TRPM 81

chapter 81

The first impression of the so-called Private Residence, the royal family’s living quarters… it felt very much like a luxury suite.

Well, even if it’s the residence of royalty, it’s still a place where people live, so the comparison isn’t entirely wrong.

“……”

My mother, who had been worried about meeting royalty, was now wandering around inside the Private Residence with curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Apparently, all members of the royal family were away at the moment.

Thanks to that, my mother could safely enjoy looking around.

“(Strange. I thought at least those two would still be here.)”
“(If you mean them, they’re probably at the training grounds, not here.)”
“(Ah, really?)”

When Rachel muttered as if something was odd, the suited staff member who had guided us here explained.

Could it be that Buckingham Palace actually had a training ground inside?

Well, ever since the Black Mist began appearing, it had become common to build bunkers and training facilities beneath large buildings. Even if Buckingham Palace had existed long before the Black Mist, surely something like that would have been added underground later.

“Were you thinking there might be a bunker or training facility under Buckingham Palace?”

Rachel smiled knowingly, almost as if reading my mind.

“Too bad, but you’re wrong. There’s a subway line running right beneath the palace. Of course, Buckingham Palace is vast, so maybe there are secret facilities somewhere else underground, but as far as I know, there aren’t any.”
“I see…?”

Then what training ground was that staff member talking about?

When I looked at Rachel with a puzzled expression, she explained.

“There’s a British Army barracks nearby. They probably use the training grounds there.”
“……”

Ah… that makes sense.

Given how often the Guard’s Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place, it figures there’d be an army barracks close by.

So that’s what they use.

“…Even I can’t just take you into a military base. Well, technically I could, but bringing a foreigner inside requires a lot of complicated procedures.”
“That’s fine.”

I shook my head at Arthur’s words.

There was no real need to enter a military facility.

It wasn’t like I was particularly curious about army bases, or that I absolutely had to meet the royal children my age.

Arthur must have noticed I wasn’t too interested, because he didn’t press further.

Afterward, we toured the Queen’s Gallery, where artwork owned by the Crown was displayed, and then left Buckingham Palace.

“Shall we head to the British Museum next?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to have a late lunch first?”
“Ah, good point.”

At Rachel’s suggestion, Arthur nodded and then spoke to us.

“Then let’s go back to the hotel.”
“Hm? Not a restaurant?”
“Haha… hotel food will be the best option.”

Arthur’s slightly awkward smile made my mother realize what she had forgotten.

Even before coming to England, we’d been warned about the country’s infamous cuisine….

But if Arthur suggested the hotel, then the food there must be decent enough.

The price is probably steep, but Arthur’s an Aura Master. It’s not like he’d struggle with money.

And worst-case, I could just use the money I’d earned clearing dungeons with Yeon Mirae.

With that thought, I started walking toward the hotel—

“(Arthur!)”

A boy broke away from a group nearby and ran toward us.

‘…Hmm.’

Maybe most wouldn’t notice, but to my eyes, every item of clothing that boy wore screamed high quality.

Clearly the child of someone very important.

Most likely one of the royal children who had been mentioned earlier.

‘Yeah… it was bound to happen.’

The moment Arthur spoke of royal kids my age, I had a hunch.

I was going to meet them today.

I just didn’t expect it would be after leaving Buckingham Palace.

“(Ah… Elliot. It’s been a while.)”

Behind the boy Arthur called Elliot, others approached—

a girl around the same age and two attendants or guards.

“(Hello, Arthur.)”
“(Yes, it’s been a while, Elena.)”

A lively boy and a well-mannered girl.

At least they didn’t seem like the arrogant, entitled heirs you might see in dramas.

“(Arthur! Who’s that kid next to you and Rachel?)”

As Elliot looked curiously at me, Arthur smirked.

“(I told you before, didn’t I? Someone your age who’s stronger than me.)”
“(What?! That’s the monster you meant?!)”
“……”

Arthur.

Just what kind of things have you been saying about me?

I shot him a glare, but he avoided my gaze and instead asked the two kids,

“(Didn’t you say you’d be studying abroad in Korea in a few years?)”
“(Us? Yes… in six years from now.)”
“There you go, Geon-woo. How about you? When do you start?”
“……”

I’d also be entering the Academy in six years.

So… we’re the same age?

That thought had just crossed my mind when—

“(Your name’s definitely Han Geon-woo, isn’t it?)”
“(…Yeah, so what?)”
“(Let’s spar!)”

Elliot shouted eagerly.

Elena and the guards sighed in exasperation—clearly this was a familiar routine.

“Haha… Elliot always challenges boys his age who are Awakened. The British schools even encourage sparring, after all.”

Rachel explained why Elliot was acting this way.

Still….

“Does he even know I’m an Aura Master?”
“Nope. Probably not.”

At my words, Elena and the guards flinched.

Even if they didn’t understand Korean, they certainly recognized the term Aura Master, since it’s used worldwide.

Hard to believe a middle schooler like me could be one, but they clearly realized it was true.

As for Elliot—

“(You’re an Aura Master? Really? That’s amazing!)”

His eyes lit up with excitement.

But instead of backing down, he looked even more eager.

The thought of fighting someone his age who was already an Aura Master thrilled him.

…Not that I minded sparring, but still….

“Can we at least eat lunch first?”

I didn’t care, but my mother was probably starving.

After lunch at the hotel, we borrowed a dueling arena from the London Awakener Association.

“So this is what a dueling hall looks like?”
“Yep. The one at Korea’s Association is basically the same.”

My mother, who wasn’t an Awakener, marveled at the facility.

Not surprising—these arenas are built with advanced technology, able to adjust terrain, weather, and even heal minor injuries.

“…Wait, Geon-woo. How do you know all this? Did you go to an Association dueling hall with Mirae before?”

…Ah.

Right, in this timeline I hadn’t actually been inside one yet.

Technically, I’d never even officially visited the Association.

My mother probably wouldn’t go digging into records, but still… just in case….

“No, I only saw pictures before.”
“Hmm, I see.”

I deflected smoothly.

Thankfully she didn’t press further.

Relieved, I headed to the center of the arena.

There, Elliot stood fully armed and ready.

‘In the audience… that’s Elena, the guards, and some other officials.’

I glanced around quickly, then focused on Arthur, who was acting as referee.

“Geon-woo, go easy on him, okay?”
“Yeah.”

As if I’d seriously attack a kid.

I turned back to Elliot.

His stance was textbook perfect, the hallmark of a novice aura user.

He must have been trained by Arthur.

‘…Better than most high schoolers already.’

Just from his form, I could tell.

I readied my own stance, one I hadn’t used in ages.

‘This takes me back….’

The very first posture I’d learned from Mirae before regression.

Later, once I’d grown stronger, I’d stopped relying on strict forms.

But my body still remembered.

Arthur gave the signal.

“(Then… begin!)”

Without a countdown, the duel started abruptly—

but Elliot seemed ready, charging at me with a downward slash.

‘A textbook vertical cut.’

I blocked lightly.

Clang!

He smoothly recoiled, using the rebound to swing upward.

‘Oh?’

This time an upward strike.

I blocked again.

Clang!

Then he spun, turning it into a horizontal slash.

Clang!

I blocked that as well.

‘A relentless, offensive style….’

He wasn’t leaving me any room to counter.

Impressive. For someone my age, he had remarkable talent.

Not quite genius level, but definitely gifted.

I twisted my blade, locking his and throwing off his balance.

“(What—!)”

Elliot staggered, his sword pulled toward me.

I aimed for his neck.

Normally, that would count as victory.

Whoosh!

‘Huh?’

Suddenly, heat brushed past my cheek.

I tilted my head aside, avoiding it just in time.

A fiery orb sizzled past.

‘…A Fireball?’

The spell had shot from Elliot’s hand.

“Ahh….”

Finally, I understood.

“(So you’re not just an aura user?)”
“(Correct.)”

Arthur answered for him.

“(Elliot’s a mage with mana, but he also wields a sword.)”

Mana may be less efficient than aura, but it still enhances the body.

So swordplay isn’t impossible.

Which means—

“A Magic Swordsman.”

A rare, fascinating existence.

And my eyes must have gleamed at the sight.