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Gordon Coriman doubted what he saw.

An incompetent scumbag. That was how Gordon Coriman remembered Raymond.

He constantly bullied others, then relied on his family’s status to keep himself out of trouble.

He always said magic was the best and looked down on knights.

That's why he did not doubt that Raymond would lose miserably to any of his knights.

The match between Raymond, who had never fought before, and the youngest knight, who had devoted his whole life thus far to training with a sword, was already decided.

But he was wrong about who the winner would be.

What he watched was the opposite of what he anticipated. The youngest knight was far behind Raymond from the start.

Beyond not being a match for Raymond, his techniques weren’t working at all.

Could it be that Raymond used magic? No. That was impossible.

No matter how much of a scumbag Raymond was, he wouldn't break the rules at a place like this, with so many knights watching.

And above all, Raymond had no talent for magic. It would be ridiculous to say that he used magic to cheat since he didn't even know how to cast a spell. Besides, there was no way that one of the knights would lose to Raymond in a sword fight, even if he had used magic.

The Millennium Household was a wizard family, so the knights of that family learned how to deal with magic. The knight should have won.

However, the aura around Raymond changed after he grabbed a sword. He became serious and sharper.

The spar began, and Gordon Coriman was unknowingly admiring his display.

Raymond's swordsmanship was practical. He knew how to overpower his enemy effectively. That alone was already impressive.

Yeah, there was a reason for his confidence before. Then at some point, that thought turned to astonishment.

As Raymond's momentum shifted, a killing aura burst forth from his sword, causing the Commander to almost draw his own weapon in defense. 

Despite his dislike for the youngest knight, he couldn't help but be in awe as the prodigy was overpowered by the display of skill. 

It was clear that the Young Master was not only gifted with a blade, but also a genius in the art of swordplay, his talent overwhelmingly impressive.

***

"Phew..."

I got my breath back. Slowly, I lowered the wooden sword and pointed at the young knight's neck.

The killing aura that I unknowingly exuded faded back inside my body.

'Good.'

Yes, this was how it should feel. The feeling of swinging a sword and sweating was incredible.

I looked up to the sky before slightly lowering my head.

The defeated knight looked up blankly at me. His eyes were filled with disbelief over what had just happened.

I liked that look. It was the most appropriate for a family knight, one of Millennium’s dogs.

"Tsk."

As I struggled to maintain my focus, an unfamiliar ache began to pulsate through my hands. 

Despite my efforts to hide my discomfort with a click of the tongue, the young knight recoiled at the sound. 

As I glanced down, I was shocked to see blood dripping from my palm and onto the wooden sword, rendering it impossible for me to hold on any longer.

"Take it."

I tossed it toward the stunned knight. He hurriedly accepted it, and after noticing the blood on the handle, he went stiff.

He was clearly worried about what the injured Young Master would do.

Alice came running as I was about to shake off the blood.

"Young Master, your hands."

Then she took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around my wounds. This would stop the bleeding and keep it from staining my clothes until I could get it treated.

My thoughts went elsewhere while I watched her work.

'This is refreshing.'

Swinging the sword filled me with a sense of liberation. With each strike, I could pour out all the emotions I kept buried inside.

Despite the pain, I felt so refreshed.

'It does hurt, though.'

Though it stopped the blood, the friction from the handkerchief chaffing against my raw palm caused more pain.

I was about to tell her we should go to the infirmary, but I shut up.

Gordon Coriman was approaching with an uncomfortable expression.

'He can't be happy since he has to give up his position as Commander.'

It was a job he would have for life otherwise. But now he had to step down from the position of Commander, which he reached after years of arduous work, because of a single bet.

It would be hard for him to believe the current situation. It was possible that he wouldn't even acknowledge the bet.

'It’s understandable.'

He was the Knight Commander of the Millennium Household. No one could easily let go of what he had obtained with so much hard work because of a little bet

'I didn't initially intend to make him let go of his position.'

It's just that I got angry when he looked down on me. And… I wanted to hold a sword again.

I had no intention of making him step down from his position.

Actually, things would get very annoying if he did step down. I might be called out by Count Millennium and blamed.

I was already too busy working on more important matters, so I didn't want to waste my time on that.

"Young Master."

He seemed to have organized his thoughts, so he finally spoke.

"Never mind. Let's pretend today didn't happen. Things will get annoying for me if you step down."

I could tell what he was trying to say, so I didn't have to listen.

I shook my hand to wave off his concerns and any rebuttals.

"..."

The Knight Commander kept his mouth shut. My unexpected response probably flustered him.

"Just do your training properly from now on. Don't get cocky and tarnish my family's name."

I beckoned at Alice, telling her we should head back.

She nodded slightly and was about to guide me when Gordon stepped in my way.

"What now?"

I got a little annoyed. He should be thankful I let him keep the position of Commander.

"Young Master."

"What?"

His face grew serious.

What did he want to say now? No matter what he said, it would just sound ridiculous.

"This bet is…"

Was it that hard for him to believe that he had lost?

"What about our bet?"

There were always guys like this in novels, and this one was no exception. Guys who made a bet with the main character but wouldn't admit they lost.

It wouldn’t be different just because he was the Knight Commander.

Those who had risen to that high a rank would hold great pride in it. They would hate losing to an idiot like Raymond more than dying, so maybe he was more susceptible to it.

Yet contrary to that thought...

"Would you like to learn swordsmanship?"

He said something unexpected.

As I stared at him with bewilderment, he continued.

"You have a great talent for wielding a sword!"

The Knight Commander started to get excited. His eyes were glistening with greed.

"I have met quite a few talented knights, but I've seen none who could hold a sword like the Young Master on their first time."

"So?"

I stared at him. What he said was reasonable.

Indeed, it was hard to think this was my first or second time.

It was a natural reaction since I imitated the main character's swordsmanship.

"You have a great talent! From that domineering swordsmanship to how you effectively subdued your opponent. Anyone watching would have thought that you trained all your life. No, they would have thought of you as a mercenary who's been on the battlefield since childhood."

He talked too much. I would've perfectly understood with fewer words.

"You're taking too long. Just tell me what you want."

His words made me confused as to what he was actually trying to say. I needed him to get straight to the point.

"Learn swordsmanship from me. I will make you stronger, Young Master."

He wanted to make me stronger.

Those words were attractive enough to me, who had a strong desire to live and plenty of reason to train for that goal.

Yes, at least for me.

I wanted to be stronger. But I had no time for it right now.

There were many more important things to me than practicing swordsmanship, and all of those things were essential to protecting my life.

Between those I couldn’t get right now and those I could get even though it was hard.

If anyone had to choose one, wouldn't they choose the latter?

"I don't have time for that."

I had no time. That was the truth.

To create a force to combat the main character, I had to move quickly.

"But..."

Despite what I said, the Knight Commander did not give up.

He couldn't give up. My 'acting' must have impacted him significantly.

Raymond did have a great talent anyone with a sword would desire.

"Didn't the Young Master say he won't do it?"

Alice stepped out, perhaps noticing that I needed help.

The Knight Commander cast his eyes upon her before shifting his focus to me. With a determined stride, Alice boldly interjected herself between us.

"Young Master?"

Or so she tried, but I stopped her. Her coming forward here would only have the opposite effect.

I would be seen as a shameless man hiding behind his maid.

I didn't agree to the bet to get that kind of attention.

"I don't have time to learn swordsmanship. But I'll take your sword instead."

"..."

His face hardened at my words.

"Will that be enough?"

"…Do you know what that means, Young Master?"

"Yeah. That's why I'm asking for it."

The Knight Commander hesitated for a moment. Then, as he got down on his left knee, he unsheathed the sword from the scabbard on his waist and handed it to me with both hands.

"I'll treat it well."

The Knight Commander's sword differed slightly from another knight's blade.

Those who received a knight's sword received the knight's loyalty.

With the sword of their Commander, I could win the favor of the whole order.

As long as I had this sword, the knights wouldn't mess with me unless they were fools.

Because now insulting me was the same as insulting their Commander, who acknowledged me.

'Besides, if I take this sword, I should spend a little time learning his swordsmanship.'

Knowing that Gordon Coriman handed over the sword even though he was initially hesitant.

I didn't expect he would have given it to me without complaint; he had seemed firmly attached to it.

"Let's go back."

"Y-yes!"

Alice guided me away, her face brightening.

***

Fifteen days had passed since. During that time, I worked out and prepared for the banquet.

'This banquet is going to be a battleground.'

There weren't many ways to get acquainted with the daughter of a famous swordsman family who lived far away.

It wasn't possible to visit Count Warrug's house at will, even with the Gate, after all, and days like this were extremely rare.

'I've prepared enough.'

I got enough exercise and had clothes made for the banquet.

I have been busy these days.

Maybe it was because I had my goal of getting close to Selina and getting her on my side, but as the banquet approached, I became tenser.

Would I be able to do well? A moment's mistake could blow that opportunity away.

'Just act like usual.'

I took a deep breath. It wasn't good to be so nervous this early.

I just had to act like I usually would.

'Tomorrow.'

I should also rest enough to be ready for the banquet tomorrow.

Overcoming anything that arises would demand my full confidence and stamina.

I closed my eyes at that thought.

And.

The day of the banquet arrived.