Ch.127Mana Amplification

In the end, Sae-erin and the Peron Merchant Guild signed a sponsorship contract. The agreement would last until the end of the tournament, with additional compensation promised based on her performance.

It was a good deal for both Sae-erin and the guild. Though she carefully examined the contract for any unfair terms, no merchant guild would be crazy enough to offer such conditions to an Imperial Knight.

Sae-erin returned to her room and opened the large box. Inside were an unusually shaped sword and a black cloak. The cloak resembled the one worn over the Blue Wing uniform.

She tried on the cloak immediately. It had a comfortable weight and excellent quality—similar to or better than those issued to Blue Wing members. The merchant guild had clearly spent a fair amount.

Fortunately, the guild’s emblem was not overly prominent—just a fist-sized mark at the hem of the cloak.

Next, she examined the sword she had received as part of the contract.

It was the “Shadow of the Desert.”

Not a conventional sword, its curved blade immediately caught the eye. It was a weapon known as a shamshir. Short rather than long, and lightweight. The well-honed edge seemed to emanate a warning that it could slice a finger with the slightest touch.

Sae-erin sensed something peculiar about the sword. She had asked for a sturdy blade that conducted mana well, but the guild master had provided something beyond her expectations.

She immediately gripped the sword. Due to its curved shape, the center of gravity shifted toward the front—an efficient design focused on cutting. Sae-erin adjusted her grip, and the sword whirled in her small hand.

The sword’s memories rushed toward her.

They were memories of a desert warrior who had roamed the barren wilderness under the scorching sun.

Her posture changed, even her breathing altered. As the girl’s aura transformed instantly, a dry wind circled outward around her.

‘This isn’t swordsmanship.’

The memory transmitted by the sword wasn’t swordsmanship. Nor was it a mana cultivation technique. What Sae-erin received was a kind of “way of walking.”

It was what reincarnators from the Central Plains martial arts world would call footwork. Though the name differed, its function was identical.

Currently, Sae-erin had been filling her deficiencies through others’ memories. She had built her swordsmanship foundation through the White Dragon Sword, perfected her mana cultivation technique with the Ice Dragon Sword, and compensated for her defensive weaknesses using Sun Force.

This time was no different.

Sae-erin took one light step. Mana originating from her heart flowed through her meridians, past her thighs, and wrapped around her calf muscles. This was the first step in protecting her body from the explosive flow of mana. The mana compensated for her muscular deficiencies while simultaneously being released through the soles of her feet.

Her form instantly moved toward the end of the room. Though she had taken just one step, her sliding movement maintained its speed. This was a technique designed for efficient movement in desert regions. Rather than walking by stepping on the ground, it was closer to riding on released mana.

The method for changing direction also differed from normal walking. She gently unwound the mana wrapped around her calf muscles and released it in the direction opposite to where she wanted to go. She didn’t release all the mana at once. Skill was needed to ensure that continuously supplied mana would constantly envelop her muscles.

With familiarity came natural speed. Sae-erin had no difficulty becoming accustomed to this new technique.

Shadow Step.

Since her legs didn’t move, there was no sound of walking. The moment Sae-erin became familiar with the Shadow Step, a cold wind blew beneath her feet. The naturally executed Ice Dragon-Heart mana operation had invoked the power of wind.

Using Shadow Step meant her feet no longer touched the ground. When combined with the wind summoned by Ice Dragon-Heart, there was no longer anywhere she couldn’t walk.

Sae-erin stepped into empty air. Beneath the gently spreading mana, a breeze dispersed. Standing in midair, she gaped in amazement.

The constraints on her movement had vanished.

This meant not just momentary suspension, but truly being able to fly through the sky. A bright smile spread across Sae-erin’s face.

***

Time passed quickly, and the day of the tournament arrived. The venue remained unchanged from last year—the large colosseum in the center of the capital.

Despite the foggy early morning, the area in front of the colosseum was bustling with crowds. The scene was similar to last year. What had changed was that people were beginning to recognize Sae-erin.

Even without wearing her knight uniform, everyone recognized her. Even foreigners from other countries sometimes identified her.

“A beautiful girl with an impossibly small stature. White hair too. It’s definitely her—her appearance matches. That girl must be Sae-erin…”

“I wonder if she’s signed a sponsorship contract? What about approaching her and striking up a conversation?”

“Does Blue Wing select its members based on looks? Most of the knights I’ve encountered so far…”

“There’s a rumor she ate a Dragon Heart… If that’s true, her mana must be tremendous…”

“She’s the owner of the Ice Dragon Sword. They say it was made from dragon scales…”

Sae-erin calmly accepted everyone’s gazes. Most of the attention came from her Ice Dragon Sword and appearance rather than her skills. However, she didn’t mind much.

She hadn’t become a knight to seek attention. Regardless of others’ views, she only needed to pursue her goals.

Thus, Sae-erin arrived at the colosseum. She hadn’t come with her friends. They too were competitors. They would be spending time alone to regulate their emotions and maintain optimal condition.

Inside the colosseum, a faint wind swirled around the small girl.

Thud—

As Sae-erin appeared, countless gazes flew toward her. They were stares mixed with various emotions. She faced the knights lined up in the center.

A sharply honed aura emanated in all directions from the massive gathering. Though the tournament hadn’t officially begun, the invisible battle between knights was already underway.

Sae-erin headed into their midst. Sharp killing intent flew toward her as well, but she didn’t react. For a moment, a gentle breeze enveloped the arena.

A brief silence fell.

***

The proceedings were identical to last year. The Emperor announced the start, and the Knight Commander in charge supervised the participating members.

“We will begin with the matches between junior knights.”

This year too, the Wind Knight Commander was in charge of the tournament. Other knight commanders were also present. Only one person was missing.

The Blue Wing Knight Commander.

Kaimond was absent.

He had not yet returned from his mission to capture the Sword Demon. Not only that, but Karnok, the Blue Wing Vice Commander who never missed major events, was also absent.

He still hadn’t awakened from his comatose state. Thus, the competition proceeded without two key figures from the Blue Wing Knights.

Sae-erin sat in the front row of the spectator seats, dressed comfortably. The tournament began with matches between junior knights. As an intermediate knight, her turn hadn’t come yet, so she had time to spare.

“It’s been a year. I never thought you’d be promoted to intermediate rank in that time.”

Sae-erin turned her head, having already sensed the familiar presence approaching. She wasn’t surprised. Flora sat down beside her.

Meeting Sae-erin’s gaze, Flora spoke.

“Theo didn’t come out. He said he’s regulating his mental state and won’t appear until his match begins.”

Sae-erin recalled Theo’s appearance. As the tournament date approached, his usual playful demeanor had disappeared. His serious expression and attitude toward the tournament were truly admirable.

If he had been like that normally, he would have been popular among the female knights.

He was someone who diminished his own charm. Sae-erin just nodded slightly and turned her gaze back to the arena.

The matches between junior knights had begun.

These were contests between junior knights still lacking in all aspects. For that reason, they were desperate and passionate. Invisible fervor and tenacity heated up the colosseum.

***

The junior knights’ competition took a full day to conclude. From the next day, the intermediate knights’ matches would begin.

Before heading into the colosseum, Sae-erin carefully examined her eleven swords. The eleven blades spinning around her reflected light multiple times, illuminating the surroundings.

‘Good.’

The swords were in good condition, and her own condition wasn’t bad either. Sae-erin slowly moved forward. Following her as she advanced toward the colosseum interior, the eleven swords flew to find their own sheaths.

Clank—

As the entrance to the colosseum opened, the vast arena spread out before her. It was a place she was revisiting after a year. The scent of blood swirling from all directions stimulated her instincts.

Shing—

Drawing the Ice Dragon Sword from her left hip, she walked slowly. Sae-erin looked at her opponent approaching from the opposite side.

A member of the Wind Knights.

Fedrether.

A man who wielded a light sword and used swift swordsmanship.

But this information meant nothing to Sae-erin.

The moment Sae-erin and Fedrether exchanged eye greetings, her form momentarily disappeared with a faint breeze. Immediately after, a wind blew. As the straight wind scattered white frost…

Fedrether’s light sword was cut off with a snap.

“What…”

Sae-erin appeared behind Fedrether. With a single move, she had cut her opponent’s sword and taken his back.

Sae-erin and Fedrether. Though they held the same rank, the difference in skill was clear.

“Who is she?”

“That’s Sae-erin from Blue Wing. She’s clearly beyond intermediate level…”

“Where’s Karnok? Tell him to promote her to advanced rank. Or let me take her.”

“Wasn’t that child a junior last year?”

The vice commanders of each knight order who were watching the competition spoke up. These were vice commanders who rarely opened their mouths. No one denied that Sae-erin’s skills had surpassed the intermediate level.