It was certainly a good thing to see the Nameless, who I thought would be gloomy, wearing a refreshing smile.
But…
Wiping the sticky stuff by my nose with the back of my hand, I glared at the Nameless.
Who in the world smiles like that?
This isn’t my fault for being deceived; it’s the Nameless’s fault for being the deceiver.
And…
What do you mean my eyes are red? What kind of nonsense is that?
I’ve never heard that before.
…Seriously.
Pouting my lips, I clenched my fists.
Trembling.
“…Master?”
The Nameless, looking at my trembling right hand, couldn’t hide his startled gaze on me.
He slowly started to back away, creating distance.
“What now?”
I tried to let it slide with a playful flick, but since he was trying to run away, that adds to the charges.
I jumped up and delivered a nice smack on the Nameless’s head.
-Wham!
The Nameless collapsed to the ground, his eyes spinning.
He must have been so tired from the spar with Lucius that he immediately fell asleep on the cold, hard floor.
I crossed my arms and turned my head away from the Nameless.
I have no obligation to care for a mischievous disciple who deceives his master.
“Hmph,” I huffed lightly and headed towards Lucius.
The spar wasn’t over yet.
Lucius had requested me, and I needed to exact my disciple’s revenge too.
…
In the corner of the training ground, a bright light was emanating from Elia’s hand, beginning to swirl around Lucius.
I squinted and stared at the tip of Elia’s fingers.
Hmm, is that magic?
Weirdly enough, I didn’t sense the unpleasant energy Elia usually radiated, which certainly means something different…
However, aside from the sword, my knowledge in other areas here is pitifully shallow, so I have no way of knowing exactly what that white light blooming from Elia’s fingertips is.
I could only guess, trying to recall memories from a past I can barely remember now.
Is it magic?
Nodding to myself, I kept moving forward.
Soon enough, I was close enough to recognize what was happening, yet Lucius and Elia seemed lost in their own world, not even noticing me.
Well, well?
The two were holding hands, grinning from ear to ear.
Whoa, look at the honey dripping from Elia’s eyes…
I let out a tiny sigh.
…While I’m on my way to scold a disciple who seems to have lost all sense, they’re caught up in their little world.
Completely ignoring little old me who’s standing here.
I mean, when did they even get that close?
As everyone, including the Nameless, knows.
I’m quite perceptive.
Therefore, I can confidently say no one is more adept than me at sensing this kind of fluffy atmosphere.
If I were to take a wild guess…
They really are dating.
My brows furrowed.
“Ahem, ahem.”
Disgusted by the sight, I cleared my throat to announce my presence.
“Harang?”
Elia jumped slightly, trembling, and shot me a look filled with resentment.
Uh-oh, I suddenly felt bad.
But I, too, have a purpose for being here…
So I shouldn’t feel guilty, right?
Smiling satisfactorily, I nodded my head.
Having meddled enough in their flirtation, I now needed to focus on accomplishing my purpose for being here and scanned Lucius from head to toe.
Unlike the Nameless, who had torn clothes and small trickles of blood, Lucius looked completely clean, as if he had allowed not a single strike to land.
…A bit frustrating.
Our little Nameless must have been swinging hard, but he looks all fresh and neat.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue and met Lucius’s gaze.
“Lucius, are you alright?”
Lucius moved a bit, confirming his bodily condition before slowly nodding in affirmation.
“Yes.”
“Then I suppose you’re in a hurry, so shall we begin the spar you requested right away?”
I narrowed my eyes and faced Lucius.
He seemed to think for a moment, closing his eyes and lowering his head.
Just as he was about to reply…
Elia, who had been wearing a worried expression since earlier, stepped in front of Lucius as if guarding him.
“Harang! Lucius needs to rest for a moment—”
“Saint, I’m fine.”
But…
Despite Elia’s efforts, Lucius approached me with a serious expression.
I narrowed my eyes and pouted.
Goodness, what a fuss they’re making.
Anyone would think they were sending their beloved into a battlefield.
As I watched their unfunny little drama with a cold stare…
Elia suddenly looked as if she remembered something important.
Her eyes widening, she clapped her hands and spoke.
“Ah, how’s the Nameless doing?”
“…”
I averted my eyes from Elia.
…The Nameless, huh.
Did he sense something from my actions?
Lucius approached me, wearing a somewhat panicked expression.
Given that worried look of his…
He must think, “Is he hurt from sparring with me and not in good condition?”
Typical straight-laced folks always think the obvious.
“Is… the Nameless alright?”
“…Yeah, well.”
…He was fine, but…
He was smiling and moving as if feeling refreshed right up until I hit him.
I glanced back at Lucius, momentarily breaking my gaze.
…I’m uncertain now.
Perhaps I miscalculated my strength, as the Nameless is still lying cold on the floor.
Hmm, maybe I was too harsh.
I scratched my head.
But still!
Of course, I controlled my strength to a degree that wouldn’t kill him, so he should be alright.
“The Nameless is tough, don’t worry! He’s sturdier than he looks!”
That’s true.
Every time the Nameless gets hit by my smack, he always ends up in this state.
So after a little time passes, I bet he’ll get up as if nothing happened.
When Lucius heard my words, he looked a bit puzzled and nodded.
And…
I feel slightly bad for the Nameless, but the important thing right now is the spar between me and Lucius.
“Somehow, this conversation went off on a weird tangent. Let’s resume the talk about the spar, shall we?”
I was not trying to change the subject at all.
…
Surprisingly, the rules for the spar were set quickly.
It was because Lucius asked me to give it my all.
I nodded at Lucius’s request, but…
I wouldn’t be giving it my all.
The very reason Lucius could ask for such a thing is because we have the Saint, Elia, by our side…
No matter who she is, she can’t bring back the dead.
That’s a given.
If I wield my sword with full strength, maybe Lucius, who has grown, could handle it, but…
In his current state, there’s no way he could withstand it.
And…
It’s foolish to reveal my full power to those who might become enemies someday.
I’m not so ignorant as to make that kind of mistake.
…
-LUCIUS
In the middle of the sparring ground, he frowned at the tiny girl who looked like she would barely reach his chest.
Even though the spar had already begun, the girl, Cheon Ha-rang, had placed her wooden sword on the ground and resting her chin on her hands, posed in a way that could be interpreted as dismissive of her opponent, yet…
He wasn’t offended by that.
If anything, he wanted to clap for her.
That is the essence of her challenging him.
…
His eyes held a special power bestowed by the goddess when he was about to become a hero.
A power allowing him to see a brief future across time and space.
Known as Future Sight.
Of course…
This didn’t make him invincible.
Since the goddess’s power etched into a human like him, he could only glimpse a future that’s less than a second long. Attacks coming from areas he’s unaware of, the so-called blind spots, are impossible to defend against.
Nevertheless…
In battles between swordsmen, he undoubtedly had a clear advantage.
There’s no better ability than being able to anticipate your opponent’s moves ahead of time.
He had used this ability actively during his duel with Cheon Mu-myeong, achieving victory without a scratch.
…
After finishing his brief thought, Lucius frowned slightly.
It seemed that Cheon Ha-rang was already aware of her abilities.
He had no choice but to strike first.
Letting out a small sigh, Lucius adjusted his stance and charged toward Cheon Ha-rang, emitting golden energy.
As he got close enough to strike her, Lucius swiftly swung his sword horizontally, but…
…Why was there no movement?
Despite Cheon Ha-rang looking directly at the approaching sword, she showed no signs of moving.
