Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Hmm?”

Christian had been pressing hard against Garcia, but the moment he realized that Garcia’s mana pattern had changed, he increased the distance between them.

Although mana patterns often changed countless times during combat, it was rare to see such a sudden shift in a spar like this.

“This is…?!”

But the moment Christian identified the altered mana pattern, his expression hardened.

‘This madman?!’

Previously, the mana had been round and light, but now it was heavy, sharp, and extremely rough.

The foundational mana pattern – the wave – could create numerous derivative techniques depending on how it was utilized. One could apply, modify, or even fuse it.

Having frequently used waves in his previous life, Christian instantly recognized Garcia’s altered mana pattern.

‘Shatter?!’

Wave transformation technique – Shatter.

It was a rough wave technique capable of not just breaking but pulverizing everything it touched.

The mana faintly formed on Garcia’s sword was undoubtedly Shatter.

Moreover, the hostile intent contained within was transmitted directly to Christian.

‘Has Aunt given a secret order or something?’

Seeing the overtly obvious attitude and intentions, Christian clicked his tongue internally and continued to press Garcia.

In contrast to Garcia, who had adjusted his mana pattern for Shatter, Christian still had a basic wave activated while drawing out another mana pattern.

Two mana patterns at once.

Anyone with high mana sensitivity would have noticed, but if not…

“This is the end, Young Master Christian!”

Seizing an opening, Garcia swung his sword with a notably serious expression.

It was a very simple strike aimed directly at Christian’s sword.

An honest attack that could easily be blocked by raising his sword, yet responding thoughtlessly could lead to disaster.

‘Destroy the opponent’s weapon while turning it into a deadly dagger.’

Such a plan was as simple as Garcia’s character. Therefore, Christian simply raised his sword, going along with Garcia’s plan.

Ka-ga-ga-ga-kang—!

“Uh…?!”

Before their swords touched, the mana enveloping them ground against each other. Garcia’s eyes widened in disbelief at the incredible scene.

“What, how?”

“Why? Is it different from what you expected?”

Even lacking absolute mana capacity, he could easily break a sword.

Yet Garcia failed to do so.

No…

The mana in Christian’s sword and his own.

The phenomenon caused by contacting mana patterns of the same nature.

Mana cancellation.

This meant only one thing.

“Could it be Shatter?!”

Understanding the wave was conceivable. Exceptionally talented humans occasionally did absurd things.

But Shatter wasn’t merely about talent. It was clearly an area related to time.

“But how…?”

With his understanding shattered, Garcia could only repeat himself, staring at Christian with astonishment.

Pleading for the answer like a child learning the sword for the first time, begging the master for more guidance.

However…

‘You think I’ll tell you?’

Christian merely grinned, tightening his grip on his sword.

The mana capacity was evenly matched.

But their skill levels, mana sensitivity, and purity were different.

Thus, though it seemed they were evenly matched, Christian’s sword was gradually pushing back and chipping away at Garcia’s.

And although he could have easily destroyed Garcia’s sword by pushing forward, Christian stopped sharply and asked quietly.

“Surely, you weren’t trying to kill me, were you?”

“No.”

“Then what am I supposed to make of this shatter right now?”

“…….”

Though there were no words, certain possibilities had crossed his mind.

‘Could it be Aunt’s order, or is it Garcia’s own decision?’

Either way, it wasn’t an entirely pleasant situation.

‘There was no intent to kill. Was it meant to incapacitate me? It could certainly be disguised as an accident.’

If he truly intended to kill, he would have chosen a technique with much higher lethality. Like cutting a sword in one fell swoop and then swiftly beheading someone – something utterly terrifying.

However, Garcia had opted for the cumbersome route of shattering, and had targeted the right shoulder area.

Christian, having roughly grasped what Garcia intended, smiled faintly and spoke.

“Still, you can’t use shatter in a friendly duel. Surely you know that’s a problem?”

In a friendly duel, the mana pattern was limited to three types. A mana pattern that activated the body.

A mana pattern that did not damage the opponent’s body. And finally, a mana pattern that could subdue the opponent.

‘Well, it might seem like child’s play of a rule…’

In his previous life, his master had insisted that real combat should be like real combat, training like real combat, wielding real swords from the start. Not killing would have meant dying oneself.

Thanks to such life-threatening situations, he had grown significantly, although he never thought of denying established rules that existed like traditions.

“It was merely an accident caused by a moment of excitement.”

“Hmm. Is that so.”

Christian looked at Garcia with a curious gaze.

If a problem arose with his body as Garcia intended, he himself wouldn’t be safe.

‘Does this man really not think about the aftermath?’

Christian sighed as he gradually loosened the grip he had on his sword.

“Garcia, grip your sword tightly.”

“Pardon?”

“I said, grip it tightly.”

As Christian frowned, Garcia unconsciously tightened his hold.

At that moment.

“Oh dear, whoops! My hand slipped!”

“…….”

Christian dropped his practice sword, and he exclaimed with frustration while looking at the fallen sword.

“Darn it! Such a mistake!”

“What are you doing right now?”

“Play along, will you!”

“Play along?”

Realizing what Christian was trying to do, Garcia’s face turned red with embarrassment.

“Are you saying you’re throwing the match on purpose… This is match-fixing!”

Amused by Garcia’s bewilderment, Christian smirked and shrugged.

“Unlike someone else, I don’t mind winning or losing. I just need to show my skills to my sponsor.”

“Sponsor?”

“Or should I mention the use of Shatter here? You might get mana-bound and expelled. That infamy would all fall upon Aunt.”

“There is no proof that I did such a thing.”

“Proof? It’s right there. The sword you’re holding and the one I just dropped.”

Christian’s words caused Garcia to look at the sword he held and then at Christian’s dropped sword, startled.

The marks left on the swords, incapable of showing just from merely exchanging them a few times, were undeniable proof of their unique encounter.

The scars on the swords, as if ground by something sharp, clearly revealed how they clashed.

Those deeply knowledgeable about swords would recognize it immediately, and regrettably, this place was a renowned house of swordsmanship.

“Let’s not create unnecessary trouble. So let’s end this quietly.”

If this fact were to be publicized, Garcia would face repercussions. And Christian could use this opportunity to leverage negotiations with Liana more easily.

Garcia attempted to say something, but Christian was quicker to speak.

“Sir Garcia, you’re indebted to me.”

“Indebted? Are you suggesting I betray Lady Liana?!”

“No, I don’t engage in such underhanded activities. But I’ll collect a high price for it.”

Indicating that he no longer wished to discuss the matter, Christian gracefully stepped back with a courteous bow.

“I concede, Sir Garcia.”

Even as he declared defeat, Christian could smile because he had already gained what he wanted.

Garcia’s expression, though victorious, turned from bewilderment to astonishment, and finally to despair.

***

“You won, didn’t you?”

“…”

As Christian raised both hands to signal surrender, quietly stepping back, Liana Worden, who had been observing, showed a slight change in her expression.

“The victorious one’s expression seems swapped with the defeated one’s. Am I mistaken?”

“That…”

Aira could not respond to Liana’s observation.

Just as she had said, Sir Garcia, who had claimed victory, looked desolate, while Christian wore a look of supreme satisfaction, as if he had won everything.

Noticing this discrepancy, Liana Worden frowned slightly and asked Aira, who was beside her.

“What do you think?”

It wasn’t a question about the expressions they wore. Aira quickly sensed the intention behind the question and cautiously responded.

“Christian was never focused on winning or losing from the start. That’s why he could easily laugh and admit defeat. But looking at Sir Garcia’s face… it seems that Christian is the one who achieved his goal.”

“Indeed. Winning wasn’t the objective of this bout.”

Sometimes, the process matters more than victory. This was one of those times. Liana acknowledged this truth, which filled her face with dissatisfaction.

Though she had never wielded a sword, she wasn’t so clueless as to not recognize the true victor of this duel.

“How on earth did that child…”

‘How on earth can he manage to do that?’

Both mother and daughter had the same thought as they looked at Christian.

Especially for Aira, who had sparred with him all along, the surprise was greater, as she believed she knew Christian better than anyone.

‘In just the past few days, he seems like a completely different person.’

From the day she first landed a hit on him. From that day, she sensed a slight change in Christian.

He claimed that the hit awakened him from his complacency, but…

“Aira.”

“Yes.”

“I permit you to spend some time with that child.”

“What?”

For a while?

Given that Christian had won the bet, it would have been natural, but Aira was surprised that Liana readily permitted it, her eyes widening.

“A deal is about trust. Even if the other party is an enemy, one cannot unilaterally break a contract once it’s signed.”

The tone in Liana’s gaze as she looked at Christian was full of interest and fascination.

Aira couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy as the interest and fascination she had never seen directed toward herself were now directed at Christian.

“It seems up until now I underestimated that child too much. We should find out more.”

“I, I’ll find out.”

Aira shouted energetically, trying to divert Liana’s attention from Christian.

Liana Worden gazed at her with a slightly surprising expression.

“… Alright. I look forward to it.”

Anyone could tell it was jealousy, and it was also a sign of rivalry.

Liana Worden smiled, seemingly pleased with Aira’s display.