Chapter 87

──The first to move was Rio.

Rio's feet were enveloped by a sudden gust of wind as he charged straight towards Logan.

Drawing his sword, he unleashed a merciless slash aimed at Logan.

The sound of the sword cutting through the air rang out twice.

Logan, seeing the trajectory of the blade, avoided the first and second strikes by slightly shifting his body.

On the third strike, Logan also readied his sword and blocked Rio's attack.

A heavy impact echoed through the training ground.

Rio, whose attack had been deflected, frowned slightly and took a step back to create distance.

A gap formed between the two, and a moment came where they faced each other, their swords at the ready.

"Amazing..."

Amelia, who had witnessed the brief exchange, couldn't help but exclaim.

Even to her untrained eye, it was clear that both were formidable swordsmen.

Both took a step, then another, circling each other, looking for an opening.

The silence was soon broken.

"Come on."

When Logan spoke, Rio once again raised his sword.

"AAAAAAH──!!"

His voice was like the roar of a fierce beast shaking the battlefield.

Cleaving the air, Rio's sword lunged straight at Logan.

But Logan remained calm.

His blue eyes never wavered, focusing intently on the approaching blade.

The moment Rio's sword was about to strike, Logan subtly twisted his wrist, altering its trajectory.

Once again, a heavy impact resounded.

Rio immediately accepted that his first strike had failed and launched another attack.

The exchange of blows resumed, with Rio attacking and Logan parrying and deflecting.

Rio's nimble footwork and flashing sword were the result of his rigorous training.

On the other hand, Logan's ability to deftly handle Rio's attacks spoke of his extensive combat experience.

The tide of the battle turned in an instant.

Logan's eyes gleamed, and he seized a momentary opening in Rio's guard, slipping inside his defenses.

"Ugh...!?"

Rio hastily readied his sword to block Logan's strike.

However, Logan's attack was heavy, causing Rio to lose his balance.

Logan didn't give him a moment to recover.

He struck the back of Rio's hand, causing his grip to loosen.

Rio's sword flew through the air and fell to the ground.

The impact sent Rio sprawling on the ground.

Logan immediately pressed the tip of his sword to Rio's throat.

Rio's face showed frustration, but he raised his hands in surrender.

Instantly, the onlookers, who had been watching, burst into applause.

"Amazing..."

"Rio is amazing, but Lord Logan is just too strong..."

In the manor, where gossip and entertainment were scarce, everyone was voicing their impressions of the spontaneous spectacle.

"Wow, so cool... so handsome~"

Laila, standing next to Amelia, pressed her cheeks, looking entranced.

"Serious duels between men are so exciting! Oh, just watching makes me so happy..."

"Y-You seem to be enjoying it, Laila..."

Amelia, who had been worried about them getting hurt, let out an awkward smile.

Still, she strongly agreed with Laila's words.

(Cool...)

Indeed, Laila was right; Logan was cool.

His stylish movements and the seasoned warrior's swordsmanship were impressive.

Most of all, his overwhelming strength in defeating Rio had left Amelia's heart racing.

"Both of them are usually so cool and calm, so seeing them wield their swords like this is a huge contrast!"

"Contrast..."

Yes, the contrast.

Logan, who usually worked quietly on paperwork, had displayed such dynamic swordsmanship.

The contrast made her heart throb with warmth.

While Amelia was lost in thought, Logan extended a hand to Rio.

"Good work, it was a great practice."

"Thank you."

Taking Logan's hand, Rio stood up.

His face showed a mix of respect for the victor and regret over his defeat.

"It was an honor to be your opponent."

Rio smiled, sweat beading on his forehead, but then sighed and slumped his shoulders.

"I thought I could land at least one hit..."

"Don't be discouraged. I'm just relying on my past experience. Your swordsmanship and movements have improved since before. It's the result of your daily training."

Logan's words made Rio's face light up.

"I am honored by your praise."

He scratched his cheek, embarrassed, and smiled like a boy his age.

"Oh, Rio... so cute... Lady Amelia, you understand, right? He's usually so composed and dedicated to protecting Lord Logan, but when he smiles like that, it's so endearing and it just gets to me!"

"I-I see..."

Laila's excited words were not hard to understand.

Like Logan, Rio's occasional smile added to the charm of the contrast.

However, Laila's enthusiasm was so intense that Amelia was taken aback.

At that moment,

"Phew..."

Logan, who had been sweating from the intense activity, lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his cheek.

In doing so, Logan's lower abdomen was briefly revealed.

Thump!

Amelia's heart skipped a beat!

(Wh-What was that just now...?)

Logan's perfectly defined six-pack, each muscle clearly defined, exuded a fierce and powerful aura.

It was a mystical beauty, like gazing at a grand mountain range, and Amelia's eyes were glued to it.

(When I see Lord Logan's abs... I just...)

Amelia's throat made a gulping sound.

Logan's abs had brought Amelia's heart to the brink of explosion.