The Resolve Held in Your Sword - 2
After finishing training, I walked home through the capital's late-night streets, lost in thought for a moment.
'I wonder how they're doing.'
Rowen and Mikhail hadn't shown up at the training ground since that day. Whether they were keeping their private sessions secret or avoiding prying eyes, they hadn't returned. It was probably for the best. If they'd made the training ground their base, we'd have had to yield it to them.
There was no place as convenient as the academy's training ground. It was relatively free from onlookers late at night, allowed Hanna to attend classes, and was stocked with training weapons—none of that would have been possible elsewhere. Finding a new space would have taken time, so I was actually grateful to Rowen and Mikhail for stepping aside. Seeing uncomfortable faces wasn't good for anyone.
We surely would have clashed if we'd shared the space. Hanna and I weren't on good terms with them anyway, so I was relieved not to run into them often.
What really nagged at me was wondering what strategy they'd come up with. Would they refine their aura like Hanna and I were doing, or start from the basics of swordsmanship? I couldn't pin it down.
If I'd been Mikhail's teacher, I'd have forced him to ditch that damn oversized sword first thing. But who knew what approach Rowen would take.
Rowen had to have noticed Mikhail's flaws already. The oversized sword that didn't suit his build. An attack style that ignored his agility advantage. And an overly defensive swordplay that was poison to him. The empire's swordmaster couldn't possibly miss that.
"Hmm..."
Still, I knew Mikhail wasn't the type to just nod and accept orders from anyone. In the novel, he only started changing after his cherished old sword broke.
With Hanna as his opponent, I worried about how Rowen would teach him—and how Mikhail would respond to that teaching. It was an episode not in the novel, a father-daughter feud with limited info.
As a teacher, scouting the enemy was natural, but Rowen wasn't some pushover, so wild guesses wouldn't cut it.
Purely on swordsmanship, Rowen was the superior teacher—no denying it. The years he'd poured into his blade, the history forged in it, all pointed to him. It was inevitable to compare myself as a swordsman.
The weight of the Histania lineage, spanning centuries, wasn't something I could match after just twenty short years of swinging a sword. It was laughable to even try.
Too many variables. Rowen as a teacher. Mikhail's talent. Plenty to watch closely.
Rowen chose Mikhail for one reason: talent. He'd taken him as a disciple solely for that.
Hm... In the novel, their master-disciple bond started with deeper, warmer feelings. But now, it felt more pragmatic than emotional—likely to unlock better talent expression. That's why it bugged me more.
How far would Rowen go in teaching him? Would he spill family secrets like a madman? If he taught Mikhail a Histania technique passed only to direct bloodline, that'd be a disaster in itself.
The novel didn't detail it, but the author declared Histania swordsmanship the strongest, so of course I was worried.
In the novel, Mikhail learned Histania techniques from Rowen. Malik had wandered after losing his brother, failing to impress, and recovered only after leaving Rowen's sight.
Mikhail fused his own style with Histania's to create something new, earning Rowen's approval.
What worried me was Mikhail reaching that level. If he grew endlessly under Rowen's relentless guidance... honestly, the match outcome would become unpredictable from then on.
Protect the family secrets, or disown his daughter? Rowen's choice either way meant little gain for him.
Did making such a huge deal even make sense? I couldn't understand Rowen.
I couldn't fathom why a man who claimed to love his daughter would block her path. It wasn't paternal love—Hanna had proven herself plenty. And as a sword lover? His actions made no sense.
Whatever. Not my problem.
No point dwelling; nothing would change. So I focused solely on Hanna's growth.
The wind blew. I didn't know who it favored, but it brushed me and Hanna alike, surely.
I was certain. Hanna could beat Mikhail.
Faith in her as her teacher played a part, but her visible achievements and results put her ahead. Her hunger for the sword. Choosing what suited her. Knowing her strengths. She led Mikhail clearly.
Rowen knew it too, I figured. Whatever he prepared, I hoped it fell short of our expectations.
Better to win overwhelmingly—for both sides. It'd motivate Mikhail. And crush Rowen's pride. So yeah, I hoped their prep was lackluster.
Thudding along the capital's night streets, I mentally sorted what to teach Hanna next. Weighing her strengths and flaws under the streetlamps.
Then, from the opposite direction, a familiar figure emerged faintly.
I halted at the weary, shuffling steps of the boy approaching. Staring blankly.
'Hanna's gonna be pissed.'
Familiar gait, eyes on the ground. I clenched my fist lightly.
More prep ahead. Looked like Rowen had sharpened his blade thoroughly.
Mikhail came from the direction of the Histania private training ground—open only to direct bloodline.
Nothing special there. Not overwhelmingly better facilities. No quick-recovery magic. Just secluded.
One thing: come out of there, and you grow fast. I knew it, smirking bitterly.
Gazing at the boy before me, I muttered softly.
'Mikhail.'
Silver hair gleaming under the lamplight, he approached, oblivious to me across the way. Heading steadily to the academy dorms.
I pulled my hand from my pocket, waiting.
Had words for him. Nothing grand—just light questions.
As his footsteps grew louder...
Rustle.
Sensing the noise, Mikhail looked up calmly—and saw me.
"You..."
"Yes, it's me."
Mikhail gripped his sword hilt the instant he spotted me.
Resentfully, even.
* Three days earlier.
Mikhail had arrived at an empty training ground with Rowen Histania.
Top-notch facilities. The kind that made you feel stronger just being inside.
For Mikhail, dragged into an unintended duel, Rowen drew a wooden sword and stated bluntly.
No warm mentor words—like a business transaction.
"As I said before, I have no intention of teaching you Histania swordsmanship."
"..."
"I called you here so you can grow faster, even if just a little. If you had any strange expectations..."
"I never thought that for a moment. Just being taught by you is more than I deserve."
"...Before we start serious training."
Rowen, holding the wooden sword, spoke to Mikhail.
His voice softened a touch, carrying a fundamental question.
"What mindset do you swing your sword with?"
"I..."
Mikhail couldn't answer Rowen's question.