episode_0097

“Ugh…”

I dragged my staggering body back to the dormitory.

I had no strength left in my body, so I had no choice but to lie down on the bed without being able to do anything.

“I’m gonna kill you…”

Samurai’s body began to tremble with anger.

Athena.

Even if I tear her apart, it won’t be enough. She took my sister away.

Under the teachings of the Master.

The result of training continuously without rest until all the blood vessels burst and the bones broke.

He was able to reach the level of Grandmaster at a young age.

Moreover, although it is only half, he inherited the power of the Holy Sword and received the protection of the Goddess.

I thought this was enough.

The desire for revenge and the longing to see my sister that had been suppressed for years. I went to her mansion without hesitation, with the desire that I could finally achieve it.

But contrary to his expectations.

Even though I became so strong, I couldn’t kill her.

Of course, it was definitely different from before.

Unlike back then when I could do nothing but shed tears.

This time it’s going to be a pretty even fight.

But it wasn’t enough.

But she couldn’t kill me because I had the protection of the goddess.

I, too, was not strong enough to kill her.

And for some reason, when she attacked me, it didn’t seem like there was any murderous intent in her at all.

Do you know that this only provokes me more?

Kkadak-

“I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you.”

Samurai’s resentment and sadness began to torment my heart again.

I forced myself to swallow the tears that were about to flow out and sharpened my sadness with the blade of anger.

I will get it back even if it means I die.

With my sister again. At our house. We will continue that happy life.

To do that, we must admit it.

So far, she is stronger than me.

I have to build up my strength somehow.

She said she didn’t know where her sister was, but that was obviously a lie.

If you keep getting beaten to the point of death, you’ll eventually have no choice but to open your mouth.

Until then, I won’t stop.

Not even a day has passed since I made that promise.

Will the goddess be on my side?

The opportunity to become stronger seemed to come sooner than expected.

.

.

.

“……Duel?”

“Yeah. I really want to fight the warrior once.”

A red-haired boy looking down at me from the front.

It was someone I knew.

Well, he was in the same class as me. He even had the famous title of a unique ability user.

Besides, if you listen to the teachers’ evaluations, they said that he had tremendous potential.

….Now that I think about it, my older sister also had a unique ability.

“Okay.”

I could see that he was slightly pleased with my unhesitating answer.

Fighting a new strong player is always a valuable experience.

I had no intention of missing out on the good opportunity that came rolling in front of me.

“Please take care of me. This weekend would be good.”

He extended his hand to me and asked for a handshake.

I held his hand while wearing the smile mask I had practiced countless times over the past few months.

“Yeah. I hope it was a good fight.”

Please, help me grow more.

* * *

“Lily….is this really okay?”

“Yeah, Iris. Don’t worry. ”

The fresh scent of grass and cool night air surround us.

It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time with her.

Right now I’m taking a walk in the gardens around the Academy with Lily.

Of course, it was I who suggested it.

At first Lily tried to refuse, but then she said she had something to ask me and agreed to come with me.

It was a meeting with a purpose, but so what?

I feel at ease being by her side like this.

“The duel is tomorrow.. Don’t worry, if you get hurt, I’ll heal you right away! ”

“Yeah. Thanks Iris.”

She showed a smile.

When I saw her precious smile, my heart started to flutter again.

But maybe because I had given up, my heart didn’t race as hard as it did when we first met.

But still, my feelings for her remained unchanged.

I still had the desire to hold her small, pure white hand in front of me and walk around with it interlocked.

But I guess we’ll have to put that aside.

Time passed as I walked through the garden like that.

Lily spoke to me first.

“Iris. I have something to ask you.”

“Yes, feel free to ask!”

If it’s Lily’s question, I can answer hundreds or thousands of them.

The words almost came out, but luckily I was able to swallow them.

“I’ve only raised the power of the Holy Sword by half. Do you have any information that might help?”

“Um…”

I pondered her words for a moment.

But I was able to find the answer without difficulty.

“Yes, I know.”

It was just a really short moment.

Her eyes, which were always dark and lacking light, sparkled brightly, like those of a child.

“Me..Really? Uh..What should I do?”

She always seemed indifferent. Unlike her usual calm expression, she looked quite flustered.

Thump-thump-

My heart began to beat softly again at the sight of her new appearance for the first time.

‘Calm down, Iris. You decided to give up.’

After repeating this to myself several times, my heart finally calmed down.

After taking a short breath, I answered her as she looked at me with an expression full of anticipation.

“The power of the Goddess is truly revealed when you have the heart to protect someone.”

“Protecting…the heart..?”

“Yes. For example, whether it be a person or an animal. When you make a pledge to protect that life, only then will you be able to use your power properly.”

“…….”

At my words, Lily began to think silently for a long time.

She, who had been making a complicated expression, looked at me with a smile on her face.

“Thank you Iris. I think this will help a lot.”

“No, Lily is always welcome. Ask me again next time!”

“…..Yeah.”

After finishing a night walk that left me with a strange sense of excitement.

We each went back to our rooms.

After that, after chatting with Annie and other people, I lay down on the bed.

Finally, before going to bed, I looked at the softly shining white moon that resembled Lily and recited a prayer.

“Goddess. Please don’t let Lily get hurt tomorrow…”

* * *

Maybe it was a needless worry..?

This is the academy’s training ground.

It was a space used only by the martial arts and swordsmanship classes, but it is said that they received special permission to open it up for others.

In the middle of so many spectators watching.

“Ugh..!”

A red-haired boy. Robin knelt down on one knee, letting out a shallow moan.

Across from him, Lily’s face, looking somewhat uncomfortable, was looking down at him.

“….is this the end?”

Robin stands up on both feet at Lily’s provocation.

Soon he took up his wooden sword again, held it forward, and assumed a stance.

“Wow.. As expected, you’re strong. It seems that the saying that you’re the disciple of the Black Sword is true.”

“…..”

“But. The end is still far away!”

So Robin rushed at Lily again.

Lily dodged his attack so easily, then unleashed a series of consecutive strikes on his body.

Then, like a round stone, Robin rolled to the other side.

The power difference is overwhelming.

Looking at Lily’s expression, it was a face filled with disappointment.

‘..That kind of expression is rude to the other person, Lily.”

I wanted to say that, but of course I couldn’t do it now.

I thought I should nag him separately later.

After all, it’s the saint who helps the warriors go on the right path!

Actually, I wish I could somehow talk to her more.

Putting aside my personal desires, I continued to watch the game.

One sum like that. Two sums. As the battle goes on.

Robin’s clothes only became more covered in dust and dirt.

But despite the overwhelming power difference.

The duel didn’t end quickly.

Robin, who kept falling down, kept getting up.

Every time he got up again, the number of times he was hit by Lily’s sword increased slightly.

Lily felt it too. She was looking at him with a serious expression, not a face full of disappointment.

“Haha..I don’t think I can win.”

Robin laughed, breathing heavily.

But contrary to his words, his wooden sword was still extended forward.

“But you don’t give up?”

At Lily’s words, he smiled proudly and said.

“The moment you give up. That’s how you lose.”

At his words, Lily’s eyes grew wide and she began to shake violently.

“So never give up!”

Soon he grabbed his sword again and charged forward.

A vivid red-gold mana began to form around Robin’s sword.

When I looked at his sword, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

‘It’s not black.’

I have never really found anything fun while staying at the cathedral.

I’ve often watched with interest the knights sparring.

I was able to learn a lot of knowledge from them.

So you can clearly tell the difference.

An enchantment that allows you to swing a sword with mana in it.

A sword energy that emits mana itself from the sword.

But Robin’s sword was neither of those two.

A state where countless dark clouds of dense blackness have gathered together to become a type.

That’s definitely a sword.

It’s probably a level that you can only reach once you reach at least Expert Advanced.

Have you grown up in the meantime?

“Ugh!!”

Robin, who had suddenly approached Lily, swung his sword at a speed that was noticeably different from before.

Then the air around him began to shake, resonating with the sound of his sword.

“Lily..!”

Even if it’s Lily, she’ll get hurt if she gets hit with that.

I got up so that I could run quickly if she got hurt.

but.

“…….Lost..?”

Lily, who seemed to be deeply lost in thought about something, was just staring blankly at the floor.

And then.

Robin’s wooden sword reached just above her head.

Kukwaaaa …

Unseen by human eyes.

A very brief moment.

A huge tornado rose from the ground in the training ground.

“Ugh..gasp..”

Robin, who was attacked from a realm beyond imagination, lost consciousness.

With Lily’s wooden sword shattered into pieces, the duel was over.

But where did the joy of winning the duel go?

Lily’s expression was like she was holding back tears.

He just had a sad face.