The moment the swords clashed, sparks flew into the air.
The two sword strikes slid off each other’s blades, and a series of quick strikes followed, scattering sharp shockwaves around us.
In just a few seconds, I lost count of how many sword paths had been drawn.
All I could feel was the sound of the air bursting and my vision becoming dizzy. The blade danced like a buoy in the gap between us.
At first, I responded with agility to each strike.
However, it wasn’t long before I barely managed to keep up with the sword. In the end, I had to accept a kick to the solar plexus and stumbled back.
With a gasp, I turned to stumble backward.
I nearly collapsed, but I gritted my teeth and endured it. I was tired of falling and collapsing.
The opponent seemed to enjoy that fact. A satisfied smile rose on his lips.
He was a middle-aged man with a rugged body and impressive red beard.
In his hand, he wielded a greatsword that looked cumbersome to lift. He swung that massive chunk of metal as if it were a mere skewer, exuding a sense of oppression.
This man’s name was Derek, a legendary monster hunter and a former professor of the Academy swordsmanship department.
I thought my skills had improved significantly over time, but Professor Derek was still a level I couldn’t approach.
After all, he had spent decades hunting countless monsters in the wild. He must have accumulated far more real combat experience than I had.
Of course, I never thought I could win easily. But the thought that I wouldn’t even be able to leave a scratch was bitter for me.
After striking my solar plexus a few times to calm my breath, I let out a deep sigh. My disappointment was blatantly evident.
In response, Professor Derek merely snorted as if he found it amusing.
“Ian, no matter how many times you’ve faced death, it’s still too early for you to challenge me. I acknowledge your swordsmanship and improvisation, but your aura’s density is too low.”
“… Going beyond that is not just effort but the realm of talent, isn’t it? If simply wanting to become an expert made one an expert, half of the Academy would be experts already.”
Feeling a lingering sense of grievance, I couldn’t help but grumble. Yet Professor Derek simply shook his head.
He was a swordsman who had reached an advanced level among sword experts. It would be futile to discuss talent in front of him.
He was someone who had reached a level even without professional sword training. His talent was undeniable.
If he hadn’t possessed such talent, he would have met his demise a long time ago, for the life of a monster hunter was no easy feat.
Just standing here alive proved Professor Derek’s talent. After all, he had risen to the position of a professor at the Academy as a commoner.
Perhaps because of that remarkable talent, he didn’t seem to sympathize with my words.
“It’s easy to blame talent, Ian. For you, the absolute amount of magical power is lacking… But to become an expert, what you need is not talent, but mindset.”
My gaze fixated on Professor Derek. My posture was hunched from the blows to my solar plexus. He smiled wryly as he saw the doubt in my eyes.
“Even now, look. Your swordsmanship and combat experience have already surpassed those of a considerable expert. But what do you think is the reason that your aura isn’t developing?”
“…Because I lack magic?”
Again, my assertion was refuted.
Professor Derek shook his head once more and said, “It’s because your mindset isn’t organized yet. Aura is the manifestation of your mindset, and the stronger your mindset, the stronger it becomes. But lately, I can feel cracks in your aura.”
Hearing those words caused my mouth to snap shut involuntarily.
The fact that my mindset wasn’t organized hit me like a sudden rough stone.
Recently, I often felt like I wasn’t myself.
At such times, my memories would be jumbled, and new techniques I had never learned would appear out of nowhere. I would find myself surrounded by blood, snapping back to reality in confusion.
Perhaps that turmoil was affecting my aura.
As I sat in silence, looking down at my feet, Professor Derek nodded as if he expected this.
He slowly approached and patted my shoulder.
His large hand felt heavy even with just a light touch. Naturally, my brow furrowed, and Derek burst into laughter.
“Don’t think too complicatedly, Ian. Although you’re still wavering, you’re already at the threshold of an expert… Just remember one thing.”
My eyes turned back to Professor Derek. Now with a serious tone, he gave me advice.
“One thought!”
For a brief moment, I paused at those words, only to ask back in confusion, “What does that mean?”
“When you fight, everything becomes blurred, forgotten, and hazy… In the gaps of that unconsciousness, there’s a will that suddenly emerges, like tearing through a curtain.”
As he spoke, a mischievous smile appeared on Derek’s face, reminiscent of a father sending his child on their first errand.
“Look closely, you can do it.”
With those encouraging words, Professor Derek ambled away. He waved his hand a couple of times as a farewell, as if nothing had happened.
It was then that I, standing with my back to Professor Derek for a brief moment, opened my mouth.
“…Professor Derek.”
I felt his gaze flicker toward me. That sharp look affirmed that he still had not lost his wildness.
Naturally, my eyes also turned behind me.
It was the moment my gaze met that of the middle-aged swordsman in the air.
“Is it okay if I keep asking for your help? I’m currently clashing with the Imperial Court.”
“Hmph, what are you talking about…?”
Despite my cautious inquiry, Professor Derek merely suppressed a laugh as if it were absurd.
He clicked his tongue and said, “Being born a commoner and teaching nobles, what’s the big deal about that? Nobles can pour some water on royalty.”
It was an outrageous statement.
Anyone with even a slight understanding of noble society would know that such words shouldn’t be uttered. Raising a problem could even get one charged with royal defamation.
It was a dangerously reckless statement.
Yet, coming from Professor Derek’s mouth, it felt like a casual matter, making me swallow a dry laugh.
It was the advice of a master who had crossed countless death lines.
As I engraved the word ‘one thought’ into my heart, I steadied my trembling hands from the shock.
My eyes, wrapped around the sword’s handle, gazed toward the descending twilight.
A lot had happened during this time.
I had entrusted the flow of the procession to Seniors Delphine and Elsi while advising non-combat personnel, including the Lady Virgin Saint and Emma, not to participate in the return ceremony.
Of course, I had also specially asked Professor Derek to pay careful attention to the guard. A skilled individual like him could likely reduce numerous sacrifices.
All those paths interlinked and eventually met at a crossroad.
The ‘Return Ceremony’ was tomorrow.
On the day of the Return Ceremony, the Imperial Princess was waiting for someone with a nervous expression.
Her steps, going back and forth, looked unstable to anyone watching. Even passersby took interest in Shi-en’s transformation, as she was usually so composed.
But for today, the princess couldn’t afford to care about others’ gazes.
Preparation was complete.
Once the fuse was lit, it was all over. While there was still time until the Yuridina Clan’s army arrived, the plan to annihilate Perkus Manor could be initiated beforehand.
First, they would tighten the financial grip on Ria Percus’s company.
Despite numerous suppliers announcing contract breaches, their company had managed to hold on so far due to the cash assets they had secured.
However, if the company’s ability to repay debts came into question, former creditors could unilaterally demand emergency repayment. Originally, this was supposed to be done under the Imperial Court’s strict supervision, but that didn’t matter.
After all, Shi-en was not a member of the Imperial Court anymore.
It was a fatal blow for Perkus Manor, which had begun to sever ties with neighboring territories.
Before long, resources within the territory would start to run low, and the Imperial Court’s support in preparation for that would not arrive.
Additionally, there were several plans prepared for Ainstern Territory and Haster Territory as well. It was a flawless plan without any gaps.
Yet the reason Shi-en was as anxious as she was now was simple.
There was no turning back.
Once it started, reversing the damage would require several times the effort and time. Moreover, the label of a company with questionable debt repayment ability was deadly in the marketplace.
To revert that distrust back into trust might require not just years but perhaps decades.
And inflicting irreversible harm on someone would mean establishing a relationship that could never be undone.
In truth, Shi-en was a coward.
In her childhood, she had borne the fear and disdain of everyone by herself. That left indelible scars deep in her psyche.
This was why she had gone to such lengths to ensure that not a single person would hate her.
She understood better than anyone else how painful having just one enemy could be.
But today, if Shi-en made her decision, at least one person in this world would forever hate her.
And that was terrifying.
Especially when she recalled the golden eyes of the person who had glared at her holding an axe, her knees would shake involuntarily. To have to deal with such a terrifying person as an adversary, of all things.
However, it was better to be an object of fear than to be looked down upon.
It was a conclusion Shi-en had realized, overcoming countless hatred. A perfect example of that was Ian Percus.
Though many opposed him, few dared to touch him.
Ian Percus was a formidable presence.
Thus, the Imperial Princess intended to act accordingly.
However, no matter how many times she reassured herself, she couldn’t shake off her hesitation, and so she waited for a man.
The one feeling anxious wasn’t just Shi-en.
Irene, whom the Imperial Princess had forcibly brought along, also appeared hesitant. Though the escort had been reinforced after Ian’s threat, the traumas she had endured weighed heavily on her spirit.
Only a few newly dispatched Imperial Guard Knights seemed to remain calm. The rest, mostly non-combat staffs like the head maid, managed to maintain their composure.
The man who had troubled both women finally appeared as morning dawned.
The previously hidden pouch at his waist was now visible. It looked to be filled with potions. And even the blade of a sharply honed hand axe.
He seemed fully prepared. I couldn’t comprehend why he needed to put so much effort into a mere ceremonial procession, though.
Shi-en felt a moment of vague suspicion, but more than that, the overwhelming relief of finally facing him prevailed.
Unconsciously, she called out his name.
“Ian Percus!”
The man, who had been moving without a word, suddenly halted.
His golden eyes flicked toward the princess. Each time she saw those blazing eyes, Shi-en felt a rush of anxiety, but she could no longer hold back.
She strode up to stand close to the man.
It was the moment when the eyes of the two met.
