Chapter 181

Chapter 181

Although it might seem like it would be quickly made since the Emperor ordered it, I was told that it would take time to issue the identification pass. Apparently, as it is an identification pass imbued with the absolute trust of the Imperial family, various magical measures are necessary.

Although it would never happen, if by any chance it were lost, and if the identification pass fell into the hands of someone with ill intentions, the resulting damage would not end as a simple lost item case. It is an identification pass guaranteed by the Imperial family, by the Emperor herself. Frankly, even if one were to storm into a magnificent noble’s mansion and try to confiscate all their assets, considering the Emperor’s current absolute power, the noble would have no choice but to bow their head and obediently hand over all their assets. Moreover, this is just a thought that occurred to me, and if one were to truly abuse it, there would be no end to it.

Although I am now confined to the castle for a few days, considering the value of the identification pass for future events, it is by no means a losing deal. Well, Lilith, the person who caused this situation, started to run wild with excitement upon hearing that she would be staying at the castle for a few more days.

“Then I’ll be going out for a bit. Don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone.”

Since I had to stay at the castle for a few days anyway, I decided to take my sword and leave the room, thinking I might get some exercise. I thought about watching Luna’s swordsmanship during my free time, but Luna, an assassin by nature, refused and slipped away, hiding herself. Even though she was easily visible, I had no intention of forcing her. Well, I had pushed Luna too hard last time.

“Great Master, Great Master! Let’s go tour the castle together!”

“Meow.”

Meanwhile, Lilith was asking her great master, Presia, to tour the castle, as she hadn’t received permission from me. Presia had transformed back into a cat and was lying on the edge of the bed, and Lilith, crouching under the bed and calling her “Master,” urging her on, created a truly paradoxical scene.

However, Presia seemed bothered by Lilith’s request and was pushing Lilith’s forehead with one hand.

Since there seemed to be no need to worry, I left the room with peace of mind and headed towards the training grounds, asking for directions.

Even though it was a time when soldiers or knights would normally be training, the training grounds were completely empty. Judging by the flags with their dazzling emblems, it was clearly a training ground used by one of the Imperial Knights, so I hesitated to enter.

If there were even one person, I could ask, but there wasn’t a single person in the empty training grounds.

And it was too bothersome to go to another training ground asking for directions.

After a moment of deliberation, I finally entered the training grounds. Since no one was using it anyway, I didn’t think they would mind if I used it for a moment, and if they did, I thought they would overlook it if I revealed that I was a Hero protected by the Emperor. If they were that upset, they should get someone like the Emperor as their backer.

I drew my holy sword. Although it was a sword stained with the blood of countless demons and villains over the past three years, its blade was as brilliant as ever, showing no signs of dullness or scratches. It was truly divine.

Closing my eyes, I raised my sword, picturing a virtual enemy before me, and swung it. Even in the darkness with my eyes closed, the image of the imaginary opponent was clear. The beautiful trajectory of the sword, along with the fluttering golden hair, and the spirit contained within it.

The most powerful being I could imagine. Celian was there.

Objectively speaking, Eden or the Four Heavenly Kings, whom I had defeated in my previous life by joining forces, might be considered stronger. However, no matter what anyone says, the strongest being for me was still Celian.

Since it was the trajectory of Celian’s sword, which I had faced countless times in my imagination, it was not difficult to read the trajectory of the sword wielded by the imaginary Celian. However, even if I could read it, that was all. It wasn’t easy to deal with. The stronger I became, the more the imaginary Celian also grew.

If I move this fast, Celian would move even faster.

If I can imbue this much strength into my sword, Celian would swing it even more powerfully.

If I have become this free in wielding sword energy, Celian would wield it even more skillfully.

It’s a funny thing, an imaginary being growing.

But I am someone who has watched her sword more closely and for longer than anyone else. Although it may be lacking compared to the real Celian, it was not entirely impossible.

I swung my sword against the imaginary Celian, swung it, and swung it again. Until my stamina ran out.

Since there were no other scheduled events anyway, swinging my sword wildly like this once in a while, aside from training, was quite helpful for stress relief.

In the end, I collapsed on the floor, exhausted, but I felt incredibly refreshed.

Clap, clap, clap.

As I sat there comfortably, I heard applause from one side of the training grounds. I quickly turned my head to look, and there stood an unexpected person.

“Professor?”

“My, my. Even though it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, your growth is truly astonishing, Elysia.”

Professor Ferrent.

The professor in charge of swordsmanship class 1, which I belonged to during my academy days.

Even then, he wasn’t exactly young, but after only three years, wrinkles had appeared in various places on his face. Not to the point where I wouldn’t recognize him, though.

“How did you get here….”

But why was he, an academy professor, at the Imperial Palace? The academy should be in session right now…

“The academy went into temporary closure, and I returned to the 3rd Imperial Knights as an advisor, a role I previously held.”

Come to think of it, he had even scouted me to join the Imperial Knights. When he was my professor, I just accepted it when I heard he was the former commander of the Imperial Knights, but seeing him now wearing the armor of the Imperial Knights was truly amazing.

Seeing that the emblem on the armor was the same as the one on the flags fluttering throughout the training grounds, it seemed to be the training grounds of the 3rd Imperial Knights.

“I’m sorry. For using the training grounds without permission…”

“No. Who would dare ask the Hero for permission? If there is, just crush them. With Elysia’s position, you can do that.”

I am grateful that he thinks that way. But more than that… Ferrent’s tone is a bit bothersome.

“Um… Professor? Why are you speaking so formally…”

“We are no longer student and professor, Elysia. Well… Elysia might still be registered as a leave of absence student, but I have definitely left the academy. It seems I need to wield a sword instead of a teaching stick at this time.”

Anyway, he was always a bit rigid even when he was my professor, and it seems nothing has changed after three years. However, it was still difficult for me to bear the goosebumps on my arms when he continued to speak to me formally.

“Please don’t do that and speak to me comfortably, as if I were still a student, like before. You know, there’s that saying, ‘Once a teacher, always a teacher’…”

“Then I will accept your kindness. Even though I am accustomed to dealing with people, it is indeed uncomfortable.”

Seeing him sigh deeply, it seemed he was also suffocating.

“Hidden by the title of Hero, but you are certainly a Sword Master. Thanks to you, I have achieved enlightenment.”

It’s hard to say which title is superior, Hero or Sword Master, but the title of Hero, unique on the continent, is more famous than the many Sword Masters on the continent.

“By the way, is the person opposite you perhaps who I think she is?”

“I believe she is who you are thinking of, Professor.”

Although he didn’t say who, Ferrent was likely referring to Celian. She was also one of Ferrent’s students along with me. Although Celian was stronger than Ferrent since entering the academy, it’s not to the point where a professor wouldn’t recognize a student’s characteristics.

“Hmm…”

However, Ferrent put his hand on his chin and seemed to be thinking about something, perhaps displeased. I worried if he was going to make an issue of using the training grounds now, when Ferrent’s closed lips opened.

“Elysia? It might sound like I’m being a nag, but may I say something?”

“Yes. Please speak.”

Yes. I must be able to use what I learned from my teacher. If Ferrent were to say something about using the training grounds now, I would crush him in the name of the Hero.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but wouldn’t it be better to reconcile with Celian? No matter how I look at it, your swordsmanship styles match too well.”

However, what came out of Ferrent’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“Of course, it’s not just about swordsmanship. Seeing two people who were always together drift apart for some reason, I feel regretful as a former teacher.”

“……”

“Well, I’ve played the role of a professor now that I’ve quit everything. Then I’ll be going. You can come and use the training grounds anytime you wish. I’ll inform the other members as well. If you need any other help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Ferrent placed his hand on my shoulder, patted it a couple of times lightly, and then left the training grounds.

All that remained in the empty training grounds was me. And contemplation.

My thoughts became numerous, and I simply stood still in the empty training grounds until sunset.