After the duel between Jin and Hugo ended, there was a brief break before the next duel began.

Altina took the opportunity to approach Jin, who was resting at the back of the training ground.

While her upcoming duel with Erekaya was on the horizon, she was far more concerned about Jin’s current state.

Given his personality, it was clear he would never show any signs of discomfort to others, even if he felt unwell.

“Are you feeling okay?”

Altina asked him with a worried expression, to which Jin responded by rolling his eyes and gruffly answering back.

“Of course I’m fine. What’s so hard about dealing with a pathetic guy like him?”

“That’s a lie.”

“What?”

“I know all too well. You just pushed yourself pretty hard a moment ago. I know your stamina isn’t all that great.”

How could she not know? Over the past month, Altina had practically lived in the training ground with Jin, sharing so much with each other.

Jin was strong. Even Altina, who had reached the level of Master, found it difficult to gauge just how powerful he was.

Yet, despite his unparalleled skill in martial arts, his body was extremely weak, and he appeared frail.

She didn’t know the reason. Was it a genetic condition, or did he have an ailment? She had no clue because Jin had never mentioned anything about it.

The one thing she was certain of was that his body lacked any muscle, as if he had never engaged in physical activity his entire life.

If he hadn’t trained alongside her over the past month, his physical appearance would likely have been even more pitiful.

Not only that, but despite being considerably taller and sturdier than Altina, he was weaker and slower than her as well.

Of course, those who had reached the level of Master were partially transcending humanity, and thus didn’t care much about physical specs, but Jin’s situation was notably severe.

As expected, despite his boastful words, Jin’s forehead and back were drenched in sweat.

Additionally, his right hand, which had struck Hugo’s solid body countless times and had dealt several blows to his head, was bright red and swollen.

His physical limits had been pushed beyond capacity due to his use of mana, ultimately injuring his body.

“…That was reckless. If you had shown just a little mercy, you wouldn’t have ended up hurt like this.”

“That was a necessary action. If I hadn’t set an example like that, it would have been obvious that more troublemakers would have popped up.”

“But….”

It was clear that no one would approach him after that.

No matter how much Hugo had wronged him and treated him disrespectfully, most of the students wouldn’t think that way.

They would only remember that Jin had brutally trampled Hugo in today’s duel.

As Altina sighed, wondering how to address this injury, Jin silently gazed at her for a moment before quietly speaking up.

“I appreciate your concern for my body, but I think what you should prioritize right now isn’t that. Aren’t you also preparing for your duel against Erekaya soon?”

“…I’m fine. I’ve done my best over the past month, and I’m ready to accept whatever the outcome is. But you are different. The injuries you’ve sustained could potentially leave you with permanent damage—”

“That’s a lie.”

“What?”

“You’re not that kind of person. When it comes to competition, you always give your all, regardless of the magnitude and don’t divert your attention from your goal until it’s achieved.”

Just as Altina had learned about Jin, he knew her very well as well.

In fact, from a certain perspective, Jin understood her even more than she understood herself.

And from that viewpoint, Altina’s actions were… clearly unnatural. Very much so.

Wasn’t this like diverting her attention from the upcoming duel with Erekaya?
Altina’s face split in two at Jin’s words.

Right now, Jin had touched upon the very aspect Altina desperately wanted to avoid.

“You really know everything, don’t you? About me….”

She raised her left hand to grip her right. Her hands were trembling, ever so slightly but undeniably.

“…Yes, I am afraid. And I’m scared.”

“What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of losing to Erekaya? Or is it the mere idea of defeat?”

At those words, Altina quietly shook her head.

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m afraid of disappointing you.”

For the past month, she had been worried about failing the expectations of the one she could call her teacher.

The teacher who had swung a sword tirelessly every night without proper rest to teach her, and she was terrified of not living up to those expectations.

She feared that despite all the lessons and guidance he had provided, her level wouldn’t even come close to Erekaya’s.

That was what terrified her the most.

Over the past month, Altina had grown significantly stronger through Jin’s teachings, to the point where she could barely compare herself to the person she had been a month ago.

Perhaps, just perhaps, she had caught up to Erekaya—not exactly on the same level, but close enough to feel that she was undeniably stronger.

Just moments ago, she had confronted Erekaya and had the opportunity to gauge her level.

Indeed, the results of her training over the past month were not in vain. When she had faced Erekaya before, she had felt nothing, but now she had a rough idea of where Erekaya stood.

…And then she despaired.

She wished she had known nothing at all. It would have been better if she could have remained oblivious and felt nothing while facing her opponent like before.

It wasn’t the fact that she couldn’t measure up to Erekaya that made her feel hopeless. It wasn’t fear of not surpassing Erekaya even after all the hard work Jin had put into her training.

No, it was the fear of what would happen if Jin were to be disappointed in her. The thought that she hadn’t fully embraced his teachings, resulting in her inability to surpass Erekaya.

If he were to become disinterested in her—a talent so mediocre compared to Erekaya, a genius in her own right—that fact alone was terrifying.

But Jin merely gazed at Altina, who was clearly distressed.

Then—

Thunk.

“Ow.”

He lightly bopped her on the head.

“What a pointless worry you’re harboring.”

“Pointless worry? I’m just—”

“Is there anyone who wins all the time? It’s natural to lose sometimes. And Erekaya reached the level of Master several years before you. If you think you can catch up in just a month of training, then where would all the Masters who have never reached that level be?”

After saying that, Jin softly patted the spot on her head that he had just hit.

“Winning or losing isn’t that important. What really matters is what you can learn from today’s match. So right now, there’s only one thing you need to focus on.”

“Do your best. Regardless of winning or losing, and make sure you have no regrets later on.”

It was nothing extraordinary—just a simple piece of advice.

Yet, upon hearing those words, Altina felt something within her heart melting away.

It felt warm—his hand resting on her head, and his caring heart. All of it.

But hiding her true feelings, Altina playfully complained to him.

“…Don’t pat my head. My father never treated me like that.”

“Really? I’m sorry. It was just a habit.”

…A habit? Does that mean he had been doing such things habitually to other girls? And that those girls had accepted such gestures regularly?

That was quite irritating. Unfavorable feelings surged within her about that girl, whose face and name she didn’t even know. She felt a strong urge to interrogate him about that strange, insane woman.

But that was a matter for another time. Right now, Altina had something much more important to focus on.
So for now, let’s hold back. There’s plenty of time to talk later.

“Since we’re going to fight, win. I’ll be cheering for you.”

Saying that, Jin extended his fist towards Altina. This time, Altina smiled in response and brought her fist to meet his.

“Okay.”

Thank you for encouraging me.

So I will win, definitely.

And I will bring you victory, to prove that the month we spent together was not in vain.

As someone lacking, this is the only way I can repay you.

 

She stepped onto the stage.

Above the training ground, Erekaya was already present.

Holding a sword in her right hand, she looked at Altina with an indifferent gaze.

The moment their eyes met, Altina felt an indescribable pressure envelop her body.

Could it be merely an illusion that her and Erekaya’s situation was similar to that of a vassal challenging a throne and an emperor casually receiving that challenge?

No, that comparison might not necessarily be wrong. Because Altina truly intended to bring down the star known as Erekaya reigning above her.

“Altina of Seryas.”

“…Erekaya of Pendragon.”

Before the duel began, they crossed their swords, revealing their lineage and names to one another.

Today’s duel was a vow, a commitment to conduct it solely for the sake of honor.

Just as their swords crossed, bringing their bodies extremely close, Erekaya whispered to Altina in a very small voice.

“Altina.”

“Yes, why?”

“What is your relationship with that man?”

“…That man? Who?”

“Don’t play dumb. I clearly saw you with that man just moments ago.”

At those words, Altina finally grasped whom Erekaya was referring to as ‘that man.’

Had it been the previous Altina, she might have hesitated to answer such a question posed by Erekaya.

If Erekaya showed interest in Jin, and Jin felt a similar intrigue toward Erekaya, she might have been swept up in the fear of being left alone in the middle of them.

However, having heard his encouragement and his words to “win,” Altina shared everything with Erekaya without any particular emotion.

“Teacher.”

“…W-what did you say?”

“You didn’t know? Jin is my teacher. He’s been training with me at the training ground, teaching me how to wield a sword.”

Altina spoke with a tone of pride and a hint of satisfaction.

Thus, she didn’t notice the slight change in Erekaya’s gaze, which had been fixed on her silently.

“…I see, so a teacher. I really didn’t know that.”

In truth, Erekaya had no particular interest in today’s duel.

Even if it was a duel evaluation in Nineveh, it was hardly more than a child’s test. She had no intention of revealing her true strength in such a place.

Her power was not something to be trivialized into mere entertainment for others.

Normally, she would have casually entertained Altina and then willingly succumbed to her defeat.

…But her thoughts changed. To be precise, they changed the moment Altina uttered the word “teacher.”

“Annoying.”

Erekaya would give her all today.

And she would thoroughly crush Altina.

Just like how Jin had done to Hugo moments ago. Completely, like trampling weeds.

The reason was simple.

She just wasn’t feeling good today.