Chapter 35 : Demon Chaser (2)
by AfuhfuihgsAn object of admiration.
When Miren Tillope first encountered “Edgar Mulick,” that was what she thought.
A noble from a family of magicians who became a <Swordmaster> hero.
Not only that, but he was also a newly appointed instructor who graduated at the top of his class.
On top of that, he had participated in a joint operation with the Clephe Royal Knights, achieving the astonishing feat of hunting ten Hellhounds simultaneously, thereby proving his rumored, mysterious abilities firsthand.
From the moment she heard this news, Miren couldn’t help but admire Edgar every moment.
It was because Miren herself was in a similar situation.
She, too, was born into a family of magicians and had always faced doubtful gazes.
- A Swordmaster hero from the Tillope family?
Hmm… I wonder how much she’ll grow. At best, maybe third rank.
- Could she be an illegitimate child? Why would a prestigious family of magicians have a swordsman…
- I heard Tanelli Tillope has already joined the Tristan Magic Tower…
The “Compass of Destiny” is not something a hero can choose.
Even if one has a destiny they’ve dreamed of, if the compass points in a different direction, they must accept it.
That, quite literally, is fate.
Therefore, the sudden appearance of the <Swordmaster> destiny could not be a blessing for Miren.
Miren was the child of the Count’s family, the Tillope family of magicians.
People around her evaluated that she wouldn’t be able to fully utilize her family’s advantages, and Miren herself always questioned whether she could grow well as a swordsman.
But then…
That was when Edgar Mulick appeared.
The Mulick Marquisate, far more renowned than the Tillopes.
Born as a child of a grand family of magicians, he openly refuted and disproved all doubts about him.
He proved that even a family of magicians could produce an exceptional swordsman.
He demonstrated that a hero’s reputation is not derived from their family but is something the hero must create on their own.
The hunting achievements he made in the Crimson Thicket weren’t just news of a great instructor emerging at Tristan.
At least, not to Miren Tillope.
“I… I want to be like Instructor Edgar.”
That was when it started.
The moment Miren began admiring Edgar and chose to be his student.
When she confided in her closest person, her sister Tanelli, and began living an active life at the academy.
No longer was being a <Swordmaster> hero from a family of magicians a source of inferiority for Miren.
In front of her was an excellent role model who had already proven it.
That was why she didn’t feel the need to cling to the popular lectures by Instructor Akina.
That was why she applied for the unfamiliar, new course called <Balut Sword Technique>.
There were reasons behind all these choices.
- I will personally observe your battles and correct your stances.
- Very well. Cadet Miren Tillope, you shall go first.
So, when the first special training began, and Miren received a “one-on-one lesson” directly from Edgar Mulick, she felt her heart racing as if it would burst.
“He’s even more handsome up close… No, no.”
It wasn’t just because she was captivated by his appearance like some of the other female noble cadets.
In front of her idolized hero, she would try the <Balut Sword Technique>, and he would personally guide her, identifying her mistakes and providing direct feedback.
That thought alone made it hard to calm her heart.
Of course, it was also her first time fighting a “monster,” and amidst the relentless practical lessons, she found herself in a whirlwind of chaotic days.
A time that was truly special for Miren, despite everything.
“From now on, we will begin the advanced training in the Balut Sword Technique and demonstrate the Velum Sword Technique.”
And then, when a creature presumed to be a beast appeared in the den, and Instructor Edgar began fighting it, Miren finally understood.
“…So this is what a true swordsman is.”
The swordsmanship she had practiced until now was merely an imitation.
Instructor Edgar fought as if the sword were an extension of his own limbs, moving freely, and he leaped across the beast’s massive body as if it were nothing more than a stepping stone.
His speed was beyond imagination.
To Miren’s still-inexperienced eyes, it was barely visible, and even the beast, which took the form of a serpent, struggled to keep up with his speed.
“A Knight of the Tempest…”
“Huh?”
At her side, fellow cadet Kaela murmured, drawing Miren’s attention.
She, too, was unable to take her eyes off Instructor Edgar’s battle, much like Miren.
“Watching our master fight, that phrase comes to mind. A Knight of the Tempest… as fast as the wind, yet strong and unyielding. So that’s the Velum Sword Technique.”
The <Balut Sword Technique>.
The essence of the technique they had learned, and its advanced version, the <Velum Sword Technique>, was ultimately all about “speed.”
Whether facing multiple enemies or a single opponent.
The key was to defeat them in the shortest time possible.
Since it was a sword technique that sacrificed defensive elements and focused solely on offense, speed was its lifeblood.
That was why Instructor Edgar had continuously urged them to “move faster” during one-on-one training sessions.
“I want… to become a true swordsman.”
As Miren watched him, her heart stirred once again.
This was different from the initial awe she felt when she first idolized Edgar Mulick.
It wasn’t just about proving herself as a member of a magician’s family; now, she wanted to wield her sword as a true <Swordmaster> hero.
In that vague sense of heroism that had always lingered within her…
A true motivation had taken root.
“Our master is truly amazing…”
But Kaela’s murmur made Miren pause for a moment.
…But why does she keep calling him “Master”?
Now that her heart was fully engaged, even minor things started to bother her.
Thud!
Slaaash!
The massive body of the beast crashed down, lying across both the swamp and the land.
Lahara, who had established an impenetrable defense using its long and sturdy body, was mercilessly slashed by the <Velum Sword Technique>, taking heavy damage.
There was also the evasion and attack coordination using <Falling Leaf Steps>.
Finally, Edgar reached its head and drove his sword into its sole weak point, the eye.
He attacked the beast with everything he had, exploiting every possible opening, and Lahara was left helpless before his flawless strategy, crumbling in defeat.
A perfect victory.
“Are you all right, Sir Edgar?”
When the battle ended, the cadets and Ray, who had been watching from a distance, approached him.
Although Ray asked if he was unharmed, it was clear from a glance that he was perfectly safe.
There was a look of relief on Ray’s face.
“As you can see, I’m fine. Did any of Lahara’s attacks reach the cadets?”
“Fortunately, there were no such incidents.”
Ray, who had been watching the fallen Lahara in the swamp, turned his gaze to Edgar.
“The Class 2 Beast, ‘Lahara of the Swamp,’ I presume?”
“Hmm?”
A Class 2 Beast.
But seeing Ray, who knew its name and details so accurately, made me tilt my head.
“Today was the first time encountering it—was it a named beast?”
“In the Holy Kingdom of Bedlien, Sir Chaser, a special hero destined as the <Beast Chronicler>, is known to be able to identify even undiscovered beasts’ names and details briefly. I remember reading about it in the first volume of the special beast encyclopedia published by the kingdom.”
“…”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words.
Ray truly reads and studies everything.
Admiring her immense knowledge, I turned my gaze to the cadets who had followed us.
“Is everyone alright? The pressure from the mana must have been intense.”
“Yes, no problem!”
“We’re fine!”
Miren and Kaela immediately answered, looking at me with what seemed to be admiration and awe in their eyes.
Did I fight with too much intensity?
Their gazes felt slightly overwhelming.
Then, one of them went a step further.
“Instructor, that was truly impressive. How did you manage to take down a beast alone… wow… If we master the Velum Technique, could we do that too? I mean, we should start by getting proficient in the Balut Technique—”
“Maintain your composure, Cadet Lucas.”
“Oh, apologies.”
Lucas, the cadet, quickly shut his mouth at my reprimand.
I’d heard he was the eldest son of Viscount Chadbel, but his speech and choice of words hardly seemed noble.
It reminded me of the junior knights from the battlefield before my return, always causing trouble.
Among those from swordsmanship families, there were always a few with quirks like him.
“……”
Lastly, Reese simply stared at me, looking somewhat surprised.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected this level of power from me.
Given his mysterious nature, his reaction was cautious as well.
“Apologies for the unexpected encounter with the beast. Although we managed to handle it, I acknowledge that the sudden situation was ultimately my oversight.”
Regardless, the most important thing was that all four cadets were safe.
With that confirmed, I gave them a light apology and proceeded to wrap up the situation.
“That will conclude this special training session. I’d like to continue to the next lesson, but it will likely take some time to report the beast sighting and begin an investigation.”
Much like the ‘Beast Escape Incident’ in the Red Thicket, it was unprecedented for a beast to appear outside of a source area.
Reporting and dispatching an investigation team might mean a delay in further special training.
“Thus, the next special training schedule is currently undetermined. Until further notice, be prepared to await new instructions.”
“Yes, understood!”
I dismissed the cadets, who responded in agreement.
Though Reese looked disappointed—clearly he had wanted to tackle the source directly—it was best to leave things as they were for today, even if I were to accompany her on a mission another time.
“Ray, let’s clean up the beast remains and head back.”
“Understood, Sir Edgar.”
Though beasts were dangerous, successfully hunting one came with numerous by-products.
Mana stones varied by level, tough and durable hides, and on rare occasions, some beasts possessed artifacts.
This was why so many “Heroic Explorers” thrived solely off such ventures.
When we returned to where Lahara’s body lay in the swamp, Ray scrunched up her face slightly.
“The smell is awful.”
“It’s probably worse because we’re near the swamp. Let’s gather only the essentials and leave. We’ll need to file a request with the kingdom for further investigation.”
“Understood.”
Just as I was approaching the beast to collect the materials—
“…Hmm?”
「The Compass of Fate is shifting!」
「You have been chosen by the fate of the <Tracker>. The first path of the <Beast Tracker> stirs within you.」
A sudden change in my long-silent fate had arrived.
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