Ch.188EP.43 – The Knight Makes a Fresh Start (5)

Though the cadets might not believe it, Ihan and Lac were fighting while restraining their power as much as possible.

After all, since they were fighting in an underground space, shouldn’t they be careful?

So today, Ihan and Lac used neither ki techniques nor internal energy.

They achieved these results using only pure physical abilities and skills.

…The fairy’s blessing must truly be remarkable.

With just pure physical abilities, they could now demonstrate skills comparable to a vice-captain (Lv.5) of a knight order.

“I’d like to fight with weapons too, but the kids might pass out if we did, so let’s stop here.”

“…Next time, I’ll be the one to call for you.”

“Hey, so you admit it was helpful? Breaking that stubbornness of yours?”

“…Shut up!”

It seemed the duel had been satisfying not just for himself, but for the other man as well.

Like Ihan, he must have needed to adjust his body and senses, and today he would have made significant progress with that.

‘I think I’ve adjusted about 60%, but that guy must have done about 80%.’

In terms of natural talent, he wasn’t someone Ihan could easily compare to, so Ihan might be at a disadvantage in their next duel.

Of course.

‘The greater the challenge, the more welcome it is.’

The higher his opponent’s skill, the faster his own adjustment would be, so he actually welcomed it.

Ihan was planning to bring a sword next time when he visited Galahad, and while he was contemplating this…

“Are you learning ki techniques?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a ki technique containing Galahad’s vision and my own unique interpretation. I doubt you would, but I’d prefer you not teach it to others.”

“…What an unexpected thing to say.”

Ihan gave a hollow laugh after hearing this advice.

Who was giving advice to whom, really.

“Aren’t you being hypocritical? You should be careful not to spread my techniques around. No, even if you do share them, get my permission first. Just remember that once you learn them, you belong to the Hundred and Eight Arhats.”

“…But knights of Galahad are not allowed to hold dual positions…”

For the first time, Lac let out a groan.

…The final battle in the Empire.

To fight against a monster that had lived for over four centuries, Ihan and Lac shared their visions with each other.

Lac shared his ki techniques.

Ihan shared his internal energy.

Given the circumstances, they had exchanged everything they had, and Ihan and Lac felt something close to omnipotence at that moment.

Jokingly, Ihan called himself a “physical combat specialist,” but it truly was an extraordinary technique worthy of the name, and thanks to it, they were able to push back that monster.

…But thinking about it now, it was undeniably a life-risking act of madness.

Any vision should be learned gradually over years as it’s dangerous, yet they mastered it in one go.

If, hypothetically speaking, they hadn’t received the fairy’s blessing, Ihan and Lac might have suffered permanent disabilities.

In Ihan’s case, he might have suffered aftereffects similar to having explosives detonate inside his body multiple times, while Lac might have become a vegetative patient with his body grotesquely twisted.

That’s how foolish and reckless their actions were.

It was indeed a great blessing that the fairy had healed their bodies.

And because of that, inside their bodies…

‘Seeds remain.’

He doesn’t feel the same sense of omnipotence as back then.

At best, he remembers the remnants and sensations of the ki techniques from that day.

If the power from that day was like a furnace emitting thousands of degrees of heat, now it’s merely the flame of a match.

The same would be true for Lac.

…But even the smallest spark can be nurtured through individual effort.

Ihan was confident.

Since he already had the experience and knew how to develop it, he boldly predicted that if he practiced steadily, he might someday wield the same power as on that day.

Well…

“I’ll just cherry-pick the parts I need, so I’ll probably discard half of what you taught me.”

“Insolent fool! How dare you treat Galahad’s vision like that!”

“Come on, it’s impressive to you because you learned ki techniques from the beginning, but not to me. Besides, I’m still not seeing the end of what I’m currently learning, so where would I find time to focus elsewhere? So in the end, whether it’s ki techniques or ki power, they’re just training wheels to help me on my path. Nothing more, nothing less. …You’re the same way.”

“……”

No matter how impressive ki techniques might be, what Ihan ultimately wants to complete is the power he’s currently learning.

Completing his internal energy, his “martial arts.”

That is…

-My dream.

“Hmph, arrogant fellow.”

He frowned severely, feeling deeply displeased that someone would dare treat Galahad’s vision as mere training wheels.

What an insolent fellow indeed.

…Yet his eyes held a trace of admiration and curiosity.

The expectation of seeing how far the founder of a new martial art could go.

─Though he had not the slightest intention of mentioning this aloud.

* * *

…Silence fell.

Even blinking an eye felt cautious, and swallowing dry saliva was difficult.

Yes, the cadets were currently,

‘So that’s the power of top-tier knights.’

‘I knew the instructor was strong, but t-that strong….’

‘As expected, the reputation of the Knight who Guards the Lake was no lie! …But why was the instructor really unknown? Despite being so strong?’

They were overwhelmed.

It would be strange if they weren’t affected after witnessing such formidable power.

…At the same time, they felt somewhat despondent.

Because they realized how harsh and enormous the wall was in the world they aspired to reach.

For half a year, they had prided themselves on becoming stronger, but in reality, they were just frogs in a well. It was inevitable that their pride would be shattered.

However, Ihan hadn’t shown them the duel to crush their pride.

“If someone like us appeared as your enemy, how would you deal with it?”

“??”

…Is he mocking us?

That was the first thought that came to mind when he asked the question while wiping blood stains from his face.

But.

“Answer me, little bear.”

“Um, well…”

He was completely serious, and Levi Jeanne d’Arc wore a troubled expression.

But only for a moment.

“This is just a hypothetical, but if a strong person like Master were my enemy, I would… run away.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.”

An utterly resolute answer.

It wasn’t the kind of answer expected from someone from Pendragon, a kingdom of knights that values honor and struggle, but Levi considered ‘reality’ rather than honor and struggle.

“With my skills, even if I could live hundreds of lives, I wouldn’t have a way to defeat Master. Because tactics and strategies are meaningless in the face of overwhelming power.”

Levi remembered the monster attack and was one of those who directly faced the Demon King during the attack.

Unless one is at a level where they can fight such high-level monsters even briefly, fighting against them would be more foolish than self-harm.

However.

“If I were given five hundred skilled troops and ten senior knights, I think I could hold Master off for a short time. …Though it would probably be less than ten minutes.”

“…Ho.”

It was an extremely realistic calculation rather than arrogance, and Ihan smiled.

As if he had heard a very interesting answer.

“You think you could hold me for ten minutes with those troops and knights?”

“Yes, if I and the troops were prepared to sacrifice our lives, we might buy an additional five minutes.”

“……”

Her eyes were filled with conviction.

Ihan seemed very curious about what kind of simulation was playing out in her head.

…This was a moment that showed the extraordinary nature of a hero who would have earned the title [Mercenary Queen] if the future hadn’t changed, and even the other cadets couldn’t help but admire her confident demeanor.

It took great courage to say such things after witnessing the knights’ battle.

Although she said she would run away, the cadets saw ‘bravery’ in Levi’s confident posture.

The ‘dignity of a knight,’ that is.

“Then, what if you found yourself in a situation where you absolutely couldn’t escape, and couldn’t count on any troops?”

“…Then.”

The cadets secretly thought she might jokingly say, ‘Then I’d have to die, wouldn’t I?’ but unexpectedly from Levi’s lips came:

“-I would struggle with all my might.”

“……”

There was determination in her words.

Her blue eyes shone with a calm light.

“Master’s teachings have always been like that, haven’t they? That what matters is giving your all, and to struggle with everything you have even in the most difficult situations.”

“To live each day as if it were your entire life, so you won’t have regrets.”

“So I must fight. Because-.”

─That was the teaching I received from you.

“……”

After her calm response ended, silence fell around them.

Because they realized that her words were not false, but filled with sincerity.

And they remembered.

Her brave fighting during the terrorist attack…

Therefore, none of the cadets doubted her words.

Afterward, the cadets, especially the boys who called themselves knight candidates, blushed.

They felt ashamed of how their pride had almost been shattered when faced with someone who showed more firmness and courage than themselves.

And after hearing her words and seeing the reactions of his disciples, Ihan nodded.

“As expected of a model student. I like your answer.”

“Hehe.”

“But it’s still a B+.”

“What?”

“It’s slightly lacking to get an A.”

“Aww…”

Levi’s eyes glistened pitifully like a rain-soaked puppy, and Ihan just smiled.

* * *

…What Ihan wanted to hear from the cadets was their determination and attitude toward battle.

To put it extremely, in a situation where monsters like Tyr or the Demon King might appear in the future.

Of course, it’s best not to confront such monsters, but people should always keep the worst-case scenario in mind.

So today, Ihan showed them.

Just how strong he was.

Not to boast, but simply to show them.

That among those who might threaten them in the future, there could be beings even stronger than this.

Although he was concerned about dampening the kids’ spirits, it should have served as a kind of vaccination, so he should be satisfied, shouldn’t he?

“…Me too.”

The kids weren’t the only ones who received a vaccination.

Hadn’t Ihan himself received a powerful vaccination in the Empire?

‘I definitely pushed too hard, no, I was reckless.’

He doesn’t regret fighting the Magic Tower itself, but he acknowledges that the process was reckless.

Fighting driven by emotions, he nearly died as a result.

If the plan had gone even slightly wrong, he would have died.

…Pathetically.

‘I should reflect on this.’

Instead of just scolding the kids, he also needs to criticize himself.

He almost died so miserably…

“Hehe, Sir Knight is doing very well. So don’t blame yourself too much!”

“……”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Lady Maid, please stop reading my inner thoughts.”

“I can’t do that though?”

“……”

“Hehe.”

Leira Winter, who was circling around him with an innocent smile, offered words of comfort, and Ihan scratched his cheek awkwardly.

I always think this, but it seems like I can’t hide anything from this maid…

“-By the way, Sir Knight. I heard you received a blessing from a fairy?”

“……”

“Is that true?”

“W-well…”

…Suddenly, Ihan’s body stiffened and cold sweat ran down his face.

Why?

Why did he feel so caught?

Even though he was facing her usual bright smile, Ihan somehow felt intimidated.

‘W-why am I acting like this?’

It was like the tension of being caught in the act of stealing.

…Either way.

‘I think I’m in trouble…’

Ihan wondered what he should say.

But soon.

‘No, I should be confident!’

Yes, what’s wrong with receiving a blessing from a fairy?

Besides, she probably doesn’t know exactly how he received the blessing…

“Miss Irene Windler said tearfully that you received a fairy’s kiss…”

“……”

…There was a loose-lipped little bird around.

“Hmm…”

“……”

Ihan couldn’t say a word, as if he had turned to stone.

Speechless.

Even though there was clearly nothing between them, Ihan felt like a criminal in front of her.

‘Ah, is it sadder that there’s nothing between us?’

It was a somewhat depressing moment, but…

“Fufu, why are you acting like that, Sir Knight? I’m not angry.”

“?”

“I’m sorry for being mischievous, Sir Knight. But there was something I wanted to confirm. And I think I’ve confirmed it!”

“??”

“Knights often fall for fairies, you know. But it seems you haven’t, Sir Knight.”

“…What?”

Ihan kept asking like a fool, but Leira looked visibly pleased.

As she slipped past him with a smile, while Ihan still couldn’t understand her emotional changes…

Tap.

“-And do you know what? Your first kiss wasn’t with a fairy.”

“What…?”

A whisper that gently tickled his ear reached him, and Ihan’s eyes widened.

Wondering what that meant…

He wanted to ask her about it, but Ihan couldn’t bring himself to stop her.

“!!”

…Because he saw her cheeks glowing reddish.

“……..”

After seeing this, Ihan stood dazed for a while, and then.

Splash!

…He jumped into the nearby river.

Because an unbearably hot heat had enveloped him.

A truly heart-pounding hot…

Yes, it was because of the heat.

…It was summer.