episode_0076

In the previous first-year group test, Claire and Helena accepted Rachel’s suggestion to train together as there was no reason to stay inside the mansion. They moved to one of the available training grounds.

Gathering as three women might have made them feel more comfortable with each other.

After a brief check to ensure their swords and armor were in order and loosening up their bodies, Rachel announced the start of the training session that resembled a duel.

“Let’s begin.”

Despite her efforts to quickly counterattack, recalling past encounters during training and the finals, Claire’s attempt unfortunately failed.

“Ice Field – Shock Absorption.”

As Helena swiftly cast her spell, causing the area to freeze, they had no choice but to retreat.

Claire followed by buffing Rachel and Helena, continuing the battle in a 1 vs. 2 scenario.

Although the setup was similar to the finals, a few differences caught their attention.

Helena, instead of wasting magic by casting Ice Lance, strategically restrained her entry by floating numerous ice orbs in the air and continuously shooting Ice Arrows while Claire strategically placed rocks on the icy ground.

Improving her enchantments to trigger explosions upon impact rather than delayed blasts, Claire prioritized blocking the opponent’s entry.

Rachel primarily relied on her armor to withstand attacks, dodging only the occasional Ice Lance, trying to find openings.

“Atah!”

When the attacks momentarily ceased, Rachel wielded her sword, utilizing her innate ability to raise the aura, but only managed to shatter a portion of the ice field unexpectedly.

Helena, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the ice field, enhanced it significantly post-finals through practice and refinement, despite the substantial magical energy expenditure.

Confirming this, Rachel sheathed her sword, raising both hands before speaking slowly.

“It’s my defeat. I have no further means to continue.”

Apart from swiftly breaking the ice and entering, Rachel had no sharp tactics left.

As long as she maintained that, she would either keep getting attacked or charging forward would be futile, resulting in significant injuries.

Upon hearing this, Helena and Claire canceled their casting spells.

Helena dispelled the various spells she had set up, including the Ice Field spell, while Claire cautiously retrieved the enchanted rocks she had thrown.

“It seems our levels and coping strategies have become more refined compared to the last finals or preparation. With this, perhaps even Yukal won’t be too challenging.”

“Of course. Rachel, we’re not belittling you, but this strategy was prepared and improved to face Yukal. However, seeing what was destroyed in the recent attack, it seems we need to elevate our standards further to deal with him effectively.”

“In terms of enchantments, I’ve made significant progress, but I still believe I lack in pure magic. I’ll work harder!”

Even amidst Rachel’s praise, Helena offered a composed evaluation, while Claire expressed pride yet acknowledged the need for improvement. Observing this, Rachel smiled subtly, understanding there was still much to strive for.

“By the way, I guess I can’t be like Yukal after all. I tried dealing with Ora and succeeded to some extent, but I didn’t expect such a big difference.”

“It’s true that it lacks the power of Yukal, but it has improved in durability since then and even provides shock absorption, so the result is natural. Don’t take it too much to heart.”

Helena, somewhat satisfied that her prepared strategy was working well, offered comforting words to Rachel.

At the moment when the mansion seemed to tremble, Helena and Claire flinched slightly, but Rachel spoke as if accustomed to it.

“No need to worry. Starting today, Yukal negotiated to receive teachings from my father, so that might be the reason.”

“Yukal won’t get hurt, right…?”

In response to Claire’s worried question, she patted her shoulder and spoke.

“We’ve seen things like that a few times in the past, but no one was seriously injured, so there’s no need to worry too much. Besides, if Father said that, he wouldn’t use excessive force.”

Rachel, recalling the memory from earlier, sighed deeply.

‘Why would Father say something like that?’

She didn’t completely lack interest, thinking she was better off than princes or others, but wasn’t Yukal’s own opinion important?

Feeling embarrassed, she unintentionally interrupted and couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation.

“Um… What did Father say?”

As Claire asked, summarizing the conversation with her father, she was surprised.

To the point of feeling somewhat anxious.

While Rachel tried to reassure Claire, Helena interjected.

“Well, that’s odd. Before entering the academy, Yukal promised to worry about my marriage and take responsibility for it. He already stole my heart, and now he’s already cheating on me.”

“Is that really true?! If it is, I’ll apologize on his behalf. I’ll make sure to deliver it separately to Father.”

Surprised that there was someone who had planned a future together, Rachel tried to apologize, but Claire grabbed her arm tightly, stopping her.

“T-That’s a lie! When we traveled together before entering the academy, Helena mentioned that, but Yukal explained everything. He said he only used it to travel with me, not because he was interested in her.”

Looking straight at Helena, trembling slightly but speaking confidently.

“And unlike you, Yukal said he would stand by me even if it meant turning the entire empire against him!”

Helena couldn’t say anything in response.

Although they had carried out the project to remove Claire, when Yukal realized this and showed his determination to break all the rules of the academy and defy several nobles of the empire to protect her, even Rachel had to agree.

“Indeed. Before Yukal’s discipline was confirmed, he had a chance to scold them once, saying he would cut them down to protect you. And you were the target, Claire.”

Feeling pressured by the strange gazes of the two women looking at her, Claire desperately tried to shift the focus away.

“That’s not important right now. Yukal also has Lia unni!”

“Lia unni? Who is that?”

As she explained about someone they hadn’t met, Rachel couldn’t hide her astonishment.

“She’s the one rumored to be a beautiful woman related to Yukal. Judging from Claire’s story, she seems quite close to Yukal. She’s known him for a long time.”

“Having gone to the café’s room alone and considering the fact that they even shared a kiss, it’s not something easy to dismiss. Although she explained it as simply Riya unni’s prank to me.”

Upon hearing Yukal, Helena intervened, stopping the two from continuing with stories that could make him collapse.

“You don’t need to worry too much about that. I have the ability to discern the years a person has lived, and this Riya unni was 28 years old.”

“Is that true?”

Helena casually replied, removing Rachel’s hand as she tried to grasp her.

“Of course. If you want, I can show you proof. Besides, among the knights under my command, isn’t there someone who is 39 years old?”

“That’s right! Let’s just believe in your abilities for now.”

Impressed by her ability, Rachel, who was approaching again, retreated as if tired of it, and Helena continued speaking.

“Anyway, going back to the main point, I’m not sure if we should call her unni, but her age was 28. By the time Yukal graduates from the academy, or even before he graduates, he will be in his thirties. Would Yukal choose a woman that much older? There’s no need to worry excessively—”

Just as she uttered those words, an immense chill and energy surged towards Helena within the training ground, but disappeared as if it were a lie.

To the extent that she had to consider using her abilities to protect herself.

“Why did you suddenly stop talking? Keep speaking.”

Faced with Rachel’s urging, Helena couldn’t help but notice.

‘This pressure is directed solely at me. Be careful what you say.’

The Rachel in front seemed oblivious, and Claire appeared to be in a similar situation.

Considering the threat that came with bringing up this topic, it was clear that the subject was either the person referred to as Riya unni or someone related to her.

‘Although I suspected it even at the café, they are definitely not ordinary people. It’s best to be cautious until I find out more.’

“Let’s stop with the unnecessary talk. Since training seems to be over, I should go take a bath or something.”

With those words left behind, Helena departed.