Before the graduation sparring began.
Do Yeik, the head of the Divine Sword Do Family, exchanged updates with acquaintances he had not seen in some time.
Then, guided by his retainers, he made his way to the venue where the graduation sparring would be held.
It was before he entered the sparring arena that a certain female student caught his eye.
‘That child is….’
Long black hair and green eyes.
The female student standing at the snack corner possessed a beauty that stood out even amid the crowd.
Do Yeik recalled her name.
‘A child of the Cycle Cha Family. Her name was Cha Eunsol, was it?’
Cha Eunsol, the lazy genius of the Cycle Cha Family.
He had a general grasp of her character and qualities.
She was also a friend of Do Gyeonu’s, and he had always kept an ear on the movements of the Ten Great Families.
‘From what I’ve heard… as a spirit master, she was born with talent that could be called the greatest of this generation—perhaps even in all of history.’
A few months ago, however, an incident had led to her being expelled from the Cycle Cha Family, and she was now being sponsored by Do Gyeonu.
‘Even if the Cycle Cha Family is in decline, the influence they’ve maintained as one of the Ten Great Families since the Great Cataclysm until now still cannot be ignored. They will also reign as one of the Ten Great Families until next year. Unless the prestigious spirit arts families decide to take a risk just to enjoy the authority of the Ten Great Families for a single year, that is.’
For that reason, since protecting her could easily develop into a feud with the Cycle Cha Family,
no family could rashly shelter Cha Eunsol.
They would have to shoulder no small burden.
She was like a chicken rib—too troublesome to keep, too valuable to discard.
‘In that sense, Gyeonu’s response was quite clever. He chose to sponsor her on a personal level rather than as a family…. Naturally, under the pretext of friendship.’
There was no one who did not know that Do Gyeonu was a member of the Divine Sword Do Family.
In other words, the support given to Cha Eunsol indirectly amounted to the protection of the Divine Sword Do Family.
Thanks to that, the Divine Sword Do Family had been able to form a connection with her while avoiding friction with the Cycle Cha Family as much as possible.
For Do Yeik, it was only pleasing.
‘The fact that she is close to Gyeonu, and her appearance, talent, and background as well…. She would be truly suitable as Gyeonu’s partner. It would be nice if they continued their friendship like this and developed feelings for each other…. And if a child were born between them, and whether or not it is inherited, if the bloodline of a spirit master were to mix into the Do Family….’
At that point, they might be able to produce a child born with excellent qualities as both a swordsman and a spirit master.
The Divine Sword Do Family would grow even stronger.
Having thought that far, Do Yeik did not answer the questions of his retainers and strode toward Cha Eunsol.
She was holding out a card to the clerk to pay for the food she had ordered.
‘That is quite a lot. Judging by that body, it does not seem she intends to eat it all alone. Is she buying it to share with her friends…. How admirable.’
This was perfect.
Do Yeik curved his lips into a smile.
In order to gain Cha Eunsol’s favor, he decided to pay in her stead.
All while arbitrarily misunderstanding her appetite.
“I will pay for this child’s share. Take this card.”
“…Lord Beast King?”
Cha Eunsol blinked her green eyes at Do Yeik’s sudden appearance.
After paying for the food in her stead, he asked in a kindly manner,
“We saw each other only a moment ago, and here we meet again. Did you come to watch Gyeonu’s sparring match?”
“Yes…. I’ll enjoy the snacks. Thank you.”
“No need. How could I not do at least this much for Gyeonu’s friend? Please continue to get along well with Gyeonu. Even if that child occasionally shows a less than honest side, it is likely because he is embarrassed in front of the opposite sex, so I hope you will generously understand….”
“Him? No, that’s not it….”
“…Has Gyeonu perhaps ever said something rude to you?”
“He called me a pig and an elephant.”
“Gyeonu… said that? I am sorry. It must be because he is embarrassed. Ah, if there is anything else you would like to eat, tell me as much as you like.”
“Really? Thank you.”
To think Do Gyeonu would have spoken so harshly to such a delicate young woman….
Unable to hide his bewilderment, Do Yeik hurriedly glossed over the conversation and changed the subject.
Fortunately, Cha Eunsol did not seem to mind.
When the retainers took her bags from her, her green eyes shone as she ordered more food.
‘To buy that much food…. Is it for her friends? Truly, she is a kind-hearted child.’
Do Yeik misunderstood again.
Meanwhile, as he conversed with Cha Eunsol, he subtly probed her feelings.
“Eunsol, in your eyes, what kind of person is Gyeonu to you?”
“Him? Mm….”
Cha Eunsol tilted her head.
Her deliberation did not last long.
Because thinking was bothersome.
She answered honestly.
“To me, he’s like a trainer? A zookeeper? A master? Something like that. Yum yum.”
“….”
Just how, exactly, was Do Gyeonu spending his days at the Academy?
At the answer that defied common sense, Do Yeik could not manage his expression.
His face turned strange.
Meanwhile, Cha Eunsol was looking into his soul through his eyes.
‘He’s someone who strives endlessly, never hesitates, is strict with himself, and is full of pride. He does not doubt the path he walks. He’s just like a well-honed sword. He isn’t a bad person. It’s just….’
That also meant he would not easily change his mind, and if something did not meet his standards, he would be terribly exacting.
Authoritative and stubborn.
That was Cha Eunsol’s assessment.
* * *
The moment the whistle signaling the start of the graduation sparring rang out.
Do Sieun and I, who had been quietly gazing at each other, kicked off the ground on a diagonal line.
Our movements were as if we were facing a mirror.
It meant our thoughts had aligned.
Crackle!
As soon as I twisted the front foot I had stepped forward with and manifested Azure Thunder, I looked at Do Sieun on the other side taking a similar stance and raised the corners of my mouth.
She, too, was flashing with Azure Thunder as she lifted the corners of her mouth.
Immediately after, we shot toward each other like fired cannonballs.
Lion’s Fierce Advance
Clashing with Azure Thunder wrapped around our entire bodies, sword met sword.
The Azure Thunder, creating friction with the air, let out a resounding roar and surged vertically.
In that way, Do Sieun’s Azure Thunder and mine tried to harm each other.
‘…Am I being pushed back in strength?’
The force transmitted through the Guncheong Sword was quite heavy.
My Azure Thunder, which had seemed evenly matched at first, was gradually being forced back.
At this rate, a frontal contest would be unfavorable to me.
Having made that judgment, I used my rear foot as an axis and diverted Do Sieun’s sword.
‘But when it comes to speed, I’m ahead.’
I lowered my body to avoid the sword slicing past.
After rotating halfway outward, I launched my next attack.
Then Do Sieun, recognizing my swordsmanship, unfolded a defensive form and blocked it.
She did not stop there and continued into an offensive form.
Lion’s Wild Dance
An offensive form that, without being bound to a particular pattern, poured out a chain of sword strikes through improvisation.
Do Sieun’s Azure Thunder rained down before my eyes, and beyond the bundles of blue current, her blue eyes flashed.
Beautiful.
That impression of mine vanished as if evaporating.
Entrusting my body to the appeal of my evasion instinct, I dodged her sword and stepped through my footwork.
‘I can see it all.’
The trajectory of her sword entered my eyes.
Do Sieun’s consecutive strikes were threatening, but in the end, as long as they did not hit me, that was enough.
Without taking my eyes off the sword flashing as it raised Azure Thunder, I calmly watched for an opening.
And the instant an opening appeared.
Lion’s Returning Needle
I thrust the Guncheong Sword toward the side of Do Sieun’s nape.
“…!”
Surprise spread across Do Sieun’s face.
However, she quickly gathered her emotions and nimbly twisted her body.
Her short black hair swayed.
The Guncheong Sword pierced through it.
As the severed strands of hair scattered in the air like that.
‘You barely survived that one, Noona.’
Do Sieun retreated as if fleeing and widened the distance.
I looked at her as she awkwardly corrected her stance.
Meanwhile, I absorbed into the Guncheong Sword the Azure Thunder that was about to melt into the air.
It was then that she spread her front and rear feet wide apart and pulled both hands holding the Suyeon Sword back behind her shoulder.
Her sword emitted a blue light.
Suddenly, with a drip.
When the sound of a water droplet falling reached my ears.
Before I knew it, all four directions had been covered in black, and water spreading out from Do Sieun filled the sparring arena.
Do Sieun used this environment to—
────!!
Maximize her Azure Thunder.
Dozens, hundreds of strands of blue lightning formed the shape of a lion.
As Do Sieun began to run toward me, the lion moved at a terrifying speed.
It was an attack that could not have been more threatening.
I clicked my tongue briefly.
But….
‘You think I can’t use it too?’
Holding the Guncheong Sword and assuming a high guard, I released the Azure Thunder I had gathered in the sword until now.
I brought the Guncheong Sword down.
At that moment, the blue flash that had completely left the blade cut through the water’s surface and flew toward Do Sieun.
At the same time, it swelled in size as if it knew no end.
Soon….
────!!
Blue flash collided with blue flash.
They competed for strength, one gaining and losing ground against the other.
However, the sword technique Do Sieun had unleashed could not advance forward and stagnated, losing its momentum.
In the end, unable to withstand it, she was swallowed by my sword strike.
‘Is it over with this?’
As if denying that conjecture of mine.
“Electricity doesn’t pass through pure water without impurities.”
Whoooosh!
A torrent of water swirling within the blue flash blew the Azure Thunder away.
Seeing Do Sieun walk out unharmed, my face stiffened.
Then I realized.
‘Butterflies?’
Around Do Sieun, who was wrapped in streams of water, bluish, translucent butterflies were fluttering their wings.
Lower water spirits.
‘When in the world did she contract with spirits… Ah.’
The question was resolved the instant it arose.
It was when we entered the special-class vault as a reward for subjugating the Doll Demoness, Lee Gahyeon.
Back then, Do Sieun had chosen a spiritual medicine that increased affinity with spirits.
Having confirmed the power she had been hiding without keeping that fact in mind, I could not help but click my tongue in admiration.
Immediately after.
Splaash!
‘…Huh? No way….’
All of a sudden, a stream of water connecting me and Do Sieun formed.
Facing her as she emitted Azure Thunder, I could not help but flinch.
Because the sword technique Do Sieun had unleashed was—
Lion Flash Path (獅子 閃路)
A sword technique I had created.
I was horrified as I watched the flash dye my vision blue.
‘When did she learn this, too!?’
Crackle!
The blue flash engulfed me.
* * *
Contracting with a water spirit, and learning Lion Flash Path as well.
The reason she had not revealed either until now was simply because she had judged that she was still too inexperienced to use them in actual combat.
There was no other special reason.
Of course, she could not deny that, by coincidence, the timing had lined up, and she had been looking for a chance to use them as a way to catch Do Gyeonu off guard.
Thanks to that, Do Sieun was able to obtain the results she had intended.
She gathered up the mana she had manifested.
At the same time, she did not turn her gaze away from the scene before her.
‘For the first time using it in actual combat, it isn’t bad. There are still parts I need to improve, but…. How did Gyeonu complete this? Amazing.’
The Azure Thunder that had exploded along the water stream was gradually subsiding.
Do Sieun tried to find Do Gyeonu within it.
Since she had adjusted the output as well, she did not think he had died.
Rather, her intuition told her that he was alive and well.
Sure enough.
“Noona said it, didn’t you.”
Fwoosh!
“….”
The strands of Azure Thunder that had been scattering with a roaring sound began to be blown away by the water stream and vanished helplessly.
From within, Do Gyeonu appeared, perfectly intact.
“Electricity doesn’t pass through pure water without impurities. You’re right. I knew that too. Ever since I learned electrolysis.”
Do Gyeonu chuckled.
He swung the Guncheong Sword in a wide arc.
With that, the remaining Azure Thunder in the surroundings disappeared completely.
“I had no idea you’d learned spirit arts and Lion Flash Path. You should have told me in advance. I nearly died, you know.”
“But you didn’t die. I thought you’d be fine.”
“Is that supposed to be a reason?”
“Yes.”
“Hah….”
Do Sieun let out a light laugh, and Do Gyeonu sighed.
Their conversation ended there.
In the meantime, having adjusted their breathing and stances, the two of them crossed swords once again.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Middle Boss