Chapter 129 "My, My."
Such sudden fussing.
Ludenberg Lavante couldn't help but feel that way.
"What... exactly did you see in me?"
But Sione Solenute, brimming with mischief, had no intention of giving Ludenberg a straight answer. Considering all the hardship Ashytara had endured, wasn't it only fair that Ludenberg suffer just as much? Besides, emotions were something one realized naturally in time. Of course, seeing the innocent boy's reaction now, she figured she ought to toss him a hint or two—but she had no plans to spell out the emotion herself. That would spoil the fun.
"What a pretty sentiment."
"Pardon?"
Ludenberg was dumbfounded. A pretty sentiment, out of nowhere? It made no sense. How could she call a rough man like him—dark and grimy—possessor of a pretty heart? He couldn't think otherwise.
"Hehe. It'd feel odd if I just came out and said it."
"...Is there some reason for that?"
"A reason? Nothing grand. I just felt like teasing you a bit."
"..."
Ludenberg was at a loss for words.
"Ahaha!"
Sione laughed, reaching out to ruffle his hair.
"Don't overthink it. Emotions are natural, and you'll figure it out on your own. If I must give you a clue... it's your heart."
"My heart?"
"Yes. Sometimes it's fine to follow your impulses. Listening to your heart's voice isn't so bad. What do you want? What do you feel like doing? Then act on it right away."
"Impulses..."
"You tend to overcomplicate things before acting. That's why you're always so upright... but there are times when you need to let impulse guide you."
"Wouldn't that just be living selfishly?"
"What's wrong with that? Life's only once anyway. A little impulse now and then won't hurt."
"I don't quite follow, but... I understand. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. It involves my little sister, after all. Oh, one more thing."
"Yes?"
"Pay close attention to the people around you. That'll bring you one step closer to the answer."
"The people around me..."
"You charge ahead without looking sideways. In this land blessed by the divine, proving yourself seems like your only path. But now you have a bit of breathing room, don't you? Plenty of students admire you, you know."
"Me?"
"Yes. I think you're impressive too."
"..."
"See, lots of people lament what they lack, and I've felt that way myself. I seemed to have everything, but there were voids even in me."
This was news to Ludenberg. Hadn't she always been the flawless crown princess?
"Is that so?"
"It is. Anyway, back to what I was saying... You were given many things, but one crucial piece was missing."
"Yes."
"Most people discard what they have because of that one missing thing. But not you. You recognized your strengths and kept pushing forward. Professor Hainkel said it himself—your swordsmanship insight and skill have outgrown the faculty's teaching."
"It's not that advanced."
"No wonder you don't realize, always barreling ahead. There've been cases in history of boys your age slaying high-grade erosion beasts with pure sword skill alone, haven't there?"
"...Yes."
"Then it's easy to understand. You're remarkable. Be proud of yourself. So right now, instead of charging on, solidify what you have. Look around, observe people—that'll give you experiences, and those will nourish you, becoming the firm foundation for your path ahead."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Ludenberg realized the advice he'd just received wasn't something to take lightly—it would underpin his life. He bowed his head.
"Good. That's enough. Learn as you go. Practice building bonds with those around you. Return greetings now and then. Who knows... there might be quite a few girls eyeing you?"
"Why would they eye me?"
He hasn't even had basic sex education. Well, makes sense. If he had, he'd be dating Ashytara by now.
Sione muttered that inwardly.
"It means girls like you romantically. Plenty might fall hard for you."
And one already has.
Sione swallowed the rest.
"...? I don't seem very popular with the opposite sex."
"Say that around other boys, and you'll get beaten to death."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"You've got a long way to go. That's normal, though. Swinging a sword since childhood leaves gaps in basic social know-how."
"True enough."
"Start learning bit by bit from now on. Then you'll find the answer to your heart."
"...Yes."
"Anyway, that's all. Might've been boring, but thanks for listening."
"No, I asked first."
"Right. Off you go—afternoon training's soon."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Ludenberg bowed to Sione. She ruffled his hair once more, then waved him off.
As he left the room, Sione wore a faintly bitter smile.
To her, Ludenberg was practically a little brother. Maybe from all their closeness since childhood. Even after he'd grown tall, that feeling lingered, making her pat his head without thinking.
"Little brother reminds me of Heydel. Wonder how he's doing."
Heydel Solenute—Ashytara's brother and Sione's younger sibling. He was wandering the world in endless asceticism.
The imperial family tracked his movements periodically, with a covert group protecting him.
A young man whose faith in the divine surpassed even her, the saintess. Honestly, the saint title suited him more, considering his devotion and innate divine power.
But he'd rejected all such honors. Positions made devotees arrogant; mighty power turned them into monsters craving only the gods' strength.
So he'd cast himself out to prove his faith—leaving the palace, roaming the world.
"Now, what will you think when Ludenberg grows like that? Will you scorn him for lacking divine blessing, or admire him for proving himself through human will alone? I don't know... but I hope you think like me."
Sione's quiet words echoed in the still study.
Afternoon joint training proceeded as usual. Relentless pressure from the professors, students' desperate resistance. Their skills inched upward ever so slightly. The students knew well how those tiny gains transformed them, so they accepted the guidance without complaint.
Ludenberg, too, avoided complacency, honing his fundamentals to the max. As Sione said, now was the time to consolidate what he had into unshakeable bedrock.
He repeated imperial swordsmanship basics. They were just efficient thrusts and slashes—but without mastering them, no complex technique unleashed its full power. Even the arts he learned in dreams and through Liberatus Ahad's body relied heavily on those basics.
A sword untrained in body and form was mere flailing.
He thrust once, sweat beading even on swings as he focused utterly, matching the professors' cues in steady rhythm.
One thought: Cleave what's before me.
Ludenberg strove to infuse his blade with conviction. He swung with unyielding belief that his sword would sever any obstacle in his path.
No omnipotence emerged yet from that infusion, but someday it would grace his steel. He harbored no delusions of instant results. Innumerable trials lay ahead—but they'd begin here, in these simple basics.
With that, Ludenberg steeled himself anew, pouring his soul into the sword.
Training ended; exhausted students collapsed in the training grounds. Ludenberg and Ashytara did the same.
He recalled Sione's words: Include others in your sight, gather experiences. Simple advice anyone could give—but no one had.
He'd ignored other students before; now he opened his senses, letting their voices reach him.
"Lud. What're you doing?"
"Nothing... just got some advice from Professor Sione."
"Professor? You called her sis till recently."
"This is school."
"Fair. What advice?"
"To widen my view. Not just charge ahead..."
Ashytara nodded at his words.
"Yeah... suits you perfectly."
"Have I been that oblivious to others?"
"...Yeah. You ignore everyone, focus only on your stuff."
"True."
"So look around more, Lud."
I wish you'd pay a little more attention to me, too.
Ashytara hid that thought. Voicing it risked ruining their bond. That fear kept barricading her from crossing the wall.
Why'd sis say that?
A petty grievance welled up, and she felt it.
A more aware Ludenberg would notice others' interest, maybe lower his guard. Time together would naturally dwindle as relations expanded.
But that wasn't what she wanted.
Still, she couldn't tell him to ignore others. Broadening bonds expanded the world. Her selfishness might stunt his growth—and stagnation meant halted progress.
What a contradiction.
She wanted him to advance, expand his world, achieve his desires. Yet his progress would inevitably cut their time short—and she craved monopoly.
Desire clashing with reluctance, Ashytara could only suffer inwardly.
"I'll try, but no clue if it'll work."
Oblivious to her turmoil, Ludenberg replied softly.
Their paths still seemed a ways apart.