episode_0040

“Everyone stop now. The sun has already set. Without sufficient rest, training is useless, so please rest now. Here, here are water and towels to wipe your sweat.

“Hmph.. Seems like that much time has passed already.

“Haa.. Haa.. Thanks, Meiru, I’ll take them.”

A week has already passed since then. Lopel did not stop swinging his weapon and chanting spells, except when he ate and slept. And although his skill is lacking compared to Mark Visas, he is steadily accumulating practical experience by enduring against me for a long time with pure physical techniques alone. It is said that his magic-related techniques have also grown noticeably in precision and speed. As I lack professional knowledge in that area, I cannot make a proper judgment, but borrowing Me□ru’s words, growing this much in a short period is absolutely not a common occurrence.

“…Here, there’s one for you too.”

Me□ru’s advice was indeed a great help. Not only in Lopel’s countermeasures against the Serion sword techniques, but unintentionally, I was also able to supplement my own weaknesses. To think there was a student with such excellent abilities at the academy, and I didn’t know until now. I thought it would be good to somehow establish a connection with her if this matter ends well. However, she always seemed to subtly keep me in check and acted coldly, so narrowing the distance doesn’t seem easy. Anyway, it can be said that Lopel’s special training to prepare for the sparring session with Mark Visas is proceeding smoothly. However, even in such a situation, the fact that Lopel’s skill was still insufficient remained unchanged. Of course, his perseverance, passion, and will are not lacking compared to any knight. But there was a fatal weakness more than anything else, and a differentiating point from Mark: the absence of talent. It was a fact I thought about even after sparring with him last time, but I couldn’t find anything particularly special about him. His physical abilities, as well as his magical aptitude, all could not exceed the level of a common mediocrity. If there was anything noteworthy, it could be said to be his unique sturdiness and persistence, but even this was difficult to see as being in the realm of talent. Especially, Mark will not just be playing around during the remaining period until the sparring. He is certainly arrogant and haughty, but not foolish. On the day he impulsively requested a duel, Mark showed skill that far surpassed mine, even though he seemed to have not been learning swordsmanship for long. This is because his innate talent and the Serion sword techniques, called skills for geniuses, are in perfect harmony. How much stronger he could become if he trains with my father every day until the sparring test day… I don’t even want to imagine. Especially, my father will train him thoroughly. To completely crush me and Lopel, who defied the family, and teach us our place. Of course, I have no intention of giving up just because the situation seems so hopeless. Not only Lopel, but I as well. Until the very last moment, until the absolute end, we will struggle with all our might.

However, recently I have been subtly feeling a sense of déjà vu in Lopel’s movements. In fact, I felt that way since the first time I sparred with him. On that day when we first talked in the sparring arena and exchanged blows with sword and weapon one last time before parting, the crude trajectory of iron he showed. His single strike, which, though still immature, ultimately deflected the Serion sword technique infused with my talent and sincerity. I don’t know why, but it was because I felt a feeling very similar to a single sword stroke, refreshing and clean, which I had seen as a child, that is, the strike shown by my father’s master. Even when I first felt that way, I thought it was a momentary illusion due to fatigue late at night. Indeed, as I continued to spar with him and kept feeling that similar aura, I eventually had no choice but to acknowledge it. Lopel, the fact that he is capable of using techniques similar to my father’s master. …Surely, does this mean that some part of his current skill is approaching the realm of my father’s master? No, even so, that is absolutely impossible. My father Regulus Serion’s master.. Sargass. A man who did not belong to any family and traversed the entire continent from end to end with a single greatsword. It is said that, quite literally, with the single greatsword he held, he parted the sky and the sea and made the land tremble. I heard that, for some whim or another, one day he taught his sword techniques at a knight family, that is, the Serion family, but could not overcome the chronic illness he had from birth and eventually passed away. His skill during his lifetime was so remarkable that my father, his disciple, devoted his entire life to training but could not reach a realm close to his. Although I only saw his sword techniques a few times when I was young, I know that his skill far surpasses my imagination. On the other hand, Lopel’s skill is completely mediocre; common points with him cannot be found, not only in his talent but even in the weapon he uses. For such a person to reach a realm similar to Sargass-nim in any aspect is, though slightly cruel, absolutely impossible. And if someone were to reach Sargass-nim’s realm, it would likely be Mark first. Although I haven’t felt an aura similar to Sargass-nim while sparring with him yet, unlike with Lopel… Now that he has begun to seriously learn the Serion sword techniques, the situation can change at any time. However, the more I thought that way, my doubts grew even larger. This is because it was a certain fact that I felt an aura similar to Sargass-nim, whom I had seen as a child, in Lopel’s movements to that extent. The more I clashed swords with him, the more I couldn’t help but feel certain.

…Just why?

. . .

“Alright, take a rest for today.”

“Hmph-, Understood, Master.”

In that training ground steeped in tradition, which was used every time the successors of the Serion family received their sword techniques, knights wearing black iron armor engraved with the Serion family crest lie fallen. And in the center of those fallen knights stood a single man, Mark Visas, holding a greatsword. The greatsword currently held in his hand can be called the Serion family’s treasured sword, passed down from successive family heads, that is, from my ancestors, and once held in my hand. The Serion family crest engraved on the hilt gleams more brilliantly than ever, and the golden markings inscribed with magic catch the eye. Here, where my daughter, once praised as the most outstanding genius among successive successors, trained, he is now writing a new history with every moment of training. To achieve such an overwhelming victory even though several knights from the Serionz Knight Order, who have been training in the Serion sword techniques for no short period, challenged him. Even though not much time has passed since he received the Serion sword techniques, he has already reached this level. Indeed, my discerning eye was not mistaken. He is a genius. And he is a genius greater than any other genius. Indeed, if it’s him, he will be able to achieve it. Reaching the realm of my master, which even I could not reach..!

“Commander! Excuse me while you’re watching Mark Visas-nim’s training, but I would like to report!”

“What is it about?”

“Yes! It’s a matter related to Seraphina-nim!”

“Good, speak.”

“Yes! The letter we sent to Seraphina-nim the other day has been returned! A reply came, but it was a blank paper with nothing written on it!”

“…So that’s how it is, after all.”

Come to think of it, it’s already been a week since my daughter defied the family and left the mansion. I even sent a letter telling her that if she returned now, I would pretend nothing happened, and asked her to come back to the family to take him as an adopted son-in-law, but in the end, she cannot break that stubbornness and is refusing clemency? I thought by now she would have realized it herself… About the existence called ‘talent’ that can never be filled in. …It’s a fact she doesn’t want to admit and a cruel one. But it’s just as well. With this opportunity, that fellow will also learn. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to prove. To myself as well.. and to that fellow… that I was not mistaken… With such thoughts, I inadvertently turn my head and look out the window. Towards the direction where ‘that’ is, which I always end up looking at.

“Um.. As expected, Master sometimes looks towards where that tree is. I noticed because you also unconsciously turn your head when watching my training. Is there something in that direction?”

As my disciple, Mark Visas’s words entered my ears, my dazed mind cleared. ..Right. Have I made such a mistake again? But now, in just a few years, it won’t be long until the family’s successor is decided. And soon.. I can confirm with my own eyes the result that will completely erase my lingering attachment. The days of sinking into such useless contemplation are now over.

“…It is not something for you to concern yourself with.”

“Excuse me..? Ah.. Th.. I apologize for my unnecessary remark.”

“Alright, go.”

As expected, I am still lacking. Did my emotions become richer after growing old? To think that I thought I had buried it in my heart and forgotten, yet I still show this side of myself.

…No, no…. I absolutely do not regret. My actions at that time. My choice at that time. I made the right choices, all for that child. They were all necessary things I did thinking of that child. I do not regret. Never. Absolutely never.