104. Interim Assessment (5)

“Hmm… … .”

Training day with Serena.

She wasn’t feeling too well.

Zeke watched Serena practice with disapproving eyes.

I really didn’t like how she responded with a short answer no matter what she was asked to do, and was calm rather than enthusiastic as usual.

“Serena. Draw out the inner mana properly.”

“I am doing it.”

Serena drew the magic from within herself.

Then abundant mana flowed out.

In the meantime, she used mana by drawing in external mana and releasing it right away.

Even with that, enough output came out because the mana rod itself was so large and wide.

It was because there was a lot of amount that could bring even the rare mana of this world.

“If you have pulled it up, refill the outer mana into the inside you just scooped up.”

This is the reason I taught Serena how to deal with external mana in the first place.

If you get into the habit of using the mana built in from the beginning

It takes a long time to refill the mana once consumed.

Of course, the comfortable and easy thing is to just use the mana you have

It is to make the used mana recover naturally.

Not only does it reduce combat continuity,

It was to lower the resistance to other people’s mana.

A cycle that draws in internal mana and fills the empty space with external mana at the same time.

It was a technique that was essential for Serena’s Cheonyu Sword, which ate a lot of mana.

But today, Serena couldn’t concentrate at all.

It drew in mana from the outside, but it couldn’t go inside, and it leaked out.

“stop.”

Zeke frowned and said.

“Serena. Are you not going to train properly?”

“… … You will receive it.”

Serena, however, said bluntly, as if she was still not in a good mood.

Zeke twitched his eyebrows.

In fact, Zeke gave consistent and harsh training with a stiff attitude and direct speech, but

He’s not usually that difficult to deal with.

Rather, even if they give me funny clothes, I wear whatever they give me, and I eat and sleep.

Even if there was something uncomfortable or not to my liking, it was close to a personality that knew how to pass over everything lightly.

However, the sword was different.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re holding bread or holding a wooden sword.

If you decide to regard what you are holding in your hand as a sword, at that moment it is a sword.

Serena’s insincere attitude was unacceptable from Zeke’s point of view, who had the mindset of a swordsman at least when holding a sword.

‘Yeah, I know why. Yesterday, I went to the Duke of Joheiden by myself, excluding myself, so that’s probably why I’m protesting like this now.’

However, even if we can take time apart to talk about things we are sad about,

There is no reason not to focus on sword training.

It was really disappointing to bring personal history into training.

Serena was different from Yuri before.

Yuri Gilbert had never said he would raise a sword himself.

The reason why I am here now is because of the pressure and coercion of the first prince.

There was no need to set strict standards for her.

However, there is definitely a problem with Serena, whose swordsmanship talent is inferior to that of Yuri, showing this kind of attitude.

‘Still, I believed in that willpower when I was training while screaming that I wanted to become a knight… … .’

Then, suddenly, Zeke came up with a possibility.

‘Ah, is he mistaken?’

Serena thought that maybe she was thinking of herself as strong and special.

Of course, it is special.

Because he is his benefactor, has a kind soul, and has an overwhelming amount of mana.

In addition, Serena’s skills are the most flashy and stand out compared to other students.

The practice of lavishly using abundant mana and releasing it was enough to daunt other students.

‘And since he has to train the Cheonyu Sword, he doesn’t even receive physical training… … .’

While other people are sweating profusely and running round and round, I sit on the floor alone and practice meditation.

When others learn swordsmanship in pairs. Serena is the only one taking 1:1 lessons alone.

‘Oh, this is my fault. It’s misleading.’

Zeke nodded.

Of course, if it wasn’t for the sword, Serena could have had such a sense of superiority.

However, the sword is the only path to the royal road.

Sieg had no intention of giving her special treatment, at least not in swordsmanship class.

‘At that time, you have to work like crazy dealing with magic. There’s a certain level of taking the sword lightly.’

This delusion was dangerous.

Once arrogance starts to settle in your head, passion and sincerity gradually rot away.

Of course, it was the first time I rebelled like this because today was a day when I was personally sad.

If you don’t catch it right now, it means that this can happen again at any time.

‘If you start blaming your personal feelings or circumstances while training your sword, it’ll be ruined in an instant.’

Zeke thought about how to make Serena aware of her mistakes.

It’s no use now to step out and defeat her.

Serena knows Zeke’s strength and considers it too high a wall.

A girl entered Zeke’s eyes.

“Serena.”

“why… … .”

“Don’t get me wrong.”

“What… … .”

“Do you think you are working hard enough? No wonder. Are you already starting to be proud of your skills?”

Zeke reprimanded in a cold voice.

“Don’t underestimate the sword.”

“I’ve never seen anything funny!”

“Well… … . Your appearance now is different from when you first came to ask me to teach you the sword, but it is very different… … . I don’t know if I can become the knight you dream of.”

Serena bit her lip.

Tears welled up in her blue eyes.

‘They went all the way to the Duke of Joheiden without telling me!’

Isn’t that too much to be honest?

If he had the ability to go back and forth like that in one day alone, wouldn’t it be better if he waited until he finished the academy before going together?

The day before, when she returned from the academy, the only thing that greeted her was a piece of paper.

[I will go to the Duke of Joheiden. It will be around dawn when I get back, so go to sleep first. ]

The feeling of betrayal came flooding in.

However, not knowing his own feelings, he looked down on the sword, or that he would never be able to become a knight.

Even when other students were always grumbling and cursing, Serena was never unfaithful to what Zeke ordered.

only, today.

There may be days when you are not in a good mood.

‘It’s the instructor who made the mistake… … .’

Serena glared at Zeke.

then ha Instructor bursts into laughter.

suddenly.

“Yuri Gilbert.”

I called Yuri’s name.

“Let’s have a sparring with Serena.”

“Yeah!?”

“Yeah… … ?”

* * *

Yuri Gilbert, who was the first to pass the practice of cutting down and prepare to go home, grabbed the wooden sword again at Zeke’s call.

She confronted Serena.

For some reason, Serena looked very upset.

The hand holding the wooden sword was sweaty.

‘How can I beat him… … .’

I had no idea what the instructor was thinking.

Yuri had already seen Serena’s destructive power before her eyes.

The sound of air exploding even when you swing your bare fists.

If it gets hit wrong, maybe one of the arms or legs will fly off.

Then Yuri remembered what Zeke had said.

– I won’t care what he does, so do whatever you want.

Oh, was that what he meant?

Excluding himself from here and now, and preventing him from carrying out the orders he received from the first prince.

‘It’s such a poor life… … .’

Unwanted black hair and black eyes.

A life of being unable to own anything, being led by others, and being swayed when wielded.

Yuri looked at Serena, who was facing him.

The princess of a ducal family who grew up without lacking anything.

I always felt that I grew up receiving love from those around me, regardless of my high status.

‘I’m doing swordsmanship by myself.’

If so, shouldn’t there be at least no talent for swords?

A girl with silver hair who is very different from herself.

Rather, there is a difference to that extent, so I don’t even get jealous.

ha-

He let out a deep sigh.

‘Please, I hope you get only moderate injuries… … .’

Should I say it’s fortunate that I didn’t have to take the medicine, which I was reluctant to do anyway?

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My heart tightens in frustration at what the first prince will say to his father.

“Then, let’s begin.”

Zeke’s calm voice crossed the line between the two.

“Serena Joheiden of the Duke of Joheiden. i look forward to.”

“Yuri Gilbert of Count Gilbert. i look forward to.”

The two girls raised their swords while thinking about different things.