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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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The girl knew she was a genius.
She could do things others couldn’t, and what she could do, others couldn’t.
She held a quiet pride in her superior talent, taking it for granted.
Outwardly, she showed no sign, but she subconsciously viewed those less gifted as beneath her.
For a girl blessed with such exceptional talent, this wasn’t unusual.
Until she lost her sight.
It was over.
That was the thought that struck her once the initial shock subsided.
Despite her young age, she understood a jarring dissonance had struck her life.
No matter how great her skill, without sight, it was useless.
No matter how exceptional her talent, without sight, she couldn’t learn.
She knew, reluctantly, that her life as a prodigy had ended the moment she lost her sight.
No matter how bright and promising the path ahead, without sight, she would stray.
She lost the will to live.
She believed she had no choice.
She couldn’t see.
After a year spent bedridden, existing as a shell of her former self, she heard the story of the Blind Swordsman, Iyerpol.
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The story of Iyerpol, the strong, kind adventurer who couldn’t see.
The Blind Swordsman’s exploits were always praised, shining brightly like a fairytale hero.
Just as she had, before losing her sight.
She, the blind girl, had faded into the background, while he, also blind, danced in the spotlight, performing the play of life.
She realized.
That she was now inferior to this man.
That despite both being blind, he was a renowned adventurer, while she lay in bed, wasting away.
For the first time, she felt the sting of inferiority.
And… she felt a deep, burning humiliation at experiencing such a feeling, she who had once prided herself on being a genius.
‘I am a superior being. If that man can achieve it, so can I.’
A new energy surged within her, revitalizing her withered spirit.
The drive to surpass the man who had made her feel inferior.
A new purpose ignited within her: to surpass the Blind Swordsman, Iyerpol, and prove, once again, that she was exceptional.
And to crush the humiliation and inferiority she had felt, grinding it beneath her heel.
With a newfound purpose and will, the girl emerged from the shadows.
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“Haah… Haah…”
Belle, breathless from running, stuck out her tongue and panted.
She had been training with various adventurers, focusing on physical conditioning.
Today, she had spent the entire day running to improve her stamina and endurance.
But despite her weary legs, her face, turned towards the sky, held a smile.
Every day was challenging, but every day was fulfilling.
She woke at dawn, immediately beginning her training.
She spent most of the day learning from different adventurers, returning to her room exhausted as the sun set.
And then, she collapsed into a deep sleep.
That was Belle’s daily routine.
“You’ve improved tremendously.”
“Hehe.”
Belle beamed at the praise from the man who looked like a bandit, his compliment bringing a childlike grin to her face.
His smile, though rather fierce, was genuine.
And his praise wasn’t empty flattery.
Belle was truly improving day by day.
Learning from various experts, she absorbed their teachings like a sponge.
She was different from the Belle of yesterday, and the Belle of tomorrow would be different still.
*That Iyerpol has a good eye for talent.*
The man thought of Iyerpol, who had entrusted Belle to him, a small smile playing on his lips.
Zeta and Belle.
Both girls under Iyerpol’s wing were incredibly talented aspiring adventurers.
While Zeta had shone during the journey to Begalo Vegas, he had discovered Belle’s exceptional talent while training her.
“But make sure you get enough rest. Overexertion will affect your training tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
“You say yes, but you pushed yourself too hard again today, didn’t you? Rest is also part of training.”
“But I want to improve quickly so I can contribute! I want to be strong enough to help in this expedition!”
“In this expedition?”
The man raised an eyebrow at her surprisingly clear goal.
For Belle, who hadn’t even officially registered as an adventurer, this expedition was meant to be a taste of the job.
It was more about experiencing the work than making a significant contribution.
There was no need for her to prove herself.
“Is this because of Zeta?”
“…Hehe.”
“That girl.”
Zeta, Iyerpol’s other disciple and Belle’s peer.
Zeta had already made a name for herself during the journey, her impressive display of skill against the monsters earning her widespread recognition.
People already considered her a capable adventurer.
Perhaps Belle felt pressured by Zeta’s success.
The man thought so, anyway.
“But that’s not the only reason.”
“Then what is it?”
“I want to show Senior how much I’ve improved! I want to be strong enough to contribute to this expedition, and show him what I can do!”
“Ho…”
Belle’s eyes shone brightly as she raised her fist.
Senior.
There was only one person Belle called Senior.
Iyerpol.
The man who had given her everything.
“I want to show Senior how much I’ve grown. My goal is to become strong quickly and contribute to this expedition!”
“…Humph.”
The bandit-like man scoffed.
A trainee, not even officially registered, contributing to an expedition filled with veterans?
Unless it was a special case like Zeta, it was preposterous.
But… even as he thought this, a smile played on his lips.
He stopped Belle as she turned to leave, placing a hand on her shoulder and gently pushing her back.
“I’ll say it again, rest is part of training. Go back and rest today.”
“…Should I?”
“You should.”
Belle finally nodded at his firm tone.
She quickly gathered her things, slung them over her shoulder, and dashed off.
The man watched her go, a warm smile on his face.
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“Hmm?”
Belle, hurrying back to her quarters, stopped when she spotted a familiar figure.
A girl with sky-blue hair, a head taller than her.
Zeta.
Zeta walked towards the lodgings, her steps seeming weary.
She looked unwell, and her mood seemed equally poor.
Her lower lip, caught between her teeth, gave her a slightly angry appearance.
“Zeta.”
Zeta stopped and turned at Belle’s call.
Her gaze wasn’t focused on Belle, but she turned nonetheless, her movements as smooth as ever.
“…Belle.”
“What’s wrong?”
Zeta frowned slightly but remained silent.
She clearly didn’t want to talk.
Belle suddenly realized Zeta rarely shared anything personal with her, not even her feelings.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Zeta turned and continued walking.
Belle stood there, a thought forming in her mind.
‘Zeta doesn’t even acknowledge me.’
Despite the difference in skill, Belle had considered them peers, companions growing together.
She had resolved to surpass Zeta one day.
But the object of her rivalry… didn’t even seem to care.
To Zeta, Belle was just another person, someone insignificant.
Belle realized this.
And as she did, a strange churning sensation arose in her chest.
“Wait, Zeta.”
Zeta stopped again and turned, her expression clearly annoyed.
The churning in Belle’s chest intensified.
When she came to her senses, her hand was on the hilt of her sword.
“Let’s spar.”
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She felt uneasy.
Zeta thought so, anyway.
The unsettling silence of the deserted village was part of it, but… something else bothered her more.
Iyerpol’s presence.
He should have been as sensitive to sound as she was, perhaps even more so… yet, in that eerily silent village, his voice had been calm, almost peaceful.
As if mocking her own unease.
The clear difference in their experience brought a wave of unwanted humiliation.
“Zeta.”
She had approached him with the intention of learning, acknowledging him as her master.
But she was confident she was his equal in every other aspect, except perhaps for their shared blindness.
As if to mock her confidence, Iyerpol always maintained his composure.
His voice was always calm, even when Zeta herself was consumed by the fear of not seeing.
Zeta bit her lip.
“Wait, Zeta.”
She stopped at the persistent call of her name.
The voice belonged to Belle.
A fellow trainee under Iyerpol, aspiring to be an adventurer.
But in terms of skill and experience, Belle was still immature.
Annoyed by the constant interruptions, Zeta frowned slightly.
She wanted to return to her quarters and meditate.
That was all she could think about.
But Belle made an unexpected proposal.
“Let’s spar.”
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