chapter 40
Training Grounds of the Main Residence
At the main residence’s training grounds.
The knights couldn’t hide their confusion at the sight of Sion and me showing up here unannounced so early in the morning.
“Wait… isn’t that…?”
“Isn’t that the young lord from the annex?”
One of the senior-looking knights hurried over and bowed respectfully to Sion.
“Greetings, Young Master. But what brings you here…?”
Without sparing even a sliver of attention to the surrounding stares, Sion replied,
“I intend to use the training grounds. Is there a problem?”
“O-Of course not. I’ll inform the knights. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
The senior knight quickly withdrew and ushered out the others who had been lingering inside the grounds.
Watching the scene from inside Sion’s collar, I said with satisfaction,
“Heh, look at them now—moving quickly without being told. I like it.”
When I first met Sion and we left the underground prison, all I saw were uncomfortable, discriminatory gazes directed at him—
Eyes that saw him as a disgraceful illegitimate child, an unwelcome outsider, someone unpleasant to deal with.
But now, no one dared treat Sion carelessly. He was officially a young master of the Grand Duke’s household and a recognized member of the First Knight Order.
Click.
Sion casually removed the robe fastened at his shoulder and drew the sword strapped to his back.
“So, Rin.”
Swinging his sword, he asked,
“Why did you insist on coming all the way here instead of just using the annex’s backyard to warm up?”
“Huh? Did I?”
“You did. You kept going on about it right up until you fell asleep last night.”
Sion continued speaking between steady breaths as he traced arcs with his blade. To others, it probably looked like he was muttering to himself, but he didn’t seem to care.
“Well, you see…”
I scratched my cheek.
“If we’re going to head out on an expedition anyway, I figured it’d be nice to really imprint how amazing you are on everyone first.”
That was reason number one.
And indeed, the knights and servants who had retreated were now watching Sion from afar, their eyes filled with curiosity, scrutiny, caution—and admiration.
“And also, Genevia should be showing up here soon.”
That was the second reason.
“You mean Priestess Genevia Lilo?”
“Yeah. I’ve got something to say to her, but I haven’t had the chance to meet her.”
Ever since that conversation the other day, Genevia seemed pretty upset with me—she hadn’t even shown her face near the annex.
So I had no choice but to come to her.
“Last time I checked, she was practically camped out here doing volunteer work.”
“Volunteer work?”
“Even people who aren’t really hurt come flooding in, making a fuss and demanding treatment. And she accepts all of them—she looked completely pale from exhaustion. And that so-called high-ranking priest seems to be dumping all the work on her too.”
“…Pathetic.”
“Right? So anyway, Sion, let’s help her this time. We need her too, don’t we?”
Sion said nothing.
He didn’t seem particularly convinced, but he also didn’t object—just continued his training in silence.
Some time passed.
“Young Master.”
A group of young knights approached us.
At their front stood a rather handsome young man, as if leading them.
He looked about Sion’s age and spoke with a smile.
“This is our first meeting, Young Master. I am Dyke Hexel, second son of Sir Dawud Hexel, captain of the Inner Castle Guard.”
His posture was disciplined—but his overly formal attitude oddly conveyed a refusal to show any more respect than necessary.
“I recently heard that you joined the First Knight Order. Congratulations.”
“What do you want?”
Sion, apparently getting the same impression as I did, ignored the pleasantries and cut straight to the point.
Dyke’s smiling face twitched for a moment.
“…If it wouldn’t be improper, may I request a spar with you, Young Master?”
“A spar? With me?”
Sion showed unexpected interest.
Dyke continued, unable to hide his eagerness.
“As you may recall, I also came of age this past winter, just like you. And I too have officially completed my entry into the Third Knight Order this year.”
He went on and on about himself without being asked.
“So when I heard you became the youngest member of the First Knight Order, I’ve been hoping to spar with you. Not just me—everyone here wishes to use this opportunity as a stepping stone for growth.”
He rattled off his long, well-rehearsed speech as smoothly as flowing water.
Feeling something off, I tugged at Sion’s collar and caught his eye, making an X sign with my arms.
‘Nope. Suspicious. No sparring.’
Sion hummed.
“Very well. I accept.”
“…!?”
My mouth fell open in shock.
‘What?! Sion! It’s obviously a trap!’
“Thank you, Young Master.”
Dyke and his group exchanged quick glances among themselves and headed to the center of the training ground.
Following behind them, Sion muttered quietly so only I could hear,
“Rin, didn’t you just say we should make sure everyone recognizes how capable I am?”
His tone was teasing.
Lowering my voice, I whispered urgently,
“But they’re obviously up to something, Sion! This has to be a trap set by the Grand Duchess or someone!”
“Of course it is. If something happens during a spar between knights, it wouldn’t be considered unusual. They’re probably planning to ‘accidentally’ cripple an arm or a leg.”
“A-an arm or a leg?!”
As I recoiled in shock, Sion replied calmly,
“That’s precisely why I’ll deal with them. If we crush anyone who picks a fight now, we’ll be able to spend the remaining days in peace before leaving.”
“….”
I stared blankly at his composed words.
Soon, Sion looked at Dyke and the others standing opposite him and said indifferently,
“A group match, then.”
It was a 1 versus 4 spar.
‘This isn’t a group match—that’s a gang beating!’
Dyke drew his unnecessarily flashy sword and shamelessly said,
“I’m afraid I lack the skill to face you alone. I hope you won’t mind.”
“It doesn’t matter. Whether one or many, the result will be the same.”
Dyke and the others stiffened, their pride clearly wounded.
“Then here we go!”
At Dyke’s signal, their composed demeanor vanished. Like men facing their sworn enemy, they charged all at once with loud shouts.
Clang! Clang clang!
Blades came from above, from both sides, from front and back—striking in rapid succession. The attacks slipped into blind spots with cunning precision, each strike carrying clear killing intent.
If Sion hadn’t blocked them with ease, any one of those moments could have led to a horrific outcome.
Of course, there was no way Sion—who had already reached the level of aura manifestation—would lose to such minor knights. Still, remembering the last battle, I refused to let my guard down.
‘Anyone who touches Sion is dead.’
But my worries proved unnecessary. One by one, the overconfident attackers were sent flying.
“Ugh!”
“Damn it…!”
In the end, only Dyke remained.
“Huff… huff…”
He too was in terrible shape from facing Sion.
His neatly styled hair was completely disheveled, and his once polished appearance looked years older.
Looking at him, Sion asked flatly,
“Will you continue?”
Dyke’s face twisted, his pride clearly shredded.
Muttering darkly to himself—“A disgraceful… bastard…”—he adjusted his grip on his sword and smiled viciously.
“Hah… I didn’t want to use my ultimate technique in such a trivial spar, but I have no choice.”
“……”
“I suppose I’ll have to show you the true power of this heirloom sword of the Hexel family—Sirax. Let’s see if you can block my next attack.”
After his unnecessary explanation, he raised his overly gleaming sword.
Sion simply held his own sword in silence, seeing no need to respond.
“Here I come!”
With that warning, Dyke raised his sword high above his head and swung it forward.
The blade split into dozens of segments, stretching out like a whip.
“What the—?!”
As metal fragments shot toward me in an instant, I froze in shock.
