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Chapter 17
The reason Elijia had been able to block Leonar’s attacks so easily was simple.
‘Wow, I know all of these sword techniques!’
That’s right. These were techniques Elijia was already familiar with.
‘This is one of the sword skills from Seiros Saga. Was it “Imperial Swordsmanship 15”?’
The techniques Leonar used were identical to one of the skills from Seiros Saga.
Just by watching his preparatory movements and first two attacks, Elijia had immediately recognized the pattern and could predict the entire sequence. Blocking familiar sword techniques didn’t require fancy footwork or excessive swings—just minimal movement.
No matter how fierce his sword strikes were, she could clearly see what was coming next.
‘Using a sword style that’s the same as Seiros Saga… that’s kind of amazing.’
Should she be glad the same game company made this world? They must’ve reused the content here too.
With that thought, Elijia casually blocked Leonar’s attacks without a second thought.
But it seemed her ease in fending him off had somehow provoked the Crown Prince’s fighting spirit.
‘…Sword energy? Isn’t that overkill?!’
Who the heck uses sword energy on a civilian?!
Now that it had come to this, Elijia swallowed her cry of frustration as she faced the blade coated in energy. It was a life-or-death moment—no time to think. And yet…
Swish!
Boom!
Dust and a deafening boom shook the training ground.
“Wow, Your Highness. That’s totally cheating.”
“…!”
Through the dusty haze, a low whisper came from Elijia. With her vision obscured, Leonar looked around in confusion.
He hadn’t felt a hit. No impact.
All he felt was his sword slicing through air, sending a jarring vibration down his arm. Leonar murmured under his breath.
“She dodged…”
Yes. The reason dust had exploded was because Elijia had dodged at just the right moment, making Leonar’s sword energy slash harmlessly into the ground.
‘What, am I stupid enough to take that head-on?’
Standing a step to the side, Elijia wore a quietly exasperated look.
She’d never planned to take the attack in the first place—not since the moment she saw mana coating his blade. Sword energy couldn’t be blocked without sword energy of one’s own. If Elijia, whose skills were still locked, had tried, her sword would’ve shattered.
WHAT THE HECK??
Leonar using sword energy? That only shows up in the hidden episodes, LOL
And he just used it now?
Leaving the rapidly scrolling chat behind, Elijia glanced at the number above Leonar’s head.
Interest: 0%
‘…What is this guy even doing?’
More shocking than Leonar suddenly using sword energy was the fact that his interest level remained at zero—even now.
‘He doesn’t even care, so why is he being so aggressive?’
Elijia frowned.
“Elly… you’ve just been dodging and blocking.”
Leonar muttered, clearly dissatisfied even after using sword energy.
“Your Highness! What was that just now?!”
At that moment, Jerome’s voice cut in between them. He sounded furious.
“You used sword energy against someone whose abilities haven’t even been confirmed! No matter who you are, that is unacceptable in any test! Halt the duel immediately—!”
“No.”
Elijia cut him off. As if it were nothing, she dusted herself off.
“…Now I understand that His Highness is serious.”
She nodded. Honestly, she still didn’t know what the Crown Prince’s goal was. But she could tell he was going all out.
This wasn’t going to end with a friendly breakfast and laughter.
It was going to end when one of them fell—her or him. Since the duel wasn’t raising his interest at all, there was no point continuing.
No, the sooner this ended, the better.
That much was clear.
Gripping her sword again, Elijia continued.
“So now, I’ll fight seriously too.”
“As you should…”
Clang!
Just as Leonar nodded as if to say “bring it on,” Elijia’s sword came crashing down on him in an instant.
“…!”
Screech!
Leonar barely blocked in time—but that was just the beginning.
Clang! Clang!
Screeech! Ka-kang!
Strike after strike came with no pause for breath.
‘This is…!’
Leonar frowned without realizing it. It was similar to the way he’d fought her earlier, yet oddly different.
Unpredictable moves, slightly off from what he expected.
It looked like the wild swings of a novice—but the pressure was real. One careless moment and he felt like she’d sever his head.
‘Where the hell did she learn this…?!’
And that wasn’t all.
‘Should I try using sword energy again…?’
Swish!
‘Ugh…?’
As he prepared to imbue his blade with mana mid-duel, Leonar hesitated.
Every time he even tried to channel mana, Elijia’s pattern changed—as if she could sense it—her sword veering in a completely unpredictable direction, giving him no room to think, let alone use his skills.
‘I’m being pushed back.’
Sweat started to bead at his temples.
Anyone watching would say he was being completely overwhelmed.
And by a noble lady who supposedly just picked up a sword!
‘This makes no sense…’
Wobble.
His balance gave out.
“Huff…!”
Trying to dodge a sword, he lost control of his center of gravity for the first time. His knees buckled involuntarily, hands reaching out to keep from falling.
Thud.
Leonar collapsed unceremoniously onto the training ground.
And in that moment, a cold blade touched his neck.
“Your Highness.”
“….”
Silence descended before he could even catch his breath. By the time he came to, his sword was already gone.
Slowly, Leonar looked up. The sunlight made it hard to see Elijia’s expression, but her voice echoed calmly through the courtyard.
“Will this be enough to satisfy you?”
“…”
“Y-Your Highness!”
The panicked voice of the guard captain rang out belatedly. He clearly hadn’t expected Leonar to lose. After all, he’d been the one training him—and even with sword energy, Leonar had lost.
And the witnesses? Plenty.
Jerome stood there gaping. The royal knights whispered among themselves. Servants and maids peeked nervously through windows before ducking away.
‘What a crowd.’
Not blocking people from watching had backfired. Leonar’s face twisted. He turned back to Elijia and asked,
“…Why didn’t you use sword energy?”
He sounded less confident now, like he was pressing her. But Elijia’s reply was unexpected.
“Huh? What do you mean? I don’t know how to use sword energy.”
She looked at him like he was asking something ridiculous.
‘Does he seriously think that’s a real question?’
I told you a hundred times I’m a beginner, that I wasn’t hiding my power. You just didn’t believe me.
Honestly, she had every right to be angry. She was only unharmed because she was skilled. If she’d been a normal noble lady, she could’ve been seriously hurt.
“That’s impossible…!”
Leonar looked utterly stunned.
“Then how did you dodge my sword energy? How?!”
He raised his voice without realizing it. Elijia thought to herself:
‘Easy. I could see the skill effect.’
Just like she’d seen Jerome’s magic, she could see everything coming and dodge it at will. Even without any active skills, Elijia’s stats—strength, agility, stamina—were through the roof!
‘I didn’t know my body would feel this light either.’
She had learned basic martial arts to get better at the game, and practiced swordsmanship beyond the beginner level. Thanks to her massive stats, she could now physically pull off the movements she’d only imagined while playing.
‘If I don’t have the skill, I’ll just do it manually!’
Take a skill like “Ancient Mystic Swordsmanship 17.” After seeing it so many times in the game, she could roughly mimic the movement patterns—even without actually unlocking the skill. It wasn’t identical, but she knew the theory, and her stats let her come close. That slight awkwardness must’ve been what made Leonar feel she was both clumsy and dangerous.
‘No need to explain all that. Anyway, time to wrap this up.’
Elijia lowered the sword at Leonar’s neck. She hadn’t planned to knock him down—just wanted a fair spar—but he wouldn’t stop, and she may have gone a little overboard.
Still, he was the Crown Prince. Better to leave him some dignity.
Elijia stifled a sigh and smiled politely.
“Thank you for going easy on me, Your Highness. You’re as kind as ever.”
It was her way of saying, You only lost because you let me win. A subtle attempt to preserve his pride.
“…Kind, huh.”
With a sigh—perhaps not quite a sigh—Leonar looked at her with an unreadable expression, then stood up. Once she saw he was unharmed, Elijia added,
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to go change now…”
“Elly.”
At the gentle tone, Elijia looked up.
Leonar, who’d just been shouting, had returned to his usual soft and composed demeanor. He didn’t look like someone who had just been flattened. With a warm smile, he said,
“I didn’t go easy. You were simply impressive. I didn’t realize you had such talent for swordsmanship. I doubt anyone did. I’m glad we know now.”
He continued,
“I still have many things I want to ask you, Elly.”
“…”
“You’ll still write me letters, right? Maybe even later today or tomorrow?”
‘What? He wants me to write him again within two days?’
He spoke like he expected it without question. Elijia opened her mouth with a look of realization.
“Ah, Your Highness. That reminds me—I won’t be able to send letters anymore.”
“What do you mean, Elly?”
“I have personal matters to attend to.”
She shrugged.
The Duke opposed their meetings anyway, and even if he didn’t, she wasn’t planning to keep writing.
A proper noble lady of this era would write elegant letters in beautiful penmanship—but there was no way she’d master that in a day.
‘When do I have time to write letters? Ugh, I need to make money.’
If she wanted to go home quickly, it made more sense to spend her time sewing doll eyes or slaying monsters—anything but writing fancy letters.
“Elly, did something happen? Why won’t you write anymore…?”
Leonar looked at her worriedly. In response, Elijia raised her gaze slowly and said,
“It’s alright, Your Highness. No need to act like you’re disappointed.”
Above Leonar’s head, the number remained unchanged:
Interest: 0%
Looking at it, Elijia added cheerfully,
“You never cared about me anyway.”
“…!”
Leonar’s eyes widened in surprise.
Seeing that, Elijia smiled sweetly and gave a graceful bow.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. Thank you for the spar today.”
A truly elegant farewell—just like a noble lady.
