Chapter 111. < 43. Is Tarazin Academy the Best on the Continent? >
"I see. Mountains, and then mountain ranges......"
"Indeed, a mountain is no different from a small world of its own...... So handling multiple types of auras wouldn't be impossible."
"Hmm......."
After Lumian demonstrated his shocking swordsmanship.
The four figures, including the Knight King, gathered again and began sharing their respective insights.
This was quite an unusual occurrence.
Most knights do not want to reveal their know-how and experience to others. They think it's a waste to have their foundations exposed.
However, neither the knights of Zenas nor the knights of Rhodesia were people swayed by such narrow thinking.
For the peace and well-being of the continent, they were willing to give everything they had.
"I see. While I tried to handle power more smoothly through 'compression,' you chose to accumulate greater power while increasing stability through the connection between mountains."
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
"Hahaha! Magnificent. I understand it in my head, but I can't even bring myself to attempt it."
He was sincere.
The Knight King had no confidence in raising his realm in the same way as Lumian Callad.
'Even if my aura had the quality of a mountain rather than a rock, it would have been impossible.'
Lumian's words certainly made sense.
Multiple mountains are easier to handle compared to multiple rocks, and easier to connect as one.
However, this was only 'easier compared to rocks' - from his perspective, they were both the same. The truth was that both were impossibly difficult.
"As expected of Sir Lumian. I've felt this before, but I can't even begin to follow your aura manipulation ability."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty."
"Not at all. Moreover, hasn't your body become stronger as well? Before, you could barely stand on equal footing based on superior muscle strength, but now I wouldn't be able to handle you. I'm already far behind in aura capacity and manipulation ability, and even that superior muscle strength has disappeared."
"I don't know what to do with myself."
Lumian said with a deep bow of his head.
Seeing him like that, Philip III burst into laughter again.
There was no trace of negative emotions like a sense of defeat in the Knight King's voice.
His eyes shining, he continued speaking.
"However, don't think you'll always remain above. If I too perfectly achieve my goal, I am confident I can catch up to you."
"Is that so."
Like the Knight King, Lumian also answered with sincerity.
He and himself were merely walking different paths - neither one was wrong.
In fact, when he heard the Knight King's ultimate goal, Lumian felt shivers run through his body without realizing it.
'Compress a giant mountain, compress it again, and compress it once more. Thus creating a single sword.'
If one could complete a sword possessing the mass of Mount Tai and wield it freely, what magnificent swordsmanship would unfold?
Just imagining it was enough to break out in cold sweat. From the opponent's perspective, fear would surely bloom from deep within their heart.
"I sincerely hope you achieve it soon, Your Majesty."
"Naturally, I must."
After pleasantries were exchanged between the two, it was Cinsia's turn.
She was in a considerably excited state, influenced by the words of Lumian and Philip III. Even if not as much as Lumian, she had been able to obtain clues to enlightenment.
'I'm someone who only caused harm, yet I received tremendous help.'
With guilty feelings still remaining, she had now incurred a debt.
Therefore, the thought that she must repay it was desperate. She explained her knowledge, experience, and insights until now more diligently than anyone. She also answered questions kindly.
Accordingly, the three men's expressions brightened. They showed strong interest in Rhodesia's swordsmanship and aura manipulation methods, which differed in direction from Zenas's.
'Today is the day!'
In particular, Bucal Garcia showed the most excited appearance.
In truth, at his level, he was not in a position to participate in the current conversation.
At best, he was positioned at the upper ranks of Expert - what could he possibly say?
Nevertheless, the three powerhouses allowed him to sit with them with ocean-like generosity.
Furthermore, they generously accepted even questions that would clearly seem foolish.
It felt like tears might burst forth. That was how moved Bucal was by the current situation.
'I must remember everything from today's conversation.'
Right now, his level is meager so nothing resonates, but later will be different.
Thinking that, Bucal wore a pleased expression. His face looked as if he had gained the whole world.
"Hmm. Today was truly a meaningful time."
"I feel the same way."
"That is correct, Your Majesty. While talking, I didn't realize how time passed. Dawn is already breaking."
Lumian said while looking at the sky.
He was right. The surroundings that had been dark were now stained with gray light.
A little more time would pass and morning would come, and it would be time for people to wake from sleep. A bit more after that, the swordsmanship tournament would begin.......
'Wait, swordsmanship tournament?'
Lumian sprang up from his seat.
Cinsia and Bucal looked at him with questioning faces, while the Knight King nodded belatedly.
"I see. I know what you're worried about."
"Your Majesty?"
"Isn't it because of the swordsmanship tournament schedule? There's someone you absolutely must go see, right?"
"......That is correct, Your Majesty."
Lumian answered with a surprised expression.
He wanted to ask how he knew that fact, but he couldn't do so to his former lord.
In fact, right now that wasn't what was important either.
"Today is the day of the Tarazin Swordsmanship Tournament finals. And the person you're cheering for has fortunately made it to the finals. I heard they put on a splendid match in the semifinals against a Rhodesian apprentice knight."
Haha, laughing as he stood up, the Knight King approached Lumian.
Then patting his shoulder, he continued speaking.
"The finals opponent is our Zenas apprentice knight, a young man named Sir Lucas. He's a fellow with outstanding passion, skill, and talent. Lady Tania Eloyce might be quite nervous."
"......."
"It seems your support is needed, so how about we wrap up here? Let's make another occasion later. It would be a shame to just watch once and leave. Hahaha."
Hearing Philip III's words, Lumian wore a flustered expression. His eyes swept across Bucal and Cinsia in turn.
Everyone had smiles on their lips.
That was because the current situation was quite amusing. Of course, they also held feelings of support for Lumian.
"Today's conversation was enjoyable. I hope there will be another opportunity like this again."
"I will never forget the words Sir Lumian Callad shared with me."
"Uh, hmm......"
Somehow, the atmosphere had turned into everyone trying to send him off.
Lumian's face reddened.
He felt like he had instantly become a young child. Of course, when it came to romance and women problems, he was indeed a young child.
'No, why are these gentlemen so interested in someone else's private life. Moreover, we're not even in that kind of relationship yet......'
Yet?
Lumian hardened his expression.
His flustered feelings deepened further.
Had he already been harboring feelings for Tania?
Or was it just a thought that popped up suddenly, carried by the flow of the atmosphere?
'I don't know. I'll think about it later.'
"......For now, since time is urgent, I'll take my leave first."
Lumian paid his respects to everyone.
Then going outside the tent, he ran quickly toward the academy.
It was tremendous speed. Watching the long trail of dust, the Knight King asked Bucal.
"My, this is awkward. I wonder who I should cheer for. Isn't that right?"
"......Still, shouldn't we cheer for our own country's knight?"
Bucal said with a serious expression.
While he respected Ryan Promhart, he was, after all, a knight of Zenas.
Seeing the two of them, Cinsia snickered.
"......Hmm? Sir Lumian? Where did he go? Where did Sir Lumian go?"
And Semu, who had been sleeping in the corner throughout the conversation, finally woke up.
Seeing the fellow's groggy face, the three knights burst into hearty laughter.
***
"Whew!"
While the three knights were having additional conversation, Lumian arrived in front of the girls' dormitory in an instant.
Perhaps because it was still early, there were no people around.
He decided to wait until Tania came out and found a nearby bench to sit on. His expression was unspeakably sour.
'What should I say?'
Since returning from Red Mountain, Lumian had been with Tania 4 to 5 days a week. That means he was with her almost every day.
On top of that, he had even made a promise. To help and cheer for her every day during the swordsmanship tournament.
Yet he only managed to watch the first round and skipped all the remaining days - he had nothing to say.
'I can't tell the truth, but I need to make some excuse...... this is bad!'
It was when Lumian was thinking of excuses.
Tania Eloyce appeared from the dormitory.
Active wear. She seemed to be planning to loosen up her body with dawn training.
'I haven't thought of anything yet.'
Of course, it was fortunate their paths didn't cross, but he still couldn't erase the thought that she could have come out just a little later.
At that moment, Tania also discovered Lumian.
She walked over with a smile. Her face was incredibly fresh and clear.
She didn't seem like someone facing the swordsmanship tournament finals at all. Lumian forgot the worries he was doing until just now and wore a questioning expression.
'What is this? I thought she would definitely be anxious.'
Tania Eloyce is strong.
But sometimes she is weak. She's just pretending to be strong.
Of course, after receiving Lumian's guidance, she had gained more confidence and her heart had become firmer, but he thought it would be difficult to believe she would be fine even on an important day like today.
'But, her expression right now doesn't seem fake......'
"Ah!"
Lumian, who rose from the bench, exclaimed.
And he stared intently at Tania.
Until she, who had approached at some point, was smiling brightly right before his eyes.
"How is it, Master?"
Tania suddenly asked.
Her voice overflowed with strength.
A solid and firm heart was felt, as if she wouldn't yield no matter what difficulty came.
Only then did Lumian realize something and answered with the same smile.
"It seems you can descend the mountain now, disciple."
***
"Oh, it's starting."
"It's starting, starting! They're coming up!"
"Who will win? Still, will Sir Lucas win?"
"That seems likely, but...... shouldn't we still cheer for Tania Eloyce?"
"Of course! Tania wins no matter what! Tania Eloyce! Do your best!"
"Waaaah! Tania Eloyce! Tania Eloyce!"
The long-awaited swordsmanship tournament finals.
After all the tedious processes passed, finally the two finalists ascended onto the stage.
One was Tarazin Academy's proud student, Tania Eloyce, who defeated Rhodesia's elite Violet Porter in the semifinals.
The other was Lucas Young, a Zenas apprentice knight considered a prospect to lead the next generation, who had overwhelmingly defeated all opponents until now.
People gulped as they watched the two glare at each other.
Most Tarazin people wished for Tania's success in their hearts.
'I hope she wins, but it'll be difficult.'
'Just making it to the finals is already amazing. Even the 4th year top ranker couldn't do anything.'
'Still, I hope she does well if possible. I hope she makes Lucas Young struggle even a little.'
Due to the cold reality, expecting Tania's victory was too much.
But they couldn't help hoping for her to struggle well. They were Tarazin's people no matter what anyone said, and they wanted to cheer for Tarazin's knight cadet.
But when the referee's voice announcing the start of the match rang out, and Lucas Young imbued his sword with aura.
Wuuuuung!
And when the sword's blade was stained with deep light, the spectators couldn't help but wear despairing expressions.
"What is that! An Aura Sword? Is he an Expert?"
"You fool, no! An Expert's aura flows along the sword blade like flames. That one just shines without any energy flowing outward."
"But, it's different from Tania's semifinals? It's shining much more brightly."
"That is......"
It was when the blond man who had scolded him was hesitating.
The man who had been sitting quietly next to him continued the explanation instead.
"It's because he has broken through the second gate leading to Expert."
"The second gate? Ah, those three gates."
The one who asked the question nodded.
He also knew about the three gates leading to Expert. It was such a famous story that even those ignorant of swords would have heard it once.
He nodded slowly, thinking 'I see,' then looked at the taciturn man with a surprised expression.
"The, the second gate? Isn't that incredibly difficult?"
"That's right. I heard Lucas Young is currently 17 years old, so at this level, even if he doesn't reach the Knight King, you could say he has talent positioned right below that."
"What, so you're saying he's a genius among geniuses?"
"Good heavens, how can this be."
The one who asked the question and the blond man who initially scolded him wore dazed expressions.
It wasn't just them. A gloomy atmosphere was forming here and there in the spectator seats.
The genius of Zenas, Lucas Young, had finally revealed his true skill!
At that cruel fact, the hearts of Tarazin people died. They looked at Tania Eloyce with pitying expressions, their spirits crushed.
"Tania Eloyce has only broken through the lower gate, right?"
"Probably? That's why her sword shines less than Lucas Young's."
"Damn. Isn't breaking through just the lower gate already amazing? They say most Experts are in their 40s! At 16 years old, that's enough power to win even if it's not strange......."
Half worry, half regret. And a bit of awe for Lucas Young who achieved such tremendous accomplishment at 17 years of age.
This was the current atmosphere in the spectator seats.
Of course, among them, a few - especially Joel Cok, who suffered a humiliating defeat at Tania's hands - was looking at the stage with malice instead of worry.
'What a sight! Believing in some measly trick and acting arrogant, now you're finally going to be humiliated in the finals!'
It was a ridiculous thought.
The one who believed in measly tricks and acted arrogantly was himself, and the one who was humiliated was also himself.
No one could look down on someone who defeated a strong nation Rhodesia's apprentice knight and made it to the finals. His malice was only piercing himself, not Tania.
Joel Cok didn't know that fact. He didn't want to know either.
He just cursed more diligently and fiercely. As if thinking that the more he did so, Tania's power would drain away.
Of course, as goes without saying, the wish of a loser consumed with inferiority complex had no effect on her whatsoever.
"Hmm."
Rather, it was the opposite.
Was it a coincidence?
In Tania's gaze as she casually looked around, Joel Cok's face was caught.
He was startled and pulled his upper body back.
Then he touched his face.
It was hideously distorted.
In contrast, Tania Eloyce's expression was endlessly relaxed.
Suddenly, an inexplicable anxiety surged up. It was the moment Joel Cok opened his mouth to spew curses.
Jiiiiing-!
"......!"
He couldn't say a single word.
He wasn't the only one.
The man who initially asked the question, and the blond man sitting next to him.
The many Tarazin people who were cheering for Tania with regretful expressions like them, all stared blankly at the stage with their mouths open, unable to take their eyes off.
It was as if time had stopped.
Piercing through that silence, a cry filled with astonishment burst from the upper seats of the arena.
"Expert!"