After the sparring session earlier…
Rio was still gasping for air, kneeling on the stone ground of the courtyard. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly, sweat soaking his face and dripping from his flushed forehead.
Before him, his father slowly stepped closer. Standing tall beneath the morning sunlight, that figure looked solid—like a shadow that could never be shaken.
"You really are… extremely weak when it comes to stamina,"
Zero said flatly, his voice deep, as if striking straight at his son's awareness.
Rio lifted his head. His gaze met the face of the man who had always been both his greatest admiration and his deepest fear. In those small eyes, it was clear—
admiration… and hope.
"I… really want to have strength like you, Father…
and a strong body… just like yours too…"
he whispered softly, a fragile voice carrying the feelings of a child who was struggling with everything he had.
Zero fell silent for a moment. His gaze shifted, and for a brief instant, the stiffness on his face cracked. A faint smile appeared—something incredibly rare for him.
"Then… rest for a while first,"
he said as he gently patted Rio's shoulder.
"Once you've recovered, come back here. Father will be waiting for you… in this place."
Rio nodded weakly. He slowly stood up, his body still trembling.
But within his heart… something had begun to ignite.
I hope… Father will teach me that skill he always uses…
he muttered to himself.
He walked slowly back toward his room. Every step felt heavy, yet his resolve remained firm.
When he reached his room, he opened the door and entered sluggishly. His body immediately dropped to the floor. He lowered his head, then clenched his small fists as emotions boiled violently inside his chest.
"DAMN IT… THIS BODY IS SO PATHETIC…!"
"I HAVEN'T EVEN USED THE EYES OF LIGHT TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL YET!!"
He screamed within his mind.
His eyes reddened as frustration piled up.
"WHY IS THIS BODY SO WEAK!?
I WAS REINCARNATED… SO WHY DON'T I HAVE A CHEAT SKILL LIKE THOSE ISEKAI HEROES!?"
His hands tightly gripped his pants. His teeth clenched, shaking as he tried to contain the overflowing emotions.
But before that anger could turn into tears…
Tok tok.
A gentle knock echoed at the door.
Someone stood at the doorway—a woman he cherished deeply, the one now known as his mother in this world.
Arleya Akagami.
A presence that brought calm just by being there. Her eyes were filled with affection, and her smile… warm, like an embrace on a cold day.
"Rio dear… what's wrong?"
she asked softly, as if she already understood his heart without needing an explanation.
Rio slowly turned his head. He looked startled for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze.
"It's nothing, Mom…"
Arleya stepped inside and sat beside him. Her fingers gently rested on his shoulder.
"Are you disappointed because of your training with your father earlier?"
Rio shook his head slightly, then spoke in a weary voice.
"It's not that… I can't bring out my skill completely.
This body… feels weak. Especially my stamina."
He lowered his head.
"Father… could still smile calmly, even when I was already giving it my all."
Arleya listened quietly for a moment. Then she smiled—softly, filled with memories.
"It's alright, Rio…
Your father was like that too back then. Weak… especially when it came to stamina."
Rio lifted his head in shock.
"Really…?"
Arleya nodded gently.
"When he was eighteen, he began his life as an Assassin. But at that time… he often fainted from exhaustion."
"But ever since he met his teacher… and began training seriously, your father has never looked tired again."
Rio's eyes widened. Inside his chest, curiosity slowly replaced exhaustion.
"Then… how did you come to like Father?
Or… were you the one who fell in love first!?"
Arleya looked at him with clear eyes, then smiled sweetly while covering her mouth, holding back a soft laugh.
"A secret…"
she whispered teasingly.
Rio immediately leaned closer with a pout.
"Hey… that's unfair! How can you keep secrets from your own child…?"
Arleya chuckled softly, then gently patted his head.
"That's enough now. Come… let's go to the courtyard. Your father is already waiting."
Rio stood up, his eyes lighting up once more. He smiled and nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Mom!"
With lighter steps, he left the room, carrying with him a rekindled spirit.
In the backyard, Akagami Zero was already there, leaning against a wooden pillar while gazing at the sky.
When Rio arrived, the man slowly turned his head.
"Do you have enough strength to train this time?"
he asked calmly, though his eyes were sharp.
Rio nodded firmly.
"Yes, Father!"
Zero gave a faint smile.
"Alright… then."
In an instant, his body vanished. Rio's eyes widened. In the blink of an eye, Zero was already standing right in front of him. A cold aura spread around them… the aura of an Assassin.
"H-huh!? T-that fast…!?"
Zero stared straight into Rio's eyes. His gaze burned sharply.
"You want to use this skill as well?"
Rio nodded slowly.
"Yes… I want to learn everything…"
Zero crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes.
"Then listen carefully."
The surroundings fell silent. Even the birds seemed to stop singing.
"Because you are still extremely weak in terms of stamina,
you must train your body first.
From now on… you will face all your training directly under Father."