"What... what just happened?"
"Did Sir Risyr really... win?"
"I don’t know anything about swordsmanship..."
"Me neither..."
"Well, it looks like Sir Humpton fell, and Sir Risyr helped him up, so I guess that means Sir Risyr won!?"
"I really hope so...!"
"Please, I hope it ended before Sir Risyr got hurt—"

It was truly an ironic situation.

In a place where warriors, who had never neglected the training of their bodies and minds, gathered to maintain their composure under any circumstances, the only ones keeping calm were the maids dressed neatly in their uniforms.

Of course, this was likely because they had no understanding of the situation.

The fact that Risyr, the bastard of the Vendell family, had won a duel against a Vendell apprentice knight was one thing. But the fact that he had secured his victory using magic—that was something else entirely.

Even the family head, who was supposed to declare the duel over the moment Risyr's sword was pointed at Humpton’s neck, was too stunned to speak. He was simply blinking in disbelief.

In the end, it was Risyr himself who announced his own victory. He raised Humpton's hand with a smile, the unmistakable gesture of a victor.

The maids were the first to react.

"Oh my! It really looks like Sir Risyr won!"
"Thank goodness he didn’t get hurt!"
"Hey, is that really the issue right now!?"
"Exactly!"
"Humpton is twice his size! How did Sir Risyr manage to win!?"
"Well, you know swordsmanship isn’t all about strength, right?"
"Right! Look at Lady Roera!"
"Does that mean Sir Risyr is just as strong as Lady Roera?"
"Didn’t he always train so hard in the backyard of the annex? He must have been doing some secret training that no one knew about!"

The maids, ignorant about swordsmanship, let their imaginations run wild, quickly accepting Risyr's victory. They even wanted to cheer and celebrate.

"Why is everyone just standing there!? We should congratulate him!"
"Wait a moment—"

Just as the maids were about to start cheering, the senior maid at the front of the group stopped them.

"Doesn’t something feel... off?"

Finally, the maids paused and took stock of the atmosphere.

"Did Sir Humpton just say something about magic?"
"It seems like it, right? I didn’t see it clearly, but his head jerked back all of a sudden."
"Wow... using magic in a duel? Never saw that coming."
"Has there ever been a mage in Vendell history?"
"No, I don’t think so."

The trainees, who had a vague understanding of the gravity of the situation, began to chatter as though they were watching dark clouds rolling in.

The apprentice knights, who fully understood what had just happened, looked like a storm had already struck.

"Oh, no. That idiot Humpton... did he actually lose?"
"Remember, the family head told him to fight with all his strength, no holding back..."
"Ugh. I knew something was off when he wasn’t taking a proper stance."
"Why are you blaming Humpton? Isn’t the real problem the fact that Risyr used magic?"
"Well, there was no rule against using magic..."
"It’s not about rules! It’s about pride! How can he fight under the Vendell name and use magic in front of the family head?"
"Seriously. Where did Risyr even learn magic?"
"He’s been going to the library a lot recently, maybe that’s why?"
"Can you really learn magic just by visiting the library a few times?"
"Seems like our young master is more capable than we thought."
"Is this really the time to admire his skills!?"
"Guys, can you check the family head’s face? What kind of expression does he have right now?"
"Do you think he’s secretly proud? After all, Risyr is still his son."
"Are you kidding? The family head is not the type to be happy when an apprentice knight with the Vendell name loses to a bastard. No way."
"Not to mention, he secretly learned magic..."
"Damn it. I shouldn’t have come to watch this."

With the atmosphere among the two groups so tense, the maids’ raised hands, ready to applaud, hung awkwardly in the air. In the end, no one stepped forward to congratulate Risyr on his victory.

"Oh no..."
"Sir Risyr must be so sad..."

The maids looked at Risyr with pity, as though he were a wounded puppy. His playful smile, to them, seemed like he was trying to mask his pain.

"Sir Risyr... He’s smiling, but deep down, he must be crying..."
"Oh no, his eyes are closed now..."
"He’s probably trying to hold back his tears..."

Ah, sex.

I admit, it’s a crude word, but it’s the only one that fits right now.

It was the only way to describe the sheer ecstasy I felt. The silence from my opponents was deafening. It was as if the entire space was filled with nothing but that blissful stillness.

Yes. This is it.

This is what it’s like to play away from home.

Vendell Library? I’ll tear it down and rebuild it! I basked in the glory of my victory as I looked in the direction where the family head sat.

"…"

The family head’s face was shrouded in shadow, clearly deep in thought. Not a trace of joy crossed his expression.

When Roera had won her duel against an apprentice knight, the reaction had been, “No way, is this real!?” But now? Now, it was more like, “…Is this real?”

To the family head, I had become a living nightmare.

Family head, do you find this bastard so repulsive?

I shed a tear inside.

A tear of joy.

This was exactly the reaction I had wanted.

I had wondered why the family head had even agreed to this in the first place. He was never one to give me opportunities like this. There had to have been some calculated reason behind his decision.

But now, it was clear that his plan had fallen apart, and he had no idea how to recover.

The family head and I locked eyes.

I didn’t look away.

Family head, your bastard has returned. Why is it that you now see nothing but darkness?

There’s no such thing as eternal abuse.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Suddenly, there was the sound of clapping.

Applause? Now?

Everyone turned their heads in surprise to see where it was coming from.

It was Roera.

My sister stood tall, awkwardly clapping her hands.

"…"
"…"

Our eyes met.

Hurriedly, she looked away, as if she hadn’t been watching me all along. Her already tense expression grew even more rigid.

Roera’s face turned crimson, visible even from a distance.

Clap, clap, clap!

And yet, despite her obvious embarrassment, her applause continued, stiff and awkward.

"Sir Risyr~~~"

Then, Pien’s soft applause joined Roera’s.

"Look! Lady Roera and Lady Pien are clapping!"
"Does that mean it’s okay for us to clap, too!?"

The maids, still glancing around nervously, hesitated no longer.

"Sir Risyr!!! Congratulations!!!"
"Sir Risyr, you’re amazing!!! So strong!!!"

When I waved back at them, they squealed in excitement, and the mood shifted entirely.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

There was another sound, like someone smacking their palm with a fist.

"If we fight again, I’ll win next time."

It was Humpton, his face sullen, clapping half-heartedly as he looked at me. I patted his shoulder and replied.

"If there’s ever another opportunity, I’ll make sure not to disappoint you."

"…!"

Humpton’s eyes widened, and his clapping momentarily stopped before resuming, louder and faster.

At the same time, the family head rose from his seat.

"The victor is Risyr."

The place, which had been quiet only moments ago, was now filled with applause and cheers.

Vendell Library, huh? Looks like it’s getting demolished already. The project’s fallen apart.

"Hah."

Still, I can’t say I’m upset.

In fact, this feels pretty good.

I was just savoring the moment.

---

After the duel, Risyr was summoned to the family head’s office.

"…"

As usual, the desk was piled high with documents. But unlike before, the family head’s gaze was now fixed solely on Risyr.

Risyr met that gaze without saying a word, and for a long time, the two of them simply stared at each other.

"Explain what happened."

The family head was the first to break the silence.

"I found an opportunity to learn magic. During the duel, I took advantage of Humpton’s focus on my poor swordsmanship and used magic to exploit an opening. That’s all there is to it."
"You—"

The family head started to speak but stopped, rubbing his temples. His face flickered with countless conflicting emotions.

"…"

Finally, as if coming to a decision, he spoke again.

"How long have you been studying magic?"
"I became fully aware of its value and started seriously practicing it less than a week ago."
"Risyr."

The family head’s tone was sharp.

"The results you showed today are significant enough on their own. There’s no need to embellish."

Risyr's thoughts drifted to the past.

As a bastard, it had always been difficult for him to gain his father's attention, whether because of his birth or his lack of talent.

Had Risyr shown exceptional talent as

 a child, his treatment might have been different. But his abilities were unremarkable, perhaps even pathetic.

With no other options, Risyr had tried to win his father’s approval through other means, often in exaggerated ways.

Like staging overly dramatic "secret" training sessions for everyone to see.

So, that’s what this is.

This man thinks I’m lying just to get his attention.

"Heh."

Risyr couldn’t help but laugh.

"…Risyr?"

The family head seemed taken aback by his unexpected response, but Risyr continued.

"Yes, you caught me. I’ve actually been learning magic for a long time."

"…"

Though the family head had gotten the answer he wanted, his confusion only deepened. The son who had once been transparent and childlike was now unreadable.

"…"

The family head fell into deep thought. Slowly, he stood and moved toward the window.

"Perhaps…"

With his hands behind his back, he gazed out the window, speaking solemnly.

"Perhaps I’ve neglected you for too long."

"…"

"I told you before, didn’t I? If things went well, I would reconsider your position in the family."

"…"

"From today onward, you will train in the Vendell style. While there will be no formal instruction in magic, I won’t stop you from pursuing it, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your Vendell training."

"…"

"Of course, with rights come responsibilities."

"…"

"The young lady of the Dintal family has shown considerable interest in you."

"…"

"Normally, it would be impossible for our families to form an alliance. While there haven’t been any major conflicts, years of small disputes have created deep rifts between us."

"…"

"The Dintal family knows this, too. And yet, because of Lady Pien’s request, the head of the Dintal family has set everything aside to extend a hand to us first."

"…"

"This is an opportunity of great significance for both our families. You will be responsible for it from now on."

"…"

"I ask you, Risyr: are you ready to take on this responsibility?"

The family head turned back toward Risyr, ready to hear his answer.

"…"

When the family head saw Risyr’s expression, he closed his eyes.

Risyr was shaking, his hand covering his face.

The family head assumed Risyr was taking a moment to gather his emotions and gave him time to do so.

"Fa-family head..."

But Risyr had no intention of calming down. He had no intention of hiding his feelings.

"Speak."

"What are you even talking about?"

"What…?"

The family head realized too late that Risyr’s state of mind was completely different from what he had assumed.

Risyr lowered his hand. His face wasn’t one of someone holding back tears. He was trying—and failing—not to laugh.

"I already told you. I’m leaving the family."

"There’s no need for that anymore. You have many other paths ahead of you now. Besides, that path was never suitable for you."

"That’s not it—oh. I see. There’s been a bit of a misunderstanding between us."

Risyr wasn’t angry, nor was he hostile. He simply smiled cheerfully.

The family head nodded, satisfied, as he waited for Risyr’s next words.

"When I said I was leaving the family, I meant I was completely renouncing the identity of Vendell."

"…!"

The shock in the family head’s eyes was unmistakable.

A noble renouncing their identity? Even if it were a bastard, such a thing was unheard of.

"Family head, you promised me. Right here, in the highest place in Vendell, you made an oath that if I won this duel, you would respect my decision."

"Do you even understand what you’re saying!?"

The family head was no longer thinking about the various issues that would arise from this. He was simply overwhelmed by Risyr’s sudden and drastic change.

Risyr answered calmly.

"I understand it better than anyone. I’m sure you, family head, know exactly what I mean."

Risyr didn’t blame the family head, nor was he disappointed. This was how the family head had always treated him.

"You—"

The family head had so much he wanted to say, but no words came out.

There was too much to unpack in one sitting.

Risyr, on the other hand, had already laid everything bare. He had nothing left to say.

No more feelings. No more words.

This is what I expected all along.

Still, I suppose…

"Heh, heh… Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"

Risyr laughed.

It wasn’t a laugh born of twisted emotions. It was pure, joyous laughter, as evidenced by the carefree sound that filled the room.

The overwhelming relief that everything was finally over brought Risyr nothing but happiness.

"Let me be clear, so there’s no room for misunderstanding."

Risyr stood up and casually grabbed the sword at his waist.

"I no longer need the name of a noble family, the status that allows me to pretend to be one, or your recognition."

It was an ordinary sword. Not a standard Vendell blade, but one with all the symbols and decorations of the Vendell family removed.

He had never once been without this sword since it was given to him.

Risyr set it down on the desk without hesitation.

"I’m done being a bastard."

Thank you for everything.

Father.

At those words, the eyes of his coldhearted father trembled.