Ancestral Powers and Sparring Challenges
The next day, still groggy from sleep, I dragged myself to the training grounds. Even during the festival, training couldn't be skipped.
As I arrived at the training grounds, familiar faces greeted me.
“Serrian! Jade!”
“You've arrived.”
Serrian and Jade turned to me with pleased expressions, but their faces stiffened when they saw Ian shadowing me like a ghost. We'd trained together a few times, but things were still awkward between them. And after the Tentamen, the tension had reached a peak.
“Ian, come here.”
“...Yes.”
Ian, however, stood by my side as if nothing was amiss. Come to think of it, he never seemed uncomfortable around the knights. No, he never showed any discomfort at all. He just silently did as I commanded.
“Repeat what you told me before.”
“...Pardon?”
Ian looked at me with a bewildered face. I explained to the puzzled Serrian and Jade.
“Oh, it seems Ian still can't fully control his power.”
“His power...?”
“Yeah, he says he has some tribal power he can use.”
“As expected of the Servo family...”
I recalled the power Ian had unleashed during the Tentamen. Black mana that slithered up the sword like a serpent. It had given off an unsettling vibe, but if it could nullify Benjamin's magic, it had to be something extraordinary. He couldn't control it yet, but once he got the hang of it, it would surely become a major asset.
“So, I think we need to adjust Ian's training.”
I'd boldly promised to help him, but honestly, I doubted I'd be much use. The Dragon's Mana had been friendly to me from the start. I'd been worried about handling it, but the knights had shown me the knack, and I'd wielded it effortlessly right away. That had been a huge help during the Tentamen. Since I'd never struggled with my tribal power, I couldn't be a good mentor to Ian.
So, I decided to ask the other knights for help.
“Tribal powers are usually passed down to heirs, right? So why is the Servo family's power like this?”
“Who knows. The Servo family is so reclusive.”
“Hmm.”
Serrian shook his head with a troubled look. Ian didn't know much about his own power either. Was it a secret he couldn't tell me, or did he really not know? I couldn't exactly go ask the high priest, who'd holed up in that remote temple at the northern edge.
I was pondering this dilemma when—
“It seems Sir Jade would know more about it than I would.”
“C-Captain!”
“Huh? Jade does?”
I stared at Jade in surprise. He shot Serrian a glare, looking uncomfortable.
“What? What do you mean?”
“Sir Jade can wield his tribal power too. Though he hardly ever uses it.”
“Haah, really.”
Jade sighed reluctantly and finally spoke, as if it pained him.
“There's a legend that the Mare family's ancestor was a mermaid.”
“A mermaid!”
I cried out, eyeing the steadfast Jade.
“That doesn't suit you at all!”
“...I know, so don't look at me like that.”
Jade grimaced as if utterly fed up, which cracked me up. He must have hated how people always laughed, which was why he'd kept quiet. He eyed my chuckling self with a complicated gaze before continuing.
“It's not that impressive. Compared to the Dragon's Mana you inherited, Lady Abigail, it's practically nonexistent.”
“Heh, hehehe. So what is it?”
“You can think of it as the ability to manipulate water. It would be more useful if one had a talent for magic, but as you can see, I'm suited to the sword.”
“Ahh, so that's why your aura is so clear like water.”
I remembered Jade's aura from the demonstrations he'd given me. Before the Tentamen, when I was still getting used to the Dragon's Mana, he'd shown me his transparent aura tinged with a hint of blue. Knights' auras varied in color and feel. Mine was dark red, Jade's was transparent with a bluish tint, Ian's was black, and Serrian's was deep navy.
It was fascinating to think that might be a tribal trait. Family members seemed to share similar colors.
“The Mare family lives by the coast. Mermaids no longer exist, but you can tell we once mingled with them just by looking at the Mares.”
“Ooh, that's cool.”
Dragons were amazing enough, but mermaids? This really was a fantasy world—stories of other tribes were endlessly intriguing. So what had Ian's ancestors been? Probably some non-human entity like dragons or mermaids. I was curious, but Ian would probably just say he didn't know.
“Then, can I leave Ian's training to you, Jade?”
“Well, I doubt I'll be of much help...”
“......”
Jade and Ian exchanged extremely awkward glances. I saw it as a golden opportunity. Here's hoping they get along!
I patted their shoulders.
“Jade makes a great teacher, so you can trust him, Ian!”
“Ahem. Don't expect too much.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
He really was easy to handle. A little ego boost, and Jade's lips curved up happily. I turned away as the two began discussing training seriously, then looked back at Serrian.
“Serrian, today you'll train with—”
“Captain!”
“Ah.”
Serrian was too busy as captain. A knight came dashing up, out of breath.
“What is it?”
“The Bellio Knight Order is arriving soon.”
“Ah, I see.”
The Bellio Knight Order—the perpetually absent 3rd Knight Order. When I started training, they'd been out on a mission. I'd heard they'd return before the Magic Festival, but delays must have pushed it to now. I felt curious about the order I'd yet to see.
“Will you come with us, my lady?”
“Me?”
Serrian asked as if reading my mind. I hesitated briefly, then shook my head.
“Hmm, no. I'll keep training. I've gotten rusty from slacking off for the festival.”
Besides, meeting them for the first time would be awkward. I hadn't bonded with them through training like the others.
Serrian nodded readily at my decision.
“That's fine. Better to avoid those sorts altogether.”
“Huh?”
“They're barbarians. You understand? Stay far away from them.”
“Whoa, that bad?”
“And... whew. I'll tell you the rest when I get back.”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
I saw off the unusually fired-up Serrian. He was always so composed; this was rare. I knew the Bellio Knight Order well from the original story, too. A headache of an order even their lord, the duke, struggled to control. They'd defied the male lead, the crown prince, to the bitter end, causing endless trouble. They all hailed from the northernmost villages in the harsh north, raised doing rough mercenary work, free-spirited to a fault, preferring to smash monsters over lounging in the mansion. Naturally, they clashed with the city-bred 1st and 2nd Knight Orders. Even their captain, Serrian of the 1st, reacted like that—need I say more?
Something told me smooth sailing was off the table from here on.
“Haha.”
Anyway, looked like solo free training for me today. Jade was taken by Ian, and Serrian by the Bellio Knight Order. I glanced around—everyone subtly avoided my gaze. Truth be told, without Jade or Serrian, no one here could handle me.
“Abi! Alone today?”
“Henry!”
I beamed at Henry approaching in casual gear. But he wasn't alone. My eyes widened at the girl trailing him at a deliberate distance.
“Who's this?”
“Greetings, my lady.”
The girl with her deep purple hair tied high in a noble style curtsied with a bright smile. Her greeting screamed nobility. Had any of the mansion's visiting retainers included a girl my age? As I pondered, she spoke first.
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Camilla, eldest daughter of the Marku Count family.”
“Ah, aah. I see.”
“I'm ashamed it took so long—business kept me from coming with Grandfather. We arrived late last night, so I'm finally able to pay my respects.”
“No worries, Lady Marku.”
The granddaughter of that veteran Marku Count. I pictured the old man swinging his iron warhammer with terrifying force during our spar. Just once, but I'd sworn never again. Compared to him, his granddaughter looked so delicate. Like she'd never touched a sword.
“But what's the occasion today? That mutt's usually glued to your side.”
“You mean Ian?”
“Yeah.”
Henry scowled in Ian's direction, displeased. Ian was deep in lessons with Jade. They were far enough not to disturb, so I couldn't hear, but they seemed engrossed—perfect.
“Heh, long story.”
I chuckled and turned away.
“Anyway, perfect timing. I was about to train solo. Be my sparring partner?”
“Sure thing.”
Henry agreed cheerfully, rolling his shoulders. Then, the quiet Lady Marku piped up.
“My lady, may I receive your guidance first?”
“You...?”
“Yes. I'm no expert, but I do have some swordsmanship knowledge.”
I eyed the smiling Lady Marku anew. Like me, her long hair was in a ponytail, and she wore pants and a shirt. It didn't look forced like a curious visitor's outfit—it felt natural, everyday. I'd never sparred with a girl my age before. Curiosity bubbled up.
“Lady Marku! Mind the order. I was here first.”
Henry grumbled at her, looking annoyed. But Lady Marku shot back shamelessly.
“Master Lupus, how petty. Can't you yield to a lady?”
“What did you say?”
“Pfft, hehehe.”
Watching them growl like dog and cat cracked me up.
Henry whipped around.
“Abi! You think this is funny?”
“Ah, sorry. Hehe.”
“Stop laughing!”
I stuck my tongue out teasingly at his irritation. Normally he'd charge, but he was holding back with his nemesis present. I turned to Lady Marku.
“Do you wield an iron warhammer like your grandfather, by any chance?”
Henry gave her a pitiful look, but she met my eyes.
“No, I lack his brute strength.”
“Phew, what a relief.”
She burst into giggles at my relieved sigh.
“Sounds like Grandfather gave you a rough time.”