ushernet Chapter 72 : A New Wave (8)
Chapter 72 : A New Wave (8)
Chapter 72: A New Wave (8)Fortunately, the flames died down before long.
Just in case, I carefully examined Allen’s condition, but thankfully, there seemed to be no particular problem.
No, rather, he actually looked as if he felt relieved in some way.
After that small disturbance ended, Allen seemed to ponder something for a moment before soon looking at me and speaking.
“Forgive me, Lian. It seems I will have to break today’s promise.”
“Yeah, it can’t be helped.”
To be honest, I was already half-expecting that.
He had just confided in me his shocking worry about wanting to quit the Academy.
And now, looking closely, it seemed he had undergone yet another change of heart of similar weight.
“I’ll explain things properly to Miss Everglenn for you.”
“Thank you. If possible, please also let her know that I will apologize personally later.”
“Alright, go on ahead.”
Allen, as always, slightly lowered his head toward me in his polite manner.
And before turning his body to leave, he gazed at me steadily and said this.
“And about what just happened…… I truly thank you. I feel embarrassed that words of gratitude are all I can offer.”
“Hey, no need to put it like that. You’re making me feel awkward.”
Thinking he was being overly formal again, I waved my hand dismissively.
At that, Allen only tilted his head slightly, as though puzzled by my reaction.
“I just patched together things I happened to pick up here and there and told them to you in a way that sounded nice, that’s all.”
“……”o respond freely in both offense and defense.
As I faced Cecilia, holding the only stance I had ever properly learned and mastered, I suddenly realized her posture had changed a lot from before.
Previously, her stance had been more defensive, one that could adapt to any situation. But now, her posture openly radiated aggression, with no attempt to hide it.
Such an aggressive stance—I could count on one hand the times I had seen it, even in my past life.
― Piiiik!!!
The Mist Bird, from the corner, let out a sharp cry like a flare shooting into the air.
At the same time, Cecilia shot toward me like an arrow.
It was a move that the Cecilia from just a few days ago would never have chosen as her first strike.
“Hup!”
A sword strike aiming for my shin.
I quickly stepped back and batted her blade away to the side.
Whoosh!
Just as her body seemed to waver, she spun like a squirrel, aiming straight for my flank.
As I hurriedly deflected her follow-up strikes, I suddenly felt a chill and instinctively jerked my head aside—just in time for her leg to whip past with a vicious whoosh.
“……”
Had I stayed where I was, I would have taken a direct hit to the jaw and gone down without knowing what happened.
To be honest, even dodging that last strike was little more than sheer luck.
As I caught my breath with my heart pounding after putting some distance between us, Cecilia’s eyes were gleaming brightly.
“You’ve changed a lot.”
“Yes, there was a turning point.”
A turning point.
I immediately understood what she meant by that.
“Was it in the Room of Memories……?”
“Ah, yes.”
Cecilia nodded openly, with nothing to hide.
“My ancestor gave me a few pieces of advice. And also taught me swordsmanship that suited me.”
She grinned sheepishly, like a child showing off a new toy.
“He said he wasn’t very skilled in spirit arts, so this was all he could teach me……”
“……”
“In fact, he taught me a lot of things. Just that one technique earlier, he said there wouldn’t be many people my age who could block it. But…… as expected, you’re different, Lian.”
“Well, I was just…… lucky.”
At that, I naturally fell silent.
To think she was directly taught swordsmanship by the knight known as a legend.
If this wasn’t called a great opportunity, then what in the world could be?
And not just any knight, but Siren Everglenn of the Dragon Knights, said to be among the strongest even within the order.
‘They say the most reliable ties in the world are those of blood……’
Come to think of it, Talia Poas also seemed to be secretly looking forward to when someone from her family might come find her.
From the looks of things, it seemed that all the knights one could meet in the Room of Memories took special care in helping their descendants who visited.
At that moment, I once again realized that the affairs of the world were far from fair.
‘……Don’t I have some hidden bloodline secret of my own?’
With that sigh—one no one would ever hear—I rushed forward again, crossing swords with her once more.