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98 Chapter

Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal clashing accompanied the few exchanges between Serenon and my sword. It was a brief skirmish resembling a scouting battle. For me, it was like a kids’ play, but it didn’t seem bad for warming up. While lightly deflecting Serenon’s attacks, I thought to myself.

‘His strength isn’t bad. His attacks are quite sharp. But…

Swish.

“Ugh!”

I dodged Serenon’s sword and twisted my body slightly, stabbing my sword at his left shoulder. Since it wasn’t an actual attack, the sword tip only lightly grazed his shoulder before being deflected by a barrier. Seeing him clutch his shoulder with a bewildered expression, I calmly remarked.

“You handled your sword with your right hand, but all your movements focused on the right side. There’s a lot of openings on your left.”

As a Sword Master, I had numerous points to correct. Serenon swung his sword with full force, his eyes narrowing sharply.

‘He does use mana. His utilization isn’t bad…

Serenon really seemed like a swordsman on the verge of becoming a Sword Expert. He skillfully enhanced his sword with mana and moved quickly, utilizing mana while changing positions. Serenon handled mana well.

‘But he doesn’t have a clue about how to convert that mana into aura.’

Using mana as a tool while swinging the sword and converting mana into aura to fight are fundamentally different dimensions.

‘He needs to grasp his own answer; that’s something I can’t directly help him with.’

Aura is formed based on the answer one finds at the limits of their abilities. No one could replace that discovery. It had to be done personally.

‘The reason I was able to use aura… was because of that moment.’

The trigger for me to unleash my aura suddenly resurfaced in my mind. Just recalling it made the emotion bubble up like blood surging to my throat, and I momentarily bit my lip.

How nice would it be if humans could grow without trials? It would have been pleasant to think that one could grow simply by passing time and experiencing life.

‘I hope Serenon doesn’t awaken his aura because of trials like I did.’

Six years ago, the reason I manifested my aura was the death of my master.

‘Let’s stop this line of thought.’

It was still a painful memory to recall. I quickly took a deep breath, wiping the thoughts away, and struck Serenon’s hand, which looked clumsy to me, with the end of my sword’s hilt.

“Ugh!”

“Your speed is too slow. I might have been able to catch your hand.”

Serenon’s swordsmanship lacked in agility and sharpness. Grinding his teeth, Serenon swung his sword, which I easily dodged before kicking his leg.

“Urgh.”

“Your reactions are slow too. Your instincts are quite dull. If you can’t even predict attacks, no matter how strong you are, you’ll have your head cut off first.”

I pointed this out again and apathetically parried the sword coming at me.

I was giving Serenon room to breathe, but I didn’t let him take it easy. I kept pressing down on him just enough that he wouldn’t be severely hurt.

“Are you going to continue like this? Is this your best? I’m here to teach you swordsmanship, not to be your playmate. If you want to continue like this, you should put down your sword and read a book instead. I feel like this is just wasting your time.”

This time, I spat out my words quite harshly. Though the provocation was childish, there was no better catalyst to test someone’s limits.

Serenon’s previously calm blue eyes gleamed with a strange light at my command to stop using his sword.

‘That gaze isn’t bad.’

The emotions surging in his eyes were a mix of anger, defiance, and desperation, clumping together like a lump. As I silently met his gaze, I concluded.

‘He’s not holding a sword lightly.’

The impression I had that he was merely handling his sword as a hobby or for refinement was dashed. After clashing swords, I realized that Serenon’s intensity went beyond mere ‘good’ or ‘talented.’

There was something desperate in his sword.

‘Teaching someone like this would be interesting.’

I faintly smiled. Misinterpreting that grin, Serenon gritted his teeth and, as if intending to flee from my easily given attacks, bent at the waist and thrust his sword forward.

‘…Hoh.’

Mana of a different kind than before began to gather around his sword. My eyes sharpened. Glinting like silver beads, drops of sweat reflected sunlight, streaming from under his hair. Serenon was clearly in a rather exhausted state. It was easy to read that this would be his last attack.

Vroom.

The mana concentrated around Serenon’s sword solidified. He raised his weapon high above his head and swung it down towards me.

Clang!

The rough sound of our blades clashing rang out. One sword flew through the air and embedded itself into the ground.

Thud.

With his entire body covered in bruises and sweat, Serenon staggered and knelt on one knee, gasping for breath.

‘Impressive.’

From the start, this was a fight Serenon couldn’t win. It was like a showdown between a worm and a dragon. The fact that he had lasted this long against me without even using aura was astonishing.

‘Moreover… that was definitely the energy of aura.’

The peculiar energy that had enveloped Serenon’s sword just a moment ago. It was indistinct, palpable to a minimal degree, but I could sense it.

Serenon’s aura was silvery, resembling moonlight.

‘A Sword Expert is right at hand.

Though it seems he unconsciously unleashed it this time, I felt he would likely discover how to output aura consciously with just a bit more practice. Satisfied with his skills, I smiled faintly and looked at Serenon.

“…Your Highness.”

His eyes, gazing at the sky, were blank. Serenon looked like someone who was lost. Slowly, those eyes deepening with worry and sorrow turned toward me.

“Do I… seem to not take the sword seriously?”

His low voice fell heavy.

‘…Oh no. Did I hit a nerve?’

It was certain I had seen Serenon’s limits, but it appeared I had touched upon a rather sensitive topic. I deeply bowed my head.

“I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn with my careless mouth.”

“No, that’s not it. It wasn’t unpleasant. I was just… reminded why I began learning to wield the sword.”

I blinked, unsure of what he meant, as Serenon sat on the ground, looking confused.

“I’ve worked hard and desperately to learn the sword… but looking back on it, the reason is quite amusing.”

“May I ask what that reason is?”

I quietly inquired, observing the thoughtful Serenon. He gazed intently at the dimming sky.

“The sword… was the only thing my brother had not dabbled in.”

‘Serenon’s brother, Diego.’

A figure of exceptional charisma and leadership. A genius with strategic insight and wisdom beyond his young age. Diego Solaritne was practically a perfect man. Serenon likely wanted to accomplish something his brother couldn’t.

“It was quite earnest… the thing I worked hardest at. I thought it was the one thing I did well. But looking back, the reason I started isn’t really special, nor is what I want to gain from it all that clear. I suddenly feel pathetic about that.”

Serenon mumbled with a blank expression. As I gazed contemplatively at his lifeless eyes, I sighed and extended a hand to him, who was sitting limply on the ground.

“Don’t think too deeply about having lost just once. I wasn’t holding a sword with the intent of conquering the world either.”

Serenon slowly directed his gaze towards me. As he looked closely at my outstretched hand, his expression shifted.

“Then how did the princess end up with a sword?”

“To survive.”

The reason was simple and straightforward. I merely wanted to live, and the only visible way to survive at that time was to become a mercenary. Serenon blinked at my answer, letting out a soft, “Ah,” as he grasped my hand.

“Come to think of it, you mentioned you’re of commoner origin. It’s easy to forget since your etiquette is flawless.”

“I’m not sure why you decided to wield the sword, Your Highness. It’s likely I won’t be able to understand.”

I spoke coolly. Everyone has their circumstances; trying to comprehend them would be nothing but arrogance.

“However, given that we have become teacher and student in this capacity, I will do my best to support your growth.”

With a determined pull, I raised him up. I didn’t know him well. He might have been someone who could even harm me.

‘Did Karasho feel like this when he offered to teach me…’

Yet, as a swordsman and a person who once greatly benefitted from a master, I wanted to help the earnest Serenon.

“I will undoubtedly lead you to the utmost limits you can reach.”

As Serenon staggered up, he looked at me with puzzled eyes. For a moment, a storm brewed in those blue irises.

“The young lady must definitely be a Sword Expert. To have defeated me so easily.”

Serenon confidently made that guess. It seemed he couldn’t even imagine the possibility that I was a Sword Master. I rolled my eyes briefly and shrugged.

“That may be so, but why didn’t you use aura when you fought me?”

‘Well… I can’t let you see the color of my aura.’

This was the real reason; frankly, I felt it would look rather suspicious. After some deliberation, I slowly spoke.

“If I had used aura, you would have been injured. This wasn’t a time for showing off my skills; it was merely a light sparring match.”

With a gentle touch, I sheathed my sword. Serenon, chuckling slightly, did the same with his sword.

“Typically, someone would have boasted about their prowess after that. You really are an interesting person, young lady.”

I looked directly into Serenon’s eyes, which began to shine once more. I always thought it was hard to believe that someone with such bright eyes had lived in the Imperial Palace all their life.

“Thank you for the compliment. However, now that I’m your master, you should speak more respectfully. Who is the young lady here?”

I spoke sharply and firmly, my eyes flashing coldly. Now that I had decided to teach Serenon, I didn’t plan to do it half-heartedly. As his master, I intended to teach him thoroughly and gain everything I could from the experience.

Serenon stared at me vacantly. As he slightly opened his mouth, he soon seemed to read the atmosphere and bowed seriously.

“Please forgive my impudence, Master. There shall be no more mistakes in the future.”

In the Solarit Empire, the hierarchy between master and student was clearly defined. No matter if one were a prince, they must show undeniable respect to their master. I chuckled warmly at that.

“Very well. Then I look forward to working with you moving forward.”

I extended my hand towards him. No one could have predicted the scarred and rough hands I showed would belong to a princess. I felt Serenon staring closely at my hand, yet he didn’t shy away or try to hide it. I had grown strong based on these scars, becoming someone able to teach Serenon.

“You are fortunate to have met someone like me as your master.”

He took my hand and shook it. His voice was crisp yet more lively than before. Though his legs trembled from fatigue after our spar, Serenon smiled as if unaffected.

“Then…”

As he began to say something, I narrowed my eyes, turning my gaze toward the Imperial Palace.

Someone was approaching.

“Excuse me for interrupting your conversation, Princess of Crisis.”

A courteous attendant bowed as he arrived before Serenon and me.

“The Empress has summoned you, Your Highness.”

Serenon’s expression quickly hardened.

 

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