Rival (5)
Contrary to Seong Hyun-jin's thoughts, the audience wasn't filled solely with riffraff. Since most had initially been curious about who Elena Apocalipse was facing, even the renowned powerhouses among the second- and third-years were watching the duel intently. Among them were figures like Revion Begart, who had joined him at the exchange meet, as well as others who hadn't attended but were already acknowledged for their skills within the academy.
"That just now..."
Dominic, the perennial runner-up in the third-year swordsmanship department, couldn't hold back his astonishment. He had never once claimed the top spot in his department since enrolling—not even once—but he always shone in inter-departmental events like the martial arts festival or exchange meets, making him one of the top talents in his year. That was why he bore mocking nicknames like "Elena-less King," yet Dominic had never once neglected his sword. And that's precisely why he could tell.
How extraordinarily advanced the swordsmanship Seong Hyun-jin had just demonstrated was.
If it had been him, just like at last year's martial arts festival, he wouldn't have been able to block that serpentine blade and would have been pierced straight through by its fangs. Of course, since it was a spar, the opponent wouldn't have aimed to kill, so it wouldn't have been a fatal wound—but the fact remained that if he'd been in that position, he would have lost the duel outright. Even Dominic, who could unhesitatingly be called the greatest swordsman at Terastial Academy if not for Elena Apocalipse, felt that way... so what about that first-year?
"Insane..."
"W-what the hell was that...?"
The blade of a freshman who hadn't even completed a full semester had crushed that snake-like strike head-on, and the follow-up slash had grazed perilously close to Elena's shoulder.
"The training ground... got smashed...?"
As proof, a vivid sword mark scarred the arena floor. It had caved in and shattered, forming sharp crevices. Terastial Academy's training grounds boasted immense durability, personally overseen in design by Dean Eleonora herself. Considering that even Elena, who had once smashed Celestial Academy's arena in a fit of rage, couldn't damage it despite three years of rampaging, what had just happened defied common sense entirely.
"......"
Elena, who had faced that sword head-on, stared with eyes wide as saucers. If this hadn't been a spar but a duel to the death, that strike would have cleaved her body straight through without mercy—it was an undeniable truth. Yes, if it hadn't been a spar, she would have died. A sword she couldn't even dream of blocking.
"Wow......"
Yet far from trembling in fear, Elena's eyes sparkled with excitement as she let out a gasp of admiration.
Clang!
She dropped her sword to the ground and dashed toward Seong Hyun-jin with quick steps. Before he could tilt his head in confusion, Elena was already there, seizing his hand in hers.
"Junior, could you show me that move just one more time!?"
"...Pardon?"
Her expression and voice brimmed with such fervor that even Seong Hyun-jin was momentarily flustered.
"Please, just once more—pretty please~!"
The onlookers, of course, gasped in shock. Elena was famous not just for her strength but for her adorably lovely appearance, making her the object of admiration for countless academy students. She had suitors and fans aplenty. For such a girl to cling to a first-year—and Seong Hyun-jin at that, who had become the public enemy of the first- and second-year boys lately—was beyond belief.
'Even Senior Elena now?'
'Just die already.'
Seong Hyun-jin felt the stares from behind growing ever more piercing. But Elena paid them no mind. It wasn't an act; she was simply pleading from the heart. Sensing that, Seong Hyun-jin nodded and gently shook the hand she held, as if telling her to calm down.
"...Ah, sorry. I grabbed you without thinking."
Seeing his willingness to oblige, Elena composed herself a bit and released his hand. Seong Hyun-jin asked the now-slightly-calmer Elena,
"But why do you want to see it again?"
"Because I think I could pick up a hint from it."
"A hint?"
Elena nodded.
"I feel like it shows the direction my own swordsmanship should take next."
"But don't you use a style unrelated to iaijutsu? With that four-foot sword of yours..."
"It's not that I want to learn iaijutsu. It's just... in that transition from your draw to the slash, the movement of your arms and body—it feels like it could give me a hint."
Seong Hyun-jin's eyes widened at Elena's explanation. The fifth form of the Soul Severing Sword was one he himself rarely used before gaining this much experience. Of course, he understood it perfectly in theory, but that was because his insight into the sword surpassed even Karin's, as she herself acknowledged. Normally, it was hard to grasp the subtle differences after just one glance at Karin's sword. Those without deep understanding could only express awe.
But Elena was different. She hadn't grasped it all, but from a single viewing, she spoke as if she'd glimpsed fragments of it. That's why Seong Hyun-jin was stunned.
'...A genius.'
Not quite at the level of instant comprehension like his own, but a genius among geniuses nonetheless. Looking at her, Seong Hyun-jin felt a spark ignite within his heart. No one knew better than he what to call that emotion. It wasn't the feeling stirred by a pretty girl like Elena. This burning sensation came from beholding the swordswoman named Elena Apocalipse.
It was rivalry.
"...Senior."
"Yes."
"I'll show you. But in return, promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
For the first time ever—save for Karin—he had found someone who evoked the rivalry he had never felt toward anyone else. Knowing full well how powerful a driving force for growth rivalry could be, Seong Hyun-jin spoke to the one and only person who could summon it in him, almost like a plea.
"No matter what happens, never abandon your sword."
"......"
Elena blinked in slight surprise. Then she nodded.
"I would never. Not ever, Junior."
As she replied, Elena wore a faintly bitter smile, speaking softly.
"It's all I have."
Seong Hyun-jin showed Elena the technique once more, then guided Clarice through a practice duel before heading back to the dorms. Since Elena lived in the Terra Hall too, they walked back together.
"Thank you so much for today, Junior."
"No, I gained something from it too."
"Really? I wasn't sure if I could be of any help to you..."
"Gaining experience makes it helpful."
Elena smiled faintly, pleased by Seong Hyun-jin's response. She'd felt a bit guilty wondering if the help had been one-sided, but his words eased her mind.
Before they knew it, they had reached the front of Terra Hall amid their conversation.
"We're here."
"Guess I should head up and rest. I'm pretty beat."
"Want to sleep in tomorrow morning?"
"Nah, skipping the first day would feel off."
"Then I'll see you at 5 a.m., as planned."
"Sure."
They entered the lobby together.
"Welcome back, Seong Hyun-jin. Elena Apocalipse."
The maids working the Terra Hall lobby greeted them politely. Now accustomed to the initially awkward salutations, the two climbed the stairs.
"Rest well, Junior."
"You too, Senior."
With Elena on the top floor like Siela and Seong Hyun-jin on the second, they parted midway. After watching her ascend, Seong Hyun-jin walked down the hall toward his room at the corridor's end. To reach it, he had to pass someone else's room first.
Serena Eldark's.
Perhaps resting after the exchange meet, her door was firmly shut. He'd hoped to catch a glimpse after the duel, but it seemed unlikely. Guess I'll see her face tomorrow, he thought, moving past—
Creak.
The moment Seong Hyun-jin passed the door, it swung open right beside him. Startled by the sound, he turned—and froze.
Serena was glaring at him with furrowed brows.
"...You were laughing and chatting so merrily with Senior Elena on the way back. Having that much fun?"
"...Huh?"
Flustered at how she'd known, Seong Hyun-jin stared at her in bewilderment. In truth, Serena hadn't been sleeping in her room. She'd been watching from the window, waiting endlessly for him to return. What she saw was Seong Hyun-jin entering with Elena, all smiles and chatter.
Of course, nothing untoward had happened, but from the perspective of a girlfriend waiting for her boyfriend, it was bound to spark jealousy. Especially for Serena, whose possessiveness toward Seong Hyun-jin had been growing lately. To her, this was no trivial matter.
She eyed his halted, flustered hand—then reached out, yanking his forearm inside.
Creak, slam!
Serena's door shut a bit forcefully, and the corridor fell silent.