His family smiled at his healthy appetite as Franz began to dig into his breakfast. He looked at his family.
His little sister Marta was enjoying her pancakes as she dug in. Her dark crimson hair a product of his father's black hair and his mother's bright red hair. Her green eyes also from mother.
He then glanced at his older sister Rinne as she ate. Her rougher exterior she puts up at the shop softened as she sat with family. Her bright smile as she told mother and father of a new axe she was designing and working on lighting up her face. Her bright red hair like mother mixing just right with their father's dark obsidian eyes.
His own features were not too memorable given how he had his father's black hair and his mother's green eyes. But he loved his looks all the same.
He ate as he hears how his final product of her new battle axe design would feature the use of mana steel and mithral.
Their mother said, "Well dear. Properly master your A ranked blacksmithing and you'll do well!"
His sister nodded excitedly and smiles wide as she continues to eat.
Franz smiles. His father a towering man with an ancestry of titans (According to the rumor mill) was a whooping 6ft 8inches tall. His firm eyes and thick beard made him intimidating. But around his family his eyes were soft and inviting with a smile hidden beneath his beard as his mustache was pointed up.
His mother, being a half dwarf was hilariously the opposite. She topped out at 4ft 10 inches in height. She was lean and ripped from all her time spent at the forge. But you wouldn't be able to tell from how pretty her bright red hair is, her shining emerald eyes, and how smooth and soft her light tanned skin was. She wore her fancy dress well as she giggled at something Marta said.
At least he and his siblings got a better height over all. He remembers Marta topping out at 5ft 4 inches when she was full grown. But for now she was a petite 4ft 5 inches.
He was a solid 5ft 8 inches for now. He would reach an even 6ft by age 18.
His sister Rinne had stopped her growth at 5ft 10 inches.
He loves them all with their quirks and looks and heights. This is his family. And he was going to work hard on training.
He brings up the upcoming ceremony, "Father! When we get my skills awakened! Can we train immediately?"
His father, Seth Bronzewing laughs as his mother Erica giggles, "Of course son! I'll be happy to have you reach my rank as a sword master!"
That was the thing, his father had reached the class of sword master. A high ranking class. It requires one to go through many classes as you train, grow your experience, and pursue your strongest skills.
As it was people who gain skills will never be able to push them past a certain rank.
But those with Innate skills could reach the heavens in mastery.
For example. A gained skill like gardening would be capped at B rank. Maybe A rank if one works hard.
But innate skills could reach SS rank.
That is what his father's sword skills were. An innate skill. His current rank was S rank. He was a strong swordsman and a proud warrior of this skill.
However Franz was sweating, his innate skills never showed up. The only innate skill he gained in his original future life was strategist. He was great with everything war related... But his combat skills seemed stuck at C rank.
He was hoping for something better though.
He was ready to push his abilities to their limit before the war ever happens. Even if his innate skill is the same he would use every gained skill he could to and push them to their capped rank.
He wouldn't lose so easily this time!
He gulps his breakfast down and says, "Excellent Father! I look forward to it! Thank you!"
"Hahahah! Don't thank me my son! I am happy you are training to take over as count of this swordsman family! I know you'll gain an amazing sword skill like myself! Your grandfather, and his father before him! We are the swords of the west! The kingdoms guard! We shall always strive for excellence!"
Franz nods eagerly, while inside his heart hurts. He really let his father down in his last life. He thought he would never live up to his father's strength after failing to get an innate combat skill and thus trained at only half motivation. So none of his gained combat skills got past C rank in his last life. But this time. He would train them until A rank!
With their breakfast done the whole family goes to the carriage and heads to the church.
Marta can't help but gaze out at the wonderful spring blossoms and plants along the road as she oohs and awws at them. The family chuckle at her antics. While Rinne is going over the blueprints for the battle axe she is fixated on.
Franz gives her tips on balance and length of blade given his previous experience using all kinds of weapons for the war.
The parents grin at their children getting along so well. And were hopping their son will choose a wonderful bride for himself in the future. There were a few candidates but they hopped he chose one they respected and who was good of character.
They reached the church and entered the chapel alongside the other three noble houses there today.
Franz looked them over and glared at one in particular.
There was the Baron Silverblade family. A fellow swordsman family.
The Baron Goldguard family. A paladin family that either focused on support and defense or focused on healing depending on their innate abilities and how they manifested.
And the most insufferable of the families. A rival to their own. The Count Rubyspear family.
A family of magic spearmen who spit on other families efforts with their specializations. And their ties to the royal family due to their skill and strength didn't help their high and mighty attitude.
With a quick look at them the Rubyspear family glared then scoffed as their twin son and daughter went up to the altar with the son of the Silverblade family and the daughter of the Goldguard family.
The high priest looked on as Franz joined them and began to pray. Franz hoped he had a good innate ability for combat this time around. If not... Training until he collapses every day!