Chapter 15: Jaina Vaberin
Jaina Vaberin.
Over half a year at Lansed Academy, She had never once lost the top spot overall.
Of course, she didn’t ace every test.
In physical fitness, she still lagged behind male cadets her age.
But even this gap was closing rapidly as time passed.
She trained twice as hard as others, never missing a day, to build her stamina.
Thus, she was seen as a flawless being, combining genius with effort.
At least until the day of the end-of-month evaluation duel.
Those who witnessed that duel all said the same thing.
“Jaina was outmatched by Evan.”
Technically, she lost, but they didn’t phrase it so bluntly.
No one wanted to risk the ire of someone from the prestigious Vaberin family.
Still, most knew she’d lost to Evan, And Jaina herself felt it most painfully.
“Have you seen Evan?”
Seeing her search for Evan, the cadets thought to themselves.
Is Jaina seeking revenge?
Or perhaps to threaten him?
But she wasn’t that petty.
She simply had something to ask Evan.
Where the hell is he hiding?
Reflecting on the duel, she wanted to know exactly why she lost, And to ask him about it.
The other cadets don’t seem to know where he is…
Jaina stared at a passing assistant.
He’s probably hiding. I should ask a senior who’s been at the Academy longer.
***
Roughly three months of free time.
How Brook, not even the Head Instructor, managed to authorize it was unclear, but Evan was genuinely granted that freedom.
It wasn’t a full leave from the Academy, but Evan was satisfied.
He believed moving alone was more efficient and comfortable than group training.
With this time, he roamed at night, scouting for a suitable place.
The gazes on him since the duel were bothersome, so he sought a secluded spot.
After wandering, he noticed a tiny gap in a corner of the Academy.
Oh? A place like this?
In other words, a secret passage, like a doggy door.
Through it, he stepped outside the walls, greeted by a forest.
Perfect. Ideal for being alone.
Having found the right spot, Evan decided to train by slipping through the passage.
I’ll eat inside, so they can’t call coming out here unauthorized absence, right?
Even the next day, except for meals, he spent outside.
By day, he absorbed nature, built Qi, and trained physically, And at dusk, he swung the chain to sharpen his combat senses.
Clink!
Relying on the chain, he darted through dense trees.
Tap! Tap!
Imagining arrows flying at him, he moved his body.
Dash!
His intense movements showed no sign of stopping.
This is it!
Soon, despite the cool night breeze, his body was drenched like a soaked rat.
Only then did Evan catch his breath and collapse onto the ground.
“Phew.”
Evan felt frustrated that his body didn’t move as his mind desired.
Ugh, my body. Back then, I could’ve roamed this entire forest and still been fine. Now, just this stroll-level movement makes my thighs feel like they’ll burst.
Once, he’d possessed strength rivaling an entire nation’s army, So his current state was merely regrettable and frustrating.
Still, I’m young. Time will fix it.
Yet, this wasn’t despairing for Evan.
In fact, it might even be better, if you looked closely.
Compared to his past life, his current potential was far greater.
As a gladiator, he’d focused on survival, damaging his body without proper training.
But here, meals were provided, and systematic training was available.
Plus, he retained memories of countless battles from his past.
Using those trial-and-error experiences as a mentor, he had ample room to reach greater heights in this life.
Whether that was necessary for a noble’s life was another question.
The higher the mountain, the tougher the climb. Even if I fell once, I can climb again.
Lost in old memories for a moment,
Evan felt his sweat cool and his body shiver, so he sat up.
“Up we go.”
He grabbed the chain strewn on the ground, ready to resume training.
Rustle.
Until he sensed a presence behind him.
“Evan, there you are.”
A familiar voice.
Turning, he saw Jaina approaching.
“What? How’d you know I was here?”
“I didn’t know you’d be here. But I heard about this place. From an assistant.”
“Damn, I thought I’d found a quiet spot.”
Indeed, an assistant who’d been a cadet would know the Academy better than him.
Perhaps the assistants had even made this doggy door.
“But why go to such lengths to find me? What, planning revenge?”
Evan had clearly seen it.
The fiery intensity in Jaina’s eyes during the duel.
Though he said this, the current Jaina showed no such intent.
If she wanted revenge, she’d have brought a sword, but she was empty-handed.
“No. I have something to ask.”
Indeed, Jaina had no such intentions.
“What?”
“The swordsmanship you used against me. How’d you do it?”
“I just copied you. You said so yourself, right? That’s the Ritual of Bloodstorm, isn’t it? The instructor mentioned it.”
Understanding her reason, Evan answered vaguely.
But Jaina pressed persistently.
“Just copied? You saw it briefly and replicated it that well? No way.”
“Have you forgotten the last end-of-month evaluation?”
Back then, Evan had perfectly mimicked the instructor’s swordsmanship.
Reminded of this, Jaina rolled her eyes and said, “I know.”
“And yet.”
“But… you didn’t just copy. You clearly outperformed me, outperformed our family’s swordsmanship. No, not outperformed—your approach was different somehow.”
Having faced Evan, she didn’t think he merely copied her.
“Oh?”
Hearing this, Evan realized Jaina had an unexpected talent.
She caught that? Sharper instincts than I thought. Most wouldn’t notice.
To confirm her insight, he asked, “You really think that? My swordsmanship took a different path?”
“Yeah. I’m confident I’ve mastered the Ritual of Bloodstorm perfectly. But your swordsmanship felt the same yet different.”
Jaina never doubted her talent.
Rather than thinking she was lacking, she believed her opponent was superior.
“So, I’m asking you. No, show me again. I want to learn exactly why I lost.”
“What if I say no? Why should I bother?”
“If you don’t, I’ll keep following you.”
In that moment, Evan saw it.
Jaina’s eyes beginning to blaze again.
Her obsession with him starting to resurface.
“Sigh, look. I didn’t even bring a sword…”
“I’ll get one now.”
As Jaina showed excessive zeal, Evan tried to brush her off.
“It’s a hassle… Fine, how about this? Instead of showing, I’ll give you a hint verbally. Isn’t it better to figure things out yourself in training anyway?”
“…Alright.”
“But on one condition. Never bother me again. Don’t come here. And keep others away, too, if you can.”
Evan’s condition, hating interruptions to his alone time.
Jaina nodded readily.
“Deal.”
“From what I saw, the Ritual of Bloodstorm is like a whirlwind of sword strikes. Its dazzling, gapless nature is definitely powerful. Hard to find an opening.”
“But you broke through.”
“Right. Why? Because you were too honest. Or rather, your swordsmanship was too honest.”
Though Evan pointed out the issue, Jaina couldn’t grasp it.
“Huh?”
“Have you ever experienced a real whirlwind?”
“Yeah.”
“And was that whirlwind consistent from start to finish?”
Evan explained what a real whirlwind was.
“Of course not. A natural phenomenon wouldn’t be. But your movements were. Though it was brief, the timing of your sword strikes while spinning was predictable.”
“So?”
“But I added slight variations. Slower, or half a beat faster.”
“Ah!”
Jaina finally understood.
If Evan had used the same swordsmanship, Their swords should’ve clashed evenly.
But in reality, he dodged her strikes, cutting her through the gaps.
The reason was timing.
“Looks like you get it. Yeah, you need to vary the speed of your spins like a natural whirlwind. It’s tough, of course.”
“Uh…”
“If you can do that freely, it’ll be a swordsmanship hard to counter.”
Having explained the issue and solution, Evan waved her off.
“I’ve told you, so… go. I’ve said everything.”
He turned his back, slowly wrapping the chain.
But instead of footsteps, Jaina spoke again.
“You’re really unexpected. I had no interest after seeing you hold a sword on the first day, but you’re impressive. Is it because you’re Count Lafard’s blood?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
Despite Evan’s coldness, Jaina persisted, As if there was some history between them.
“Right. But you’ve gotten a lot colder. Is it because of that incident? Or are you acting this way because I rejected you?”
“What?”
Evan’s mind went blank.
What nonsense was Jaina spouting?
Rejected? She rejected me? So, I confessed or something? Evan Lafard?
Jack had clearly said Evan Lafard and Jaina had no relationship.
Indeed, at the Academy, he’d had no interactions with her.
Just a slightly unsettling look in her eyes.
But now.
Jack, you bastard. This isn’t just any relationship!
He didn’t think Jack lied.
Perhaps Evan Lafard was too embarrassed to mention being rejected by Jaina.
A secret confession and rejection would be humiliating.
The problem was that Evan Lafard was no longer here.
“Why act like you don’t know? Are you embarrassed?”
“…”
Embarrassed or not, he didn’t even know about the confession.
Cold sweat ran down Evan’s back.
Perhaps more than during his earlier training.