When I Cleared the Death Game World, I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Even if They Talk About Doom Flags, I'm Actually Immortal. - Chapter 15

“Haaaah…”

A heavy sigh echoed through the estate’s courtyard.

The source of the sigh was a man dressed in a hakama.

With his hair tied up in a mage-like topknot and a thin layer of stubble on his chin, he looked every bit like a samurai from the East.

His name was Hebimiya Jakū.

Mason had invited him as a sword instructor, and he was said to be a master of the Eastern school known as Seven Flash Moon-Cutting Style.

“Pathetic.”

Hebimiya exhaled completely, then spat out the word as if discarding chewing gum.

Laura furrowed her brows at his remark.

She had just finished explaining Lior’s training regimen, only to have Hebimiya dismiss it as “pathetic.”

Since Laura had been the one setting Lior’s training schedule, it must have felt like her entire method had been rejected.

“I take offense to that. I’ve provided Lord Lior with an appropriate training regimen. I have not coddled him.”

“No, you have been coddling him. It’s been over a month since you started teaching him swordsmanship, and this is all the progress he’s made?”

“‘This is all’? Lord Lior has improved significantly. In fact, he’s progressing quite rapidly. At this rate, he should have no trouble taking down a hobgoblin.”

“That’s too slow. If I had been training him, he’d already be capable of hunting a Wyvern by now.”

A Wyvern was a winged lizard that resembled a dragon.

Biologically, it was an entirely different species, yet evolution had led it to develop a similar appearance.

Much like how king crabs evolved to resemble true crabs, despite being different species.

That said, while their forms might be similar, there was a vast difference in power.

Even a wyvern was far beyond what a ten-year-old should be able to defeat.

“A wyvern…!? That’s absurd. Don’t spout such nonsense. No child—no matter how gifted—could take down even a lesser dragon.”

“I did.”

“…What!?”

Hebimiya placed a hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword.

At that moment, a sharp, almost electric intensity filled the air, burning against the skin.

(Incredible… He really is a master.)

Simply gripping his sword exuded an overwhelming presence.

Hebimiya’s skill was the real deal.

If Lior learned from him, he could become even stronger.

“…Very well. Let’s see your skills firsthand.”

Laura seemed to have reached the same conclusion.

Though she glared at Hebimiya with frustration, she ultimately chose to entrust Lior’s training to him.

However, the decision clearly didn’t sit well with her.

She lowered her gaze, looking visibly displeased.

“…I’m sorry, Laura.”

“Please don’t worry about me. If it’s for Lord Lior’s sake, I can cast aside my worthless pride.”

“Don’t say something so sad. You’re an amazing knight, Laura.”

“…!? Y-You shouldn’t say things like that so casually… at least, not in public…”

Lior’s attempt at reassurance had an unexpected effect.

Laura’s face brightened, and despite her efforts to remain composed, a grin crept onto her lips.

Lior had no idea why she had suddenly cheered up, but since she seemed happy, he decided to leave it at that.

Shortly after, Hebimiya led them to a nearby lake.

It was fairly deep and wide, a popular fishing spot among the locals.

Standing near the water’s edge, Lior broke into a cold sweat, sensing something ominous.

“Um… why exactly am I wearing leg irons with a giant weight attached?”

A sturdy metal shackle was locked around Lior’s ankle.

A heavy iron chain extended from it, connected to a solid black iron ball.

It looked exactly like the type of restraints used on slaves to prevent escape.

“You’ll understand soon enough.”

“Wait… You brought us all the way to a lake… and now you’re putting shackles on me… Don’t tell me—”

“Oh, it’s exactly what you think.”

“Wait, hold on—!”

“WAAAAAHHHHHH!?”

With a swift motion, Lior was hurled into the lake.

Whoosh.

Hebimiya hurled Lior through the air.

Despite the added weight of the iron ball, he tossed him with effortless ease, as if he weighed nothing at all.

Lior traced a perfect arc through the sky—just like a golf ball—before plummeting.

Splash!

A flawless lake dunk.

“Lord Lior!? I’ll save—”

“Hold it. You’re not going in.”

“What!? Why are you drawing your blade!?”

Just as Laura rushed forward to dive into the lake, Hebimiya unsheathed his katana.

Their gazes locked.

A tense, electrified atmosphere filled the air, thick enough to be cut by the very blades they wielded.

“I can’t let you interfere. The young lord needs to drown—properly.”

“Are you trying to kill him!?”

“Tsk, don’t say such nasty things. This is training.”

Hebimiya sighed in mock exasperation, theatrically shrugging his shoulders.

“You’ve been wasting time, focusing on slow, methodical conditioning to improve his magic control. That kind of training drags on forever.”

“And what alternative do you propose? There’s no shortcut to getting stronger!”

“Exactly what I’m doing right now. Strap on some weights and toss him into the water. Right about now, that brat is fighting for his life, scrambling to reach the surface. Every ounce of his strength, every drop of magic, every survival instinct is kicking in at full force.”

There’s a saying: adrenaline unlocks superhuman strength.

In moments of crisis, people can perform impossible feats of power.

This happens because the body’s natural limiters—which prevent muscles from overexerting—are disabled in life-or-death situations.

In a way, this training method functioned on the same principle.

“Humans grow the most when they brush against death. When pushed to the brink, their body refines everything—from magic control to raw physical ability.”

“I understand your reasoning… but this kind of training, where one wrong step could lead to death, is unacceptable.”

“Relax. I was thrown into the water hundreds of times. I know exactly how far I can push him. I’m not actually going to let him die—I’ll pull him up before it’s too late.”

Hebimiya grinned, grabbing a rope at his feet.

It extended into the lake, tied securely around Lior’s torso.

It was clear now—he had no intention of letting him drown.

Or so it seemed.

(…Well, actually, I am planning to pull him up after he dies.)

Hebimiya watched the lake with cold, indifferent eyes as Lior sank deeper into the water.