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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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He looked to be in his mid-twenties, but being a royal knight at that age meant he was exceptionally skilled and from a prominent family.
“Excuse me…”
“To be honest, I’m interested in you, Hayun. Not just your swordsmanship or your family name, but you, yourself.”
“Hmm…”
Hayun frowned.
She spotted me at the entrance and pointed.
“I have someone I like.”
“Ah…”
“Thank you for your interest, but I must decline.”
She bowed politely. The knight glanced at me, then turned to leave, but…
He abruptly turned back and approached me.
“Would you spar with me?”
“Me?”
“Yes, please.”
“…”
I glanced at the other knights. They seemed intrigued, knowing I was close to Elise and a strong fighter.
Hayun facepalmed, trying to dissuade him, but…
“Alright.”
I agreed readily. He excused himself to prepare, and Hayun took his place.
“Are you serious?”
“He asked.”
It wasn’t a big deal, but Hayun looked annoyed.
“I wanted to spar with you.”
“I can spar with him, then you.”
“Do you even have time? Aren’t you busy?”
Eve had asked the same thing.
I smiled.
“I have plenty of time.”
Hayun stood beside me, arms crossed. The other knights watched, assessing me.
“So, what did you think of my confession?”
“Hmm?”
She looked at me intently. I was taken aback by her seriousness.
“I hope it works out.”
“…Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“…”
She clenched her fists and lowered her head. We stood in silence until the knight returned, fully armored.
“Wow, full armor.”
“Showing off, isn’t he?”
“Nelson’s a real man!”
The knights teased him, but he just stood in the center of the training grounds.
I drew my sword.
His face, though hidden by his helmet, seemed kind.
He looked like someone who’d dedicated his life to the sword.
A nobleman, driven by the desire to become a great swordsman.
That’s why he’d challenged me so earnestly.
He was handsome, too. Brown hair, unassuming, but definitely attractive. Not as handsome as Ares, but still.
“Here I come!”
He charged. He hadn’t brought a shield, a matter of pride, it seemed.
WHAM!
One hit, and he was on the ground, his armor dented.
“Ugh!”
He clutched his chest, winded. The other knights rushed to his side.
But Hayun stepped forward and challenged me.
I nodded.
She was serious from the start.
Her right leg extended back, and her hands crossed, gripping the hilts of her twin swords.
A flash of steel. Her signature double-draw.
Her swords flew towards me, but I noticed the bracelet on her wrist.
CLANG!
Hayun’s eyes widened as I blocked her attack. The knights gasped, then cheered as I held my ground.
“I… I didn’t expect it to be blocked so easily…”
She tightened her grip, ready to continue.
We sparred.
I parried her every attack. Time seemed to fly by.
The other knights watched, but we were lost in our own world.
The clash of steel, the rhythmic clang of our swords… it was as if her unspoken words were reaching me through the movements.
A youthful emotion that didn’t belong on a battlefield.
Finally, I ended the spar with a single strike.
“Ah…”
Hayun sat on the ground, staring up at me.
I offered her my hand, and she took it, rising silently.
The knights applauded, but Hayun grabbed her swords and walked out, wiping her eyes.
She sat on a bench outside. I followed and sat beside her.
“Go away.”
She turned her head.
“You wanted me here.”
I leaned back, crossing my legs. She glared at me.
“I did not.”
“You did. I’ve always told you, you’re too focused on the sword.”
The Eastern concept of the Heart Sword.
I was certain she could achieve it with time.
“…”
She crossed her arms, but she didn’t leave. I smiled.
“Are you laughing at me?”
She punched my shoulder, annoyed.
When I didn’t react, she sighed and looked down, her fingers fidgeting with my sleeve.
“I’ll ask again. What did you think of my confession?”
“…”
“Tell me.”
I hesitated. Honesty might hurt her in the long run.
I looked at her. She was hiding her blushing face behind her hair. She had a unique beauty, like a painting.
“It made me uncomfortable.”
“…”
“That’s all.”
“I see.”
She released my sleeve and turned away, clearing her throat, regaining her composure.
I was about to suggest we return when she pulled up her sleeve, revealing a bracelet on her slender wrist. It was intricately woven with various colors.
“You know what this is, right?”
A bracelet that, if worn unbroken for a year, would bring unrequited love to fruition.
She’d given it to Eris for me, then broken it herself.
“It might just be superstition, but it’s also a declaration of my resolve.”
“…”
“I’ll pursue you with everything I have for one year.”
“That’s… intimidating.”
Her declaration was serious. Coming from her, it was both scary and exciting.
“One year. After that, I’ll be like May or Elise, and I won’t care what others think.”
“…”
“If it doesn’t work out, I’ll give up.”
She reached out, her hand gently covering mine.
“I’m confident.”
I could feel her resolve through the warmth of her hand.
“I’m rooting for you.”
That was all I could say.
“Brother.”
Sen poked her head through my window. I stretched casually. She puffed out her cheeks, annoyed by my lack of reaction.
“Why aren’t you surprised?”
“I’m used to it.”
How many times had she climbed through my window?
I wasn’t surprised anymore. Or rather, my enhanced senses made it impossible to miss her movements.
I opened the window, and she climbed in effortlessly. It was a five-story drop.
“So, what’s up?”
“I heard you’ve become public property.”
“…What?”
What had she just called me?
She cleared her throat.
“I heard you’re spending time with other girls. Eve and Hayun.”
“…”
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