Master's Duty - 3 - The Postponed Wager
To cut to the chase, the bet was postponed. Until the day Rowen's tenure as an outside instructor at the academy ended—fifteen days from now.
"Not yet... I can't win. It's only been a short time since I became your disciple, Master, and I just finished training, so I don't have much stamina left."
"Wouldn't it be less embarrassing to do it now? At least I'd have an excuse to fall back on."
"Shut your mouth...!"
"Such harsh words. I was only saying it with good intentions."
Thanks to Mikhail's pathetic excuses, Rowen managed to dodge a clean break. He did press the issue, but it wasn't easily accepted.
"That's enough."
"Conditioning is part of your skill."
"Think about it logically. Mikhail's only been my disciple for..."
"Can't that talented disciple of yours prove it? He's an aura user just like you, he has a weapon, and he's been acknowledged by the Empire's Sword. What's a coward like you, the Empire's Sword, so afraid of that you're dodging a duel?"
"I can't accept that."
"What a coward. The Empire's Sword."
I'd been annoyed by Mikhail's lame excuses—like some hero stalling for transformation time—and Rowen's back-and-forth, but there was nothing to be done. If the match happened today, neither Hanna nor Mikhail would accept the result. A victory that left a sour taste would be meaningless. And to break Rowen's stubbornness, it couldn't happen like that.
The only concern was Mikhail's growth trajectory. The story where his stagnant development finally kicked off was approaching. He was the story's main hero, after all, destined to become the world's strongest by the end. I couldn't ignore that.
With his own power. His own talent. Of course, Rowen's guidance, hardships, and fateful encounters helped, but no one could deny that Mikhail had become a monster through his own strength. He'd overcome so many trials alongside it all.
That's what worried me. Whether Hanna could keep up with his growth.
Hanna Histania, a character absent from the novel. She was someone I didn't know, yet someone who knew far too much, making her full of variables. Judging purely by Blue Spear's words, she had the talent to surpass Rowen—to become the Empire's Greatest Sword—but no one knew when that talent would bloom. It could be in her twenties, or maybe her thirties. The vagueness of that information tipped the scales, an undeniable reality.
No matter how things played out, Mikhail would face trials and overcome them.
"Hmm..."
One thing was certain. I had to make sure we won, somehow. That was the best I could do, my way of repaying Hanna's faith.
When a disciple musters courage, a master can't just sit back and cheer "You got this!"
I knew how to beat Rowen, so all I had to do was teach Hanna the same. Mikhail couldn't miraculously grow in fourteen days, and his growth arc was still far off. Even if he surged under Rowen's guidance, we'd grow too.
I turned to Hanna, who was staring blankly at the spot where Mikhail and Rowen had left.
"Why the long face?"
"Ah... It's just complicated. My heart's all tangled up, and I wonder if I can really win... It's messing with my head."
"We haven't even started yet."
I watched Rowen's departing back and said, "Neither I nor you have started yet."
That steadfast silhouette. The Empire's Sword's retreating figure.
I said with conviction, "We can win."
We could still get stronger. Both Hanna and I.
Arrogant as it sounded, I believed that if I set my mind to it, I could grow stronger than anyone. With fateful encounters, hardships, and a bit of luck, I could surpass even the Empire's Sword—or a heretic apostle.
Truly arrogant, but still.
This incident sparked a lot of thoughts. A wake-up call, perhaps—a warning to my stagnant self. Seeing them fight to overcome Rowen had lit a fire under me. I needed to work harder. It was embarrassing to be weaker than my rival's master; at minimum, I had to be on his level to protect my disciple's pride.
That was a master's duty.
I smiled faintly and stroked Hanna's hair. Her locks fell softly under my touch, and she bowed her head, unable to lift it.
"Sorry. For stirring things up on my own."
"It's fine."
"I wanted to help... but I just keep receiving help. I'm sorry."
"No. I've received plenty from you too. No need to apologize."
"But I..."
I smiled lightly at Hanna, who couldn't raise her guilt-ridden head.
"It's fine."
It was a dark night. Dawn was still hours away, leaving us plenty of time together.
I took Hanna's hand and led her to the benches arranged in a circle outside the training ground. She followed silently, unsure why.
I pulled a small handkerchief from my pocket and spread it over the seat. Even in a well-maintained academy, dust lingered. Keeping a lady's clothes spotless was a gentleman's duty, so I seated her with a smile.
"The stars are out in force tonight."
I started with a simple greeting, a way to settle our hurried hearts after the sudden events. Hanna nodded in response.
"Yeah... so many stars. I didn't realize there were this many."
"Right?"
Hmm...
"Sometimes you need this kind of leisure. Just staring at the sky, thinking of nothing."
"..."
"It's been tough, hasn't it?"
"..."
She had no answer to my quiet question. Few ever asked about her efforts. She was used to "Run," "Keep running even if you fall," or "Don't run, just stay put." I didn't press her.
I simply shared what I'd felt watching her all this time.
"I think it's been really hard."
"..."
"A race with no finish line—how exhausting is that?"
"..."
"You know what, though?"
I sat beside her and pointed to a twinkling star. I thought it was the North Star, but in this world, who knew? It was the brightest, so I smiled and let it go.
"Stars shine by burning themselves. It hurts, it's hard, but why do they keep at it? No one notices, but they shine anyway. It seems foolish."
I looked at Hanna, staring fixedly at the star.
"Most people don't bother learning what effort stars put into shining. They just say 'pretty.' Funny, right?"
"But I know, don't I? That those stars are suffering to shine."
"Now one more person knows."
I beamed at her.
The wind was chilly, singing through the night—cool yet warm. It tousled my hair, and I smoothed it back while gazing at the stars.
What is this?
Hanna was watching me. Staring blankly at me, shining softly like those stars. Sparkling. Radiant. Warm. Fuzzy emotions welled up, and she just gazed in silence.
I smiled at her quiet and said,
"Sometimes I wonder if it's worth doing something when no one notices."
"Getting blamed, hated, cursed at—do I really need to go through this?"
"But you know."
I let out a small breath, saying words that felt cringy on my tongue but I wanted her to hear.
"Eventually, they all notice."
"Weird, right?"
"Just like how I know your efforts."
I smiled faintly and lowered the hand I'd extended toward the stars. Apparently, such corny words didn't suit me. My face burned as I turned to her.
"Not cold?"
"No, not cold. Are you okay, butler?"
"Freezing."
Her eyes widened at my playful quip. She flinched as if ready to offer her coat, drawing a soft laugh from me.
"Kidding."
"What...!"
"Maybe it's the expensive clothes. Not cold at all."
I chuckled with a small smile.
Hanna and I talked for a long time. About how we'd been, if this winter wasn't too harsh. The main topic was undoubtedly the young lady—my favorite subject, one Hanna could relate to.
"The lady's making money?"
I'd never imagined talking about the young lady with someone else.
"Guess I should introduce her to my side gig next time."
It felt refreshingly novel.
"The lady's dieting...?"
"Yeah. Suddenly said she wants to lose weight."
"Is she sick?"
Sharing such stories with another was fun.
"Why do you hate chocolate, butler?"
"Because the young lady likes it."
"Hahaha...! What?"
"Half serious, though. Too sweet."
I was grateful someone was curious about me. Few in this world—or my past life—could call me friend. My picky nature didn't help, and my life revolved around the young lady. No regrets about my narrow circle. She was my choice. A beautiful one. No lingering what-ifs.
After our long chat, I brushed dust from my pants and stood. Hanna looked up at me.
Her gaze followed my every move, so I smiled faintly and eyed the training ground.
"Tension eased a bit?"
"Yes."
Hearing that, I rolled my shoulders to loosen up. Time for a master to get to work.
I said lightly, "Then let's start. If we're winning, better to win decisively than struggle."
Hanna rose slowly too. Her steadfast gaze filled me with trust.
"It won't be easy. I'll train you much harder than before."
-Nod.
"We can win."
Before heading down, Hanna grabbed my collar.
"Butler."
"Yes."
She sighed deeply, head bowed, voice trembling.
"Why are you so good to me?"
I answered without hesitation.
"Because you're pretty."
Hanna froze, rooted in place, face flushed, for a long while.