One year after my teacher departed.
Finally turning eight, the clan began preparations for my training.
There was some resistance to starting at just eight years old, but given my exceptional talent, the argument for early training won out.
Even so, deciding on early training didn't mean we jumped straight into it.
They selected a training ground for the sessions,
chose instructors to teach the martial arts,
classified the techniques to be taught, and
even set up barriers as safety measures.
Since the trainee was the Young Clan Head, it was planned as one-on-one instruction, so the clan spared no effort—going so far as to overhaul an entire plot of land to provide the best education possible.
In a world with aura and magic, construction progressed at a blistering pace, and the instructor selection sparked fierce competition among the clan's top experts vying for the honor.
At first, I wondered what all the fuss was about, but once I saw the completed training ground, my mind was completely changed.
Floors and walls made of reginite, a metal that automatically repairs itself if damaged.
A wooden weapon rack displaying a variety of arms, adaptable to any lesson.
Even an abundance of rich natural qi, enhanced with magical and ritual methods to support internal energy training.
The refreshing clarity felt like stepping into a forest. Awestruck by the sheer scale of this training ground, I stood there with my mouth agape.
I desperately wanted to start moving right then and there, but with superhuman self-control, I held back, left the training ground behind, and returned to the estate.
And now, on the eve of training.
With my dedicated training ground ready, I was finally putting my mastered Infinite Aura Circulation Technique to use while enjoying some family time.
My father silently continued his meal, my mother lightened the mood with chatter about everyday trifles, and my four-year-old little sister was busy filming her own mukbang with sauce smeared around her mouth.
Our family of four was remarkably warm and harmonious, belying our status as a prestigious house.
Of course, Father was on the stoic side, but Mother more than made up for it with her attention.
If anything, she paid so much attention it could feel overwhelming at times.
'At least she's focused on my sister right now.'
Family meals were rare even under normal circumstances, thanks to Father's busy schedule, but today Mother's firm insistence had brought us all together.
The reason was rather embarrassing—
'She figures once the training ground's done, I'll hole up in there...'
How does she know me so well?
I'd planned to practically live there once it was finished, but somehow Mother preempted me with a no-overnight-stays rule.
It's still on the estate grounds, so technically not an overnight, but she insisted I come back to sleep...
'I can just pull all-nighters for training.'
Yeah, solid plan.
Lost in thoughts of tomorrow's training while aggressively devouring my meal, Father suddenly spoke up.
"Tomorrow's the day training begins."
"U-um... Yes."
"I'll oversee your first session personally, so prepare your mind."
Oh.
Father's my first instructor.
As the Martial Emperor, hailed as the greatest among the Empire's Ten Emperors, this was a golden opportunity.
One of the empire's top martial artists—plenty to look forward to.
'Hope I pick up some clan secret techniques.'
The Yeon Clan was a martial house, after all. Surely they had some impressive manuals tucked away.
"And now that you're eight, it's about time you had a personal attendant."
"Huh? An attendant? Don't I already have plenty of maids?"
Plenty bordering on excessive—enough to be burdensome.
They followed me everywhere; I was developing a phobia of being watched.
But Father shook his head, indicating that wasn't what he meant.
"Not the servants. I mean a personal attendant to stay by your side and assist you directly."
"...Isn't that different from an exclusive maid?"
Chae-hyeon handled that sort of thing just fine.
"It's different from an exclusive maid. She's ultimately my person, assigned to look after you. But the attendant you'll have from now on will be entirely yours."
"Ah."
In other words, my right-hand man.
Father nodded at my realization, a faint smile crossing his lips.
"Indeed. Now that you're the Young Clan Head, it's time you learned about responsibility. Manage your attendant and cultivate a sense of duty and dignity."
"Yes, got it."
"I'll send them tomorrow. I'm curious if you can truly earn their loyalty."
Hmm...
If I win over this personal attendant, they'll be a reliable ally down the line.
Testing my aptitude as Young Clan Head, huh.
"Well, I'll give it a shot."
"Good."
With that, Father withdrew his gaze and resumed eating, business concluded.
At that moment, my sister, who'd been focused on her meal beside Mother, started whining.
"Attendant! Mommy! I want an attendant too!"
Thinking it was some fun new toy, she began throwing a tantrum.
"Now, now, Ji-eun, that's enough. You can't trouble Daddy and big brother."
"No! Gimme! Attendant! Attendaaant!"
Mother tried soothing her, but my sister was fixated and wouldn't budge.
Mother wore a troubled look for a moment before sighing in resignation.
"Alright! How about Mommy makes you a yummy lunch tomorrow instead...?"
"Eek!"
My sister clamped her mouth shut at Mother's words.
Tears soon welled up in her eyes.
"Waaah—!"
"Oh, dear? Ji-eun? Was lunch not enough? Sh-should I throw in dinner too?"
Poor thing.
My sister burst into full sobs at Mother's offer, while Father abruptly stopped eating, his eyes wide in shock.
And far off in the distance, the chef shook his head desperately, face pale.
Staying any longer risked tomorrow's lunch turning into a chemical hazard.
No choice.
"Hey, little sis."
Whirr—
I casually addressed her while manifesting aura in my palm.
The bright blue glow caught her eye; she stopped crying and stared.
Visual flair works wonders, as expected.
All that aura training paid off.
"Whoa, whoaaa!"
Flailing her chubby arms to reach it, she got distracted by the various shapes I formed next.
"Big bro! I wanna do that too!"
"Yeah? You wanna try?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay then, take this instead of an attendant."
"Yeah! Ji-eun doesn't need an attendant!"
Whirr—
I carefully shaped the aura and sent it her way. Watching her gleefully play with it, I felt a swell of pride.
'Aura emission. First try, and it worked.'
The form was unstable and wobbly, but I managed to launch it.
A bit more practice, and I might fire it off like a true sword beam.
"You..."
Father stared in surprise before composing himself and shaking his head.
"No, never mind. We'll discuss that tomorrow."
"Yes."
With that, Father lowered his gaze and continued eating.
My sister was absorbed in the aura I'd given her, and Mother seemed to have forgotten her earlier slip-up.
Phew... Peace had finally returned to the table—
"And stop meditating during meals."
"Ah, yes."
...Busted.
───
The next morning.
Eager for training, I woke early—and there stood an unfamiliar girl.
'She's cute.'
No idea who she was, but what a treat for the eyes first thing.
Neatly trimmed brown hair.
Golden eyes sparkling like embedded amber.
Chubby cheeks not yet slimmed down, paired with a cool expression beyond her years.
She struck me more as adorable than beautiful at this age, but her distinct features promised she'd grow into a stunner.
'Hmm...'
The maids weren't stopping her, so she wasn't some intruder.
Who was she?
As if reading my confusion, the girl slowly bowed and spoke.
"Good morning, Young Master. I'm Yu Seon-hwa, here to serve you from today onward. I look forward to working with you."
"Yu Seon-hwa?"
As I tilted my head, Chae-hyeon approached with an explanation.
"She's from a branch family that's served the Yeon Clan for generations. Same age as you, Young Master, and she'll be attending to your needs from now on."
"I see... A branch family."
Branch family—distant relatives, then?
Different surname, so pretty far removed.
At my mutter, a chilly voice emanated from Seon-hwa.
"Yes, a branch family. Is there a problem?"
"You...!"
"No, no problem."
Chae-hyeon bristled beside me, but I spoke first.
"...Understood."
Seon-hwa frowned slightly at my response but soon stood by my side as if nothing happened.
'Hmm... Same age as me means she's just eight.'
Pretty sharp reaction for a kid.
'Maybe she overhears trash talk about branch families.'
Chae-hyeon seemed ready to say something, but I silently stopped her and headed out of the room, thinking.
'Whatever! Time for training!'
I didn't want to waste this fine day on needless thoughts.
And so, accompanied by a retinue of maids, I hurried to the training ground.