Beyond the Throne: The Monarch's Return

"Yes? You want me to teach you swordsmanship?"

Ian nodded at Nathan.

"Galon said you'd be a good teacher."

Nathan looked confused.

"What? Why would you ask me?"

Instead of answering, Ian remembered what Galon had said when he asked him about swordsmanship: "Nathan's style will suit you better."

[My swordsmanship is more about direct attacks, but Nathan's technique is special—it looks fancy, but it uses the enemy's strength against them.]

Galon had also observed Ian's previous fights.

[Your reflexes are excellent. You have a sharp eye for noticing your opponent's weaknesses in the moment.]

[Really?]

[Yes, it's a rare talent, even among the royal family of Kaistein, who are known for their swordsmanship.]

That's why Galon had recommended Nathan.

[He's similar to you in style, Prince. Learning from him will be helpful.]

[Don't worry. Nathan is a genius at this, even if he doesn't show it.]

Ian had agreed.

'Nathan's moves were impressive when he fought the bandits,' Ian thought. His technique was fast, powerful, and devastating. If Galon recommended him, it was worth a try.

However, Nathan still looked uneasy.

"Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?" Nathan asked. "We're here to protect you."

"That's exactly why," Ian replied. "If I rely too much on others, I'll lose confidence and always depend on someone else. I want to be strong enough to defend myself and what I believe in."

Nathan flinched at the intensity in Ian's eyes, realizing how serious he was.

'If you can't protect yourself, you'll always have limitations,' Ian thought. He didn't want to be stuck in places he didn't want to be or rely on others for safety, especially when it came to what mattered most to him.

Besides, there was another reason.

'The competition after the legitimation ceremony includes swordsmanship matches.'

In the kingdom of Kaistein, a warrior's saying went, "If an enemy points a sword at you, put your sword through their head." Swordsmanship was an essential skill for the royal family.

'In the past, I was always last.'

His brothers, all skilled in swordsmanship, had beaten him badly. He had trained hard since then, but the royal knights eventually gave up on him. He had always been ridiculed when it came to swordsmanship.

But now Galon, one of the Three Great Knights, told him he had talent.

'I don't know if he was just being polite or serious.'

It was unexpected, but if it was true…

"I want to learn from you, Nathan."

Seeing Ian's determination, Nathan nodded.

"Alright, but I'll be strict. You need to be committed."

"Of course. I look forward to learning from you, Nathan."

But Nathan raised an issue.

"You've been trained in royal swordsmanship, right?"

"Is that a problem?" Ian asked.

"Yes. In your current state, you can't learn another style."

"Why?"

"Royal swordsmanship is mostly ceremonial, meant for show. My technique is designed for real combat, focused on killing. Right now, your movements are too inefficient."

Ian was shocked.

"Honestly, it's surprising that you beat a village soldier with it," Nathan added.

Even Galon had been impressed when he first saw Ian in action. But Ian had different thoughts.

'I practiced royal swordsmanship for so long because they told me I had no talent, but now it's holding me back?'

He remembered the words of the knights who trained him:

—The prince has no talent for swordsmanship.

Even the commander of the royal knights, the kingdom's best knight, had said the same after watching Ian. Ian had worked hard, training all night just to gain some recognition. He had reached the final stage of royal swordsmanship, but that was it.

'I trained all this time, only to find out I was just learning the basics?'

But Nathan reassured him.

"Don't worry, Prince. You have talent."

"Really?"

"But my training will push you to your limit."

Five hours later, Ian was completely exhausted, while Nathan laughed.

"Nathan, this is too much…" Ian groaned.

"It's fine! Keep training like this, and you'll forget all that ceremonial swordsmanship. Real swordsmanship is next! Hahaha!"

Ian spent the day running, rolling, and tumbling across the training ground.

Even Galon, watching from the side, couldn't help but scowl.

"Nathan, don't overdo it. He's still young."

"What's the problem? I've told the servants to prepare meals for him. Besides, this is what the prince needs."

Galon agreed. Ian was too weak and skinny. Galon wouldn't have realized if he hadn't seen him in the bath. For someone so frail, Ian had performed impressively against the soldiers.

'But if he stays like this, the other heirs will surpass him,' Galon thought.

Nathan, sensing Galon's worry, muttered, "Why did you leave him with me? You could teach him yourself."

Galon leaned closer and whispered, "The prince shows signs of having the Third Eye."

"WHAT?!" Nathan exclaimed. "Are you serious?"

"Not entirely sure. But it's a rare talent, similar to yours."

The Third Eye was a rare ability, even among swordsmen. Nathan, despite being a genius, had only attained a similar skill called Oath.

"But the prince was told he had no talent," Nathan said, confused.

"Whoever said that deceived him."

Galon, one of the continent's top knights, found it hard to believe.

'Has any member of the royal family ever had this ability?'

Nathan was stunned by Galon's revelation.

"But if he has this potential, why only teach him ceremonial swordsmanship?" Nathan asked, baffled. "Why teach something so useless?"

"It's not useless."

"What?"

"Most don't know this, but the First King himself created that ceremonial swordsmanship. It later became the foundation for royal swordsmanship. Every knight once learned it."

But everyone had failed to master it.

'Even I couldn't get past the basics.'

So now, it was just used for show.

That was why Galon had been so amazed watching Ian fight with ceremonial swordsmanship. Ian's body hadn't fully matured, but his moves were a step beyond the basics.

Meanwhile, Ian grew more anxious.

'At this rate, I won't be ready in time.'

The legitimation ceremony was in a month, and he needed to be able to wield a sword competently by then. He couldn't build strength overnight, but he had to act fast.

'Other teachers will be arriving soon.'

Ian needed to prepare for more than just swordsmanship. There were lessons in art, history, manners, and kingdom studies ahead. That left even less time to practice his sword skills.

'In the past, I only started learning swordsmanship after three years.'

During his previous legitimation ceremony, Ian had been humiliated and defeated in the first competition. But there was one possible solution.

'I need to gain the power that Karan found here.'

[Adventurer King Karan.]

The man was a legend, and one phrase about him stuck with Ian:

[The immortal god who never tires, no matter how long he fights.]

Ian didn't know what kind of power it was, but if Karan had gotten it from this place…

'I might gain the strength I need for swordsmanship before the ceremony.'

Ian asked the servants about Karan.

"Where is the third young master?"

"He said he was coming to see the prince."

"To see me?"

Ian was puzzled. He hadn't interacted with the third son of the Duke in his past life. But Nathan clarified.

"I'm here because the Duke's third son is in charge of the prince's protection. I'm his escort knight. He's always wandering, so I'm staying here to wait for him."

Hearing that made Ian nervous.

'I need to get that power before Karan arrives.'

If Karan found the hidden place, he wouldn't share the power with Ian.

And Karan wasn't the only problem.

"I've also received word that the Second Prince is on his way. He'll arrive soon."

A madman was coming. This situation was not what Ian had expected.

Ignoring his aching body, Ian rushed to his room after training.

'I need more strength.'

Ian lifted the bedsheets, revealing a secret door hidden beneath them.

Click.

It opened.