Chapter 98
Clang! Clang! Our swords clashed several times amid the sharp ring of steel on steel, locked in brief exchanges like a scouting skirmish.
To me, it was little more than play-fighting, but it wasn't a bad way to loosen up.
I parried Serenon's attacks with ease while musing to myself.
His strength isn't bad. His strikes are pretty sharp too. But...
Whoosh.
"Ugh!"
I twisted aside from Serenon's blade and thrust at his left shoulder. It wasn't a real attack, so the tip just grazed his skin before bouncing off his barrier.
I said flatly as he clutched his shoulder in bewilderment.
"You handle the sword with your right hand, but all your movements favor that side. Your left is full of openings."
As a Sword Master, I could spot a dozen flaws. I deflected his full-force swing lightly and narrowed my eyes.
He channels mana decently... quite well, actually...
Serenon really did seem on the cusp of becoming a Sword Expert. He reinforced his blade fluidly with mana and used it to move with speed. He handled mana skillfully.
But he can't grasp how to convert it into aura.
Swinging a sword with mana as a tool was worlds apart from converting it into aura and fighting with that.
It's something he has to discover himself—his own answer at the edge of his limits. I can't force it out of him.
Aura formed from the answers a person found at their breaking point. No one else could find it for them. They had to do it alone.
The reason I could use aura... that was when it started.
The trigger for my own aura came flooding back unbidden. Just recalling it made my throat tighten with surging emotion, and I bit my lip.
How nice it would be if humans could grow without trials. If we could just mature with time and experience alone.
I hope Serenon awakens his aura without some ordeal like mine.
Six years ago, my aura had awakened with my mentor's death.
Enough of that.
It was still a painful memory. I shook it off with a deep breath and smacked the hilt of my sword against Serenon's hand—which looked clumsy to me.
"Ugh!"
"Too slow. I could grab your hand like that."
Serenon's swordsmanship lacked speed and precision. He gritted his teeth and swung; I circled around, kicked his leg.
"Kuh!"
"Your reactions are sluggish too. Your instincts are dull. If you can't predict attacks, no matter how strong you are, your head will already be rolling."
I blocked another wide slash impassively while pointing out his flaws. I was going easy on Serenon, but not so much that I let him toy around. I was grinding him down without letting him get seriously hurt.
"Are you going to keep this up? Is this really your best? I came to teach you the sword, not play pretend. If you're going to half-ass it, why not quit swordsmanship and just read books? Wasting time like this feels pointless."
This time, I spat out some harsh words. Provocation was childish, but nothing tested limits like a good taunt.
Serenon's calm blue eyes, even after all the critiques and hits, flashed strangely at my suggestion to quit.
His eyes aren't bad at all.
Anger, stubbornness, and desperation swirled in them like a tangled knot.
I met that gaze silently and reached a conclusion.
He's not holding the sword lightly.
I erased my doubts that he treated it as a hobby or accomplishment. After clashing blades, it was clear: Serenon's sword wasn't just "good" or "talented." There was something desperate in it.
Teaching someone like this should be fun.
I let my lips curve faintly. Misreading my smirk, Serenon's eyes flashed as he ground his teeth and ducked into an easy-to-dodge swing, then leveled his sword at me.
...Oh?
Different mana gathered on his blade—stronger than before. I sharpened my gaze.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, sparkling like silver beads in the sunlight. Serenon was already exhausted. This was his last attack; I could read it easily.
Whirr.
The mana on his sword condensed solidly. He raised it high overhead and brought it down at me.
Clang!
The harsh crash of metal. One sword flew through the air and stabbed into the empty ground.
Thud.
Serenon, covered in bruises and sweat, slumped to one knee, gasping raggedly.
Impressive.
This fight was unwinnable for him from the start—like an earthworm against a dragon. Holding out this long against me without even aura was astonishing.
And... that was the feel of aura.
The energy that had cloaked his blade moments ago. Faint and formless, but I recognized it.
Serenon's aura was silver, like moonlight.
Sword Expert is right around the corner. It was unconscious this time, but a bit more training and he'll figure out how to wield it at will.
Satisfied with his potential, I smiled faintly and looked at him.
"...Your Highness."
His eyes stared blankly at the sky. Serenon looked dazed, lost in thought.
His deep, troubled gaze slowly turned to me.
"Do I... seem insincere about the sword?"
His low voice came out heavy.
...Damn. Touched a nerve.
I'd seen his limits clearly, but I'd poked too deep. I bowed deeply.
"My apologies. I spoke out of turn."
"No, no. It didn't offend me. It's just... it made me wonder why I'm even learning the sword."
I blinked, confused. Serenon plopped down on the ground and rolled his eyes.
"I've trained so hard, so desperately... but looking back, the reason I started is ridiculous."
"May I ask what that reason was?"
He seemed lost in thought, so I asked softly. He gazed at the dimming sky.
"The sword... was the one thing my brother never touched."
Serenon's brother—Diego.
Outstanding charisma and leadership. Genius-level strategy and wisdom beyond his young years. Diego Solatine was practically perfect.
Serenon must have wanted to do what even Diego couldn't.
"It was desperate... my most earnest effort. I thought it was the one thing I was good at. But the reason I started was nothing special, and I'm not even sure what I want from it. Suddenly, I feel pathetic."
Serenon muttered blankly. I looked into his dulled eyes, sighed, and extended a hand to him as he sat haphazardly on the ground.
"Don't overthink one loss. I didn't pick up the sword to conquer the world either."
Serenon slowly turned to me. He stared at my outstretched hand, then spoke.
"Then why did you take up the sword, my lady?"
"To survive."
The reason was simple. I just wanted to live, and becoming a mercenary was the only path I saw.
Serenon blinked at my answer, let out an "Ah," and took my hand with a sigh.
"Come to think of it, you said you're from commoner stock. Your perfect etiquette makes me forget."
"I can't fully understand why Your Highness took up the sword. I probably never will."
I said coolly. Everyone had their own circumstances; pretending to understand was arrogance.
"But now that fate has made us master and disciple, I'll do my utmost to guide your growth."
I pulled him up firmly by the hand.
I didn't know him. He might even become my enemy someday.
When Karasho offered to teach me... did she feel like this?
Still, as a swordswoman—and someone deeply indebted to her own mentor—I wanted to help this desperate prince.
"I'll lead you to the highest realm you can reach."
Serenon, staggering to his feet, stared at me with an inscrutable gaze. His blue eyes wavered briefly.
"You're surely a Sword Expert. You beat me so easily."
He stated it with conviction. He couldn't even imagine Sword Master.
I rolled my eyes briefly, then shrugged.
"If so, why didn't I use aura during our spar?"
Because... I can't show my aura's color.
That was the real reason, but admitting it would sound suspicious. After a moment's thought, I spoke slowly.
"Using aura would've hurt you. It wasn't time to show off, just a light spar—no need for it."
I sheathed my sword with a casual flick. Serenon smirked and did the same.
"Anyone else would've bragged about their strength to me. You're a fascinating person, my lady."
I met his rekindled gaze squarely. As always, his eyes were incredible—not like someone who'd spent his life in the imperial palace.
"Thank you for the praise. But I'm your master now, so show some respect. Who's 'my lady'?"
I flashed my eyes coldly and spoke firmly. If I was teaching him, I wouldn't half-ass it. As his master, I'd drill him thoroughly and draw out everything he had.
Serenon stared blankly. His mouth parted slightly, but he quickly grasped the situation and bowed seriously.
"Forgive your disciple's rudeness, Master. It won't happen again."
The Solatine Empire had strict hierarchies between master and disciple—even princes had to show proper respect.
Only then did I smile.
"Good. Looking forward to working with you."
I extended my hand again. A scarred, rough hand no one would peg as a lady's.
I felt Serenon gaze at it intently, but I didn't hide or feel ashamed. These marks had made me strong enough to teach him.
"It's my fortune to have someone like you as my master."
He clasped and shook it. His voice was straightforward but lively now, unlike before. His legs trembled from exhaustion, but he smiled as if unbothered.
"Then...—"
I started to speak, but footsteps made me frown and glance toward the palace.
Someone was coming.
"Pardon the interruption while you're speaking, Lady Crisis."
A servant approached politely, bowed before us.
"Her Majesty the Empress summons you."
Serenon's expression hardened instantly.