TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 177
On the way home after finishing training.
Walking through the quiet night in the Capital City, I found myself lost in thought.
‘I wonder if they’re doing well.’
Since That Day, Rowen and Mikhail had not visited the Training Grounds. Whether they intended to keep their training a secret or avoid others’ gazes, I wasn’t sure, but since then, Rowen and Mikhail had not returned to the Training Grounds.
I suppose that’s a relief.
If Rowen and Mikhail had used the Training Grounds as their base, we would have had to vacate the place for them.
There was no place as comfortable as the Academy’s Training Grounds.
Being relatively free from others’ gazes during late hours, being able to coordinate with Hanna’s schedule, and having access to a wide range of training weapons—these were all conveniences that would have been limited without the Academy’s Training Grounds.
Since finding a new space to train would have taken time, I was instead grateful to Rowen and Mikhail for stepping aside.
After all, seeing their unpleasant faces wouldn’t have been good for any of us. If we had shared the same space, a fight would have surely broken out.
Both Hanna and I didn’t get along well with them in many ways, so I thought it was fortunate that we didn’t have to face them often.
What weighed on my mind more was wondering what kind of strategy they would bring forth.
Would they refine their Aura like Hanna and I did, or would they start by honing basic Swordsmanship? I couldn’t tell.
If I had been Mikhail’s mentor, I would’ve made him change that damned sword first, but with Rowen, I couldn’t predict his approach.
Rowen would have noticed Mikhail’s issues. A sword too large for his build. An attack style that didn’t utilize his Agility. Lastly, an excessively defensive Swordsmanship that was more of a poison to Mikhail—there’s no way the Sword of the Empire wouldn’t realize this.
“Hmm…”
That said, I also knew that Mikhail wasn’t the type to nod and accept what others told him.
In the novel, Mikhail only began to change after the sword imbued with his long-standing memories broke.
I was both worried and curious about how Rowen would teach Mikhail, especially with Hanna as his opponent, and I couldn’t grasp what direction Mikhail would take under Rowen’s Teachings.
This was an Episode not detailed in the novel, and since it was a battle between the two father and daughter, the information was limited as well.
As a mentor, it was natural to observe the enemy’s movements, but knowing that the opponent wasn’t an easy person to deal with, I couldn’t recklessly make predictions.
When it came to Swordsmanship alone, it was undeniable that Rowen was a superior mentor to me. The Years of the Sword he bore and the Apostle that stood by him attested to that. It was inevitable that I would be compared to him as a mere swordsman.
The weight of Histania’s centuries-long history was something laughable for someone like me, who had only wielded a sword for 20 years, to try to catch up to.
There were too many variables.
Rowen as a mentor.
Mikhail’s talent.
There wasn’t just one or two things to keep an eye on.
The reason Rowen chose Mikhail was solely for his talent. That alone must have been enough for him to take Mikhail on as his Disciple. Hm….
In the novel, their mentor-disciple relationship started with a deeper and warmer connection, but in the current situation, what tied Mikhail and Rowen together was more practical emotions than a sense of bond. In other words, it was likely because of the potential for greater talent to emerge.
That’s why it bothered me and drew my attention even more. I didn’t know how far Rowen would go in teaching Mikhail.
I wondered if he might go as far as teaching him the secret techniques passed down in their household like a madman. If, by any chance, Rowen taught Mikhail the Swordsmanship of the Histania Family, which was only passed down to the Direct Bloodline of Histania, that would be a major incident in itself.
Although the novel didn’t describe it in detail, the author had certified Histania’s Swordsmanship as the strongest, so it would be a lie to say I wasn’t worried.
In the novel, Mikhail learns Histania’s Swordsmanship from Rowen. Malik, shaken by the loss of his younger sibling, had wandered and failed to meet Rowen’s expectations. Although Malik later recovered, it was after he had fallen out of Rowen’s notice.
In the novel, Mikhail combined his own Swordsmanship with the Sword of Histania to create a new style, which he proved to Rowen.
What concerned me was the possibility of Mikhail reaching that level of mastery. If Mikhail grew endlessly under Rowen’s Teachings, honestly, the outcome of the battle would become unpredictable from that point on.
Would Rowen protect the secrets of his household?
Or sever ties with his daughter?
The choice was Rowen’s to make, but regardless of what he chose, the benefits for Rowen would be minimal.
I couldn’t understand why Rowen would make such a big deal out of this.
I couldn’t fathom the reason behind a man claiming to love his daughter interfering with what she wanted to do.
Calling it fatherly love for his daughter didn’t make sense, especially given everything Hanna had proven. Even as someone who loved the sword, his actions were incomprehensible.
Well, it wasn’t my problem to worry about.
No matter how much I pondered, nothing would change, and there was nothing I could do. So, I decided to focus solely on Hanna’s growth.
The wind blows.
Though I didn’t know where this wind would head, it was certain that it brushed past both Hanna and me.
I was confident.
Hanna could defeat Mikhail.
Not only because of my faith as her mentor but also because, in terms of visible Martial Arts and realistic outcomes, Hanna was ahead of Mikhail.
Her desire for the sword.
Choosing a sword that suited her.
Understanding her own strengths.
The fact that she was ahead of Mikhail was undeniable. I believed Rowen would know this as well.
Though I didn’t know what Rowen had prepared, I hoped it would be something less than what we expected.
If we were to win, it would be better for everyone if the victory was overwhelming.
It might motivate Mikhail.
It could also firmly crush Rowen’s high pride. So, I sincerely hoped that their preparations would fall short compared to ours.
Walking through the Night in the Capital with steady footsteps, I continued to organize in my mind what I needed to teach Hanna.
Sorting through Hanna’s weaknesses and strengths in my head, I slowly walked under the street lamps of the Capital.
On the opposite side, a familiar figure began to come into view.
Seeing The Boy walking from the other side with weary steps, I paused and stared blankly at him as he approached.
‘Hanna’s going to be pretty angry.’
Watching The Boy walk with his gaze fixed on the ground in his familiar manner, I clenched my fist slightly.
It seemed there would be much to prepare.
After all, it seemed Rowen had sharpened his blade thoroughly. The direction Mikhail had come from was where the Training Grounds exclusive to the Direct Bloodline of Histania were located.
That place didn’t contain anything extraordinary.
It was simply far superior to other facilities.
Its complex magic allowed for rapid recovery. It was a secluded place.
But there was one thing.
Knowing that one would grow rapidly after leaving that place, I gave a bitter smile.
Looking at The Boy in front of me, I muttered softly.
‘Mikhail.’
Mikhail, with his silver hair, approached, bathed in the light of the street lamp. Unaware of my presence, Mikhail continued walking toward the Academy’s dormitory.
Taking my hand out of my pocket, I waited for him to come closer.
There was something I wanted to say.
It wasn’t anything grand, just a light question. So, I stood still, watching him approach.
As the sound of Mikhail’s footsteps grew louder, ‘rustle,’ sensing a presence, Mikhail calmly raised his head and looked at me.
“You are…”
“Yes, it’s me.”
As soon as Mikhail saw me, he grabbed the Sword Hilt.
To my dismay.
*
Three days ago.
Mikhail had followed Histania Rowen to an empty Training Grounds.
Equipped with outstanding facilities.
Just being inside made one feel stronger. That’s how it felt upon arriving at the Training Grounds.
To Mikhail, who had unintentionally participated in a duel, Rowen drew a Wooden Sword and spoke unilaterally. Not with the warm words of a mentor, but like someone discussing business.
-As I’ve said before, I have no intention of teaching you Histania’s Swordsmanship.
“…”
-The reason I brought you here is so you can grow even a little faster. If you had any strange expectations…
-I didn’t have such thoughts at all. I believe just being taught by you is already an excessive privilege.
-…
Before the formal training began.
Holding the Wooden Sword, Rowen spoke to Mikhail. With a slightly softer voice, Rowen’s tone carried a fundamental question.
-What is in your heart when you wield the sword?-
-I…
Mikhail couldn’t answer Rowen’s question.