Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 5

The celebration of the seventh birthday of the youngest in the Sogres family, Dane Sogres, had begun.

It was set to take place over a total of four days at Count Sogres’ castle.

The nobles had begun arriving at the count’s castle the day before and even now all the ones who had received an invitation were arriving from all over the empire.

For them, this celebration was not simply a ‘party’ they had been invited to.

It was an opportunity to score points with Count Sogres who had become one of the strongest in the empire after achieving great feats in the war.

“My goodness, Count Sogres. Did you come out to greet me?”

“Haha. Who else would come out to greet the guests if not the count of this castle?”

“I feel so honored.”

It was understandable they would aim this type of intent at the benevolent-looking Count Sogres.

Maybe one could consider it a method of making the strength of the Sogres family, whose control over the south had been gradually growing with the war now over, known.

Of course, the biggest reason they were here, naturally, was to congratulate Dane on his birthday as much as they could.

What kind of child was Dane?

On his first birthday, didn’t all four items respond to him as if shouting for him to pick them?

That is why the scale of this celebration with all the nobles invited was no less than those of Arabella’s and Clare’s seventh birthdays.

Among those invited to the celebration was an incredibly special guest.

“Hahaha! Arken! How long has it been?!”

“Duke, how have you been?”

“My good friend, why the formality? Just treat me like normal.”

“There are too many people watching. I’ll drop the formalities later.”

It was Duke Thermion.

A man who could also be called a war hero like Arken Sogres.

The head of the Thermion family, the greatest family in the Altheon Empire. The hexa-class swordsman with the nickname “the Black Wave.”

Also, the noble with the most authority in the Altheon Empire, second only to the emperor. It goes without saying that his influence is immense.

Furthermore, they are known as the family who own the ‘Thermion Forge’ which crafts weapons only for a minimum select few in the empire and, of course, the entire continent.

Additionally…

“Oh, dear. How handsome he is. So this child is your youngest, Dane, that you’ve been bragging so much about?”

“He is. Dane, say hello. This is Duke Thermion.”

There was no way Dane wouldn’t recognize this man before him.

“I am Dane Sogres. It is an honor to meet you, Duke Thermion.”

“Haha. You’re quite the clever and articulate boy!”

Of course, Dane did not let his feelings show.

Even though this man was the one who had ended Dane’s previous life, what was more important was his current life. Normally, the battlefield is where feelings of revenge and denial are fostered.

However, losing one’s life was inevitable. Perhaps you could call it a warrior’s instinct, developed after plowing through countless battlefields.

“So, is he following in your footsteps and going with the spear?”

“That is right.”

“That’s a shame. He has the perfect frame for swordsmanship.”

“You always say that to anyone you meet.”

“Haha. Do I? Hm. Well, now that I look again, his frame is suitable for both a sword and a spear… Later, you’ll have to worry about him breaking several women’s hearts.”

“Isn’t that because he takes after me?”

“What are you saying? It’s because he takes after the Countess, of course. You think you can claim that with that face of yours?”

It was more like a personal meeting.

Duke Thermion burst out good-natured laughs continuously and continued with casual conversation.

“Oh, dear. How thoughtless of me. This here is my youngest daughter, Leila. Leila, say hello.”

“Greetings, Count Sogres!”

A child of eye-opening beauty greeted him cheerfully and stepped a bit forward.

“Oh! So this is Lady Leila whom the rumors in the capital are about. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Leila. Haha. You are quite the beauty, as the rumors say.”

As Count Sogres indicated, her rose-colored hair, distinctive features, and fair skin made the rumors of her beauty reach even this far south.

“Haha. These days she really doesn’t like to hear the word ‘beauty.’ Because someone born in House Thermion must be evaluated by the sword.”

Count Sogres nodded his head at those proud words.

“As expected. You’ve been educating her properly.”

“Since she’s taken after me, she’s been wielding a sword even faster than her older brothers. She’s quite exceptional. She is the same age as your son, seven years old. The two of you should exchange greetings.”

Leila extended her hand.

“It is a pleasure to meet you! I am Leila Thermion.”

“The pleasure is all mine. I am Dane Sogres.”

The two children exchanged their first greetings adorably without having to be prompted to go first and smiled widely at each other.

“Ah, your wife… how is she doing?”

“She has not been improving. Even though we have tried every means possible…”

Duke Thermion’s expression darkened at the mention of his sick wife.

“I’m sure she’ll get better.”

“Please understand if I suddenly disappear. That means I had to tear a scroll in an emergency and return to the capital.”

“Don’t worry.”

Count Sogres nodded his head recalling how Duke Thermion is known for being a loving husband and had no choice but to come here leaving his wife behind.

“It’s about time we started the celebration. Let’s head on inside, Duke.”

“Ah, we’ve lingered too long at the front of your castle. Let’s go.”

And so, Duke Thermion’s party followed Count Sogres’ welcoming party into the castle. While they entered, Leila glanced over at Dane.

Because he was the first boy her age she had encountered since arriving from the long journey to the south. Although, that did not seem to be the only reason.

The celebration began not too long after.

“To the benevolent Count Sogres!”

During House Sogres’ celebration, there was no boundary differentiating nobles from residents.

The nobles visiting from another region, and the members of the count’s family, of course, were mingling and feasting with the residents of the region and enjoying the celebration.

“Look, look. That man sitting over there is the famous Duke Thermion of the Altheon Empire!”

“He is so dignified! I must go pour him a drink!”

“How can his daughter look as perfect as a doll? I heard she’s the same age as our young lord, right?”

“Baron Sonion is here, too! I believe he came for Lady Clare’s tenth birthday!”

House Sogres is also one of the few famous houses in the Altheon Empire.

That is why the status of the visiting nobles was so breathtaking.

“Count! Over here! Try the beer made in our district! We made this especially for you!”

“Please try our minced lamb! If you try it with our special sauce, it’ll blow your mind!”

“Oh, look! Baron Sonion’s back! How about trying our special stew this time?”

Arken Sogres and Lily Sogres had naturally begun mingling, feasting, and drinking with the other nobles who had come to congratulate Dane on his birthday.

“Oh oh! Countess. You are really fast. There were ten glasses of alcohol but you didn’t even take three seconds.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

Count Sogres and Duke Thermion, who had developed their friendship during the war, were having a warm conversation.

“So how has it been raising a son? It’s a bit different from daughters, no?”

“Geez. He grows up so well by himself, let alone being so wild that I wonder if I can say I’ve done any raising. Maybe it’s because he’s been learning by watching his older sisters.”

“Haha. I see. Given how talented he was from the start, has he already matured?”

“If he has, I’d almost prefer him throwing tantrums—but he doesn’t.”

“In any case, the rumor is that your highly reputed daughters couldn’t return from the academy.”

He was hinting that he wished for his eldest son Owen Thermion to be engaged to Arabella Sogres.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Well. I guess it can’t be helped. Haha.”

“Anyhow, where is the star of the party? Since he is a clever lad, I wanted to have a conversation with him.”

But the star of the party, Dane Sogres, could not be seen anywhere. Same for Duke Thermion’s youngest daughter Leila Thermion.

Arken poured Duke Thermion another drink as if not surprised at all by it and then replied, “Since they’re just seven years old, I suppose they’re running around outside?”

* * *

Reaper Scans

[Translator – Kyuri]

[Proofreader – Alissa]

Join our discord for updates on releases! https://dsc.gg/reapercomics

* * *

I am not yet comfortable with celebrations.

Whether it is because I remember my previous life or because I am still young, it is definitely a scene far removed from the war.

And that is why I withdrew from it when I found the right time.

Of course, I told my mother before doing so.

“The main event is in two hours, so… I have time,” I mumbled while walking across the courtyard.

I had plenty of time until the birthday gift presentation, the celebration’s highlight.

“It would have been nice if my sisters could have come.”

My sisters who, naturally, enrolled in the academy before me, had sent a letter saying they were in the middle of mid-term examinations and could not make it for my birthday.

I was disappointed, but what could they do?

The academy, which is located in the capital, is quite far from here and it would have been difficult for both of them to come.

It was in the midst of various thoughts while striding across the courtyard near the celebration when I heard

Woosh woosh!

The sound of a weapon cutting through the air.

That was strange.

The training grounds are a bit far from here, were the soldiers training there?

But that was not the case.

The one who had said everyone must participate in the celebration and left an absolute minimum number of guards was my father.

And even that minimum number was maintained by having rotating shifts.

It did not take me long to find the source of the sound.

“Mmph!”

A kid was training with a sword in a wide space near the courtyard fountain. I did not say ‘swinging a sword’ because the kid was taking it seriously and had a fairly good stance.

“Why can’t I do it…?”

And apparently had serious worries. I stood watching near the fountain.

The stabbing and slicing movements were pretty impressive.

And somehow this kid seemed familiar.

“Ah.”

I realized immediately that this kid was from one of the visiting families participating in the celebration. It was Leila Thermion whom Duke Bout Thermion had brought with him.

But he could sense Bout Thermion’s sword skills emanating from the sword held by Leila Thermion.

It was a sword skill I knew very well.

Leila was moving diligently with her tightly-tied rose hair flying when she suddenly sighed.

“Why can’t I do it? If I form a mana core like Father…would I be able to do this movement?”

It looked like Leila was not confident in her swordsmanship. I would not tell the kid this, but I had to agree.

Her sword movements which were flowing quite nicely would often get disrupted.

I could pretty much see why.

Woosh woosh!

It was then, after watching her swordsmanship for a while…

“Who’s there?!”

After deliberately letting my presence be felt, the kid spun around in surprise and aimed her sword in my direction.

I raised both my hands so she could see I did not intend to attack or do anything bad, and replied, “I didn’t mean to get in the way of your training.”

“…You had already gotten in my way the moment you exposed your presence.”

After the kid stared at me for a bit, she tilted her head.

“But you… you’re quite something, eh?”

“Hm?”

“You look even better at night.”

The unexpected response put me at a loss for words.