At the residence of the Second Prince in the imperial palace.
The heavy sound of blows seeped through the tightly shut door.
Thud! Thud!
The echoes of indiscriminate violence reverberated through the long corridors of the imperial palace.
Intermittent groans and screams had ceased at some point, and Gawain, standing guard outside the bedroom door, swallowed his unease.
‘His Highness has been venting his anger for over four hours now.’
Since returning from the Develion estate, he had turned ten slaves into corpses, yet his rage remained unquenched.
Concerned that the stench of blood might permeate the palace, Gawain was about to intervene when the door opened, revealing Albireo.
“Huff… Huff… Damn it…”
Albireo, drenched in red, gasped for breath.
Blood clung to his hair and cheeks.
His eyes, consumed by rage, were wide and grotesque.
“Damn it! How dare they warn me! Behirit Develion!!”
Crash!
Albireo kicked a decorative item in the corridor, venting his anger.
“I can’t wait until the Sword Demon Festival! Mobilize all our forces and kill him now!”
“Please calm down. You know it’s impossible. We have no justification to attack the Grand Duke, and even if we did, our forces would be slaughtered.”
“Shut up!”
Bang!
Albireo kicked the door next to Gawain, who remained calm.
As Albireo continued to unleash his uncontrollable fury, Gawain quietly lowered his gaze.
‘…I still can’t believe it.’
The aura he had felt from the Grand Duke during their visit to the Develion estate.
It was on a completely different level.
What had happened to him since he achieved the realm of Sword Master three years ago?
Even now, recalling the oppressive atmosphere of the reception room sent shivers down his spine.
After a while, Albireo, somewhat calmed, caught his breath and spoke.
“Huff… I lost my composure. I need to stay calm. If I’m going to kill them all, I need to prepare thoroughly.”
“That’s wise.”
“I’ll kill the Grand Duke, my sibling, and all who support them. Where is my master now?”
“He has finished his research in the southern part of the empire and has returned to the Magic Tower.”
“I need to contact him. He must know that the Grand Duke is the biggest obstacle to our plans. My master will attend the Sword Demon Festival this time, and together, we’ll crush those arrogant bastards.”
Albireo wiped the blood from his cheek as he spoke.
The master of the Magic Tower, an 8th-circle mage, the highest rank among existing mages.
He was Albireo’s mentor and strongest supporter, having recognized Albireo’s magical talent and personally taken him under his wing.
His support for Albireo in the succession struggle was simple.
Albireo was the only one who would support his magical research unconditionally.
Treasures from the imperial palace, rare materials from the empire’s farthest reaches, and even living children when necessary.
‘This year’s Sword Demon Festival will be quite lively.’
Gawain quietly stroked his chin.
Not only the master of the Magic Tower, but traditionally, the captain of the Imperial First Knights would also attend.
With the Grand Duke, who rarely appeared at events in the capital, attending alongside the princess, it would be the perfect stage for the Second Prince.
A grand stage where the protagonist would eliminate all obstacles.
It was his lord’s favorite scenario.
However…
Even with the master of the Magic Tower’s help, could they really stand a chance against that monstrous Grand Duke?
Even with traps, hostages, and poison, he couldn’t envision a way to defeat him.
‘…’
Perhaps, as the Grand Duke had warned, abandoning the assassination of the princess was the right choice.
Hiding the doubts rising in his mind, Gawain followed his orders and headed off.
* * *
At the same time.
The elite training ground of the Imperial Academy.
Swoosh!
A boy swung a longsword through the night air.
The sword, imbued with starlight, danced through the void.
His soft hair fluttered with each movement.
“Huff.”
Slash!
After taking a deep breath, he unleashed a devastating thrust.
The sharp blade tore through the night air, creating a sonic boom.
“Still not enough.”
The boy standing alone in the training ground.
Luke Starlight, the top-ranked first-year student at the academy, his eyes filled with determination.
‘If the Grand Duke is in the capital, he might attend the Sword Demon Festival. I must show him how much stronger I’ve become.’
The oppressive gaze that had looked down at him from behind the mask lingered in his mind.
The first defeat he had ever tasted.
The advice that had become his flesh and blood.
Recalling the red-eyed man who had become his new goal, Luke clutched his pounding chest.
‘Grand Duke…’
A life lived in secrecy due to his family.
For Luke, who had spent his entire life hiding, the man had given him a thrill he had never felt before.
Was it because of the first defeat he had ever experienced?
Or was it something else?
The question lingered in his mind.
‘What was that power, anyway…’
The duel at the inn.
The overwhelming strength that had walked through the sky and disarmed his opponent dominated his thoughts.
Could he ever become like that man?
It wouldn’t be easy, but that’s why his heart raced.
Looking up at the vast open sky, Luke held the stars in his heart and gripped his sword again.
As he prepared to channel his mana.
“Oh my, are you still training at this hour?”
“Professor Elda.”
A woman with the quiet presence of a wolf walking through a forest approached from the entrance.
Slightly taller than the average female student.
Black hair and eyes, characteristic of the northern tribes, and skin as white as snow.
Elda Ferrenka, a professor in the Knight Department.
“What brings you to the training ground?”
“I was getting restless just sitting in my office. The walls of the elite training ground are sturdy, so I thought I’d swing my sword a bit, but it seems I have a guest.”
Elda walked leisurely with her long legs as she spoke.
Her sharp eyes, even without makeup, gleamed like a predator’s as she assessed Luke’s aura.
“My, you’re growing stronger every day. I’ve seen many strong warriors in my time, but you’re truly remarkable.”
“You flatter me. I still have much to learn.”
“Well, humility is good, but you should have more confidence in yourself. For a warrior, self-belief is crucial, right?”
Elda smiled and patted her ample chest.
As Luke stared at her, a thought crossed his mind.
‘I was just thinking I needed a sparring partner. Should I ask the professor?’
Elda Ferrenka, a northern tribe woman, in her mid-twenties, had reached the pinnacle of sword mastery and was appointed as a professor.
Being a step above him, she might offer some insight.
There’s a limit to what one can achieve alone.
Eager to become like the man he admired as soon as possible, Luke spoke.
“Professor, if it’s not too much trouble, could I ask for a spar?”
“Huh? A spar, you say?”
“Yes. I feel like I’ve hit a wall training alone.”
“Really? Well, it’s no trouble. I came here to swing my sword anyway.”
Without hesitation, Elda drew the arming sword from her waist.
Swoosh—
A smooth friction sound.
After warming up, she stood at a distance and asked casually.
“How about aura?”
“Is it alright if we use it, but not project it?”
“Of course.”
Elda smiled, revealing her neat teeth.
Silence filled the space between them.
As Luke raised his sword to a middle guard stance.
Elda disappeared.
‘Left!’
Clang!
A downward slash aimed at his left shoulder.
Luke instantly enveloped his sword with starlight aura and parried Elda’s attack.
The overwhelming force transmitted from blade to blade.
His arms tingle from the strength that belied her slender frame.
‘There’s a difference in aura control.’
The silver-gray aura flowing from Elda’s body.
It seemed to enhance strength and speed, but Elda looked relaxed, as if she hadn’t even used half her power.
“Don’t just focus on the sword!”
Thud!
Luke blocked a sudden kick aimed at his abdomen with his arm.
As he tried to regain his stance, Elda’s sharp sword strikes continued like a wolf’s fangs.
Clang! Clash! Clang!
A relentless barrage of sword strikes.
As soon as he deflected a thrust aimed at his abdomen, a slash came at his head.
Dodging the downward slash, the sword twisted at an odd angle and came back.
Every attack was incredibly fast.
He could barely block or evade.
But.
They weren’t as fast as that man’s strikes.
In the midst of the fierce exchange.
Luke recalled the advice the red-eyed knight had given him.
‘It’s not just about attacking quickly.’
What matters is precision and timing.
Can I do it?
Whether I can or not, I have to try.
Whoosh—
Having made up his mind, Luke’s sword erupted with a galaxy-like aura.
“Impressive momentum! But I’ll end this quickly!”
As Luke prepared his strike, Elda increased her speed, not giving him a chance.
It was so fast that he was now blocking by instinct rather than sight.
As the silver-gray wolf bared its fangs at its prey.
The boy of the stars’ eyes sparkled.
‘Now.’
An imperceptible opening.
Perhaps a strike based on intuition.
But trusting himself, the boy of the stars thrust his sword in one swift motion.
Clang!!!
“Ugh!”
Elda, hastily blocking the thrust, slowed her follow-up.
Aiming for the wolf’s slender neck.
The boy of the stars thrust his sword in one swift motion.
“…”
Silence fell over the training ground.
After catching his breath, Luke bowed his head to Elda.
“Good match.”
“Huff… You’re improving incredibly fast. But your finish was sloppy.”
Elda smiled slyly.
Feeling something off, Luke looked down to see her foot pointed at his heart.
“You need to finish properly. Right?”
“…You’re right.”
Elda, with a sharp aura enveloping her foot like a blade.
If the fangs break, the claws come out.
Luke realized he had found another area to improve.
As he brushed off his clothes, Elda asked.
“Luke, do you have someone you’re aiming to surpass?”
“How did you know?”
“It’s obvious. It’s hard to explain, but people like that have a different look in their eyes. You’re the same.”
“I see.”
Luke replied calmly to her sharp remark.
As he stared blankly at the night sky, recalling the red-eyed knight.
Elda, who had been quietly observing his expression, spoke.
“Don’t be too hasty. You’re growing strong quickly enough.”
“Thank you for the encouragement.”
“Look at the sky. The stars are shining tonight, aren’t they?”
“…? Yes.”
“Right. That never changes. You just need to keep moving forward as you always have. Understand?”
Elda spoke with a confident smile.
Looking at her, Luke’s mouth opened slightly.
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
“…You said the exact same words as the person I admire, without a single difference.”
“What!? Who is it!?”
“…”
Elda, startled, showed immense interest.
As if a secret only she knew had been exposed.
Seeing her unfamiliar expression, Luke fell into deep thought.
Should I talk about him?
He’s not someone I can speak of carelessly.
If I say too much, it might cause trouble.
But.
Would it be alright to talk about things outside the forest?
After pondering for a while, Luke slowly opened his mouth.
“Grand Duke Behirit.”