Chapter 47

[Translator – Prøks][Proofreader – Gun]

Chapter 47: Sparring (1)

In the eastern part of Velias, lies the mansion of Duke Vert.

The mistress of the mansion, Margaret Erzeth, paced the corridors with an exceedingly anxious expression.

“……”

Her hands and feet trembled like willow branches, and her lips quivered as if burdened by guilt, resembling a criminal concealing a great wrongdoing.

“Mother?”

“Hmm!”

At the sudden touch of a stranger, her body jolted like waves crashing against the shore.

It was her eldest son, Aschel.

“Are you alright? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

Perhaps reassured by Aschel’s presence, she calmed her startled heart.

“Oh, no… I’m fine, really…”

Aschel gently smiled and took her hand.

“If there’s anything troubling you, please tell me, Mother. As your son, I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“Thank you, Aschel…”

Although not her biological son, he was undoubtedly the most charming child in the house.

Enchanted by his gaze, Margaret cautiously brushed Aschel’s cheek.

After she left, Kellen approached Aschel, who remained alone.

“Several bodies have been discovered near the hills of Velias, all belonging to knights of the domain.”

“How many were there?”

“We found a total of six bodies. However, since the duchess ordered a total of seven, one is presumed missing. But…”

Kellen hesitated for a moment.

“Don’t stop. Go on.”

“Among the entourage of the youngest lord who entered Luwen, a knight from the domain was confirmed to be present.”

Aschel turned his head towards Kellen without saying a word.

“It seems likely that the missing knight is among them…”

The assassination plan of Cyan Vert, led by the duchess, ended in failure.

Cyan safely entered the academy.

Although the duchess desperately tried to cover up the truth, Aschel, sensing her demeanor, uncovered it.

Despite the seriousness of the report, Aschel chuckled.

“Interesting. So, one of the knights who went to assassinate my brother ended up entering the academy with him, is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes…”

Aschel’s manic laughter continued.

Kellen silently waited for his laughter to cease.

When it finally stopped, the atmosphere changed, and Aschel asked calmly,

“What happened to the person you assigned?”

“That, um…”

It was the question Kellen least wanted to answer.

“The news was that they entered the academy and were assigned to the royal court, but since then, all contact has been lost…”

“They’ve lost contact?”

“Yes! So we sent more agents, but they’ve also been silent to this day…”

In reality, Kellen had dispatched three more agents after the initial one infiltrated the academy.

However, they all sent word of their arrival at the academy and then vanished without a trace.

It was madness to think otherwise.

Perhaps somewhere, tail-cutting was taking place, and that thought alone led to countless speculations.

“…”

Aschel, turning his back again, said nothing.

Was it the thought that he had disappointed his master as a seed?

Disheartened, Kellen clenched his fist.

“I will personally go and see.”

“…”

“It won’t take long. I’ll just find out what’s happening around the youngest lord, then come straight back. There won’t be any communication disruptions!”

With a confident tone, Kellen bowed his head towards Aschel.

“Please raise your head, Kellen.”

Aschel said to Kellin with a bright smile.

“There is no need for you to suffer like this because of my vain interest. Let’s stop talking about my younger brother here. Thank you for your hard work.”

Although it seemed like encouragement, Kellen didn’t perceive it that way.

He knew his master well.

Once determined, he pursued his goals relentlessly.

For him, relenting here would be like surrendering to death.

Aschel turned his back.

He wouldn’t trust him with the Cyan matter any longer.

For Kellen, it was an unbearable disgrace.

“I vow to serve you for life, Aschel! This task is nothing to me. So please, send me to Luwen!”

To retreat now would be akin to death, so Kellen expressed his sincerity to his master.

What returned was Aschel’s gentle laughter.

“Haha. You’re quite adamant, Kellen. I understand. I’ll respect your wishes. But you must return quickly. I need you just as much.”

“I will follow your orders, Aschel!”

Kellen’s face beamed with renewed acknowledgment.

“…”

Meanwhile, Aschel’s face turned indifferent.

* * *

“Hey, Dad, can you open this for me?”

She handed me a glass bottle with just one piece of candy inside.

She’s still a child, so she doesn’t have the strength to open the lid.

“Do you have teeth to eat the candy?”

“Yeah! Look, I already have all my teeth!”

She opened her mouth wide, revealing her fully grown teeth, sharp incisors included.

One might think she’s a little dragon with those sharp fangs.

I gently opened the lid and handed her the candy.

[Translator – Prøks]

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“Remember to brush your teeth after eating, or they’ll rot.”

“Okay, got it!” She smiled brightly and popped the candy into her mouth.

[Looks like Daddy’s little girl is all grown up?]

Kaeram mocked as she watched.

“Kids are like that,” I shrugged.

[If anyone sees you, they will think you are an old person who has lived about 40 years of your life.]

It’s been just a week since we brought the little dragon girl in.

In that short time, she’s shown remarkable growth.

From the moment she was born, she’s been walking, talking, and growing rapidly.

Her size has already more than doubled, and her adaptability is so good that she’s already roaming around this spacious dormitory like it’s her own home.

[I knew dragons grow fast, but isn’t this little dragon something else? At this rate, she’ll outgrow you in no time.]

“It’s good if she grows fast.”

[You know what that means, right?]

I do.

It means she’ll have less time here with me.

But on the flip side, it also means the day she can live independently might come sooner.

Anyway, she’s a little one who can live several hundred years longer than me.

The more she adapts to this world, the more her ability to live on her own will increase, I think.

Well, for now, she’s innocently enjoying her candy.

“I’m back, Young Master,” Brian returned from grocery shopping, accompanied by the leader.

“What’s going on on a day without classes?”

She was giving me a very unusual glare.

“You really messed up, student Cyan.”

“What accident are you talking about?”

It was unexpected to hear about an accident.

Without a word, she handed me a piece of paper. Written in bold letters in the center was ‘Dueling Approval.’

The moment I saw the words, I understood the situation.

The musclebound prince had actually managed to obtain approval for a duel.

“What on earth were you thinking? In a time when we’re staying silent, why did you have to pick a fight with the Prince of Sands for a duel? The rumors have already spread throughout the academy!”

“The request came from their side, but…”

“That’s not the point! This duel is the first match between freshmen! All the key figures of the academy are gathering for it! Rumor has it even the headmaster will be there!”

[Is there really nothing else to do? What’s so interesting about eleven-year-old freshmen fighting?]

Kaeram shook his head as if he couldn’t understand.

Well, what she said isn’t wrong.

Student duels weren’t rare at the academy; with mutual consent, they could happen daily.

But fights usually drew attention based on who was involved.

Though it’s coming from me, I’ve already become quite a prominent figure at the academy.

It’s only natural, given my aristocratic status, my illustrious past on the front lines, and even my unprecedented attribute scores and physical grades at the academy.

This is the moment I’ll showcase my abilities for the first time.

It’s impossible not to attract attention, especially when the opponent is the Prince of Sands.

I shifted my gaze and asked casually, “So, when is this duel happening?”

“It’s in two hours.”

“…?”

That’s surprisingly fast, isn’t it?

-Clang clang clang

Suddenly, there was a rough knocking at the door. I didn’t need to confirm who it was; I already knew.

“Cyan Vert! You’ve got the duel approval as you claimed! Is there any need to wait? Come out and show your strength!”

My head began to ache sharply.

***

The magic dueling arena located on the rooftop of the academy main building.

It was large enough to accommodate a thousand students.

Students from all grades and genders gathered in a bustling crowd.

Unlike usual, there was hardly an empty seat to be found; the arena was packed with people.

“Princess, over here.”

Ressimus, who had secured seats, guided Arin.

“Thanks, Ressimus!”

Sitting down, Arin looked around slowly.

Students, both freshmen and seniors, gathered in diverse groups.

Instructors and higher-ranking researchers responsible for classes were also present, along with the Academy’s head, Chancellor Kundel.

The interest in the upcoming duel between the two students was palpable.

“Princess, have you ever seen Master Cyan fight?”

Ressimus asked, noticing her tense demeanor.

“Huh? Oh, no, I’ve never had the chance. Come to think of it, I’ve never had the opportunity to see it firsthand. We met in the frontlines, after all.”

Arin suddenly remembered the time when Cyan volunteered as bait to help her escape from the enemy camp.

His courage in the face of danger.

He was a man who never showed fear or hesitation.

“So I really don’t know! Today, I’ll find out how strong his abilities are!”

“I see.”

Ressimus seemed somewhat disappointed.

“What do you think?”

“What?”

“It’s okay. Just between us. Who do you think will win today’s duel?”

After a moment of hesitation, Ressimus cautiously spoke up.

“I haven’t personally seen Master Set, so I can’t say for sure… But at least among the freshmen, I don’t think anyone can beat Master Cyan.”

It was a somewhat confident answer.

Surprised, Arin asked again, “Why do you think that?”

“Since I first saw him in the park, I’ve felt it. What can I say… it was like the aura of an swordsman, a recluse, or even a cruel predator? It felt like watching an assassin. I felt like he could just kill you on the spot… And…”

“Was it that intense?”

“Well, it’s just my opinion! I hope you take it lightly!”

Ressimus hastily waved his hand.

Soon, the instructors appeared in the arena, creating a grand magical barrier suitable for the students’ levels.

-Bzzt

The four-star magic barrier, adjusted for the students’ levels, was created.

Before long, the two students seated on the opposing sides confidently walked toward the center.

Tension hung in the air of the dueling arena.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Gun]