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Though the Emperor’s orders should make things happen swiftly, I heard it takes time to issue a credentials pass. After all, it’s a credentials pass imbued with absolute trust from the royal family, thus needing various magical measures.

It’s a scenario that should never happen, but if, by any chance, it were to get lost, and if it fell into the hands of someone with ill intent, the resulting damage wouldn’t end with just a simple loss. This isn’t just any credentials pass; it’s one guaranteed by the Emperor himself. If someone were to storm into a grand noble mansion and seize all its wealth, just thinking about the Emperor wielding his overwhelming power would make any noble bow their heads and surrender everything. Even this is just a half-hearted thought, but if one were to purposefully misuse such power, the possibilities are boundless.

Even though I’ve been stuck in the castle for a few days, considering the value of the credentials pass for future plans, it’s certainly not a lost cause. Well, the real instigator of this situation, Lilith, heard she’d be staying in the castle for a few more days and started bouncing around in excitement.

“Well then, I’ll just pop out for a bit. Don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone.”

Since I had to stay in the castle for a few days anyway, I thought I’d go out for a quick workout, grabbed my sword, and left my room. I considered checking out Luna’s swordsmanship, but the assassin by nature, Luna, disliked it and swiftly hid herself, making her escape. Although it was pretty obvious, I had no intention of forcing her. After all, I must have put her through enough last time.

“Big Master, Big Master! Let’s go explore the castle together!”

“Meow.”

In the meantime, Lilith was asking Frecia, the big master, for permission to explore the castle’s interior without my approval. Frecia had turned back into her cat form and lay sprawled on the edge of the bed, while Lilith crouched beneath the bed, urging Frecia to be her owner, creating a remarkably ironic scene.

However, Frecia seemed annoyed with Lilith’s request, raising a hand and pressing it against Lilith’s forehead repeatedly.

Seeing there was nothing to truly worry about, I relaxed and stepped outside, asking around as I made my way to the training ground.

Although it shouldn’t have been unusual to find soldiers or knights training at this hour, the training ground was completely empty. Judging by the resplendent flags fluttering around, it was clearly a training ground used by one of the royal knights. So, I hesitated to enter. If there had been a single person around, I could’ve asked for permission, but not a soul was visible in the deserted training ground.

That said, the thought of asking around for another training ground was rather bothersome.

After a moment of contemplation, I ultimately decided to step inside. After all, with no one using it, I figured that no one would mind my brief usage, and even if they did, I thought it would be easy to dismiss since I was a hero under the Emperor’s protection. If they didn’t like it, they could always rely on their own connections to someone of the Emperor’s caliber.

Drawing my Holy Sword, I couldn’t help but admire it. For three years, it had been stained with the blood of numerous demonic races and evildoers, yet it remained brilliantly gleaming, its sanctity intact.

Closing my eyes, I raised the sword and envisioned an imaginary enemy, swinging my weapon. Even with my eyes shut in the darkness, the figure of my imagined opponent stood out clearly. Flowing golden hair accompanied a beautifully drawn trajectory of the sword and the spirit contained within it.

The mightiest being I could imagine. Selian was there.

Objectively speaking, one could argue that someone like Eden or the Four Heavenly Kings, whom I had defeated in my past life, might be considered stronger. But for me, Selian was undeniably the strongest.

Having faced the imaginary Selian’s sword countless times in my thoughts, it was easy to read the trajectory of the sword she wielded. However, just because it was easy to read, didn’t mean it was easy to counter. The stronger I became, the stronger the imaginary Selian also grew.

If I could move this fast, surely Selian could move even faster.

If I could imbue this much strength into my sword, Selian would swing with even more force.

If I had become this adept at wielding sword energy, Selian would manage it even more skillfully.

It’s a ridiculous notion that an imaginary being grows stronger too.

But I, who had seen her sword for so long and so closely, might be able to manage it. While I may feel lacking compared to the real Selian, it was not an impossible task.

Swinging my sword against the imaginary Selian, I swung and swung until my stamina ran out.

After all, since I had no further plans, wildly swinging my sword like this, completely devoid of thought, would serve as both training and a good stress relief.

Eventually, exhausted to the point of nearly collapsing, I found it refreshing.

Clap clap clap.

As I sat there comfortably, the sound of applause came from one side of the training ground. I quickly turned my head and saw an unexpected figure standing there.

“Professor?”

“Well, this is surprising. Even though it’s been a long time since we last met, your growth is truly astounding, Elysia.”

Professor Ferrent.

Back during my academy days, he was the instructor of Swordsmanship Class 1, which I was part of.

He had already been no spring chicken back then, and only three years had passed, yet lines had formed on his face. But he was still recognizable.

“How did you end up here…?”

But why was he, an academy professor, here in the Imperial Palace? It should be mid-semester at the academy right now.

“The academy is on a temporary closure; I returned to the Third Imperial Knight Order where I once served as an advisor.”

Thinking back, he had even scouted me to join the Imperial Knight Order. During his tenure as my instructor, I had heard that he was a former commander of the Imperial Knight Order, but seeing him in the armor of the knight order right in front of me was quite fascinating.

The insignia etched on his armor matched the symbols on the flags fluttering around the training ground, suggesting that it was indeed the training ground for the Third Imperial Knight Order.

“I’m sorry for using the training ground without permission…”

“Oh no, who would dare ask for permission from the hero? Feel free to impose; if it’s Elysia, it’s entirely acceptable.”

If he thought that, I was grateful. But more than that… Ferrent’s tone was a bit bothersome.

“Um… Professor? Why the formalities…?”

“Well, both you and I are no longer in a student-professor relationship. Though… I believe you are still listed as a leave of absence in the academy, I have definitely retired from teaching. At this time, it seems I must take up the sword instead of the teaching staff.”

He had always been rather rigid even back in his role as my instructor, so it seemed that hadn’t changed even after three years. Yet, it was difficult for me to bear the goosebumps rising on my arms when forced to keep hearing him speak formally.

“Please, just speak to me casually like you did before. There’s a saying, ‘Once a teacher, always a teacher’…”

“In that case, I’ll gladly accept your kindness. Although I’m accustomed to politeness, it can certainly be uncomfortable.”

With a sigh of relief, I noticed he shared the same sentiment.

“Beneath the title of hero, undisputedly, the Sword Master is still a Sword Master. Thanks to you, I have gained insight.”

Neither title, hero or Sword Master, could be deemed superior over the other, but the title of hero, unique in the continent, was certainly more renowned than the many Sword Masters scattered about.

“By the way, is that person your imagined opponent over there someone I think she is?”

“Most likely, the one you’re thinking of is indeed her.”

He didn’t say a name, but the person Ferrent was referring to was undoubtedly Selian. She too had been one of Ferrent’s students alongside me. Although Selian had indeed been stronger than Ferrent from the moment she enrolled in the academy, it wasn’t likely that the professor wouldn’t recognize a student’s traits.

“Hm…”

However, for some reason, Ferrent had placed his chin in his hand and appeared to be deep in thought. Was he perhaps upset about my use of the training ground after all? Just when I was concerned, Ferrent opened his mouth.

“Elysia? I know this might sound old-fashioned, but may I offer a piece of advice?”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

Right. I should make good use of what I learned from my teacher. If Ferrent was to reprimand me for using the training ground, then I would simply squash it in the name of the Hero.

“What do you think about reconciling with Selian? Looking at the two of you, it seems your swordsmanship complements each other very well.”

However, what came out of Ferrent’s mouth was entirely unexpected.

“Of course, it’s not just about swordsmanship. Seeing two people who were once so close now at odds for some unknown reason is quite saddening from a former teacher’s perspective.”

“…”

“Well, I’ve stepped back from teaching, and I’ve said my piece. I’ll take my leave now. Feel free to come use the training ground anytime. I’ll inform the other members as well. And should you need any help, do not hesitate to ask.”

Ferrent placed a hand on my shoulder, gently tapping it a few times before exiting the training ground.

Left behind in the empty training ground were just me and my swirling thoughts.

Lost in contemplation, I stood still in the empty training ground until the sun began to set.

 

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