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Stella hated Siel.

No, to be more precise, she felt uncomfortable with her being close.

She simply kept her distance, thinking of her as a rival, but that wasn’t the real reason.

She couldn’t face Siel’s emotionless eyes due to the guilt of having created that look.

For Stella, it reminded her of her past self.

The appearance of Hanbyeol, who was young, powerless, and knew nothing at all.

‘You said you would protect me.’

‘Then why did you let Mom die?’

Even without words, every time their swords clashed, she felt a strong anger.

The anger and despair contained in Siel’s sword wrapped around her like chains of guilt.

‘If only I… had done a little better… if I had definitely taken care of those guys… no, I shouldn’t have shown any weaknesses in the first place.’

That day, when she thought everything was over and she staggered, an enemy that she hadn’t dealt with opened fire.

If Selena hadn’t thrown herself to block it, it would have been Stella who died.

And now, in front of her, swinging her sword with rage, was the daughter of her benefactor.

*

“…This isn’t good.”

A fierce explosion sound bursts in the vast sparring hall. Irregular impact sounds gradually became more rhythmic.

Those who had reached a certain level in swordsmanship found their own rhythm.

As one person’s strikes continued, and flowed like water, it eventually became a tide that couldn’t be stopped.

The regularity of the impact meant that one of them had gained the upper hand in the battle.

And currently, it was Siel who held the reins of the fight.

Siel’s thrusts flowed with rhythm, coming in faster and sharper.

Stella, who had been leading, suddenly found herself hurriedly defending.

The knights were cheering, convinced of Siel’s victory.

“Who is that girl anyway? To be coordinating with the princess like that…?”

“…Stella, you… as expected.”

Currently, Stella was barely managing to show half of her true abilities.

It was true that Siel had gained momentum, but she couldn’t break through it.

In the previous midterm exam, the skill gap between the two had been as vast as that between an adult and a child.

“Fleche!”

Bang… Pat pat!

“Ugh…”

But Siel was different now. A moment’s distraction could take her life in an instant.

The moment their swords clashed, Siel’s rapier curved and grazed Stella’s temple.

If it had been her from before, she would have swept it aside before the sword even swung.

“Who do you think will win?”

Turning my head to the side, I found the Duke, who had appeared without me noticing, wearing an indifferent expression.

“Over these past few weeks, Siel’s skills have improved dramatically. I have no idea what happened at the academy…”

The Duke’s expression watching Siel seemed exceedingly pleased.

“I had been helping her with swordsmanship… but now she’s at the point where she can handle matches with me.”

For Siel to be recognized by the Duke was something that would only happen in the latter half of the year.

“Stella will win.”

It was true that Siel had gotten stronger, but the difference in experience couldn’t be easily overturned.

That’s why by now, Stella should either be winning or it should be nearly over.

“Your words and expressions differ quite a lot… but Siel will win this match. At least if she stays in that state.”

…I had no choice but to admit it. While I hoped Stella would win in my heart, there was no way she could in her current condition.

The reason for that was somewhat predictable. It was likely due to the guilt of not being able to protect Siel’s mother that day.

Siel’s current appearance bore a strong resemblance to the form and aura of her legendary swordmaster mother.

Even then, Stella had shown emotions toward Selena beyond that of mere protectee.

Two years ago, she had been the only person who expressed smiles and emotions to someone who had been cold to everyone.

When thinking about her past in her previous life, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible.

She must have been viewing Selena’s death in parallel with her own mother’s death.

“I think we should probably stop the sparring soon.”

At this point, I didn’t care about winning or losing. If we touched upon the trauma again, it could break her.

“I think that’s for the best. Siel’s emotions have become quite heated. That’s not sparring; it’s just unilateral venting.”

At some point, Stella had stopped attacking completely and focused solely on defense.

Not even managing to block adequately, she staggered, merely watching for an opportunity to counterattack.

In contrast, Siel launched a one-sided, overwhelming barrage that seemed to threaten to smash Stella’s sword to pieces.

Bang bang bang bang bang!

“Ugh…!”

Stella attempted to retaliate as she parried the incoming strikes. However, the few swords that would have been deflected multiplied into dozens, heading straight for her.

The decisive factors in battle are technique and, above all, raw power.

But Siel transformed the gap in strength into an empty shell using speed as her weapon.

Siel: Speed (SUR+) -> (LR)

Like being unable to shield against a downpour, Stella’s body slowly fell behind, filled with afterimages.

If it had been anyone else, they would have been crumpled like a honeycomb and collapsed, but Stella endured thanks to her own resilience.

Because of this, Siel was experiencing rapid growth in real-time. The surrounding knights watched in a daze at the overwhelming barrage.

“This can’t continue any longer…” As the Duke and I began to approach, Stella suddenly shouted towards us.

“Don’t come!”

“Stella…?”

“I still have something I need to do…” With that, she resumed focusing silently on blocking Siel’s strikes.

What is she thinking? No matter how you put it, if she continues to receive such relentless attacks…

If she gets hit even once properly, her life could be in danger.

“Could it be… she intends to help Siel grow?… Why…?”

Bang bang bang bang!!!…Bang!!

Siel’s final blow sent Stella flying.

Perhaps due to the intensity of the movements, Siel was breathless as she coldly glared at Stella.

“Ha… what are you plotting… why aren’t you counterattacking?”

“Ha… h…”

“Phew… I genuinely wanted you to come at me… but what are you doing now? Are you feeling sorry for me?”

“…”

“If you think I’d accept you just going easy on me… you’re mistaken.”

Siel’s tremoring hand holding the three swords suddenly plunged them into the ground.

The ground began to freeze with a cracking sound from the points where the swords pierced.

“I told you… I am no longer the child I used to be… I don’t need this kind of pity.”

“…Sorry…”

“What?”

“…I… I’m sorry…”

Stella, unable to meet her gaze, lowered her head and began to mumble softly.

Finally, the thing I had feared came to pass. Stella dropped her sword and sank to the ground.

Covering her ears with her hands, she started to repeat the same words like a broken automaton.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong, because of me… it happened like this…”

With breathing difficulties and excessive sweating… I promptly approached Stella.

“Hey, are you okay? Calm down and drink some water… Stella?”

“Ha… ha… sorry… I’m sorry… I… I did wrong….” “Quickly… a doctor! Is there a doctor here!”

At my words, the Duke immediately called for his underlings to bring a doctor.

I didn’t want it to come to this, but now it’s quite a predicament.

“What’s with that expression… I really don’t like it…”

“Hey… what are you trying to do…?”

Even so, this time, I can’t let it slide… I grabbed Siel’s arm as she was about to approach Stella and coldly said, “Is this not enough? You’ve left her in this state?”

“…That’s not it… just wait a moment, trust me.”

At her earnest yet troubled expression, I unintentionally loosened my grip.

Siel stepped forward, gripping Stella’s shoulders tightly, and shouted.

“Stella… look at me.”

Then, Stella gasped and burst into tears.

“I’m sorry, I was wrong!… Ah, please kill me…”

Siel looked taken aback, her expression crumpling as she held Stella’s face in her hands and spoke.

“Who are you apologizing to?… Who are you looking at?”

“Hu…?”

Stella’s face remained fixed as she looked directly at Siel.

She was forced to look at her, unable to move.

Comparing her up close to Siel only highlighted the difference; Stella was a head shorter, with thin limbs. Until now, no one would have believed she was the same girl who had just withstood such immense strikes.

“If you’re apologizing to me… I won’t accept that apology.”

“Siel!!”

“Ugh…”

Stella’s gaze fell weakly downward.

“There’s no reason for you to apologize in the first place.”

“…Huh?”

“Why are you even apologizing? Not to me, or to my mother, either. There’s no reason for you to apologize on your own.”

With Siel’s words, Stella stared at her with swirling eyes, as if her mind wasn’t working.

“I didn’t suggest sparring with you to blame you for that day; I merely… wanted to show you, to convey my sincerity to you.”