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At the time when the sun was setting, the sound of wind slicing through the air echoed throughout the sparring hall.

“Whoosh, shhh, pat!”

“Hmm… Indeed.”

Is this the unique swordsmanship of the renowned Gruwein family?

Such graceful movements live up to its reputation.

“… Is this all?”

Siel wiped the sweat from her brow and sheathed her sword.

“Thanks, that was quite informative.”

“Why did you suddenly ask to see my sword technique? What do you want?”

“Hmm. Something like this…”

I held the sword hilt at head height, angling the blade as I assumed my stance.

“The heels of your left and right feet should be aligned…”

“…! You?”

I shifted my center of gravity forward and extended my right leg forward.

Then, it felt like my body was commanding me.

How much should I bend my knees?

How low should I lower my upper body?

Unlike a sword, a rapier is long and due to its weight, it’s hard to accelerate.

So, to gain sufficient speed,

“The trajectory should draw a circle, like spinning a windmill.”

Whoosh!

The sound of wind cutting through the air echoed.

And when I slashed again, I couldn’t stop, so I returned to a guard position in a circular motion.

Swish! Pat!

“Good, that’s it…!”

“How… did you…?”

Siel looked astonished at my movements.

“Did you just watch my moves once and replicate them?”

Well… how should I put it? Should I reveal my ability?

“Yes, now you get it? It’s not like I’m a spy;

I just have a good sense for battle.”

Well, it’s all thanks to Insight Eye, but…

“Good sense? That’s not something you can brush off easily…”

Looks like it’s tough to let it slide…

“To perfectly mimic an opponent’s technique after seeing it just once is like looking in a mirror.”

“Hmm… Thanks?”

In the next moment, Siel bowed her head and apologized.

“I’m sorry for my rudeness last time; I was too sensitive.”

“It’s okay, I’ve done things that warranted suspicion too.”

I intentionally used only Siel’s technique, not wanting to reveal my abilities.

Being a princess, Siel has likely faced numerous threats since childhood.

As a result, her personality has become quite wary of others.

But now someone who uses their own technique has appeared?

Naturally, I can’t blame her for being suspicious.

“I owe you since last time, so if you want anything, just say…”

“Don’t casually throw around the phrase ‘anything’!

If you said that to someone else, it could lead to serious trouble.”

Why is this girl so irresponsible?

It didn’t seem like she ever showed it with her perpetual expressionlessness,

but her parents must have spoiled her too much.

Maybe I should drop her in an adventurer’s town just like that to knock some sense into her.

“Just out of curiosity, that book you were reading in the library…”

“Don’t ask about that.”

As she said this, Siel emitted a glare as cold as frost.

“… What? Didn’t you learn that you shouldn’t speak carelessly?”

As I said that and attempted to walk away, Siel called me back.

“One more thing…”

“Hmm?”

“You… following my movements is one thing,

but how did you use Tidal Crash?”

…I knew she’d ask that.

“Uh… well, you see…”

“I’ve never used that in front of you;

that’s a technique of our family’s vision.”

How do I cover this up…?

Damn it, Lucid, your big mouth got me into trouble.

“When I was adventuring, I had connections with your family’s knights,

so maybe I learned it then…?”

“…”

Her eyes looked doubtful at my words, but she sighed and continued.

“Fine, let’s go with that. So,

really, you don’t want anything from me?”

“Something I want…?”

Well, if it’s a technique, I’ve just implanted some thoughts in my head,

but since the heir of a prestigious family is offering to grant a wish,

there’s no reason to refuse.

*

While waiting in the sparring hall, I heard a grumbling sound from the entrance.

“What’s this? Gruwein called me here…”

“There’s someone who wants to meet you.”

“Who on earth…? And you are?”

Scarlet’s eyes widened when they met mine as she entered the sparring hall.

“Greetings, great descendant of the Ragenpenders…”

“A thief who steals other people’s techniques!”

“… What did you say?”

“Perfect timing! Duel with me!”

??? What’s with this sudden outburst?

“You… said you didn’t want to fight me last time.”

But Scarlet dismissed my words lightly.

“You! How did you use my dagger techniques?!”

“Uh… well…”

“No need to explain, just draw your sword right now!”

Siel let out a sigh at what she was witnessing.

“… I didn’t even need to ask for that.”

“… Well, great, just as I wanted to do that too.”

Originally, I planned to clear the Scarlet mission through Siel,

but lucky for me, she’s challenging me directly now.

Main Quest

3. Challenge Scarlet to a Duel (Clear)

*

“Kang, clang, crack!”

“More! Show me more! When we fought before, you weren’t this weak!”

“Ugh… take it easy.”

The scorching Fiery Slash sliced through the air with ease.

I expected it, but

at present, my skills don’t even match up to the nobles.

Without using Insight Eye,

it’s hard to even exchange ten blows.

“Hmm, strange.

At times, your movements improve,

but at other times… how should I put it, they’re lacking.”

“… That’s a bit harsh.”

Swish!

Behind Scarlet, nine fiery orbs appeared in a dazzling array.

“I’ve seen that several times!”

Copyable Target

1. Wind Cutter (Original: Stella)

…

13. Tidal Crash (Original: Siel) > Use

[Warning! Insufficient Mana to Use]

“… Ah, damn it.”

Bang!

*

“… Ugh…”

As I regained consciousness, I heard Siel’s voice.

“Are you awake?”

“Where is this?”

“Still in the sparring hall.”

… Did I lose? I thought I had been rolling around outside for a solid seven years,

but this feels empty… wait, what’s this sensation radiating from my head?

As I lifted my head, something enormous blocked my view.

Is this… my chest?

“Whoa, waah?!”

“What’s up? You seem fine.”

Startled, I quickly sat up,

spotting Scarlet drinking water casually and Siel sitting expressionlessly, watching me.

“I… just used your lap as a pillow?”

“When sleeping, you shouldn’t strain your neck muscles.”

“Using the princess’s lap as a pillow,

that’s some serious guts!”

“Ah, no, thank you, but…

if Stella saw this, I’d be in real trouble!”

I’d definitely end up face down on the ground,

and my neck would be wrecked.

Just in case, I quickly turned to check my surroundings,

but thankfully there was nobody else in the sparring hall.

“… Phew. I’m alive.”

“Is that it for what you wanted?”

“Um… yes! Thanks, it was really educational.”

As I said this, I reached my hand out to Scarlet.

“Thanks to you too, that was some excellent spearplay.”

Scarlet scoffed and replied,

“Not bad for an adventurer, I suppose.

Since I beat Siel, that means I beat you too, Gruwein.”

“… Don’t spout nonsense.”

“Did I call myself an adventurer?”

To that, Scarlet replied nonchalantly.

“I’ve done a bit of digging since that time.

Even if it was a coincidence, beating that girl isn’t something just anyone can do.”

“It wasn’t a coincidence…”

Ignoring my mumbling, Scarlet got curious and asked.

“But why did you only use it three times?”

“… What?”

“I’m sure with that technique, you could’ve blocked my fireballs.

So why didn’t you?”

“That’s because…”

My mana pool is only 400,

and if I use the 150-cost Tidal Crash two or three times,

I’d run out immediately!

How on earth do they cast such powerful spells so freely?

“I actually have a question as well.”

Siel said as she rolled up my sleeve.

“…? What are you doing?”

“Try infusing some mana now.”

“Huh? What do you mean by infusing mana?”

“I thought something was off.”

She said this while looking at me with a curious expression.

“You… without a Mana Circuit, how are you able to use mana?”

“Mana Circuit? What’s that…?”

At that, Scarlet looked astonished and asked,

“You mean you don’t have a Mana Circuit?

What does that even mean, Gruwein?”

“It felt odd when I was trying to channel mana;

sometimes it comes from my left wrist, and other times from my right hand.”

“I don’t get what you’re saying.

Can someone explain that to me?”

At my words, both of them wore expressions of utter confusion before rolling up their sleeves.

Then Siel revealed a crimson pattern on her left wrist, and Scarlet showed a white one on her right.

“… Is this a Mana Circuit?”

“In order to channel mana,

you must have a Mana Circuit.”

“How do you create one?”

Scarlet, looking incredulous, asked.

“You truly don’t know that?

A Mana Circuit doesn’t just naturally occur;

it has to be granted by someone.”

“Could it be that the reason my mana runs out every time I use magic…”

“A Mana Circuit also serves as a reservoir for mana.

It doesn’t make sense, but you must be drawing from the energy circulating in your body.”

Wait, so I’ve been drinking mana one sip at a time without a proper vessel?

“Is there any way to grant me a Mana Circuit?”

At that, Siel shook her head apologetically.

“You can’t just grant a Mana Circuit freely; the spell to create one is a fifth-tier spell.”

“That…”

When I despaired, Scarlet looked at me with disdain.

“Why the long face?

There should be one around you.”

“What?”

“What do you think? Just ask that wizard girl who follows you around.

She can probably help.”

“… Ah!”

 

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