The Red-Haired Genius
Robenin Pedri.
The prodigy who, at the mere age of fourteen, had reached the level of a Sword User and manifested Sword Aura, driving the continent’s swordsmen into despair and self-loathing.
When you considered that the average knight manifested Sword Aura in their late twenties, it was clearly an abnormal achievement.
He was the one who carried the weight of expectation that he would one day surpass his father, Duke Pedri, and become a Sword Master. He had already claimed the title of the continent’s greatest martial talent.
And he possessed such overwhelming strength that no one could refute that claim.
There was even a saying: if you wanted to know what “ridiculously strong” truly meant, just look at Robenin Pedri.
For the first time, I was watching someone else’s match.
Specifically, the match of the crazy bastard who had suddenly walked up to me and demanded a fight.
Watching him was like watching a tiger toy with a dog. I actually started feeling sorry for his opponent.
How could that possibly be the swordsmanship of a sixteen-year-old?
“Gives me the creeps.”
The fact that a guy like that had asked to fight me sent a chill down my spine.
His movements were so fast my eyes couldn’t keep up, and he already handled his sword with perfect mastery.
He had long since moved past the childish stage where the sword controlled the wielder, like Lasshamu.
If I fought that guy, I was pretty sure my head would fly off the moment the match began.
Of course, tournament rules required blunted blades, so that wouldn’t actually happen. Still, I couldn’t stop my body from trembling.
“What’s wrong, Jeanie?”
“Don’t even ask. That bastard talked to me earlier.”
“Whoa, seriously? Robenin Pedri? To you? What did he say?”
“He just randomly challenged me to a fight.”
“Oh my, how cool!”
Is this girl insane too?
“Robenin Pedri is famous for never speaking to just anyone!”
“What?”
“They say he only talks to people he acknowledges as strong! Challenging someone to a duel means he recognizes them!”
I hugged the cage containing Rai and shivered violently.
No wonder I’d felt like running away.
So my danger radar actually worked sometimes.
“Absolutely, positively never. I am not fighting that guy.”
“Why not?”
“……”
“You think you’d lose?”
It stung my pride, but I honestly didn’t see any chance of winning.
It would be like a child fighting an adult.
As I watched Robenin fight like a winged beast of prey, I simply decided to stay as far away from that battle maniac as possible.
But fate always approached with cruel timing.
And it never failed to kick me in the teeth.
God damn it!
After the youth division finals, the awards ceremony began.
The youth division champion was, of course, Robenin. That outcome had practically been decided from the moment the tournament started.
It was practically a foregone conclusion.
The real upset had come from the children’s division I belonged to.
Most people had expected the two young lords of House Pedri to sweep the top spots this year.
“Would the winners please gather over here. Yes, just stand right there.”
Despite the size of the prepared platform, there weren’t that many people receiving awards.
We lined up neatly as the attendant instructed. The ones called forward were two champions, two runners-up, and two special award recipients. That was all.
The fact that I was among those six people suddenly hit me again.
“Please maintain proper distance from the person next to you. Special award recipient! A little more to the right, please.”
The attendant arranged us with meticulous care.
We spent nearly twenty minutes just lining up, adjusting our clothes, and memorizing the order of the ceremony.
Meeting an emperor sure is a pain in the ass.
That was my honest thought, but I obviously couldn’t say it out loud.
And whether intentional or not, Lasshamu Pedri—the children’s division runner-up—ended up standing right to my right, while Robenin Pedri—the youth division champion—stood to my left.
Being sandwiched between two red-haired bastards felt incredibly unpleasant.
Especially since both of them had been blatantly staring holes through me since earlier.
The fierce gazes pouring in from both sides were impossible to ignore.
Ha, the price of popularity.
The smaller redhead looked like he wanted to devour me alive, and the bigger redhead…
He’s practically eating me with his eyes.
To be able to say “fight me” with just a look—what an incredible ability.
I could feel the silent pressure Robenin was emitting, but I did my best to ignore it.
No matter what, I’m not fighting you!
I have instincts too, you know. I don’t always go looking for danger.
Because I was trying so hard not to look at Robenin, my eyes naturally met Lasshamu’s.
Even though they were brothers, Lasshamu seemed far cuter compared to Robenin.
The difference was like a tiger and a newborn puppy.
If Lasshamu knew I was thinking that, he’d probably get even angrier.
Maybe my gaze was too mocking, because Lasshamu ground his teeth and whispered quickly under his breath.
“What are you looking at, you ugly thing!”
“What? I’m a beauty. Are your eyes broken?”
“Our family has had perfect eyesight for generations!”
“Says the runner-up.”
“……Ugh!”
Lasshamu looked like he was dying to express his hostility toward me but couldn’t.
He clearly believed the spot I was standing in should have been his.
Sorry about that. Guess I ruined the chance for the Pedri brothers to win side by side?
“Bleh.”
I stuck my tongue out in response to all the heated attention. Lasshamu flinched violently in rage.
That was when the sound of an unfamiliar instrument rang out, and the emperor appeared from the far side.
Escorted by a dizzying number of knights and attendants, the emperor walked across a luxurious golden carpet that didn’t reflect light. We immediately snapped to attention and stared straight ahead.
The noisy stands fell deathly silent as if someone had hit a mute button. I could feel the kids around me holding their breath in tension.
Everyone except Robenin Pedri, that is.
“Kneel and show your respect.”
The ever-formal attendant spoke in a deliberately solemn voice. We smoothly dropped to one knee in perfect unison and bowed our heads deeply.
While we stared fixedly at the ground, I sensed the emperor ascending the stairs and taking his seat on the platform.
Strangely, there were times now when I could sense movement even without looking. Rai had said it was the ability to detect presence, and that it would become clearer the stronger I got.
“Raise your heads.”
That was the first time I heard the emperor’s voice.
It was heavy, yet sharp and cold—full of the arrogance of one who ruled.
The man who held the strongest power across the vast continent of Cransia. The pinnacle of humanity. Even I began to feel a little nervous.
Seeing the emperor this close was usually considered a tremendous honor for any noble house.
For me, though, the bigger thought was simply, So this is Ash’s dad.
“Award recipients, take three steps forward.”
The attendant had us move forward.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly. While I outwardly maintained a dignified expression, inside I was buzzing with excitement at the thought that I would finally get to meet Ash.
The runners-up and special award recipients only received certificates and prize money, so my turn came quickly.
I silently rehearsed what I was supposed to say.
“Children’s division tournament champion, Jeanie Crowell, step forward.”
It was my turn.
I calmly climbed the stairs of the platform and stood before the emperor.
Leaving less than two steps between us, I knelt on one knee again.
Just in case, the Royal Knight Order stood behind the emperor in a terrifying line, eyes gleaming. But even without them, the emperor himself was a warrior above the average level.
No matter how sloppy I usually was, in this moment I showed proper etiquette.
“I greet the Sun of the Continent, Aeron de Kan Megalopropis. It is the greatest honor of my life to stand before you. Long live His Imperial Majesty!”
These were the prescribed words for the ceremony. I didn’t particularly mean any of it.
What stung my pride a little was that even the king of Dmitry had to say the same thing before the emperor.
Dmitry wasn’t exactly a weak nation, but compared to the empire it was nothing more than a small country.
And not even a proper vassal—just a so-called allied nation that was essentially a subordinate state.
“Jeanie Crowell of the Royal Drike Academy, hear me.”
People often said that having your name called by the emperor sent a thrill through you, but I didn’t feel that at all. Maybe I lacked respect for the emperor.
I guess I just didn’t have the guts or the talent for flattery needed to chase power.
“In recognition of your victory, I, Emperor Megalopropis, bestow this award upon you. May you become a warrior who contributes to the prosperity of the empire. I bless the bright future of this talented individual.”
I had never once thought of myself as a warrior, and it would have been far more accurate to say I would contribute to Dmitry’s prosperity rather than the empire’s. Still, I obediently bowed and accepted the certificate in the most respectful manner possible.
“It is an honor and a blessing from Your Majesty. I will never forget this grace.”
I really wanted to stop spouting these soulless lines. Every time I said them, my hands and feet curled up in embarrassment.
I’d rather take internal injuries. They felt more comfortable.
Hurry up and say it! Say it!
After receiving the certificate, I bowed again and stayed crouched, waiting only for the emperor’s next words.
Ask me.
Hurry up and ask for my wish!
In my head I wanted to lift my face, look him in the eye, and urge him on, but I wasn’t stupid enough to commit such disrespect, so I held it in.
“Come closer.”
Huh?
This wasn’t in the rehearsal.
Keeping my gaze lowered as ordered, I glanced around in confusion.
We hadn’t practiced anything like this.
The attendant gave me a look that said to follow the emperor’s command, so I hesitantly took one more step toward him.