Chapter 5 – Eliaernes Eustetia

“Ronan, are you actually an idiot?”

“I’m bleeding all over, and you’re choosing this moment to bitch at me?”

“Even the benevolent Yurpia wouldn’t be able to tolerate your stupidity.”

“What did I even do?”

“You got your left arm and right leg chopped off. At the very least, when I’m not around, try to avoid getting yourself killed.”

“My limbs weren’t the only things sliced off—my stomach was torn open, and my neck was half-severed too. Though, luckily for me, I managed to get it reattached at the last second.”

“Kaloso, you’d be dead if it weren’t for me, so shut up. And Luna, you stitched my limbs back together. Problem solved, right?”

“What if I hadn’t been there? If I’d been two minutes late, Ronan, you would’ve spent the rest of your life as a cripple. Do you even get that?”

“Well, what was I supposed to do? Let both Paulo and Kaloso die? Huh?”

“I don’t die in places like this. Kaloso was safe because he was behind me. And, Ronan, as Luna said, you’re too reckless. If you’re going to charge in like that, why even carry a shield? Shields are meant to block attacks, but you just bash demons with yours. If that’s your plan, dual-wield swords instead.”

“Wow, how arrogant. How the hell did you get chosen by the Holy Relic of Humility? Was Yurpia blind when they picked you? And what’s with you guys today? I’ve been getting injured for years, but suddenly it’s a problem?”

“He’s right! Stop yelling at Ronan! He’s been through so much!”

“You shut it, chimp.”

“Ronan, you’re yelling at your ally, the chimp—no, Arisa—who’s trying to help.”

“Help? How much help can a chimp who’s got nothing working except her face possibly be?”

“W-Wait… Did you just call me… pretty?”

“Did you get hit by a meteor or something?”

“Everyone, shut up! And is getting hurt all the time something to be proud of? Learn your limits and take care of yourself for once. What if I’m not around, or Paulo’s Holy Sword and Kaloso’s magic can’t heal you in time? Are you just going to keep fighting like this?”

“As if any of you wouldn’t be there.”

“We could die.”

“Bullshit. If anyone dies, it’ll be me, the one up front. So, unless you want to watch me bleed out, hurry up and patch me up.”

“It takes a real asshole to talk bullshit this confidently. Mark my words, if you don’t fix that bad habit of rushing in headfirst, one day, you’ll regret it.”

“She’s right! Ronan, you’re such a bad… a bad… ugh! You’re a mean puppy! But I hope you never regret anything…”

“Does he look like someone who regrets anything? The minute we’re gone, he’ll be off the leash, screwing every woman he can find.”

“H-Huh? Ronan, are you really like that?”

“You’ve all lost your damn minds. I’m a virgin, you crazy bitches!”

“Being a virgin isn’t something to brag about, Ronan.”

“Paulo, you’re a virgin too, asshole!”

“Well, given your personality, it’s not surprising no women are interested.”

“And Kaloso, you’re that lunatic who jerks off to magic tomes!”

“And because you’re a virgin, it’s even worse for you.”

“Luna, you’re the biggest problem here! You’re the type who’d gamble away the entire Holy Kingdom if we weren’t around!”

“Ronan… you’re really a virgin, huh? Hehe.”

“Chimp, what the hell are you giggling about?”

***

They’re all virgins, too.

Bastards.

Still… I feel… off.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m too used to fighting with those guys or because this body is just bad, but something feels wrong when I wield a weapon.

Wounds that were nothing in the past now feel fatal. It’s like my options in battle have been drastically reduced.

Clang! Crack!

It’s seriously pissing me off.

I’ll stop here for now. The weapons I have left are about to break anyway.

Hoo—

I took a deep breath, slowing my pace. At the same time, a wooden sword swung down toward my head. I threw myself into its path.

One step, two steps—I moved quickly, slipping under the knight’s elbow. With a swift motion, I swung my axe upward, coated with a thin layer of mana.

Crash—

The axe and the knight’s wooden sword shattered, leaving splinters raining down. I brushed off the debris and extended my hand for a handshake.

“Good match.”

“H-Hah, yes! Thank you!”

After a quick exchange of pleasantries, I tossed aside the broken axe handle and collapsed onto the ground.

Only two left.

Spears, axes, hammers—all those weapons had broken long ago, leaving me with just two wooden swords.

I didn’t expect them to break this fast. Should’ve brought more.

Still, I’ve learned a lot today. I fine-tuned my mana control and figured out exactly how much strength each of my muscles can handle.

Also, I realized that this body, with its soft muscles and wide hip joints, has a level of flexibility I never had before. Must be because it’s female—it’s incredibly flexible.

The downside is that I’m weaker. But the flexibility opens up new tactical options, at least.

That said, there’s a problem: I haven’t shown any signs of growth.

What I’ve done so far has been about adaptation and adjustment, not actual improvement.

After more than 30 sparring sessions, I should be feeling some sort of progress, but… nothing.

I’m not untalented when it comes to moving my body, but the moment I pick up a weapon, everything feels clunky.

Plus, any weapon infused with my mana breaks within five minutes.

But…

Strangely enough…

When I fight bare-handed, it feels… right. There’s a certain snap, a connection to the movements that I can’t ignore.

No way, right?

“Miss Ellie!”

“Ah, yeah. Thanks.”

Lost in my unsettling thoughts, I barely noticed Yurasia running over with a stamina potion.

“Miss, is there any weapon you can’t use?”

“I dunno.”

There isn’t.

I used to be able to wield anything—branches, stones, whatever. I could make it work.

Well, I used to. Not anymore, apparently.

“Wow… Miss Ellie, you’re so amazing. You’re so strong! You really must have inherited everything from Lady Arisa!”

“Stop spouting nonsense. Strong? I don’t know about that.”

“Really?! Miss Ellie, there’s such a thing as being too humble, you know. It makes you look insincere.”

“Are you calling me insincere?”

“No, no way!”

Yurasia giggled and plopped down beside me.

“Anyway, that footwork of yours is incredible. It’s like water flowing—so unpredictable, even when I’m watching, I can’t tell where you’ll go next.”

We’d sparred six more times after the others, and it seemed like Yurasia had gotten more comfortable talking to me. She used to only respond to my questions or speak up occasionally, but now she wouldn’t stop chatting.

“And that parry! How do you even do that? Do you just have amazing eyes? I can’t follow it at all!”

Even without me saying a word, she kept rambling on and on.

“Please, could you teach me more?”

Her mouth kept going, but her eyes… those were sharp. She wasn’t just talking; she was analyzing, trying to absorb everything I did.

She’s got talent and ambition, no doubt.

I don’t know what she plans to do with it, but…

“What do you want me to teach you?”

“The parry! The way you deflect an attack—clang!—like that.”

“I already showed you during sparring.”

“That was too vague! It’s hard to grasp.”

“I can’t explain it any better. I just do it based on feeling.”

Yurasia’s eyes sparkled.

“Instinct, huh? Wow, Miss Ellie, you really are a genius! You must have inherited everything from Lady Arisa! Or maybe you’re even Lady Arisa’s reincarnation!”

Why would you curse at me like that?

Just insult my mother instead!

And I’m not Arisa’s reincarnation, I’m Ronan’s!

Ronan Lujarak! The founder of the swordsmanship you all use!

It’s me, dammit!

I bit back the string of curses rising up in my throat and forced myself to respond as calmly as possible.

“Yurasia, haven’t I told you before not to say stuff like that? About me being Lady Arisa’s reincarnation or whatever?”

“Oh. Are you embarrassed?”

Wow. Really, what should I do with this brat? Should I just smack her? Hard?

“…Yeah. It’s embarrassing. So please stop. I’m asking nicely.”

“Ahaha! Then, just a genius? Miss Ellie, you’re a genius!”

Right. Genius… that’s much better.

But the truth is, I’m not a genius at all.

The real geniuses were Paulo and Kaloso, those bastards.

What people see in me now is just the result of my past life’s memories and instincts, nothing more.

If I had to describe myself—

-Ronan. You’re not a genius. But you’re not an idiot either. If I had to say, you’re half-genius, half-idiot.

-What’s a half-genius? Luna, did hanging out with the chimp lower your intelligence too?

-I’m not a chimpanzee! Stop calling me that!

Half-genius.

That ridiculous term fits, I guess.

“I don’t know about being a genius,” I said with a smirk as I stood up and picked up another wooden sword from the ground.

Now, who should I spar with next?

Should I go with Yurasia again? She’s the only one who swings her sword seriously.

As I was pondering this…

“Impressive, Ellie.”

A voice called out from the corner of the training grounds.

A man wearing faded clothes and carrying an old sword at his waist.

My father’s younger brother, Turrius Eustetia, and… The vice-captain of the Nameless knight order.

Kerian Eustetia approached me.

When did he even get here?

“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”

“Oh, Sir Kerian. It’s been a while.”

Normally, I’d call him uncle, but I couldn’t in this setting.

But…

“Sir Kerian? Have I done something to upset you, Ellie?”

What are you doing?

Don’t you care about authority or dignity?

“…Even in a setting like this with everyone present, I thought it would be better to—”

“No, no. Our Eustetia family doesn’t need such pointless formalities. Right, everyone?”

Kerian shook his head smoothly and approached me with a grin.

“So, just talk to me like you usually do, okay?”

This guy won’t let it go until I call him uncle.

But that’ll just break the flow and make things boring.

Tch.

“…Alright, Uncle. It’s been a while.”

“Ahaha! That’s right, that’s right. It has been a while. So, are you done with your sparring?”

Kerian’s eyes scanned the training grounds.

The sweating knights, the novice knights sprawled on the ground, the wooden debris scattered around them.

And the wooden sword in my hand, along with the one leaning against the ground.

I don’t know how much he saw, but I’m sure he’s figured it out.

Well, since he asked, I might as well answer.

“Not yet. I’ve got two more rounds to go.”

At my words, the knights’ faces darkened.

I thought the atmosphere had lightened a bit after thirty-five rounds of sparring, but it seems they’re still uncomfortable in front of my family.

I feel a bit sorry, but what can I do? I’m not going back until I’ve broken everything I brought.

I brushed back the hair sticking to my neck with sweat and looked around.

My eyes met Yurasia’s at just the right moment.

I think I’ll go with Yurasia as my next opponent.

I smiled brightly at her.

Yurasia shook her head vigorously in refusal.

Nope. I’m not letting you off the hook.

As I was about to approach Yurasia…

“Well, Ellie, since your uncle’s here, how about we call it a day and have dinner together?”

Kerian’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Your uncle bought a bunch of candy from the North, just for you.”

The North?

Oh, so the wooden sword Mother gave me was probably bought by Kerian too?

“The Northern specialty! Candy made from melted snow from the eternal glaciers of the North! It’s reservation-only, and even then you have to wait half a year to get it. Don’t you want to try it?”

The candy in the small glass bottle jingled and sparkled.

Yurasia’s eyes sparkled along with it.

“Miss, Miss! That candy is called Kairiel candy, and it’s supposed to be so sweet! It’s soft on the outside so it doesn’t irritate your tongue, and it’s small so it’s easy to eat! But it lasts so long that you have to take it out before bed even if you start eating it in the morning!”

Following Yurasia’s words, the other knights nodded vigorously.

Well, if you’re going to be like that…

“…Alright, then.”

I reluctantly nodded and accepted the candy.

Then I glanced at the wooden swords and spoke.

“I’ll leave these here.”

I was going to take them back, but thinking about it, there’s no need to.

“I’ll be back tomorrow.”

The knights’ faces turned pale.

“But I’ll avoid your group training times. I don’t want to interfere.”

I giggled and left the training grounds, leaving behind the bewildered knights.

“Oh, and Yurasia, I’ll give you one of those Northern candies every time you spar with me.”

“It’s called Kairiel candy!”

“Right, Kairiel candy. I’ll give you one each time, so I’m counting on you tomorrow too.”

“Yes!”

Yurasia clenched her fists, smiling as sweetly as if she’d already eaten the candy.

Is it really that delicious?

Well, I treated Yurasia relatively well, so maybe I’ll share one with her.

As I was about to open the candy jar—

“Ah.”

Kerian’s hand swiftly snatched the candy away.

“No, not now. Candy comes after dinner.”

“…I wasn’t going to eat it. I was going to give one to Yurasia.”

“Oh, is that so? I’m sorry your uncle misunderstood.”

Kerian chuckled and ruffled my hair vigorously.

…I’m not a little kid anymore. What’s this about?

“Don’t pat my head. I’m all sweaty.”

I brushed off Kerian’s hand, feeling annoyed.

Kerian looked startled for a moment, then said:

“Hm…? Ahaha! So Sara was telling the truth.”

Sara? What did Sara say?

I headed straight for the dining hall, ignoring Kerian’s continued laughter.

As I walked, I replayed today’s sparring sessions in my mind.

The swordsmanship, martial arts, and footwork the knights used.

They didn’t show me everything since they were holding back, but… It was clearly based on what I used to do in my past life.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly the same. But it was perfect.

My past weaknesses… It was as if they had erased all the flaws my companions had pointed out.

Did the chimpanzee change it? Or did it evolve naturally as times changed?

I can’t be sure.

But…

It doesn’t feel entirely good.