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Chapter 21
The gazes of the Academy students refused to move from one spot.
The footsteps of the First Order of Knights, following behind Duke Asili, were unwavering.
The duke, leading the way, stopped when he spotted a man walking along the same path.
“Sir Raymond of House Rysus.”
The duke’s chief knight muttered next to him.
Raymond was an outstanding high-ranking knight, one of the most cherished by Marquis Rysus along with Sir Rekken.
But he was not someone suited to being at Athentz Academy.
“It seems he’s here because of Erin Rysus. According to the marchioness, Erin caused trouble during the recent monster subjugation.”
“Trouble?”
“Yes. She provoked Sir Amon into a duel, and while the Lady was present as an observer, she almost came to harm.”
At those words, Duke Asili’s face hardened.
Though he was a man who never lost his composure, when it came to matters regarding his daughter, he often lost control of his reason.
Erin Rysus. The duke had seen her a few times.
He recalled the small child who would sometimes stand beside the marquis when they met.
A gloomy-looking girl, lacking confidence. Her physique had promise, but as she grew older, even that promise withered away.
He remembered how she always hid behind her father, her frail face seeming like it would never wield a sword in her lifetime.
And he had not been deaf to the rumors. Nothing about her had ever seemed worth noting.
‘So the Rysus family has failed to receive the Sword’s Blessing in this generation?’
Talented knights were always in short supply.
The reason House Rysus could rival even the dukedoms was because it was a bloodline chosen by the Sword.
But the last time he saw Caron Rysus, he too had been unimpressive. It seemed the line of succession to the Sword’s Blessing had ended.
As a knight, if not as a duke, it was truly a pity.
‘They’re all disappointing. And Erin Rysus is the worst of them all.’
But perhaps it was better that she had not been chosen by the Sword.
Though unlikely, if someone with Erin’s character became a Swordmaster, it would spell disaster.
Who knew what she would attempt with such power?
If she oppressed innocent people… he himself might be forced to draw his blade against her.
That was a thought he had years ago. But now—Erin Rysus was in the swordsmanship department?
The duke’s expression grew even more severe. His curiosity was brief; his decision was swift.
“To the training grounds.”
The knights behind him looked startled at the sudden order.
Normally, they should have gone directly to the young lady. But if the duke had decided, they could only follow.
Quickening his pace, the duke strode forward, and the knights hurried after.
Having all once studied at Athentz Academy’s swordsmanship department, the knights had no trouble finding the way.
When they arrived, the training grounds were eerily quiet.
The duke frowned.
Normally, even from afar, one should hear the shouts of students and the clashing of swords.
But now the grounds were silent, as if under a spell of silence.
Not far away, however, he spotted two students sparring.
The other students had abandoned their own training and were wholly absorbed in watching that duel.
One of the duelists was a very familiar face—
Amon Hedor, heir to House Hedor, whom his father boasted about incessantly.
Even the duke acknowledged Amon’s talent. For there to be a student at Athentz who could fight evenly with him—?
The duke’s eyes fell upon Amon’s opponent, and he could not conceal his astonishment.
His chief knight, equally dumbfounded, voiced it for him:
“Erin Rysus?”
There she was—Erin Rysus, hair tied back, laughing brightly as her sword danced.
Her swordplay was beautiful.
Though it looked simple, her movements were astonishingly refined.
Only one who had swung a blade tens of thousands of times could hold such composure in their strikes.
The chief knight found himself staring open-mouthed.
Was this truly the so-called “villainess” he had heard of in rumors…?
Watching Amon and Erin cross blades, he felt a surge of exhilaration.
How long had it been since he had seen such a duel—one not for killing, but for the sheer joy of sword against sword?
He was pulled from his trance only when the duke spoke.
“A remarkable talent.”
The duke himself acknowledging her?
‘Well… Erin Rysus holding her own against Amon is impressive, but she’s still not his equal.’
The chief knight’s eyes lit with competitive fire, focusing on Amon.
He, a seasoned knight under Duke Asili, had never received such praise—yet an academy student had.
But he still failed to notice—
The duke’s gaze had never once left Erin.
His eyes blazed as they traced the path of her sword.
Swords clashed. A duel with live blades always carried a certain tension.
Erin loved that feeling. Her whole body felt heavy, but it didn’t slow her in the slightest.
Amon’s powerful strike came down as though to break her blade, but she smoothly deflected it.
She could instantly tell—his sword had changed. The elegant, noble grace of his style was now burning with youthful vigor.
Clearly, since their last duel, he had been trying new things.
But even his original swordplay wasn’t bad.
The reason he lost before was simply because she was too strong.
With that thought, Erin guided his blade, intent on showing him—your sword was never weak.
But as he defended against her, Amon began to realize. Without meaning to, his strikes had returned to the true swordsmanship of House Hedor.
How was that possible?
But he had no time to dwell on it. Erin was no easy opponent.
Even the most basic motions—slashes, thrusts—took on a different quality in her hands.
He felt again as he had in their first duel—
Before him loomed an immovable mountain. No matter how he attacked, he could not break through.
But it wasn’t exactly the same. This time, Erin was showing him—guiding him—toward the path his sword should take.
Then he could only rise to meet her expectations.
Gritting his teeth, Amon unleashed the best swordsmanship he could muster.
Erin met his full effort with her own.
Cheng!
Their swords clashed with a clear, ringing note.
Was swordplay always this exhilarating?
Amon thought, watching her blade dance like a flowing dance.
Her every movement contained not an ounce of wasted strength.
Each motion connected seamlessly into the next—so graceful it was beautiful.
Entranced, Amon’s sword faltered for a moment.
Erin did not miss the opening. Her blade knocked his aside and stopped right before his brow.
The duel ended exactly as their first had.
“Sir Amon, how can you let your mind wander in the middle of a duel?”
He had no excuse. He knew well how foolish he had been. For a knight, it was disgraceful.
Lowering his blade, he bowed his head to her. Erin’s face turned startled at the sight.
“It was a fine duel. I have no words.”
“…Sir Amon, could you act like you usually do?”
The response was so unexpected that Erin was at a loss. She had never imagined he would so readily admit fault.
He lifted his head, eyes shining.
Why are you looking at me like that…
Erin had seen eyes like his often in her third life.
Each time she gave knights some new insight, they would look at her with that same fervent gaze.
Looking at Amon now brought those memories rushing back.
“Just act like usual—it feels strange otherwise.”
“Is that more comfortable for you?”
“Yes. Truly.”
He nodded at her words, though the brightness in his eyes didn’t fade.
To think she now found comfort in the very Amon she once scorned for lacking honor…
Truly, today was a strange day.
