Jealousy-Tinged Rivalry (1)
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Alonne, locked in relentless spars, was growing by leaps and bounds—day by day, her progress was nothing short of phenomenal. A faint Mana Blade had begun flickering along the edge of her real sword. It lasted only a moment. Just a fleeting instant, but unmistakable.
The first time she witnessed it, Alonne nearly burst into tears of joy.
"I asked Leonard, and he said that's nowhere near enough."
"I know. I'm not settling for this."
"Good to hear."
Yushin and Alonne chatted over lunch in the academy cafeteria, discussing what lay ahead. Leonard was the name of her swordsmanship instructor. After sparring with Alonne, they'd struck up a conversation and exchanged introductions.
To pass the graduation exam, one had to manifest a Mana Blade on command and sustain it for a full thirty minutes, he'd explained. It wasn't supposed to be public knowledge, but Leonard had shared it out of goodwill.
"The food here's pretty damn good."
"Today's just the regular menu, though?"
"How would you know? You, munching on cafeteria bread in the bathroom stall like some sneaky rat."
"M-Master does the same thing...!"
Alonne flushed crimson, glancing around frantically in case anyone overheard. But the cafeteria was mostly empty of elves—just faculty members. The noble high elf students apparently found the academy dining hall beneath them. Rumor had it they wouldn't touch anything unless it was a feast prepared by their family chefs. They never showed their faces here.
People who’ve never eaten alone have no idea. The terror of someone spotting you scarfing down your meal solo.
Even without students, solo dining wasn't bliss. The faculty was watching. For the prideful, nothing was more mortifying than exposing their lowly habits. So Alonne survived on cafeteria bread. She really was a pitiful kid.
It'd be nice if she made some friends. But given her haughty personality, that seemed harder than plucking stars from the sky.
"Mind if I join you?"
Someone approached. Yushin looked up. Leticia Santander. Heiress of the Santander family.
Alonne's eyes sharpened at the arrival of her nemesis. Leticia's did the same. This wasn't a friendly visit.
"The food here's tasty," Yushin said by way of greeting.
"Yes, it's... tolerable," Leticia replied.
"..."
Her words drove home just how refined high elf palates were. Maybe it was his battle-hardened tastes, but Yushin was satisfied with anything edible. And the academy meals were excellent: perfectly grilled veal steak, pork churrasco, and especially the crispy chicken cutlets—a standout.
Leticia set down her fork and knife at her frosty assessment.
"I heard from Father. Even in dire straits, you threw yourself into the fray for your men. A fine soldier. Had you been in the Elf Kingdom's forces, I'd hold you in high regard."
"But unfortunately, you're human. From the Valua Kingdom, no less—longtime foes of Liberia Elf Kingdom."
"Yet now you're Liberia's human. I hope it stays that way. I've seen your skill with my own eyes, rivaling a warrior captain's. Impressive. Such swift, precise swordplay—I've never witnessed the like."
"Sudden praise, huh."
They said even a grizzled old man's heart danced at a beauty's compliments. Yushin felt his mood lift. Unlike pint-sized Alonne, Leticia was a glamorous knockout—voluptuous bust, cinched waist.
"Enemy soldier or not, credit where it's due. That's a true noble for you."
Leticia carried herself with maturity, unlike a certain stubborn brat always digging in her heels.
"So why our table? If you're short on dining buddies... we could squeeze you in."
Leticia's face twisted at Alonne's words, as if she'd heard something vile.
"As if I'd stoop to you? The student rustling wrappers in the bathroom, gnawing on bread. A disgrace to high elves!"
"Pfft—haha!"
Yushin burst out laughing. Alonne's face, meanwhile, burned like it was about to explode. Caught by the one person she least wanted to know. Her ultimate rival had uncovered her deepest shame. In that instant, she felt every ounce of humiliation life could dish out.
"N-No... it's not...!!"
"Think I wouldn't notice you skulking around, hoarding bread from the kiosk and bolting?"
"Ughhh, no! Nooo!!"
Alonne shrieked, pounding the table with both fists. Faculty nearby turned to stare.
"Teasing Alonne's fun and all, but you look like you've got real business here."
"Yes."
Leticia nodded at Yushin's words and got to the point.
"Could you teach me too...?"
"Hell no! Butt out! He's my master!"
Alonne snapped, her face a mask of outrage at the mere suggestion.
"Not for free, of course. On the Santander name, I'll pay fairly."
The golden Santander. Leticia pledged compensation befitting the title. She'd even arrange meetings with Yushin's Valua subordinates employed in Santander Forest. Direct transfer was impossible as slaves, but visits? Easy.
"Not a bad deal. Promise better treatment for my men, and I might waver."
"Consider it done."
"Teaching one or two extras is no sweat. I can make up any shortfall with Alonne at Valencia Castle."
Alonne pouted at Yushin's openness to the offer, lips pursed, cheeks puffed in childish protest. That redheaded vixen with her vulgarly ample chest was seducing her master. No wonder she was fuming. It felt like Leticia was stealing him away.
* * *
Back at Valencia Castle, Alonne's anger hadn't cooled—it had worsened. Yushin sighed at her blatant sulking.
"You're not a kid anymore. Cool it. You're not the only one passing that exam."
"I just hate that woman anywhere near you, Master! Why give her an opening?!"
Alonne was in a foul mood. That fox was wagging her tail at her master. From the moment he'd seen potential in her, saved her from those lowlife classmates—from then on, she'd wanted him by her side always. Chatting happily, laughing together. Just the two of them, blissfully ever after.
To her, Leticia was nothing but a nuisance.
"I'll think it over."
Yushin ruffled her hair. Her spiky blonde locks were a hassle, but stroking them felt like petting a prickly hedgehog—oddly satisfying.
"Hmph!"
Alonne whipped her head away. Normally, head pats fixed everything... but not this time.
"So what'll make you happy?"
Yushin scooped her up effortlessly, hoisting her high enough that she had to look down at him.
"I dunno! And I'm twenty-one!"
"Looks mid-teens, though. If I'd had a little sister, she'd be just your size."
"Your sister? I'm already sister's little sis. She'd declare a blood feud over 'stealing her baby sis.'"
"Yeah, she's such a stickler. Your sister know what a joke is? Bet she's cool as a summer breeze up close."
Yushin glanced sideways—just in case. Sure enough, a golden-haired beauty with waist-length locks was passing by, having overheard everything.
"Forgive my rigidity."
Ardena spoke. A chill hung in the air. Not ice magic, but it felt like the temperature dropped.
"Yushin Gilliard. A word."
Perfect timing. She'd been waiting for them to return from the academy.
Yushin set Alonne down. She scurried to her room, not forgetting to yell that Leticia was a hard no.
"Leticia? Santander's...?"
"Came to me today, asked for lessons. Haven't decided. Just don't wanna burn bridges with Santander Forest, where my men's working."
"I don't mind. One should offer instruction equally to any who seek the sword."
"Didn't expect that. Thought you'd veto it."
Cool big sis, as always. Yushin nodded.
"So, what's up?"
"Our Elf Kingdom rejected Valua's prisoner exchange. Now they've sent another request."
"Desperate to get me back, huh? Should've treated me right while they had the chance."
Yushin had no intention of returning. His men seemed over it too—resentful of the kingdom's unfairness and mistreatment. Yushin agreed. With stability in the Elf Kingdom, no need to go home.
"The message isn't from the royals."
"Not them? Then who wants me...?"
"House Rocksfield."
"Lord have mercy."
Ardena uttered "Rocksfield," and Yushin crossed himself instinctively.
"Allen Rocksfield."
"Who's that?"
"You've heard the name. The Blue Lion guarding Valua. Second seat of the Kingdom's Seven Swords—a knightess from the renowned Rocksfield earldom, producers of elite royal guards."
Second of the Kingdom's Seven Swords. Valua's second-strongest swordswoman. Heiress to a house of legends.
Nearly got sold into that musclehead family as a son-in-law. Good thing I ended up an Elf Kingdom slave. Done tangling with Rocksfields—their brains are all brawn.
Yushin shuddered. His legs shook at the name. If heaven sent a natural predator, it'd be Allen Rocksfield. Virginity-clinging Yushin had prayed desperately to lose it—but not to her. He rejected her utterly.