The Drinking Sage 29

Outside the Academy is a downtown area.

When Academy students don’t want to spend time inside the Academy, or when they don’t want to be seen by other students.

That’s when they frequently use this nearby downtown area.

The reason I brought Silvia here by the hand is the same.

“Why do they keep looking at me?”

A questioning voice flowed from beside me.

It was a question that came after noticing the imperial citizens glancing at us as they passed by.

I had a feeling that the background of their gazes wasn’t because of our high status which they don’t usually see, but rather because of our appearance.

Neither Silvia nor I would ever feel insecure about our looks.

So those gazes carried admiration for our shining beauty.

Especially, toward Silvia.

I shrugged my shoulders and responded.

“Didn’t I dress you up?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Beautiful people shine even more when they’re dressed up. It’s like adding wings to a tiger.”

Silvia blinked her eyes blankly. Then she brought her face slightly closer to me.

Her eyes seemed to sparkle a bit.

“Really? Am I pretty?”

“Well, that’s how people would see you, wouldn’t they?”

“No. That’s not what I’m asking.”

Firmly.

Silvia cut off my words and.

“Loran, I’m asking how I look in your eyes.”

“…”

There are times when I feel perplexed whenever I see this side of the Sword Star.

Is this direct way of throwing out her feelings because Silvia is still immature?

Or.

Is this a high-level psychological warfare, calculated to make me conscious of her?

As I was deeply contemplating, I eventually closed my eyes and stopped thinking.

When I cut off my thoughts, my mind seemed to clear a bit.

‘Whew.’

I must have been overthinking romantic relationships lately. Surely the Sword Star wouldn’t employ such tactics.

I glance over and meet Silvia’s silver pupils.

Looking at those eyes that shine with purity, it’s hard to believe that this innocent girl would have such cunning thoughts.

So I also answered honestly.

“What’s the point in saying it? A man who can’t see your beauty would be worse than a blind person.”

“I don’t understand. Am I pretty or not?”

“…You are a beautiful woman. At least among the women I’ve seen so far, you’d be in the top five.”

“Really?”

I refrained from saying she was the most beautiful, as it seemed too flattering, and it felt like going too far when we weren’t even lovers.

Silvia didn’t seem to mind, she just nodded blankly.

“I see.”

And then she slightly raised the corners of her mouth.

A smile that at first glance made you wonder if that was indeed a smile, but precisely because of that, it suited Silvia well.

To escape the awkward situation, I changed the topic.

“Let’s move away from difficult subjects. Let me ask this first. Do you have any hobbies you enjoy?”

“Hobbies?”

“Flower viewing, knitting, baking, anything.”

“Hmm….”

Silvia tilted her head at my words. She didn’t seem to have anything particular in mind.

“Not really. None of those.”

“Then let me make a suggestion. How about a play?”

“A play?”

Her blank question contained an unfamiliarity with the word “play.”

“Yes. I watched several plays during my stay at the imperial palace. So I have the eye to choose interesting ones.”

“I don’t know much about them.”

“Of course, I have sufficient knowledge to explain to beginners. You don’t have anything particular in mind anyway, right? Come on, let’s go.”

To avoid unnecessarily wasting time, I firmly held her hand and moved forward.

Though I hadn’t been to the downtown area near the Academy before, I could easily recognize a place suitable for plays from my long experience, so it wasn’t much of a problem.

I walk through the downtown area with Silvia. The passing scenery contains aspects of imperial citizens’ daily lives.

An old man who opened a regular store.

A passerby driving a carriage today as well.

Young children who haven’t matured yet and think playing is the best.

However, a place resembling a theater district wasn’t in sight, so we were in the midst of walking a bit further.

Chang-! Chang-!

The faint sound of metal clashing was heard from somewhere.

“…?”

I frowned because I didn’t expect to hear such a dangerous sound in a peaceful downtown area.

Unexpectedly, the citizens who heard such sounds showed no particular agitation. It seemed they were used to it.

‘Hmm.’

What could be the identity of the sound that makes imperial citizens so calm?

But as I was trying to suppress my curiosity, since I couldn’t go elsewhere carelessly as I was escorting Silvia.

“Loran.”

Silvia, who was holding my hand, opened her mouth.

“Let’s go over there.”

As she said this, the place her small finger pointed to was where the sound of clashing metal was coming from.

‘That’s unexpected.’

Who would have thought she would suggest going there on her own? It’s rare for her to express her own will so clearly.

And first, there was something even more unexpected. I first asked Silvia about that part.

“Sword Star.”

“Yeah?”

“Why aren’t you sleeping? Usually, wouldn’t you be taking a nap while holding my hand?”

“…?”

Silvia tilted her head again at my words. She seemed to not understand what I just said.

“Is there a problem? Do you want me to sleep?”

“No, that’s not it. But isn’t it unusual? For someone who usually falls into deep sleep.”

“Hmm….”

Silvia trailed off. Then she quietly muttered.

“But, I don’t particularly want to sleep when I’m with you.”

“…I see.”

Her straightforward way of speaking remains the same.

Having brought it up, I ended up feeling awkward, so I changed the subject. I held her hand and headed to where the sound was leading us.

“Very well. Let’s go. Aren’t you curious about this sound we’re hearing?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s check it out. Your desires come first.”

“Thank you.”

She expressed gratitude without hesitation, but I wonder how thankful she truly felt.

Setting aside complicated thoughts, I took Silvia to the source of the sound.

 

Kang! Kagak…!

The sound of clashing metal grew louder.

Along with it, the scenery that created this ensemble of blades also came into view.

-Wow! What was that just now?

-Probably a technique passed down from the north?

-Knocking the sword away completely with an axe, what strength!

In the distance, a stage resembling a dueling arena was visible. The slightly elevated terrain in a perfect square was made of solid stone.

Standing at a distance from the stone stairs leading to it, a crowd had gathered to watch the duel.

Currently, two people were engaged in the duel: a sword wielder who seemed to have just become an adult and a man holding an axe.

“Hmm?”

An axe.

Somehow, the image of a man I saw recently came to mind, so I strained my optic nerves to look more closely.

There was a man dressed in Northern attire, swinging around the axe I had seen before.

Yes.

‘That man from before.’

The man who was crushed by me at the bar.

‘What was his name again?’

Come to think of it, I had finished the matter without even needing to know his name. By now, I was curious about his name.

The Northerner laughed loudly while playing with his axe in various ways. It seemed like a kind of ‘show’ intended to draw admiration from the audience.

“Kuhahah! Do you now understand that it’s too much for a green first-year student to challenge Lord Koms?”

“Kuk…! Indeed, ‘Ferocious Koms,’ the pride of the North…!”

Bung-bung- The sword wielder groans as he watches the axe being swung around.

A look of admitting defeat is visible on his face as he drops his sword.

He takes a neat posture and pays his respects to the Northerner.

“I learned a lot. Senior Koms, you’re amazing as rumored…!”

“Hahah! No, you did quite well too. To have performed this well against me! You’re still young with a bright future ahead, so don’t be too discouraged.”

“Yes! I will continue to strive.”

‘What is this?’

What on earth is this farce?

It hadn’t been that long since I saw the painful face of the Northerner who was trampled by me.

The Northerner was blabbering excitedly like a fish in water. It was quite unsightly, making me frown.

‘Ah, now I know his name.’

Koms. Koms, huh.

Yes, it would be impolite to keep calling him just the Northerner. I should call him Koms.

Anyway, to understand the identity of this amusing farce, I looked around. One magically created image displayed above caught my eye.

[Welcome! Street Fighting that’s pleasing to the eyes and ears!

Duels participated in only by Bardishe Academy students! If you’ve been curious about the skills of Academy students, come right in!

Participation fee is free, viewing fee is also free! Students who fight to the end and win will receive points from the academic office!]

“Hmm.”

After confirming the text, my eyes lit up.

‘Points, huh.’

If they’re giving points, there’s no reason not to participate.

As if pushing my back, an MC using amplification magic near the dueling arena raised his voice.

[Now-!!! The pride of the North, ‘Ferocious Koms’ has won again-! Is there no more courageous student who can defeat Koms?]

As if responding to the MC’s words, the audience stirred in various ways.

-The North is indeed impressive.

-I know. He participated this time and defeated all the students?

-Isn’t there anyone else who wants to challenge? Though they probably can’t win, I’d like to see more.

[Is there no one else-! At this rate, student Koms will take the points-!!!]

The MC was raising the atmosphere and recruiting additional challengers, but the nearby students were subtly avoiding the MC’s eyes.

‘Hmm.’

I wondered if I should step up.

Stepping up itself wouldn’t be difficult. And I didn’t think I would lose if we faced off again.

‘The Northerner probably still doesn’t know how I won.’

It’s obvious I would win again even using the same method.

However.

-Your Highness must no longer use the Dragon Blood.

Recalling Adela’s advice, I hesitated to climb onto the dueling arena.

‘She said I would definitely die if I use Dragon Blood.’

It’s not easy to step forward knowing I could die; even if I had to use it, I couldn’t use it for something like this.

‘Hmm.’

It would also be regrettable to trample the Northerner again, so I decided to let it go.

I put pressure on the hand I was holding and turned my head.

“Sword Star. Now that we’ve confirmed the situation, let’s go back.”

Just as I was about to open my mouth, looking at Silvia.

The desired answer didn’t come. Instead, a single phrase heavily echoed in my ear.

“Loran.”

The words uttered were firm.

“Can I participate in that?”

Somehow, as if she had gained some confidence. There was a force in her tone that didn’t allow any objection.

“…”

To me, who was silently looking at her, Silvia also responded with a clear gaze.

“You said I need to earn points.”

“You’ve been mindful of that?”

“Yeah.”

Silvia withdrew her hand from mine and stepped forward one step at a time.

She continued speaking with force in her voice.

“That annoying black-haired woman said so. I’ve been constantly reminding myself not to forget.”

At those words, I smiled bitterly.

Though she seemed to live a life without consideration, she was a girl who showed meticulous aspects in such matters.

Seeing the silver-haired girl advancing steadily toward the dueling arena, the MC shouted passionately.

[Ahhh-!!! Now another challenger appears here! She’s clearly an Academy student, but what could her skills be like?]

-Who is she?

-I don’t know. But a woman? Can she even win?

-Ah, this is deflating. The result is obvious.

Despite the noise echoing around, Silvia doesn’t even blink.

Seeing her climb the stone stairs without any sign of agitation to face the Northerner.

‘Hmm.’

I quietly prayed for the Northerner’s well-being.

‘Just don’t die.’

It might have been better for him to be defeated by me.

It’s truly regrettable. I tried to think of a way to save him, but.

The conclusion was one.

‘I’ll just have to consider it as his own ability and a good life experience.’

There was no such method.