The Iron-Walled Knight, Royce St. Claire.
There was no need for introductions—Royce was one of the strongest knights in the Crescent Empire, the name on everyone’s lips whenever talk turned to might. Even as he aged, he remained among the empire’s most formidable figures, a testament to his legendary physical prowess despite not leaning on magic like some wizards.
Royce St. Claire’s accomplishments were countless, but the one everyone still talked about was the Northern Continent Purge Campaign. In that decisive battle, Royce had held the line alone against overwhelming odds, standing firm until reinforcements arrived. Legend had it that he’d cleaved through thousands of monsters single-handedly—no exaggeration. That was when the nickname “Iron Wall” stuck, and Royce became a globally recognized name.
“Truly… something extraordinary.”
Royce looked upon Ryu with a calm expression, noting how the young man stood confidently, holding his sword as if he didn’t know the meaning of fear. Ryu was unfazed by the subtle pressure Royce had been applying—not just intimidation but actual mana-infused mental probing. But Ryu? Not batting an eyelid.
“He’s got guts,” Royce mused internally. This was the same kid who didn’t seem fazed despite Royce’s imposing presence. So much so, Royce canceled an important meeting just to attend this evening meal and see Ryu for himself.
Ryu wasn’t exactly someone Royce would normally pay attention to. After all, Ryu was just a commoner causing a stir since his enrollment into the Academy. But this year was special—it was the year Royce’s youngest daughter, Elaine, also joined the Academy. Ordinarily, Royce wouldn’t care much about who stood top or bottom, but Elaine’s performance mattered.
When he heard Elaine hadn’t become the top student, Royce wasn’t particularly bothered. After all, what mattered most was skills at graduation, not upon entry. Up until then, Royce’s thought about Ryu was merely dismissive curiosity. But after the grade-level tournament, everything changed.
Ryu outshone Elaine, seizing the top spot, and during the tournament, he demonstrated remarkable talents that even Royce took notice of.
It wasn’t Ryu’s swordsmanship per se that impressed Royce—it was his calm confidence. Facing undead for the first time, yet with no sign of fear, Ryu charged in without hesitation. That same confidence Royce had seen in previous encounters radiated once more.
Royce stood before this audacious youth, both of them ready.
“Are you ready?”
“Already am.”
“Ho ho.”
Ryu’s demeanor exuded nonchalance, which Royce simultaneously admired and found irritating.
Thinking back to the earlier dinner, where Ryu had boldly claimed to be a mage, Royce internally scoffed. While it was true that these days many students were trained in multiple skills, it was still baffling to see someone who walked the path of the sword also dabbling in magic. A knight to the core, Royce simply couldn’t comprehend it. “These kids these days,” he muttered under his breath while drawing his wooden sword, finally preparing for battle.
With a casual sweep, Royce picked up the wooden training sword and struck a formal stance. Instantly, the air between the two shifted. The space grew heavier, the tension palpable.
“Can I use my magic too?”
“Ho ho ho ho. Be my guest.”
Royce thought smugly, “Truly audacious.” The tense atmosphere abruptly lightened at Ryu’s nonchalant request. Adjusting his stance, Royce casually retracted his left hand, wielding the sword now with his right.
“I’ll use just one hand.”
“If you want to switch to both later, feel free.”
“…”
This young man’s audacity was beyond irritating. With a scowl, Royce tightened his grip on the sword, thinking to himself how commoners like Ryu lacked proper respect.
Clang!
The wooden swords clashed, resonating with a light yet crisp sound that echoed around the sparring grounds.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Ryu’s initial moves were deceptively simple—basic strikes that flowed naturally one into another. They were nothing special in terms of power or speed. But after their fifth clash…
Clang!
Something shifted. Ryu’s claim of being a mage wasn’t just idle chatter. Magic began to coalesce around him, unseen but unmistakable to Royce’s experienced senses.
“So, he channels wind…” Ryu, without incantation, began wrapping his limbs in magical energy. Suddenly his attacks grew faster and stronger, powered and accelerated by wind magic laced within his movements.
“I see—you’re one of those types…” Royce had imagined Ryu to be a traditional mage, the sort that cowered at the back, spewing out wide-area spells after a long casting time, before claiming their work was done. But Ryu was different. He wasn’t that kind of mage.
Instead, Ryu channeled his magic to enhance his own body, multiplying the force of his sword swings manifold. This was a style gaining popularity among younger knights—augmenting their natural abilities with magic to make up for perceived deficiencies. It was the first time Royce witnessed it firsthand.
“Not bad,” Royce grumbled internally.
Boom! Boom!
The once light clinks of the swords became thunderous crashes as Ryu continued pouring on the pressure. Despite Royce parrying with a single hand, Ryu gradually increased his speed and strength.
“Still… tricks remain tricks.”
Koosh! Boom!
Deciding it was about time to show Ryu the limitations of his approach, Royce stepped forward, his stance shifting into the signature St. Claire guard position.
“One more strike, and that’s it.”
Ryu showed no signs of fear, instead smiling faintly before gripping his sword with renewed determination. For all his battles and countless foes faced, Royce rarely let provocations get to him. Yet, the ease with which Elaine’s friend reacted grated on him, inexplicably.
Boom! Boom! Bang!
Ryu attacked ferociously, his strikes sharp and fluid. Royce stood grounded, not moving a step as he blocked each one.
“Swordsmanship… average.”
Clang!
In the heat of battle, Royce, distracted momentarily by a stray thought, suddenly sensed a wave of magic from an unexpected angle. Swinging his sword instinctively, he deflected a sharp burst of air that had tried to pierce his side.
Opening his eyes wide, Royce focused on the dispersed mana. The attack hadn’t come from Ryu’s hands but had manifested from the ambient magic around the sparring ground.
Clang! Boom!
Without giving Royce a second to think, Ryu resumed his assault. His blade work, while nothing to write home about, became unpredictable due to the added sharp air blasts coming from random angles.
While St. Claire’s style certainly excelled in defense, no style was purely defensive. Every sword had to be balanced between attack and defense. Royce looked for the perfect moment to strike back but was constantly interrupted by the sporadic air currents.
“Ho ho… you’ve got real skill.”
“Thank you.”
Breaking briefly, Royce stepped back and spoke, Ryu returning in kind.
For a moment, their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them, before once again clashing swords.
Once more Royce assumed a defensive posture while Ryu surged forward.
Clang! Boom!
The pattern repeated. Ryu, as he swung his sword, also fired sharp bursts of air. But this time, his movements were swifter and heavier.
“Ho ho…”
Royce internally chuckled despite the situation. Ryu was undoubtedly skilled, explaining Elaine’s loss. Still, to Royce, both children were equally young and inexperienced in the grand scheme.
Whooosh!
As Royce spun his sword in a wide horizontal arc, Ryu reflexively jumped back. The surrounding mana dissipated under Royce’s technique.
Finally stepping forward, Royce took the offensive. With measured force, he swung his sword toward Ryu, gradually increasing the pressure.
Clang! Boom! Clang!
Though Ryu held strong, the air bursts ceased. Royce sensed an opening.
“Hmmph…”
Whoosh!
At a crucial moment, Royce noticed Ryu shifting sideways from a direct approach, delivering a sudden counterstrike. Barely managing to twist his torso, Royce blocked the strike in the nick of time.
That was close.
“Now will you use both hands?”
“…”
It was only then that Royce realized he was holding the sword with both hands, his body acting instinctively under Ryu’s relentless assault.
