Birthday (1)
“Khuk…!!”
“Weak.”
A biting cold wind sliced through the training grounds. Amid the ferocious gale, two white-haired men crossed swords.
…I never expected things to turn out like this.
One of them, at least, was our disciple. Ashu Kan Hart pressed his opponent relentlessly, his face relaxed and composed from start to finish.
The one scrambling just to block was none other than Sihan Kan Hart.
What the hell is even going on…?
Sihan, whom she'd thought had retreated to a branch family, had come to the training grounds for one reason alone: to attend Ashu's birthday banquet tomorrow.
There was no need to arrive early, but rumor had it he'd insisted with fierce determination.
Well, no harm in it.
He was a major character who'd eventually join the protagonist's party down the line. The friendlier they got, the better off she'd be—no way he'd become a liability.
Clang!!
“Urk!”
Sihan's sword traced a circle in the air, spinning away. Grimacing, he clutched his wrist and dropped to his knees.
“Weak.”
“…Again!!”
“Again…?”
Ashu's brow furrowed in exasperation, wrinkles forming between his eyes.
Heh, suffer a bit, why don't you.
It was a rare sight. She hoped all this hardship would make him appreciate her own ordeals a little more in the future.
“…I'm tired. Spar with her instead.”
“D-Disciple?!”
Ashu suddenly pointed at her, where she stood quietly off to the side.
Why was the fire suddenly turning her way…!!
“Fine by me. If you're training under Ashu Kan Hart's master, it'll benefit me too.”
Sihan's blazing eyes fixed on her.
Ugh, so intense!!
Anyone who got too close to those flames would burn to a crisp. She'd end up as Ideal barbecue.
“Um, excuse me, I'd like to rest a bi—”
“Pick up your sword!”
“Like I said, I want to res—”
“Pick up your sword!”
“No—”
“Pick up your sword!”
…There was definitely something loose in the heads of these ducal family folks. Not a normal one among them.
Even her precious golden boy had made her head spin when they first met.
She glanced at Ashu, who shot back a look that said, What?
…Patience. He'd inherited that stubborn streak from his pigheaded father. Unfixable.
Absolutely not because she was still scared of Ashu.
With a sigh, she reluctantly picked up a wooden sword.
Anticipation lit up Sihan's face. It was too soon to judge, but maybe Sihan Kan Hart could get along with Ashu after all. Hadn't he already become frenemies with the prince?
Sihan might have potential too.
The problem is they growl at each other whenever they meet.
She sighed and settled into stance. Her grip tightened like a coiled snake around the hilt.
Sihan was ready too, his form perfect.
“O-Okay then… come at me…!”
“Here I go!!”
With Sihan's vigorous shout, the duel began.
“…”
Sihan hung his head, utterly dejected, a dark aura seeming to emanate around him.
He clearly hadn't expected such a crushing defeat. The massive lump on his head even looked pitiful.
“D-Disciple… was I too harsh…?”
“Nah. Perfect.”
Ashu nodded in satisfaction. His face said he was thrilled the nuisance was gone.
So consistently petty.
“Um… you okay?”
“…I'm fine. It's just my training that's lacking.”
His voice was flat. He wouldn't admit it, but he had to be disappointed.
…I could just leave him be, no big deal.
Still, for her golden boy's future, she ought to make a good impression.
She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out some ointment—bought in case of injuries during sparring, never imagining it'd be used like this.
Squeezing a generous dollop onto her index finger, she applied it straight to Sihan's crown.
“Th-this should help a little.”
“…Thanks.”
Sihan's face stiffened briefly at the cold sensation, then relaxed. The mint must've startled him.
Yeah, for my sake if nothing else, be good to Ashu later. With you around, I can leave with some peace of mind.
…But now that I think about it, it's weird.
Sihan, Byrn—they were main characters in the story. So why did only Ashu show up as a key figure in the status window?
Maybe because Ashu was the one most deeply tied to Ideal.
She crossed her arms, lost in serious thought—
“Hey.”
“Eek!!”
A chilling voice from behind made her jolt.
“Y-Yes…?”
She turned creakily. Ashu stood there, arms firmly crossed, his frozen expression radiating scorching heat.
…What now!!
What had she done wrong? She couldn't figure out what flipped his switch.
She almost wished he'd just yell.
“I'm hurt too.”
“Huh…?”
Hurt? Ashu? The guy who'd toyed with Sihan effortlessly?
Had she missed something?
“R-Really hurt?”
“Here.”
Ashu rolled up his sleeve. A red welt marred his pale skin.
It's real…? She'd never seen him injured before—when did this happen?
But it's not bad enough for ointment…
His glare was too sharp to refuse, though. He looked ready to skewer someone.
This stuff's expensive…
Pouting, she gently applied the ointment to Ashu's arm. His stiff lips softened into a curve.
“H-How's that…?”
“…Feels good.”
He looked oddly satisfied. Probably the minty coolness.
…It is pretty red, though.
Maybe a bit more. It was pricey, but that's what she'd bought it for.
“How about you, Sihan?”
“Huh…? Oh, y-yeah. I'm fine.”
Sihan, who'd been dazed, stammered a reply. He looked off—maybe she'd hit his head too hard. He was even breaking a sweat.
“Should we head in and rest…? There's the banquet tomorrow.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Sihan answered quickly. He must really be hurting. Maybe she should grab some medicine later.
“Already?”
Ashu sounded disappointed once the ointment was done.
“Yeah. Tomorrow's gonna be hectic. Rest up early. Both of you.”
“…Fine.”
They needed to recover condition. Who knew what tomorrow would bring.
“You two go ahead? I'll tidy up here real quick.”
“W-With this guy…?”
Sihan's eyes widened in bewilderment as he pointed at Ashu. His pupils shook—he really wasn't well.
“Yes…”
Go rest already. Overtraining led to illness. Proper rest built stronger bodies.
“Alright, I'll head in first.”
Ashu nodded and left with Sihan. The once-lively grounds fell silent in an instant.
She picked up the scattered swords.
“Maybe a little more…”
A short session wouldn't ruin her condition.
Her sword hand moved like an extension of her body. Whipping it like a lash, the air tore with a savage crack past her ears.
No matter what happens tomorrow.
She wouldn't go down easy.
Meanwhile, on the way back to the mansion, a bead of sweat trickled down Sihan's nape.
…If I'm not mistaken.
That wound on Ashu's forearm. It wasn't from him.
Obviously—he hadn't landed a single solid hit in all their exchanges.
I saw it clear as day…
Ashu swinging his sword down at his own arm without hesitation.
Then, locking eyes with him, he mouthed silently.
Sihan remembered it vividly. He couldn't mistake what Ashu's mouthing spelled.
[Tell] [and] [you] [die]
A smirk curled his lips, viscous malice dimpling the edges.
…He needs to be broken.
He had to surpass Ashu and claim the duchy.
But in that moment, he'd lacked even the nerve to challenge him. It felt like standing before a starving wolf as a frail lamb.
No, I can't lose like this.
For the future, he couldn't yield to that monster's aura.
“Hey.”
“What.”
Ashu clicked his tongue irritably.
Right—that wasn't scary. Time to test the waters.
Sihan swallowed hard. The saliva slithered thickly down his throat, vividly real.
“Your master.”
“Why ask about her outta nowhere.”
Ashu halted abruptly, like a carriage slamming brakes. Screech.
His head swiveled with an unpleasant grind.
“Always wearing that mask—is there some other reason?”
A suffocating silence descended.
Moments later, Ashu's sealed lips parted.
“Sihan Kan Hart.”
His frost-rimed eyes froze Sihan's legs.
“Truth is, I'm in a really bad mood right now. Especially with you.”
Ashu Kan Hart advanced step by thudding step. The eerie wrongness strangled Sihan's throat, like watching a living doll.
His breath hitched.
“The only reason I'm putting up with you is because she asked me to.”
Blind faith gleamed in those blue eyes—less belief, more fanaticism.
“So, do us both a favor and back off her.”
Cold air clawed his lungs. Beads of cold sweat soaked his back, trickling damply down his legs.
“…Got it.”
Sihan squeezed his eyes shut and nodded.
That was their last exchange.
…Ashu Kan Hart's master.
Whatever she'd done, he prayed she'd stay safe. If even a hair was harmed, who knew what this mad beast might become.
Sihan prayed fervently in his heart.