Chapter 53
Chapter 53
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Northern Ellen
-----------------------------------------------------------------
She looked at Nameless with eyes full of pity.
"Tch, how did you end up with such tastes...?"
"...Master, I have no idea what you're thinking, but absolutely—"
"Enough, tch. To think my one and only disciple would turn out like this..."
All I could do in this situation was sigh.
No... common sense-wise.
Where on earth was he supposed to find a woman two handspans shorter than him?
What was so great about a woman that tiny...?
Traditionally speaking, shouldn't a woman have a kind heart and wide hips?
The reason Nameless had developed such tastes was, in my view, simply because he was still young.
Once he matured a bit, he'd surely regret ever voicing those preferences, pounding the ground in remorse.
As these thoughts dragged on.
Nameless must have noticed my expression souring in real time, because he put on a somewhat aggrieved look.
"No, Master... Surely there are women out there that height, right?"
"..."
Right, they probably existed.
I myself wasn't exactly tall, was I?
Wait.
Me?
My eyes widened for a moment, but I quickly shook my head vigorously.
No, I was off-limits.
After all, I'd shown Nameless every unsightly side of me by now, so it didn't make sense for him to see me as a woman.
...The age gap wasn't small, either.
And a disciple viewing their master romantically? That didn't make any sense at all.
"..."
It was just a fleeting thought, but the mere fact that it had crossed my mind filled me with self-loathing. I rubbed my heated cheeks.
Yeah... it couldn't be.
Something felt off, but I nodded firmly anyway.
Elia, who had spaced out for a moment, tilted her head after overhearing our conversation.
"...What on earth are you two talking about?"
Hmm, what were we talking about...?
How could I possibly say any of that to her face?
"Hmm, you don't need to know."
I shook my head with an awkward smile.
Elia eyed me suspiciously, but I just gazed out the window.
"..."
The conversation in the carriage fell silent in an instant.
Lucius seemed lost in deep thought with a serious expression, while Elia kept stealing glances at him.
Nameless, showing no interest in them—or perhaps needing time to process our earlier exchange—leaned his head against the carriage wall and closed his eyes.
...If things continued like this, we'd end up in the same awkward mess as yesterday.
Of course, I could force myself to sleep to escape the situation if I wanted.
But for some reason, leaning on Nameless's shoulder felt uncomfortable right now.
And traveling in this awkward atmosphere wasn't ideal either...
"Hmm."
I pursed my lips.
Spending hours with near-strangers without a word of conversation was more taxing than I'd imagined.
So, perhaps that's why.
I did something I would never normally do.
"Ahem, ahem."
I cleared my throat loudly, drawing everyone's attention in the carriage.
Tension mounting under their gazes, I locked eyes with Lucius.
"Lucius, didn't you say you had something to tell me?"
"...What do you mean, Master?"
"Lucius?"
For some reason, the responses came from everyone but him.
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Lucius, clearly caught off guard that I'd bring it up now, looked stunned for a moment before turning serious.
"Are you already prepared to hear me out?"
"...Master?"
Ah, right—I'd chased him off earlier, saying I wasn't in the mood.
But hey.
Better than the awkwardness, wasn't it?
Ever since that exchange, my chest had felt stuffy; I needed to vent somehow.
Of course, I didn't say that outright.
"No matter. I'm fine now. Besides, keeping secrets from Nameless feels wrong."
Presentation was key, after all.
After all the effort I'd put into building my image as a sky-high, utterly magnificent master in his eyes, I wasn't about to ruin it.
...Though I wasn't entirely sure that's how he saw me. He probably did.
Most likely.
Nameless murmured "Master..." softly upon hearing me and nodded.
Plan successful.
I barely suppressed a sigh of relief and met Lucius's eyes.
Understanding perfectly, Lucius nodded once and bowed deeply with an intensely serious gaze.
"Might you offer me a small lesson as well?"
"A lesson?"
Lucius nodded.
I hadn't misheard. A lesson, huh...
I glanced sideways at Nameless.
And sure enough.
Nameless's face, which had held a faint smile moments ago, was now twisted.
Hmm, honestly, I could understand how he felt.
If Nameless suddenly brought home some unknown woman and introduced her as his new master, I'd burst into tears on the spot.
This was the disciple I'd raised—how could someone just snatch him away?
Nameless was probably feeling something similar.
Hmm, I got it.
Plus, to him, I wasn't just a master—I was like a parent too. Right now, it must feel like someone was stealing his mother.
As my thoughts flowed naturally, one oddity struck me.
Mother? Hmm, better say father.
I nodded.
Sorting my thoughts briefly, I put on a somewhat firm expression to respond to Lucius.
"Sorry, but I have no intention of taking another disciple."
"Ah."
Lucius's eyes widened briefly before he gave an awkward smile.
"It seems I misspoke."
"Hmm."
"I meant, could you cross swords with me once?"
...He just wanted a spar?
Not to become a disciple?
I hadn't even considered giving him rice cakes, and here he was, drinking his own kimchi soup.
I pressed my forehead and let out a small sigh.
Well... it was a bit annoying, but with my body feeling stiff anyway, it wasn't like I couldn't manage a quick bout.
As I started to nod in agreement.
A sudden thought flashed through my mind.
...This could be a great chance for Nameless to gain some real experience.
Back in the slums, he'd fought real battles, but those opponents were obvious scrubs who couldn't even touch a hair on his head.
In fact, hadn't he crushed them effortlessly despite their numbers, thanks to the overwhelming skill gap?
Though he had gone a bit overboard...
Narrowing my eyes, I looked at Lucius.
Soon, the white energy swirling through his body came into view.
Hmm, this.
Sorry to Nameless, but...
Lucius was definitely a cut above him.
Maybe more than a cut.
Nameless might not even land a single blow this time.
I had no idea how he'd amassed that much energy at his age, but considering he was the Hero, it made some sense.
Tch, spoiled chosen one.
Anyway.
This was my failing as his master, to be sure.
Aside from me, Nameless had never sparred with anyone of higher realm.
If Lucius accepted my proposal, it could give Nameless valuable experience against a superior opponent.
In other words, a chance to make up for my shortcomings as a master.
The corners of my mouth lifted as I spoke.
"Fine, but—"
No matter how skilled, if he didn't go all out, the spar would be meaningless.
"Spar with my disciple, Nameless, first."
For Nameless's benefit, it was better if Lucius got serious.
Even if he suffered a crushing defeat and fell into despair, it'd fuel his growth—no issue there.
Growth came from shedding blood and sweat, after all.
Though in a consensual spar, blood was off the table.
"I need to gauge your level to adjust my own power, right?"
To coax Lucius into taking Nameless seriously, I deliberately smirked provocatively with one corner of my mouth.
In response, Lucius's brow furrowed menacingly.
"Um... why's the mood suddenly like this? It's just a spar, right...?"
Elia flinched at Lucius's changed aura and waved her arms, but...
Nameless stayed put as if my will was all that mattered, and Lucius nodded after eyeing him.
"If that's what Heaven Cleaver wishes... Understood."
"Good! Then we'll do it right after the carriage stops tonight!"
I sprang up from my seat, spreading my arms wide.
"Ah. We'll hold the spar after arriving in Ellen."
"Oh."
The carriage jolted hard, as if it had hit a large rock, and my body swayed.
...
A bone-chilling wind grazed my cheek, cold enough to sting.
Beyond the window stretched a snow-covered plain.
"Hmm, we've arrived."
We had reached the North, Ellen.