Chapter 2

The Return of the Talent Monopolizer is Special - Chapter 4 (4/320)

Richard's office.

Eugene, Richard, and Markson, the head of the Robard family's knight squadron, are in conversation.

Markson is one of the trusted retainers of the Robard family, known for his rich experience and outstanding skills, having protected the Robard family for many years as a 7-star knight.

Eugene spoke up.

"I want to gather all the free knights and choose my martial arts teacher. Father, please support me."

Free knights wander across the continent, helping to resolve various issues such as factional conflicts or monster hunts, in exchange for fees.

This is similar to mercenaries, but they are different in that they have been officially granted the title of knight.

It's a matter of a different 'class.'

"Eugene, free knights are often rough and lack manners due to the nature of their profession. If you want to learn various martial arts, why don't you go out once a week to learn from external sources?"

It was not a bad suggestion.

If he just provided the money, teaching martial arts would be much easier than hunting monsters.

However, Eugene shook his head.

"No, I want to learn from those rough and unmannerly free knights. When a sword is at your throat, manners don't matter, right?"

"Who said a sword will be at your throat?"

"That's what I mean. And many free knights have unique techniques that you can't find anywhere else. I want to pick and learn those."

Eugene wanted to see and master various martial arts that he had only read about in books in his previous life.

That's why he decided to invite these free knights who handle diverse martial arts.

"That's true, but..."

Richard was troubled, thinking about the origins, backgrounds, and criminal records of the free knights.

Many of them were criminals or troublemakers.

However, Eugene said something unexpected.

"Also, I want to see and choose the teachers myself."

"…You yourself?"

Richard was taken aback by Eugene's bold words.

"I can support the money for your education, but wouldn't it be better to trust Knight Commander Markson's eye in choosing a competent martial arts teacher?"

"Hmm."

Markson, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.

"Master. Even among free knights, skilled individuals cannot be hired with money alone. Moreover, if the examiner is a 7-year-old... they might refuse out of pride."

Eugene shook his head.

"You don't need to worry about me being 7. If someone has the insight to pass up the opportunity to become a Robard family retainer out of pride, it's better not to choose them."

He then added the benefits he would gain from this martial arts teacher selection.

"Also, our family's weakness is that our military power is relatively weak compared to our wealth as we expand our territory, right?"

"Huh? Is that...?"

"If so, through this free knight interview, we can meet many knights and have the opportunity to offer them roles like caravan guards even if they don't pass the teacher interview."

"Ah... that's true."

"Isn't that the same as strengthening our military power?"

Eugene continued.

"Also, most free knights are well-off, and when they gather, their eating, drinking, and sleeping will help activate the market in the Robard territory. It's a win-win situation."

"Hmm."

Richard was initially taken aback by Eugene's cold judgment but soon agreed.

'No wonder, even though the young master is only five, the head of the family and I can't help but listen to what he says.'

Marcus was amazed at how a cunning mind could fit under such an adorable face.

Eugene's casual remarks often hit the core of the matter, and Richard often called him when important matters arose.

This time was no different.

To Marcus, both the incredibly smart Eugene and Richard, who always listened to his young son, were impressive.

'That's why I keep staying here.'

While Marcus was thinking this,

Eugene quickly organized the people he wanted to choose if the selection were to take place.

'At this point, the most capable talents would be... Gold Sword and Palace Ghost, right?'

Gold Sword and Palace Ghost.

These were talents who were undervalued despite their future potential.

'Gold Sword is a master of swift swordsmanship, and Palace Ghost is an expert hunter. If I could have both as my teachers, it would be perfect.'

It wasn't just that.

'Moreover, their combined martial arts would complement each other well. If there were someone skilled in spear techniques or fist techniques, it would fill in the gaps and be even better.'

Meanwhile, Richard and Markson slowly nodded.

"Hmm... Yes, now that you mention it, it does sound good."

"That's what I thought..."

Just how far does this child's insight go?

* * *

"Grunt."

Markson took out weapons from the armory and lined them up in the middle of the training ground.

Swords, sabers, spears, bows, dual swords, axes, staffs, whips...

While it was unusual for a non-martial family to have such a variety of weapons, the wealthy Robard family could afford to stock various high-quality weapons.

Eugene walked around, inspecting the weapons with his hands behind his back.

"Money is really a good thing, isn't it?"

"That's true. I brought these weapons for you myself."

"That's true too."

"Master, why do you need to touch all these weapons?"

Markson asked with a puzzled look, and Eugene shrugged.

"Just as I said. I want to learn various martial arts using different weapons."

"You know, it usually takes a lifetime to master a weapon. I understand wanting to try different weapons, but..."

"Try? No, that's not it."

"Excuse me?"

"I will reach the pinnacle of all weapons."

Eugene wanted to get a feel for the weapons before hiring martial arts teachers. It was a kind of pre-study.

In his previous life, he couldn't even handle a single sword properly, but this time, he wanted to master all weapons if possible.

Markson's expression became strange.

'If someone else said that, I would dismiss it as nonsense.'

But because it was Eugene, Markson thought differently.

'Master seems like he really can do it.'

Meanwhile, Eugene picked up a weapon.

"Let's start with the spear. Markson, can you defend against my attacks? Think of it as a sparring match."

"…Yes, of course."

Markson, whose main weapon was a sword, stood in front of Eugene, who awkwardly held a spear.

"Shall I start with the basics?"

"Are you underestimating me, Markson? I didn't think you'd look at me that way."

"I thought it might help you on the path to becoming an all-master."

"Thanks for the thought."

Eugene smiled and fiddled with the spear, then pointed the tip at Markson.

It was a posture that clearly showed he was inexperienced with the spear.

But Eugene didn't mind and started to swing the spear, step by step, toward Markson.

Thud, thud!

Markson easily deflected the thrusts with almost no effort. It was a natural outcome.

However,

Thud, thud, thud...!

'Hmm?'

As time passed, Markson noticed a change.

'Gradually... his posture is improving. His thrusts are becoming sharper, and his swings are becoming more powerful.'

Without any guidance, Eugene's spear skills began to improve within 10 to 20 minutes.

The initially awkward posture quickly stabilized, and he regained his center of gravity.

While Markson struggled to maintain his composure in surprise,

Swish!

The spear came at him from an unexpected angle, aiming for a vital point.

Markson was startled and raised his sword with all his might to block the spear.

Thud!

"Huff!"

"Eh."

Markson took a deep breath, and Eugene scratched his head.

"Sorry, Markson. I made a mistake."

"No, no..."

Eugene wiped the sweat from his forehead, put down the spear, and picked up a staff.

"Good. Let's try the staff now."

"Y-Yes..."

Markson's eyes trembled slightly as he responded.

He had definitely noticed.

Eugene's proficiency with the spear had improved dramatically in less than an hour.

At this rate,

'Really, becoming an all-master might be possible. That attack just now wasn't a mistake, but intentional.'

Markson swallowed his amazement and took a firm defensive stance.

* * *

One month later.

Over the course of a month, recruitment notices for martial arts teachers were distributed across the continent, and martial artists from all over gathered at the Robard family estate.

It was a sea of people.

Although a lot of money was spent on advertising, the expenses were more than covered by the accommodation and food costs of the gathered martial artists, resulting in a profit.

Just as Eugene had predicted.

Richard and Lilian looked out the window, speechless.

"I didn't expect so many people to gather..."

"Neither did I..."

"Our son, but he has such good judgment, doesn't he? He's just like me."

"Hehe, that's what I think. He might even have greater talent."

"Ha ha ha!"

Richard was laughing with satisfaction when the door creaked open.

Eugene entered the room.

"Father, Mother, we're about to move to the interview location."

Richard and Lilian turned to Eugene with proud smiles.

"My child."

"My son."

"…?"

"Let's go. You can do whatever you want."

"??"

* * *

The interview location was the training ground where the Robard family's knights and Eugene usually trained.

As befitting the main training ground of the Robard family, it was large and resistant to even powerful auras and magic.

The interview panel consisted of Richard, Lilian, Markson, and Eugene.

Naturally, the final decision was Eugene's.

The martial artists who had come with the notices were whispering among themselves.

"Is this kid choosing his own teacher?"

"A kid who looks under 10 is going to judge the interview?"

If he's choosing his own teacher, why does he need a teacher at all?

Such thoughts led to skepticism and doubt.

Regardless,

The martial artists lined up in the training ground under the guidance of the guard knights.

The interview began.

The procedure was simple: one by one, they would introduce themselves and demonstrate a simple technique.

Thud.

A man stood in the training ground first.

The crowd murmured.

"Is that him? That guy?"

"Oh, it is! Gale!"

The man's name was Yul, and his nickname was Gale.

His nickname came from his incredibly fast and agile swordsmanship.

He was also a well-known mercenary in the southern region.

Eugene had added that not only free knights but also mercenaries without the knight title could apply.

That's why Yul had applied.

Yul looked around with a confident expression, as if he was used to such reactions.

"Begin."

At Markson's command, Yul immediately began his sword dance.

Swish, swish, swish!

True to his nickname, his agile swordsmanship and quick footwork were particularly fast and flashy.

Thrust!

Slash!

Backward footwork, forward footwork!

Despite the intense movements, Yul maintained a calm expression and continued his sword dance.

Then, Eugene's verdict came.

"Rejected. Next."

Yul froze in his sword dance stance.

"…What?"

"Rejected. Next!"

Yul's expression twisted.

"No, that's...! That's ridiculous...! I'm Yul. Gale, Yul...!"

Eugene cut him off.

"Two years ago, you were kicked out of a bar for sexually harassing a waitress, right?"

"…What?"

"And a year and a half ago, you assaulted an employee over low wages."

"No, that's... that was..."

"And just four months ago, you left a citizen paralyzed on the street for bumping into you."

Eugene said this in front of the speechless Yul.

"Even if your skills were overwhelming, I would have considered hiring you, but they are far from it. Rejected. Leave."

"Hey! What do you know...!"

"To the young master!"

"Wait, Sir Markson. If he doesn't want to leave, we'll have to drag him out."

Yul shouted loudly.

Eugene nodded, and the Robard family's guard knight immediately sprang forward and grabbed Yul's arm.

"Grgh...! I'm Yul! Gale, Yul...!"

"Shut up."

The guard knight subdued him effortlessly.

The other martial artists were impressed by the guard knight's strength.

"Hmm, you can't underestimate a merchant family...!"

Even a guard knight who looked ordinary had such skill, which was surprising.

In the end, Yul was dragged out struggling.

"…."

"…."

The training ground was as if doused with cold water due to the shock.

Eugene's judgment was very quick in the subsequent interviews.

"Rejected. Next."

"Rejected. Next."

"Rejected. Next!"

The martial artists gathered in the training ground looked puzzled one after another.

Clearly, those who demonstrated excellent skills were being rejected one by one.

On the other hand, the few who were accepted didn't seem particularly outstanding.

In fact, they looked inferior.

As a result, the atmosphere of the interview began to turn sour.

No matter what, it didn't make sense for veteran martial artists to be swayed by the subjective judgment of a mere 7-year-old.

"Sure, I understand the background check on Yul at first, but the ones who were rejected afterward were all clean, right? They looked highly skilled at a glance."

"Exactly! Is it right for this kid to decide who passes or fails?"

The training ground was filled with murmurs.

Eugene, who had been listening quietly, smiled and said,

"Since there's some controversy, let's clarify the situation. The one who just passed and the one who was rejected just before, come forward."

The one who passed, Tougui, and the one who was rejected, Bieglie, stepped forward.

Tougui was calm, while Bieglie had a strangely irritated expression.

"Eugene, what are you trying to do...?"

Richard looked at Eugene with a troubled expression, and Markson also looked uncomfortable.

Even to them, there was a clear gap between Tougui and Bieglie.

Bieglie had demonstrated far superior martial arts.

Both had shown demonstrations led by fist techniques, but Bieglie's movements were much more powerful and precise.

Anyone could see that Bieglie was more skilled, yet Eugene had rejected Bieglie and accepted Tougui, who looked inferior.

However, Eugene thought differently.

Bieglie was undoubtedly superior in the amount of aura, but he was like a greenhouse flower, unable to fully utilize his aura.

Moreover,

Bieglie, despite the possibility of a sparring match, had come in a flashy outfit and even sprayed perfume, which was a negative point.

'On the other hand, Tougui is in a different league. In the future, he will become one of the representatives of the southern region, a master of fist techniques on the continent.'

Eugene knew Tougui from his past life.

"Let's have a match. I want to clearly show whether this person is truly better than me or not."

Bieglie ground his teeth and said,

Tougui also prepared for the match.

Eugene smiled and looked back and forth between the two.

The match began, and...

Swish, swish!

After a brief probing battle,

Swish!

Tougui, who had looked somewhat clumsy, suddenly delivered a lightning-fast strike to Bieglie.

Thud!

Bieglie, hit in the jaw, fell to the ground with a dazed look. It happened in an instant.

In the end, Eugene was right; Tougui was more skilled than Bieglie.

"Tougui, win!"

Markson pointed at Tougui, who turned around without a word, maintaining a calm expression.

Eugene nodded.

'As expected, the clumsy appearance was an illusion, and the powerful description was accurate.'

At that moment,

Bieglie, who had been lying on the ground, slowly got up and suddenly launched an aura-infused punch at Tougui, who was turning back to his position.

"Roar!"

However,

At that moment, Markson vanished like the wind and struck Bieglie's neck, knocking him out completely.

Markson, who was like a friendly uncle in front of Eugene, was resolute in front of the martial artists.

"Huff...!"

"What just happened...!"

The onlookers were speechless, and Tougui was momentarily stunned.

Lilian and Richard thought that Markson might have achieved something during this time.

However, Markson's gaze was on Eugene.

If not for Eugene's words before the match, he might not have reacted.

-Markson, even after the match, don't let your guard down. Something might happen.

Markson inwardly marveled.

'I've heard the townspeople call the young master a little sage, but he really is amazing.'

The ability to gauge someone's level and read their psychology.

'Isn't this what a true sage is?'

The Return of the Talent Monopolizer is Special