Valencia Sisters (11)
After spending a wild and blissful night with Ardena, Yushin doubled down on Alonne's training to prepare her for Bria Academy's graduation exam. With just one week to go, it was the time when students and repeat test-takers alike grew the most on edge.
Meanwhile, while serving as Alonne's sparring partner for swordsmanship, Yushin challenged Liana Linehold, the academy's sword instructor, to a duel. He wanted to test out the sword techniques he'd learned from Sabnack, the Raging Flames Demon King, in a real combat-like exchange.
"New sword techniques you've picked up? Hmph, you think you can just use some half-baked moves you crammed last minute on me as practice? And you're saying you'll only use your right hand, keep your left hand and both legs still, and not even tap into mana...? No matter how skilled you are, that's impossible. I'm gonna channel all the grudges I've built up and smash that smug head of yours flat."
The silver-haired elf faced off against Yushin, her short-reach arming sword dangling loosely at her side.
She jumped at the chance when Yushin mentioned wanting to test his new techniques. This was her shot to vent all the pent-up frustration she'd accumulated. Plus, it was a rare opportunity to cross swords with the Diablo Slayer, whose fame echoed not just across the Liberia Elf Kingdom but the entire continent. Sparring with a powerhouse like him might even let her glimpse a higher realm.
"Begin!"
Alonne, acting as referee, shouted in her bold, brassy voice.
In that instant, explosive power surged from Yushin's body. It wasn't the usual lightning from Karus. It was pure, raw martial might—simple, unadulterated wu—that birthed an overwhelming pressure.
That pressure soon transformed into tangible physical force, infusing Sabnack's sword techniques.
"Aaagh!"
Liana screamed. She couldn't help it. Her legs trembled under the monstrous strength that felt like it would shatter her bones to dust. He's definitely trying to kill me. She was convinced Yushin was using the duel as a pretext to off her. Why else would he test that insane martial prowess on her? This was his chance to eliminate a thorn in his side.
B-But we've got some history of bad blood built up...! To try and kill me like this, you bastard!
Liana turned tail and bolted from Yushin. Plenty of students were watching the duel, but pride could wait—her life was on the line. She fled in a panic.
"Isn't that a bit harsh on Liana?"
Alonne asked, propping her chin on her hands as she snuck a glance at Yushin. She could sense he'd grown ridiculously stronger since returning from the Demon King subjugation campaign. It was great news. To her, Yushin wasn't just her teacher—he was her first love.
The Diablo Slayer, wielder of a Demon King's sword arts, was steadily forging his own unique martial path.
"I was just messing with her lightly."
Seven Embers. To elves, the realm of Seven Sword Realm. Yushin hadn't told a soul he'd stepped into this new stage. It was still unstable, volatile power that could veer off in any direction. That's why he'd tested it first on Liana. Though she'd run off, of course.
If only my master were here. Seven Embers is just a pup to a Nine Embers knight like Heinkel. I could swing wild without holding back.
His thoughts drifted to his master. He missed him. Needed him. Among everyone Yushin knew, Heinkel was the only one who could handle the power of his seventh ember.
"Everyone's so jealous of me. That legendary Diablo Slayer's my teacher! Hehehe, Master should've seen their dumbstruck faces—all green with envy."
"You've gotten a lot stronger, Alonne. Back in the day, you'd have dodged those stares."
"Master! Who're you calling a total loser?!"
"You were a loser though..."
"You said you were the same back in school!"
"Not anymore."
A battle between former loser and current loser. Attacking each other would just reopen old wounds—a black history showdown that hurt both sides.
"So, Master... what happened with Sis? You guys officially dating now?"
Alonne asked. Yushin pondered for a moment before turning the question back on her.
"Dunno. What do you think Ardena and I are right now?"
"Huh...?"
Wasn't last night super hot? On the night of their frenzied sex, Alonne had snuck by Yushin's room to eavesdrop. Their moans and screams had her face burning—she was sure they'd become a couple. So Yushin's lukewarm response threw her for a loop.
"Come on, after pushing that hard, there should've been some result, right?"
Alonne had pulled out all the stops behind the scenes to get Yushin and Ardena together. She'd egged her sister on and even shooed away the maids patrolling the area so no one would interrupt their hookup. Yet the outcome was disappointing. They'd banged till dawn without confirming their feelings or making it official. It dashed Alonne's hopes for a proper romance.
"Yeah, why'd it turn out like this?"
"'Cause you're a damn chicken shit, Master. You should've been more considerate of Sis. She's a 320-year-old virgin spinster who's never dated. Even among long-lived elves, that's a freak case. No way she'd confess first."
"...Huh, you might have a point."
Master of romance, PhD in love theory. Alonne aced romance despite bombing every other subject. She and Yushin were practically lovers already. They'd dated and stuck together longer than Ardena could dream of—which gave Alonne the 'generosity' to yield her beloved teacher to her sister.
"But you okay with that?"
Yushin asked carefully. His caution made Alonne snicker as she thumped her flat chest proudly.
"Of course! I'm always cheering you and Sis on from the sidelines. I already knew she had a secret crush on you."
Twisting it another way: While Sis hemmed and hawed, Alonne's shameless little sis swooped in and snatched her first. Bold and terrifying.
"I'm fine being third or fourth or whatever."
Snort snort snicker. Alonne's nose wrinkled in a smug grin, gesturing for praise as the big-hearted heroine.
"Sometimes you seem more grown-up than me."
"We're only three years apart, Master."
"Then with Ardena..."
"Ahem. Don't push it, Master."
Yushin ruffled Alonne's hair, praising her. She beamed like a kid, any maturity vanishing in pure, childlike joy at his words.
"Alonne, graduation exam's in a week, right?"
"Yeah."
"A week... that should be enough."
"Why? Something up?"
To answer Alonne's question, Yushin brought up Valua Kingdom. He might need to head back. Allen hadn't said a word, but Yushin could tell she was worried about the kingdom—or more precisely, her mother back there. They'd grown up like siblings, so he read her subtle glances and reactions like a book. To ease her mind, he planned a quick visit.
"Sounds good."
"...You're taking it awfully well."
Alonne snickered at that.
"Think I'd bawl and beg you not to go like old times? I trust you now, Master. You'll come back. Sure, you're a total scumbag, but not a hopeless trash heap."
Plus, after taking both me and Sis's virginities, you're not ditching us.
Her follow-up made Yushin cough awkwardly and look away. His disciple was getting too open-minded—it unnerved him.
"The real issue's whether you'll pass the academy exam safely..."
"Pfft, I'll pass easy! No matter who they pit me against, I'll crush 'em!"
"Yeah, I believe you. That's my disciple."
The graduation exam pitted students against assigned proctors in real sword fights. Survive the set time. Maintain Mana Blade throughout. Simple compared to other nations' exams, but brutally tough. No academy student could last against a seasoned knight under those rules—even most knights couldn't.
"Heard El Seed set the exam format originally."
"Elves have always had to fight demons."
Elves revered martial prowess. As a battle-hardened race that had clashed with demons over Libria Peninsula dominance, they prioritized wu. Bria Academy graduation was the sole path to the ruling elite. That's why El Seed imposed those harsh conditions—to keep high elves honing their martial skills relentlessly.
"Even as an outsider, her stubborn, inflexible personality's jaw-dropping. Reminds me of someone."
"You think so too, Master?"
Alonne giggled and nodded vigorously, clearly sharing the sentiment.
"Don't forget a souvenir when you get back from Valua."
"Plenty of time left. I'll watch my little snot-nose ace the exam first, then head out—like I promised Lord Wallace. I always keep my word."
"Thanks, Master."
Alonne's skills were more than passable—she'd crush it. Mastering Heinkel's mana breathing technique put her leagues ahead of her peers. So Yushin planned to check her progress sporadically while focusing on his other disciple, Leticia Santander.
"Leticia should pass fine too... I think."
Yushin trailed off. Leticia was a genius shining in every field. But her swordsmanship, while excellent, wasn't the stomp-victory level of Alonne's. Failure wasn't impossible. Bad luck could screw her over. That's why he'd drill her intensively till exam day.
"Then let's head to Santander Castle after class."
"Ugh, I don't wanna... but it's been ages since I saw my minion uncles, so sure."
Minion uncles. If Yushin's subordinates heard a cute high elf girl call them that, they'd weep blood.
"Can I brag to that bitch Leticia?"
"Brag about what?"
"That I'm dating Master."
Alonne grinned cheekily. Yushin couldn't hide his fluster at the high elf girl's brazen question.
"...We're not officially dating."
"Whoa, so you and I aren't anything either?"
"That's not it. Just... it's too soon to go public."
"Master, you're such a total coward."
You try living in Korea. A pseudo-nation where most guys had turned herbivore. As a student from that pseudo-nation, Shin Yushin was one of the scaredy-cat youngsters representing Korea's youth.