episode_0018

Naber Shraig.

He was born as the first child of the Shraig family, a prestigious martial arts clan.

“…I lost.”

At the age of five, he defeated the lowest-ranked knight of the family.

“I lost, sir.”

At the age of twelve, he defeated a mid-level sword expert knight.

And at the age to enter the academy, he had already reached the pinnacle of sword expertise, a genius among geniuses.

He had heard of a girl in a distant republic who had reached the highest level of sword expertise at her age, but Naber had never seen anyone superior to him at that age.

He always competed and triumphed against those older than himself.

As a result, he felt no interest in those of average ability.

In his family, the only possible match for him was his father, a sword master.

Only his father’s swordsmanship could inspire him and help him grow.

Due to his exceptional talent, even at the age to enter the academy, he had already felt disillusioned with the world.

But there was someone who caught his interest.

“Prepare for the festival as the Holy Maiden is coming.”

The story of a Holy Maiden coming to his domain.

It was bothersome, but due to his father’s orders, he reluctantly attended the festival.

And then he saw her.

The embodiment of divine beauty.

Her radiance.

More noble than anything else in this world.

“How can I marry the Holy Maiden? …Did I eat something wrong?”

His father also.

“Well… Naber, the Holy Maiden is, um… hahaha.”

His mother too.

“Sir, that Holy Maiden… If she becomes a Holy Knight, there might be a way to approach her, but if that happens, marriage would be impossible…”

Even the steward who had been with him since childhood.

They all said it was impossible.

It couldn’t be true.

Absolutely impossible.

Would Naber give up on this?

One day, news spread that a saint was entering the Richten Academy.

“Going to Richten Academy? Huh. Well, it doesn’t matter. Permission granted.”

Her father, who never thought his eldest son would decide to attend the academy because of a girl he liked.

Originally, he had no intention of going, but it was an opportunity to attend the academy with the saint.

Easily passing the academy entrance exam, he packed his bags and headed for the academy.

That’s how he saw the saint.

She didn’t seem to care about the elegance she had seen in the past.

Rather, her maturity was in full bloom, exuding the utmost brightness.

Good.

This is an opportunity.

Now, being with the saint…

His expectations were shattered by the man next to the saint during practical swordsmanship class.

Versed Grangnion.

The Marquis Grangnion.

An unfamiliar name I’ve never heard before.

A feeble man who doesn’t seem impressive at all.

Why is the saint with such a man?

She even seemed more interested in him than in that man.

I didn’t like it.

What dirty trick did he use to gain the saint’s attention?

He definitely did something wicked.

I will expose his true nature!

“Today is the first class, so I’d like to have a simple sparring session. Any volunteers?”

Thus, the best opportunity came to Naver, who had been eager.

Sparring!

Good.

In this sparring, I will defeat him miserably and reveal his true self by dedicating the victory to the saint.

If it is revealed that he is nothing but a weakling, the saint will reconsider.

Naver immediately raised his hand.

So it was arranged, the sparring with Versed.

Versed stood dumbfounded with a sword in hand.

Indeed, just a novice who doesn’t know how to handle a sword.

Coming to a practical swordsmanship class for such a purpose.

It’s probably just a show for the ladies.

Nabell looked at Vyrnus’s smooth, callus-free hand.

I don’t like it.

Without even making an effort…!

Nabell raised his sword with the intention of thoroughly defeating Vyrnus.

“Begin!”

Then, with the start signal, he rushed towards Vyrnus.

Show the most overwhelming appearance possible!

As Nabell approached right in front of Vyrnus, Vyrnus seemed unable to respond properly. Or rather, it seemed as if he couldn’t.

Clang

He deflected it?

However, the duel went differently from what Nabell had expected.

Clang Clang

Vyrnus began effortlessly parrying all of Nabell’s attacks.

Unbelievable! I thought he was just a novice who didn’t even know how to handle a sword.

He’s better at swordsmanship than me? No, even more so than my father?

Nabell couldn’t find any openings in Vyrnus’s swordsmanship. It felt like sparring with his father, or even facing Mount Taesan.

No, this is…

As the duel continued, Vyrnus’s swordsmanship became even more precise.

More so than my father’s.

Someone of the same age as me.

Better swordsmanship than me, no, better than my father!

Clang

In the end, Nabell’s sword couldn’t hold and flew back.

I… lost?

Thud

“The winner! Vyrnus Grankein!”

I lost.

I am the loser.

Nabell sat down with a despondent expression.

Chuk

Vyrnus reached out his hand to Nabell.

“What?”

I called him with the intention of humiliating him.

Disregarding him and intending to insult him.

But he reached out his hand to me, showing respect.

The highest form of respect that a winner can give to a loser.

…Ha.

Was this guy more suitable for the saint?

What have I been thinking all this time?

Nabell took Vyrnus’s hand and stood up.

“Congratulations on your victory, Sir Vyrnus!”

As Vyrnus returned to his place, the saint congratulated his victory.

Defeated in skill and character.

Is this why… the men who catch the saint’s interest are different?

I was a frog in a well.

Nabell reflected on what he had been proud of until now.

And he thought deeply for several days.

After much thought, he sought Vyrnse.

Vyrnse, whom he met in the Academy Lecture Hall.

“Vyrnse Grangine.”

Nabell knelt before Vyrnse.

“Take me as your disciple. Please.”

* * *

“Take you as a disciple?”

“Yes.”

“…Wait a minute. I don’t quite understand. Um… why?”

“That day, after sparring with you and thinking for days, I realized that your swordsmanship and character are at a level I dare not follow.”

Swordsmanship and character?

Alright, about the swordsmanship, but what about the character?

“Your outstanding swordsmanship may even surpass my father’s.”

“Of course. Vyrnse’s swordsmanship is at a level that can even defeat a demon king.”

Sophia interjected, clutching her chest.

“Demon king?”

“Ohh! Don’t worry about it!”

What’s with this strange talk again!

“Hmph. A demon king. I see. Your swordsmanship is at a level that wouldn’t be strange even if you were a hero.”

Is this person delusional?

“Please. Take me as your disciple.”

“No, even if you say disciple…”

It hasn’t been long since I could use this swordsmanship. I’m not sure if I can teach others. It’s burdensome from the start.

“I won’t just ask with words. I can also get you the things you want. I will also obey your orders. That’s the duty of a disciple.”

“Alright. You’re accepted.”

“What’s with you, Vyrnse? Can you just accept it so easily?”

Sophia said in surprise.

In my past life, there were so many who wanted to be accepted as disciples, but I didn’t accept them.

“The mindset to become a disciple is enough.”

Nabell Shraigda, the great swordsman.

The best ally as a fellow swordsman.

If he uses the power of his family, it will be a great help in obtaining elixirs, artifacts, and other consumables in the future.

What’s going on here.

“Thank you, Vyrn!”

“Oh, come on. I’m counting on you.”

Vyrn reached out his hand to Naver, who was kneeling.

Creak

Vyrn lay down on the bed, exhausted.

Ah… I’m tired again today.

From Adolf to Naver.

Why are there so many unexpected situations these days?

And that Naver guy.

Even though the class is over, why does he want to continue practicing swordsmanship?

I remember him as more talented than hardworking.

Why did he become so diligent?

Vyrn closed his eyes.

Then he fell asleep right away.

Pahat

A shabby cabin

Vyrn realized that he had entered a dream again.

Is this a new dream?

He gathered strength when he had both dreams.

He looked forward to what power this dream would bring.

The previous dream was related to Sophia and Artoria.

Will this one be related to Princess Claudia?

Kiiieeek

The old wooden door opened with a loud noise.

A little girl came into the cabin.

“You’re here, Bell.”

Vyrn’s body, upon seeing the girl, spoke without his will.

“Yeah. I’m here, Master.”

…Huh?

This is kind of strange.