The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

Chapter 127 A Morning of Shadows and Steel

Klaus woke with a start, his breath ragged, his body drenched in sweat. The faint light of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains of his room, casting long shadows across the ceiling. The lingering fragments of his nightmare clung to him like cobwebs—disjointed flashes of a battlefield, a searing pain in his chest, and a voice that wasn't his, yet echoed in his mind.

He sat up, running a hand through his damp hair. These dreams... no, these memories—were becoming clearer with each passing night. But they weren't his memories; he knew that much now. The man in the dreams—the one who fought and bled and screamed—was someone else—someone older, stronger, and far more broken than Klaus wanted to admit.

A soft growl pulled him from his thoughts. Klaus glanced to the corner of his room where Dudu, his baby dragon, lay coiled like a cat. The dragon's jet-black scales shimmered faintly in the dim light, and its bright golden eyes regarded him with an intensity that never failed to unnerve him.

"Don't look at me like that," Klaus muttered, swinging his legs off the bed. Dudu tilted his head, a low rumble escaping his throat.

Klaus sighed. "Fine. I'll stop brooding."

He dressed quickly, opting for a simple training outfit—a loose white shirt and dark trousers that allowed freedom of movement. As he tightened the straps on his boots, Dudu uncurled himself and padded silently across the room. The dragon's presence was oddly comforting, even if it came with its own set of complications.

Klaus had insisted that all the maids and servants of the Annex Mansion swear an oath of secrecy after He and Dudu arrived in the annex mansion. A dragon, especially one bonded through a contract, was a rarity that could draw far too much attention. But even with their silence assured, Dudu's natural aura was a deterrent in itself. The oppressive weight of his presence was enough to keep everyone at a distance. Only Elisabeth and Ludovic could approach the dragon without feeling like their lungs were being crushed.

Klaus glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still absurdly early—barely past dawn. Sleep was out of the question now. His nightmares, combined with Greed's uncharacteristic silence, left him feeling restless and uneasy.

"Let's go outside," he said, grabbing his training sword. Dudu followed without hesitation, his talons clicking softly against the wooden floor.

The garden was bathed in the pale hues of morning light. Dew clung to the blades of grass, and the air was cool and crisp. Klaus found solace here, away from the prying eyes of the Lionhart Youth Training Grounds and the suffocating grandeur of the main estate.

He stood in the center of the garden, his training sword resting lightly in his hand. It wasn't a real blade—just a weighted wooden replica—but it was enough for what he had in mind.

Klaus took a deep breath, centering himself. Then he began to move.

The sword sliced through the air in a series of precise arcs, each movement deliberate and controlled. Greed's voice echoed faintly in his memory, a relentless stream of criticism and mockery. "Your stance is sloppy. Straighten your back! Is that supposed to be a parry or are you swatting at flies?"

The phantom critiques brought a faint smile to Klaus's lips. For all of Greed's eccentricities, his guidance had shaped Klaus into a swordsman whose form was impeccable. Every swing, every step, was executed with mechanical precision, honed through countless hours of practice.

Dudu watched from a nearby bench, his golden eyes tracking Klaus's movements like a hawk. The dragon's tail flicked lazily, but there was an air of quiet vigilance about him, as though he were guarding the boy from unseen threats.

"Impressive."

The voice startled Klaus, though he masked his surprise well. He turned to see Alexandra leaning against a tree at the edge of the garden, her arms crossed and a smirk on her lips. Her fiery red hair caught the morning light, and her presence felt as bold and unyielding as ever.

"Why not?" she said with a grin. "You're already warmed up, and I'm curious to see if all that training has actually paid off."

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. But don't complain when you lose."

Alexandra laughed, the sound bright and confident. "Bold words, little cousin. Let's see if you can back them up."

They took their positions in the garden, the morning air buzzing with anticipation. Alexandra was the first to move, darting forward with a swift strike aimed at Klaus's shoulder. He sidestepped effortlessly, his training sword coming up to deflect her blade.

The clash of wood against steel echoed through the garden as the two exchanged blows. Alexandra's movements were fluid and aggressive, honed by years of real-world experience as part of the White Lion armed group. But Klaus's form was flawless, his strikes calculated and precise.

For every attack Alexandra launched, Klaus had an answer. He parried her strikes with ease, his footwork impeccable as he maneuvered around her.

"You've gotten better," Alexandra admitted, her breath coming faster.

"Better than you?" Klaus countered, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"Don't get cocky," she shot back, pressing her attack.

But no matter how she tried to break through his defenses, Klaus remained a step ahead. His strength and speed, combined with the relentless training drilled into him by Greed, gave him an edge that Alexandra hadn't anticipated.

The spar ended with Klaus disarming her, his training sword pointed at her chest. Alexandra stared at him, wide-eyed and breathing hard.

"You've definitely gotten better," she said, lowering her stance.

Klaus stepped back, lowering his sword as well. "Told you."

Alexandra laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, I'll give you that one. But don't think this means I'll go easy on you next time."

As they walked back toward the mansion, Dudu trailed behind them, his golden eyes gleaming with what Klaus could only describe as approval.

"By the way," Alexandra said, glancing at the dragon. "If Dudu keeps growing, you're going to have a lot more than sparring matches to worry about."

Klaus smiled faintly, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "I know. But whatever comes, I'll handle it."

And as the sun climbed higher into the sky, Klaus felt a renewed sense of determination. For the first time in a long while, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter.