Chapter 102
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: The Lady Has No Intention of Letting Go of Her Servant. (3)
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I stood in the silence, gripping the broken training wooden sword.
Clearing my head and heart, I focused inward, and soon a faint flow of power began to stir.
That power gradually grew stronger, like an air bubble rising from deep water, expanding as it neared the surface.
It wasn't a difficult process. I'd used aura plenty of times before. During the break, it had become a daily routine.
Eventually, the aura fully surfaced, sharpening all my senses.
'The real challenge starts now...'
Shabel's homework was to shape the aura. The broken wooden sword was merely a medium for it—nothing particularly important.
It might sound simple, but unfortunately, it wasn't easy at all. That's why Shabel hadn't held out much hope.
If I had to describe it, it felt like arbitrarily manipulating the blood in my body.
Hoo—.
I exhaled slowly and began controlling the aura. The energy softly enveloping my body started to shift, gathering toward the hand holding the sword.
Something I couldn't have done back in the first semester. At that time, I could only summon aura and swing it around wildly—I had no control over it.
With a bit more focus in that state, the aura began filling the broken part of the sword. What had been like gooey jelly soon took on a convincing sword shape.
The only thing moving the aura was the user's strong will. I wanted a sword that could cut through anything, and the aura obliged.
Drip—, drip—.
Even this short time had been grueling. Sweat beaded at my chin and fell to the floor.
It was a moment when I truly admired how casually Shabel performed such feats.
That was when it happened.
"That should do it."
As Shabel's voice rang out, I dispersed the aura. The energy filling the sword's missing part naturally vanished.
Snapping back to reality, I looked at her. She greeted me with a pleased smile.
"Honestly, I'm surprised. I didn't think you'd actually succeed."
"Just got lucky."
"If luck could make that happen, every knight in the world would be on par with a Sword Saint. It's all thanks to your hard work, Luke."
"You're too kind."
Looking back, it definitely wasn't something I could chalk up to luck. The first few days, the aura wouldn't even budge. After that, directing it from my body into the sword was a huge hurdle.
In the process, I'd reviewed Shabel's lessons countless times...
"At this rate, you might catch up to me soon."
"You're joking, Professor."
"Well, not soon, but someday, I hope you surpass me. Nothing makes a teacher happier than a successful student."
"When that day comes, I'll shamelessly trade on your name."
"...Is that supposed to be good?"
Shabel and I burst out laughing at the same time.
Due to her role as a Swordsmanship Department professor, she spent most of her time with a stern expression, but right now, she was just like any other woman.
As the laughter died down, Shabel spoke.
"By the way, the inter-academy friendly match isn't far off. They'll probably gather the participants soon for an briefing session."
"I see."
"No need to tense up too much. It's just a briefing, and a chance to get acquainted with the others."
"Got it."
The participants in the friendly match were the top two from each grade. I'd heard rumors about them, but never met any in person.
'Please don't let there be any troublemakers...'
Knight types usually had strong pride. Or, put another way, immense confidence in their swords.
That confidence manifested as skill, so it wasn't entirely negative. Just a bit annoying at times.
"Then I'll head out."
"Sure, see you in class later."
I bowed slightly and left Shabel's office.
Time passed, and the sun had dipped a bit past midday.
The group physical training under Shabel's supervision ended, followed by free training.
Evie wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel and said,
"Luke, want to spar with me if you're free?"
She'd mentioned her skills had improved a lot lately. No reason to refuse, and as her sort-of mentor, I was looking forward to her growth.
I was just about to reply when—
"Luke, you busy?"
I turned at the sudden voice. Yubel Lutwalt stood there, holding a training wooden sword.
"I was planning to spar with Evie right now..."
"Oh? Guess I can't then."
Yubel slumped his shoulders in disappointment. From the looks of it, he'd come to challenge me.
I felt a little bad, but first come, first served. If only he'd come a bit earlier.
Who could've guessed? The firstcomer would yield so readily. At least, I hadn't.
Evie smiled and said,
"Yubel, go ahead first. I can go next."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, plenty of days ahead."
"Evie...!"
Yubel beamed and reached for Evie's hand.
He meant it as thanks, but it didn't go well. Evie flinched and pulled back. It seemed reflexive, not intentional.
An awkward silence followed, until Evie scratched her head sheepishly and said,
"...I'm a lady too, you know."
"R-right. Sorry."
"It's fine."
I sighed, watching the scene, and patted Yubel's shoulder.
"Let's get to sparring."
Staying like this would just make it more awkward. Better to move quickly.
Yubel must've thought the same. He bowed to Evie again and followed me.
Soon, we faced off in a corner of the training grounds, both holding wooden swords.
'He avoided spars before break...'
What wind had blown him here on the first day back?
Well, I'd find out soon enough.
With that thought, I bowed. A courtesy before the match.
The greetings ended, and the spar began without a signal.
Yubel kicked off the ground and charged.
'Fast...!'
Faster than the Yubel I knew. His strikes sharper too. Made me wonder what he'd been up to over break. Illegal drugs or something?
Of course, I hadn't been slacking either, so I held my own.
Clack—! Clack-clack—!
The wooden swords clashed with dull thuds.
My eyes darted to read his movements, my brain analyzed the visuals, and my body acted on the analysis.
After several exchanges—
"Urk..."
My kick landed in Yubel's side, forcing him back.
Back when he entered the Academy, he'd hated being top rank, wanted to drop it ASAP.
Why? Now, that thought was gone. No, I wanted to grow even stronger.
Doesn't that draw attention?
Hanging with Elena guarantees it anyway. Being secret friends with Erze too.
Hoo—.
Yubel exhaled and reset his stance. Something rippled around him—aura, no doubt.
As the next Sword Saint in the original story, Yubel using aura was natural. Maybe even a bit late.
But I could use it too.
Matching him, I slowly summoned my aura. The faint power within amplified, wrapping my body.
One more clash. That would decide it.
Yubel and I lunged simultaneously.
Aura-boosted power propelled us forward.
What followed was simple: swing the sword.
But that action embodied everything for a sword wielder.
Crack—.
My sword shattered Yubel's. It hovered at his throat.
Silence hung for a moment, then Yubel raised both hands and nodded.
"I lost."
I withdrew immediately and bowed as usual.
Only then did applause erupt. I'd been too focused to notice, but everyone had been watching.
As the cheers faded, Evie approached with a towel.
"My urge to spar you just vanished..."
"Really? I think you're pretty strong yourself."
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
Evie grinned playfully, grabbed my hand, and draped the towel over it.
Wasn't she all 'I'm a lady, no hand-holding' earlier...?
Eh, no need to overthink it.
A few days later.
At Shabel's summons, Yubel and I headed to the Swordsmanship Department training grounds.
The reason? Obvious—the inter-academy friendly match briefing.
We arrived to find others already waiting.
But the vibe was intense. The top two from each grade exuded a different aura altogether.
Did that mean we couldn't win?
Not really, but...