79 – Sports competition, preparation (3)
If you say coincidence, it is coincidence, and if you say inevitability, it is also inevitable.
Sitting on one side of a simple table set up here and there on campus, Aria glanced at her grandfather to see what he was thinking.
He took a seat here, almost dragging Dante with him, and has not opened his mouth until now. He just narrowed his eyes and stared straight ahead.
Of course, it was Dante who had to face the gaze of the Sword Saint.
‘…… ‘Umm.’
Aria suddenly thought of such a thought. Now that I think about this situation, I think it might be quite a strange feeling.
Who can imagine?
The famous swordsman is sitting at a simple table scattered everywhere, and he is sitting on the chair and eating street food.
It would be an even more difficult sight to think about since he officially holds the title of marquess of the empire.
Of course, Aria knew. Her grandfather was more simple-minded than she thought, and he didn’t care about his title any more.
So it wasn’t that strange to eat pancakes worth 10 shillings piled up on the table.
…… Moreover, if you think about it, the problem with the current situation is not the lunch menu.
Aria carefully reached out her fork and took a stab at one of her pancakes.
After covering it with a lot of syrup and bringing it to me, I take a final look at both sides before tasting it.
First of all, her grandfather did not pay much attention to her. From the time she first set her eyes on Dante, she barely blinked.
And in Dante’s case, actually… ….
‘…… ‘Who’s looking at me?’
At this very moment, she was continuously sending her eyes of salvation towards Aria, but Aria was trying hard to ignore them.
She turned her head and gently bit into her strawberry topping, pretending not to notice her gaze.
In fact, there was nothing Aria could do right now. She wanted to talk. “I can’t help but look at her like that,” She said.
Of course, from Dante’s point of view, her attitude would make him feel betrayed…….
‘I-I don’t know that.’
I am not making excuses irresponsibly. There was literally nothing she could do about it either.
I haven’t heard anything from her, but her swordsman said he came down from her spiritual mountain once again to see her, and this is the situation we faced today.
As she also did not expect to encounter her swordsman at her academy, she could not bear to pay attention to the absence of the black sword.
However, Needless to say, the Sword Saint easily realized that her sword sheath and its contents had changed -.
That is how the interrogation, which was not an interrogation, began.
How did this happen?
Of course, there is no need for the Sword Saint to be disappointed or scolded by Aria just because she lost the black sword. All the Sword Saint was worried about was Aria’s heart.
She has cherished the black sword, treating it as her alter ego since she first received it as a gift as a child.
It is impossible for her to lose her sword so unexpectedly, and if that happens, it means that she is damaged to the point where she can no longer use it.
In the end, that was what Geomseong was concerned about. I wonder if Aria would have felt hurt in a situation where her beloved sword was broken like that.
She immediately decided that she couldn’t have done that, and after questioning(?) With deep concern, she figured out the whole story of the incident.
In other words, it is a story about a boy who broke my granddaughter’s treasure into pieces in a terrible way.
‘Phew.’
Aria sighed inwardly.
Now that she was like this, there was nothing she could do.
At least we had to prevent the situation from getting worse than it is now.
She gnawed on her pancake while promising that.
“…… “Aren’t you going to lift it?”
It was at that time that Geomsung first spoke. Her sharp gaze passed by the frozen Dante.
At the same time, what he was looking at was the plate in front of Dante.
Dante flinched for a moment as if he didn’t understand his words, but then lowered his gaze as if he sensed his intention.
Aria watched the situation while swallowing her dry saliva, and Geomsung stared at Dante with eyes that could not tell what was inside her.
And Dante, who unexpectedly became the center of such a situation.
First, I carefully reached out and picked up the dishes.
With a clattering sound, I move my body stiffly to at least pretend to eat, but-.
In fact, it was completely impossible to deceive the swordsman with such clumsy pretense.
“You look like you have no appetite.”
A brief word. Sword Saint crossed his arms and looked down at Dante as if he were disapproving, and Dante couldn’t help but shrink even more.
He also wanted to say that it was because of the intimidating feeling you gave off, but of course it was impossible for him to put it into action.
Of course, Geomseong was not unaware of the circumstances. How could you not know?
In fact, this is being done with a somewhat malicious intention to make people feel even more pressure.
It is not wrong to say that it is petty and immature, but…….
Just by having a calm conversation like this, Geomseong thought that he was putting up with a lot.
With a shallow frown, he looked intently at Dante’s face.
‘I wanted to hold back my tears.’
Yes. Isn’t he the most shameful person who broke my precious granddaughter’s sword and made her cry?
If he hadn’t restrained himself, it wouldn’t have been surprising if one or two of his limbs had been shattered by now.
…… There is only one reason why Geomseong is holding back now.
Because the expression on my granddaughter’s face when she was complaining while talking about a boy named Dante wasn’t that bad.
No, she didn’t seem to realize it herself, but Aria was speaking quite favorably about the boy.
At least I didn’t feel any hostility. Although I don’t like it, I don’t truly resent it.
That’s why Geomseong decided to endure it for once.
It would be ridiculous for her to impose sanctions on someone her granddaughter has already forgiven.
“Did you say Dante? Boy.”
However, Geomsung thought.
Apart from that, at least once, he would definitely need to make a threat.
“What do you think this is?”
What you put your hand into and take out is a dark-colored piece of iron.
The identity of that piece of iron, which seemed to be nothing special, was none other than the few remaining traces of a black sword.
Grasping the piece of iron so hard that tendons sprouted from his forearm, Geomseong glared at Dante as if he were going to eat him.
“My granddaughter has been carrying this with her ever since that day.”
Dante was silent, but he probably couldn’t hide the cold sweat flowing down his face.
The voice of the Sword Saint contained anger boiling like lava.
“I heard that Aria applied for Dalian first. But did she really need to break the sword?”
“…… That… ….”
“I’m curious. “What kind of emotions did you have when you broke that sword?”
Geomseong paused for a moment, let out a short breath as if to control his anger, and then continued speaking.
“Is it mean-spirited malice, or is it truly an accident that just happened by chance?”
*****
“It was an accident.”
Whether you were nervous or not. I could say this much with certainty.
“It was unintentional, and there was absolutely no malice in breaking the sword.”
I definitely broke Aria’s sword, and I don’t know what meaning that sword has for Aria.
But breaking the sword at the time was clearly not my intention.
If it is my fault that I failed to control my strength, I have nothing to say. However, we can also say with certainty that there was absolutely no intentionality in that regard.
I exhaled carefully and continued speaking with my own sincerity.
“I think you will be quite angry. Even if it was a mistake, there is no doubt that I did something wrong, and I will take this opportunity to assure you that I will give Ms. Aria the compensation she deserves as soon as possible.”
I was planning to compensate him for breaking the sword.
Even if it is a sparring that started at Aria’s request.
Unfortunately, I had the means to obtain several weapons better than the black sword.
The store’s 4-star weapon options are relatively inexpensive…….
As I am the one who knows the most certain direction for Aria’s growth, it was not very difficult for her to choose a weapon that suited her.
‘That’s probably the best fit.’
The weapon I am thinking of right now is not different. Among the 4-star weapons, the rapier is named ‘Oath of the Moonlight’.
That sword would go well with Aria, who values quick swords, and would also have good compatibility with the Sword Master’s Lotus Sword.
Right now, I can get two or three 4-star weapons with just the CP I have, so I thought I would take the opportunity to give them to you.
The summoning itself must be done in a place where no one is watching.
“…… Hmm.”
Anyway, in the end, my assurances seemed to have worked out quite well.
From noble mtl dot com
When I said that I would take responsibility and save the sword, the swordsman let out a short sigh as if he was slightly amazed, and Aria, who was quietly listening to the story, also looked back at me with startled rabbit eyes.
“Uh, you…… ?”
Was this something you hadn’t thought of?
Aria seemed quite embarrassed and kept blinking her eyes.
I guess they thought I would just break the sword and say I don’t know, but I’m not that irresponsible.
Of course, the fact that it wasn’t that difficult to get my standard weapon also played a part.
“Hmm.”
I cleared my throat slightly and glanced back at Aria. Now that things are like this, it would be better for her to let go of any grudges she may have.
I was wondering what to say first, but I didn’t have the confidence to say anything for too long, so I opened my mouth roughly.
“As I said, I will make sure to bring you a good sword as soon as possible.”
“…… “Uh, uhh.”
“No matter how good the performance is compared to the sword you loved, you won’t be satisfied… …. Still, I would like you to accept this as an apology, Miss Aria.”
As for the basic apology, I ended it at the liquor store that day. So there was no need to talk for a long time, so I ended it briefly.
And it can be said that Aria’s reaction, at least, was definitely not in a negative direction.
“…… That… ….”
Even though she listened to everything I said, her embarrassment seemed to have not gone away, and she briefly let out a drooling sound.
But the emotion on her face was nothing more or less than embarrassment.
She was only momentarily agitated by the sudden conversation, but as expected, Aria soon regained her composure and nodded her head shallowly.
“Ugh, I’ll wait…” ….”
“Hmm.”
I also nodded along and the conversation ended like that. This resolves the dispute.
It could also be said that reconciliation is complete.
“… ….”
“… ….”
But why isn’t he saying anything?
Why is she keeping her mouth shut?
Of course, Aria had no obligation to say anything more, but there is still an atmosphere, isn’t there? This is a bit heavy.
She gave a hint with her gaze to break the silence, but Aria never opened her mouth.
She just caught his gaze, flinched for a moment, and then she slowly turned her head and looked the other way.
“… ….”
As a result, she was able to say that a truly mysterious atmosphere was created.
Aria is silent.
I am also silent.
“Heh heh.”
In the end, it was Geomseong who opened her mouth.
“This is such a refreshing experience, Aria.”
“…… !”
“I never thought you would look like that in front of this monument.”
Surprisingly, the target of the Sword Saint’s voice was not me, but Aria.
Aria’s body trembled at his call, and her smile, which was not a swordsman’s smile, became even deeper after her brief spasm.
“Have you never paid attention to boys your own age? But now her face is all red like that, heh heh…….”
“Ha, grandpa!”
At the sound of her laughter mixed with admiration from the Sword Saint, Aria turned red and stood up. She slammed the table, causing her stack of pancakes to float slightly and land on her.
But Aria didn’t seem to notice anything like that, she just coaxed her lips and rolled her eyes.
‘Hmm… ….’
I’m thinking about it now, but before I knew it, the pancakes had gotten cold. I haven’t even had a bite yet.
Actually, it was probably a good thing.
However, if I added anything more or interrupted the conversation clumsily, Aria’s red face would look like a ripe apple…….
And if I do that, I really feel like the tip of the sword saint who is smiling right now with his clenched teeth could be pointed at me…….
I decided it would be best to just keep her mouth shut and think about something else.
Ah, it’s still worth eating even when it’s cold.