NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: 8. Undisputed Leading Man
"Big bro, y-you've awakened a superpower?!"
For teenagers in their chuunibyou phase, who hasn't fantasized about discovering they had superpowers and being the chosen one?
"Eriri, stop daydreaming."
"At most, this is just a special ability."
"It's an inherent effect of this ancient sword."
"From a scientific perspective, 'superpowers' are nothing more than rare anomalies occurring among billions of people."
"For example, some people have reaction speeds far beyond the average human, capable of dodging bullets with their bare bodies."
"Some are born with incredibly thick subcutaneous fat, making them resistant to normal handgun bullets."
"Would you consider them to have superpowers?"
"There are swordsmen in Japan who can slice through steel with their blades, and Templar knights who wear heavy armor yet can march a hundred miles a day."
"Some can single-handedly take down an entire squad of modern, well-equipped mercenaries."
"Do you consider those to be superpowers gained through training?"
"All of these so-called superpowers are just phenomena that modern science has yet to fully explain."
"Eriri, trust in science, don't indulge in fantasies."
Seizing the moment, Akira patted Eriri's head with a solemn, elder-brotherly demeanor.
"No matter how skilled one is in martial arts, a single missile can still turn them into pieces."
"That is reality."
If there truly were superpowers in this world, then he alone possessed them.
They were unique to him—an advantage granted by the world to an outsider who had been reincarnated.
Fundamentally, it was a form of divine favor from this world.
A blessing that made him the world's 'chosen son.'
Akira called it Dream Fulfillment, Wish Manifestation, or simply Power of My Own Will.
For example, when he was a child, he wished to become a swordmaster.
Not long after, on a chance encounter, he met his senior, Saeko Busujima.
He then successfully became the apprentice of her grandfather, the current head of the Busujima sword style.
He was Saeko's only junior disciple.
Later, by sheer coincidence, one of his master's old friends from China visited to exchange sword techniques.
Impressed by Akira's outstanding talent and diligent practice, that old friend took him under his wing as a second master.
Since then, every year, he had traveled to China to train under his new mentor.
Similarly, when he was a child, he wished to be a top student.
At first, he noticed his concentration improving significantly.
He was no longer easily distracted by external influences.
His learning efficiency skyrocketed as a result.
Through daily, persistent effort, this focus became second nature, like an innate talent.
It allowed him to master new knowledge at a speed beyond the reach of ordinary people.
This Wish Manifestation wasn't simply about idly waiting for miracles to happen—it required effort as well.
For instance, when Akira wished as a child to have many childhood friends,
The world, influenced by this blessing, would create opportunities and coincidences for him to meet them.
But if he never took the initiative, never stepped outside to make connections,
No matter how much the world tried, nothing would happen.
It wasn't like a childhood friend would just be delivered to his doorstep—that only happens in certain special kinds of anime.
All in all, Akira was very satisfied with his cheat ability.
No annoying system missions.
No external force controlling his will.
And, most importantly, no forced involvement in things he disliked.
"Wait, that's it?!"
Eriri, deeply disappointed, pouted in frustration.
This so-called 'power' was nothing more than an enhanced version of self-discipline and perseverance.
It wasn't a true superpower at all.
Her dreams were crushed in an instant—she would never fantasize about this again.
"Now, back to the real topic."
"I, Akira Sawamura, swear upon my sword—my word is my bond, and my promises are absolute."
Seeing Akira solemnly reciting an oath reminiscent of ancient Chinese traditions, Spencer once again felt a deep pang of regret.
His son was born to be a knight.
Honorable, trustworthy, and unwavering in his beliefs.
"Akira, you've truly grown into a man."
"One day, your father will regret his decision."
"You are a natural knight."
There was a trace of resentment in Spencer's voice.
Akira was the son he raised, a boy he had always seen as his own flesh and blood.
Why couldn't he inherit the Spencer family title?
Sawamura Sayuri, watching this unfold, was deeply moved.
She darted forward, hugging Akira tightly before Eriri could react.
Burying her face in his strong chest, she whined playfully,
"Akira~ Mama is so touched!"
Her husband was gone, but she still had a kind, understanding, and incredibly dependable son.
To be honest, Akira's traits were straight out of a girls' manga.
He was exactly the type of male lead that only existed in fiction.
To this day, Sayuri had never met a real-life boy more handsome than her son.
If she didn't have Akira as her support, she might not have been able to hold herself together.
Bringing him home was undoubtedly the best decision she had ever made.
"You old hag!"
"You're already an adult—stop acting cute!"
"Have some shame!"
Eriri fumed at the sight, instantly forgetting all the grief she had felt earlier.
She replaced it with anger, staring at her mother with intense jealousy.
This was completely unfair.
That position—right there—belonged to her!
Their father had already entrusted her future to this flirtatious older brother of hers.
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