Chapter 63

The serialization began on Comic Gard last Friday.

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After finishing the mock battle with Filareta, Alvis immediately called for Muse. Muse stood before Alvis, holding a replacement practice sword.

"Your Highness, is it alright to continue without a break?"

"Yes, it's fine."

Hearing this, Muse made a slightly displeased face. It seemed she, like Filareta, was a sore loser. Taking the practice sword from Muse, Alvis nodded to Hector.

"Understood. Arvy, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Then... begin!"

At Hector's signal, Muse kicked off the ground. Her speed surpassed that of Filareta. Without even raising his sword, Alvis dodged to the side as Muse approached. He blocked her sweeping strike with his sword.

"Quite a heavy slash."

"Thank you!"

The blow, more weighted than Filareta's, conveyed more power than it looked. Pushing back Muse's sword, Alvis created some distance. However, Muse didn't hesitate to move again. Her sword tip passed by Alvis's left ear. It seemed he couldn't take it easy. Alvis smiled and jumped back.

Lowering his sword, Alvis approached Muse. Closing the distance in an instant, Muse jumped and spun to avoid him. But Alvis thrust his sword upward. Muse, forced to block, used the momentum of Alvis's sword to gain distance and land. At the same time, her sword attacked Alvis. The tip of her sword approached Alvis, who hadn't fully regained his balance. Grabbing the blade with his right hand, Alvis pointed his sword, which he held in his left hand, at Muse. Pale-faced, Muse lowered her stance to avoid it and moved away from Alvis.

"Ha... ha... Indeed, you are very strong, Your Highness."

"...You too."

With that, the two kicked off the ground again.

The knights watched the two from a distance. Among them, Hector shook his head in exasperation.

"Captain, is something wrong?"

"No. I was worried that Arvy might hurt the prince, but it seems there's no problem."

"Arvy is so strong that even we have to try really hard to beat her."

In fact, Muse's skills were among the best in the knight corps, even surpassing Filareta. She was the strongest female knight, with a high combat sense.

Even though it was just a practice sword, Hector was against Alvis fighting Muse. He didn't think Alvis was weak, but Muse was even stronger.

"Your Highness has grown more than I thought."

"No, he was pretty good from the start..."

"Pretty good?"

When the knight inadvertently called Alvis "he," Hector glared at him. The knight, panicking, fled. Hector's head ached at the sight.

After graduating from the academy, Alvis joined the knight corps. Initially, he was treated like a sore spot due to being the son of a duke and the younger brother of the crown prince. However, once his skills were known, he was treated like a junior. This was the first time Alvis, now the crown prince, had visited the knight corps. There were certainly members he had been close to during his time in the corps. While some leniency was necessary, discipline was also required.

Hector himself had sparred with Alvis a few times during his knight corps days, but he was far from the current Alvis. The training in the royal guard had certainly improved him. As the crown prince, Alvis didn't have much time to train. He was known to swing a sword at the training ground, but the purpose was to stay active, not to hone his sword skills.

While he was thinking, the mock battle continued. Alvis, who had been in consecutive battles, and Muse, a woman, were likely reaching their limits. Hector needed to stop the match at the right time. He refocused on the match.

Muse's sword style was similar to Alvis's. Both emphasized speed, and their weight shifts were the same. However, Muse had the edge in speed, while Alvis had the edge in strength. Alvis was approaching his limit. If he pushed too hard, it would only cause unnecessary worry. The match needed to end.

"Daydreaming, Your Highness!"

"Wha?!"

The sword approached his face. Alvis reflexively moved his body and inadvertently infused his sword with mana. The sword, now imbued with power, shattered. Both stopped their movements.

"...Sorry."

"No, it's fine."

An incomplete finish. That was the perfect ending. But with the practice sword broken, the match couldn't continue. It was over. Muse, after catching her breath, stood before Alvis.

"I understand the strength of the Crown Prince. Thank you for the match. Honestly, I underestimated you."

"Thank you as well."

Alvis extended his hand, and Muse shook it. The surrounding knights applauded.