The day of the decisive battle dawned.
The fifteen days, short yet long, rushed by in a blink.
It was a brief ti to prepare for anything substantial.
For a swordsman, fifteen days is a short ti for preparation; achieving enlightennt and reaching a new level would seem miraculous and is not sothing any swordsman can accomplish easily.
Even with a good teacher and a perfect environnt, achieving such progress depends solely on an individual’s capability.
Yet, arrogantly so, we were able to achieve that miracle, and Hanna grew to overflow the cup of growth I had prepared.
She reached for the essence of aura and advanced toward the goal of the sword.
Though I didn’t know what Hanna’s goal was, she had grown rapidly. So much so that even Rowen found it unbelievable.
The moon reached its peak at 11 p.m.
We arrived at the training ground at a late hour when no one was around, standing in the center where the chilly wind blew, waiting for our opponent.
Trying to calm her trembling heart with deep breaths, Hanna constantly drank water, as if she couldn’t quench her burning anxiety.
I approached Hanna and carefully spoke to her.
“Are you nervous?”
“Haha. Saying no… would be too much of a lie, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Sigh… I feel like I might go crazy.”
Hanna let out a dry laugh as she looked at .
“I thought I wouldn’t be nervous… but I’m very shaken. You said I could win, but I’m sorry I keep trembling.”
I looked at Hanna and nodded, assuring her it was okay.
These fifteen days were tied to Hanna’s life. Accepting it calmly would be stranger.
nificant matter of marriage.
If, by any chance—which I didn’t believe would happen—Hanna were to lose, I wouldn’t accept the outco.
Qui.
Though such a scenario seed unlikely.
ht be the only chance for her to prove her sword to her father.
Not knowing the weight of the burden Hanna carries, rather than offering vague encouragent like ‘You can do it,’ I chose to give her a supportive pat on the shoulder.
This would give Hanna more strength.
Ti was approaching.
The mont soone would see as their decisive battle was drawing near.
In the process, having t Rowen at the Academy, Hanna must have felt stressed and clenched her fists seeing her father teaching the sword to others.
What she had long desired was easily gained by Academy students without any effort, and the appearance of a disciple, Michail, could only co as a huge deprivation to Hanna.
Knowing that everything she wished for was rely a ans to block her sword could have washed over her with an unspeakable sense of futility.
If I were in Hanna’s position, I would have been in despair.
I couldn’t fathom Hanna’s feelings. Saying ‘dare’ fits well.
Though it’s a boastful remark, I had achieved much with the sword and grew smoothly without any hindrances.
Considering that the only thing to be cautious of was the young lady’s mischief, assessing Hanna’s hardships didn’t match appropriately.
Therefore, I spoke with certainty.
To offer more than aningless consolation, to give her confidence, I told Hanna.
You can win.
“You can win if we do as we have been.”
“Of course. Whose disciple do you think I am? I’m the disciple of the world’s strongest butler.”
I nodded with a smile at Hanna’s spirited response.
“You know well.”
The earrings I gifted Hanna swayed in the moonlight by her ear. Seeing the slightly trembling earrings, I clenched my fist, thinking that she could do it.
Unless sothing significant occurs, Hanna can defeat Michail.
inal work couldn’t match the present Hanna’s level; thus, I was certain she would win.
Hanna’s sword had grown that much and hadn’t rested. Even if Michail had gained significant insight, even if he had learned the swordsmanship of Histania, it would not greatly influence the duel.
-Step.
From afar, familiar male figures began to appear.
Michail was advancing with heavy steps, while Rowen approached with a nonchalant stride, as if he knew the result.
I massaged Hanna’s shoulders and whispered softly.
“Don’t be nervous.”
“Phew. I’ll try not to.”
“Even if you lose, I’ll stop the marriage, so don’t worry.”
“Pardon…?”
“Just trust . Though it won’t happen.”
I lightly brushed off Hanna’s surprised question and looked at the clock, speaking to Rowen and Michail.
“You’re late.”
Rowen shrugged his shoulders and replied indifferently.
“Arrived just on ti, didn’t I? Isn’t it your fault for waiting?”
“Pfft…! I see. I thought you had run away.”
“You have a strong sense of self-awareness.”
“Thank you for the complint.”
Rowen clicked his tongue, looking at disapprovingly.
“Today will be the last day seeing you.”
“I have the sa thought.”
“…”
I glanced at Michail standing beside Rowen, ready with resolve, looking at Hanna and .
Taking a deep breath, Michail grabbed his sword strapped to his waist and spoke with a heavy voice.
“I’m sorry.”
Michail looked at Hanna and bowed.
“…”
“I thought a lot. About why you made this choice, what prompted you to challenge such an unfavorable duel. I pondered a lot.”
Ignoring , Michail spoke his monologue, and I watched with an awkward smile.
He must have realized sothing to speak this way. Ideally, it would be nice if he would forfeit.
Though that was unlikely.
Michail spoke to Hanna, apologizing again for being inconsiderate, for not realizing until now, bowing and continuing his apology.
“If I had thought a little further, I might not have accepted this duel. I was reckless.”
“Just draw your sword.”
“You’ve grown up in a good environnt. I believe there’s a better future if you turn back….”
“Shut up and just draw your sword.”
Hanna gritted her teeth and spoke to Michail’s aningless apologies.
Yet Michail continued to apologize, as if he had already won, declaring with determined eyes.
“I’m going to win.”
“I have a reason I must win.”
“So, I’m sorry.”
The wind was cold.
Fearing catching a cold if we stayed longer, I looked at Rowen and said.
“May I ask one thing?”
“What is it?”
“If Hanna loses, will you proceed with the marriage as we discussed?”
“…”
“Let’s settle this before starting.”
“…”
“Isn’t it unfair to start with two proposals tied to the duel? We only asked for severance; demanding marriage too seems against reason.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“…”
I said to Rowen with a chilly smile.
“Just considering it isn’t good.”
“We have already agreed to accept the outco.”
“Isn’t it unreasonable for one side to suffer more losses?”
“It’s an affair started with accepting the unreasonable.”
I erased my smile and said.
“You should take it easy.”
A cold aura flowed.
Rowen’s anger and the young swordsman’s warning clashed with my impudent words, stirring the air.
-Clap.
I clapped my hands and said.
“Let’s start now. It’s tiring to keep seeing each other’s faces.”
I looked at Michail and Hanna and spoke.
“Are you ready?”
The two swordsn nodded and held their swords, standing at opposite ends of the training ground, awaiting the signal.
“No killing blow.”
Rowen raised his hand and interrupted .
“It is permitted.”
“Are you joking?”
“Just block it. Facing reality will break your spirit.”
“Hah…”
I shook my head and replied.
“I won’t block it.”
“You wish to see your disciple get injured?”
“No.”
I looked at Michail’s sword and spoke.
Observing what I considered Michail’s weak point, the long sword, I beca 50% certain of victory.
It seed Michail still hadn’t yielded.
“Your disciple seems to be the one who’ll get hurt.”
“Hah…”
As soon as the fluttering petals touched the ground.
Rowen’s low voice resonated through the training ground.
“Begin.”
The two swordsn kicked off and dashed forward.
Hanna’s sword sliced through the fluttering petals, and Michail’s sword cut through the swirling pink petals as they advanced.
And then.
-Clang…!
In the midst of their fierce dance of swords.
“What on earth.”
Even I, on the verge of becoming a Swordmaster.
“…”
Even Rowen, who is a Swordmaster.
Stood still without moving.
End of Chapter
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