episode_0089

Naturally, Master heard that and asked me for an explanation.

“What does that mean? I can’t believe he died.”

“Uh… Before Master and everyone else came, there was a guy who came in contact with the Immortal Institute. I had a lot of trouble with that guy and got into a lot of trouble.”

I had no choice but to bring up the circumstances of what happened earlier, but there was no way my current teacher would take it kindly.

As expected, Master accepted it crookedly.

“If you’re hiding something like that, why don’t you tell me important things?”

“Oh, no. It’s not that I didn’t want to talk, I just didn’t have time to talk…”

Master has once again turned his anger on me with his murderous intent, and I feel like I’m about to die.

They even started shooting at Eila.

“That’s right, Lee Rim. I don’t care if Lee Rim’s pain comes to me, but if he keeps dying like that, his hair won’t grow. So, I’ll stick by your side and guide you for a while! You said you didn’t learn proper swordsmanship, right? I’ll teach you the sword techniques that my sisters and I learned from watching other humans in the past! I’ll teach you a bit of elf swordsmanship, but it won’t matter since there are no special rules anyway!”

‘I can’t believe you said something like that in this situation.’

I think it would be wrong to pass by comfortably.

When Master heard those words, he became angry.

“There are many things I need to ask about, but this will take priority for now. Did you say Aila? Elf, I’m sorry, but I will decline your guidance. Lee Rim is my student, I will take care of it, so don’t worry about it.”

It finally started.

“Huh? But you said you had no intention of teaching me swordsmanship?”

“I thought so, but I decided to accept Lee Rim as a disciple. So, I have to fulfill that responsibility to this child.”

“Really? But the more knowledge you have, the better. Wouldn’t it be better if you and I taught together rather than having to learn from just one person?”

“No, I refuse to interfere with others. There is no need for other things to become noise in my ‘depth of field’.”

‘I’d like to express my opinion here, but it might be difficult.’

Even though I was extremely drunk that day, I clearly remembered the words of the corps commander.

Although Master seems to have made up his mind to teach me on his own, I would like to learn other techniques as well.

Aila, who has the same opinion as the corps commander, put her hand on her waist and spoke, as if she felt a little dissatisfied with her teacher.

“Hmm… Did you say Hwarim? Hwarim is stubborn. But that kind of attitude is not very good. I don’t know how long Hwarim has lived, but I’ll tell you because this is a lesson for all elves. The more fighting skills you have, the better. Of course, Hwarim also said he suffered from a soul disease, so if you look at just the experience of simple fighting, he may have more experience than me, but I’m talking about an elf who has lived as a patrolman for hundreds of years.”

Do older people commonly say the same things?

Or is there a limitation that is commonly felt by people who have been there for a long time?

Aila says exactly what the corps commander said without a single mistake.

But Master did not back down.

“Whatever you call me, do whatever you want. However, I will never give up my will. For Irim, my own teachings are enough.”

“This will never end. Then let’s not do this and do what Lee Rim thinks. Actually, it’s not a matter for us to decide between ourselves. Because this is Lee Rim’s job.”

“Then I will do it. Because my disciple is wise.”

‘Is it me in the end?’

Master and Aela look in this direction.

If I think about it honestly, considering my relationship with my teacher, it is right to follow what my teacher says.

However, even though it was only a short time, less than a day, the stories I heard at a drinking party with Helias and Vincent shook my thoughts until now.

The story is that in order to become stronger, you must be exposed to and absorb more diverse things.

Master and I are from a different world, and those who say such things are people who live in this world.

The thought that it was decided which would become my blood and flesh more deeply ate away at me.

When I didn’t come up with an answer quickly, I saw a smile on Aila’s face and a look of puzzlement on Master’s face.

It’s as if the answer is obvious, so why don’t you answer quickly?

It was so heartbreaking to have to betray that expression.

Aila will probably end up a bit disappointed in whatever she chooses, but Master will probably not.

But, still-

I am confident that this is the right way.

“I-”

I spoke out, prepared for her criticism.

“I want to learn the sword not only from my teacher, but also from Eila.”

“Thought well, Lee Rim! That’s the right choice!”

I push away Ayla, who smiles brightly and tries to hug me.

On the other hand, Master’s expression became completely unreadable.

I don’t know if I’m angry or sad.

But I know one thing.

It’s not a good feeling to be looking at me as if you can’t believe the current situation.

After a moment of silence, Master’s dry lips opened.

“Why?”

warble.

“Didn’t I say that I would be with you forever? Is it because I appear to be less trustworthy than what I said? The reason why I have died so often is because I deliberately did not show everything about myself in front of you. If the time comes when you can directly use the swordsmanship and magic that I am teaching you, you will be able to gain true strength. I apologize if I have shown lack of trust until now.”

Master beats his chest with his fist and vents.

I stop her from blaming herself.

“I didn’t say that my teacher was weak. On the contrary, you continued to protect me even though you had no magic power. I am always grateful for that and hope to repay the favor someday.”

“Then is it because I made a mistake with you? Are your feelings hurt because of that?”

“No. That is absolutely not the case. I just wanted to become stronger for that purpose.”

“So you’re saying I’ll help you!!!”

A cracked voice took over the air for an instant.

As Master shouts, people passing by look at him.

As Aila waves to the people around her as if nothing is wrong, the people begin to go their own way again.

“Of course, Master is also strong. I also feel that if Master were able to control magical power, he would be much stronger than he is now. However, this world has its own unique strength. You said that Master also came from a world where there were only humans. But things are different here.”

Kwaaeaeaeaeak-

As if just in time, a magical beast with four wings passes through the sky of the square.

A demonic beast that only exists in this world.

A strange beast that has never been seen in Master’s world or mine.

However, it is a common beast that can be seen here.

“Humans in this world are the weakest beings, so unlike other beings, we have to prepare many things. The same goes for fighting. I practice my sword skills to kill demons, continue researching plans to bring dragons to the ground, and meditate to find out the end of magic.”

“Are you saying that I am inadequate compared to them? Does this mean that I am not good enough as a teacher?”

“No. No matter what anyone says to me, Master’s disciple, I will never deny it and will definitely reply that he is my teacher. But, but I would like to know more techniques. Fighting is the foundation. The more cards you have, the better. So, I think I want to gain it from many people other than Master. So this is the decision I made.”

The exhausting battle with soul illness is a daily occurrence for me.

And in that fight, the more resources you have, the less likely you are to die without being defeated.

After speaking, I look at my teacher.

She listens to me and stands still and doesn’t say anything.

A long period of silence.

In that serious silence, Aila quietly sat back down on her chair and ate a little from an apple she had brought from somewhere.

It may seem like he doesn’t understand the atmosphere, but I feel fortunate that I didn’t get caught in the middle of it.

“Then-”

When Aila finished eating the apple, Master spoke.

“If that is what you think, give me a chance to change your thoughts.”

“What do you mean?”

What does it mean to suddenly ask for a chance, not to me but to yourself?

“I don’t deny that there are many strong beings in this world. But I should have a chance to prove it too. I’ll show you my real skills that I haven’t used in a while. According to what you said, I too am only a little strong here. However, if I, your teacher, defeat that elf, it will be true that I am stronger, and then there will be no reason to learn from that woman. Because the skills I have are enough to survive in this world.”

Master’s words were somewhat persuasive.

‘In a fight with an elf who has lived without dying for hundreds of years, the elf with the strongest physical ability among the human-like species wins.’

If that is truly possible, if Master’s true skills truly surpass Aela’s, then I have no choice but to accept it.

My story is based on the teachers I have seen.

“… Good.”

This is the biggest concession as a teacher.

He even put aside his pride to suggest this.

There is no way I have the right to refuse this.

“Hmm? Is it finished?”

After hearing my answer, Ayla finished eating the apple, wiped the juice that had spilled with her thumb, licked it, and then looked at me.

Ayla probably heard our entire conversation with her good hearing, but I politely conveyed the conversation just as it was to her.

“Master asks for a chance to determine the true talent through a duel. Is Aila okay?”

“Ah, is that the conclusion? Well, it doesn’t matter to me. That is, if the story is resolved well! A world where everyone agrees will be a beautiful world! Then let’s just move the location!”

That was the end of the conversation in the square.

I pack my bags and take Aila and Master with me through the alley.

Among the places I took a wrong turn in the past, there was an empty lot in what I thought was an abandoned area now, so I went there.

It is a quiet vacant lot where people don’t pass by, and even people from the back alleys don’t go around often.

Although it is a place where not even weeds grow, the two people warm up and prepare in an open space large enough for many people to walk around.

“I have a suggestion.”

Ayla speaks while tightening her boots.

“What is it?”

“After all, if you’re already doing something, it’s polite to the other person to do your best, right? So, I don’t think I’ll be able to perform at my best if I don’t think about killing my opponent. How about we go all the way to the end without stopping?”

Eila’s mood changed when she said those words.

As she climbed up after tightening her boots, the innocent look in her eyes changed into that of a hunter looking for somewhere to go and prey.

“… I wonder if you are overly confident? It may not happen, but even if I die, I will be resurrected. But you don’t have anything like that, do you? Well, it’s good news for me.”

The teacher also looks back at me with that look in his eyes, burning up his spirit.

‘Why are they suddenly adding that condition again?’

I couldn’t help but be embarrassed by the current situation.

The initial intention was to simply compete for superiority in skill.

It was such a duel that Aila suddenly brought up the idea of changing the ordinary duel to find out each other’s skills into a murder duel, and the teacher accepted.

“It’s okay. Because if I do that, I’m sure I’ll win. And there’s nothing else, but for now, I can’t tell you this because it’s a secret.”

Eila’s words this time were really meant to provoke Master.

Papdeuk-

I thought I could hear Master’s teeth breaking. Although it is unknown whether it was actually broken.

Tsk-

‘This is crazy, you really spit it out.’

As soon as he thought that, Master spat out a truly broken tooth.

What I just heard wasn’t my fault.

“Good. Don’t regret it. Lee Lim. Please give me a sword.”

Master spits out a slightly broken tooth and asks me to make a magic sword.

Since neither Master nor I brought Estark, I make a magic sword and give it to Master.

“Are you ready? Then shall we begin?”

“Any amount.”

Aila also drew a white sword and took off her cloak and gave it to me.

“Irim has it well.”

“Ah, yes.”

And then he added one word.

“Also, Lee Rim keeps using polite language, but if I win, polite language is prohibited! I actually don’t like that very much. I don’t know why people keep treating elves like they’re old. I want to be friends with Lee Rim, so if I win, don’t be rude to me?”

“No, what is that… Why do you keep adding various conditions?”

Is this also a deliberate provocation?

Aila deliberately places her hand on my shoulder in front of the teacher.

After seeing that, the teacher didn’t seem to have any intention of sending Aila off gracefully.

“For a will, it is quite meaningless. This will probably be the last conversation you have in your life anyway, so make sure you do enough.”

“Chi, it’s so bloody. Anyway, do you have to do it?”

Even without answering, Aila returns to her seat.

A plaza where a slightly cool breeze blows from an alley somewhere.

I thought I was the only one feeling the tension, but I guess that’s not the case.

Ayla, who maintained a smiling expression in any situation, became serious.

Aila was the first to step forward.

“Elf patrol. Raincarnation Aila.

As I risk my thirteenth life in this fight, I ask for your name.”

‘Is it the elves’ own formality?’

Master also responds as Aila introduces herself before the duel.

“I will answer your question. Simdoryu Sealjang Hwarim.

I declare here that I will have an ending without regrets.”

They confront each other with swords.

After the introduction, any further conversation disappeared.

There was no separate start signal.

The fight has already started, but neither of them moves and just looks at the other.

Kyaeaaeak-

At that time, the four-winged monster I saw earlier was spinning above my head.

It appears to be holding a hard fruit in its beak.

The demonic beast appears to be about to break the fruit by dropping it, so it comes down and gradually narrows its rotation range onto a suitable roof.

The demonic beast stopped for a moment on the spacious roof it liked, and then-

I dropped the fruit.

Crispy!

The fallen fruit hit the roof and broke apart, spilling out its contents.

At the same time as the sound, the two people rush forward.