Regressor of the Fallen Family

Logan sighed and headed towards his training room.

Upon arriving, he saw an elderly superhero already waiting for him and managed to maintain a composed expression as he respectfully bowed.

“I am late, Master.”

“I am aware you’re busy, Your Majesty. Skip the formalities, draw your sword.”

Instead of drawing his sword as he usually would, Logan hesitated and then with a gloomy expression, he started hesitantly,

“Master, I have an unfavorable request to ask.”

“…Yes?”

Seeing Logan’s unusually hesitant demeanor made the sword master tense up a bit too.

“Speak your mind, Your Majesty. If it’s within my power to assist… “

“It’s about… needing a bit more support from the Esperanza domain.”

At the barely uttered request, the sword master’s expression momentarily dulled.

“Have you been squeezing the budget that tightly?”

After hearing an explanation of the current situation, the sword master asked with a stunned look.

“Yes. Just one year, one year will suffice.”

Although Logan felt ashamed, as if he was resorting to swindler’s tactics, fortunately, the Master sighed slightly and nodded.

“While Esperanza is not particularly wealthy, we have no choice given the circumstances. I’ll arrange as many resources as I can. However…”

“Thank you, Master.”

“…It seems inevitable that this will worsen public opinion. I assume you have a plan in place?”

“Once all this work is over and next year’s harvest season begins, the current opinion will surely reverse. And by then, we will firmly hold the power to control the kingdom.”

“…Let us hope everything proceeds as you say.”

The sword master sighed again upon seeing the fervor in his disciple’s eyes.

Having sworn to follow his will, if he had committed to lending his strength, it was only right to trust and support Logan entirely, though the grip on his sword couldn’t help but tighten with frustration.

“Very well. Let’s commence with the training.”

“Yes.”

Swish.

Logan exhaled in relief and drew his sword.

‘If Esperanza could provide just a bit more assistance, I could hold out for three more months. Then I can finally catch my breath.’

At that reassuring thought,

“Be careful!”

Boom!

He was suddenly winded by the astonishing force of a sword strike.

“Ma, Master?!”

“Starting today, we will practice as if it were real combat.”

Was there emotion in those words, or was it Logan’s imagination?

He quickly gathered his strength, looking pale.

Since his coronation, Logan had continued training with his Master with one purpose in mind.

‘While strengthening the kingdom’s power is important, building our superhuman forces is crucial. If we can’t increase the number of superheroes, I must become stronger myself.’

The memory of Tris Hornsby, now called the finest swordsman of the empire and the continent, still lingered vividly in his mind.

Regardless of Tris not having participated in the imperial wars in his previous life, the current unpredictability of the situation meant that if he could overcome that single blow, he could settle the superheroes who trampled the kingdom during the imperial wars of his past life.

But before that…

“Your mind is wandering!”

Boom!

Drip.

Facing his Master, who he had yet to overtake, Logan endured the electrifying pain throughout his body and took a step forward.

For a moment his form wavered, then split in two. An afterimage, a technique he’d demonstrated in the past.

While facing two Logans each striking with their swords along different paths, the sword master remained calm.

Crack.

“Afterimages are not a technique to be used multiple times against the same opponent!”

Logan clenched his teeth as he avoided blow after blow, repeatedly retreating.

‘Sure enough…’

He was once again struck by his Master’s overwhelming might.

Even without special techniques in sparring, the Master’s sword drove him back without any gaps, and there was much to learn from those minor movements.

And just when he thought he was getting accustomed to those movements…

Clang!

The Master knocked Logan’s sword away with a wide sweep and then stepped back.

“Your body should be warmed up by now. Go ahead and use your ability.”

“Understood.”

Logan didn’t hesitate.

He knew that even if he gave his all now, miracles like the ones during his rotations wouldn’t happen again.

Hum.

As soon as he set his mind to it, an additional force core exploded from his heart, enhancing all of his abilities more than twofold.

Speed, strength, and senses were all greatly amplified.

With this significantly enhanced combat power, Logan starts his relentless assault.

Slash. Clang!

Boom!

But even as his sword strikes lashed out like lightning from all directions, the calm defense of the sword master was impenetrable.

While observing Logan’s offense with his blue eyes, the Master nonchalantly spoke.

“And now, try using that technique.”

Logan hesitated momentarily at those words.

“Are you sure?”

To the seemingly anxious reply, the Master chuckled and responded.

“I’ve thought it over. Now, show it to me.”

Responding with a smile, Logan took a deep breath and unleashed the strongest attack he was capable of.

‘Life Severance.’

If Flame Severance were to dissolve the power of abilities, then Life Severance was a force that could destroy the very essence of life. It wasn’t just about withstanding an aura; it was meant to destroy the foundation of power itself, and after experiencing it, the sword master had needed three weeks under the care of a bishop-level priest to barely regain his senses. A devilish technique, indeed.

Logan had not used it since in their training sessions, but if the Master said so, there must be confidence in his words.

‘In fact, that time…’

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that he had lost, was it? Without hesitation, he swung the most potent blow he was capable of.

And then.

The golden light surge that spread forth was thwarted by a red aura that strangely penetrated through gaps, ultimately rendering it unable to pierce the barrier and exhausting its power.

“Still…”