Experiment (1)
"We'll handle cleaning up the scene. You've worked hard."
Gazel Bishadel, who arrived right after, paused in surprise only briefly before summoning his subordinates to escort the detained illegal entrants away and recover the body of the senior knight Godin Hazard.
Likewise, Ciela Teraport, Yeonhui, and Clarice Levatein—who had arrived with him—couldn't hide their astonishment at the scene Seong Hyun-jin had already tidied up.
"All by yourself…."
Clarice was especially stunned. Having lived in the duchy for so long, she knew full well how tricky drake hunts could be. She stared at the cleanly severed cross-section of the drake's neck, then turned to Seong Hyun-jin.
"A technique truly worthy of the Sword Star's disciple. Impressive."
"My master's swordsmanship is something else, yeah."
Seong Hyun-jin had no qualms accepting praise about the sword. To him, complimenting the blade was the same as complimenting Karin's art—not himself. Naturally, Clarice had meant the compliment for him personally.
"Thank you, Seong Hyun-jin."
"What brought that on?"
"You handled work that needed doing in the duchy in our stead. It's only right to express my gratitude."
"Ah."
Seong Hyun-jin waved it off.
"Just got lucky stumbling into it. No big deal."
"Even if my father were here, he'd offer his thanks."
"Just take it this time, junior."
With even Ciela chiming in, Seong Hyun-jin scratched his cheek awkwardly and nodded.
"Still, taking down a senior knight that easily? You're the real deal. So it was true you handled Instructor Willis Graham solo before?"
"Yeah, you weren't around for that one."
"Right, but hey."
Ciela strode right up to Seong Hyun-jin. Yeonhui, watching, furrowed her brow slightly, but Ciela pressed on.
"You overdid it with the spirits again, right? You okay?"
Serena, reminded of something she'd momentarily forgotten, widened her eyes. The reason Seong Hyun-jin had moved into the dorms at Teraport Hall—and why she'd switched to the room next door—was his spirits. Every time he drew on their power, he'd lose vitality and end up wheezing.
"You're not okay but pushing through?"
"Huh? Nah, I'm good now."
"What?"
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head.
"Dunno why, but it doesn't feel draining anymore."
This wasn't him downplaying it to reassure them. Ciela could tell he wasn't just pretending to be fine.
"…When did that start?"
"Back when I saved Clarice's second brother."
"So… since coming to the northern Levatein Duchy?"
"Pretty much?"
Seong Hyun-jin tilted his head.
"Something about the land here?"
Hearing this, Ciela pondered deeply to herself. After a moment, she spoke quietly.
"…Junior Hyun-jin, let's test it out."
"Huh? Test what?"
"There has to be a reason you suddenly got better. Figuring it out will help us find ways for you to handle spirit power more safely going forward."
Seong Hyun-jin got it and nodded.
"What do we test?"
"Whether it's really something about this area making you okay, or…."
Ciela spotted a common thread in the two battles where Seong Hyun-jin had fought alongside her: both inside the duchy, against beasts of different kinds but beasts nonetheless.
"…whether beasts are easing your side effects."
So it was either the region's influence or the beasts'. Assuming his spirit had suddenly stopped draining his vitality was too optimistic; the prior two factors were the likeliest suspects.
"…Beasts easing my side effects?"
"More precisely, maybe they absorbed mana instead of vitality—we can speculate that much. Of course, it might be neither. Could be something else entirely… but those two seem most plausible right now."
Ciela continued.
"So if you use spirit power somewhere without beasts around, we can narrow it down for sure."
"Ah, gotcha."
Clarice turned to Gazel.
"In that case, Sir Gazel, please head back first. We know the way, so no need to worry."
"Impossible. I've orders from the duke to protect you all."
"But don't you need to dismantle the drake and escort the intruders? The one in charge should oversee it."
"I'll leave that to my adjutant. Send the troops back, but I stay with you."
"You sure that's fine? Not leading your men personally…."
"My adjutant is reliable."
Faced with Gazel's firm stance, Clarice shot Seong Hyun-jin a helpless look.
"Doesn't matter to me. If Sir Gazel prefers it that way."
"Very well, then."
#
Seong Hyun-jin and the group left the ravine for an open area. Confirming no beasts nearby, Ciela spoke.
"Should be good here, Junior Hyun-jin."
"Got it."
"Push it to where you'd normally feel the strain. That's the only way to know for sure."
Seong Hyun-jin asked,
"But if I collapse, who's carrying me?"
"I'll…."
"I can carry him."
Serena cut in sharply before Ciela could finish, slipping between her and Seong Hyun-jin to block any clinging. Ciela gave an awkward smile, unable to refute, and conceded.
"…Yeah, Junior Serena can. Or Sir Gazel here."
"Better than a lady carrying—I'd piggyback him."
Gazel nodded agreeably, but Seong Hyun-jin shook his head and whispered to him.
"I'd rather get carried by someone pretty if I can."
Gazel stared blankly at the cheeky honesty, then sighed.
"…Do as you like."
"Thanks."
Gazel mentally revised his assessment of Seong Hyun-jin: …Surprisingly partial to women. Strong and humble, but now with a line about chasing skirts.
"Then, shall I manifest at full power?"
"That'd confirm it. But don't go so far you wreck yourself. You said even normal use leaves you drained, so aim for that level."
"Okay."
Dark energy rippled and gathered around Seong Hyun-jin's sword.
"Spirit Manifestation."
A diminutive spirit clad in black armor materialized beside him.
"Now, fire it that way."
"Yes."
Seong Hyun-jin gripped his sword and assumed stance. Nothing lay ahead, yet his form was more solemn than ever. Clarice watched, inwardly impressed, lips curving faintly.
…You really are the Sword Star's disciple.
Lighthearted at times, but his approach to the blade was gravely serious. As a fellow swordswoman, she felt it keenly.
Gazel shared the sentiment. This young man's sword felt honed by decades of training, despite his boyish face.
…Makes me want to show him mine.
And learn from him in turn.
Even knowing he's barely in his twenties.
Spirit Exorcism Sword, Third Form.
⟨ Heavenly Evil Slaughter ⟩
Seong Hyun-jin stepped forward and swung.
KWAAAAAAAAANG!!!
The chaos-infused strike cleaved the snowfield. Like a prophet parting waves, the piled snow split precisely to either side, carving a path.
The others were mildly impressed, but Clarice and Gazel felt something deeper: awe.
The technique's perfection was unreal. Such power from minimal motion and force—it beggared belief.
If we could recruit him to the Levatein family….
Back at the academy, I need to learn his sword ASAP….
As the two swordsmen mulled their thoughts, Seong Hyun-jin frowned. His vitality ebbed as payment for the spirit's power, strength fleeing his limbs. He staggered slightly.
Serena and Ciela gasped.
"Junior…!"
"You okay!?"
As they rushed to support him, someone beat them to it—darting in with nimble familiarity to slip under his arm and steady his shoulder. Yeonhui.
While Serena and Ciela reeled in surprise, Yeonhui naturally checked on him.
"Are you alright, Junior?"
"Ugh… feeling rough."
Seeing his eyes droop, Yeonhui said,
"Rest easy, Junior. When you wake, you'll be in a warm bed."
"……."
Whether truly spent or not, Seong Hyun-jin nodded quietly and closed his eyes. Yeonhui effortlessly hoisted his now-heavy frame and spun around.
"Junior needs rest. Let's head back."
"…I can carry him, Senior Yeonhui."
Serena, recovering, spoke sharply at Yeonhui's brazen move—ready to argue if needed. She had no intention of yielding Seong Hyun-jin.
But Yeonhui smiled softly, as if acknowledging Serena's claim.
"Want to?"
"…Pardon?"
"Sorry, he looked about to collapse, so I moved first."
Yeonhui apologized upfront and handed him over. Serena took the genuinely exhausted Seong Hyun-jin, glancing at her in confusion. Yeonhui returned to her spot without a hint of regret.
To Serena, it felt all too contrived. Bewildered, she wondered inwardly,
What on earth is she scheming…?