By Zephyria 
Oscar Valencia, my uncle, had one son and one daughter under his care. The son was now twenty-two years old, and the daughter had just turned twenty.
Both children had doted on and cherished me since I was very young. However, as they entered the academy, they became busy with their own lives and gradually grew distant.
So, it was natural that the children, whom I met after several years, had grown considerably taller than before.
Both children had inherited their uncle’s handsome features, making them recognizable at a glance. Just as it is with the children of friends who have grown up, I felt a sense of contentment.
Among them, the son reached out, ruffled my hair, and smiled brightly.
“You’ve really grown a lot, Mika. You were so tiny when I last saw you.”
“Brother, you look much more mature now, and it’s good to see.”
“Mmm… Your way of speaking hasn’t changed either. It’s good to see you. I missed you.”
The daughter standing beside him chuckled, suppressing her laughter.
The son’s name was Aizen Valencia, and the daughter’s name was Hendel Valencia.
There was a time when I, having trouble remembering their names and mixing them up, was told by the two children that since we were of the same blood and family, I should feel free to call them older brother and older sister.
At first, it felt awkward to treat them as older siblings, and I often avoided looking them in the face. But upon careful consideration, the very idea of them, who were younger than me, being my parents was absurd.
Later, I found myself easily calling them ‘older brother’ and ‘older sister.’
Hearing from my cousins that it had been a long time since the whole family gathered like this, now that they were adults and busy in their respective lives, a sudden curiosity arose within me.
“So, are you two working at the Imperial Palace?”
“Ah, no. I have to inherit the Duke Valentia Family, so I’m helping my father with his work. And Hendel is…”
“Lately, I’ve been learning about maritime trade. I’m also involved in shipbuilding… If I had a little more free time, I could show you the new ship I built.”
“Shipbuilding?”
“If you travel south for ten days from here, there’s a decent port called Demon Port. If you go through the East Sea, you can reach the Duke Grimsbein Family, and if you go around the South Sea, you can reach Indus Bay, so I think trade with Yulan might be possible. I’m exploring various routes.”
I harbored a desire to forge paths even into the desert, but she mentioned that beyond the bay bordering the Yulan Kingdom, the sea was rough and had large mudflats, making it impossible to gauge what lay beyond.
I had seen continental maps several times at Shierun Academy and already knew the locations of various families and their primary goods, so it wasn’t difficult to understand.
However, the Sierran Empire was an empire where maritime trade was not actively developed.
This was thanks to the Saras River, which flowed richly and was wide, stretching long from northeast to southwest, and its end connected to Yulan, the southernmost part of the Five Kingdoms.
Though I felt a moment of doubt, I figured my cousins would have a better grasp of new ventures than I did. Thus, I felt no great concern and simply nodded.
Seated at the abundant table, we exchanged even more abundant stories.
It’s so nice when everyone is gathered like this, my maternal grandmother remarked.
The Valentia family members were generally quiet, but my aunt and my cousin Aizen, who were eloquent, helped keep the conversation flowing.
I had heard that even after graduating from the academy, my two cousins often had to attend various social events, making it difficult for them to attend family gatherings, so I anticipated a similar future for myself.
Aizen offered to pass down the jewels he would use for his future Debutante, which I gratefully accepted.
I also heard that a large chocolate cake was being prepared for this New Year’s festival for me and the children.
I thought it was understandable given the presence of young children, but then I felt a blush of embarrassment as I saw the expectant gazes of my blood relatives.
Did I really eat that much sweets?
While I didn’t refuse what was offered, I never actively sought out sweets when they weren’t in front of me.
However, it would be strange to refuse what they wanted to give me, so I replied politely that it was a joyous and grateful occasion, and everyone seemed pleased. I suppressed my embarrassment.
The New Year’s festival was a celebration in Sierran to commemorate the last day of the year and the beginning of the new one.
Generally, families with young children spent it together, while others participated in the New Year’s events of high-ranking nobles as their circumstances allowed.
Until now, I had always ended the year and welcomed the new one at Young Count Ernhardt’s Residence, eating a large cake and drinking soda mixed with grape juice.
I would rub my sleepy eyes with my siblings, anticipating the rising of the new sun, and share conversations about wishing each other happiness in the coming year. That was all.
I had easily assumed that things would be no different at the Duke Valentia Family.
However, I learned at this time that because the Duke Valentia Family was a ducal house, they were obligated to hold a grand New Year’s festival at their residence.
It meant that nearby nobles who couldn’t afford to travel to the capital would gather together to enjoy a banquet.
I felt a momentary disappointment, having come expecting a quiet family gathering. But seeing my mother, who had never attended such a large event since I was born, clap her hands in excitement, I realized my mistake.
I too decided to enjoy the New Year’s festival with a happy heart.
As we exchanged various stories, my eyes occasionally met my uncle’s.
My uncle was, as always, with his short, purple hair neatly combed back. His cool gaze and attire complemented each other, adding to his cold impression.
My uncle, Oscar Valencia, was a martial artist who had reached the Transcendent Peak, though not yet Hwagyeong.
My uncle was greatly disappointed that his own children had no interest in swordsmanship. Therefore, he was very pleased when I, born later, took up the sword.
Although he was busy and didn’t visit Young Count Ernhardt’s Residence often, I knew he would carefully examine my body every time we met, which was once every two or three years.
The Imperial Knight Order shield and iron sword I received as a gift from my maternal grandparents on my fifth birthday were also custom-made and presented by my uncle.
It was only natural that I came to respect and follow my uncle after learning these stories later.
Although I had seen Hwagyeong masters since entering the academy, he was still a very high-ranking expert among those close to me.
My uncle, who seemed about to speak to me, turned his gaze away.
I smiled, understanding his kind intention to yield his time to my maternal grandparents, who were openly delighted to see me.
❖ ❖ ❖
Indeed, the next morning, my uncle was already at the martial arts training ground before me.
It was also my uncle who had stationed guards at my door to show me the way to the training ground. Even without explicitly telling me, I could feel his deep thoughtfulness and righteousness.
“Good morning.”
“Yes.”
Without a word, my uncle drew his sword and pointed it at me. I also drew my sword.
Giving me the time to strike first was the composure of an elder and a master.
It had been three years since I last crossed swords with my uncle. In that time, my bones and muscles had grown and strengthened a little more.
A sharp clang echoed as our swords met. I could read the fleeting thrill in my uncle’s eyes as he stepped back half a pace.
He was a skilled martial artist. He used disciplined swordsmanship. His sword was linear, closest to the original form of Sierran Imperial Swordsmanship. He was adept at making it impossible to block, even when one could read the predictable sword path created by his strong arm.
However, I too was a skilled martial artist. Though my arms and legs were short and my strength weak, making it a struggle every time I faced my uncle’s sword, I could compensate with faster and more unpredictable movements.
Furthermore, having seen and learned various sword arts at the academy this time, I was well aware of the characteristics of my uncle’s swordsmanship.
My uncle, easily noticing that neither of us yielded when our swords clashed, unlike before, curved his lips into a smile.
Knowing he was displaying sword energy to test me, I also channeled my own sword energy to respond.
It was a weak, faint energy compared to his, but it was enough to protect my sword from breaking.
Without blinking or taking a breath, we exchanged several rapid blows.
About an hour passed like this.
Suddenly, my uncle withdrew his sword, turned his body sharply to the side, and dodged. I also slowly retracted my sword, which had been aimed at his arm, and stopped.
Seeing my uncle’s face, which wore a benevolent smile, I knew he was sufficiently satisfied.
Compared to before, I could easily gauge his realm. I, too, smiled faintly, satisfied.
“You’ve improved a lot.”
“Yes. Because I gained a good teacher.”
“If you’re not busy, shall we take a walk?”
My uncle sheathed his sword and hung it at his waist. I gladly walked beside him.
In truth, I felt closer to my uncle, Oscar, than to my father, William Ernhardt, and treated him more casually.
It was because I was a martial artist. In my past life, I had spent my childhood with my aunt and uncle, who practiced swordsmanship, and called them family.
He understood the sword I wielded and could see into my heart, and he was my blood relative. The dignity and affection I felt when seeing the head of the Namgung family or their direct descendants, whom I didn’t see often, rested upon my uncle’s angular shoulders.
It was a dawn where the cold air cooled my lungs.
Our calm steps made no sound. I walked beside my uncle, who walked in silence.
It was hard to believe that such a strong and cool-looking man had played such a mischievous trick on my parents.
Then again, Seiren said his older brother was a man who was taciturn, affectionate, and good at doing embarrassing things.
I believed that people should ripen like rice stalks as they aged. I thought my uncle must have passed through his young, passionate days to possess his current quietude, and thus I could understand.
As I was thinking this, he suddenly opened his mouth.
“Do you know why I stopped Hendel from working at the Imperial Palace?”
…This was the first I had heard of it. I straightened my back, feeling tense.