I Became a Master...?
Everyone was just as flustered as I was by Yeon, who suddenly bowed her head low, her long hair whipping around.
Including Ern, the people watching me from afar, and even the swordsmanship instructor who'd just been testing me—all of them had their eyes wide open, glancing back and forth between her and me.
"Yeon, you...?"
I'd ended up in the center of the stage almost by accident, and while I was thrilled about it, part of me couldn't help wondering what the heck is Yeon doing?
If I had to name it, my sword style would be called Ilisha-style Quick Draw Sword Technique, but it was purely a flashy technique meant for show.
Even I, its creator, didn't think it was all that practical.
Of course, it made sense—it was a technique I'd developed trying to imitate the super cool iaijutsu from animations and games.
Why draw and sheathe your sword mid-fight when you could just keep it out? That was the universal truth.
Even my father, who'd reached Sword Master level, had pointed that out, and my older brother had called it inefficient and told me to fix it.
I hadn't listened to their advice because of my romantic attachment to quick draw.
How could I resist that satisfying shwing as I sheathe it after a clean slice?
"...Please, I beg you. Even without ether on the blade, could you demonstrate it for me?"
When I didn't answer right away, she must have taken it as a refusal and bowed her head again.
"At least... lift your head first, okay...?"
Having someone bow to me and ask to be taught was a first, so it felt really awkward.
It counted as attention, so I was happy in a way... but hmm, how to put it? Unfamiliar.
I didn't feel like I was in any position to teach anyone.
"If that's what you want."
The moment she heard me, Yeon lifted her head and locked eyes with me.
She still looked like she was dissecting me with her gaze.
No, definitely.
She probably wanted to analyze how my muscles moved while I swung the sword.
That was Yeon for you—she was a sword ghost, obsessed with swords not because she swung them like a maniac, but because she was haunted by them like a ghost.
And she really was.
In the original story, she'd taken an interest in Ern because of the swordsmanship he'd shown off.
She'd gotten close to him through crossing blades.
Her life revolved around swords; she was a woman who was a little crazy in that regard.
So why was someone like her interested in my one-trick flashy quick draw?
I couldn't wrap my head around it, so I decided to ask her directly.
"I could teach you, but... why skip all the other amazing people and want to learn from me? I still have a ton to learn myself... I don't think I have the skill to teach anyone."
There was the swordsmanship instructor right here, or plenty of upperclassmen more advanced than her.
Why me, of all people?
"To reach that realm and still strive for more... It's admirable. Truly, I'm in awe."
Instead of answering, she spouted something even more baffling and bowed again.
Watching her, I didn't hate it.
Having someone beg me to teach them...
It was strangely unfamiliar, but it felt good.
But.
"That's not the real reason, is it...?"
Good feelings aside, I pressed her again for why me.
What was it about me?
"From your quick draw technique... I glimpsed a fragment of the realm I'm striving for."
Finally, she admitted she'd seen something profound in my technique.
"A realm... huh."
...Hmm.
Was my swordsmanship really that deep? For real? She wasn't mistaken?
Now that I understood what she meant, cold sweat trickled down my back even more.
She had insane dedication to swords; no way she'd misread it.
But this time, maybe she had?
I couldn't just blissfully rejoice at the sword ghost acknowledging my technique.
Even I thought it was all flash, no substance.
And she'd seen a realm in that? Really?
"Got it. If you put it that way, I'll gladly show you. My body's not great, so it won't be as good as in a duel, though..."
She was bowing so earnestly; I couldn't just coldly refuse, so I accepted for now.
And I laid the groundwork in case it didn't satisfy her.
If she looked at me with disappointment after, I don't think I could handle it.
"Just seeing the form is enough."
Ah, keep hyping me up like that and I can't think straight.
I let out a big sigh, muttering to myself, guess I have no choice, and took my stance.
"Watch closely..."
I steadied my breathing and assumed the position.
Gripped the hilt and closed my eyes.
Imaginary enemy—yeah, let's say Lorenzo. No, Lorenzo might be too much. Just a stray dog or something.
That way, I wouldn't even need to emit ether.
I imagined the fictional dog charging at me and gauged the distance.
Still early. A bit more. A bit more... now.
Without ether, it was definitely slower.
But it was fine. I was just showing the form anyway.
With the fastest speed this body could manage, I drew the sword and sliced horizontally from the imaginary dog's mouth to tail.
I swung it wide to flick off nonexistent blood, then sheathed it and opened my eyes.
Looking at Yeon, she was staring at me with her pitch-black eyes, impossible to read.
Even I like attention, but that intense stare was a bit much.
Her gaze, like she was capturing every muscle twitch, gave me chills.
Seeing this, I realized how impressive Ern was.
Managing to win over a sword-obsessed maniac like her.
His story logic felt even more solid now.
Since he was so enviable, I needed to give him some painful memories to balance the world...
"...May I touch your hand? Just once."
As I pondered how to mess with Ern, she suddenly asked to hold hands.
"Pardon? Oh, sure... no reason not to..."
I'd given up trying to understand her motives, so I took her hand without thinking.
Then, a sudden warm energy made the ether at my fingertips activate on its own.
"Eek...?!"
Panicking at the ether moving without my command, I yanked my hand back.
Clutching my numb fingertips, I glared at Yeon in protest.
What the heck was that?
She'd forced ether into me, jump-starting my stagnant ether against its will.
"...Indeed. Just as I thought. It's a type of stagnant pulse syndrome, specifically something like frozen meridian blockage... Your body breaks down every time you circulate inner power. That's why you can't easily manifest sword aura or blade energy."
But Yeon was lost in her own world, muttering to herself like a total lunatic.
"Even adopting the inefficient quick draw style was to fell enemies in a single stroke with that frail body. You abandoned all unnecessary movement to minimize damage, focusing solely on sharpness."
Eh... Was there really that much profound technique woven into my swordplay? For real?
"To reach such a realm with that body, driven by sheer obsession to swing the sword no matter what... even coughing blood... I'm ashamed. With this healthy body, I haven't achieved as much as her."
Her eyes were still on me, but her lips slowly curled into a smile that sent shivers down my spine.
Just as it was getting creepy, she stopped and bowed her head to me again.
"...May I take you as my master?"
"Y-Yes? Me? Your master?"
Master? Me? For Yeon?
More than joy at stealing the protagonist's interest, that thought hit first.
Was this okay?
I was lower year, my swordsmanship was... honestly behind hers, and aside from my family background, I didn't have much over her.
Could I even be a master?
Ern looked just as baffled watching her.
It was the natural reaction.
The girl who was supposed to teach him swordsmanship was now groveling to someone who didn't even exist in his previous regression.
I glanced at Ern, and he was looking back and forth between Yeon and me.
Meeting his gaze stirred a mischievous impulse in me.
"...Yes, I could take you as a disciple. But. On one condition."
Ern's face twisted in an amusing way.
He'd wanted to learn the pinnacle of swordsmanship from her, so her sudden move must have shocked him even more.
"What is it?"
"Don't neglect learning from others just because you're studying under me. And don't refuse anyone else who wants to teach you, claiming your skills are lacking."
Like teasing him, I relayed my conditions to her.
She tilted her head in confusion but nodded anyway.
It probably made no sense to her, but it was aimed at Ern.
In other words: watch Ern's swordsmanship, approach him, and let him teach you.
I didn't want to steal the protagonist's opportunities or connections. That'd be too much, right?
I shot Ern another look and told Yeon my name.
"...I'm Ilisha von Airvalt."
"Yeon. No family name. I don't know my parents."
I knew she was an orphan, but hearing her say it outright felt awkward.
"Good, Yeon. That's your lesson for today. No homework... See you next time."
"Yes, Master."
Master.
It felt a bit too grand for me.
But I didn't hate the ring of it.
"Heehee."
After sending Yeon off, I dozed in a sunny spot, claiming meditation, until class ended.
No one bothered me.
Because now they saw me as someone even the sword ghost would take as master...
The moment class wrapped without issue, I headed to the temple where Cecilia would be.
My arm was still tingling a bit.
"Ilisha? Why are you here..."
"Oh, Ern."
And that's when I ran into Ern.