Turning Chapter 1011

Chapter 1011

'She certainly seems to have crossed the wall,' Yuder thought as he watched Meghna, who was staring at her own hand as if entranced by something. He had thought she would catch up faster than expected, but even he hadn't anticipated her making it this far.

'I did contemplate stopping midway...' But seeing Meghna's eyes filled with exhilaration as she faced him, he no longer wanted to do so.

Yuder had seen many people feel helplessness or fear when facing him. However, it had been a long time since he encountered an opponent who was this eager despite him deliberately trying to show them their limits. Whenever he saw an opponent who genuinely wanted the obstacles he presented, accepting them with their entire being, leaping over them, and chasing after him in a frightening manner, Yuder felt an unfamiliar and refreshing feeling. It was a different kind of tension, not the cold fear of life-threatening danger, but a thrilling challenge against someone who could not be underestimated for even a moment.

Perhaps it was somewhat similar to the shock Meghna felt when facing Yuder.

Thus, it was truly fortunate that the best outcome, surpassing expectations, had finally been achieved.

'In fact, I didn't really like things that deviated from my expectations, but if it deviates in this way, I should rather welcome it.'

In truth, it couldn't be acknowledged that Meghna had perfectly become a swordmaster at this moment. Although 'emitting enough aura to overwhelm and spew out the entire sword spirit' was the biggest factor in being recognized as a swordmaster, how could one be called a master if it ended as a one-time occurrence?

'Meghna only emitted aura once, and only for a fleeting moment, in the sparring just now.'

Even she seemed to lack confidence in whether she could continue to emit that level of aura. So, she would likely need more time to prove her skills to herself.

Still, the aura he had just witnessed, although weaker than Kishiar's or Nathan Zuckerman's, was sufficiently at the level of the masters he had met in his previous life, so he wasn't too worried.

'Even if the realization she gained now is insufficient, she has a good teacher in General Gino right next to her, so she can receive intensive training related to aura. In a few months, she should be able to stably reveal herself as a master and make an official announcement domestically and internationally.'

If Meghna officially revealed that she had become a swordmaster, the Orr Empire would now have a total of five masters. In his previous life, he had heard that there hadn't been a time in the past few hundred years when more than four masters existed in the same era within the empire, so this was truly remarkable.

"Phew..." He exhaled thinly and looked down at the practice sword he was still holding. As he realized that there was no longer a need to tightly grasp the broken sword handle, his body suddenly felt as heavy as water-soaked cotton.

Unlike Meghna, who had poured out everything in a state of selflessness, Yuder had to constantly control his Awakener power to avoid seriously injuring his opponent and only use swordsmanship to face her. Although it was similar to his usual combat style, it was mentally more exhausting because it wasn't a real battle. This was especially true because Meghna Kurlieva was a swordswoman whose pure, formal swordsmanship skills were never easy to deal with.

If it weren't for the experience Yudrain Aile had accumulated, it would have been absolutely impossible to continue overwhelming an opponent at the level of a master-to-be with an inferior sword.

'If we had fought in a terrain with places to hide the body, not in a wide-open training ground like this, or if I could have used additional weapons other than a sword, the story might have been a little different, even without using an Awakener's power...'

After returning to the past, he rarely had occasions to use weapons other than a sword outside of training, but originally, he had used a variety of weapons. If he were to face an inexperienced knight who only knew swords, he was confident that he could gain the upper hand just by using one more hidden weapon.

'Even so, my body feels heavier than I thought. Is it because my energy, which had dropped after dealing with the deep-sea cracks, hasn't fully recovered yet?'

As Yuder coldly assessed his condition, Nathan Zuckerman approached.

"You won't need to keep holding that sword now, so give it to me. I'll dispose of it for you."

It was very much like him to ask for the useless, broken sword first, rather than asking if Yuder was okay. Yuder silently held out the practice sword fragments to him and opened his mouth.

"Thank you for intervening at the right moment."

"You say that as if you did nothing, even though you opened a gap for me to enter."

'...Did he know?'

Just before Meghna's final blow, Yuder had quickly judged that it would be difficult to block the immense power that was about to be unleashed with his practice sword, which was already cracked and on the verge of breaking. He could gather and surround some of it with the power of water to block it, but it was clear that the sword would break after that. Therefore, the choice he made was to gather his remaining strength to draw out the power to protect the onlookers while deflecting some of the aura pouring onto him with his last move and stepping back.

'It's easier to dodge than to counter.'

The moment he instantly changed that plan was when he felt the movement of Nathan Zuckerman drawing his sword and trying to break through. Yuder momentarily opened a gap in his power to create an opening for him to enter as easily as possible. It was an event that occurred in less time than a single blink of an eye.

"Even so, it was just a very narrow path that most people wouldn't have even known existed. It's thanks to Sir Zuckerman's skill that you found it and broke through well."

Upon hearing Yuder's answer, Nathan Zuckerman replied expressionlessly, "Your praise is excessive."

"Why would I give excessive praise to Sir Zuckerman?"

Yuder answered as if he would hear all sorts of strange things.

"It was Sir Zuckerman's judgment to not only block the final attack but also quickly shatter the sword body to prevent the aura from continuing to spread, and it would have been impossible without that level of skill. I did nothing there. I only blocked the aura from splashing around and dodged with my body."

Nathan Zuckerman fell into an unusually long silence.

"...You observed it accurately. In that brief moment."

"I can see that much."

At that moment, someone heavily placed an outer garment on Yuder's shoulder. Turning his head, Kishiar was standing there with a smiling face.

"Now that it's over, you should immediately put on clothes so your body doesn't get cold. Are you thirsty?"

"I'm fine."

"You look tired."

"Hmm... I'll be fine soon."

"Then will you go to the medical unit?"

Yuder felt the sensation of red eyes touching his arms, cheeks, and various other parts. They were all areas that had been scratched and torn during the sparring, with thin traces of blood visible. The ability to make one feel as if being touched just by a gaze, without even placing a fingertip, was truly remarkable. Yuder looked down at the parts where the gaze had touched and shook his head.

"This much will heal just by sleeping. But it would be better for Adjutant Kurlieva to go."

"Oh my. You're so tough that I can't worry anymore."

Kishiar smiled, his eyebrows softening. Yuder blinked, wondering if his answer had instead made him worry, but as if reading his thoughts, Kishiar shook his head.

"If you're not in pain, it's fine. But if you feel even the slightest concern later, promise me you'll come to me right away or go to the medical unit. You can promise that, right?"

"...Yes."

"Good."

The man, smiling like a flower, held out something he had taken from his pocket to Yuder.

'...What is it? A handkerchief?'

Not knowing whether he had given it to wipe or if there was another reason, Yuder looked down at it in confusion after receiving it. Kishiar smiled with his eyes and whispered softly and sweetly.

"Giving a handkerchief you had to the winner who showed the best fight is the highest compliment a supporter can send. Will you accept it?"

'...Compliment?'

Yuder's brows furrowed slightly. He vaguely knew of the old culture where supporters would send handkerchiefs to knights who won duels or sparring matches. But as far as he knew, that was definitely...

'I remember it as a gift from young ladies.'

Yuder blinked a few times but ultimately didn't voice that thought. As he obediently accepted the handkerchief Kishiar offered, the smile on the man's face turned very satisfied. Thinking that he wouldn't have seen that smile if he had refused, Yuder felt he had done well not to say anything.

He carefully grasped the handkerchief and put it in his pocket. He had no choice but to do so because Kishiar's unique scent permeating the handkerchief would be too distracting if he wiped his face carelessly with it.

"Yuder."

General Gino, supporting his disciple, approached with a smiling face.

"Thank you for showing us a magnificent sparring match. I never even imagined I would witness such an incredible fight."

"You flatter me."

"Oh, there's no need to be so humble. It was a precious time to learn that all the praise from the Cavalry members who imitated your style was true. Moreover... didn't you give my disciple a profound realization as well?"