The eyes of the academy students remained fixed on one spot.

The First Knight Order, entering behind Count Asili, walked with unwavering steps.

The Count stopped when he noticed a man traveling the same path as himself.

“That’s Sir Raymon of House Liserth,” muttered the Chief Knight beside Count Asili.

Raymon was an outstanding high-ranking knight, one of Duke Liserth’s most valued knights alongside Sir Reken.

However, he seemed out of place at Atenz Academy.

“He appears to be here because of Erin Liserth. According to the Duchess, Erin Liserth caused trouble during the recent monster subjugation.”

“Trouble?”

“Yes. She supposedly provoked Lord Amon into a duel, and the Princess, who was present as an observer, nearly came to harm.”

Count Asili’s face hardened at the Chief Knight’s words.

Count Asili typically maintained his composure in any situation, but he quickly lost his rationality when it came to matters concerning the Princess.

Erin Liserth. Count Asili had seen her a few times before.

He recalled the small child who occasionally stood beside Duke Liserth during their meetings.

She had been a gloomy girl lacking confidence. Though her physique showed potential, even that deteriorated as she grew older.

He remembered how she hid behind her father with a fragile face that looked like she would never hold a sword in her life.

Moreover, Count Asili had heard the rumors, and he couldn’t find a single redeeming quality in Erin Liserth.

‘It seems House Liserth hasn’t received the sword’s blessing in this generation.’

Talented knights were always in short supply.

House Liserth enjoyed power rivaling that of a Count’s house precisely because they were a family blessed by the sword.

However, even Karon Liserth, whom he had seen recently, failed to impress him, suggesting that the sword’s blessing, passed down through generations, had been broken in this generation.

It was unfortunate from the perspective of a knight, not just an Imperial Count.

‘They’re all inadequate. Especially that Erin Liserth.’

But perhaps it was better that Erin hadn’t received the sword’s blessing.

Though unlikely, if someone with Erin Liserth’s character became a Sword Master, that would present its own problems.

One couldn’t predict what she might do with such power.

If she were to oppress innocent people, he might need to bloody his own blade.

He had thought this a few years ago. But now Erin Liserth was in the Swordsmanship Department?

Count Asili’s face hardened. His curiosity was momentary, and his decision swift.

“We’re going to the training grounds.”

The knights behind him looked confused at Count Asili’s sudden announcement.

Originally, they were supposed to go directly to Princess Asili. But when the Count made a decision, they had to follow.

The knights hurried to keep up with Count Asili’s quick pace.

Since all the knights had attended the Swordsmanship Department at Atenz Academy, finding their way wasn’t difficult.

The training ground they arrived at was quiet.

Count Asili felt puzzled. Normally, even approaching the training grounds, one would hear the shouts of Swordsmanship Department students and the clashing of swords.

But the training ground was eerily silent, seemingly under a silencing spell.

Not far away, Count Asili spotted two students engaged in a duel. All the Swordsmanship Department students had forgotten their own training and were busy watching the pair.

One face was very familiar.

Amon Hedor. The heir whom Count Hedor boasted about to the point of annoyance.

Amon was a student overflowing with talent, enough for Count Asili to acknowledge. Who at Atenz Academy could fight him as an equal?

And Count Asili couldn’t hide his surprise when he saw Amon’s opponent.

Expressing the Count’s thoughts, the Chief Knight beside him spoke with a dumbfounded expression.

“Erin Liserth?”

There stood Erin Liserth, her brown hair tied back in a ponytail, smiling joyfully.

The swordsmanship displayed in her hands was beautiful.

Erin Liserth’s sword style appeared simple yet remarkably refined.

Her sword carried the composure that only someone who had swung a sword tens of thousands of times could possess.

The Chief Knight unconsciously gaped at Erin. Could this person before him truly be the villainess from the rumors…?

Watching Amon and Erin’s duel, the Chief Knight felt involuntarily uplifted. It had been a long time since he had seen such a joyful duel.

Not for killing, but simply enjoying the meeting of sword against sword—how long had it been since he felt such an atmosphere?

The Chief Knight, who had been watching the duel in a daze, came to his senses because of the Count’s words beside him.

“Remarkable talent.”

Count Asili acknowledging someone’s talent?

‘Certainly… Erin Liserth holding her own against Lord Amon isn’t bad, but she can’t compare to him.’

A competitive spirit arose in the Chief Knight’s eyes. He gazed intensely at Amon.

An academy student receiving recognition that he himself had never received despite serving under Count Asili.

Yet the Chief Knight failed to notice one thing.

From the beginning, Count Asili’s eyes had been fixed not on Amon, but solely on Erin.

The Count’s gaze following her sword path was intense.

* * *

Sword met sword. Dueling with real swords always created a certain tension.

Erin loved that sensation. Her body felt heavy, but that fact presented no obstacle to her.

Amon’s sword, carrying substantial power, struck down as if to shatter her blade. But Erin skillfully deflected the impact.

She immediately noticed his sword style had changed. Amon’s once noble and elegant swordsmanship now carried vigor.

He seemed to be trying various approaches since their last duel.

But Amon’s original style wasn’t bad either.

He had lost their duel simply because she was too strong.

Thinking this, Erin guided Amon’s sword. She intended to show him through their clashing blades that his original style wasn’t bad.

Confusion crossed his face. As he defended against her sword, he realized which direction his own swordsmanship was taking.

House Hedor’s swordsmanship. Amon found himself unconsciously returning to his original style.

How was this possible?

But Erin wasn’t an opponent who allowed time for lengthy contemplation.

Even simple cutting and thrusting motions felt different when she performed them.

Amon experienced a feeling similar to when he first dueled with Erin.

A massive mountain appeared before his eyes. He felt he couldn’t pierce through no matter how much he attacked.

But it wasn’t exactly the same as before. Erin was showing him. Showing him which path his sword should take.

If that was the case, he had no choice but to meet her expectations. Amon gritted his teeth and displayed the best swordsmanship he could muster. Erin responded to his best effort in kind.

Clang.

The swords collided with a clear sound.

‘Was swinging a sword always this enjoyable?’

Amon momentarily had such a thought. Erin, wielding her sword before him, seemed almost like she was dancing.

Not a trace of unnecessary force entered any of her movements.

How naturally one motion flowed into the next… it was simply beautiful.

Amon’s sword momentarily halted as he stared at Erin in a daze.

Erin wasn’t one to miss such an opening. Her sword deflected his blade and stopped right in front of his brow.

The ending was identical to their first duel.

“Lord Amon, getting distracted during a duel?”

He had no excuse. Amon knew how foolish his action had been. It was insulting both to Erin and to anyone walking the path of knighthood.

Amon picked up his sword and bowed his head to Erin. Her face colored with surprise.

“It was a good duel, and I have no excuse.”

“…Lord Amon, couldn’t you act like you normally do?”

Erin was at a loss for words at his unexpected reaction. She never thought he would so readily admit his mistake.

Amon’s eyes were shining when he raised his head.

‘Why is he looking at me like that?’

In her third life, Erin had often seen eyes like Amon’s.

Whenever she provided insights, knights who followed her would look at her with the same passionate gaze.

Looking at Amon brought back those memories.

“I can’t get used to this, so please just act like you did before.”

“Is that more comfortable for you?”

“Yes, truly.”

Amon nodded at Erin’s words. But those sparkling eyes remained unchanged.

To think she would find the Amon who had criticized her for not knowing honor more comfortable.

Indeed, today was a strange day.