episode_0031

At Dandelion Academy’s Knight Faculty, students can borrow the sparring grounds even outside of class hours, provided they apply.

This is because the academy welcomes students’ proactive self-improvement.

And today, I too had borrowed this sparring ground with a man and were exchanging blows.

However, the situation was not favorable.

Despite unleashing countless sword strikes multiple times, not a single attack landed on my opponent.

My opponent lightly deflected my attacks with the sword held in one hand, leaving me full of openings, and then delivered a strike.

Though I belatedly defended with the greatsword held in both hands, the sheer power emanating from what was unbelievably a single-handed sword ultimately sent me flying.

Fortunately, I landed safely on the ground with a skilled breakfall and no major injuries, but my body had already fallen far outside the circle drawn on the sparring ground.

That’s right, it was my defeat again this time.

“Good job, Seraphina.”

The man speaking to me is Mark Visas, a man praised as this year’s rising star, who solved not only the terrorist incident that occurred upon admission but also the dungeon runaway situation that happened during the midterm assignment process.

He received quite a bit of attention when he resolved the black magic terrorist incident, but after solving the problem that occurred during the midterms as well, he has now become the most famous figure within Dandelion Academy.

Therefore, he can be called a talent being watched closely by the majority of nobles, including my own family, the Serion household, and even the imperial family.

“Sorry, perhaps I put a little too much power into the last attack.”

“Not at all. Thank you for going easy on me today as well.”

I had heard rumors, but this man, Mark Visas’s talent, was truly astonishing.

I too inherited talent as the young lady of the prestigious Knight family, Serion, but compared to this man in front of me, it could only be called a drop in the bucket.

He was clearly just an average man when we first sparred after admission, yet after resolving the dungeon runaway situation, his abilities have been improving by leaps and bounds day by day.

At this point, he has not only long since surpassed my skill, but now possesses a skill level so high that I cannot compete unless he goes easy on me.

Perhaps it would be difficult to find such skill not only among first-year students but even among students right before graduation.

Honestly, when I first heard the news that he, Mark Visas, had solved the black magic terrorist incident and the dungeon runaway situation, I couldn’t believe it.

The leader of the black mages he dealt with, the Red Robed Black Mage, did not seem significantly different from the other riff-raff from what I saw with my own eyes at the scene at the time.

Therefore, I even suspected that the Red Robed Black Mage he handled might not have been the mastermind of that incident, the leader of the terrorist group.

Furthermore, regarding the incident that occurred during the midterm dungeon runaway exam, although I wasn’t in a party with him, we were able to accompany him for the initial part.

Because his practical skills shown then were also not something that could be praised even offhand.

At least, that’s how he appeared while accompanying him, before our group was separated by the sudden collapse of the dungeon.

So, up until that point, I was quite skeptical about the man named Mark Visas.

But on that day, after the dungeon runaway situation, Mark Visas changed significantly.

First, his swordsmanship skills and physical abilities grew noticeably.

His swordsmanship skill, which was at the average level of a low-level Sword User, has now risen to the level of a Sword Expert.

And the results of his physical fitness tests have also improved incomparably compared to when he was admitted.

Thanks to this, rumors spread that he might have obtained elixirs or special artifacts from that place on the day the dungeon went out of control.

Forgotten elixirs that enhance not only physical abilities but also unlock the potential of magic power, thereby improving one’s level, just by drinking them.

Artifacts that are said to make an ordinary farmer grow to Sword Master level just by wearing them around the neck or on a finger.

These are all treasures that can be rarely obtained when clearing certain high-difficulty dungeons.

Of course, even if Mark really got stronger through such methods, it wouldn’t cause a major problem for his reputation.

Certainly, some might call it unreasonable or cowardly when seeing those who got stronger through the methods mentioned above.

However, such treasures can only be obtained when the relevant dungeon is completely cleared.

Even if luck or chance is involved, these are all items won through one’s own power and are rewards.

Therefore, even if Mark Visas got stronger with the power of elixirs or artifacts, there would be few to criticize him.

Because they are all rewards he obtained himself with his own power.

Thanks to this, I, who initially tried to get closer to him half-heartedly under my father’s command, can now mix my own will into my actions to some extent.

It’s a pity that he has no talent for teaching someone, but just by exchanging swords with him, my own skill can definitely grow little by little.

Even if I know nothing else, developing and training my own sword is one of the few joys in my life.

It was then.

“…You still have many flaws in your swordsmanship, Seraphina Serion.”

“Father… You were watching…”

My father, Regulus Serion, the current head of the Serion household, approached me, having been watching since who knows when.

“Greetings to the Head of the Serion Household.”

Mark Visas bowed his waist and knelt, showing respect.

My father accepted this with a light gesture and helped him up.

“Yes, you said your name was Mark Visas? As the rumors say, your skill is excellent.

To think you could defeat my daughter, Seraphina Serion, so lightly, even though she is a talent who possesses not only talent but has also received excellent education since she was young.”

“It was just luck.”

“Even if it was luck, if it continues, that too can be called skill. There’s no need to be humble.

Speaking of which, would you consider accepting support from our household, Serion?

I say this because I truly covet a talent like you.

…If you wish, I could even arrange a suitable ‘partner’ for the future.”

“Haha… I will think about it positively.”

Saying that, Mark glanced towards me.

“I hope you will maintain a good relationship with my daughter, Seraphina Serion.”

Saying that, my father also gave me a glance.

As if asking if I understood the meaning of this conversation well.

Then he left without properly explaining why he had come here.

“Anyway, I sweated quite a bit this time too. That’s right! Seraphina, I found a rather nice cafe near the academy the other day.

Why don’t we go together?”

“Now? Class is over, but isn’t this level of training still insufficient?”

“Don’t be so stiff~ You shouldn’t be so rigid. Sometimes you need to take a leisurely break.”

Lately, he has been suggesting unnecessary meetings outside of training or classes more often.

It’s not that this never happened before, but the frequency has become much higher recently.

He started showing this behavior after meeting someone one weekend.

Although I tried to ask about it, he seemed reluctant to answer, so I didn’t ask deeply either.

Well, that’s not to say I have any major complaints about his current attitude.

Mark Visas, he is a capable talent that several nobles and the imperial family are eyeing right now.

Not only his past achievements in solving various incidents, but now his ability has also become outstanding.

Although it feels a bit bothersome, there is no harm to me in getting close to him.

Because my family, Serion, also seems to hope that I will become close to him and further, even marry him, to enhance the family name.

In that sense, these actions by Mark can be said to be quite favorable.

I also know that perhaps I am simply acting according to my family’s command.

However, for nobles, it is common to marry based only on each other’s families or abilities, without the emotion of love.

Since the moment I started wielding a sword under the name of Serion, the futile dream of love was already abandoned long ago.

I had never even loved anyone in the first place.

So, whether I have feelings for the man beside me now, Mark, is not that important.

If I cannot love him, what matters is to strive to do so while raising the family name and honing my own sword.

“…Alright, if you insist on it, I shall.”

“As expected. Come on, follow me, Seraphina.”

Still, I have been thinking positively about the current situation lately.

He is currently supported directly by Rhium Kitocal, the Headmaster of the Academy, and shows excellent growth.

Furthermore, he has no flaws in his appearance and is rather quite good-looking.

In a way, he is a decent marriage partner.

And above all, by exchanging swords with him, I can improve my stagnant sword skill even a little.

That, at least, is a fact that makes me willingly approach him on my own.

Come to think of it, for some reason, the young lady of the Tistina family who used to follow him around constantly lately has also, for some reason, distanced herself from him.

I did try to keep her in check before, maybe that had an effect.

Anyway, following Mark, I was able to arrive at the cafe he was heading to.

“Come on, I heard this cafe has a great atmosphere.

I heard couples often come here.

In a way, the relationship between us is…”

Mark’s face, which had been speaking with a smile, suddenly turned cold and stopped as if frozen.

“…? What’s wrong? Is there some problem?”

With curiosity, I craned my neck to check inside the cafe.

There, the young lady of Tistina, who used to follow Mark Visas around, and…

…a handsome man characterized by his black curly hair were sitting together at a table.