The moment those words left Kael’s mouth, the study fell into complete silence.
It lasted only a heartbeat before the room exploded with shock.
No one present had ever considered such an outcome possible.
The Sword Saint had personally extended an invitation to take someone in as his disciple, yet that person had rejected him.
Zoey’s jaw slowly fell open as she stared at Kael as though he had suddenly grown a second head. Her mind had completely blanked.
She knew exactly how many prodigies would throw away everything they owned for a chance to receive even a single pointer from her grandfather. Families had spent fortunes trying to curry his favor. Countless geniuses had lined up at his doorstep only to leave disappointed.
Yet the one person her grandfather had willingly chosen had turned him down without a moment’s hesitation.
Albert’s reaction wasn’t nearly as dramatic, but the disbelief in his eyes was no less genuine. Even after serving the Sword Saint for years, this was a scene he had never imagined witnessing.
As for the Sword Saint himself...
The old man simply stared at Kael.
The surprise in his eyes lingered for several moments before it gradually settled, replaced by curiosity rather than anger.
He folded his hands behind his back.
"Tell me, kid."
His voice remained calm.
"Why?"
"Why do you have to decline?"
The question hung quietly in the air.
No one spoke.
The atmosphere inside the study became strangely awkward.
Albert glanced between the two before quietly clearing his throat.
"I’ll excuse myself."
Receiving no objection, he turned around and walked toward the door. His footsteps echoed softly before disappearing into the corridor outside.
Zoey remained rooted to the spot.
She looked at Kael.
Then at her grandfather.
Then back again.
It was obvious she wanted to stay and hear the answer, but after several seconds of internal struggle, she reluctantly lowered her head.
"I’ll... leave too."
She quietly slipped out of the study before gently closing the door behind her.
Click.
The room became completely silent.
Only Kael and the Sword Saint remained.
The old man didn’t rush him.
He simply waited.
His eyes rested calmly on Kael, carrying neither disappointment nor pressure.
After several long moments, Kael finally broke the silence.
"Because..."
He paused briefly, carefully choosing his words.
"I can’t take on any additional personal responsibility."
The Sword Saint remained silent.
Kael continued.
"Right now, my only priority is my family."
"There are things surrounding them that I still don’t understand. Things I need to uncover."
"If I become your disciple, I’ll inevitably inherit responsibilities alongside the benefits."
"I don’t think I can shoulder those responsibilities while pursuing what I need to do."
His voice remained respectful throughout.
There wasn’t a trace of insincerity.
He wasn’t lying.
Ever since awakening, mysteries had continued appearing one after another.
His parents.
Lyra’s hidden information.
Too many unanswered questions remained.
Adding another obligation onto his shoulders now wasn’t something he wanted to do.
A disciple didn’t merely receive guidance.
He represented his master.
His actions reflected upon his teacher’s reputation.
There would be expectations.
Duties.
Responsibilities.
Kael wasn’t interested in any of that.
At least...
Not now.
Silence descended once more.
The Sword Saint quietly studied the young man standing before him.
Then, just as the silence began stretching uncomfortably long, Kael spoke again.
"That said..."
The old man’s eyebrow rose slightly.
"Even though I can’t become your disciple..."
"It doesn’t mean I don’t wish to learn from your exalted self."
"I’d still like to receive guidance from you as a junior seeking advice from a respected senior."
The Sword Saint blinked.
For the first time in many years...
He found himself genuinely speechless.
He stared at Kael for several seconds before finally asking,
"And why..."
"...would I teach someone who isn’t willing to become my disciple?"
Kael answered without the slightest embarrassment.
"So you can brag to your friends about teaching an incredibly talented young man like me."
"..."
The Sword Saint simply looked at him.
For several long seconds...
He said absolutely nothing.
Then...
The old man slowly shook his head.
"You cheeky little brat."
A helpless laugh escaped him.
"You’re trying to trick this old man into giving you all the benefits without paying the price of becoming my disciple."
Kael merely smiled.
The Sword Saint snorted.
"Unfortunately for you..."
"I don’t have any friends."
"So there isn’t anyone for me to brag to."
He folded his arms across his chest.
"Looks like I still have no reason to teach you."
Kael’s smile stiffened ever so slightly.
The room fell quiet once more.
A few seconds passed.
Then the Sword Saint sighed.
"...Fortunately for you."
Kael immediately looked up.
"I do want to see just how far someone like you can grow."
Without another word, the old man turned around and walked toward the door.
Kael remained standing where he was, momentarily frozen.
His mind hadn’t quite caught up with what had just happened.
The Sword Saint reached the doorway before glancing back over his shoulder.
"What?"
His brows furrowed.
"Are you planning to stand there like an idiot all day?"
That snapped Kael out of his daze.
He quickly hurried after the old man.
The two left the study together and continued through the sprawling mansion.
The familiar maze of hallways stretched endlessly before them.
Even after walking through the estate twice, Kael still couldn’t tell where anything actually connected.
Just how large is this place?
He couldn’t help wondering if the mansion had been intentionally designed to confuse visitors.
As they continued walking, servants they passed immediately stopped what they were doing before respectfully bowing toward the Sword Saint.
The old man acknowledged them with a simple nod before continuing forward without slowing his pace.
Kael quietly followed behind him.
Several seconds later, they finally arrived before an enormous pair of reinforced metal doors.
Without stopping, the Sword Saint placed a hand against one of them and pushed.
The massive doors swung inward with a deep rumble.
A spacious training chamber revealed itself beyond.
Weapon racks lined both sides of the room from one end to the other.
Nearly every conventional weapon imaginable rested neatly upon the racks, each one meticulously maintained despite the countless signs of age surrounding the chamber.
Unlike the walls, the center of the room remained completely empty, leaving behind a vast open space clearly meant for sparring.
The Sword Saint stepped inside.
Kael followed close behind before reaching back to shut the heavy doors.
The dull thud echoed throughout the chamber.
Without wasting another second, the Sword Saint continued walking toward the middle of the room.
Only after reaching the center did he finally stop.
He turned to face Kael.
"Kid."
"What weapon do you use?"
Kael thought for a moment before answering honestly.
"All of them."
The Sword Saint’s brow lifted.
"I’ve spent time learning every conventional weapon I could get my hands on."
"But these days..."
"I rarely use one."
The old man’s interest visibly grew.
"And why is that?"
Kael met his gaze.
"I’m trying to develop a combat style that’s entirely my own."
"A technique that turns my body into the weapon itself."
The Sword Saint’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he carefully studied the young man before him.
"Interesting..."
His voice carried genuine intrigue now.
"Creating your own martial technique at your age is no small undertaking."
"There are only two kinds of people who attempt something like that."
He slowly clasped his hands behind his back.
"The first are once-in-a-generation geniuses capable of walking a path no one else can."
"The second..."
"...are arrogant youngsters who mistake confidence for talent."
His sharp gaze locked onto Kael.
"So..."
"Which one are you?"