Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: 064. Spirit Mage Leo - (Complete)
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Over the course of a week of swordsmanship training, Sophia Veronica Aquilova showed remarkable growth.
Even Beatrice was astonished.
The once-proclaimed genius of the century, Beatrice Ludenfeldt, had taken two years to reach that level.
But what about Sophia Aquilova?
'They said she truly started to shine just this year.'
Sophia as a first-year in the Knight Faculty had been nothing more than an underachiever—nothing more, nothing less.
Yet the Sophia who had advanced to her second year was displaying insane growth ever since the swordsmanship sparring match in the first semester.
And now, half a year later.
Clang!
For the first time, Sophia's sword deflected Beatrice's standard-issue steel blade. A crimson-black sword aura swirled forth, aiming straight for Beatrice's throat. A clear killing blow. She leaped back.
Beatrice's face hardened as she spoke.
"Using killing techniques in a spar is strictly forbidden, Aquilova."
"I know. But I figured you'd dodge it. And you did."
Sophia flicked the Ink Sword in her hand without a hint of remorse.
Beatrice let out a hollow chuckle.
In truth, the current Sophia was less a righteous knight and more a rampaging sword demon, like a mad dog let loose.
But Beatrice herself wasn't one to cling rigidly to knightly ideals. Above all, her own sword wasn't some flawless embodiment of purity, free from all distractions...
"Impressive results. Even I might struggle to keep up with ordinary swords now."
"Then come at me with everything you've got."
Sophia pointed to the sword at Beatrice's waist. The White Sun Sword. A royal treasure. The complete opposite of the Ink Sword, infused with radiant sunlight.
But Beatrice shook her head.
"You don't use a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken."
"What? You calling me a chicken?"
"That's where you are right now. No matter that you've manifested sword aura, you can't get arrogant. You're only just at the starting line."
"...But you said mastering this would be enough before...!"
Sophia stomped around in frustration, but Beatrice let it go in one ear and out the other.
Regardless of the process, Sophia's current level had far surpassed that of a cadet, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with veteran knights. That much was undeniable.
At this rate of growth...
"It looks like you could take the Swordmaster qualification exam next semester."
"What's in it for me?"
"The kingdom provides a stipend."
"I'm in."
Sophia beamed.
Was she struggling financially?
Well, Count Raimund had been taking various retaliatory measures recently.
Beatrice decided to show a rare gesture of goodwill to Sophia, who had endured the grueling training so well.
"If you need it, I could arrange a room in Ophelia Hall. I'd petition my lord on your behalf..."
"Nah, pass."
Sophia answered instantly. Beatrice's eyebrow twitched.
Ophelia Hall was Erebos's finest dormitory, with dozens of maids and luxurious meals served around the clock. Turning down such a prestigious offer was hard to fathom.
"I have my own place. It's more comfortable there."
"Well, if that's the case, I won't push."
Beatrice winked at Sophia with one eye.
'Strange.'
The growth rate was blatantly abnormal.
Even scanning the entire history of the kingdom, cases like Sophia Aquilova's were rare.
Moreover, Sophia's sword style was highly unusual.
It was a sword that overwhelmed opponents and forced them to their knees. It shunned evasion. It never backed down from clashing blades. It always struck head-on, without feints or tricks.
Beatrice had seen a few swordsmen wield such blades over the years.
But most hadn't even approached Sophia's level. Perhaps that was inevitable—overly flashy swords were doomed to obsolescence.
There was one person who had surpassed Sophia's realm.
'A traitor, though.'
That one also bore Aquilova blood.
The Sword Demon who assassinated the previous king.
The former owner of the Ink Sword.
Sophia's father.
Blood will tell, it seemed.
'A terrifyingly barbaric sword.'
Sophia's sword was utterly savage.
Or, put another way...
'It's hegemonic.'
That was Beatrice's assessment.
And it wasn't a realm a single cadet could reach on her own.
"One question. What kind of training did you do to reach this level in such a short time?"
Even if she was heaven-blessed with talent, Sophia's blossoming was unprecedented.
Beatrice was genuinely curious.
Sophia pondered, then grinned. Perhaps due to the familiarity built through training, she didn't brush her off and explained.
"It's all thanks to my master. He pulled me out of the slums, showed me a new path in life, and even gave me the key advice to manifest this sword aura."
"...Your master."
Beatrice had met the man Sophia spoke of during the cathedral incident.
Priest Leo.
A truly peculiar fellow. No mana detectable in his body, and his frame suggested he'd never even held a sword.
Yet his insight was sharp.
Unnaturally so.
'He saw through Arcangel completely just by looking.'
Something even Beatrice, nearing Sword Saint level, couldn't do.
If naming the greatest contributor to that victory, it had to be that priest.
There was good reason for Princess Ciris to take note of him.
So, that man had been guiding Sophia's swordsmanship all this time?
'I should pay him a visit later.'
Beatrice thought as she turned away.
"For now, today's lesson ends here. Well done."
"Yay!"
"And this is a modest token of my appreciation for your hard work in training—and for your master. Please accept it."
Beatrice pulled a pendant from her pocket and tossed it over.
"What's this?"
"Nothing special. But it won't hurt to have it."
"...Hmm."
Sophia examined the pendant this way and that, then looked up.
"Is this a gift?"
"Didn't I just say? It's a gesture from me. Give it to your master. He'll be pleased."
"He'll be pleased...?"
Sophia's eyes widened gradually at Beatrice's words. The earlier hostility vanished, replaced by the innocent expression of a young girl.
"Thanks, Blackie!"
"I've told you time and again, my name is Beatrice."
"Got it! Blackie!"
As Sophia left, Beatrice sighed and gazed at the sky.
It had already climbed high.
A sign that summer was ending.
*
"So, how did it go?"
A few days later, as preparations were made for the return to the royal palace.
As they boarded the carriage, Ciris asked Beatrice about the month-long swordsmanship lessons.
"Sophia Aquilova... She'll likely reach Swordmaster by the start of next semester."
"That's great news. Three months faster than in the previous loop. She'll be a big help to us in many ways. Anything else noteworthy?"
"Well..."
Beatrice relayed the detail about Sophia's sword aura being crimson-black, and mentioned Priest Leo as well.
Ciris said nothing upon hearing it. She merely wore her practiced smile.
Beatrice knew this was the face her lord made when deep in thought, so she held her silence.
Rumble.
About an hour after the carriage set off toward the palace.
"Tris, a word? I've been thinking."
Ciris suddenly spoke up.
"...Thinking, Your Highness?"
The sunlight draping the carriage window hid Ciris's expression.
But her voice was unmistakably more excited than usual.
"Whether following the path of my previous life is truly right."
"...Is that so?"
Beatrice couldn't comprehend her lord's anguish.
No one in this world could. Reflections on an eternally repeating life were only possible for those shackled by it.
Thus, Beatrice stayed silent, and Ciris continued with a small sigh.
"Within the next six months, I'm going to assassinate Father."
"...Pardon?"
Beatrice was momentarily speechless at the blatantly treasonous words from the princess's mouth.
But as her closest retainer, Beatrice had a duty to gauge her lord's will better than anyone. She took a deep breath and spoke.
"May I ask why you've made such a decision? Is it... from a previous life?"
"No. In my last life, I lived as a princess and died as one. The life before that was the same."
"Then why..."
"To change anything, I need to ascend to a higher position. No matter how nominal Father's throne is, the power it wields can't be ignored."
From an objective view, Ciris bordered on unfilial.
She had poisoned her father to make him a fool.
Now, she planned to take his life outright.
"I think I've been hesitating all this time. I tried resolving this as an observer, one step removed. I've realized how arrogant that was, this time around."
The reason for Ciris's change of heart.
It had to be that priest, Leo.
"Rolling around trying to save the world as a princess would be less efficient than acting as queen. It's not about lust for power. Just efficiency. What do you think, Tris?"
Her lord was probing her thoughts on treason.
Something that could never be spoken aloud.
Yet Beatrice bowed her head solemnly with a grave expression.
"If it's Your Highness's will, I would walk into a pit of fire."
That day.
Ciris had saved her dying self, allowing Beatrice to reach this point.
Even if that salvation was a calculated move to prevent Beatrice from falling into the Shadow's ranks in the future.
Even if it was the sole regret lingering in Beatrice's sword.
"Even if that pit leads not just to fire, but the gates of hell?"
"Gladly."
At Beatrice's reply, Ciris closed her eyes in satisfaction.
"Good, Tris. Let's hurry back to the palace. We have much to do."
The carriage rumbled onward.
*
"Master! A gift!"
"A gift? Did you pick up another pretty rock by the river like last time?"
The moment I took the item Sophia cheerfully offered with her beaming smile, my expression froze.
"...Holy shit."
I thought it was a pendant.
It wasn't.
This was a kind of certification.
A pass and symbol of authority bearing the royal crest, reserved only for the princess's innermost circle.
"...Where did you get this?"
"Blackie the knight said it's a token of appreciation for you, Master!"
"Ah... I see."
"...Master?"
"Could you leave me alone for a bit?"
No more easy days ahead.