Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Imperial Palace Training Grounds
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“Excuse me. First time here? Please show your identification.”
Crisp!
The guard in front of the Imperial Palace training grounds saluted and blocked Ian’s group. While Ian was pulling out his identification, several knights passed by them familiarly.
Most of them were burly brutes. As Berik unconsciously tried to follow them in, Ian grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
“Viscount Ian Hielo, confirmed. Thank you.”
“Good work.”
“Ian, did you see the size of those guys who just passed?”
“Let’s go. There’ll be even tougher ones inside.”
It was incomparably grand and imposing compared to the rundown training grounds he’d rolled around in on the border. The vast space could accommodate hundreds at once, with everything comfortable and perfect. The lighting, temperature, humidity!
“Wow, it’s real. They all look insanely strong. And they still have guards here. That guard looks like the weakest one. Ooh. Crazy. Look at that uncle’s muscles. I wanna punch ’em. Whoa.”
Regular soldiers trained mainly at the central outer training grounds, while those gathered here were mostly knights who escorted nobles. The Imperial Palace Central Guard was the same. With extraordinary individuals training together, the atmosphere was naturally on another level.
“There’s a second floor too.”
“That’s for nobles watching the knights train. Sometimes they spot a knight they like and trade them among themselves for extra money, or the Imperial Palace Guard Captain scouts and makes an offer.”
Everywhere in the Imperial Palace featured structures allowing the upper levels to look down clearly on the lower ones. Berik glanced at the nobles chattering above, then scurried after Ian.
“So, we’re heading to the first floor now?”
“Yeah. Watch how the skilled ones handle their swords, then blend in naturally.”
“Ah, I’m super shy around strangers.”
“Your jokes have improved. Not that it’s pleasant to hear.”
Creak.
Ian nodded with a smile, and the guards opened the training ground entrance door. At the same time, the warriors chatting in small groups turned their attention to the two.
“Who’re they? Never seen ’em before.”
“Ah. That’s Viscount Ian Hielo.”
“The first noble mage joining the Magic Department.”
“Then the redhead next to him is his escort?”
“Good grief. They said he came from the border, but what’s with that snot-nosed brat from some backwater...”
Perhaps because they made their living with their bodies, the atmosphere was rough and crude. Berik perked up his ears and glanced their way, but they didn’t avert their eyes—just smirked openly.
“Those fuckers just called me a snot-nosed brat, didn’t they?”
“Berik. Those are external knights brought by nobles. No need to bother with the vulgar ones. The ones you should take as your master and model are over there.”
As Berik rolled his eyes and glared wildly, Ian turned his head away with his hand. Far off, those in Imperial Palace Central Guard training uniforms were checking each other’s forms and crossing swords.
“Isn’t it said that a spear thrown toward the sun flies the farthest? These are the ones serving His Majesty the Emperor in the Imperial Palace, so you’ll have much to learn, Berik.”
Barsabe was among them too. Though still an apprentice receiving instruction, her swordsmanship stance was serious and exceptional.
“They’ve got some bite too.”
“I’ll be up on the second floor, so do your best. You haven’t forgotten what I told you, right?”
At Ian’s words, Berik snorted and grinned. Not entirely trustworthy, but the gazes from the other nobles watching from above stung. For the sake of face, Ian couldn’t linger on the first floor any longer.
“Watch closely, Master.”
“Don’t get too carried away. I can’t bring you to the Magic Department.”
Today would likely be meaningful for Berik in many ways. He’d grown every time he met strong opponents, so he’d learn plenty clashing with those said to be the best in the Variel Empire.
‘Especially if he picks up some humility and restraint.’
Whether Berik knew Ian’s thoughts or not, he winked slyly with one eyebrow and strode into the training ground. Ian went up to the second floor and immediately exchanged greetings with the other nobles.
“Oh, Viscount Ian Hielo. Good day. I thought today was nice, and here I meet you again.”
“Good day. From House Serro...”
“Marlon Hoff Serro.”
He was the first noble Ian had greeted upon entering the New Year’s banquet. He seemed pleased to meet again and offered a handshake.
“I hear you’re joining the Magic Department today.”
“Yes. Before that, my escort knight is so belligerent that I had to bring him along.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
…I see, that makes sense?
At Marlon’s meaningful words, Ian turned to look down below. Berik was striding up to the man who’d mocked him earlier, shoving his face right in. At a nose-touching distance, he recited his greeting.
“Good day? I’m Berik, uh, fuck. On closer look, your skills look fucking amazing. I’m so impressed my jaw won’t shut. You seem to have time, so how about a match? Politely asking for a bout. Yeah, if you refuse, I’ll just take the win.”
Ian unwittingly closed his eyes. It was definitely the greeting he’d taught, but it had twisted and corrupted along the way. Marlon rested his chin, pointing at Berik with interest.
“Hahaha. Cute little thing. Where’d you pick him up?”
“I don’t remember either. Where I found him.”
“That one’s master is probably... Ah, there he is. Viscount Tabienna. Do you know him?”
“No memory of seeing him at the New Year’s banquet.”
“Yes. You remember correctly.”
Marlon grinned at Ian’s answer. Nobles who couldn’t enter the main banquet hall meant not just low rank, but zero influence. Probably someone who’d recently bought a title with money.
“He seems to have quite a few knights.”
A crowd was gathering around Berik, watching him, but Berik didn’t stop, rubbing his forehead against the challenger’s like before. His eyes rolled back wildly again—he’d clearly lost it.
“That’s his main business. Apparently a back-alley thug originally, but he’s got talent; his mercenary referral agency’s blown up big.”
Maybe he even got the title to access the Imperial Palace training grounds. Just having “Imperial Palace” on a knight’s resume doubled their value.
Ian wet his mouth with the drink Marlon offered and watched Berik.
“That little punk’s got no fear...”
“Fuck. So, you gonna fight or not? Scared? Scared?”
In the Imperial Palace training grounds, especially when everyone gathered to test skills, mutual consent was paramount. The man’s face flushed red with insult as he looked up at his master, Viscount Tabienna.
“Is it okay to fight?”
Tabienna glanced at Ian, twirling his mustache. Normally, the goal was to show off skill while maintaining dignity, but the opponent was the hot topic, Viscount Ian Hielo. Rumors of crushing a mage’s escort would be premium publicity.
“Is that alright with you, Viscount Ian Hielo?”
“Do as you wish.”
At Tabienna’s formal question, Ian waved lightly. Despite being the same rank, his demeanor exuded class. With his master’s permission, the man stripped off his upper clothes and shoved Berik’s head.
“Fine. You asked for it, no regrets. That red head of yours—blood won’t even show.”
Fluffy chest hair slap! Bicep the size of a man’s head slap! The man ground his teeth, and Berik spat on his palm and grinned.
“I’ll learn a move. You learn two from me.”
“Shut up! Let’s see how long you yap!”
“Don’t pass out! If you do, I’ll rip out all your chest hair!”
Swoosh!
The man swung first. With so many hotheads gathered, bare-handed brawls from provocations were common. But...
“Isn’t the size difference too much?”
“But that redhead’s the mage’s escort.”
“Yeah? Might be worth watching then.”
“Hey, look at those quick moves. He can throw punches.”
“Street rat, huh? Raw footwork.”
With so much noteworthy action, everyone nearby stopped to watch the fight. Even the distant Imperial Palace Central Guard wiped sweat and laughed, pointing.
“Such low-class. And they call themselves warriors, tsk tsk.”
“That’s why I hate free training days.”
“But that kid’s pretty good? Barsabe, check it out.”
“Pfft!”
Barsabe spat out her water mid-sip. She’d heard he was coming to the Imperial Palace training grounds, but this soon? She wiped her mouth, staring at Berik in shock.
“Wow—ho! Ahahaha!”
Smack! Smack!
Thud! Thump!
Like playing a game, he yelled with each punch landed. Light attitude, but heavy hits. The dull impacts as the man barely blocked revealed the power.
“What’s up, uncle? Cat got your tongue after all that yapping?”
“Y-you little...”
“That’s why! People! Should be! Humble! To our! Master!”
Smack!
Who was this kid preaching humility to?
Ian snorted in disbelief, shaking his head, while Marlon laughed heartily, even clapping. Sparring was for the fighters to test skills and for spectators to enjoy the show. This was perfect on all fronts.
“Hahaha! Lord Ian, he’s quite useful! How much for that one?”
“Meat side dish money would do.”
“What? Ahaha! Great value too!”
He’d faint if he knew how much he ate.
Smack!
Air time alone showed the skill gap. Berik flew around like his feet never touched ground, pummeling the man. As nosebleed dripped to the floor, the opponent pinched his nose, panting.
“Y-you crazy bastard for real!”
Clang!
Finally, a sword was drawn. The lighthearted spectators’ mood flipped instantly. Drawing a real sword—not a wooden one—in the training grounds? That was an implicit signal to go all out.
“Good. I’ll show you too. Got it sharpened at the smithy recently. Slices paper just brushing it?”
Berik’s eyes gleamed as if waiting, drawing his sword. Dripping madness, he muttered.
“Wonder if it’ll slice a man’s arm clean?”
“C-crazy...”
Clang! Clash!
As they clashed again, Barsabe swallowed dryly. Then, a man’s voice from behind.
“Barsabe.”
“Ah, Captain.”
One of the Imperial Palace Central Guard captains, Barsabe’s superior, and Petreio’s friend. Jeyrat.
“That’s Ian and his subordinate.”
“Captain, over there.”
Smooth.
He straightened his uniform jacket and approached. In that short time, Berik had shredded the man. Painful groans mixed with blood. Berik squatted before him, tapping his nape with the sword flat.
“Aww, tsk. Outside, I’d have smashed your head in right away.”
“Ugh, spare, spare me...”
“Of course! This is the Imperial Palace. Ahaha. Instead, I’ll trim your chest hair? Don’t strip your shirt so casually next time. It’s fucking ugly.”
Crisp.
Berik turned at the approaching presence. A middle-aged man past fifty, but his aura solid and dignified.
“You’re Ian’s subordinate?”
“Subordinate? Yup yup. My master’s Ian!”
Berik glanced up, then shouted proudly. Hearing the answer, Jeyrat gripped his sword hilt.
“I’m Imperial Palace Guard Captain Jeyrat. You seem highly skilled. Care to spar with me?”
Care to? Berik looked to Ian like the man had earlier, seeking permission. Ian leaned half over the railing, looking down with a smiling face.