Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Woman Dreaming of Knighthood (3)
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I ran along the outskirts of the academy grounds as usual.
Of course, Evi was right beside me. She said nothing, just silently pumping her legs.
The only sounds piercing the early morning air were the friction of my feet hitting the ground and my steady breathing.
Eventually, after circling the academy once, we returned to the front of the dormitory.
That was when Evi's tightly shut lips finally parted.
"Luke, can we talk for a minute?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"First off, I'm sorry. I was actually awake yesterday. I heard everything you and Brother Walter said. I knew I should open my eyes, but it wasn't as easy as it sounds. I'm really sorry..."
"No need to apologize."
"But..."
"I'm serious. You didn't do anything wrong."
Evi hadn't done anything wrong. She was just feeling responsible for the situation.
I could fully understand why she couldn't open her eyes. The atmosphere back then had been intensely serious.
If someone could open their eyes in a situation like that, they'd be remarkable.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
"No, there's more. Thanks for everything you said yesterday. I don't know if it was true or not."
"I'm not bold enough to lie to someone from an earl's family."
"I see. You really mean it about me..."
A faint smile spread across Evi's lips.
Her words and actions were perfect for misunderstanding. She looked just like a girl who'd received a confession.
It would be better if she just finished what she started saying...
That was when Evi stepped toward me. Her brown eyes reflected my image.
"Luke, I'll talk to Brother Walter somehow. I can't keep burdening you like this."
In short, Evi was saying she'd step in herself to call off the duel.
I doubted Walter would accept that offer easily...
But who knows. Blood is thicker than water, after all.
Honestly, it wasn't a bad proposal for me either. My goal was always to stay under the radar.
But if I'd been thinking that way from the start, I wouldn't have stirred things up.
"No, that's not necessary. We're doing the duel."
"W-Why?!"
"He said you'd never achieve your dream. I need to show him that's wrong."
Of course, that was just the surface reason. The real one was different.
'Thinks he's something just because he got a medal...?'
It was blatant mockery, no need to parse the intent. If that didn't bother me, I'd be a saint, not a person.
Hell, even a monk might grab his wooden fish and charge. That's how unacceptable it was.
And from a guy without a single medal on his chest? I couldn't forgive it.
I didn't know how great his swordsmanship was, but I needed to land at least one solid hit to feel better.
Medals aren't won with rock-paper-scissors.
"Brother Walter's one of the top five in the second years... You sure about this?"
He'd confidently challenged me, so he must have that level of skill.
Whatever, it worked in my favor anyway.
"Doesn't matter."
Even a cornered rat bites a cat. No way I'd fail to land one hit.
* * * *
"So, you're dueling Walter Douglas?"
"Yes."
I reported yesterday's events to Shavel. As her disciple, it felt right, and it was to prevent any inter-year issues beforehand.
"I'll inform the professor in charge of second years ahead of time, but if you want to back out, say so now. I can make that happen easily."
"No need."
Maybe my answer pleased her, as Shavel smiled.
"Very well. Respecting a disciple's will is part of being a master."
"Thank you for understanding."
"One thing for reference: I have no desire to be the master of a loser."
That's a heavy reference...
I had no intention of losing either, so I bowed to end the conversation.
Time passed, and soon all classes were over.
"Luke, let's go."
Evi stood with a resolute expression.
There was no real need for her to come along...
I thought that but didn't say it. She had every right to be there.
"Yeah, let's go."
I stood right away and headed out with Evi.
Actually, after our morning talk, she hadn't mentioned yesterday at all.
Had she given up on changing my mind? Or did she believe I'd win?
I couldn't say for sure, but I was grateful not to repeat myself.
Lost in those thoughts, we arrived at the training grounds entrance.
Maybe because the duel was imminent, my heart beat a bit faster than usual.
As I moved to enter, Evi grabbed my sleeve.
"Luke, I trust you as much as you trust me. You can do this."
"Thanks."
I answered calmly, but it felt oddly disconcerting. Her cheering meant her family hoped I'd win.
Walter almost seemed pitiful. My conscience wasn't entirely clear.
'Better than apologies or thanks, though.'
With a smile, I stepped forward and soon faced Walter Douglas. He waited in the center of the training grounds.
"I'll commend the courage for showing up instead of running."
"Grateful for the kind view."
"No need. I don't dislike knights like you. After today, your arrogance will fade, making you even more to my liking."
Like hell he doesn't dislike me. His eyes screamed contempt.
Damn noble speech was always grating, no matter how often I heard it.
Specialized in condescension.
I sighed inwardly and set my sheathed sword nearby.
"What are the rules?"
"Training wooden swords only. That should suffice."
"How do we decide victory?"
"What a question. Obviously until one yields or falls. Speak if you disagree. I'll hear you out personally."
"No objections."
The rules were standard. No advantages either way. But his condescending gaze irked me.
"Here."
Walter tossed me a wooden training sword, which I caught one-handed easily.
A few swings confirmed it was fine.
Of course it was. He seemed confident in his skills. No need for cheap tricks that'd hurt his pride.
"Come at me anytime."
"I won't hold back."
Hoo-!
I took a deep breath and kicked off the ground. My foot pushed hard against the earth, propelling me forward as air exploded behind me.
The scenery blurred by at high speed, and Walter drew closer.
My first strike was a basic diagonal downslash from upper right to lower left. The wooden sword rushed toward his left shoulder.
Unlike sparring, there was no hesitation in my blade. Though blunt, my intent was lethal.
Thwack-!
Walter swung to deflect it. Clean, light, no excess motion.
Yet it felt impossibly heavy, sending a numbing shock like electricity through my hand.
Huu-!
This time, Walter attacked.
From the deflection, his raised sword flowed into a downslash from upper left to lower right. The seamless motion was razor-sharp.
But I wasn't going down easy.
I retreated swiftly, creating distance. His sword missed, but the wind from it grazed past my nose.
Paper-thin margin. A split-second slower, and I'd have been in trouble.
'Top five in second year, huh.'
He lived up to it. No pushover. Quick movements, heavy swings.
But unbeatable?
Not really.
"Your expression doesn't sit well."
He grimaced and charged.
Thud-! Thwack-!
Wooden swords clashed with dull thuds.
I tracked his moves with my eyes, reacting instinctively.
One exchange, two, three... The longer it went, the rougher my breath, the heavier the fatigue. Dodges turned to grazes.
Skin reddened, some spots split and bled. Even wooden swords hurt on impact.
But I wasn't idle.
'I can see your moves now.'
My sword struck a gap, piercing his shoulder.
"Kgh..."
Walter recoiled, clutching his shoulder with a twisted face.
But only briefly. He chuckled dryly and reset his stance.
"Fine, I'll admit it. You can wield a sword. So what?"
An unfamiliar energy rippled from Walter's body.
No need to ask what it was.
I could use it too.
I grasped the faint power flowing in me and pulled it to the surface.