Enemies Meet at the Engagement Ceremony

 

 

 

 

I returned to the Emblem mansion and intensified my training.

 

Since it was confirmed that I would participate in the extermination of the Lowes Mountains, I had to train as if it were a real battle.

 

Fortunately, my grandfather, who had just returned to the mansion, joined in the training of the entire Emblem Knights.

 

“One! Two! Three! Four!”

 

Following my grandfather’s commands, the Emblem Knights swung their swords in unison. The sharp sound of cutting air filled the entire training ground, showcasing their intense momentum.

 

“Your sword must not waver even the slightest! Focus on the vibrations from the sword, from the tips of your fingers to your shoulders!”

 

I, too, swung my sword at the center, focusing on the sensations at my fingertips.

 

Among the Emblem Knights, some briefly manifested an aura on their swords, which would quickly disappear. Knights who have reached such a high level of mastery can briefly imbue their swords with energy when in a state of extreme focus.

 

Sword aura refers to the energy that appears when swordsmanship is trained to an extreme degree. It is said that a sword imbued with a sharp, needle-like aura can cut through rocks as if they were tofu.

 

This is a power that can be said to have nearly surpassed human limitations.

 

Whether a knight can briefly manifest sword aura or not clearly distinguishes their skill level.

 

“Imbue your will into the sword! As if the sword has become one with you!”

 

“Yes!!!!!!”

 

In response to my grandfather’s words, the Emblem Knights shouted loudly and swung their swords even harder.

 

The advice of a Sword Master is not something one can easily obtain, no matter what the cost.

 

A Sword Master, who can effortlessly draw out and unleash sword aura as if pulling noodles from dough—my grandfather was precisely that Sword Master. Realizing this truth would mean that even one’s body would transcend the limits of humanity.

 

The more I learned about the sword, the more I realized just how incredible my grandfather was—how much of a superhuman he truly was.

 

‘I want to become just like my grandfather.’

 

Watching my grandfather from afar, as he was giving advice to a knight who had briefly manifested sword aura, I felt my eyes light up with determination.

 

Someday, I will also manifest sword aura like those senior knights and receive guidance from my grandfather to advance to the next level.

 

With that resolve, I focused all my attention on my sword once again.

 

“I’m about to die from exhaustion.”

 

“Dame Cherrya, could you please ask for a break on our behalf?”

 

At that moment, Lucas and Jack, who were sweating profusely next to me, slowly approached and asked, nearly stepping into my sword’s path.

 

I frowned deeply at the two, who were almost in my way, and said,

 

“Move away, unless you want to get hurt.”

 

“If I get hurt, do I not have to go to the Lowes Mountains extermination?”

 

“You can’t skip it just by getting hurt. You’d have to die to get out of it. Wanna try?”

 

As I threateningly swung my sword, Lucas and Jack shrieked and quickly backed away.

 

“Hey! Are you going to slack off or what?”

 

My grandfather’s sharp scolding came down upon us as if he had eyes everywhere.

 

“No, sir!”

 

“We’re sorry!”

 

“We’ll do it properly!!”

 

The three of us immediately straightened up and responded with loud, disciplined voices as we earnestly swung our swords again.

 

‘Those bastards got me in trouble!’

 

I swore to myself that I would beat them up during sparring later.

 

Noticing my fierce gaze, Lucas and Jack’s faces turned gloomy.

 

After the group swordsmanship training ended, it was time for personal practice.

 

As if I had been waiting for this, I immediately ran and grabbed my personal sword.

 

“Who wants to spar with me?!”

 

I raised my hand high and shouted, but surprisingly, no one responded.

 

Everyone avoided eye contact as if it was planned.

 

While it was understandable that my peers did this, even the senior Emblem knights acted the same way.

 

“Ugh, they always spar with me just fine, so why is no one around today!!”

 

Is it because my grandfather is here today? Could it be that they feel awkward sparring with me in front of him?

 

Thoughts swirled through my mind.

 

“Do you all hate me?”

 

“No way! Of course not!”

 

“You know how much we care about you!”

 

The knights who had been avoiding me suddenly gathered around in an instant.

 

Among them were Lucas and Jack, who had been the first to try and escape the moment I mentioned sparring.

 

“It’s just that… we’re worried you might say something if we hold back too much. I do want to spar, really…”

 

“I don’t want to get beaten up, though.”

 

Lucas and Jack said in turn, and everyone nodded in agreement.

 

“I understand your concerns, but I’m not the same as I was before! I’ve been reborn!”

 

I spread my arms wide towards Lucas, Jack, and the rest of the Emblem knights.

 

“Come at me, all of you! I’ll show you the completely new me!”

 

I met an amazing sword recently! I laughed heartily, Ha ha ha!”

 

It seemed like they already sensed that I had changed, as they stared at me wide-eyed, with their mouths agape.

 

“…On second thought, I don’t want to.”

 

Jack was the first to back out.

 

“Can we start after I finish some personal training?”

 

Lucas followed suit. And from them, the others started making various excuses to turn their backs on me.

 

“Maybe I’ll warm up a bit more before starting my training.”

 

“It seems like some of you are lacking physical stamina. Who wants to run around the training ground with me?”

 

“Me! Let’s run towards the sun together!”

 

Watching those who made such nonsensical remarks and distanced themselves from me, my mood quickly soured.

 

Are these really my comrades? My seniors?

 

I was greatly disappointed today, realizing that the camaraderie of the Emblem knights amounted to so little.

 

“Where do you think you’re going, bailing out like cowards from the Emblem?”

 

“………..!”

 

At my provocation, the knights who were distancing themselves trembled slightly.

 

“Didn’t we all swear in our knight’s oath that we are one in front of the sword?”

 

“………”

 

“………”

 

One by one, the knights with pale faces turned back to look at me.

 

I crossed my arms, lifting the corner of my mouth into a smirk, and tapped one of my legs.

 

If this had been my previous life, you would have mistaken me for a neighborhood thug.

 

“I didn’t want to have to say this…”

 

But right now, I held all the power. Complete control.

 

Not because I was the next heir of Emblem, but for another reason entirely.

 

“Senior Henry.”

 

“…Heuk.”

 

“That ‘letter’ you asked me to deliver last time. Do you want me to not give it to her?”

 

“Ch-Cherrya! You haven’t given it to her yet?”

 

“Nope. I couldn’t deliver it because I had to visit the Imperial Palace. I was planning to give it to her after today’s training, but…”

 

“Let’s do it! Let’s spar right now! I must see your newly improved sword!”

 

“Hmph.”

 

Watching Senior Henry scramble to pick up the spilled water, I snorted.

 

Too late, buddy.

 

I turned my head to find my next target.

 

“Senior Osric.”

 

“…Heuk.”

 

Osric Balmore, whose eyes met mine.

 

Olivia’s older brother, who joined the Emblem Knights before me and became a senior, looked at me with cold sweat dripping down his face.

 

“Olivia keeps nagging me to go to a tea party or a boat ride. What do you think Olivia would do if I told her that I refuse because of you, Senior Osric?”

 

No one knew Olivia’s temper better than I did.

 

Outside, they may call her the ‘flower of high society’, but I could bet my life that she was still the same brat at home.

 

“I was wronggggggggggg!!!!”

 

Osric Balmore collapsed.

 

Each time they’re crumbled piece by piece, a wave of satisfaction washed over me.

 

They should have given in sooner. Why do they always make me prod at their weaknesses one by one?