Chapter 53
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Scene 053 Sparring
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...The chairman position?
Thats right. Its a role you should rightfully take on anyway. I cant hold onto it forever.
I felt a twinge of awkwardness.
Arthur had been managing various businesses in Tristans stead all this time, partly because he was the guardian, but also because he didnt trust Tristan.
And Arthurs judgment had been spot on.
Tristan was an all-time lunatic of a villain, after all.
In the end, Arthur refused to hand over those businesses and was assassinated by Tristan.
For such a stubborn man to now offer the chairman position...
It meant Arthur had acknowledged Tristan.
If I had my way, Id hand everything over to you, but I know youd hate that. So how about starting with the chairman role?
In truth, Meikahel University was one of the places I had my eye on.
When I first visited Meikahel University, I looked around for any named characters, but didnt spot any.
Probably because it was during vacation.
But once the semester started with the entrance ceremony, itd be crawling with named characters.
Meikahel University was the empires top prestigious school. Plenty of characters whose talents hadnt bloomed yet were there.
..
If I became chairman, I might even be able to nurture their talents.
And... I looked at Wendy, who was hugging her uniform tightly with a shy smile, and said.
For about a year... Ill do it.
Not that I could keep going even if I wanted to by then.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The crisp sound of wooden swords clashing echoed through the wooden dojo.
Sweat glistened as it dripped from her silver hair tied up in a single ponytail.
The morning sunlight reflected off the sweat on the floor, dazzling the eyes.
Bella Izarkhel glared at the wooden dummy in front of her.
Strength gathered in her hand gripping the wooden sword.
Mana rippled at the tip of the blade.
Her right foot moved first.
The wooden sword sliced through the air like a flash of light.
Boom-!
Bella exhaled.
Unable to withstand the force, the dummys head fell off.
Applause rang out almost simultaneously.
Excellent, miss.
Blanche...
Watching over Bella was her guard knight, Blanche.
Your skills have improved greatly.
...Its still far from enough to carry on the Izarkhel style.
The Izarkhel style was the oldest surviving swordsmanship in the empire.
Long ago, in a dark era when the demon king returned to this land. The hero destined to save the world never appeared.
It was a time of screams and despair.
Abandoned by the hero, the world was consumed by the demon kings darkness.
One day, amidst the people lost in despair, Alonzo Izarkhel appeared.
The sword master Alonzo wielded the light mana granted by the gods to drive back the demon kings army and defeat the demon king himself.
The hero Alonzo later passed down to his descendants a new swordsmanship combining his blade arts and light manathat was the Izarkhel style.
Father no longer trains, so I have to carry on the lineage.
A fine idea.
Well... my skills are still sorely lacking...
Bella recalled the time she had been captured by those thugs.
Honestly, they were opponents she could have handled with her skill level.
Yet she had knelt.
They had hostages, but that was just an excuse.
She lacked the overwhelming power to turn the tables in that situation.
I want to get stronger...
Bella thought of one man.
A disadvantageous situation with hostages taken.
The exact same conditions as her, yet Tristan had overwhelmed them.
He had the power to back it up, forcing the thugs to submit.
At Bellas murmur, Blanche responded firmly.
You dont need to get stronger, miss.
Blanche...?
You have me. I am your sword and shield. So I am your strength.
Her gray eyes stared straight at Bella.
Blanches words were undoubtedly sincere.
But... that wasnt enough.
Blanche.
Yes, miss.
Want to spar? Its been a while.
Spar... you mean?
Yeah. We havent sparred in ages.
Back then... we were both just kids, werent we?
Exactly. Hehe. Doesnt it sound fun?
Bella said with a smile.
Seeing that smile, Blanche hesitated for a moment.
Was it proper to spar with her lady? Yet it was hard to refuse her request.
In the end, Blanche could only nod.
Very well. Ill be your opponent.
Oh, and dont go easy on me.
?!
By the time Blanche realized it, Bellas wooden sword was already aimed at her throat.
Even if shed let her guard down, it was an alarmingly fast strike.
Holding her wooden sword, Bella said to Blanche.
Draw your sword. Blanche. Ill show you just how strong the person you serve has become.
Blanche removed her socks and stood barefoot in the dojo.
The wooden floor, warmed by the morning sun, felt hot.
But to Blanche, it felt like stepping on thorns.
Are you sure this is okay?
Yes. Im more comfortable barehanded.
Hmm... Alright.
Bella faced Blanche.
So, whatll the rules be?
Whatevers comfortable for you, miss. Any rules are fine by me.
Hehe... Our Blanche is so confident?
Yes. I am confident.
Blanche said frankly.
I am your knight. Im confident I can win under any harsh conditions.
It wasnt bravado.
It was fact.
Bella could never beat Blanche.
Both of them knew it.
Even so, Bella raised her wooden sword.
Got it. No mana use. Victory by forcing the opponents surrender.
Understood.
Blanche slowly removed her clothes.
Her uniform jacket, blouse, and pants.
Even undressing, she showed no disarray or openings.
Soon, all that remained was a sports bra and short shorts.
Her diamond-hard muscles and chiseled abs looked almost menacing in a way.
Hehe... Are you showing off your body right now?
No, miss. Its just... since were going barehanded, clothes get in the way...
I see. Got it.
Bella readjusted her grip on the wooden sword.
Her eyes turned deadly serious.
Lets begin.
Yes.
At those words, the air around them froze like magic.
Tension crackled between them.
It was the moment a sparrow on the windowsill took flight.
Bella closed the distance first.
!
Blanche twisted her body to dodge the swift strike.
But Bella, anticipating the dodge, immediately followed up.
A sharp blow flew toward Blanches chest.
Blanche rolled backward, creating distance.
Where do you think youre going!
Bellas foot quickly redirected toward Blanche.
Izarkhel Style
First Form: Light Slash
No mana was infused, yet Bellas wooden sword seemed to flash for an instant. It was an illusion like staring into blinding sunlight.
Through that light, a swift strike precisely targeted Blanche.
But Blanche didnt dodge.
Excellent.
...!
She merely struck the flat of the blade with her knuckles.
Bellas stance wavered.
Blanche pressed forward into her chest, slamming her shoulder into her.
That alone sent Bella flying back.
Bella quickly regained her footing.
And coldly retorted.
I did say not to go easy on me.
My apologies.
Blanche apologized plainly.
With a touch of truth added.
But with your current skill, you cant draw out my full strength.
Hehe... You got me there.
Far from anger at being provoked by Blanche, Bella felt delighted.
She never couldve imagined the formerly stoic Blanche taking this attitude toward her.
Bella gripped her wooden sword tightly.
And slowly approached Blanche.
One step.
Blanche.
Yes.
The distance between them narrowed.
Bellas sword tip pointed at Blanche.
Two steps.
Up to that point, Blanche had simply waited for Bella to close in.
But... youve been away from your post a lot lately? Going off somewhere without even telling me...?