Chapter 47
Intense mana surged with such ferocity that chills prickled down my nape. The training ground, thick with black winds, was now shrouded in a blood-red mist. Aura as crimson as Kaiser's eyes rampaged around him. His pupils flashed with killing intent.
My body instinctively tensed at the presence of an equal right before me.
Fun.
But separate from that tension, my heart pumped out endless adrenaline, fueling my excitement and pleasure. It had been ages since my senses had run so wild—it was utter bliss. I swept back my bangs and flashed the brightest smile imaginable.
"Then let's see what you've got, Father."
My deliberate taunt drew an arrogant smirk from Kaiser in response. No long words were needed between swordsmen.
BOOM! We let our swords do the talking.
When the blades of two Sword Masters infused with aura clashed, the entire area shook. Reveling even in the noise and vibrations, I swung my sword like a madwoman, my face twisted in a manic grin.
Ah, this is good.
I knew I was getting too worked up. But this was my first real spar since becoming a Sword Master, against someone on my level—it was impossible to hold back. Kaiser was laughing like a lunatic too; he looked no different.
In that moment of clashing steel, we resembled each other more than ever. As transcendent powerhouses beyond mortal comprehension, we were each other's sole understanding.
Clang! Clang-clang! Kang! Our blades met faster and faster. Soon, no ordinary eye could track the swords' movements.
Objectively, he outclassed me. But while he at least went through the motions of defense, I attacked relentlessly, dragging out the fight.
"Damn it! Defend yourself for once!"
Kaiser barely nicked the end of my hair, nearly slicing my side, then yanked his sword back and yelled. I ignored it and thrust at his thigh, whether his blade gutted me or not. He blocked in a slight panic.
The reason Kaiser—superior in skill—hadn't won yet was his hesitation to truly cut me. He knew I was cloaked in mana, so a blade wouldn't wound me badly, yet he flinched and retreated whenever his sword neared my skin.
And that was his fatal flaw.
End it in one go.
I shook off the sweat stinging my eyes and prepared my final assault. My legs were already trembling. A prolonged fight favored him; I had to finish it here.
How do I win this?
I failed to target his ankle and retreated slightly, biting my lip hard. My competitive fire burned inside me. I had to win. No matter what.
Just overwhelming him won't work. Pure strength? I'm weaker. Skill? Same. So how do you beat someone stronger? How did I beat magic beasts far beyond me all this time? How did I—!
I pushed myself, racking my overheated brain. Then it hit me.
Give a cow to take a horse.
That was how I'd faced calamities I couldn't handle. With sacrifice resolved, there was no room for hesitation.
A smile spread across my lips as I shifted from slow, heavy strikes to pure speed—lightning-fast thrusts. Kaiser narrowed his eyes, trying to read me, but kept up with the acceleration.
More. Faster.
I'd honed my speed to compensate for lost strength, so I ramped it up, feigning a frontal blitz. We traded near-misses, blades grazing hair and tearing cloth in a razor-edge dance.
My human body ached trying to match a Sword Master's pace, but I didn't stop. When our blades blurred into invisibility, leaving only gale-force winds between us and Kaiser—
"Damn it, you..."
I lowered my sword. With our immense clash broken, his blade—robbed of its counter—couldn't halt its momentum and hurtled toward my shoulder.
Kaiser panicked, trying to stop, but a full swing's recoil couldn't be reined in that instant.
As his swordtip plunged to impale my shoulder, I didn't dodge—I charged right into it.
Squelch.
A gruesome sound, and my left shoulder was pierced. Mana protected my bones from shattering, but the blade sank deep.
Red blood dripped from my shoulder to the ground, staining his swordtip crimson.
"I win."
My blade tip rested precisely at Kaiser's throat.
I won!
Pain? What pain? All that mattered was I'd seized his nape first. My flushed face beamed uncontrollably.
"You crazy bitch!"
Pink hair filled my vision. A resounding slap echoed across the training ground as Kaiser's head snapped sideways.
Tears beading at her eyes, Aria kept kicking his shin furiously, not calming down.
Uh...?
Befuddled, I just blinked. Then Kal's furious face shoved into mine.
"Are you insane? Lost your mind? Why the hell did you run into it? Do the people who worry about you mean nothing?!"
Kal roared at me. Confused by the nonsense, I tilted my head.
"D-Didn't I do great? I won..."
"You psycho, for real!"
Slap!
My head whipped around. It didn't hurt, but the shocker who slapped me had me clutching my cheek, eyes wide.
Aria, tears streaming down her face.
"A-Aria...?"
"Hey! Are you nuts?!"
"Huh?"
Her first-ever "you" to me left me stunned. Before me stood Aria in a rage I hadn't seen in ages.
"I told you to stop! I told you to stop!"
Unable to contain her fury, she repeated it like a broken record, half-mad. I stared blankly, uncomprehending.
"I-I didn't hear..."
"You did! You did! I begged you midway!"
I'd been too focused to hear anything. Aria pounded my uninjured shoulder, sobbing.
Only then did I snap to and look around. The training ground was a wreckage from our duel. Me, bleeding from hair and clothes hacked apart. Kal, glaring like a demon from hell as he checked my wound. Aria, looking like she wanted to hang me upside down from the eaves. Kaiser, frozen stiff, gripping the bloodied sword.
His usually languid eyes were filled with dismay, his bored expression hardened terrifyingly. His sword hand trembled.
Kaiser Crisis—the lofty, emotionless red sword demon—was terrified. Because of me.
I hadn't known him long, but this was a first. One I'd never see from him again.
"Ha! So this is how you always fought? Never thinking of your body, just charging like a rabid dog? That's why you always came back half-dead?!"
Aria yanked my collar. Lost on how to handle her frenzy, I just gazed at her blankly.
Yeah. That's right. I'd fought like this my whole life. Sacrificing flesh to survive, growing through blood and trials. Becoming a blood-soaked calamity to slay others.
But I wanted you to never know that life.
Idiot tears welled up; I frowned. Gently, I took her hands.
"That's why... I never learned swordsmanship properly. All I know is attack and charge. So that's what I did. I didn't mean to worry you. I'm just that ignorant."
"You're not ignorant! That bastard's the problem!"
As I soothed her slowly, Aria only grew more incensed, jabbing at Kaiser. Even Kal shot him a sharp glare.
The atmosphere overheated; I felt awkward. Then warm arms enveloped me.
"...Duke?"
Flustered, "Father" slipped into formal address. His body trembled against mine. Cold sweat from him tickled my nape. Ignoring the blood staining his white shirt, he crushed me in an embrace.
"Never again. Never make me hurt you with my own hands."
His voice quivered. Only then did I realize my mistake.
He held me long before gripping my shoulders and facing me. Sweat-matted bangs. Trembling lips. Crimson eyes wet with despair.
He was afraid.
"You don't have to do anything—anything—just don't get hurt. Run from danger! Defend! What were you thinking, charging in?! I'd lose ten, a hundred times over—just please, please"
I tumbled back into his arms. From his shaking hold, his cold sweat, I strangely realized he truly loved me.
"Don't get hurt, please..."
In his warm embrace, my eyes drifted shut. Slowly, I hugged him back. Before that pleading voice, there was only one reply.
"...Yes, Father."
Blood flowed from my shoulder, my body throbbed, but my heart was warm. Loved—the feeling brought a slow smile.
Whoosh.
"Whoa..."
I gasped at the light spreading from my shoulder. My first taste of fairy healing. Its ticklish feel—divine yet distinct—made my eyes sparkle.
"Even now, a 'whoa'? Want me to flatten you like a waffle..."
Her icy tone snapped my mouth shut. Under that freezing glare, I paradoxically sweated, sneaking a glance.
"Aria, I was wrong—"
"Shut it. Apologize now and you're done for."
That my angelic Aria spoke so harshly shocked me. My mouth gaped at the wound, but guilt bowed my head like a criminal.
Whoosh.
"Mm... looks healed now?"
"Lip."
I meekly closed my mouth. Aria had trained her healing since learning her fairy blood; minor wounds were easy now. Pouring her seventh cast on my perfectly mended shoulder screamed obsession.
How scared was she?
I'd done wrong by the whole family. Smiling bitterly, I brushed the back of my hand against her still-pale cheek.
"...I'm sorry, Aria. Forgive me."
Pearl-like tears splashed my hand. Lips bitten tight, she lunged and hugged me. Embarrassed in just chest bandages, topless, I hugged her back.
"Never again."
"Yeah."
"Never sacrifice your body again."
"Yeah."
I stroked her pink locks, ignoring the tears wetting my shoulder. As we shared warmth—
Knock knock.
"It's Taylor. May I come in, if it's not a bother?"
Taylor knocked on the door.