Alicia began learning martial arts from a very young age.
Her parents were busy people. After all, both her father and mother were nobles of the kingdom.
Since they both held high positions, Alicia never lacked anything in life, but she spent much time alone.
Feeling bad about this, Alicia’s father made a request to his younger brother. He asked if he could teach Alicia martial arts and keep her company.
It was a bothersome task for the King of Fists, who traveled the continent to test his martial prowess. However, he couldn’t ignore a request for the sake of his only niece.
And from the moment he first taught her, he could tell.
That his niece was a genius.
From then on, the King of Fists took Alicia with him as he traveled the continent.
Despite hailing from a prestigious family, Alicia’s bright personality, curiosity, and adaptability made the journey accompanying the King of Fists not very difficult for her.
The same went for martial arts.
As expected of a genius, Alicia quickly mastered Strong Fist as if learning anything with ease.
Nevertheless, the King of Fists did not teach Alicia any martial art besides Strong Fist.
Thus, Alicia only practiced Strong Fist, and her skill was becoming refined beyond her years.
However, that made it all the more tedious for Alicia.
She knew it all. Strong Fist had become familiar enough to perform with her eyes closed. But the lessons weren’t progressing, so boredom was only natural.
Like that, as her interest in martial arts gradually waned, she met him.
Lee Hyun.
Movements that made Alicia’s heart race.
A martial art more beautiful than the King of Fists’.
Natural movements fluid like water. Subduing opponents with minimal force. Alicia fell in love with that marvelous movement.
Her lost passion for martial arts began to rekindle.
It was enjoyable. Learning something new.
Like water seeping into dry earth, Alicia rapidly incorporated the new martial art into her body.
Thus, the fact that she had to part with him saddened her.
However, she could endure it.
Because he remained in her memories.
Because she could recall him any time.
And,
Because they promised to meet again.
.
.
.
“Mmm…”
A dream she hadn’t had in a long time.
Alicia sat on the bed, unable to brush aside the hair falling over her face, then scratched her head.
As she stepped out into the living room with a slack-jawed yawn, she spotted a woman who had just finished showering.
A beauty with silver hair.
The Archmage, who flinched whenever she was approached, but possessed immense magical power and knowledge.
It was Lena, the Archmage of the Colorless Chamber.
“Good morning, sis~!”
“Ah. G-good morning…”
Mumbling a reply in a small voice, Lena hurriedly fled into her room.
Though it had been a few days since they met, Alicia wished Lena would feel comfortable around her soon. But Lena seemed to find interacting with people difficult.
“Hmm. I don’t get it, but…”
Isn’t conversing with others enjoyable? Why does she find it so hard?
However, people are all different. Let’s just try to understand her. Thinking that, Alicia headed outside.
The crisp morning air cooled her body. Feeling that, Alicia went to the garden and furtively glanced toward the faculty housing.
‘Is Teacher awake yet?’
If he wasn’t up, sneaking in to wake him wouldn’t be so bad. The thought of skipping morning practice to see Lee Hyun’s sleeping face even crossed her mind. But she soon smiled.
Not because she gave up trying to invade his room.
But because she spotted someone exiting the faculty housing.
“Teacher!”
“Oh. Alicia. Good morning.”
“Yep! Good morning!”
Did he also come out for morning practice like her? Then, should she ask to join him? As she considered that…
“Huh? Teacher. Your hair is sticking up!”
“Where?”
“Here!”
The hair on the back of Lee Hyun’s head was slightly raised. Seeing that, Alicia ran up to him like a puppy and pressed it down firmly. After pushing it a few times, the hair stayed down a bit.
‘He looks cute when he’s just awoken too~. He always seemed perfect while on teaching duties. So this was how he looked in the mornings~.’
Thinking that, Alicia grinned. Giving her a wry smile, Lee Hyun did some light stretches.
“Out for morning practice? Shall we do it together?”
“Yes!!”
Alicia cheerfully raised her hand, and right then…
“I need to do my morning exercises too. Mind if I join you?”
At the voice from behind, Alicia momentarily froze. Looking back, she saw Sowol smiling brightly. Perhaps she was returning from her dawn prayers? Unlike herself or Lee Hyun, Sowol was properly dressed.
Compared to Alicia, who wore comfortable shorts and a tight-fitting T-shirt, Sowol looked exceedingly beautiful in her neat uniform.
‘Urk.’
Seeing Sowol approach Lee Hyun with a smile, Alicia’s heart stung a little. Lightly pressing her ample bosom, Alicia gazed at Lee Hyun.
Even while conversing with Sowol, a smile graced his face.
…
It left quite a bitter feeling in Alicia.
For her, martial arts training meant constantly visualizing and striving to emulate the ideal form.
Ever since she first learned the Wall Illusion Palm, and even now, Alicia has considered Lee Hyun’s the most ideal version.
So it was only natural that Lee Hyun’s image came to mind whenever she performed the Wall Illusion Palm.
Though their time together was short, the period she had thought of him was long.
Cool and beautiful.
Thinking of Lee Hyun that way was a given.
Thus, Alicia wanted others to also recognize how amazing Lee Hyun was.
But then,
Why did it feel so bitter?
“…Alicia?”
“Huh?! Yes! Teacher!”
“You seem distracted. Is something wrong?”
“Mmm. It’s nothing!”
“I’ll watch your Wall Illusion Palm, so give it a try.”
“Uh… What about Sis Sowol?”
“She’s meditating over there.”
Sowol’s Moonlight Sword was already perfected. There was no need to add or remove anything more. In other words, Sowol could suffice with solo meditation. But Alicia was different.
Though she had mastered Strong Fist and Wall Illusion Palm exceptionally well for her age, they were not complete.
With Lena and Sowol joining them, their combat power had increased. Still, the most crucial factor in reaching the true ending was none other than Alicia. It would be troublesome if she didn’t grow stronger.
“Don’t you need to train too, Teacher?”
“It’s not more important than teaching you, so don’t worry.”
Thump.
Her heart trembled.
His warm words were pulling out the thorn lodged deep in her heart.
‘Ah. He really is so cool!’
Gazing at the brightly smiling Lee Hyun, Alicia thought as she received his guidance.
Still, she wanted to keep this coolness to herself.
.
.
.
Being in the combat class didn’t mean they always trained only in combat-related areas. As if to prove that point, a female instructor stood before the students.
Judging from her slender arms and legs, the woman seemed far removed from combat.
And that was indeed the case. The subject she taught was writing, after all.
“I’m sure many of you wonder why you need to learn writing when you’re in a combat class. However, writing is surprisingly important in your daily lives. Hmm. Saint Sowol, I believe you would know, yes?”
“Please, just call me Sowol. And to answer the question… Yes. Unless one plans to become a seeker who wanders the continent alone in pursuit of the martial path like the King of Fists or Sword Sage, getting involved with people is only natural once you reach a high enough position. You can’t just fight all the time. In that process, reports and such are commonly used, so writing skills naturally become necessary.”
Of course, there are plenty of other times when writing abilities are needed.
“This class aims to enhance your fundamental writing skills. Now then. Let’s wrap up the introduction and dive into the lesson, shall we?”
The female instructor lightly clapped her hands with a smile.
“Since it’s been a few days since you enrolled… I assume you’ve made some close friends. Let’s see. With a total of 25 students… Please form groups of five with those you get along with.”
At those words, the students busily moved about, but a few remained still.
It was simple. Due to their high status, other students had difficulty approaching them.
This was especially true for Sowol and Lena.
Their positions and abilities were so lofty that others felt burdened, viewing them with reverence.
As teams began forming while excluding them, Alicia heaved a deep sigh.
“Riina. You’re gonna team up with me, right?”
“Huh? Well, yeah… Why?”
“I’m going to have those people join our team.”
“The prince went over there… So the princess, the saint, and the archmage are left? Ugh… Won’t it be burdensome?”
Alicia just smiled brightly at her.
“Not at all!”
“In that case…”
Having befriended the entire class within a few days, Alicia confidently strode over and invited them to join her team.
They had been waiting for others to approach them, so they accepted Alicia’s proposal with feigned reluctance. Like that, the teams were quickly formed.
The female instructor grinned and rapidly wrote on the blackboard.
“Today’s lesson is meant to evaluate your writing skills. We’ll decide on a single topic, then you’ll write about it and present it to the class.”
“What’s the topic?”
“The person you admire.”
Writing about someone you respect. Not a very difficult theme. As everyone breathed sighs of relief, the instructor stepped back, and discussions began within each team.
“In that case, let’s decide on our topic… Who do you think would be good?”
“Many people, even those from other countries, admire His Majesty Seirdon Deolant II, the star of our kingdom renowned as a wise ruler. Wouldn’t he be a good choice?”
Riina gave a bitter smile at the confidently speaking girl.
By that logic, Sowol and Lena might pick the Pope and another Archmage of the Ivory Tower, respectively.
“Then let’s decide by majority vote!”
“Th-that sounds good.”
“That would be best!”
The self-assured Lumina wrote a name on a piece of paper, folded it, and held it out.
Seeing that, the others also wrote names on paper and extended them. Soon, they were able to determine who to write about.
“Now then, shall group 1 announce who they chose?”
“Yes!”
Alicia was the first to raise her hand. The female instructor smiled at her with satisfaction, and Alicia spoke with a bright expression.
“We decided on Teacher Lee Hyun!”
Ignoring Lumina’s dismayed gaze, Alicia cheerfully declared their choice.