episode_0078

Iris was astonished by Sian’s recent growth.

Achieving 4th stage mastery at the age of soon turning sixteen.

Even students who reach the 2nd stage at sixteen are treated as sacred by the Empire. But Sian was twice that…

It wasn’t just a matter of being twice as good. The higher one climbs, the harder it is to ascend further.

“Sian Gongja’s level of achievement… is not just sacred but transcendentally so.”

She tried not to show any reaction up to this point. After all, Iris herself had entered the 4th stage at seventeen.

But what she saw before her eyes…

A faint blue energy rising from his exhausted body like tendrils.

Surging like flames, it undulated and dispersed into the air.

Though it looked like insubstantial energy, touching it gave a feeling that small wounds might never heal.

…Full-body Aura Release.

Sian was practicing a technique that one could only grasp upon reaching the 6th stage mastery.

“However, Gongja’s level feels like 5th stage.”

She vaguely remembered hearing once.

The ancient Vikings in the cold northern regions… It was said that due to their monstrous innate bodies, even if they only reached the modest 5th stage, everyone could use Full-body Aura Release.

But it was just a rumor. Iris, who had never seen such a person, found it hard to believe such information.

Yet, look ahead.

“I-Iris… water… my throat…”

“…What on earth have you been up to?”

Despite being at the 5th stage, Sian was emitting Aura from his entire body.

Iris couldn’t hide her widened pupils, even though she tried to conceal her surprise.

“Haha!”

“It seems your throat was quite parched.”

After emptying the contents of the water bottle Iris brought, Sian seemed refreshed, stretching his shoulders in relief.

Sian, who had just experienced symptoms of dehydration, had naturally consumed a significant amount of fluids to artificially pierce through his blocked blood flow.

“Thank you.”

“…Have you entered the 5th stage?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Sian’s nonchalant demeanor, Iris thought to herself.

Indeed, the potential she had witnessed in him several months ago at the Duke’s residence was not in vain.

Having achieved unprecedented self-breakthroughs, entering the 5th stage just before turning sixteen.

A man who had accomplished numerous feats. Perhaps… he could even be called a genius of the sword.

‘And he is the student of such a man.’

Iris chuckled softly. Having never taken on disciples until now, having such a disciple for the first time, life truly held unexpected surprises.

‘Maybe I’ll witness the birth of a great Sword Master.’

Iris asked the now recovered Sian, “Wouldn’t you like to test yourself?”

“A test?”

“Yes, let’s spar. With your recent advancement, you must be itching for some action.”

“….”

It struck a chord.

Being deep in the mountains where the Academy wouldn’t be affected, and with Sian smiling awkwardly, nodding his head.

“If you’re willing, thank you.”

“Haha… I guess I can’t go easy on you now.”

As if in agreement, they distanced themselves and faced each other.

Then, drawing their swords from their scabbards, they aimed at each other. The atmosphere between them shifted in that moment.

Sian chuckled, making a joke, “Iris, I’ve just started, so controlling my strength might be tricky. Be prepared.”

“How pitiful. Even if you’re a 5th stage novice, don’t underestimate a fresh newcomer like me, Sword Master.”

With those words, they both charged towards each other.

For ordinary onlookers, they disappeared from view so quickly that it was hard to follow them with the naked eye.

-Clang!

After the clash of swords, they reappeared in sight.

Iris and Sian were engaged in a contest of strength.

“A rather sharp attack.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Iris.”

“But-”

In the midst of their clashed swords, the sky-blue hue in Iris’s eyes spun.

And.

-Thud!

-Woooo….

As her resilient muscles emitted tremendous vigor, the surrounding air grew heavy, all due to the strengthening effects of magic activation.

“This much is necessary to be considered reinforcement.”

The two swords aimed diagonally at each other shifted towards Cyan’s side. Gradually towards Cyan.

In that moment, Cyan thought,

“As expected, Iris, the attacks until now weren’t even reinforced.”

Indeed, the title of Swordmaster was not easily obtained.

“But I won’t go down without a fight.”

Slyly.

Like flames rising from his body, a pure 5-star Aura surged alongside Azure.

Kwagwagwagwa!

Once again, before Iris’s sword could shatter, Cyan activated full-body Aura alongside her.

The aftermath of their clash caused chaos in the surroundings. The flow of the atmosphere turned rough, and the wind swept irregularly.

The ground they stood on trembled.

The soil dug deep, mixing with the atmospheric winds to form sandstorms.

Nearby weeds were uprooted and sent flying, even the surrounding trees trembled.

Upon Iris activating full-body Aura, Cyan, fueled by the force, leaped back significantly. And.

“I’m coming, Iris!”

Swinging the sword emitting a long Aura straight ahead.

-Swish!

Sword Qi.

Following the trajectory of Cyan’s horizontal slash, a violent and lengthy blue Sword Qi flew towards Iris.

“Truly, it will be difficult to defend against this attack like an ordinary warrior.”

With calm eyes, Iris tightly gripped the sword with both hands.

Then, swinging the sword, she shouted,

“…If I were an ordinary warrior!”

As Cyan’s Sword Qi approached, Iris deftly swung her sword lightly to intercept.

-Swish!

Cyan’s Sword Qi split into two, narrowly missing Iris and flying past her.

-Twakwakwakwakwakwakwa!

The collided Sword Qi hit the ground. Trees, rocks, everything attached to the earth was destroyed as if sliced in half by the divided single-edged Sword Qi.

Swallowing his saliva, Cyan smirked.

The real duel seemed to begin now.

***

“Aria, Aitsutteru!”

“Louder! You’re too weak!”

“Aitsutteru!!”

“Louder!”

“Aria!!! Aitsutteru!!!”

“That’s it!”

In the rented practice room, Verdi was practicing vocal exercises with his butler Alberto.

After showcasing his dance at the ball and preparing for the approach afterward.

Exhausted from dancing heavily and straining his voice, Verdi panted.

Butler Alberto handed him a towel and said,

“Verdi, it’s perfect. Let’s keep it this way.”

“Pant… Alberto, are you sure…”

“I’m sure. It was an approach that struck every lady’s heart.”

“Thank goodness…”

Three days remained until the next ball.

Verdi was preparing an ambitious approach.

While drinking water, Verdi recalled the first time he met Aria.

Though she looked at him sternly and bluntly, her eyes held a beauty unmatched by any jewel in the world.

With her small, graceful face and distinct features…

Even without makeup, she shone brightly and beautifully.

And above all.

*Gulp…*

Verdi swallowed his saliva with a lustful expression.

Then, Verdi stood up.

It was time to practice the courtship dance once again.

For Aria somewhere out there, Verdi stepped forward once more.

***

After the duel with Iris ended, Cyan, battered and bruised, descended the hill.

My body wasn’t in the best shape, but there was a tremendous gain unlike anything else.

“I’ve caught on to controlling my aura.”

It was a harvest that she might not have achieved on her own without practical experience. Si-an felt infinitely grateful for Iris’s guidance.

Lost in thoughts of the previous duel as she descended the hill, Si-an found herself at the academy before she knew it.

Feeling uncomfortable due to her sweat-soaked and dirt-stained clothes, she urgently wanted to wash up.

“Huh? Si-an-!”

“Si-an? Why is your outfit…?”

“…Why do we keep running into each other so often lately? Well, I guess it’s natural within the academy.”

Walking down the path, Si-an met Lucy and Aria, raising her hand with effort to express her joy.

“Your outfit is a mess. Did you come back from training?”

“Yes.”

“If you trained so intensely… Oh! But more importantly, it’s good timing, Si-an!”

“…?”

Lucy neatly clasped her hands behind her back and spoke with a serious look in her eyes.

“Who will be your partner for the upcoming ball?”

“The ball?”

“Oh, Lucy! I was going to ask first…!”

“Hehe, the one who speaks first is the boss.”

Upon hearing their words, Si-an vaguely recalled that there had been an event called the ball.

“I usually participated in the ball out of obligation even though it was just a goodwill event without any rewards.”

But now the situation was different. This was reality.

Although Si-an didn’t particularly care about having a partner, if she were to attend the ball without one, she would feel awkward and out of place.

Si-an said to Lucy, “I don’t have one, why?”

“I thought so. The person you usually went around with seems to be absent these days… Hmm, Si-an, if you’re okay with it, would you be my partner?”

“…What about Cain?”

“Cain has agreed to be partners with Elise, so he’s off-limits! That Cain… He’s acting strange these days! He barely talks to us!”

“….”

Partnering up without much conversation or consideration…

Si-an suddenly remembered Hedy. Would she find a partner for the ball? What was she doing right now?

She found herself thinking about another woman while looking at the two in front of her. Si-an felt absurd. Did she ever expect her situation to turn out like this?

“Si-an, be my partner. There are no men around that I know.”

“Aria! You always push away any approaching men!”

“Who would be interested in weaker men than me? Besides, doesn’t Lucy ignore all the men who approach her too?”

“That’s… Ugh! Anyway, Si-an, who will you choose?”

“Huh?”

Both Lucy and Aria turned their faces towards Si-an simultaneously.

“Make a choice, Si-an. Who will you partner with?”

“Of course, it’ll be me, right? You’ve known me longer than Aria.”

“Lucy! It’s only been a few days!”

“….”

Si-an pondered deeply, touching her chin with her hand.

Without blinking, the girls stared at Si-an as she contemplated.

Amused by their antics, Si-an chuckled softly.

And then she spoke.

“My answer is-“