Why do I have to spar with this dude? Why can't Master Obrone do it instead? Ugh…
My life is a mess to begin with. He's just fuel to the fire.
We took our positions on the training ground. Across from me, Rein stood firm — his movements calm, deliberate, and sharp as a blade forged through decades.
"Start!" Shimi announced.
Our swords clashed — the echo of it filled the silent field. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of sweat. I could feel the weight of each strike, but at least this time, my grip didn't waver. Those exhausting strength workouts finally paid off.
We backed off. From our last spar, I already knew his speed was far superior to mine. So this time, I couldn't blink. Not even once.
Just as I was about to dart forward — he vanished.
I didn't even blink! Suddenly, I felt his aura behind me.
Right before his blade swung, I dodged by an inch — not even my sweat could compete with that timing. I swung hard, but he blocked effortlessly and pushed me back.
"Get nervous and you lose," he said with a smirk, his tone sitting somewhere between teasing and advice.
We clashed again and again — my arms burned, my breath grew short. I couldn't keep up.
"Looks like you're doing better than before, slowpoke."
Before I could snap back, he disappeared from sight and struck my spine with the handle of his sword. Pain shot up my back; I lost my grip and stumbled.
He raised his sword to finish the spar — a hit to the neck would knock me out — but I dodged at the last second and fell face-first.
"Huh." He stabbed his sword into the dirt beside me. "It's a familiar sight. Do you usually trip over yourself and let your opponent win, or something? What a short spar that was…"
Indeed… it was a familiar sight.
He started walking away.
"I can still fight!" I shouted, grabbing my sword and charging toward him.
Our blades collided again, sparks flying.
"You've got spirit. That's good."
His tone softened — just slightly — as we exchanged a flurry of blows. I couldn't think of a move to counter his attacks.
"Are you thinking about your next move? Stop thinking and feel the motion. Find rhythm, not reason."
I gritted my teeth and pushed back with all my strength. For the first time — he staggered a step.
Finally!
We kept clashing. The sound of our blades rang through the air, raw and rhythmic. I wondered how much louder it'd be if we were using real swords instead of wooden ones.
Then something clicked.
Rein had a pattern. Every move of his followed a rhythm — attack, vanish, reappear behind me, strike again. Each time he sped up, his mana flared from his legs.
That's it.
I took a deep breath and focused my mana into my legs.
My pace quickened. My body moved like lightning — and suddenly, I was behind him.
He barely had time to react as I swung. His eyes widened in surprise, but he blocked in time and pushed me back.
"You knew Mana Step?"
"What's that?"
His shock deepened, but he quickly composed himself. With a single forceful swing, he knocked my sword out of my hand and ended the spar.
I fell again. But this time, I didn't mind. I'd discovered something new — focusing mana on the legs could enhance speed.
"Rein, the one who's more experienced, already graduated, and the senior… wins the battle!" Shimi cheered proudly.
"Was that supposed to cheer me up or make me sound like a violent senior?!" Rein barked.
"Well, isn't that true?" Shimi teased.
"You're taking sides with someone who came here a few days ago?! You opportunist!"
"I am not!"
"Can you both stop arguing? You're causing sound pollution."
Master Obrone appeared, his timing as perfect as ever. Shimi and Rein fell silent, glaring at each other.
"Report."
Rein straightened. "She trips over herself, and she somehow learned Mana Step on her own — more like discovered it."
Master Obrone raised an eyebrow, impressed and looked my way. "You just saved me the trouble of teaching you that technique."
"Umm.... focusing mana on my legs…?" I asked.
"Exactly. It's called Mana Step. It greatly enhances your speed — a vital skill for any mage."
I nodded, feeling a sense of quiet satisfaction.
Suddenly, a bright glow filled the ground as a portal opened nearby.
Of course. Them.
Noomi and Tindra stepped out. Tindra rushed straight toward me and wrapped me in a tight hug, sulking.
"What a frustrating mission! I wish you were there! I missed you so much!"
Noomi sighed. "We got assigned to a mission this week — it took almost seven days."
"Were you with a group?"
"Well, yeah. We're still undergraduates," Noomi said, brushing her hair back.
Tindra's eyes widened as she looked me over. "Did you train to death while we were gone?! You're drenched in sweat!"
"I just sparred for training, that's all."
"You're trapped here! You need to get out and see the world!"
"I was always there since birth," I said deadpan.
"Don't make jokes at times like this!"
"Now you're the ones causing sound pollution," Rein muttered.
Tindra blinked at him. "Who are you?"
The moment was pure déjà vu.
Rein thought, Talk about karma…
"Looks like karma," Noomi teased. Rein gritted his teeth.
"Anyway," Noomi continued, "tomorrow's the King's birthday. A huge banquet will be held — even commoners can attend. Every pillar clan is obligated to appear. Want to come?"
My heart sank for a moment. The Visbon Clan — my clan — is the kingdom's pillars of strength. The head and heir would be there.
"I don't think I'm needed…"
"Not as a Visbon, but as a commoner. You'll be in disguise," Noomi explained. "Since you left without a public notice, showing up as yourself would cause chaos."
Right… no one except my family knows I'm here.
"There'll be tons of stalls and foreign merchants! You can't miss it. It's the biggest in a while," Tindra added excitedly.
Noomi smirked. "Won't you be busy, heir of the Whenart Clan — the pillar of health?"
That's true. She's the sole heir of the Whenart clan.
Tindra huffed. "I'll be in the main hall for a bit, but after that, I'm free! So please come!"
Her puppy-eyes attack… it's unfair.
"Fine, I'll join you guys."
They cheered in unison.
I sighed but smiled faintly. I never thought I'd be roaming the capital in disguise. Maybe… this would be a new experience.
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