Swordmaster’s Youngest Son: I am the Twin of Jin Runcandel

Chiron, standing at the top of a small staircase, observed them for a long time after they had knelt down. His usually inscrutable gaze was this time slightly troubled, a shadow of surprise passing briefly over his face. The attitude of the two young boys was striking: their confidence, their posture and the perfect coordination of their gestures far exceeded what one could expect from their young age.

After a moment of silence, he tilted his head slightly, addressing them in a calm but penetrating voice:

"Jin, Rin… Why do you call me 'lord' and not 'father'?"

The wind blowing in the courtyard seemed to calm down for a moment, as if to amplify the weight of his question. The flag bearers, also intrigued, stared at the two young boys with renewed interest.

Jin, the first, raised his head slightly, his black eyes briefly meeting those of his father. With a calm voice, he replied,

"Lord, we have deemed that such a mobilization—with the family's flag bearers present and such a solemn procession—resembles an official meeting. And on official business, it would be inappropriate to address you as anything other than 'Lord.'"

Rin, without waiting, continued with an almost natural fluidity,

"We know that your presence here is exceptional, and that it goes beyond the usual family setting. We therefore do not wish to disrespect the traditions of House Runcandel by confusing our filial duties with the demands of a formal meeting."

Chiron listened to their answers attentively, his eyes shining with a light that was hard to decipher. A silence weighed on the courtyard, and the flag bearers themselves seemed to hold their breath. Mary, who had always doubted the abilities of the younger ones, frowned slightly, as if she could not believe what she had just heard.

Then, against all expectations, a smile appeared on the patriarch's lips. This smile, rare and powerful, made the atmosphere of the court vibrate, as if its approval was enough to fill the space with a new energy.

"That is an excellent answer," he said in a softer voice, although it retained its natural authority. "You were able to read between the lines and understand the importance of this situation. Your sense of reflection and discernment are remarkable for your age."

The two boys lowered their heads slightly, accepting these words with humility. But Chiron was not finished.

"However," he added, his smile widening slightly, "I will grant you an exception today. No matter how solemn this meeting may be, at this moment, I am not only your patriarch. I am your father. So, call me as such."

Jin and Rin slowly raised their heads, exchanging a furtive glance, as if to make sure they had understood correctly. Then, in perfect synchronicity, they answered in a loud and clear voice:

"Yes, father."

The words echoed in the courtyard, breaking the tension like a clap of thunder. Luna, who had been watching the scene with her usual reserve, sketched an almost imperceptible smile.

Chiron watched his two youngest sons intently, his piercing eyes seeming to look into their souls. He straightened slightly in his seat, towering over them with his imposing stature. After a moment of calculated silence, he asked his question, his voice resonant like a steel blade:

"Well, then I will ask you what I asked your brothers. What is your brothers' fault in the quarrel between you?"

Rin raised his head slightly, an almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. He answered with a confidence disconcerting for a child his age:

"It's simple, father. Revenge."

A quiet murmur spread among the flag bearers, surprised by the audacity and clarity of this statement. Before Chiron could even react, Jin, standing next to Rin, immediately spoke, his voice calm but tinged with an unusual gravity.

"If you are a member of the Runcandel family, you must always give back what you receive." He paused briefly, his dark eyes shining with an intense glow, before adding with cold determination, "Whether it be kindness…"

"…or spite," Rin completed with perfect fluidity, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Their synchronization, both in their words and their aura, was so impressive that it almost seemed choreographed. The air itself seemed to have grown heavy, each word they spoke resonating with an authority far beyond their years.

Chiron, though stoic, let a tiny glimmer of interest appear in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, as if to examine more closely these threads that seemed to defy all logic. The flag bearers, however, could not hide their reactions. Joshua, ever cautious, frowned slightly, trying to decipher the true meaning of the twins' words. Viego, in his own way, crossed his arms and nodded, impressed by their confidence.

But it was Mary, the seventh standard-bearer, who reacted most visibly. A spark of amusement lit up her eyes, and a smirk played on her face. She almost muttered to herself:

"Interesting… Those two are more fun than I thought. Maybe they're not as insignificant as I thought."

Luna, the eldest, remained impassive, although her eyes were observing every detail carefully. But even she, in a moment of silent reflection, seemed to approve of their response.

After a short silence, Chiron straightened up again, a rare but discreet smile slightly stretching his lips. His voice, deep and powerful, broke the tense atmosphere:

"Everyone except the youngest, get out."

Chiron stared at his sons for a long time, his piercing gaze seeming to weigh on them like a mountain. The room, now silent, was filled with palpable tension. The voice of the head of the Runcandel family rang out with a rare gravity, his words carefully chosen to measure every nuance of the situation.

"I must personally ask you something," Chiron said. "That is why I asked everyone to leave. Jin, the Tona brothers have claimed that you possess a… special power. The Runcandel strictly forbid the use of magic, because it, although powerful, does not allow a warrior to surpass his real limits. So, I ask you directly: what is the identity of this power?"

Jin, despite the intensity of the question, remained impassive. Beside him, Rin glanced quickly at his brother before answering instead, his tone calm but firm, "I have not yet fully mastered this power, father, nor do I know it as well as I would like." He paused, lifting his head slightly to stare into his father's eyes.

"This power is neither aura nor magic. It is… different. I do not know what to call it. So, if it is okay with you, father, I ask that you give it a name."

As Rin spoke, Jin briefly closed his eyes, concentrating his energy. The next moment, a dark, dense mist began to rise from his body, undulating like living shadows. This dark energy escaped from him, floating around his figure, silent but oppressive.

Chiron, although calm in appearance, could not hide the smallest spark of amazement in his eyes. He recognized this energy immediately, and the revelation made his heart beat a little faster. Yet, he hid his emotions with perfect mastery, his face remaining stoic.

After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, his voice filled with an even deeper gravity:

"It is the power of Solderet… the God of Shadows."

At these words, Jin and Rin's eyes widened slightly. Curiosity invaded them, but they remained calm, as befitted sons of House Runcandel. Rin, always curious, was the first to ask a question.

"The God of Shadows? Who is he, father?"

Jin, although surprised, remained silent, waiting patiently for their father to elaborate.

Chiron crossed his arms, staring at his sons as if to gauge their reaction to what he was about to reveal. Finally, he answered in a low but imposing voice:

"Indeed. Lord Solderet is the first Lord of Runcandel. It is with him that Temar Runcandel, the founder of our line, signed a sacred contract."

The two brothers exchanged a look, intrigued but attentive. Chiron continued, his voice echoing from ancient times.

"Solderet is no mere God. He is an ancient entity, powerful and unfathomable. When he chose Temar as his champion, he gifted our lineage with the power of shadows, a power that transcends aura and magic."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

"However," he continued, "after Temar's death, Solderet's power faded. The generations that followed were never able to awaken this gift. For centuries, we believed this power was lost forever… until now. Until you, Jin, awakened it."

Jin and Rin listened in fascination. Jin, in particular, seemed to be pondering the implications of his father's words. He frowned slightly before asking, his voice calm but filled with curiosity, "If this power has truly been forgotten for centuries, why is it manifesting again now? Why me?" Chiron shrugged slightly, a rare gesture coming from him.

"Fate is a capricious force, Jin. Sometimes it chooses ways we don't understand. What is certain is that you have awakened this power, and it has chosen you. It is now up to you to master and honor it."

Rin, for his part, watched his brother, a glint of admiration in his eyes. He was aware that this revelation placed Jin in a unique and perilous position within the family. However, instead of feeling jealousy, he felt strengthened in his determination to support his brother.

"Father," Rin interjected, "I also have a rather strange power within me, even if it seems foreign, I feel a strong connection to it." Jin said.

"I didn't expect you to share it with me. Can you show it to me?" Chiron said.

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became more tense as Rin took a deep breath. Jin, who was standing by his side, watched his brother curiously, though he wasn't entirely surprised. Rin had always been mysterious, and Jin knew that there was something unique about him that he hid.

Chiron, arms crossed, waited patiently. His gaze was fixed on Rin, but his mind was already analyzing the implications. If Rin really did possess a power as special as Jin's, it meant that his younger sons were not mere child prodigies, but individuals capable of reshaping the future of House Runcandel.

Rin raised his right hand, palm open. "Very well, father, I will show you. But I must warn you, this power… it is unlike anything I have seen or felt before."

In an instant, a sparkling energy burst forth from his body. It was nothing like Jin's shadow ki, which was dark, heavy, and mysterious. It was bright, almost divine, a vibrant light mixed with silver and purple hues. The astral ki spread around Rin, enveloping the room in an aura of absolute power.

The pressure was so intense that even Chiron, master of unmatched strength, seemed slightly surprised.

Outside, the impact was immediate.

Mary, who was talking to Dephus a few meters from the courtyard, interrupted her sentence in mid-sentence. Her gaze automatically turned to the main room. An invisible, but deeply felt shockwave had passed through the entire castle.

"What's that?" Dephus murmured, his face serious.

Mary, on the other hand, sketched a broad smile, her eyes shining with a mixture of surprise and excitement. She placed a hand on her hip and said in a joyful but admiring tone:

"I think it's from the twins. These little brothers… they're getting more and more interesting."

The knights and servants stationed outside felt the energy as well. Some froze in place, their warrior instincts alerting them to an unknown danger. Others exchanged worried glances, murmuring to each other. Even Luna, who had wandered off to meditate, opened her eyes upon feeling the unusual pressure.

In the main hall, Chiron finally broke the silence. "Interesting." The single word, spoken in a calm but meaningful voice, echoed through the room.

"Rin," he continued, staring at his son, "this power… it's unique. I've never seen it before. Where do you think it comes from?"

Rin slowly lowered his hand, dispelling the glowing aura around him. The room seemed to instantly lighten, though the echo of that pressure remained etched in the minds of those who had felt it.

"I don't know, father," Rin answered honestly but thoughtfully. "I haven't fully mastered this energy yet, but I feel a strong connection to it. It seems… natural, as if it's been a part of me forever."

Chiron nodded, his expression unreadable. He seemed to weigh every word, every reaction. "This power," he said slowly, "it doesn't belong to aura or magic, just like your brother's shadow ki. But it's clear that it's just as powerful. Maybe even more so. It will take time to understand its origins, but one thing is certain: right now with the power you're giving off from this power, you can fight a 3-star swordsman."

Jin, who had remained silent until now, intervened with a smirk: "Rin, I knew you were special, but now you're almost beyond me."

Rin replied with a knowing look, a slight smile playing on the corner of his lips. "Don't be jealous, Jin. We're a team, right?"

Chiron watched the exchange with growing interest. These two children were not only powerful, but their bond also seemed unbreakable. He knew that this alliance between them could become one of the greatest assets of the Runcandel house.

Finally, Chiron straightened slightly, his tone becoming solemn again. "Listen to me carefully, both of you. Your powers are unique, and they will put you at the center of many conflicts. You will be admired, envied, and, without a doubt, challenged. But always remember this: a Runcandel never backs down. No matter how strong the enemy or the adversity, you must stand tall and move forward."

Rin and Jin nodded silently, absorbing their father's words.

After a moment, Chiron added in a calmer but still serious tone, "For now, keep your powers a secret. Only reveal them when absolutely necessary. Even within our family."

The two brothers nodded, fully aware of the importance of this instruction.

Chiron, satisfied with their answer, finally rose from his seat, imposing and majestic. "You may go, my sons."

Jin and Rin knelt one last time before standing up and leaving the room, their steps synchronized. As they left, a thought crossed Chiron's mind, and an almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. "Those two… they might just surpass all my expectations."