9. Theodora – Changed (2)

“Ha, welcome to the Jackdaw Knights.”

Maxim may be screaming inwardly, but whether he stuttered or his voice trembled. None of that mattered to Theodora.

Theodora gazed intently at the hateful face. Well-groomed pomade hair. Her hair, originally light brown like blonde hair, had faded to grayish-brown. The gaze of familiar golden eyes touched me.

What should I say?

Theodora saw Maxim from a distance. The look was so familiar, yet so unfamiliar.

Theodora moved slowly forward.

Let’s say hello. The person in front of me is really someone I don’t know.

Theodora repeated that endlessly.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Theodora Benning, the new general manager.”

Theodora held out her hand. Maxim didn’t seem to notice the intention at first, but then realized that it was a handshake and blushed. Maxim’s hand rested on Theodora’s hand.

“Please take care of me, vice-captain. What is your name?”

Theodora glanced at the medicine cabinet hanging on Maxim’s chest, indicating that he was the vice-captain, and said, She didn’t have to ask for her name, but she did want Maxim to introduce herself.

“…Maxim Appart. I will leave it up to you.”

I thought it was a good idea to wear gloves.

If I faced the warmth of that hand directly, I would never be able to maintain my current expressionless face. Theodora looked at Maxim, unable to look directly at her. What is Maxim thinking right now? Are you shy? Did you see yourself relegated?

Theodora shook her hand a couple of times, then quickly let go of Maxim’s hand. When I saw the stupid face, a cynicism came out from within. Theodora greeted the woman who appeared to be an adjutant standing next to Maxim.

“…I will guide you to headquarters.”

As if he had come to his senses, Maxim’s voice had become more calm. Theodora turned her head and smiled.

“Yes, please.”

Theodora started looking around the headquarters of the Knights, guided by Maxim and Christine.

Contrary to rumors that the training grounds were rumored to be of the Koltong Knights, they were clean and tidy. Although there was no sign of intense training.

Did he really give up on becoming a knight and honing his swordsmanship, relying on an engagement that promised success and wealth? Theodora looked at Maxim’s back. His words that he wanted to become a knight just for the sake of success were gradually becoming true.

Maxim then continued guiding. The moment Theodora entered the headquarters lobby, she had to hold back a sigh at the unsightly interior.

The cleaning was clean, but the old facilities were visible everywhere. There was no smell of iron. There was only the smell of rotting wood. I didn’t see a single article that stayed late to train and maintain.

‘Was the road to the success I so wanted so unsightly?’

Theodora’s mood sank. There was no man who would someday hold a sword and rule the world. There was only a mediocre man who got the easy and convenient way of an arranged marriage and let go of the hilt.

Theodora did not want to think of a person wandering around this dilapidated building, abandoning both his longing for the sword and his longing for martial arts, as the swordsman he loved. I didn’t want to think of myself as the man who changed my world and pulled me out of the dark abyss.

It was a miserable feeling.

It was more miserable for people who should feel miserable to pretend that nothing was wrong.

Following Maxim’s guidance, I looked around the director’s office, the second-floor hallway, the library, and the vice-captain’s office. But nothing caught Theodora’s eyes.

“…This is the rough outline of the headquarters of the Knights of the Raven… I know you’re visiting again on Monday morning.”

Maxim’s voice was heard. Theodora saw that face. He seemed to have regained his composure. The north wind grew even colder in Theodora’s heart.

“Yes, I plan to go to work a little earlier than the other members go to work. I was thinking of getting a takeover right away.”

“All right. Then, we will make sure that we can receive the handover process within the weekend.”

Theodora just nodded as she couldn’t bear to say yes. Maxim looked around with a sidelong glance and assumed an attitude that seemed to end the meeting.

“Then, thank you for your hard work…”

That was an impulse.

“I have something to talk about with the vice-captain.”

story? What are you talking about and what are you asking? Did you really give up the sword path? How does it feel to become the vice-captain of a ruined knights after throwing yourself away because you were attracted to the easy way? Theodora couldn’t overcome the emotions of the moment and wanted to hit herself for spitting out the words. something to know That person is already a perfect stranger.

Theodora said she would stay and bit the soldiers who looked at her. However, Christine, the woman who was always attached to Maxim, hesitated and did not leave the room. Theodora’s eyes darkened even more when she realized that Maxim’s face was where her worried gaze was directed.

“Go first. It’s the weekend tomorrow, so I need to rest.”

“…Yes, vice-captain.”

Christine closed the door and left. Theodora glanced sideways through the closed door, then turned to Maxim, who was looking out the window.

After a while, Maxim’s mouth opened.

“…long time no see, Theodora.”

It was an casual greeting. So, Theodora was greeted casually.

“yes. Long time no see, Maxim. After three years?”

3 years.

For Theodora, it was a time of endless wear and tear on her emotions. How much pain he had, this man wouldn’t know. Maxim nodded slowly.

“Three years, yes. It seems like not too long ago.”

I wanted to ask if you really think so. But Theodora let Maxim speak.

“Why did you suddenly come to such an ugly knight?”

He knew what kind of situation he was in.

“It’s a decision made by the Central Knights.”

“Would you like to change this order of knights to something useful?”

words with sarcasm. It’s not meant to be sarcastic to herself, but Theodora didn’t like Maxim’s impudent attitude. Really now, whatever happened to Maxim was fine. The Maxime Appart I knew was a different person from that man. Everything she knew was gone, Theodora had to admit.

“You have changed, Maxim.”

Did he even realize the intention behind his words? Maxim shrugged his shoulders for a moment and then nodded.

“There is no one who does not change. You know, Theodora.”

stop.

“Three years ago I,”

stop.

“It has changed.”

Theodora looked into Maxim’s eyes as he said those words. The light was dead so as not to show emotion. Theodora spoke with emotion in her voice without realizing it.

“right.”

Silence passed. Theodora asked in passing.

“How is your fiancée?”

The words he asked in passing were covered with things like fishbones that he shouldn’t have swallowed.

“take care. I come and go sometimes.”

Maxim took the thorn and swallowed it. Theodora closed her eyes. Emotions, I needed to capture a little bit.

“…I see.”

Theodora informed Maxim about the reform of the Templars. It was easier to talk after calming down my emotions.

“There will be a screening test. The number of people who want to give up… I have no intention of stepping out and catching them.”

Theodora said as if warning.

“The vice-captain is no exception. If you want to give up, the story will be a bit different…”

It would be nice if Maxim said he would rather give up. Then you would be able to see the clean ending without any expectations, regrets, or lingering regrets.

“no.”

Maxim shook his head.

“I will take the exam.”

Theodora managed to hold the corner of her mouth that was about to contort. You say you’re going to take the test Even though there would be no reason to hit it. No, it could be that the condition of the engagement was to remain as a knight. If so, Theodora thought, it would be a very, very miserable situation.

—

On the day of the screening test. Theodora stood in front of the podium and watched the contest going on. The four contestants are now over. The only candidate left was Maxime Appart.

Theodora saw Maxim sharpening his momentum before he knew it. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a really long time. Theodora did not want to say that she missed that feeling. However, it was a habit that remained in the body even after three years of spontaneously reaching the hilt of the sword.

I’d rather bump into

With Maxim’s skills, no matter who the opponent is, he will easily pass. Even if Maxim had amnesia and forgot all swordsmanship, he would be able to defeat the knights here with just his sense of the sword. Maxim’s sword was engulfed in emotion, so it was absolutely nothing to be disparaged.

“As for vice-captain Maxime Appart, I will deal with him myself.”

Theodora said that and slowly walked down the platform.

“Come forward.”

There was another reason why Theodora wanted to deal with Maxim’s sword.

cross swords From the beginning, Theodora hoped that Maxim would come out with full force. He hoped to bring out his aura and fight. And we hoped to keep each other’s power and shake off a lot within a short grace of 15 minutes. That was the only chance Theodora had allowed Maxim now. Back in the days when we were each other’s lovers, putting swords together with all our might said more to each other than words.

Only this time.

Theodora said to Maxim in her heart. He desperately hoped that Maxim would recognize the unspoken message he had conveyed and step forward with all his might. If Maxim did that, I couldn’t forgive him, but I thought I could treat him as a stranger without any feelings. It seemed that he could cut through this suspicion, this hatred, that he harbored in his heart.

With a very slight, lingering lingering light that is smaller than a match.

“Lion, time.”

Theodora asked the new member.

“all right.”

Rione followed Theodora’s words and stood in the position of referee without saying anything.

A cold wind blew. The dirt and dust on the floor made a scraping sound as it rubbed against the training ground floor. Opposite Theodora stood Maxim. very sharp momentum. Theodora felt, for a moment, as if she had gone back three years.

Memory was poison. Theodora remembered Maxim’s fighting posture, which she must have seen hundreds of thousands of times. He could remember when to kick off the ground and when to swing his sword. Theodora wanted only that information, but she couldn’t stop the by-products of her memory from coming along. The senses of clashing swords, the eyes that met oneself, the smell of the air.

pod.

Theodora jumped out of her seat at the same time as Maxim and charged. The gloomy sky broke the heavy body into pieces and began to fall. Maxim did not show his strength from the beginning. That’s why Theodora also didn’t reveal her strength.

visor!!

Sword and sword collide. The black wind from the collision scatters raindrops in all directions. Theodora pushed Maxim away and called for him.

“Maxim Appart.”

“Yeah.”

She wanted to tell her to do her best, but Theodora’s mouth couldn’t get the words out. Instead, I had no choice but to convey the words anxiously.

“Even if I succeed in lasting 15 minutes in this competition and remain as a member…”

Theodora took a short breath. Maxim’s gaze was obscured by the rain, making it difficult to see.

“If it is judged that your skills are not suitable for being vice-captain, I will immediately revoke your position as vice-captain.”

Maxim closed his eyes as if thinking over Theodora’s words.

“understand.”

Maxim’s expression clearly understood the meaning of Theodora’s words. Theodora rushed forward, hoping that Maxim would not hesitate any longer to give full force.

Maxim’s sword danced. Although not in its prime, it was still a powerful and high-level sword. Theodora said nothing for a while and accepted his sword. Since they decided not to use skills just for killing, it was safe to say that it was a power that did not use mana.

However, Theodora was not satisfied. He demanded full strength with the determination to collide with everything, but Maxim did not activate mana and only swung his sword. They wanted to put each other’s sincerity into their swords and clash with all their might, but Maxim’s sword hid their hearts to the end.

visor!

In the end, Theodora put the aura into the sword. Maxim bounced back loudly.

“…Are you not taking it out?”

“uh?”

Maxim’s panicked voice was heard. It’s not too late even now. The remaining time was very tight, but if the power was brought out even in that moment, Theodora could respond.

“Aura Blade.”

Maxim’s expression was blank. He understood Theodora’s meaning. But Maxim had no answer to that question. It was just a knife that could only be hidden until the end. Theodora cut off his sword. Never attacking Maxim, he repeated only cutting off the blade that was being swung at him.

“…Did you think you’d see something different if you rushed at it like that?”

Did you think you would be satisfied just by giving an appropriate answer? Theodora said softly. Maxim heard that and continued to swing his sword. Theodora indifferently blocked the attack.

The black sky shone. Then thunder rumbled through the sky. Theodora looked at Maxim, standing a little away from her, holding a mangled knife. Theodora took the aura of the sword. It was fortunate that it was raining.

Maxim did not show his strength until the end.

“After all, you…”

Theodora did not utter the next word. I heard Lyone’s voice.

“Captain, time is up.”

Theodora pursed her lips. Then, in a frozen voice, he announced his acceptance.

“Maxim Appart, you have passed.”

The position of vice-captain cannot be reappointed. It was announced that a new vice-captain would be elected. Maxim was not looking at Theodora, and Theodora was not looking at Maxim either. The last chance was in vain. The match that remained in my heart was also extinguished by the rain.

Theodora finished her seat and returned to the main building as if running away. I went into the director’s office, closed the door, and leaned against the window, feeling the cold glass. Then the situation became so ridiculous that Theodora burst out laughing.

What the hell was I expecting?

It was raining like crazy outside the director’s office. Theodora turned her eyes and looked out. I could see Maxim through the window, and I could see Christine standing behind him. Theodora could see Christine approaching Maxim, and Maxim holding her outstretched hand.

Really, what were you expecting?

Frozen tears ran down Theodora’s cheeks along with the raindrops.