Chapter 20. Sparring (4)
Clang! Boom!
The match had been going for five minutes now. Charlotte Tate watched the fight with a careful eye, thinking to herself.
Just as I thought... Sea has the edge.
In truth, it had been that way throughout today's sparring session, which had already dragged on for over three hours. When Jin Yu-ri went on the offensive, Lee Sea was pushed back on the defensive—but strictly speaking, it wasn't a disadvantageous position. She blocked the attacks without taking heavy damage, then immediately counterattacked whenever an opening appeared.
But when Lee Sea attacked, Jin Yu-ri clearly struggled. She endured and endured, barely escaping attack range to catch her breath far too often.
It's worse than 6-4, but better than 7-3.
Last month, when she first started training them, it hadn't been like this. Back then, it was somewhere between 5-5 and 6-4. If she had to pick a slight favorite, it would've been Lee Sea, but the gap hadn't been this wide.
Jin Yu-ri had improved a lot over the past three weeks, but Lee Sea had pulled even further ahead. And that was despite the fact that Charlotte Tate's guidance as an Immune Body holder should have benefited Jin Yu-ri far more.
It's not about mana reserves.
She knew both had gained a huge boost in total mana from their school trip encounter. Lee Sea was at A-rank levels. Jin Yu-ri hovered around the border between A and B. The difference wasn't nothing, but it wasn't enough to decide the match outright. Blaming the gap on mana capacity would be misguided.
Sea is just... superior.
There was no other way to explain it. Resonance, application, and every other aspect of mana manipulation—Lee Sea excelled in them all. Jin Yu-ri was talented too, but without activating her Immune Body, she couldn't match up in raw potential.
By normal standards, both were geniuses. Even by Jin Yu-ri's standards, Lee Sea was a genius. But from Lee Sea's perspective, Jin Yu-ri was gifted at best, no matter how generously you rated her.
There was simply that much of a chasm between their talents... which was why Charlotte Tate was quietly rooting for Jin Yu-ri.
Show them that talent isn't everything.
It might sound contradictory at first, but that was the mindset Charlotte Tate had held onto for so long. She had been the same as a child. Jeong Se-bin, Seo Yeon-hee, and one other. Compared to those three geniuses, she knew her own talent fell short.
Yet she never gave up, and now Charlotte Tate could say with confidence that she had surpassed Seo Yeon-hee. And even that other woman—now dead, with her stunning blue eyes and golden hair—who had passed her prime. If she were still alive and active, Charlotte Tate was stronger than she could have ever reached.
And someday... even the greatest of the four, the great archmage Jeong Se-bin.
You can do it too.
It wasn't about potential. Debating that was pointless on such a grueling path. It was simply a matter of whether you kept going until you could, or gave up before you got there. Nothing more.
And... no one knew what the future held. But at least in this moment, Jin Yu-ri showed no sign of giving up.
The spar dragged into the fifteenth minute. Jin Yu-ri let out ragged breaths.
"Hah... hah..."
"Hoo..."
Lee Sea, who had pushed her all the way to the back of the training room, caught her own breath. Both were exhausted, but Lee Sea still had plenty left—easily twice as much. At this point, the odds had swung past 7-3 to at least 9-1.
The next exchange would probably be the last.
"...Be careful."
With a short warning, Lee Sea stomped the ground hard.
Boom—!
Flame-like mana erupted from where her foot struck. Tearing through the air, she closed in on Jin Yu-ri in an instant. The sword raised above her head trailed a blade of light several meters long, cascading like a waterfall.
Lee Sea's approach was straightforward. She was simply unleashing her mana at the maximum her talent allowed.
As far as Charlotte Tate knew, Jin Yu-ri lacked the power or technique to block it. Without activating her Immune Body, defeat was all but certain.
Can she handle it?
Jin Yu-ri raised her sword to meet the attack, but that was all. The blade, infused with weaker mana than Lee Sea's, wouldn't withstand the impact—it would shatter. And there was no sign of her Immune Body activating.
It wasn't a power she could summon at will, so this was the expected outcome. But Charlotte Tate noticed no despair in Jin Yu-ri's eyes. And for a split second, her gaze flicked to the opposite side of the training room.
A brief glance toward Lee Dojin.
Now Jin Yu-ri swung her sword.
Bang!
No convenient miracle like perfect-timed Immune Body activation. If anything, it was a hair too late.
Crack!
Jin Yu-ri's sword shattered into pieces. And the delayed strengthening-type Immune Body... barely deflected Lee Sea's blade.
"Ah...!"
Lee Sea's eyes widened in shock. Jin Yu-ri, flung back by the attack, slammed into the wall and couldn't regain her footing.
If Lee Sea hadn't eased up then, she still would have won. The match came down to mindset.
Jin Yu-ri, even as she bounced off the wall, showed no hint of surrender—her eyes burned with life. Lee Sea was a beat slow, distracted by her sword slipping from her grasp.
"Aaaah—!"
Roaring, Jin Yu-ri blasted mana from her back to push away from the wall. She thrust her fists into empty air again and again.
Attacks that couldn't possibly reach Lee Sea—and that wasn't the intent. Her target was the fragments of her shattered practice sword, still floating in the air where she'd been holding it.
Whoosh! Whirr!
The shards that touched her fists flew toward Lee Sea like thrown weapons. Lee Sea was just retrieving her dropped sword, barely able to deflect the fragments.
Slice! Clang! Bang!
She dodged a couple, blocked a couple more. But by then, Jin Yu-ri had circled to her side. Despite having no weapon or resources, she threw her body at Lee Sea with all her might.
Thud!
Lee Sea's body hit the ground, struck squarely by Jin Yu-ri's shoulder. She hadn't let go of her sword, but Jin Yu-ri was a fraction faster. She kicked the blade away, then mounted Lee Sea, overlapping their bodies.
Seeing Jin Yu-ri's fists clench, Charlotte Tate shouted loudly.
"Enough!"
Jin Yu-ri froze just as she was about to bring her fist down on Lee Sea. Staggering to her feet... she collapsed flat onto the floor.
Probably exhaustion hitting now that the tension was gone. Lee Sea, who still seemed to have some strength left, pushed herself up and said,
"...I could have kept going."
Her voice was filled with frustration and refusal to accept it. Charlotte Tate replied firmly.
"There were conditions, remember? Yu-ri fights her way, Sea fights hers."
Jin Yu-ri stuck to the fundamentals. Lee Sea prioritized efficiency. That was the premise of the spar.
"You should've chased after Yu-ri instead of worrying about your dropped sword. That was your way—and you would've won. Yu-ri couldn't afford to stick to fundamentals either. In the end, you both switched styles, but if I have to say who used it more proactively... today, it was Yu-ri."
"Th-thank... you."
Even in her exhausted state, Jin Yu-ri managed to stand and speak in a trembling voice. Beside her, Lee Sea hung her head, fists clenched tight. Charlotte Tate spoke to her students as gently as she could.
"Of course, if the spar had continued, who knows who would've won. Just take it as Yu-ri being a bit more alert today. Don't get cocky, Yu-ri. Don't get down on yourself, Sea. Alright, training's over for today—go wash up and head home. You'll come tomorrow too, right?"
"Yes!"
"...Yes."
One was fired up, the other dejected, but both nodded. As Charlotte Tate walked toward the training room entrance, Lee Dojin greeted her.
"Thanks."
"Hm?"
"For teaching Sea and Yu-ri so well."
"Oh, that?"
She brushed it off casually, but inwardly, she was flustered. Looking back, she'd been surprisingly passionate. Hiding that feeling, she told Lee Dojin,
"Take care of Sea today. It'll mean more coming from you."
Was that too soft a request? Lee Dojin looked briefly surprised, then smiled.
"Of course."
After about thirty minutes, Lee Dojin, Lee Sea, Jin Yu-ri, and even Andrey Ilyin had all left the training grounds.
Standing alone in the now-silent training room, Charlotte Tate closed her eyes.
Various thoughts crossed her mind.
First, about Jin Yu-ri.
Having two triggers turned out to be more effective?
It wasn't certain. The Immune Body she'd activated at the end was surely triggered by Lee Dojin. But that didn't prove multiple triggers were more efficient.
If she'd had only one—limited to Lee Sea or Lee Dojin—maybe the timing wouldn't have been late, and she could've claimed victory.
But hypotheticals were just that. The objective fact was that Jin Yu-ri had used two triggers to turn defeat into victory.
Next thought: Lee Dojin and Lee Sea.
They're both good kids.
A brother who doted on his little sister, a genius mana researcher in his own right. A quiet disciple with hidden competitive fire, who deeply loved and relied on her brother. The son and daughter of old comrades.
The desire not to harm these good kids... was growing stronger.
Finally, about herself.
Have I... changed?
She couldn't be sure. If God himself guaranteed that harming Lee Dojin, Lee Sea, and Jin Yu-ri would shatter all limits and grant her an ultimate trigger, she wouldn't hesitate.
But if it was uncertain and vague? Even if Jin Yu-ri's growth stalled, preventing Charlotte from strengthening her own trigger through her—and if it wasn't clearly because of the two other triggers. If it was just a possibility...
Would she harm Lee Sea or Lee Dojin?
She didn't know right now.
I never had to agonize over it before.
Until now, she'd had no shortage of sacrifices for strengthening her trigger. Crime syndicates operating in Europe. Rivals trying to bind her in annoying ways. Those who approached with false kindness but sought to exploit her.
Culling and killing them, ruining them, turning them into vegetables—it had been enough. Intentionally staging incidents, putting trash on stage, and fueling her trigger by witnessing their depravity—it had driven her growth effectively.
It had been about a year since she'd realized no one left dared play such petty games with her. No one in Europe—the continent she effectively ruled—sought to harm or use her. And Charlotte Tate had pondered.
If even her strengthened trigger fell short, she'd need another way. Expand the pool of sacrifices? Include even those who treated her with pure goodwill, like Arnaud Duré?
At that time, she'd made a provisional decision: If necessary, yes.
A year later. Her trigger hadn't hit its limit yet, but as she felt the time approaching, she came to this country. Met Jin Yu-ri. Reunited with the siblings who lingered at the edge of her memories: Lee Sea and Lee Dojin.
She'd planned to use them as sacrifices if needed. She'd thought herself prepared to sacrifice even the good ones.
But...
Was I... not?
So Charlotte Tate couldn't be certain. Had coming to this country changed her? Or had her resolve always been just words, her mindset weak at heart?
What should she do?
Maybe... overcoming this will lead to true growth.
She naturally leaned toward that thought, convincing herself hesitation was wrong. But then...
"See? That's not the right path either."
A voice from behind. Arnaud Duré approached with a grin, holding two beer cans.
Charlotte Tate forced a calm tone as she asked,
"What do you mean?"
"Lottie, you don't seem to realize it yourself, but..."
Pausing for effect, Arnaud Duré continued.
"You're far kinder than you think."
He tossed her a beer can.
Arnaud Duré said nothing more. No specifics about triggers or sacrifices. He simply showed his faith. That he valued her as much as anyone.
Charlotte Tate knew his feelings well, so she asked,
"Arnaud, do you love me?"
If he said yes—the man already central to her trigger—it might strengthen it even more right now.
But Arnaud Duré grimaced and replied,
"No, not at all. You're more precious than any lover I've had, Lottie... but that's not the love you're talking about. Sorry it's not the answer you wanted—I can't help it."
"Why do you say it like I got rejected?"
"Ah, that was rude. Anyway, I hope you're not hurt."
She laughed back at his teasing. It was clear: Arnaud Duré couldn't help her trigger any further.
And for now, she decided not to dwell on it. The limit hadn't come yet.
She took a sip of the handed-over beer and casually flicked her wrist.
Whoosh—
Blades of light filled the vast training room, spanning hundreds of pyeong. High-density mana, near the scientific measurement limit, formed sword shapes. Not one or two—hundreds, thousands of blades hung in the air, poised to shred everything at their master's command.
With another wave, the countless swords merged into one.
Shiiiine...
A brilliantly glowing sword. That was the true essence of Sword Queen Charlotte Tate. The superhuman power born from every sacrifice for her trigger, every monster and criminal slain, her entire life—condensed into a single blade.
Charlotte Tate thought of Jin Yu-ri again. The girl growing beyond her limits with two triggers.
A question slipped out like a murmur.
"Could... two be stronger than one?"
"Isn't that obvious? People around you live that way."
She didn't readily accept Arnaud Duré's immediate reply. But she could acknowledge they were all doing their best in their own way.
Around eleven p.m.
Sitting at a table with chicken laid out, I was in quite a bind.
"Um... Sea. Here, eat this."
Across from me diagonally, Jin Yu-ri—who kept stealing glances—placed a drumstick on Sea's plate.
Sea didn't refuse, but she silently chugged cola after cola without a word. I had no idea why things had turned out like this.
I'd brought them here to treat the kids to something tasty, but Jin Yu-ri was too busy watching Sea to eat properly. Sea had no appetite, just picking at cola and chicken skin.
Then my phone buzzed. A message saying they were almost here. As I pondered how to excuse myself, Sea spoke up right on cue.
"You don't have to skip your smoke?"
"Huh?"
"Just... I haven't seen you smoke today."
It felt like she was telling me to give them space. Perfect for me—I checked with Jin Yu-ri too.
"Yu-ri, sorry, mind if the teacher steps out for a bit?"
"Ah... su-sure. I'll... eat with Sea."
I stood from my chair and headed outside. My destination: a secluded spot good for smoking. Thankfully, no one around. As I went to light up, someone approached.
"Sorry, could I borrow your lighter?"
A woman who looked a few years older than me—late twenties, maybe. Around 170cm tall, with a mature face, figure, and outfit radiating adult allure.
I didn't recognize her at first glance, but I knew who she was.
Seo Yeon-hee.
"This form today?"
"Pardon? I just asked for your lighter—what do you mean?"
"Huh?"
Was I wrong? If so...
But then, with a mischievous smile, the woman teased,
"You fall for it every time."
"Knew it..."
Seo Yeon-hee took the lighter, lit her cigarette, and asked,
"So, why'd you call me out so suddenly?"
"Felt like you needed to know ASAP."
I got straight to the point.
"That thing I mentioned yesterday? It's a Rift, for sure."
The climax event from volume 2 of Kill the Evil. And one more thing I suspected.
"I think I've even pinpointed the location."