Disciple (2)
Naber Shraig.
He was born as the first child of the Shraig family, a renowned swordsmanship clan.
“…I lost.”
At the age of five, he defeated the lowest-ranked knight of the family.
“I lost, my lord.”
At the age of ten, he defeated an intermediate-level sword expert.
And at the age to enter the academy, he reached the pinnacle of sword experts, surpassing even the sword expert of the distant Republic, whom he had heard about.
But Naber had never seen anyone superior to him at such a young age.
He always competed and emerged victorious against those older than him.
As a result, he had no interest in ordinary individuals of average skill.
In his family, the only one who could match him was his father, the Sword Master.
Only his father’s swordsmanship could inspire him and help him grow.
Because of his exceptional talent, he had already felt a sense of emptiness in the world despite his young age.
However, there was someone who caught his interest.
“The Holy Maiden is coming, so make sure to attend the festival.”
The news that the Holy Maiden was coming to his territory.
It was an annoying task, but he reluctantly attended the festival under his father’s orders.
And then he saw her.
The embodiment of divine grace bestowed by the gods.
Her beauty.
Her radiance.
It was more noble than anything that could exist in this world.
“What do I need to do to marry the Holy Maiden? … Did I eat something wrong?”
Even his father.
“Well… Navier. The Holy Maiden, you see… hahahahaha.”
And his mother.
“My lord. That Holy Maiden, you see… If you become a knight, there might be a way to approach her, but if you do that, marriage might be out of the question…”
Even the manservant who had been with him since childhood.
Everyone said it was impossible.
There’s no way.
Absolutely impossible.
Would Naber give up?
Then, one day, news spread that the saint was enrolling in the Reichten Academy.
“You’re going to the Reichten Academy? Hm. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. Permission granted.”
Father, who never even thought that his eldest son would decide to go to the academy because of a girl he liked, was taken by surprise.
He had never planned to go in the first place, but this was an opportunity to attend the academy with the saint.
Easily passing the academy entrance exam, he packed his bags and set off towards the academy.
And so, he met the saint.
She didn’t care about the aura she had seen in the past at all.
No, instead, her maturity blossomed and she exuded the utmost elegance.
Good.
This is a chance.
Now, being with the saint…
That was what he had thought, but his expectations were shattered by the man next to the saint during the practical swordsmanship class.
Viscount Granquenelle.
Granquenelle, the viscount.
A name he had never heard before.
A feeble man with no apparent strengths.
Why is the saint associating herself with a man like him?
She even seemed more interested in him than he was in her.
It didn’t sit well with me.
What dirty tricks did he use to gain her attention?
He undoubtedly did something wicked.
I will expose his true nature!
“Since today is the first class, I would like to demonstrate a simple sparring session. Any volunteers?”
Naber, who was eager for it, had the perfect opportunity.
A sparring session!
Great.
In this sparring session, I will crush him mercilessly and dedicate my victory to the saint, revealing his true self.
Once it becomes clear that he is nothing more than a weakling, the saint will surely reconsider.
Naber immediately raised his hand.
And so, the sparring session with Versus was arranged.
Versus stood there dumbly, holding a sword.
He really is a novice who doesn’t know how to handle a sword.
To think he would join a practical swordsmanship class with such a topic.
It’s probably just a show-off to impress the ladies.
Naber looked at Versus’ smooth hands, devoid of any calluses.
It didn’t sit well with him.
Without even making an effort…!
Navell raised his sword with the intention of crushing Vires.
“Begin!”
With the start signal, he rushed towards Vires.
Show the most overwhelming presence possible!
As Navell approached right in front of Vires, Vires couldn’t even react properly.
Or it seemed like he couldn’t.
Clang
Did he just deflect it?
However, the duel didn’t go as Navell expected.
Chaeng chaeng
Vires began effortlessly blocking all of Navell’s attacks.
Unbelievable!
I thought he was just a rookie who didn’t know how to handle a sword.
He’s even better at swordsmanship than me?
Navell couldn’t find any openings in Vires’ swordsmanship.
It felt like a duel with his father.
Like facing a mountain.
No.
This is…
The more the duel continued, the tighter Viser’s swordsmanship became.
More so than my father’s.
Even though we’re the same age.
It’s a swordsmanship that surpasses even me, no, even my father!
Chaeyang.
In the end, Naver’s sword couldn’t withstand it and flew back.
Did I… lose?
Thud.
“The winner! Viser Grandginal!”
I lost.
I am the loser.
Naver sat down with a soulless expression.
Thunk.
Viser reached out his hand to Naver.
“What?”
I called him with the intention of mocking him.
I called him with the intention of belittling him and insulting him.
But by extending his hand to me, he showed respect.
The utmost respect a winner can give to a loser.
…Ha.
Was this guy the one who suited the Holy Maiden better?
From Noble mtl dot com
What have I been thinking all this time?
Naber held Secretaryus’ hand and stood up.
“Congratulations, Secretaryus-nim, on your victory!”
As Secretaryus returned to his seat, the Holy Maiden congratulated him.
He’s talented and has a strong character.
So this is it…different from the men the Holy Maiden shows interest in.
I was a frog in a well.
Naber reflected on everything he had been conceited about until now.
And for several days, he pondered deeply.
After a long thought, he sought out Secretaryus.
Secretaryus, whom he met in the academy lecture hall.
“Secretaryus Grangignol.”
Naber kneeled before Secretaryus.
“Please take me as your disciple. I beg you.”
* * *
“You want me to take you as my disciple?”
“That’s right.”
“…Wait a minute. I don’t quite understand. Um…why?”
“That day. I dueled with you and realized after thinking for several days that your swordsmanship and character are at a level that I can never catch up to.”
Swordsmanship and Personality?
Fine, let’s talk about swordsmanship, but what about personality?
“Your exceptional swordsmanship may even surpass your father’s.”
“Of course. Ves’s swordsmanship is capable of defeating even the Demon King.”
Sophia interjected, clutching her chest from the side.
“The Demon King?”
“Ah! Don’t worry about it!”
Why is she saying such strange things again!
“Heh, the Demon King. I see. Your swordsmanship is impressive enough that even if you were called a hero, it wouldn’t be strange.”
What delusions is she having?
“Please, take me as your disciple.”
“No, I can’t say that even if you call yourself a disciple.”
It hasn’t been long since I acquired this swordsmanship, so I don’t know if I can teach others.
Besides, it’s burdensome.
“I won’t ask with just words. I can fetch things you want. I will follow your commands. It’s the duty of a disciple.”
“Fine. You’re accepted.”
“What? Ves, can you just accept it so easily?”
Sophia exclaimed in surprise.
Even though there were so many people who wanted to be disciples in my past life, I didn’t accept them.
“You have the mindset to become a disciple.”
It is none other than Naber Schraigda.
The best investigator as a colleague.
If you use the power of that family, it would be a great help in obtaining potions, artifacts, and other consumables in the future.
What on earth is this?
“Thank you, Secretarys!”
“Oh, don’t mention it. I’ll take care of it.”
Secretarys reached out his hand to Naber, who was kneeling.
Creak
Secretarys lay on the bed, exhausted.
Ah… I’m tired again today.
From Adolf to Naber.
Why are there so many unexpected situations these days?
And that Naber guy.
Why does he still want to practice swordsmanship even after the lessons are over?
I remember him being more of a talented person than a hard worker.
Why did he become so diligent?
Secretarys closed his eyes.
And immediately fell asleep.
Crack
A shabby hut.
Vissus realized that he had entered into another dream.
Is this a new dream?
Both dreams gave him strength when he woke up.
Vissus was curious about what power this dream would give him.
The previous dream was related to Sophia and Arthuria.
Could this dream be related to Princess Cladia?
Kiiiiiiik
The old wooden door creaked open with a loud noise.
A little girl entered the cabin.
“You’re here, Bell.”
Vissus, upon seeing the girl, spoke without his own will.
“Yeah, I’m here, Master.”
…Huh?
This feels strange.