'Am I falling behind?'
Sinar felt a similar sense of crisis.
It was Encrid's growth that made her feel this way.
Is winning or losing important? No. The issue was that if she kept being pushed back, she wouldn't be able to provide the man in front of her with the proper enjoyment.
'Living through combat.'
What is the best gift for someone striving to become a Knight?
What makes the author's heart race the most?
It surely wasn't breathtaking beauty. That much was clear. The charm of the opposite sex couldn't shake the author's heart.
So, what was it?
'The sword.'
It was something to be replaced with combat, skill, or ability.
Of course, Sinar had a hidden card. She just hadn't expected to use it here.
Fairies grow by absorbing the forest's energy, and once they reach a certain level of training, they can cultivate a tree of energy within their bodies.
Normally, it would take hundreds of years to accumulate this slowly. That is the default for the Fairy race.
But Sinar was different from the ordinary Fairies.
She had talent.
The talent to absorb the energy itself and cultivate it.
She stored it within her body to use at a necessary moment.
This was her hidden move, her trump card.
Sinar revealed her hidden move, solely because she wanted to see the surprised look on Encrid's face and watch him get excited.
The reason?
Such things didn't matter.
'Ah, this is fun.'
For Sinar, this was a first-time experience.
Her heart was racing. A surge of exhilaration rose within her. The moment she sensed her opponent's emotions changing, she felt something.
Pleasure.
Amusement.
It sent chills across Sinar's skin.
'Is this fun for you?'
She asked silently. Encrid's entire body reacted. Watching that brought her great joy.
Control your emotions.
That was the first lesson she'd learned when she became aware of the world around her.
Fairies, with their ability to feel others' emotions without any filter, often developed an emotional nature that made them easy to manipulate.
It was the curse of sensitivity.
Recognizing it as a problem meant solving it was necessary.
Fairies had done just that.
They had confronted the problem and solved it.
Afterward, the Fairies had studied something called 'mind discipline'.
They learned how to control and regulate their emotions.
To remain calm under any circumstances.
In a way, it was similar to The Heart of the Beast.
By controlling their minds, their bodies, and mastering their emotions, they gained balance. Sinar had gone through this process as well, which was why she stood where she did now.
If a Frog's requirement for leaving its territory was mastering its heart, the Fairies' requirement was the control of body and mind.
They clashed swords and sweat poured down. Sinar could see Encrid's face as he let his sweat drip onto the floor.
His black hair and blue eyes curved softly.
His eyes, shaped like crescent moons, seemed to glow. It was just past noon.
The sunlight of early spring shone down, wrapping around his hair, casting a long shadow that created shading on the left side of his face.
As she observed him, the landscape and everything seemed to meld together, giving off a strange aura.
All of this, the Fairy could see, smell, and feel through her heightened senses.
Fairies are born with exceptional beauty.
Perfect symmetry between their eyes, eyebrows, and the nose that runs down the center of their faces often caused those who looked upon them to fall into a lovesick daze.
The phrase 'beauty beyond human' didn't exist for no reason.
Fairies were beings of beauty beyond humanity.
Of course, there were occasionally Fairies whose appearance strayed from this, but most looked as a Fairy should.
Sinar, born a Fairy, had seen countless beings like that.
'If we were talking about looks alone, I wouldn't understand.'
The lively atmosphere around the man seemed to dominate his surroundings. Though she had felt it many times before, Sinar's attitude now was different from before.
It wasn't determination or resolve. It was a natural flow.
She would swing her sword driven by emotion.
That was exactly what Sinar did. Instead of controlling herself, she acted according to her emotions.
* * *
It was instinct or intuition.
A sense of foreboding brushed the back of his neck. Encrid felt a chill run down his spine, and it seemed like every hair on his body stood on end.
It felt as though death itself had crept up beside him to whisper in his ear.
Everything he saw, heard, and felt blurred together as he entered the realm of intuition.
It was as though his awareness shifted, and he began watching his body from above.
Encrid saw another sword targeting his back.
It was the moment after he saw and felt it.
He twisted his body to the side, pivoting on his right foot while drawing his Gladius with his left hand.
As he drew it, he twisted his wrist, receiving the sword strike with the flat of his blade.
Thump.
It wasn't a heavy blow, but he felt a stabbing sensation.
Sinar, who had been in front of him, had suddenly vanished.
His hairs stood on end once more.
As his thoughts accelerated, Encrid knew exactly what he had to do. No, he felt it.
It was time to bring out an answer that came close to instinct, and so he did.
He threw the Gladius in the direction that gave him a sense of dread.
Whoosh.
As the sword flew in a straight line, he quickly drew Ember.
Ting!
Without a moment to catch his breath, he swung Ember in a large arc. Ember was a thrusting sword, so it didn't have the cutting power he might hope for, but this strike was bound to be an unexpected blow.
And indeed, it was.
Though Sinar wasn't flustered, she acknowledged that Encrid's strike was highly creative.
She parried the sword and deflected it.
Chiririririring!
Ember and the Fairies' blades clashed, sending sparks flying.
Encrid dropped Ember as well.
After that, he gripped the silver longsword with both hands.
Huff.
After briefly steadying his breath, he heightened his senses to their utmost, activating his Focus Point technique.
For reasons unknown, there was a sword both in front of him and behind him.
And both had physical substance.
Was this some trick of Will?
It didn't seem that way. It didn't feel that way either.
Encrid swung his sword down, aiming at Sinar in front of him.
Sinar appeared to raise her sword to counter, but then her entire figure became blurry like a mirage.
At that moment, blades thrust at him from both sides.
High-speed movement?
No.
These were all physical, tangible things.
A spell?
Something mixed with magic, perhaps?
There was no time to think.
As soon as Encrid swung his sword down, he rolled forward.
Two streaks carved into the ground where he had just been.
Sinar no longer moved her swords.
Instead, she stood still, silently regulating her breathing.
She stayed in that stance, her gaze fixed on Encrid, who had yet to release his guard.
"What did you just do?"
Encrid, now kneeling on one knee from the roll, asked.
The blade in his hand reflected the sunlight.
Even though he hadn't let down his fighting stance, Encrid's posture and the intensity of his sword alone were menacing, though a Fairy's perception was far from ordinary.
"Are you proposing to me here?"
What kind of remark was that?
Soon, Encrid realized that he was kneeling on one knee.
"I'm saying I can still fight."
"Is that so?"
The Fairy responded without a hint of laughter.
Before anyone realized it, more eyes had gathered around to watch.
From guests who had come to face off against Encrid, to Rem, Audin, and Ragna. Even Dunbachel and Teresa had their attention stolen.
What had drawn the eyes of the Madmen Platoon?
It was the divine skill that Sinar had displayed.
Her technique and craft were extraordinary.
Even Ragna thought it wasn't something common.
'Did I think all Fairies fought like that?'
He had, unintentionally, spent time with Fairy swordsmen during his travels.
The most impressive one he encountered had been a dual-wielding Fairy who always targeted vital points with pinpoint precision.
But Sinar now seemed far more dangerous than that Fairy.
She had been right in front of Encrid, yet it looked as if her blade had come from behind him.
How was that even possible?
Because her swordsmanship was precise and delicate?
No, that was just a trait of Fairy swordsmanship.
Even though she had clearly swung her sword in the air, the attack came from behind Encrid.
Rem narrowed his eyes as well.
What exactly had that Fairy just done?
Audin, on the other hand, was smiling as he watched.
"Magic?"
Dunbachel muttered to herself.
"No."
Teresa answered.
She had faced off against many magic users in the past. Her instincts told her it wasn't magic.
Even though Sinar could hear their words, she let them slide off her as she watched Encrid.
A faint smile, one she hadn't even realized had appeared, spread across her face.
It was the first time Encrid had seen a Fairy smile.
Along with that faint smile, her lips parted.
"Are you enjoying this?"
It was a simple question.
Sunlight, dust, the gentle air.
Sensing all of this, Encrid nodded.
Was she asking if he was having fun?
Of course. He had never encountered a technique like this before. He didn't even understand it.
The thrill of wanting to uncover its principles and figure it out awakened a sharp sensation in his body.
The hair on his arms was still standing on end.
Encrid stood up.
"Immensely."
"Then sparring with me must be the most fun."
It was an unexpected remark, one that left Encrid momentarily speechless.
The most fun?
As the conversation continued, there was a brief pause.
After the Fairy finished speaking, everyone took a moment to think.
A short but sufficient amount of time passed.
From behind the Fairy, a heavy thudding sound was heard.
Thud.
It was a sound that naturally drew everyone's attention.
It came from behind Encrid. Audin was standing in a stance with his fist extended.
"Commander Brother, did you get a feel for that close-range burst technique? Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it gives a whole new kind of excitement. There's no greater joy than learning and mastering the ways of the world."
Huh?
Encrid's mind briefly stalled.
What was he going on about all of a sudden?
Audin wasn't done.
Beside him, Ragna swung his sword.
Whoosh, whoosh.
"A fast and heavy blade."
It was a sword infused with Will. That wasn't something you could learn by being taught.
Maybe the old him wouldn't have understood, but now he knew.
If you wanted to become a Knight, you couldn't just mimic others. You had to make it your own.
That's something he understood even better now as he walked the path.
"You may not be able to learn it, but can you say there's nothing to gain from sparring?"
Ragna spoke as if he had read Encrid's thoughts. He stopped swinging his sword and his eyes gleamed. There was a resolve in them, firm and strong, like a solid blade.
Encrid wondered if now was the time to be stirring up such intensity.
As he thought about it and stared, the third person stepped forward.
"Hey, this is something I roughly picked up from watching some crazy old man a while back. It's good to learn."
Rem was wrapping a string around his axe.
What are they up to?
Were they emphasizing that sparring with them would be fun too?
"Then does that mean fighting with Wandering Teresa wasn't fun?"
Teresa asked, and Dunbachel rotated her shoulders in circles, looking ready to jump in at any moment.
Everyone seemed to be silently protesting, and Encrid couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
What was the point of saying anything further?
Did the thrill Sinar gave him mean his interest in sparring and fighting with others would fade?
They say if a hundred people gather, there are a hundred different colors.
For Encrid, just learning or experiencing something was enough to make him ecstatic.
So, he wasn't at all upset by their reactions.
Encrid simply smiled.
That was the moment.
"What's this? Do I need to get in line just to talk to Company Commander Enki?"
There were many spectators watching the sparring match. From mercenaries who knew how to handle a sword to soldiers.
Among them were Bell and Vengeance.
They turned their heads toward the voice that had spoken.
It was a familiar voice.
"Been well?"
The man who stepped out from the soldiers had a well-trimmed beard and hair, the touch of a professional clearly visible.
The clothes he wore were different from the typical attire of the Border Guard.
He leaned on a short stick, stepping forward from the soldiers.
It was Marcus Visar, the former Lord.
Though the way he lifted his cane made him look like a carefree neighbor dropping by, the bodyguards standing behind him exuded a formidable presence.
Dust covered their shoulders, a clear sign that they had come straight here after a long journey without even stopping to clean up.
Encrid gave a military salute in response to Marcus's greeting.
"Aren't you going to offer me a cup of tea? Is it a habit of yours to leave guests standing outside?"
Marcus quipped, and Encrid thought that it was more appropriate for Marcus to ask the Lord of the city for tea.
Still, he couldn't just send him away.
Judging by his appearance, it seemed like Marcus had come straight here without stopping by to see the city Lord first.
"Are you really not going to give me any tea?"
Marcus pestered again.
Encrid nodded.
It was time to wrap up the sparring match.
No one seemed disappointed. Encrid, too, needed time to reflect on what Sinar had shown him.
'A sword strike that feels real yet is physically impossible.'
How could that be possible? What was the principle behind it?
He needed time to think it over and analyze it carefully.
"Talk about killing the mood."
Rem summarized the situation in one sentence.
Sinar, with a nonchalant expression, turned and said,
"What a nuisance, a real nuisance."
It was impossible to tell from her face whether she truly thought that or not.
Still, she quietly withdrew.
As Marcus smiled, Encrid thought to himself that he really had picked the perfect time to interrupt.
"Shall we go?"
There was no way there was any tea in the barracks, so Encrid headed toward the dining hall.