154 Chapter
Johanna has nothing to hide.
This was an answer filled with many meanings.
Johanna had not received techniques meant for transcenders, like Ray, which were uncomfortable to disclose publicly.
Johanna also hadn’t inherited the legacy of Resina, something that would have driven mages mad with envy, as Luna did.
Put simply, Johanna didn’t have much to hide from others, though more cynically, she hadn’t received support commensurate with her talent.
‘To reveal one’s talent always comes with risks…’
Nevertheless, Johanna had already showcased her abilities in the Countdom of Osiris.
If attention was inevitable, it was better to attract good bidders and create competition.
Ray shrugged toward Jenkins.
“The Empire’s Swordmaster must be watching this scene or will soon hear about it.”
“So, are you saying that’s okay?”
“Everyone says Lord Ernst is generous to those with talent. Even if he forcefully recruits individuals, his compensation is reliable…”
“Are you planning to hand Johanna over to someone else?”
“Even if I wanted to give her away, Johanna has the kind of talent destined to stand out at the heart of the Empire. Master, you knew that too, right? Do you regret thinking she might be taken by someone else now?”
“I do regret it. And I feel a bit guilty too.”
Jenkins revealed a complicated emotion as he continued speaking.
“If only Johanna had received proper support, she wouldn’t be struggling so much against someone two years younger.”
“Lord Philip Count and Master, along with the Knights, have bestowed upon us immeasurable grace.”
“Listening to that from you doesn’t exactly stir any emotions.”
“You’re being harsh on your own disciple, Master.”
Jenkins chuckled lowly before asking again.
“Anyway, what do you plan to do if Lord Ernst suddenly decides to take Johanna right now?”
“Well, unlike in the past, I’m not entirely powerless, and besides, Lord Ernst is likely preoccupied with me at the moment.”
“In the end, aren’t you stuck here too?”
“…You could say that.”
Jenkins let out a hollow laugh and gave a warning.
“No matter what happens, take care of the Young Miss. Promise me that much.”
“It’s engraved in my mind.”
“…So, who do you think will win between those two?”
An exchange between young girls that was hard to believe was ongoing, reaching levels far beyond belief.
Ray tried hard to think but eventually shook his head. It was difficult to predict a winner since there wasn’t much difference in their capabilities.
*
Speira laughed joyfully as her wounds increased.
Speira had been recognized for her extraordinary talent from a very young age and received significant investment.
Thanks to that generous investment, her body grew strong, and her internal mana reserves were refined and abundant.
For about two years since she learned to properly control sword auras, Speira hadn’t found an opponent among the youth who could match her in combat.
It was lonely.
Fencing with bearded adults all the time naturally dulled her emotions.
But at this very moment,
An unknown girl of the same age suddenly appeared and began dueling fiercely with her.
Speira was thrilled.
She felt her dried-up emotions blooming once more.
Speira hoped that Johanna could empathize with the feelings she was experiencing now.
Splat!
Blood splattered again.
The gap of two years couldn’t be bridged solely by talent, creating subtle openings that left Speira wounded.
Speira wanted to give her all.
She didn’t want to lose the joy of this moment by holding back hidden techniques.
After some deliberation, Speira decided to use a secret technique that shouldn’t be easily exposed.
Zzzt!
Knights and other practitioners who actively manipulate mana undergo a process called “Opening the Eyes,” allowing them to visually perceive the flow of mana and see the world differently.
The Prizzran Clan worked tirelessly for a long time to further advance this ability, and finally, the genius Ernst Prislan emerged to perfect the clan’s incomplete secret technique.
And Speira had fully inherited this perfected secret technique from Ernst.
Zzzztt!
Concentrated mana flipped the optic nerves, altering Speira’s vision once more.
A red circle surrounded her golden eyes, drawn onto the whites.
This bizarre transformation visualized minute distortions in space and input them into Speira’s mind.
Despite the approaching headache, Speira felt a sense of pleasure.
The vectors of ‘gravity’ and ‘inertia,’ distorting space, were overlaid with colors and captured in her eyes.
This was the definitive reason why everyone referred to Speira as Ernst’s “great-granddaughter.”
The second Opening of the Eyes.
At a young age, Speira had perfectly inherited the clan’s secret technique.
Now, Speira could briefly glimpse the future.
Before Johanna’s sword bent or swung significantly, Speira could accurately predict its trajectory and force.
Speira’s smile deepened.
Zzzzang!
Blocking Johanna’s intended movement first, Speira penetrated her defenses.
Startled momentarily, Johanna’s hands faltered.
Speira pressed forward relentlessly, giving Johanna no time to calm herself.
Pak! Pak! Pak!
Johanna’s greatest advantage—her mobility—began to be restricted.
Johanna felt suffocated.
Trapped completely, breaking through the blockade by sheer force alone was impossible.
Words like ‘fourth-place playoff’ or ‘relegation’ flashed through Johanna’s mind.
“Damn brat…”
Suppressing her emotions, Johanna’s eyes lit up.
Johanna had learned a modified version of Overdrive from Ray.
Although it was far less powerful than Overdrive and extremely difficult to handle, it put significantly less strain on the body.
Ray himself had refrained from using it because it was hard to control, but Johanna, blessed with exceptional mana control, could use it effectively.
Kwaang!!
Johanna converted part of the mana forming her sword aura into an explosion, accelerating her blade along the grooves carved into it.
Zzzzang!!
In an instant, Johanna’s sword pushed Speira’s greatsword aside.
Inducing an explosion by re-converting mana that had already been transformed into sword energy or sword force was a burdensome task even for Ray.
However, Johanna used this skill in actual combat thanks to her innate mana control.
“Haaa!!”
“…!”
Ka-ga-ga-kak!!!
Johanna struggled fiercely to push Speira back, while Speira desperately blocked her path.
It was a clash between two young prodigies, still unripe geniuses whose talents hadn’t fully blossomed.
Attempting to use underdeveloped skills forcibly caused both of their stances to collapse rapidly.
In the chaotic collision, Speira failed to infuse power into her attacks, and Johanna lost her edge.
Even as Speira realized she was crumbling, she continued to smile.
She wanted to prolong this moment as much as possible.
However, the burden of the second eye-opening caused splitting headaches and blurred her vision.
[You…]
In a dazed state, Speira felt an inexplicable sensation wash over her.
Like being trapped in a deep dream, strange landscapes and convictions originating from delusions briefly shook Speira’s subconscious.
[My eternal rival.]
Whether it was a miracle or a curse bestowed by someone, they intertwined.
Through the altered fate, Speira glimpsed the destiny she should have avoided.
Our first meeting wasn’t supposed to be like this.
Our first meeting wasn’t this pleasant.
We were supposed to meet at different times, in different forms.
In our original fates, we were…
Desperately trying to kill each other… rivals and death incarnate.
Kwaang!
Speira, having forcibly pushed Johanna back, raised her sword concentrated with sword energy high.
Since we’re bound by the fate of rivals, ending this destiny now wouldn’t be bad either.
With a changed momentum, Speira gripped her sword firmly.
Something is coming.
Johanna instinctively sensed the danger but didn’t retreat.
Johanna, like Speira, stumbled forward and prepared for the final strike.
As their cores activated to their limits, preparing to unleash their ultimate techniques to annihilate each other,
They didn’t get to finish.
Shay suddenly intervened, pulling Speira back and swinging her sword with all her might at Johanna.
Bang!!
“Ffff…!!”
Johanna, focused on Speira, couldn’t respond in time and was struck by Shay’s sword, tumbling across the ground.
Ray deftly caught Johanna as she slid backward.
While Ray absorbed the impact by falling backward with Johanna, Shay grabbed Speira’s wrist and said,
“You went too far.”
“That’s true.”
Certainly, the final clash and even the second eye-opening shouldn’t have been casually displayed in front of others.
Speira realized she had gotten carried away in excitement and handed her greatsword to Shay.
‘What was that at the end…?’
Speira tried to recall the fleeting visions that came and disappeared.
A dream that felt so real and cruel… it briefly disturbed her mind and then vanished, leaving her unable to remember clearly.
Trying to bring back the memory only worsened her headache, so Speira shook her head and reflected on her duel with Johanna.
It was an intense battle.
Though Speira was younger than Johanna, considering what she’d received as a member of the Prizzran family, the result was embarrassing.
“Good.”
Finding a peer of her age to challenge was both alarming and enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Johanna, who had rolled across the ground, groaned and opened her eyes halfway, realizing she was cradled in Ray’s arms and relaxed.
Johanna, who hadn’t fully recovered from the shock, absently rubbed her face against Ray’s chest.
Ray lightly embraced Johanna, responding to her rare act of affection.
When Johanna regained full consciousness,
Punch!!
She immediately mounted Ray and started punching him.
Ray hastily raised his guard.
“Now, wait a moment…!!”
Punch!! Punch!!
After throwing another five or six punches, Johanna huffed and stood up.
Jenkins steadied the wobbling Johanna as Ray sighed deeply and looked at Shay.
“Did you see that nasty hooligan-like woman?”
Ray approached Shay with a scowl after standing up.
“How dare you interrupt a duel like that? It was dangerous!”
“I merely stopped the duel from overheating.”
“I was planning to stop it too, but your method was too extreme.”
A skilled fighter like Shay could have safely intervened without sending Johanna flying like that.
Instead, Shay frowned and intimidated Ray.
“If you don’t want to be dragged along, behave appropriately. Even if you’ve gained Lord Ernst’s favor, your status is still lower than a Knight—a mere Squire.”
“Haha…”
Ray chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head while asking,
“Didn’t you also scare our Young Miss earlier?”
Alesya trotted up and clung to Ray, glaring at Shay.
Apparently, Alesya had already complained.
Shay and Speira simultaneously thought upon seeing Alesya: She acts just like a loyal puppy.
Shay stepped forward, projecting her imposing presence as she questioned Ray.
“Are you dissatisfied?”
“Ah, come on…”
Ray let out a small laugh, stepped closer to Shay, and tilted his head slightly.
“Hey.”
“What?”
“Does this look like your living room?”
Zzzzang!!!!!!
Struck by Ray’s sword attack, Shay broke through the barrier, flew over the fence, and tumbled across the ground.
Workshop (1)
