we do it with a real sword, which you like, this time too."

Namgung Il said and grabbed the sword at his waist with his left hand.

Gulp—

Seeing that, Namgung Hae swallowed his saliva without realizing it.

And a fact he could know instinctively.

He should absolutely not fight with Namgung Il now. His intuition was telling him so now.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

"I just finished my closed-door training!"

"So?"

"You don't know because you haven't done it, but when you come out of closed-door training, your mind and body are very tired! So you should at least give me time to recover!"

Of course, there was no problem physically.

This was just an excuse to buy time, but since it was a justifiable statement, Namgung Il nodded his head as if he understood.

"Then how long will it take to recover?"

"W-well. I'll rest first and tell you when I'm better."

"...Well, I understand for now."

When Namgung Il answered, Namgung Hae was finally able to let out a sigh of relief.

But the situation had not changed much.

Even if he held out for a few days, in the end, he was destined to fight with Namgung Il.

'...What should I do?'

Could he win against a brat who had learned the Thirteen Lightning Sword Thunders?

Namgung Hae was now looking down at the cracked floor again with a worried face.