Chapter 64
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Scarlett's Sparring Request
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Abel was surprised by Scarlett's sudden appearance but answered calmly.
"Yes. I returned safely."
"I heard you were seriously injured."
"I'm fully recovered now."
Scarlett nodded at his words.
"I see. That's a relief. Care to talk for a bit?"
"Certainly."
The place they arrived at following Scarlett was the same building near the dormitory where they'd spoken before.
Scarlett got straight to the point as soon as she sat down.
"The rumors are flying."
"Rumors?"
"Yeah. That you took down a Gigadeus?"
"I didn't take it down."
"That's as good as taking it down. For a first-year cadet to drive one to the brink of death is impressive enough."
Abel gave an awkward smile at her words.
From the way she spoke, it was clear Scarlett knew the details of what had happened.
She was just exaggerating it for effect.
With a mischievous expression, Scarlett continued.
"Apparently, every time the instructors get together lately, that's all they talk about."
"I see..."
"Haha. Getting attention for something positive like that is a good thing, so don't feel too burdened. Alright, enough teasing."
Scarlett let out a hearty laugh and leaned forward slightly.
"Got any plans this weekend?"
"Nothing in particular."
His schedule was just the usual studying and training.
He did have training sessions with Hena and Iolin, but those could be rescheduled easily enough.
"Then, could you make some time?"
"Of course."
Abel answered without hesitation.
Scarlett was his biggest patron.
It went without saying, but patronage wasn't free.
Pouring kindness on someone with exceptional talent without any ulterior motives?
Almost no one who said things like that was genuine.
'Besides, Scarlett isn't the type to make unreasonable demands.'
Abel thought as much while waiting for her to continue.
"It's nothing major. We have a guest coming this weekend, and I'd like you to spar with them."
"Spar... with them?"
Abel blinked in momentary confusion, and Scarlett grinned playfully.
"Yeah. Spar. A proper one, too."
Hearing that teasing tone and expression snapped him out of it.
"Bare-handed? Or in Gigants?"
"Tch. No fun."
Scarlett clicked her tongue at Abel's deadpan response, looking disappointed she couldn't tease him more.
"In Gigants, obviously. The visitor's from the Alliance Kingdom."
"Alliance Kingdom... I see."
It wasn't all that surprising.
The Alliance Kingdom had its own rider training system, but they occasionally exchanged visits to improve their skills.
The Klein family actively exchanged with the Alliance Kingdom, too.
It went without saying, but the entire Alliance Kingdom wasn't some den of evil.
Reality wasn't a binary split of good and evil.
Scarlett explained in more detail.
"We regularly exchange with one family in particular, and this time they're sending their heir. We were planning to have one of the knights spar, but..."
Scarlett crossed her arms and continued.
"The weight classes don't quite match. They're the same age as you."
"Understood."
Rather than probing for more details, Abel gave a simple reply.
He could roughly guess the omitted info without asking.
'It won't be an ordinary opponent.'
The Alliance Kingdom lacked a central academy like the Empire's and trained within their own families.
Their average level and numbers couldn't compare to the Empire's, but every group had its standouts.
'In the game, there were quite a few important characters from the Alliance Kingdom, too.'
He couldn't say for sure if this opponent was one of them.
"I'll send a carriage Saturday morning. You should be back by Monday morning at the latest."
"Yes, understood."
Skipping just one day of training would cover it.
There had been a recent restriction on leaving campus, but Scarlett would handle that.
"I'll be looking forward to it. Of course, there'll be appropriate rewards depending on the outcome. You know that, right?"
"Naturally."
Abel smiled at Scarlett's motivational words.
"Alright, let's get going."
With that, Scarlett rose from her seat.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
Abel arrived at the spot where carriages waited for outbound trips, right on schedule, and looked around.
'It’s quiet.'
Probably due to the outing restrictions, there were fewer carriages, and it was much emptier than usual.
That made it easy for him to spot his ride.
"Long time no see."
As he approached, a knight with a red hawk brooch on his collar greeted him.
"Yes. Long time no see, Sir Dillon."
It was none other than Dillon.
He was the knight who had first brought Abel to the family estate and accompanied him for academy registration.
"Please, board."
"Thank you."
Abel gave a slight bow and climbed in. Soon after, the carriage set off.
"I've heard the news. Seems like you're settling in well at the academy."
As the carriage left academy grounds, Dillon spoke up.
"Thanks to the countess's grace, I'm doing my utmost with the opportunity she's given me."
"Our lord is quite pleased. She even talks about you often."
"Really?"
"Yes."
It didn't sound like empty flattery.
Dillon wasn't one for lies, and his attitude toward Abel was noticeably more respectful than before.
'I must be earning some recognition.'
Before, it had felt like mere formality, but now there was genuine respect.
That suggested Scarlett really had spoken positively about him.
Rather than dwell on self-praise, Abel cautiously changed the subject.
"By the way, do you know anything about the guests arriving this time?"
"Ah, you haven't been briefed?"
It wasn't a secret, apparently, as Dillon answered readily.
"They're from the Blaine Count family. We've exchanged for a long time."
"Blaine Count family... I see."
"You know of them?"
"I've heard the name. A renowned martial house famous for spear techniques."
"Exactly. Blaine spearsmanship is top-tier, even in the Empire."
Abel nodded along while quickly racking his brain.
'Blaine Count family.'
Not a name he'd never heard of. It was mentioned in the game.
But he didn't know them well.
By the time the game's stage expanded beyond the academy, they were already half-ruined.
'It was right when they clashed hard with the Alliance Kingdom.'
Tied to an unfortunate incident, the family head executed, knights disbanded—not even counts anymore.
So while he knew the head, not the heir.
'The most famous was actually a knight from the Blaine family.'
The knight who guarded the fallen house to the end.
His backstory alone made him popular with players.
His specs were top-notch, too.
The family itself barely got screentime beyond that.
'Not something I can say aloud.'
Obviously, he couldn't voice that.
Abel sorted his thoughts and focused on the conversation.
"So you've been holding these exchange matches regularly?"
"Yes. Usually it was our knights facing off, but the heir's young, so this is my first time seeing them in person."
That made sense, since they were his age.
Abel asked various questions after that, and Dillon answered sincerely.
By the time the carriage stopped, Abel had a rough idea of the event.
It started as a friendly gathering but grew competitive, now pitting top knights against each other.
They even kept records of the outcomes.
'A friendly event, but with some pride on the line.'
This exchange was a chance to score points not just with Scarlett, but the knights too.
'Even without rewards, I need to secure a win somehow.'
Abel knew full well the value of connections.
"Here we are."
"Yes."
Once stopped, Abel followed Dillon out.
They were right at the estate entrance, where a familiar face greeted him.
Bright blonde hair, modest features—a woman.
"Hello."
It was Marygold, the maid assigned to him during his previous stay.
"Ah, yes. Long time no see."
"Yes."
Marygold bowed slightly and gestured inside.
"I'll show you to your room."
"Thank you."
Abel replied and glanced at Dillon, who gave a polite bow and left.
Thus, Abel followed Marygold into the estate.
As expected, the place hadn't changed much from his last visit.
The only difference was the atmosphere.
'It feels a bit tense.'
With important guests arriving, the passing servants looked a tad stiff.
Everyone seemed in a hurry.
"When will the guests arrive?"
"They're expected in the afternoon."
"Afternoon..."
Still morning, so plenty of time.
Soon, they reached the door of the room he'd used before.
"If you need anything, just let me know."
"Understood."
Abel replied simply and entered.
The room was spotlessly tidy.
Even unused, it was well-maintained.
First, he hung his coat and began loosening up.
They'd give time to warm up before sparring, but better safe.
"Hup."
By the time he'd stretched thoroughly, it was lunchtime. Servants brought food.
Time passed again, and by three o'clock.
'They're here.'
Standing by the window, Abel watched carriages pull in one after another.
They stopped in front of the estate, and people disembarked.
Most were armored knights, but one stood out with an unusual build.
A woman with short hair falling just shy of her shoulders.