episode_0036

I couldn’t help but be astonished by my father’s words.

But maintaining the same expressionless face as usual, and keeping my composure, I continued my question.

“Are you saying you will accept him, Mark Visas, into the knight order?”

The sword techniques of Serion, passed down through generations of the family, contain the wisdom and tradition of ancestors over long years and should not be easily known to outsiders.

For that reason, the sword techniques of Serion are permitted to be learned only after one becomes a member of the Serion’s Knight Order, established with the family’s backing, and a pact is made pledging one’s personal magic as collateral.

He, Bark Visas, has no connection to our family, so it would be correct to say that he would have to follow these steps to be accepted as a disciple.

If not that…

“…It’s similar, but a little different. He hasn’t finished all his studies at the academy yet, so it’s too early to bring him into the knight order.

Therefore, I am talking about a slightly more direct method.”

Another method would be to be a direct descendant with the blood of the Serion family flowing.

Furthermore, if the person is designated as the next head of the family who will inherit the family in the future, learning the Serion sword techniques is permitted.

In other words, what my father is saying now is no different than designating Mark Visas as the next head of the Serion family.

Just as the Serion family’s sword techniques are famous, the strict conditions for learning them are also already widely known.

Not only the pact made upon entering the knight order, but also the condition that one must be of bloodline and designated as the next head of the family.

As if to prove this, when the students and faculty members nearby heard those words from my father, they grasped their meaning and began murmuring noisily.

“Do you know what those words mean right now?”

“I just felt that there is now a need to teach him our family’s sword techniques.

With that talent and skill, learning Serion’s sword techniques should not be difficult.

Perhaps he might even reach a higher level than we can imagine.”

Mark Visas, I also agree that he is strong.

My father had already been keeping an eye on him for a long time and had also anticipated that a day like this would come.

In the first place, I had no ambition to become the head of the family.

But what was important wasn’t that.

“…For me… are you saying my skill is insufficient?”

Becoming the head of the family also means that one’s skill has been recognized by the family.

Ever since my elder brother passed away and my younger brother left the family, before I was designated as the sole successor, I had consistently trained.

Praised by those around me for my innate talent, I did not stop my efforts.

I did not become frustrated by looking up at a wall, nor did I become arrogant by looking down.

The skill I had built up by dedicating my life in that way is being denied in an instant.

Even though I knew that the person in front of me was my father, I could not help but raise an objection.

“I have already finished speaking with others in the family, including relatives.

They hesitated a little, but the atmosphere was ultimately accepting.

And haven’t you also begun to realize it slowly?

That you are significantly lacking compared to this man before you.”

“But…!”

“I also know well what your dream is.

The title they called my old teacher, Sword Saint, perhaps.

Indeed, to help you achieve that dream, our family supported you without holding back.

I also remember the countless days of training you have done until now.

Therefore, I also sincerely wished that you could reach that realm that I could not reach.

However, I have found a slightly more suitable person.

One who possesses greater talent than anyone I have seen so far.

This is all I can say.”

“Haha… Even so, I think your words are too harsh, Master.”

Mark, who had been interjected in the middle of my father’s and my conversation, carefully opened his mouth.

Although there was the family’s command, I had been friends with him for quite a long time.

How would Mark be receiving this situation?

“It’s regrettable. Truly regrettable. I also want to apologize for unintentionally creating this situation.

But… isn’t this also unavoidable?”

“…What…?”

“Since we’ve sparred for a long time, you must know by now.

That the difference in skill between you and me is enormous.

And I am thinking of this opportunity positively.

If it’s Serion’s sword techniques, they can certainly lead me to a higher place.

So rest assured, Seraphina, the level you cannot reach, I will achieve for you instead.

You might find it impossible, but I can do it.”

My teeth clenched at his words.

I hadn’t expected anything from the start, but I never imagined he would come out like this.

Mark’s rudeness did not end there.

He came closer to me and whispered so softly that no one else could hear.

“I am planning to enter the Serion family as a son-in-law soon.

I’ve already finished talking with your father.

Well… if you think about it carefully, you probably know that the conditions aren’t bad.

Especially regarding you swinging your sword and training in the future, I won’t interfere either.

Instead, I would appreciate it if you could try to pay that much attention to supporting me as a wife.

I could no longer bear it and drew my greatsword, swinging it widely.

Distorting my face with rage, having lost my expressionless facade.

But Mark, who had already drawn his sword somehow, lightly blocked that attack, which was close to a surprise.

“What’s wrong? I didn’t mean to make you angry…”

He replied with a regretful expression.

“…I challenge you to a duel. Mark Visas, I challenge you to a duel, wagering this spot and the position of the next head of the Serion family!”

I designated Mark and shouted bravely, raising my greatsword.

He gave a glance towards my father without a special reply.

“…Very well. If you have any dissatisfaction with this choice, show it through action.”

My father, who had been watching the situation from behind, spoke.

But he didn’t seem particularly moved.

As if he already knew the outcome was decided.

I quickly dashed forward, swinging my greatsword, and engaged in a test of strength with Mark.

And in that situation where our swords were clashing, I swung my sword as if pushing his away, and then immediately spun around, aiming to attack his flank.

This was different from the earlier attack, which was merely swayed by emotion.

It was a heavy yet sharp strike, filled with sincerity, honed through training under the name of Serion.

Clang!

I couldn’t even see his hand move.

Mark, with a crisp sound, lightly parried and deflected my greatsword.

“I didn’t want this kind of method either, but it can’t be helped.”

I couldn’t help but be surprised by Mark’s stance.

The way he held his sword, the way he took his posture, everything was the Serion sword techniques.

It seemed he had already learned the basic forms.

It looked like he hadn’t been learning for long, but despite that, his movements were clean and perfect.

No matter what direction or what kind of attack I launched now, he would easily see through it.

Because I was someone who had mastered the Serion sword techniques over a long time, I could anticipate this.

It felt as if the Serion sword techniques, created for geniuses, had naturally seeped into his body as if they were born for him.

I had sparred with him many times and also knew his skill.

I cannot win.

Shamefully, that thought came first.

But even so, I cannot give up like this.

With a desperate resolve, I unleashed a second attack.

But that strike of mine merely cut through empty air, and soon a strong pain arose in my rib area.

Mark, having seen through my attack, quickly lowered his stance to evade and simultaneously counterattacked.

Since he struck with the back of the blade, it wasn’t a fatal injury, but I ended up collapsing as if I were blown away, raising dust.

Intense pain was felt, but the fact that not even one exchange had been properly made came as an even greater shock, leaving me no time to worry about it.

When I came to my senses, I was kneeling, my clothes were dirty and covered in dust, and I had somehow gotten closer to the spectators who had been watching the situation.

Then, the content of the murmuring sounds heard around me soon began to enter my ears.

The whispering spread in very careful, low voices, but as luck would have it, because my hearing was good, I could hear it.

“It’s a bit cruel, but it can’t be helped, since the Serion family believes in meritocracy…”

“But that Seraphina Serion, did she get knocked out in one hit?

Ha! She always acted so indifferent and expensive, but it turns out she was nothing special.”

“Exactly… What ‘Cold Rose’? If you look closely, wasn’t she just a noble young lady who was nothing more than a parachute?

It’s not strange that the Regulus Knight Commander designated someone else as the next head of the family.”

“By the way, what’s she so desperate for that she’s still like that?

Even I, who don’t know much, think Mark is much better, so why is she being so pathetic?”

“Hmph, isn’t it her fault for neglecting her training, only relying on her family?”

Originally, I wasn’t the type to care much about other people’s gazes.

Normally, I would have ignored the sounds of the riffraff around me.

But just now, I couldn’t possibly let those sounds pass through.

Even words with not a single drop of truth in them came flying like daggers, word by word.

…It’s miserable.

One-sided violence where a fight doesn’t even materialize, and the mockery flying from all around.

To use a metaphor for the current situation, it is truly an execution.

Even if I were to stand up again and charge at Mark, it would no longer be a duel but no different from a public execution.

Rage, shame, confusion

All sorts of emotions, reaching their limit along with helplessness, are mixed together.

A light so bright it stings my eyes, coming from above the open ceiling, darkens my vision.

It’s a situation where my head is spinning and tears feel like they’re about to burst.

Just then.

The familiar shadow of a man blocked the light.

That back which stood up without breaking, despite having no talent whatsoever.

He’s definitely not a man who should be here.

Even though it was a situation that couldn’t help but cause bewilderment, at the same time, I couldn’t deny the hope I felt towards him.

“….Ropel…?”