Chapter 37: Dedicated scarecrow

“Haa!”

Thwack!—

The wooden sword struck the training dummy with a satisfying thud, the sound echoing pleasantly.

My ash-gray hair, tied back in a single ponytail, bobbed with each swing, no longer obstructing my vision.

The training outfit Sara had given me was comfortable, though a bit loose in the chest area. The shorts, however, were so short they barely qualified as clothing.

My pale thighs gleamed in the sunlight. The outfit had initially seemed too revealing, unlike the breezy skirts that occasionally gave me chills. These tight, short shorts were perhaps even more embarrassing.

But the comfort was undeniable. I forgot all about my modesty once I started moving. Linne’s wandering hands were a minor annoyance, easily swatted away before they reached my legs.

Despite the distractions, I enjoyed practicing my swordsmanship.

Mindlessly swinging the sword was…therapeutic. With each swing, the turmoil in my heart settled, replaced by a quiet calm.

I paused, wondering what the others were doing. Were they off having fun without me?

I looked around the training grounds. It was the weekend, but quite a few students were present, their energetic movements like flowers in full bloom, a pleasing sight.

Of course, they were all probably crazy lesbians. I should probably be wary of those who seemed dedicated to training… Not that I was scared of them, of course.

I spotted Linne and Nina sparring in the distance. Sara was practicing magic, aiming at a target. They seemed to be focused on self-improvement, surprisingly wholesome.
I returned to my own practice.

I pictured each of my friends’ faces as I swung the sword.

First, the small, fluffy wolf beastkin, Nina.

Hiss…

Thwack!—

Her smiling face shattered under my ferocious swing, fading into nothingness.

How dare she look down on me, molest my sides, and make me bark like a dog…

Clang!—

“Oops.”

I’d gotten carried away. I’d lost control of my strength.

My emotions were getting the better of me. I needed to calm down, take deep breaths.

Hoo…

Haa…

I stopped, exhaling slowly. My mind quieted.

Deep down, in the quiet depths of my being, I found stillness.

I shed the insecurities that blinded me, the judgments of others, my own self-doubt. It all faded away.

This wasn’t forgiveness or acceptance.
Nor was it resignation.

It was simply…conserving my energy, refusing to be consumed by negativity, by the flaws of others.

I let go of the past, focusing on the essence, burning away the useless remnants until nothing remained but pure, refined resolve.

In this moment, even my identity didn’t matter. Just this one breath, this moment of liberation.

The most important thing right now…

“Revenge! Die, Nina!”

Clang! Thwack! Clang!—

“How dare you strip me naked and make me sit and bark like a dog! Even for a savage beastkin, that was too much…!”

That was the most humiliating experience of my life!

The training dummy shuddered under my furious assault.

I swung again, my momentum building. I already had my next target in mind.

“Sara, you sneaky b*tch…!”

Thwack!—

“I told you I was embarrassed, to stop looking! And you said, ‘More, please’? I’ll bash your head in with that crystal ball of yours!”

I remembered Sara’s actions, her relentless teasing. Wearing only panties under my dress had been a fatal mistake. My hands were occupied, covering myself, and I eventually succumbed to their demands…

Hee hee… Now, little puppy, what’s your name?

W…woof. Elena…Elena Estelle… Call me Ellie… Woof, woof…

Hey, not like that! Like this…

“Haaa!”

Clang! Thwack! Clang!—

My grip tightened on the sword, my vision blurring, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My face burned. I didn’t want to remember the…suggestive poses I’d been forced to make. And that crystal ball she kept shoving in my face, clicking and glowing ominously…

Something about it seemed…wrong.

“Wait…could it be?”

A chilling realization made my blood run cold. It was…

…a magic tool that amplified…lust!

That explained the strange excitement and the heat in my body. I’d been affected by its magic.

“You sneaky snake, Sara…”

Trying to manipulate me with such a cheap trick…

At least I knew now. I wouldn’t fall for it again. She’d pay for using such a vulgar object on me.

“Take this!”

Clang!—

Sara’s smiling face shattered under my blade, replaced by the cold, unfeeling training dummy.

I paused, catching my breath, and noticed someone watching me.

Had they finished their duel already?

I turned around, expecting to see Linne, but it was a stranger. A girl with silvery hair tied in pigtails, a cheerful-looking girl dressed in expensive clothes, clearly from a wealthy family.

But she looked too young for the academy. Perhaps in a few years…

She must be here to meet someone. And she’d probably stopped to watch my impressive swordsmanship.

The girl snapped her ornate, gold-embroidered fan shut. It looked expensive, but didn’t suit a child.

Her bright, golden eyes sparkled as she spoke,

“That’s…not how you do it.”

“…What?”

Confused, I blurted out a stupid question. But the girl, who’d just insulted me, continued,

“But…not bad.”

She nodded, then smiled brightly. I just stared at her, dumbfounded.

Was she picking a fight with me? This little runt?

I clenched my tiny fists.

“You’re cute, and you smell delicious… You can be my right-hand woman!”

The bold child stepped closer, sniffing me, her slightly narrowed golden eyes flashing with a strange red light.

I had no idea what she was talking about. Her right-hand woman?

Her arrogant declaration gave me a headache, but I refrained from anger. I wasn’t going to lose my temper at a child.

I just waved her away dismissively.

“Little girl, I’m busy, so go play somewhere else.”

“Little girl? I’m fifteen! How old are you, shorty?”

“What?! I’m not short! You little…”

Thwack!—

“Ow!”

I flicked her on the head. I’d meant to just pretend, but I’d hit her harder than intended. Perhaps Linne’s brutal training had taken its toll.

“That hurt… Did you just…hit me?”

She seemed more surprised than hurt. She must be a pampered little princess.

“Justice is blind, little girl.”

I patted her head condescendingly.
I felt strangely proud of myself, having imparted such a valuable lesson to a budding delinquent.

“Haa… This is nice.”

I fanned myself with my hand, the breeze easing the fatigue from my sword practice. The little girl beside me was sniffling, apparently still upset.

“Sniff… That’s mine! Give it back!”

“Why would that be yours? Are you trying to steal from your elder now?”

I held up my fist, and she quickly shut up, intimidated. My lesson had been effective.

But her silence was short-lived. She puffed out her chest and declared,

“Do you even know who I am?”

“Not really, and I don’t care. Are you some kind of goddess or something?”

“N…no, but…”

“But what? Don’t get cocky, little girl.”

Thwack!—

“Ow!”

She was even more responsive than the training dummy. I should get a new one, a dedicated Ellie-shaped training dummy.

Excited by the prospect of a new toy, I heard a familiar voice,

“What’s going on here, Ellie?”

Sara, apparently finished with her training, had joined our little…educational session. Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw the crying little girl.

Her face paled, complementing her blue hair and eyes. She looked like she was about to turn into a human icicle.

“Oh my, isn’t that Her Highness? Why are you crying?”

…What?

Her next words made my blood run cold.