The duel between Jin and Count Seryas was decided to take place at the Class A exclusive training ground.

While it wasn’t something that needed to be hidden, it also wasn’t a matter to be broadcasted, leading both parties to tacitly agree to conduct the duel quietly.

In the context of such a secretive duel, the Class A training ground was truly the optimal location.

As a training ground for swordsmanship, even if substantial noise was made, passersby would likely pay it no mind, and aside from Jin and Altina, no one else ventured there.

Before engaging in the duel, Jin and Count Seryas decided to take a moment to check their physical conditions.

Both were serious about this duel and had their reasons for needing to win.

In a duel of such importance, there was no room for shameful excuses like feeling unwell today or being unable to perform due to a sense of heaviness.

“…Jin, are you really okay?”

Meanwhile, Altina was showing a restless demeanor as she alternated her gaze between Jin and Count Seryas.

From her perspective, this duel was nothing but a futile exercise that would lead to no gain.

Why was her father questioning Jin’s qualifications as his teacher, and why did Jin so readily accept her father’s unreasonable demands?

Her father had even used the term “unreasonable,” so if Jin had firmly declined, her father couldn’t possibly force the duel upon him.

She felt anxious. She was particularly worried that one of them might get seriously injured because of this duel.

…No, to be more precise, she was afraid of the situation where Jin might get hurt at Count Seryas’s hands.

Altina knew. Jin was strong. Extremely so. It was almost unimaginable for her, who had just recently ascended to the level of Master.

No matter how much she might have been before reaching the level of Master, Jin possessed the kind of power capable of reducing an ogre to dust in the blink of an eye, and he was a warrior high enough to teach her about concepts including ideation.

But… this time, the opponent was too formidable.

No matter how much of a genius Jin was to reach the level of Master in his teens, Count Seryas was a different caliber entirely.

It wasn’t that she was overestimating her father because he was her father. In fact, it was precisely because he was her father that Altina was acutely aware of Count Seryas’s potential.

The Count himself was a genius who had mastered the unique fighting style of the Seryas lineage, “Song of the Heavens,” from a young age and had spent decades honing himself, continually striving to reach even higher levels.

No matter how strong Jin was, he was still only in his late teens. Meanwhile, the Count had already achieved the level of Master long before Jin was born, and had been a figure of absolute power resonating across the continent.

No matter how many times she considered it, this felt utterly reckless.

She didn’t wish to merely point out who was weak and who was strong. What she wanted to convey was that the experiences the two had accumulated until now were vastly different.
“It’s not too late even now. I can go to Father and explain it well. No, before that, you didn’t have to accept this duel at all, did you? You shouldn’t have to suffer just because of me…”

“No.”

However, unexpectedly, Jin sharply declined Altina’s words.

“I appreciate your concern. But this is an essential matter.”

“…An essential matter?”

Was it really necessary for his teacher to face his father with swords drawn?

“This is something that is worth it.”

At Jin’s words, Altina’s face turned bright red.

It was a different kind of flush compared to when she tried to dissuade Count Seryas just moments ago. For some reason, her heart began to race.

And… she felt a slightly exhilarating flutter in her chest.

The fact that he considered her as someone special, that she wasn’t the only one attributing meaning to their relationship… this was drawing Altina closer in a positive way.

Meanwhile, someone was questioning Jin’s response.

– Value? What value is there in continuing to pretend to be the teacher of Altina von Rudel Seryas?

To Erekaya’s question, Jin calmly responded.

“It’s a matter of loyalty. Or perhaps, it relates to the basic principles of duty.”

– …Duty?

“I conveyed the enlightenment of future Altina to the current Altina. Therefore, I have become her teacher in some sense and have a duty to guide her towards her own heights.”

– Is that loyalty and duty toward Altina von Rudel Seryas, who was once your lover?

“Perhaps. Or maybe it’s nothing more than my own lingering feelings.”

It was just hypocrisy. Yet, in Erekaya’s eyes, there was a frustrating foolishness that, despite knowing the lack of meaning in such hypocrisy, couldn’t throw it away.

– …Pitiful.

Indeed. It was truly pitiful.

The foolish man who couldn’t shake off his lover even after decades, and the foolish woman who didn’t realize who the man she loved was loving felt exceedingly tragic.

Did that woman know? That in his eyes, her image had never once reflected back at him.

He was simply projecting the image of someone he once loved through her.

The greatest enemy blocking one’s path was none other than oneself. Where else in the world could there be such a ridiculous and absurd farce?

Whether or not he realized Erekaya’s feelings, Jin looked at Altina and, without intending to, smiled wryly.

“I’ll be back.”

With that, Jin softly placed his hand on Altina’s head and quietly ascended to the training ground where Count Seryas was waiting.

From now on, it was time to adopt a more serious demeanor than usual.

Jin and Count Seryas stood facing each other in the training ground.
Upon entering the training ground, he had not uttered a single word leading up to this moment.

With his sword held high, the Count standing before him resembled a Divine Sword.

Jin, who stood against the Count, remained silent, merely facing him.

If there was a difference between them, it was that the Count held a sword in hand while Jin held nothing.

“Are you not going to draw your weapon?”

At the Count’s question, Jin nodded obediently.

“Yes.”

“Why not?”

Why wasn’t he using a sword? The answer was quite simple.

Jin had never been one to rely on a sword. To be more accurate, it wasn’t that he didn’t know how to wield a sword, but rather that the weapon simply didn’t suit him.

Recently, he had taken up a sword in the training ground alongside Altina, merely to master the ‘Dance of the Dragon’ Erekaya had taught him, not because swordsmanship was his specialty.

He did not draw a sword when facing a brat like Hugo; it wasn’t worth the effort.

Conversely, he couldn’t draw a sword when facing a skilled opponent like Count Seryas.

The opponent was someone of equal caliber, or perhaps an absolute being beyond that.

To face such an opponent with an unpracticed weapon in hand? That would be the height of arrogance and foolishness.

“I want to do my best in my own way.”

“Are you saying that not drawing your weapon and facing me barehanded is your best effort?”

“Yes.”

“How arrogant. Then why not use your aura? Are you afraid of injuring me, or are you holding back simply because I am Altina’s father?”

At those words, Jin let out a quiet sigh. Having come this far, admitting that he wasn’t a master and didn’t even know how to use an aura would hardly convince him.

Thus, at this moment, there was only one thing Jin needed to do.

“Well then, Count, why don’t you find out for yourself?”

Thump—

The beginning was a very subtle movement. From the center of his heart, an incredibly faint magical power began to swirl in a small circle.

Crackle—

But in the next moment, everyone present felt as if they heard a sound reminiscent of thunder crackling.

…No, it wasn’t merely an illusion.

It was, in fact, the definitive evidence that the Thunder Spirit, which had lain dormant within his veins, was beginning to awaken.

Using all the means at my disposal, utilizing every method I can access in the present to overcome the foe before me.

That was the only repayment I could offer for the days we spent together.

‘Exceed.’

It was time to prove to the opponent before him everything he had built during his years in this world.