Chapter 3: The First Letter (3)
Chapter 3: The First Letter (3)
About a hundred students had already gathered at the swordsmanship training ground, which was covered in a carpet of plush grass. The sound of them chatting in small groups swelled into a low roar of conversation.
It was the kind of vitality one would expect from an Academy that symbolized the youth of the Continent. However, even that roar began to subside the moment I stepped forward.
It felt as if a high-ranking noble were visiting a remote village. This wasn't the kind of luxury a mere second son of a viscount should enjoy—this chilling silence that settled around me just from my presence alone.
Having hundreds of eyes suddenly fixated on me was a significant psychological burden. It made me feel like I might throw up the soup I’d had for breakfast.
Of course, I wasn't the sole cause of this icy silence.
I could already feel a gaze glaring at me from somewhere.
I flicked my eyes toward the source of that wary stare. It was exactly who I expected.
Her lustrous gray hair, looking as if it had captured only the most beautiful shades of black and white, stood out immediately. Though hair reaching down to her waist might be a hindrance for a swordsman, it only served to double her beauty as a woman.
Then there were those deep blue eyes, reminiscent of aquamarine, and her flawlessly clear skin. The swordsmanship department uniform, designed for mobility, clung tightly to her body, revealing curves that still held a hint of youthful freshness.
She was a beautiful woman. Sometimes, when I stared into those jewel-like blue eyes, I found myself thinking she wasn't human—perhaps a glass masterpiece meticulously shaped by a master craftsman.
Though she hadn't inherited the blonde hair and red eyes that were the symbols of the Yurdina family, she possessed a beauty like the moon. Having just transitioned from a girl to a woman, she often enchanted men like a flower emitting a sweet fragrance.
Though the end for the men she enchanted was usually disastrous.
I recalled a few friends who had once courted Seria Yurdina. They had ended up swallowing their tears at her attitude of utter indifference. Reminiscing about those old memories, I silently met her gaze.
Her eyes were cold. In contrast, my gaze toward her held nothing but embarrassment.
I was in trouble. Anyone could see that those eyes were filled with resolve—the resolve to reclaim her shattered pride.
After hearing what Reto had to say, I had seriously considered skipping class, but in the end, I couldn't.
I was already barely hanging on in the low-mid ranks. I couldn't afford to ignore attendance for the swordsmanship lectures, which had the greatest impact on my grades.
But no matter how rational the decision was, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. That was how much icy hostility Seria’s eyes held.
I’d heard that I beat her half to death last week, but right now, I couldn't imagine being able to defeat her at all.
Common sense dictated that a low-mid ranker like me shouldn't be able to win against her—a top student, even if she was a year my junior. Let alone beating her half to death without allowing a single valid hit?
It was nonsense. The opposite was far more likely.
But whether I was breaking out in a cold sweat inside or not, the students who had come for the lecture were watching the two of us with a mix of tension and curiosity.
These were people who knew the full story of last week—a story I didn't even remember. They must have been curious to see how Seria’s battle for revenge would end today.
If I got crushed by Seria, that would be entertaining in its own way; if Seria got crushed again, they were the type to sneer and say she deserved it. Every event was always most exciting when viewed from a safe distance.
However, the scene they were hoping for didn't happen immediately. After locking eyes with me for a moment, Seria slightly lowered her gaze.
It seemed the 'me' from a week ago had been truly terrifying. To think that insolent junior would be the first to look away.
As I let out a secret sigh of relief at avoiding an immediate confrontation, someone nudged my shoulder with their elbow. It wasn't a provocation, but a greeting shared among the men of the Southern Kingdoms.
It also meant that they recognized the other person as a man. I glanced up. Standing there was a muscular man with bronzed skin.
Combined with his golden hair, he gave off the vibe of a thug. In fact, he actually was a famous thug at the Academy.
Teahn of the Count Eitri family, hailing from the Southern Kingdoms. He stood before me, leading his gang, a frivolous, snickering laugh escaping him.
"Whoa, look who it is! If it isn't the hero of last week!"
"That duel was impressive, uh... Ian, was it?"
As Teahn, the leader of the pack, offered his praise, the other lackeys added a few words of their own. Most of their reactions were favorable toward me.
Come to think of it, I’d heard that these guys were the ones who led the subtle bullying of Seria.
The way they acted—too afraid of the Yurdina family's retaliation to step forward properly, yet maliciously tripping her or whispering insults—was pathetic.
What a bunch of losers. I let out a deep sigh, but Teahn, still wearing a sly smirk, tried to drape his arm over my shoulder.
"Heh, even that rude bitch lowers her eyes first sometimes... As I thought, a good thrashing is the best way to teach juniors their place. Don't you agree?"
"I bet a different kind of 'rod' would be just as effective, too."
This was followed by a chorus of snickers.
At that point, I slapped Teahn’s arm away. Teahn looked a bit taken aback.
I suppose it would be embarrassing to be brushed off after acting so friendly. Since I wasn't exactly a grand enough figure to make enemies of everyone, I added a word to save his face.
"I'll probably have a match later, so I need to start warming up."
Teahn, who had been looking bewildered, soon broke into a sly, dark grin. He nudged my shoulder with his elbow once more.
"...I'll be looking forward to it. Smash her to pieces."
Assuming I don't get smashed to pieces by her first.
However, Teahn and his gang seemed to have no doubt that I would crush Seria once again. And most of the others, while perhaps skeptical, were likely hoping for such a scene.
It was human nature to admire a star while it was in the sky, yet be eager to break it apart once it fell to the earth.
And the expectation placed on me—the one tasked with bringing that 'star' down—was a double-edged sword. If I failed, some of the ridicule meant for the fallen star would undoubtedly be directed at me.
What a mess. To be in such a predicament because of something I couldn't even remember.
Just as I was trying to soothe my throbbing head by pressing my temples, I spotted a familiar back.
Ebony hair was neatly tied, flowing down her back. She was a girl whose pale nape, glimpsed between the strands of hair that swayed with every swing of her sword, left a deep impression.
Actually, should I call her a girl? Age-wise, she was an adult.
The moment I spotted her, I walked over without hesitation. And while she was catching her breath in the middle of her practice, I poked her in the nape with my finger.
"Hy-hyeeat!"
The girl, who had been swinging her sword, jumped with a strange cry. Then, a pair of flustered eyes turned toward me.
She was a girl with striking amber eyes, delicate features, and a well-balanced physique.
To be honest, she was incredibly pretty. Though to me, she still felt more like a younger sister.
She was a junior in the swordsmanship department and another childhood friend who had hung out with Reto and me since we were kids.
It was Celine Haster. I chuckled as I looked at Celine, who was staring at me in shock.
"Hey, Celine."
However, unlike me, who greeted her warmly, Celine’s face crumpled the moment she saw me. She immediately threw her arm around my neck and pulled, forcing me to bend at the waist.
In an instant, our heads were pressed together, creating a tiny, private conference room. Celine whispered as if scolding me.
"Are you crazy?! Why are you acting like you know me! I was pretending not to see you on purpose...!"
"Hey, what's with that? Are you throwing away over ten years of friendship like a pair of old shoes?"
At my nonchalant voice, Celine pounded her chest in frustration. However, her swelling breasts cushioned the impact, so it didn't make the dramatic sound it had with Reto.
Celine and Reto were cousins. Having spent so much time together since childhood, they were practically like real siblings, which was probably why their reactions when frustrated were so similar.
"Who told you to mess with a Yurdina? Even an illegitimate daughter is still a Yurdina... Can't you tell just by the fact that they gave a lowborn their surname? It means they intend to accept her as a family member because of her talent! Celine of the Haster family, who rules over a tiny rural estate, feels like her heart is going to burst from fear just thinking about it, okay?"
"That's all the more reason you shouldn't pretend not to know me."
I countered Celine’s long-winded explanation with a blunt remark. A shameless expression appeared on my face.
"We promised to die together, didn't we? I can't go down to the abyss alone."
"Get lost."
She tried to push me away and escape, but my arm had long been wrapped around her neck. I applied pressure to keep her from leaving.
"Don't be like that. You weren't really planning on ignoring me, were you?"
"I was! If I get involved with you, Ian, I might get tangled up with Teahn and those thugs too...! Don't you know I hate those greasy bastards the most?"
Celine’s resistance was more intense than I expected. I clicked my tongue and pulled the arm around her neck even tighter.
Our breaths mingled at close range. Even though she had just been swinging a sword, Celine’s breath had a sweet scent. How could she always smell so good?
It was a mystery, but I didn't voice the question. Celine simply blushed slightly and squirmed as our distance closed.
"W-what are you doing... everyone's watching...!"
"So, it's okay if no one's watching?"
Thwack. Celine’s free hand struck my abdomen. I let out a groan and coughed.
"...You want to die?"
At Celine’s icy voice, I decided to get straight to the point. If I joked any further, I’d end up having a duel with Celine before I even fought Seria.
Celine’s skill level was similar to mine, but her mana capacity was far superior, making her physical strength much greater. Her weakness was that she wasn't used to controlling that mana, but regardless, she wasn't an opponent I could take lightly.
"Don't be like that. Just tell me how I was when I sparred with Seria last time."
"...?"
Celine gave me a bewildered look. It was understandable.
After all, shouldn't the person who fought know best? Unfortunately, I had no memory of that fight.
That was why it was so frustrating. If I at least knew how I’d fought, I could try to come up with a countermeasure, but right now, I was in a situation where I had to face that Yurdina brat without knowing anything.
I was talking about a girl who had been harvesting the heads of demonic beasts like apples in an orchard since her mid-teens. Facing her without even the minimum preparation was nothing short of suicide.
And it didn't seem like she would give up even if I avoided the fight today. In essence, I only had two choices.
One: Get crushed by Seria and become everyone's laughingstock.
Two: Somehow hold my own against Seria and wait for her interest to fade.
Naturally, the latter was the more attractive option. If I could pull it off, that is.
To Celine, who was still staring at me as if demanding an explanation, I lowered my voice and explained the situation.
"The, the thing is... I actually don't have any memories of the past week."
"Ian, are you an idiot?"
I made a threatening sound at her sharp words, but Celine’s look of pathetic pity didn't disappear.
In the end, I had no choice but to sigh and admit she was right.
"Fine, I'm an idiot. So don't be like that and just tell me, okay? How on earth did I beat Seria Yurdina?"
"Even if you ask me that..."
Now it was Celine’s turn to be troubled. After all, even if I asked 'how I won,' the answers she could give were limited.
What she had seen was me overwhelming Seria from start to finish, and how to replicate those movements was entirely up to me.
However, Celine soon sighed and spoke in a hesitant voice, as if she would at least try.
"I'll only tell you what I saw. I was one of the people who witnessed it... but don't blame me if it doesn't help, okay?"
"Of course! Just speak freely."
Though she seemed to hesitate at my confident voice, she soon began to recount the scene she had witnessed that day.
Her voice sounded surreal, as if she were still dazed by the memory even now.
Seria closed and opened her eyes. The scenery rose like sea foam. The beginning and end of meditation were always like this.
She composed her mind. Her composure always had to be maintained like a sharp blade.
It was one of the few teachings left by her father—the man who had driven her mother away for being lowborn.
Having finished her brief meditation, her deep blue eyes turned toward someone. It was the man who had handed her a humiliating defeat not long ago.
She hadn't even been able to put up a proper fight. The question 'why' echoed in her mind.
But the result was all too clear. There was her, rolling on the ground, gasping for breath, unable to even steady her body—and there was him, whose very breathing had remained calm.
That man, who had been so terrifying, was now whispering in conversation with an unknown woman. Unlike her, he seemed to be overflowing with leisure.
After watching him for a moment, she soon lowered her eyes, her gaze trembling. She once again recalled the fight from a week ago, which she had replayed in her mind countless times.
Yes, it was that day. If she couldn't overcome the fight from that day, she could no longer move forward.
That was what made her desperate. The memories of that day swept through her mental imagery like a wave.
The man that day had seemed somewhat fatigued.