The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family

The moment Melo called Klaus's name, the entire coliseum buzzed with restless anticipation. Murmurs swept through the stands, where members of various armed groups leaned forward in their seats, whispering excitedly.

"The youngest Swordmaster in the history of the continent..." one soldier muttered, eyes wide with expectation.

"Any group that gets him will skyrocket in status," another replied, voice tinged with awe.

"Imagine the prestige..." murmured a third, already envisioning the boost Klaus's presence would bring.

The thought alone sent ripples through the audience. Klaus Lionhart's choice wouldn't just be about him. It would reshape the balance of power among the armed groups of the Rikxia Empire.

Klaus stepped forward with measured, confident strides, every movement calm and deliberate. His silver hair, still damp from the battle, caught the soft glow of the torches. When he reached the center of the arena, he stopped, his sword resting lightly at his hip. His expression was unreadable, but the faintest flicker of amusement played behind his cold eyes.

Melo watched him intently, a thought pressing at the back of his mind. Even through the chaos of the second wave, he held back. If this is his strength when restrained... what is he truly capable of? Roman Lionhart's right-hand man felt a shiver crawl up his spine. A Swordmaster at his age, holding back, yet still dominating the battlefield... I almost feel sorry for anyone who faces him when he unleashes his full power.

Clearing his throat, Melo turned back to the captains seated in the stands. "Captains," he began, "who among you wishes to claim Klaus Lionhart for their—"

He didn't get to finish.

All at once, every captain shot their hand into the air.

And then hell broke loose.

"I'll offer you a personal mansion!" Captain Rannon of the Iron Lancers shouted, leaning over the railing.

"Mansion? Kid, if you join me, you'll get your own elite squad and a custom-forged sword!" Captain Elys of the Viper Fangs countered.

"Forget them!" Captain Tyrus of the Black Wolves bellowed. "Join us, and you'll have access to the imperial treasury's vault for personal gear!"

Another captain, barely able to contain himself, yelled, "You want a fleet of griffons? Done! You want a castle? I'll build you one!"

The crowd burst into laughter and gasps as captains, one after another, tossed increasingly absurd offers into the air. Some shouted over each other, voices blending into a cacophony.

"I'll make you the face of our recruitment posters!"

"I'll have the imperial chefs cook for you daily!"

"You'll have a personal squad of attendants to clean your sword after every fight!"

Klaus stood silently amidst the uproar, watching the frenzy with a detached amusement. The captains were practically falling over themselves.

Amid the chaos, a calm but insistent voice brushed against his mind.

**Join me, Klaus.**

Klaus blinked.

**You're my nephew. You know you'll have the best resources, the best missions, and the best team if you choose Éclair.** Yenova Lionhart's voice, smooth and confident, echoed in his head. **Don't forget, I'll always have your back. Why risk joining anyone else? You know Éclair is unmatched."**

Klaus tilted his head slightly, his gaze flicking to Yenova, who sat elegantly among the captains, her face calm, her eyes sharp.

"Hey! Hey!" Captain Tyrus shouted, pointing a finger at Yenova. "She's using telepathy! That's cheating!"

"Klaus, don't just join Éclair because she's your aunt!" another captain hollered. "You don't know how crazy she really is!"

"Crazy? CRAZY?!" Yenova snapped, standing abruptly. Her usually composed expression cracked as she drew her sword in one fluid motion. "You want to see crazy?! I'll show you crazy!"

The crowd roared with laughter.

"SEE?! THAT'S WHAT WE MEAN!" a captain shouted, pointing at her theatrics.

"No, really, boy!" another captain added, chuckling. "She'll work you to death! Choose freedom! Choose literally anyone else!"

"YOU FUCKERS WANT A FIGHT?!" Yenova roared, her blade gleaming under the torchlight.

"Oh, this is getting good," Kurt muttered, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

"…This is insane," Sarah whispered, torn between disbelief and amusement.

Suddenly, Captain Alric of the Ember Blades stood up and bellowed, "If you join my group, I'll make you the vice-captain!"

The coliseum fell deathly silent.

All eyes turned to Alric.

Even Klaus raised an eyebrow.

"Vice-captain? Already?" someone whispered.

"But he's only just finished the trial!" another hissed.

"Sure, he's a Swordmaster, but every group here has multiple Swordmasters! You don't just hand out a vice-captain position like candy!"

"The empire's merit system doesn't allow for that! You have to earn that rank through proven service, no matter how talented you are!"

Yenova let out a barking laugh, sliding her sword back into its scabbard. "Don't listen to that fool, Klaus! He's making promises he can't keep."

Alric grinned shamelessly. "It's my armed group. I make the rules. I can promote whoever I damn well please!"

"That's not how any of this works!" another captain protested, exasperated.

"It is if I say so!" Alric shot back, folding his arms.

Klaus, through all the shouting, stood quietly, observing each captain with an unreadable expression. He wasn't particularly worried. Any group would allow him what he wanted: the freedom to leave the Lionhart estate and explore the world beyond Rikxia. That was all that truly mattered to him.

But as he pondered, he felt a chill at his back.

He knew that gaze.

Turning, Klaus locked eyes with Alexandra Lionhart, seated among the White Lion members. She stood abruptly, her voice cutting through the uproar like a whip crack.

"YOU BETTER JOIN THE WHITE LION!" she shouted, making the entire coliseum go silent.

She couldn't let go of the idea of ordering Klaus around, watching his usual calm crack under her relentless teasing.

"Oh, no," Kurt whispered, barely holding back laughter.

"YOU LITTLE BRAT!" Yenova shot back, standing again. "Just because you're my niece doesn't mean I can't beat you into next week!"

Alexandra grinned wickedly. "Come on, Aunt Yenova, you already got Alex! Isn't that enough?!"

The captains blinked.

"Wait, that's Alexandra Lionhart?" someone whispered.

"The daughter of Raphael Lionhart? Saint Raphael?" another hissed.

"No wonder she's bold enough to mouth off to Yenova."

"She's in the White Lion armed group already. Makes sense she wants Klaus there too."

Captain Kalix Williams of the White Lion group chuckled darkly, seeing an opportunity. "Klaus, join us and I'll make you squad leader of Alexandra's team."

Alexandra froze.

"WAIT, WHAT?!" she blurted, her confident grin replaced with awkward panic.

Klaus's lips quirked into a small, almost imperceptible smile.

"EH?! NO, DON'T JOIN US! YOU'LL BE BETTER OFF WITH AUNT YENOVA!" Alexandra shouted hurriedly, realizing what she'd done.

But Klaus had already made up his mind.

"I accept," he said calmly.

The coliseum erupted once more.