“So you wish to become even stronger.”
The low voice carried through the door, stopping my hand mid-knock.
I had merely intended to discuss something briefly with Adelle, never imagining I’d accidentally overhear her innermost thoughts like this.
After a moment of hesitation, I lowered my hand from the door.
‘Is she grateful toward me?’
The trembling, rain-soaked kitten she used to be seemed a distant memory now. In the span of just a few months, her perception of me had clearly evolved quite a bit.
To be fair, I had invested significant effort into building a relationship of trust with her.
Things were proceeding according to plan, but even so, it wasn’t something I could revel in.
‘Haa…’
If things continue as I’ve outlined, she will inevitably be caught in a cycle of countless regressions.
When I first met Adelle, I was indifferent to the suffering she would endure. I considered her hardships irrelevant.
But as we grew closer, a sense of resistance to my own plan began to emerge. Doubts crept in—was it truly alright to proceed as planned?
How ironic.
Establishing trust meant I inevitably had to grow closer to her, a fact I hadn’t fully considered when devising the plan.
Was this burgeoning guilt rooted in the knowledge of the pain she was destined to endure? Despite spending over twenty years gradually numbing myself to such feelings, perhaps I hadn’t become as indifferent as I believed.
‘Am I being hypocritical, now of all times?’
Could it be because I see echoes of my younger self in Adelle? My concern for her seems to resurface in such moments.
Even if my pre-Adelle self were to see me now, she might ridicule me as a fool.
I found myself letting out an unintended wry smile at the thought.
—
Time passed, and the appointed day arrived.
The training ground, usually quiet, was unusually bustling with people. They had gathered to watch the demonstration battle between Adelle and myself.
Designed for external events, the training ground came equipped with spectator seating from which most staff, maids, and knights were watching, engaged in lively chatter.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Probably His Lordship, don’t you think?”
“But without magic or aura?”
“I’m betting on Lady Adelle!”
A small wager was taking place among the younger maids but went unnoticed. Turning slightly, I spotted Lily standing quietly nearby.
With her hands clasped as if in prayer, her eyes closed solemnly, there was an almost desperate earnestness in her expression.
Looking back, I noticed a group of knights animatedly debating nearby.
“Still, I believe the Duke will triumph.”
“What about you? Have you seen how much stronger Lady Adelle has become in a month?”
“Evan, what’s your take?”
Upon realizing Evan was present, his presence made clear by the sound of his voice, I couldn’t help but smirk. Although his injury was nearly healed—he avoided officially rejoining the knights to avoid potential aftereffects.
“She will win. I believe it.”
There was an unwavering conviction in Evan’s tone that brought a smile to my lips. It seemed he too had learned to trust Adelle to an extent, though he likely couldn’t explain why precisely.
‘The knights… All are here as planned.’
There was a reason I had requested that all the knights observe this mock battle.
I wanted them to respect Adelle as a warrior, and not underestimate her—an essential consideration for the looming culling campaign.
In truth, suggesting this ordeal to her mainly served this purpose—failure wasn’t something anyone would truly hold against her.
Turning my attention to Adelle standing opposite me, I immediately noticed the change.
The sharpness in her demeanor, the piercing sharpness of her red eyes told a clear story. After this relatively mixed month, her determination was more defined than ever.
A fervor and resolve that every warrior should possess.
I could see that burning in her eyes now.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
In answer to my question, she gave a firm nod, her determination evident. Beside her, a spirit resembling me appeared—Sibley.
Wind attribute.
Among all the opponents I’ve faced, I’ve rarely encountered spirits, let alone those of the wind element. Even including the young Arin I once tutored, this would only be the second time.
My first encounter with a wind spirit.
[Contractor.]
“Yes. I understand.”
A gust swept through my body as an extraordinary power gathered around Adelle.
Is she substituting wind magic applications with spirit power? Quite an innovative approach.
“The two sides are ready.”
Arin, acting as the referee, lowered his hand to signal the start.
“Begin!”
The initial stage was one of probing.
The phase to read the opponent’s intentions before engaging. Adelle, evidently accustomed to it all, stayed calm and simply observed me.
‘Shall we begin?’
Without magic or ki, this was akin to a chess game where I was surrendering my queen and rook.
But I still had my knight and rook.
“Hah!”
With a short cry, I rushed forward. Adelle showed no surprise, simply raising her rapier.
The twin swords clashed with a metallic ring.
Clang!
The two swords collided fiercely, flames flickering where they met. Despite the tremors coming from her rapier, it held firm.
She must understand the importance of never losing her weapon.
But that alone wouldn’t be enough. On the battlefield, resolve isn’t enough for anything.
Whoosh.
Even as we remained locked, I spun my wrist to target her neck. However, she already anticipated it—Sibley’s wind barrier blocked my blow.
Simultaneously, Adelle lunged towards my chest with her rapier. Despite chuckling at her seasoned approach, I stepped back to evade.
And swung my sword once more.
Clang!
“Silbe—!”
[Understood!]
A massive wind barrier emerged around all sides. Its power, strong enough to halt my movements momentarily, caught me off guard.
Taking advantage of that split second, Adelle plunged her rapier forward with a momentum that signified notable improvement.
But, this is still insufficient.
[Ghh!]
The strategy of using wind to halt an opponent is clever, though ultimately limited to one use. With sufficient strength, it’s possible to counter the wind easily.
“Is that all you’ve got?”
“Not by a long shot!”
She shouted as she charged towards me again.
Had her charge been a thoughtless act, I would have knocked her out, but judging from her gaze, it wasn’t. Thanks to Sibley’s wind, her attacks were faster this time, so much faster that my body struggled to keep up.
Clang! Clang!
Metal resonated as Adelle’s rapier aimed for my neck. An unfamiliar sensation, but one I hadn’t felt in quite a while.
A feeling too common on the battlefield.
‘She’s certainly grown stronger.’
I couldn’t help but smile. This wasn’t the Adelle from a month ago. Not only had her ability to handle spirits grown, but her overall judgment had significantly improved as well.
Still, there’s a long way to go.
Whoosh!
Even with her improved coordination, the slight gaps between her continuous strikes could become fatal on the battlefield.
My sword aimed for her neck.
But she smirked and held her rapier in reverse grip.
“Ho?”
[Good! You fell for it!]
The direction of the wind reversed. A barrier far stronger than the previous one froze me in place anew—an all-out final blow, it seemed.
But I had no intentions of giving in just like that.
Bang!
With a sharp splitting sound, the wind barrier was dispersed.
[…Monster!]
“The end.”
Just as my sword reached her neck, a powerful gust erupted from her rapier. Was her earlier barrier not her all-in effort?
Before I could react, my body swayed slightly.
From an unnoticed position, her rapier in reverse grip aimed directly for my neck.
Attempting to raise my sword in defense proved futile—was it the wind’s restriction? My movements were much slower.
The cold sensation as the blade touched my neck.
“I’ve lost.”
“…Lady Adelle, victorious!”
With Arin’s announcement, my legs gave out slightly, and Adelle sank to the ground. Amused, I extended a hand towards her.
“Why the frown, Adelle? You’ve won, have you not?”
“Really, is it…?”
“Of course. Would I set a second trap?”
In combat, the psychological game is paramount.
And for that brief moment, she had the psychological upper hand on me—a commendable qualification for participating in the purge.
Certainly, her method of utilizing the wind spirit deserved high marks.
Even if it wasn’t a full-strength match on my part, I certainly didn’t treat it lightly.
Her ability to exploit and capitalize on a gap in my defenses made it reasonable to say she passed the test.
Gripping my hand, she stood back up.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Soon, thunderous applause erupted from the spectators. Turning around, I noticed not only the maidservants and butlers but even the knights celebrating Adelle’s victory in cheers.
“Lady Adelle’s the greatest!”
“Damn, two months’ salary gone…”
“We believed in you!”
Sure, some celebrated due to wagers, but perhaps that’s a minor detail worth overlooking.
“Good work for this month, Adelle.”
“…Thank you.”
Despite being utterly exhausted, she managed a faint smile. Thus, she earned the right to participate in the purge.
Through her own strength.
—
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