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Gilbert entered the Personal Training Facility and felt a scorching heat clinging to his cheeks. The air inside the heated training room was so intense that it felt like stepping into a sauna.

Gilbert looked at Seraphina, who had heated the room to such an extreme. He saw her standing in a sword stance, eyes closed, fully focused. He clenched his mouth shut, not even daring to breathe loudly, so as not to disturb her.

At the peak of the silence, Seraphina’s eyes suddenly snapped open.

*Swish!*

A sword was drawn from its sheath at lightning speed, slicing through the air. Her long golden hair fluttered, and her crimson eyes glinted sharply, as if targeting an imaginary enemy.

It was a perfect Iaido slash, executed from a flawless stance.

Gilbert felt as if the hot air had been split the moment her sword was drawn. Though he hadn’t reached that level yet, he could tell her swordsmanship had ascended to a high realm.

“Phew. Still a long way to go,” Seraphina muttered, sheathing her sword and turning to Gilbert. Her training outfit, a mix of black and red, was drenched in sweat, evidence of the effort she had poured into that strike.

“It’s been a while.”

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Gilbert offered a respectful but not overly formal greeting as Seraphina wiped her face with a towel handed to her by Yanik. Seraphina waved her hand dismissively, indicating that the formalities were unnecessary.

“You may raise your head.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“The title ‘Your Highness’ is unnecessary. Since you are now part of the Academy, it’s proper to follow its rules.”

Gilbert inwardly smiled at Seraphina’s unchanging demeanor, consistent with the game’s setting. She was as upright as ever, making no exceptions, even for herself, when it came to what she believed was right.

“Shall I call you Seraphina, then?”

“Do as you please. Titles are my stubbornness, but I am aware they may be a burden to you.”

“Your magnanimity is truly appreciated.”

“Enough flattery. Now, tell me why you’ve come. It must be urgent if it interrupts my training.”

Though Seraphina’s words seemed reproachful at first glance, they weren’t meant as a scolding. In fact, she was looking at Gilbert with an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

Gilbert noticed this and realized one thing.

Has Professor Briana already hinted at it?

He concluded that it was only natural to seek Seraphina’s permission to take on another personal disciple. Of course, the proposal itself would have to be reported to her as well.

“Since you likely already know, I’ll cut to the chase. I wish to become Professor Briana’s second personal disciple.”

“A personal disciple… Do you understand what that entails?”

“Yes. It means becoming your priest.”

Seraphina found Gilbert’s confident demeanor amusing. From their first meeting to his performance in the Entrance Mock Battle, Gilbert possessed all the qualities that stirred her desire for talent.

His self-assured attitude, backed by genuine talent, made him a top candidate for recruitment—if not for the rumors surrounding him.

“Correct. Becoming Professor Briana’s personal disciple means becoming my priest. And becoming my priest will draw attention.”

“I am aware of that as well.”

“However, I have my reservations. The rumors surrounding you make me hesitant to make a decision.”

‘Is my reputation the problem again?’

Gilbert felt a pang of frustration. If he could go back to before he transmigrated into this world, he would never have included such a useless setting. In fact, deleting Tactical Combat and never looking back would have been the wiser choice.

But he had already transmigrated with the “delinquent” setting, and now it was part of his reputation. Like it or not, he had to acknowledge that he was seen as a troublemaker.

“Are you referring to the rumors that I’m a delinquent?”

“Indeed. The rumors that have spread throughout social circles. I know they are true.”

Seraphina’s calm tone made Gilbert realize for the first time that this sub-quest might fail. He had vowed not to treat this world like a game, but subconsciously, he had assumed everything would work out.

It was his mistake to think that even Seraphina, with her insatiable desire for talent, would willingly take in a ticking time bomb like him.

“However, after meeting and observing you, I must admit that you are quite different from the rumors. From your daily training to your near-miraculous Colossal Mech control skills during the Entrance Mock Battle, none of it aligns with the behavior of a delinquent.”

Gilbert knew this conversation was the critical turning point for the sub-quest’s success. One wrong word, and his chance to become Professor Briana’s personal disciple would be lost.

He tightened the slackened string of tension.

“I have no intention of denying it. As you said, I am indeed an irredeemable delinquent.”

He chose the direct approach. Knowing Seraphina disliked lengthy excuses, admitting outright that he was a troublemaker seemed the better choice.

Gilbert anxiously watched Seraphina’s expression, but reading the face of someone who had experienced the battlefield and the political arena of a vast empire at a young age was no easy task. The interest in her eyes had vanished, leaving them as transparent as glass beads, devoid of any emotion.

Seeing this, Gilbert decided to gamble on what he knew of Seraphina’s personality.

“I have no intention of denying my past. My actions were no different from trash. I tormented innocent civilians and harassed women—all of it is true.”

“Then I have no reason to grant your request. I value talent, but that doesn’t mean I welcome troublesome trash.”

Seraphina’s eyes sharpened like a blade. Her piercing gaze, like a sword, struck Gilbert.

An overwhelming aura pressed down on him. The majesty of the Empire’s princess began to crush him.

‘Is this the Aura skill?!’

A special passive skill activated when the combined Authority and Command stats exceeded 130. It could inflict a stiffening effect on opponents with lower combined stats. If the combined stats surpassed 170, it could even deal physical damage.

If his memory served him right, Seraphina’s Authority and Command stats were 95 and 80, respectively. Their combined total was already close to 175, meaning she could deal physical damage.

Gilbert forced himself to resist the urge to kneel. His stomach churned, and his eyes bloodshot, but if he backed down now, he would have to give up on becoming Professor Briana’s disciple.

Just as he was gritting his teeth and enduring, the oppressive aura suddenly vanished.

Gilbert exhaled deeply.

“Why do you refuse to back down despite this?”

“I have something I must do.”

Gilbert barely managed to reply, not even bothering to wipe the blood trickling from his mouth.

He couldn’t help but think that he always seemed to suffer internal injuries during sub-quests.

“You admitted with your own mouth that you are a delinquent and trash. Do you think the Empire’s safety is threatened by what a delinquent trash must do? Is that my assumption?”

Seraphina’s words were justified. What a delinquent must do would only be more delinquency. If it didn’t benefit the Empire’s future, it was the princess’s duty to cut it down.

“I only wish to do what I must.”

“And what is it that you must do?”

Gilbert didn’t back down, even as Seraphina looked ready to draw her sword at any moment.

“As a member of the Lion Heart Family, tasked with guarding the Empire’s borders, I wish to fulfill the destiny bestowed upon me by blood.”

“To my ears, that sounds like you intend to succeed the Count of Lithuania. Is that what you must do? Should I stand by and let a delinquent like you take charge of the Empire’s borders?”

Seraphina’s right hand moved toward her sword’s hilt. Her intent to strike him down for real was evident.

‘This is the decisive moment.’

Though she seemed ready to swing her sword, Gilbert was certain she wouldn’t.

Even if Gilbert was a notorious delinquent and Seraphina the Empire’s princess, she couldn’t recklessly draw her sword and harm him.

He was still the eldest son of the Iron-Blooded Border Count.

However, a wrong answer here would undoubtedly result in the sub-quest’s failure.

And he would never get another chance to become Professor Briana’s personal disciple.

“I have no intention of inheriting the title of Count of Lithuania.”

“What did you say?”

Seraphina was taken aback and asked again. She scrutinized Gilbert, but his resolute expression showed no hesitation.

“As I said, having lived as a delinquent, I would not be able to properly lead the Lithuania Territory. If I were to inherit the title, it would only bring chaos.”

“Do you understand what you’re saying?”

“Yes. I am declaring my intention to renounce my right to inherit the title of Count of Lithuania.”

Gilbert’s firm tone convinced Seraphina of his sincerity.

“Then I have a question for you.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“In that case, what is it that you must do?”

Hearing her softened tone, Gilbert sensed he had crossed the ninth hurdle. One decisive statement here, and gaining Seraphina’s approval wouldn’t be difficult.

“I will become the Empire’s sword.”

“The Empire’s sword?”

The Empire’s shield referred to the Border Count, but the Empire’s sword was the opposite.

The vanguard who charges ahead of anyone on the battlefield.

Like Lucas Academy Head, Professor Alexander, and Professor Briana.

They were always the first to lay down their lives for the Empire, never retreating. They were praised and revered as the Empire’s sword.

Seraphina subtly released her grip on the sword’s hilt. Becoming the Empire’s sword was no easy feat. It required climbing up from the bottom, enduring countless hardships.

Seraphina let out a faint smile.

Just like Lucas Academy Head, Professor Alexander, and Professor Briana.

Seraphina was no different.

 

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