Chapter 46

Raon rushed forward and swung his sword. The red-hot blade mercilessly tore through the evening air.

Sizzle!

The residual aura, like the claws of a beast, scratched the training ground after slicing through the air.

This was a charging sword technique that combined the final moves of the Flexible Sword Technique and the Garambow Method.

'Not bad.'

Raon nodded as he swirled his sword. It was a powerful and fast technique, making it difficult to block even when seen.

'Of course, that's not all.'

This move could be unleashed at any time, like a hidden knife behind the back.

It seemed that the assassin's nature still lingered, making it inevitable to consider the element of surprise.

Hmph.

He turned his head at the snort from behind. Ruan was staring at his sword with dull eyes.

The lower part of those large, dull eyes sparkled slightly, a look of anticipation. It seemed he was asking to be taught the sword technique.

"Hiss!"

Ruan mimicked the move, leaping off the ground and slashing the air with his sword.

It lacked speed, power, and the subtlety of surprise, but it was just the stance. However, due to his exceptional talent and ability, it became a move that was hard to block even under normal circumstances.

"Is that right?"

After swinging his sword a few more times, Ruan tilted his head and asked if it was correct.

"Don't do it like that. First, let's work on your legs…."

If he continued like that, he might end up killing someone during sparring, so Raon just adjusted his stance slightly.

Whoosh!

When Raon had somewhat corrected Ruan's stance, a refreshing breeze blew over the training ground wall. It was Limur.

He would kick open the door if he arrived on time, but if he was late, he would climb over the wall.

In other words, it was a bit past the end of training time.

"Hmm!"

Limur sat on the platform and looked down at the trainees.

"Instructor. You're ten minutes late."

"Good job today, everyone."

He turned his head, pretending not to hear Baren's comment.

"Ten minutes is enough time to swing a sword a thousand times."

"Hey, that's not true! Ugh!"

Limur frowned at Baren's ridiculous statement, looking like he had been caught out.

"Ahem, anyway, I have two pieces of news to share today. The first is about the 6th training ground."

"The 6th training ground?"

"Why suddenly?"

"The ones who were left behind went there."

The trainees shook their heads, wondering why he was talking about the training ground where the ones who were left behind had gone.

"The Owen Kingdom's envoy team ignored the 6th training ground and only requested sparring matches with the 5th training ground, which hurt their pride. They say they are training hard to catch up with us."

Limur smiled, proud of the trainees in the 6th training ground.

"Even the direct and collateral lines who were left behind due to injuries have joined, and they are focusing on the toughest training. Don't get complacent. Do your best every moment to not be caught up by them."

"Yes."

"Uh-huh…."

"Well, they have to be able to catch up first."

The trainees pouted, as if to say there was no point in preparing when there was already a significant gap.

"Hmm."

Limur nodded, as if he had expected this reaction, and then shared the second piece of news.

"Next week, we're going to have a very special training session."

"What, what kind?"

Dorian, already scared, was trembling.

"Special training."

"What is it? What's left to do?"

Because Limur had done many unusual things before, not just Dorian but all the trainees were anxious.

"That's a secret."

"Ah…."

"Instructor, you should tell us what the training is so we can prepare accordingly."

Baren raised his hand and spoke reasonably, but Limur, of course, didn't listen.

"If I tell you, it won't be fun. If you train hard, you can handle whatever it is."

"Hmm…."

Baren pouted and lowered his hand, acknowledging the truth in Limur's words.

"But, I'll give you a hint…."

Limur smiled, extending his finger. It wasn't his usual light or cheerful smile but one that showed deep determination.

"Real combat."

"Real combat?"

"Suddenly?"

The trainees' eyes widened when he said it would be real combat, not just sparring.

"It's not sudden. It's time. I'll tell you clearly since you need to prepare."

The playful look on Limur's face began to fade, replaced by a chilling seriousness.

"You should be prepared to see blood this time."

* * *

After finishing the training, Limur left the family compound and headed to the entertainment district in the western outskirts.

The entertainment district was a place where knights and servants went to rest, filled with various shops, restaurants, and taverns.

He hummed a tune as he walked down the street and entered a tavern called Magnolia at the eastern end.

Despite its elegant name, the tavern was old and messy, with a full house and the noise of people talking so loud it could deafen the ears.

Limur nodded, enjoying the chaotic atmosphere, and approached a middle-aged man sitting alone on the right side.

"You came quickly."

He sat down in front of the middle-aged man and smiled.

"Magicians have plenty of time."

The middle-aged man, still in his black robe, reading a book, nodded.

"It's been a while, Limur."

"Drinking buddy. How have you been?"

"I've been having fun and eating well."

"You seem quite relaxed now that you're a deputy head."

"Hehe, you're the one who seems to have plenty of time. I heard the term 'salary thief' was coined because of you."

The middle-aged man laughed as he closed his book.

"I miss the days when we just drank together, as I've been busy lately."

"I heard you're spending a lot of time with the trainees, taking good care of them."

"Not really."

Their conversation was smooth, indicating a deep friendship.

"Berwin, what have you been up to lately?"

"Since you don't come out to drink, I've been living for the pleasure of reading books."

Berwin, as he was called, waved the book in his hand.

"There's not much to do at the magic tower besides research and reading."

"True."

Limur nodded, looking at the magic book in Berwin's hand.

"So, why did you call me today? Your expression suggests it's not just for a drink."

"I wanted a drink, but I also have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Our trainees have improved a lot, and I want to give them some real combat experience with monsters."

"Hmm, you could have made a formal request for that."

Berwin tilted his head. Giving trainees combat experience with monsters was part of the official curriculum, so there was no need to come and ask for it.

"I want to add a few things."

"Add?"

"Our trainees are quite strong, so just regular monsters won't help much."

"Ah, I heard they beat the Owen Kingdom's training knights."

"Yeah, that's right."

Limur raised his nose and grinned. Hearing praise for his students from an old friend made him feel as good as if he were drunk.

"I want to strengthen the monsters they'll fight, to the level of a high-level Sword Beginner."

"Possible. A few years ago, a new recruit specialized in monster summoning and control. He can even make a worm look like a dragon."

"Can he really?"

"Just kidding."

"Ah, you really…."

"He can't make a worm look like a dragon, but making an orc a high-level Sword Beginner is definitely possible. Of course, not in large numbers, only one at a time."

Berwin muttered that it wasn't a difficult task.

"Thanks. And one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Can you cast an illusion spell to make the monsters look human?"

"That's easy. Since they're not yet experts, an artifact with an illusion spell would do the job."

"Great. Do that too."

Limur snapped his fingers and downed the beer on the table in one go.

"But, wouldn't it be too challenging for the trainees to face both enhanced and illusioned monsters?"

Berwin narrowed his eyes, stroking his glass.

"Physical combat with an enhanced orc is already tough, and if they look human, they won't be able to swing their swords properly."

"Kyaa! That's why I live for this!"

Limur slammed his beer glass on the table and exclaimed.

"What did you say?"

"You said it would be too hard for the trainees. While strengthening the monsters is one thing, making them look human is a difficult task for children."

"It's fine. My students are not children but knights. And…."

Limur smiled. His emerald eyes were filled with anticipation and joy.

"They're strong, both physically and mentally."

* * *

The magical lamps dispelled the darkness of the 5th training ground.

Most of the trainees had returned to the main house, but some were still practicing with their swords.

Ruan Sleyon was one of them, staying behind to practice the thrusting technique Raon had shown her.

Clang!

Ruan lowered her stance and thrust her sword. The swift and powerful strike pierced the air, but it didn't feel right.

'It's not working.'

Raon's thrust was not so much powerful as it was smooth and relaxed. It was so natural that one might not even notice it coming.

No matter how many times she tried, she couldn't figure out how to do it.

She looked toward the indoor training hall. Raon was currently doing strength training, and she didn't want to disturb him.

'Let's try a few more times.'

Ruan adjusted her stance and thrust her sword into the air again. Changing her stance didn't significantly improve the strike.

'Again.'

The sound of the blade piercing the air changed slightly. The speed and power decreased, but a sense of ease lingered at the tip of the sword.

'It's getting better.'

Ruan nodded and adjusted her grip on the sword, continuing to thrust repeatedly.

She stopped only when the moon, rising from the east, was two fingers above the horizon.

"Huff."

Ruan nodded.

'It's getting better.'

Though she was still far from catching up to Raon, the final move of the Flexible Sword Technique had definitely changed. The power and speed had decreased, but the flow and smoothness had improved significantly.

"Hmm."

Ruan looked back at the indoor training hall. The lights were still on, and she could hear Raon, Baren, and Martha shouting encouragement.

She thought about what to do when her mother's words came to mind.

-"I'll buy you pearl ice cream. Come quickly on the weekend."

'I'll go.'

Ruan put away her training sword. She decided to ask about the missing parts next week and left the training ground.

As she was about to run to the waiting maids, a man's shadow appeared in a dark alley.

"Ruan."

When she tried to ignore it and keep going, the shadow stepped forward and called her name.

"Ah…."

Ruan stopped. Her usually dull eyes wavered like waves.

The man revealed himself. He had short silver hair and deep purple eyes, resembling Ruan's appearance.

"Big… Brother?"

"It's been a while."

Ruan's lips trembled, and she took a step back. The man smiled softly and took three steps closer.

Siriya Sleyon.

Ruan's brother and a legendary genius of the Sleyon family, known throughout the Twelve Cities.

"Ah…."

However, Ruan's face was pale, as if she were facing a powerful enemy, not her brother.

"Ruan, I told you not to make that face, didn't I?"

Siriya smiled. His smile was relaxed, and his tone was gentle.

But anyone who looked closely at his face would feel a chill. His eyes, unlike his mouth, did not smile at all.

"Ugh…."

Ruan clenched her teeth and bowed her head. Her purple eyes, which had been trembling, darkened as if she was forcibly suppressing her emotions.

"That's better."

Siriya, still smiling, approached and stroked Ruan's head.

"Limur's training seems to be going well. You've gotten stronger than I thought."

He bent down to meet Ruan's eyes.

At that moment, the mask fell from Siriya's face. His expression hardened like rotten wood, and the color drained from his eyes. He looked like a worn-out monster.

"Of course, you're not going to the battlefield or engaging in life-threatening sparring, right?"

His voice changed, dry and lifeless like a desert wind that withers life.

"Ah…."

Ruan's shoulders trembled. She took a step back, reaching out to grab his hand.

"Hmm, are you a bit relaxed? I need to reinforce it."

Siriya put his hand in the inner pocket of his coat. A small, round-eyed squirrel was in his hand.

"Remember, the squirrel you used to keep was named Ruby, right?"

"Big… Brother?"

Ruan stopped backing away. She reached out to grab the squirrel.

"You'll remember now. How Ruby died. Why you became afraid of blood."

"Wait, just a moment!"

Siriya, with a frozen smile, squeezed his right hand. With a squish, only a handful of blood remained in his hand.

"Aaaaah!"

Ruan screamed and fell to her knees, but no one could hear her due to the barrier Siriya had set up.

"Ruan."

Siriya approached the kneeling Ruan, whispering lifelessly in her ear.

"You're mine. Until the appointed day. Don't do anything dangerous or difficult."

"Ah…."

"Until I want, just…."

Bang!

As Siriya was about to imprint his words of brainwashing on Ruan, a loud noise echoed through the alley.

Sand and dust rose from the ground, and a blonde boy appeared. He glared at Siriya with red eyes.

"Who are you?"