Chapter 104
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Grand Duchess's Wish, The Princess's Date, The Knight's Gift (1)
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Approximately one month had passed since the briefing session. I'd thrown myself into swordsmanship training so intensely that I kept wondering if this was really okay.
Every week, I gave up my day off to train with Shabel, and after classes, I'd ask those participating in the friendly matches to spar with me.
In the meantime, I inevitably had to neglect the club, which led to another secret friend of mine, Erje, voicing her complaints...
"If you lose in the first round after all this, I really won't let it slide. You've left me hanging like this, so you better bring back some good results."
In the end, she flashed a smile and cheered me on. Not only that, but Evan and Ivi did the same, which gave me all the more motivation.
Now, what had our Northern Grand Duchess Elena been up to during that time? Surprisingly, she'd been completely devoted to practicing her magic.
"Luke, you don't need to come check on me for a while."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Of course I will. You're busy with your sword training too, aren't you?"
"Then at least let me drop by on your day off for a bit. I'll bring some things to help you recover from the fatigue."
Whenever our training sessions ended and we crossed paths, Elena looked utterly drained, like all her energy had been sapped away.
That meant she'd depleted most of her mana reserves, a clear sign of how passionately she was throwing herself into her training.
'She's not the type to obsess over results, though...'
What on earth had come over her to make Elena train this hard?
The question nagged at me, but I decided not to dwell on it too much. If she was putting in the effort, all I had to do was support her.
And so time passed, until now—right on the eve of the friendly matches.
Shabel withdrew the training wooden sword from around my neck and said,
"Let's call it here for today."
Shabel's breathing was quite ragged. Every time she inhaled, her shoulders and chest rose, only to sink back down with each exhale.
I, on the other hand, the one who'd been facing her, was sprawled on the ground, unable to move a muscle.
I'd thought I'd grown stronger over the past month, but I was still no match for her.
Gathering every ounce of strength, I pushed myself up and bowed my head to her.
"Thank you for the guidance."
"No need to thank me. It's only natural for a master to teach her disciple."
"Even so, thank you."
"You really are..."
Shabel shook her head as if exasperated. But a faint smile played on her lips, so she didn't seem upset at all.
"That said, you've gotten really strong in just a month. I don't know who your opponent is, but you should have no trouble winning the first round."
"I'd be thrilled if that happens..."
"Have some confidence. This might be a bit embarrassing to say, but you're my prized disciple."
"You're too kind."
Praise always felt unfamiliar to me, regardless of how good it made me feel, and my face burned for no reason.
Even Shabel, who'd given the praise, awkwardly scratched her head.
Soon enough, she reverted to her usual demeanor and spoke up.
"I meant to mention this earlier, but there's no need to be so formal. We're master and disciple, sure, but I don't want things to feel stiff between us."
"Got it, Shabel."
"N-not so suddenly like that...!"
Shabel flustered about before covering her face with both hands. Her ears, which she couldn't quite hide, had turned a peculiar shade of red.
She'd definitely said any form of address was fine back then...
I had no idea what had changed since, but it seemed best to avoid calling her by name for a while. No point making things awkward between us.
Once she'd calmed her emotions, she let out a long sigh and said,
"If you get good results in this friendly match, I'll treat you to a meal."
"I'll do my best."
"Yes, please do."
It looked like I had one more reason to give it my all in this friendly match.
Time flew by, and before I knew it, the day of the friendly matches had arrived.
I woke up in the morning and, as usual, left the dorm to do my physical training.
The person who greeted me was, predictably, Ivi. Spotting me, she came over with wide eyes.
"Luke, isn't today the friendly matches? Or am I mistaken about something?"
"No, it's today."
"Then shouldn't you take it easy for the day...?"
"I thought about that, but moving like normal felt better."
"Really? Well, if that's what you think..."
Ivi said that, but her face was still full of worry.
Grateful for her concern, I lightly patted her head in response.
"I'm really fine. I'm just loosening up a bit anyway."
"Okay. I won't worry then."
After that, I started running along the outskirts of the academy grounds with her.
Sticking to my usual routine seemed to ease the tension about the friendly matches a little.
Then, when we reached a quiet garden that few people frequented,
Ivi suddenly grabbed the hem of my clothes.
"Luke, hold on a sec."
"Yeah? What's up?"
It wasn't just fatigue. We hadn't even run half the usual distance, and Ivi normally wouldn't tire out until the end.
Without answering my unspoken question, she grabbed my wrist and led me onward.
We ended up deep in the garden. Unless someone deliberately poked around, no one would notice this spot.
I asked cautiously,
"Ivi, what's going on?"
"Well, you know how in my region, there's this tradition...?"
Ivi said as she pulled something from her pocket.
It was a handkerchief. It didn't look fancy or expensive, but its neat design appealed to me.
For some reason, she held it out to me.
"It's a tradition where family or friends personally knit a handkerchief for a knight heading into battle. To wish them good luck."
"Wait, did you knit this yourself?"
Ivi nodded slowly. Tension filled her face, tinged with red.
I took the handkerchief from her. In one corner of the navy fabric, "Luke" was embroidered in gold thread.
"You're not actually going off to war, of course, but it's still an important day, right? I wanted it to give you even a little strength..."
"Thank you, Ivi. Really."
She's a student at the academy now, but she used to be the daughter of an earl's family. She probably never even sewn anything by hand before, let alone knit a handkerchief.
The fact that she'd learned how to do it just for me—and even added embroidery—left me nothing but grateful.
That aside, one thing still puzzled me: why come all the way deep into the garden?
If it was just to hand over the handkerchief, there was no need for such seclusion. Especially if it was meant for family or friends, as she said.
I got my answer to that question right after.
"L-Luke, do your best...!"
Ivi suddenly hugged me. Her slender arms wrapped softly around my waist, while two soft mounds pressed against me.
This wasn't something you'd do with just a friend. Especially not in a conservative world like this one.
And this was Ivi, who'd always hated even being touched by Yubel. There had to be some meaning behind this action.
Unfortunately, I couldn't respond properly to it. More accurately, I didn't have the time.
Ivi quickly pulled away and stepped back. It was the swift movement of a Knight Department student. If that hug had been a surprise attack, I'd be dead for sure.
Unable to meet my eyes, she stared at the ground and said,
"S-S-Sorry. That must've been startling..."
"No, uh, it's fine..."
"R-Really? Good, that's a relief. I just wanted to cheer you on..."
"Like I said, thank you so much."
"Then I'll go ahead and keep running...!"
Ivi fled the garden like she was escaping.
I stared blankly at her retreating figure before shifting my gaze to the handkerchief in my hand.
What could I even say? My emotions refused to settle. Still, thanks to her, I wasn't as worried about the friendly matches anymore.
'I hope I don't run into Erje today...'
At the very least, this thought wasn't leaving my head for the rest of the day.
Regrettably, my wish didn't come true, as expected.
On my way to the training grounds after finishing preparations for the friendly matches, I bumped into Erje.
"Ah-, even Lady Ivi went for a bold move. I never thought she'd cut in line ahead of Lady Elena."
"I'm not sure 'cutting in line' is the right way to put it..."
"If I say it is, then it is. Or are you saying I'm wrong?"
"No, Your Highness is always right."
Erje's brows furrowed unusually, so I had no choice but to back down. Our secret friend relationship was one thing, but her authority was too overwhelming to push back.
Just before we reached the training grounds, Erje suddenly stopped me.
"In that case, I should put something on the line too."
"Just your support is more than I deserve, Your Highness."
"That might be enough for you, but not for me."
Then it's not really cheer for me, is it...?
The thought crossed my mind at that moment.
"If you take first place, we'll go on a date. You can do whatever you want that day."
No one could argue it wasn't an outrageous proposal. A full day with the princess—and on my terms, no less.
Honestly, it didn't appeal to me much...
But what were the odds of me actually winning first? No real reason to refuse...
"I'll change the condition to winning the first round."
"...Understood."
It seemed Her Highness the Princess was quite eager for a date with me.