Chapter 92

### Chapter 92: Change (6)

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#11

“The ending is an open one, which I believe you would agree with. However, Yukremian said two days before he passed away due to his illness that Eugene based his troubled childhood on himself, and Dorothy on a girl he actually met during his childhood. He also mentioned that if that girl had survived until now, he probably wouldn't have been alone when he died. Considering this...”

“Some say an author should die the moment they finish writing. Once the story leaves the author's hands, no further explanation should be added. I think this is correct. Moreover, just because it was a source of inspiration doesn't mean it's fundamentally the same. Characters are just characters. When interpreting a novel, we should base our understanding on the words and actions of the characters in the story, not the author's life.”

The condition for winning a debate is to logically persuade and convince the other party. Of course, this wasn't a serious competition, but Mu and I were passionately expressing our opinions to each other.

The heat of the debate cooled down for a moment, but it quickly reignited. After all, Mu and I were avid readers of this book. Once we started discussing it, our lips tingled involuntarily.

“Ouch... That's too much. How can you not give in even a little? You seem really heartless, Debater.”

“Where is the logic in giving in during a debate? I was just sharing my personal opinion. Besides, this isn't a formal debate. I also believe there are no right answers in interpretation, and I don't find your opinion entirely unreasonable. I just wanted to say that I interpret this part of the book in a certain way.”

“That's just it. Ultimately, my opinion isn't influencing yours at all. It feels like I'm the one always losing. With other books, maybe, but with this one, our opinions always diverge... Nothing has changed since the old days, Debater.”

“You're the same too. I know you like romance novels, and because of that, you tend to apply romantic elements to every story...”

“Oh, what's wrong with that! If there's a man and a woman, something is bound to happen, right? This is closely related to the instinctive realm you mentioned. Surely you haven't forgotten your own words?”

“Of course not. I understand it fully.”

“You don't look like you understand at all!”

It was something like that.

Until the lecture ended, we were engaged in a verbal game of catch.

It might seem like a battle of wits, but in reality, it's not much different. It's half a playful joke and half a genuine exchange of thoughts.

Mu and I have had many conversations since we first met in the library, but we've never reached a conclusion about this book.

We ended our previous debates with a friendly agreement to respect each other's opinions, but now we're in the n-th round of this debate.

I feigned calmness, while Mu shot back at every word I said.

Back in the day, I often ended up admitting defeat due to Mu's surprise attacks. But now, that's not possible. There are many other students watching, and more importantly, we're not in that kind of relationship anymore. Mu seemed to know this and only trembled in response.

That subtle distance,

was a bit bitter.

At that moment,

—That guy. I thought he was really cold, but he's surprisingly good at talking... His image has completely changed, suddenly.

—Is it just me, or is he more likable now? I couldn't even approach him before, but now he seems friendly enough to greet me. Maybe even me?

—Hey, snap out of it. Are your eyes just for decoration? Look at him and then look in the mirror. You'll feel the difference.

—...Maybe he's just more affectionate with close friends.

—So, does that mean it's easy to get close to him? You need to have a certain foundation first. As I said before, look in the mirror...

—Excessive facts can kill a person. Stop the violence.

Some students in the lecture hall were pretending to debate while secretly listening to our conversation.

I'm not sure, but most of them seemed to find Mu's new side refreshing. After all, the cold Mu who used to send chills was now talking animatedly beside me. It made sense.

But I found this side more familiar and close.

This was the Mu I knew.

Playful, subtly stubborn, and emotionally rich.

When we first discussed this book, it felt a bit awkward, but now there's no such feeling.

It's like when you meet an old friend after a long time and, once you start reminiscing, you forget the time passing by.

It was purely enjoyable.

...

Enjoyable, enjoyable.

How long has it been since I felt this way?

I felt something similar when I looked at the starry sky with Stella.

Maybe, that was the beginning.

The feeling of a breath of fresh air after a long period of suffocation. I realized what I had forgotten all this time.

I lived blindly for a single goal.

From my middle school days, I struggled to develop my meager abilities. I continued living like an inanimate object and eventually received a meaningless diploma. I might have lived my whole life with a sense of inferiority.

But I could have avoided that, thanks to Mu.

Mu is still by my side. I have gained talent. I have overcome the worst environment, and my worries about the future, aside from Elena's meaningful words, are not significant.

A Frontier diploma. With this alone, finding a job is no problem. I'm not lacking in financial resources, and there are no practical issues.

Yet, I was still trapped in a suffocating rut. The compulsion to keep running without stopping was deeply rooted in my mind.

Actually, there are probably many people who live like that.

Striving endlessly to reach the top. People like Tetra Crowley, commonly known as the Great Mage, or Elena, the superhuman, or the Seven Swords of the Empire, who have reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship. I didn't want to reach such heights. I had no grand goal like reviving a fallen family. My parents are content with their current lives.

I wasn't someone who carried a grand mission. Even before the family's fall, I didn't live a particularly aristocratic life. I was more like a commoner who could cry and laugh over small happiness.

My father, though closer to an aristocrat, chose to protect the family.

If I were my father and had a grand mission, I would have held my sword and gone to the battlefield alone. Probably.

But I am not my father.

I have no grand mission.

Edgio Cranil, a fallen noble from a rural academy.

That's who I am.

I can barely manage what's right in front of me. Focusing too much on the distant future and running blindly without looking ahead will inevitably lead to a fall.

Like on the track this morning.

—And living in a rush is no good! Life is too short to only do sports and training. Sometimes, you need to have some leisure in your daily life. How can a person only do what they're supposed to do? Taking appropriate breaks can significantly improve work efficiency.

Raelin said that.

Actually,

Mu was the first to tell me that.

“Debater.”

“...Yes?”

Let's do our best today.

Let's live each day like that.

“Let's talk a lot more from now on.”

“...Eh, okay?”

For that, a change is needed.

#12

“You've improved quite a bit. Have you been training a lot?”

Swordsmanship class.

During the session where students took turns sparring with Professor Abel, Abel, who hadn't moved a step from his spot, deflected my sword with one hand and said this.

Compared to me, his reach is much shorter, and he stands still with one hand behind his back, only defending. His sword hand and eyes move rapidly, reading and evaluating my every move.

It's always astonishing to watch. If there were such a thing as mind reading in swordsmanship, Abel would probably be at its pinnacle.

He perfectly reads my intentions. His sword is already in position before I even swing mine. It's truly impressive, making me feel that he deserves his Epic Class title. In other words, I admire him.

He's not someone to be underestimated just because he looks young. In fact, his mysterious nature adds to his allure.

“I've been consistent.”

“The transitions in your movements have become more natural. This is evidence that the techniques I taught you have been well integrated into your body.”

I didn't have a sword in my hand. It had fallen behind me. Abel had lightly deflected it, thinking he had seen enough of my skills.

“15. Never let go of your sword. The moment you lose your weapon, you lose your life. High-level knights who can wield magic swords might be an exception, but you are not at that level yet. Just now, if you had tried harder to hold onto your sword, you could have kept it.”

“...I will try harder.”

“Hmm. You should.”

Swoosh. Abel sheathed his sword.

“...I almost forgot that this place is full of interesting people. When I first met you, your swordsmanship was the worst. It was crude and terrible. Did you have a bad teacher? Your learning ability is clearly exceptional among the students here, yet I can't understand it.”

I widened my eyes. I knew Abel rarely gave compliments.

Stella, standing behind Abel, smiled at me quietly. Mu was clapping softly so as not to be heard, and Sasha seemed to be whispering something to Mu...

—Ouch...

Ouch, I got hit.

I got a punch.

...But at least they reacted, so it's a significant improvement?

Anyway.

“...That's not true. I think my efforts have been lacking so far. I've only started to really try now. Of course, it's also because Professor has been teaching well.”

“What, flattery doesn't work. You've just taken your first steps. The real lessons haven't even started. You'll need to work twice as hard even after a month here. Always keep the same mindset and work steadily. As your level improves, the walls you need to overcome will also get higher.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Abel straightened his gi.

“And... I always feel this, but your strange ability is still unfamiliar to me. It feels like my swordsmanship regresses for a short time, about 15 years. It doesn't seem to be a sinister or ominous spell, but... I just can't figure it out.”

He looked somewhat displeased.

But there seemed to be nothing different. There was no sign of his skills declining. Maybe it's just that people at a certain level are different?

But 15 years, when exactly?

How old is the professor...?

“But this has been a surprisingly good experience. It has stimulated my long-dormant desire to improve. It's been a while since I've thought about the old days.”

Abel muttered and smiled.

Seeing a person who looks like a middle school student reminiscing about the old days, I felt... something... strange.

“Go back. Next.”

I bowed and returned to Gabriel's side.

“Dude, that was intense?”

“It's the basics.”

“...Ugh, I can't stand it.”

Gabriel made a face of genuine disgust as I shrugged and joked.

I stepped in, and the next person came out.

“Please take care of me. Professor.”

“Hmm.”

With a simple greeting, Mu stood in front of Abel.

“Are you the last one?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Attack with all your might until the lecture ends. There's no time limit.”

Abel's eyes were different when he faced Mu compared to the other students. They became heavier, more serious, and stricter. Perhaps it's because he needs to focus more to properly evaluate Mu's level.

“Will you use both hands?”

Mu suddenly asked.

Abel tilted his head.

“What's the purpose of your question?”

“I think it would be better if you use both hands.”

“...Oh. Why is that?”

Abel showed interest.

After a moment, Mu spoke.

“I'm in good condition today.”

“Hmm?”

I was facing Abel's back, and I could see Mu's face in front of him.

I saw Mu's purple eyes suddenly look in a certain direction over her shoulder.

At me.

For a brief moment, a soft smile.

“Indeed, that's how it looks.”

Abel's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Swoosh.

Abel, who had his hands behind his back, extended his left hand.

He gripped the sword with both hands and lowered it.

“I won't give a signal. Attack when and how you want. It would be good to try using what you've recently learned—”

His voice was cut off.

Mu's sword, which split Abel's voice, struck in one blow. It disappeared and reappeared in an instant.

As if there was a space between one second and two seconds. Mu passed through that space, rushing like a beam of light. It was impossible to follow with the naked eye. It was almost like divine power.

—Clang!

“There won't be a student who can match your speed.”

Abel easily blocked it.

Mu probably expected this.

If one attack is blocked, try another. If that one is blocked, try another. The transitions in her movements were as smooth as flowing water.

No, they were too fast to be called smooth. I couldn't even see them, let alone evaluate them.

—Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Blinding sparks flew. The powerful sword energy clashed in the air. The sharp wind cut across our cheeks.

Everyone in the room was in awe. We were just watching in amazement, not even knowing what was happening.

The black afterimage left by Mu's swaying hair. That was the only way to distinguish her form.

How can she be so fast? She wasn't this fast before...

I suddenly realized, through my skin, what kind of person I had a deep relationship with.

“...”

...The idea of dating a girl who could easily skewer me, if she wanted to, might have been a surprisingly scary past.

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