777 – 9. Not a single day goes by without this (27)
That morning was like any other day.
Senior Delphine was unable to join us for the meal due to a bruise suffered the previous day, but as she was a skilled warrior, she would return in a day or two. On the contrary, there was something else that was unexpected.
It was Shien’s passion for learning.
“Brother Ian, what on earth does ‘jin(盡)’ mean?”
I was startled by that question and opened my eyes. Sir Irene seemed to have felt this way too, to the point where she almost dropped her spoon in embarrassment.
The actual reason was that he was deep in thought with his arms crossed.
“A specific state? Or, training methodology? Why do we have to use a simple definition like ’emptying’? This is why warriors are tired…. If it were magic, there would already be hundreds of papers…….”
Afterwards, Shien continued to complain for a long time. Most of them said that training was difficult because the explanation of ‘Jin’ was ambiguous, but it was truly a level of progress that could be called a great advancement.
There wasn’t even any interest before.
The reason why Shien came to Heavenly Sword Mountain was simple. Because he could be right there with me. On the contrary, it also meant that as long as he could be with me, the rest would be fine.
So, I thought he was only vaguely pretending to practice.
In the end, I had no choice but to ask a perplexing question.
“All of a sudden?”
“…… ?”
Light gray eyes staring at me as if asking what I was saying.
I had no choice but to act absurdly.
“No, you weren’t that interested in training. Anyway, swordsmanship has nothing to do with magic… ….”
“But we still have to do it.”
It was an uncharacteristically dignified answer.
It was immediately after that that Sir Irene and I’s gazes became intertwined in the air. I asked with my eyes what had happened, but Sir Irene just shook her head.
Taking it one step further, Shien said, “Ahem,” And placed her fisted hand on the center of her chest.
“Sir Ian? It seems like you’ve forgotten… I am the fifth princess of the empire. “It means that the word ‘roughly’ does not exist in my dictionary.”
“No, well… “That’s right.”
Is that so?
If you think about it, there is a strong impression that he was a poor person, but Shien was a rare resource. In fact, during the time when he was at odds with me, he was a powerful person who controlled the academy from behind the scenes.
If you have lived your life ‘roughly’, this would be an impossible achievement.
But, why? I couldn’t understand anything, so I let out a shaky voice. Sir Irene also had an awkward expression on her face.
It did not take long until the truth was revealed.
“More than anything, I have the blood of a dragon, but I can’t live without being ignored…… !”
With a thud, the hand holding the spoon touched the table.
The determination that leaked out through my clenched teeth was fierce. If the princess had a tail, she would have held it upright.
Shien’s eyes, filled with venom and growling, were so fierce.
Was it indeed a ‘no instructor’?
I couldn’t help but shake my head. I had heard about the bad relationship between Shien and Master Mu a few days ago, and didn’t I listen to his complaints back then?
At this level, the probability was sufficient.
Now that my curiosity was satisfied, it was time to respond to the consultation.
“Even wizards often meditate, right? “I think it’s easy to get a feel for it.”
“That’s only done in places where the stimulation is controlled… “It’s not at a stage where you can immerse yourself in it on a daily basis like in ‘Jin.’”
“First of all, do you have a feel for the meditation method?”
“Well, that’s not true…” “But I don’t.”
After a short question and answer, Shien’s words became blurred. It was exactly what I expected.
The teachings of ‘Jin’, which can be said to be the core of the ‘sword circle’, were very unusual. Even if you are a wizard who learns dozens of meditation techniques, it is difficult to awaken it all at once.
If I hadn’t learned the vision in advance, I would have had a hard time.
Also, the presence of a teacher was significant. Haven’t Seria been in full charge of teaching me all this time? It would be nice if Shien could also get help from someone.
I asked, out of curiosity.
“I wonder if Sir Irene was successful…… ?”
“It’s a shame, but not yet.”
A blue-haired knight scratching his cheek in apology.
Looking back, it was a natural result. Although she was a talented knight from a famous family, Sir Irene was Shien’s bodyguard knight. You must have been busy taking care of Shien all this time.
If Shien finds a new teacher, then he will have some time.
However, it was not something I could watch. Because I only learned the secrets of ‘Jin’ through my body’s senses, I had almost no theoretical knowledge.
For a moment, as I was immersed in worry, a voice passed through my mind.
‘It means that it is possible even with a superhuman brain.’
This was the advice that Master Mu gave me last time.
“Then what about Master Mu?”
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This was a reflexive suggestion, and of course Shien’s reaction was not very positive.
“Eh… ….”
I couldn’t possibly refuse, but it was a tone that showed an overt disapproval. I had no choice but to clear my throat after receiving those resentful looks.
“At least he seems to be interested in you… “The rest of the instructors aren’t even watching you.”
“Yes, but…” ….”
Although it was a somewhat impulsive suggestion, it was already rejected. A strangely confident persuasion leaked from between my lips.
“Even if it’s a little uncomfortable, if you have something to learn from, you should make him your teacher. “Wasn’t your teacher like that when you were young?”
At least that was the case for me. Because I still had vivid memories of being treated to death by a wanderer who was a knight who had been invited by my parents.
No matter how royal you are, you must have had one or two strict teachers.
Nevertheless, Shien’s response was somewhat lukewarm.
“I met a very good teacher… ….”
“Who was it?”
“Have you ever heard of the ‘Great Sage’?”
‘Great Sage’.
I fell silent at the name of the big name that appeared out of nowhere. That’s right, he was so famous that no one in the empire knew about him.
The Empire’s squadron ‘master’.
He was a mysterious person whose age was not properly known. According to one theory, he lived for so long that he competed with the ‘Great Witch’ in his youth.
Even if he disappeared one day, his reputation was bound to remain the same.
Shien seemed extremely proud of the fact that he had received guidance from someone of that caliber.
“He cared for me a lot when I was young. Now, the reason my eyes don’t go crazy like before is thanks to his seal… After that, he taught me how to use my eyes properly and the basics of magic.”
Sienira in my childhood.
I heard that after breaking up with his mother, he locked himself in his room for a while and couldn’t come out. If he was the one who brought Shien out of the room, he could not help but feel grateful.
I said with a faint smile.
“He was a good person.”
“Yes! He was a kind and funny person! When I was younger, with my mother… Ah.”
In an instant, the air freezes.
She only uttered the word ‘mother’, but Shien’s face had already turned pale. Sir Irene was equally stiff.
Right after that.
“…… Anyway, ask Master Mu for some advice. Because there are times in life when you need a more strict teacher.”
I ended the conversation calmly, as if I hadn’t heard the slip of the tongue.
It was a momentary decision. It was Shien’s mother that I was always curious about, but as soon as she brought up that memory, the look on my lover’s face was so cruel.
In the end, I didn’t have the courage to dig into that abyss. If that time comes, it will not be a mistake, but will happen after sufficient persuasion and determination.
The clever Shien immediately realized what I meant.
“Yes, yes…” Okay.”
The expression on the girl’s awkward smile and evasion became a little more comfortable.
This should be enough for now. I patted Shien’s head a few times as if I was honored, and left the restaurant.
It felt like Biltheon’s voice kept swirling in my mind.
‘Because Shien’s mother, that is, Empress Dowager… ….’
Disappeared.
‘That was more than 10 years ago.’
I sighed and scratched her head.
And then I realized it again. That there are more difficult problems in the world than a life-threatening battle.
*
As always, the training hall was crowded with trainees. It was a scene worthy of the Heavenly Sword Mountain, where people who devote themselves to the sword gather.
It had already been a week, so there were many familiar faces. Among them, of course, was Seria.
However, the relationship between the two of us was rather bleak.
When our eyes met, I nodded silently.
After that, I didn’t even pay much attention. It seemed like he had sorted out his thoughts after last night.
Did you say blood?
It was difficult for me to imagine Seria’s feelings. It must have been a decision she made after much deliberation.
For me, and for myself.
Then I suddenly encountered an unexpected person.
“…… Delphine senior?”
“Are you here, sir?”
Then, the blonde woman frowned, closed one eye, and smiled cutely.
It was ‘Delphine Jurdina’.
She was a woman who skipped breakfast because of her bruises. I couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when I met him at the training center out of nowhere.
The wound had already disappeared without a trace.
Naturally, worrying questions followed.
“Are you feeling okay? Get some rest, why already… ….”
“hehehe, are you still worried because she’s your girl? Thank you. But there was something I wanted to see.”
“You want to see me?”
When I asked curiously, senior Delphine returned her captivating eye smile.
“Where are our ugly potatoes?”
Perhaps she wants Seria to pay attention to her? She glanced at us, but Ceria still seemed indifferent to us.
A bitter smile appeared on her lips.
“It’s there, but…” ….”
Senior Delphine’s eyes gently curved. She said, “Hmm,” And looked at Seria closely.
“Huh!”
She suddenly grabbed her lower abdomen and contorted her face as if she was in pain.
I was so surprised that I had no choice but to approach Delphine.
“Senior Delphine! Are you okay? After all, it’s better to go back…… !”
“Gwae, it’s okay.”
At the same time, seeing Delphine patting her stomach made me feel even more anxious.
“Isn’t that unreasonable? I’ll help you right away…… !”
It was then.
The sound of something falling was heard.
My questioning gaze went straight to the source. And there.
“Uh, ah… ….”
Blue eyes were seen shaking endlessly.
It was Seria with a pale face.