The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

The days following Team 55's remarkable victories against Teams 34 and 27 saw a palpable shift within the walls of the White Lion fortress. Whispers accompanied Klaus everywhere he went, speculative murmurs among soldiers who once dismissed his team as mere upstarts. Yet, Klaus paid it no heed. Reputation meant nothing without strength to back it up, and he had no intention of allowing his squad's newfound fame to breed complacency. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

Early that morning, under a pale dawn sky, Klaus stood at the edge of the training yard, silently observing his teammates as they prepared for their daily regimen. Alexandra was busy helping Finn adjust his stance, her newly stabilized cyan core radiating confidence. Nearby, Juron joked with Darius, their camaraderie stronger after recent battles. Nolan stood slightly apart, practicing precise sword forms, his expression fierce with concentration.

Despite their success, Klaus understood their training was far from complete.

He approached them quietly, his voice measured. "Two victories don't make us invincible. In fact, the more we win, the harder it becomes. The moment we stop pushing forward, we're finished."

Juron chuckled lightly, rolling his shoulders. "And here I thought we were finally allowed a day off."

Alexandra crossed her arms, an amused smile tugging at her lips. "You're dreaming, Juron. Klaus doesn't even know what a day off means."

Klaus ignored their banter, pointing to their positions. "Let's run through the formation again. Until we can execute the Lion's Roar Formation perfectly under any conditions, we're still vulnerable."

They took their places without hesitation. Juron and Alexandra stood at the forefront, Finn, Darius, and Nolan fell smoothly into position behind them. Klaus stepped back, observing carefully as they began to synchronize their auras.

After Alexandra's breakthrough, the formation had improved dramatically, yet Klaus knew it was not perfected. The formation's greatest strength—and its greatest weakness—was its reliance on precise unity. Any disruption could turn its formidable power into chaos.

As the spectral lion's claw manifested, shimmering with refined energy, Klaus watched intently. He noticed the subtle delays, the minute hesitations still embedded in their execution.

"Stop," he commanded abruptly.

The team broke formation, looking to him with questioning eyes.

"What's wrong?" Alexandra asked immediately, frustration barely concealed.

"You're still thinking individually," Klaus answered calmly. "The moment you hesitate, even for an instant, the formation breaks apart. You must move as one—no thought, no uncertainty. Try again."

And so they did—again and again. Each repetition refined their unity, and each correction reinforced their synchronization. Klaus was unyielding but fair, pointing out flaws without belittling them and challenging them to surpass their limits rather than simply reach them.

By midday, sweat coated their foreheads, and their muscles trembled from exertion. Yet no one complained. They had begun to understand Klaus's approach—he never asked them to do something he wouldn't do himself.

Finally satisfied with their progress, Klaus gave them a short break. As the squad dispersed to rest, he remained behind, silently reviewing the Phantom Step manual he had taken from the vault.

He found himself drawn deeper into its teachings. Unlike the others who channeled aura, Klaus relied on precise movements and mana manipulation. The Phantom Step technique emphasized unpredictability through minute shifts in footwork and subtle mana fluctuations—perfect for his combat style.

Immersed in practice, Klaus barely noticed Alexandra approaching until she was nearly beside him. She observed him quietly, a small smirk appearing on her lips.

"Still at it? Even after pushing us all morning?"

He paused, glancing at her calmly. "If I'm asking all of you to push past your limits, how can I do less?"

She chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "I suppose that's why the squad respects you. Not because you beat them in combat—but because you're always the first one here and the last one to leave."

Klaus shrugged, eyes returning to the manual. "Respect doesn't mean much if we lose."

Alexandra's expression turned thoughtful. "Is that why you train so obsessively? To avoid losing?"

Klaus didn't answer immediately, his blue eyes fixed on a distant point. "Losing means stagnation. Stagnation means vulnerability. And vulnerability means failure. I won't let this team fail."

For a moment, silence lingered between them. Finally, Alexandra nodded slowly, accepting his answer without further question. "Then let's get stronger. All of us."

He looked back at her, noting the genuine determination in her eyes, before nodding. "Agreed."

Later in the afternoon, Captain Kalix visited the training grounds. His presence was rare enough to draw immediate attention. As he approached Klaus, his gaze briefly lingered on the rest of Team 55, who were engaged in sparring drills.

"You've made quite a statement with those victories," Kalix remarked calmly, eyes narrowing slightly. "It's caused quite a stir among the ranks."

Klaus inclined his head slightly. "That wasn't the intention, but I can't control how others perceive our progress."

Kalix folded his arms, considering his response carefully. "You're right about that. But perception can become reality, especially here. The more you rise, the more enemies you'll make—even within these walls."

"Are you suggesting we slow down?"

"Not at all," Kalix said, smiling faintly. "I'm merely advising caution. The squad you haven't fought yet—Team 13—is watching closely. They're known for being strategic. They won't challenge you until they're confident of victory."

Klaus considered this carefully. Team 13 was elite, precise, ruthless. "Then we'll make sure they never find that confidence."

Kalix laughed—a rare and genuine sound. "I knew you'd say something like that. Still, stay vigilant. Your growth has put a target on your back."

"Understood."

As Kalix walked away, Juron approached Klaus, eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Captain giving you trouble?"

Klaus shook his head. "No, a warning. Team 13 has their eyes on us."

Juron cracked his knuckles with a grin. "Good. It's boring when no one's challenging us."

Klaus almost smiled at that. "Let's hope you still feel that way when they finally do."

That night, after most of the squad had retired, Klaus stayed behind in the empty yard. Alone under the pale moonlight, he continued to practice Phantom Step, shifting positions silently, leaving faint afterimages behind.

Each step became smoother, more deceptive, more precise. He had always been strong—strong enough to be recognized as a Swordmaster at an impossibly young age—but strength alone wasn't enough. He needed to become unreadable, unpredictable, dangerous beyond mere swordsmanship.

Pausing briefly, Klaus glanced down at the faintly glowing ring on his finger. On an impulse, he sent a sliver of arcane energy into it, feeling the faintest resonance, a distant echo of a connection long dormant.

"Greed…" he whispered softly, almost involuntarily. But there was no response—only silence.

Still, the faint flicker he felt was progress. Not much, but enough to remind him of what he'd lost—and what he might one day regain.

Klaus clenched his fist, determination etched into his features.

The White Lion fortress was no longer a place where he merely survived—it was becoming the crucible in which he would grow stronger. Not just physically, but in ways he'd never anticipated. He had a team now, people who relied on him, who trusted him.

For their sake—and for his own—he couldn't afford to slow down.

Turning back to his training, Klaus stepped forward once more, blending into the shadows, vanishing into the quiet night. The Phantom Step technique was becoming second nature.

And as his movements blurred into near-invisibility, Klaus made a silent promise to himself.

When Team 13 finally challenged them, they wouldn't find the weaknesses they were looking for.

They would find only strength.