Chapter 44
Chapter 44
The following afternoon.
For some reason, all of us squires, including me, were taking a break despite it being a weekday.
There wasn't any grand reason behind it.
Bentley and I had both claimed things like being too tired to perform at our best, or having pulled a muscle during training.
The real purpose was to make sure we fought under optimal conditions, leaving no room for pathetic excuses after the duel.
The challenge had come completely out of nowhere.
But I had no intention of refusing it.
The reason was simple.
The moment I heard Bentley's message, I understood exactly what was happening.
It wasn't just Bentley, who wanted to become vice-captain.
I had been placed on Master's testing ground as well.
If this had been solely Bentley's personal decision, I would've ignored him outright.
I had no interest in the vice-captain position, and it would only make our relationship worse.
Bentley probably felt the same way.
He likely never wanted to cross swords with me in the first place. He'd simply said he wanted to be vice-captain and gotten dragged into this mess.
In any case, if Master was forcing the two of us together, then there was definitely a reason.
Whether a half-baked girl who couldn't even use aura deserved to continue aspiring to knighthood.
Whether an ambitious boy dreaming of becoming the future knight commander truly possessed the qualifications.
Those were things he wanted to verify.
No matter how much we struggled and clawed our way forward, we were still mere brats in Master's eyes.
And we couldn't forget that we were his disciples.
If Master told us to jump, we jumped.
What right did students have to question their teacher?
So both Bentley and I had something to prove.
Whether we were all talk or not.
Honestly, it was convenient.
I'd been wanting a chance to settle things with him anyway.
Master had simply handed us a valid excuse.
So immediately after lunch, I went looking for Bentley.
"Did you enjoy your meal?"
The target was waiting brazenly right outside the front gate.
The fool seemed eager to get beaten as soon as possible.
Watching him rush toward his own demise was almost amusing.
"...What are you doing here?"
"The outcome is obvious. There's no reason to waste time."
Oh really?
An obvious outcome?
Still talking big, huh?
Get a grip, Buzzy.
You're really going to die by my hands today.
...Wait.
Come to think of it...
I don't need to watch my mouth around this guy anymore, do I?
My already-limited patience had nearly run dry.
The only reason I'd avoided throwing punches was because I didn't want our relationship to deteriorate further.
But thanks to Master's order, that was unavoidable now.
If that's the case...
Then I could freely adopt a "screw you" attitude regardless of what he said.
...Good.
You're dead.
Really, truly dead.
I'm going to beat you senseless.
A grin spread across my face.
For some reason, my irritation transformed into excitement.
The thought that immediately consumed my mind was simple.
If I can't have it, I'll destroy it.
I flashed him a vicious smile.
"What is that unpleasant grin? Groveling won't save you."
He genuinely seemed convinced he was stronger than me.
But only for a little longer.
If you can't avoid it, enjoy it.
I'd already decided to beat him into the dirt with both my words and my sword.
Thinking back, I felt stupid for ever listening to Conrad's advice and trying to get along with him.
How many years had I wasted?
"You should be glad you haven't eaten lunch."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Because you're about to throw it all back up."
"Trying to act tough because you're afraid?"
"Whether it's bluffing or not, you'll find out soon enough."
I was actually starting to feel sorry for him.
This really did feel like I was preparing his funeral.
"Since I'm in a good mood, I'll even be generous."
This was probably the last kindness I'd ever show him.
"This big sister will at least carry your corpse back to the gate."
Taking him all the way to the dormitory seemed like too much effort.
"Big sister? What nonsense is a little brat like you talking about?"
"Who was it that got knocked flat by that little brat again?"
"The me from then and the me now are different. And you're still just an ordinary person who can't use aura."
"So now you're about to get knocked flat by a little brat who can't use aura?"
"...Enough. Even I have limits when it comes to slander."
"Enouff! Even I hab limits! Bleeeeh!"
"Yoooou little—!!!"
The veins bulging across his face were immensely satisfying.
Did he think fighting was the only thing I was good at?
Bentley.
You couldn't beat me with words either.
Did he think my past life as a trash-talker was for decoration?
I'd been holding back this whole time, damn it.
"Anyway, stop acting so high and mighty just because you're older..."
That was enough psychological warfare.
Time for the main event.
"Follow me to the rooftop."
"What's a rooftop?"
"...Follow me into the forest."
"Lead the way."
The moment the words left my mouth, Bentley picked up a wooden sword the size of a greatsword, while I grabbed my shorter wooden spear and practice sword.
Using wooden weapons for a duel was admittedly a little lame.
But we were still minors.
Especially me, considering I was three years younger than Bentley.
And Master had strictly forbidden us from sparring with real weapons before adulthood.
So this was only natural.
'Why is his practice sword so long? Is it because he's taller?'
The size difference caught my eye briefly.
'Whatever.'
Considering my trait, I didn't really see it as a disadvantage.
The weapon suited my height and was easier to handle.
His height and aura talent were simply his advantages.
His weapons.
'Even so... I just can't imagine losing.'
That confidence wasn't coming from my traits.
It came from accumulated experience.
There simply wasn't anyone left in Bellark who could handle me.
Master was the sole exception.
There was no point even discussing him.
He was overwhelmingly beyond comparison.
Excluding Master?
Conrad, Pan, and even Captain Dajef of the militia.
I'd already proven my superiority over all of them through sparring.
'Bentley is stronger than Conrad and Pan too, but...'
The trait I'd recently obtained was so absurdly powerful that losing felt nearly impossible unless I did something incredibly stupid.
Still, I wasn't underestimating him.
Bentley had grown dramatically stronger over the past year.
And it had been quite some time since we'd last crossed swords.
My information on him was outdated.
"..."
Two people walking through the forest.
Not a single word exchanged.
Though that wasn't particularly strange.
Outside of insults, we had no reason to speak to each other.
A rather tragic relationship.
'Hmm. We've spent years together, though.'
The fact that our friendship hadn't progressed at all was almost impressive.
<Bentley is only worried about you, Sera.>
...Maybe I needed to take my frustrations out on Conrad next.
The idiot was so dependable and sincere that I'd actually believed those words.
What a waste of time.
Nothing had come of it.
What was he going to do about all those wasted years, that giant oaf?
"Haah..."
Anyway, before today, I'd spent a lot of time seriously wondering if the problem was me.
But considering I got along with literally everyone except him...
Maybe Bentley was simply the problem.
Because of that, I'd decided to establish dominance through force.
If friendship wasn't possible, and if he insisted on getting on my nerves...
Then making him shut up was the next best option.
If I won, he'd probably stay quiet for a while.
And even if he tried running his mouth afterward?
I could simply dismiss him by reminding him I was stronger.
"Sera."
Hm?
Bentley suddenly stopped climbing.
We were still near the entrance of the forest.
There were too many trees to spar properly here.
"Why...?"
"Before we fight, I'd like you to promise me something."
What was with the sudden polite tone?
What's wrong, Buzzy?
Come back, Buzzy.
This version of you feels weird.
"What?"
"If you lose today, give up on becoming a knight."
...What?
What kind of nonsense was that?
Had he completely lost his mind?
Why would I do that?!
Just how much did this guy hate me?
He knew how hard I'd worked to become a squire.
What an unbelievable bastard.
"Why the hell would I do that?!"
"It's not without compensation. If you win, I'll give up the vice-captain position."
"Screw that!"
"I don't even want the vice-captain position!"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Joking or not, I don't want it, idiot!"
"...Your mouth seems much filthier than usual."
"That's what happens after spending years around you."
"What does that even mean...?"
"..."
We stared at each other for several seconds.
The exact same thought crossed both our minds.
What's wrong with this idiot?
"I'm serious. You're not suited to becoming a knight."
"And what exactly is your basis for that claim?"
His eyes slowly traveled up and down my body.
What the hell was he doing?
That was creepy.
"First, you're too cowardly and underhanded to be a knight."
"...Huh?"
"You fail to meet the fundamental standards of chivalry."
"Hold on. I don't consider myself particularly honest, but cowardly?"
"Are you sure? During sparring, when we're supposed to exchange one strike at a time, you often attack twice without warning."
"..."
"And when training becomes heated, you use those strange tricks. That air-blast attack of yours. I understand it's your personal technique, but why use something so unfair during sparring? What even is the mechanism behind it?"
"...C-Cough."
It was technically a misunderstanding.
But I couldn't really defend myself.
The double attacks happened because of my trait.
There was nothing I could do about it.
If I consciously reminded myself this was practice rather than combat, I could force myself to attack only once.
But the moment I lost focus, the second attack slipped out.
And then the shockwave followed.
A vicious cycle.
"Second, you're emotionally unstable and far too soft-hearted. Whenever we visit Master, you hold his hand until your palms are sweating. Every time you look at His Lordship, you suddenly become depressed. Whenever you see a stuffed animal, your body moves before your brain. Your emotional responses are completely unpredictable."
No, the reason I kept holding Master's hand was because I wanted to maximize the healing trait.
And the thing with Eden was related to old memories.
I couldn't exactly explain that.
And the stuffed animals were obviously because Anna still loved them.
How could he not see something so obvious?
"Third, you can't use aura. That point doesn't even need further discussion. But more importantly..."
His speech suddenly halted.
After staring at me for another moment, he awkwardly cleared his throat.
Now what?
"You're physically unsuited to being a knight."
"...Are you looking down on me because I'm a woman?"
"It's not that simple."
"Then what is it?"
"..."
His face suddenly turned red.
Was he angry?
Because I kept questioning him?
I was getting irritated too.
"Then spit it out already. It'll be dark soon."
"...You've noticed it yourself recently, haven't you?"
"Noticed what?"
"...That your chest and hips have become more prominent."
...Excuse me?
What?
My chest and hips?
"...At this rate, by the time you reach adulthood, it'll be hopeless."
"..."
"When you run, ride a horse, or swing a sword, those lumps of flesh will bounce endlessly. They'll constantly interfere with your duties as a knight. With a body becoming increasingly cumbersome, you won't even be able to dodge attacks properly!"
"..."
"And considering your figure, there probably won't even be armor that fits you. Custom-made armor would be impossible with the kingdom's current situation—!"
"..."
"They'll be bouncing all over the place! Neither allies nor enemies will know where to look! That visual chaos would disgrace the sacred battlefield itself! Ugh! The more I think about it, the more horrifying it becomes!"
"..."
I wasn't entirely sure what nonsense he was babbling about.
"...Pick up your sword, you lunatic."
For now, I decided that beating him half to death was the correct course of action.