Noon, at a training ground in the Royal Academy.
Azure sword energy surged with unstoppable force, raising a violent gust that sent Wald flying. He stabbed his wooden sword into the ground, leaving behind a long drag mark and steadying himself.
“That move was pretty impressive, Vita. What do you call it?”
Wald asked.
“Let’s just call it ‘Storm.’”
“That’s already the name of the standard sword technique in the Knight Order.”
“Hmm… then let’s call it ‘Azure Storm.’”
“That’s too perfunctory.” Wald couldn’t help but complain.
Vita looked helpless as well; this sword technique was one she had learned from the Sword Spirit. According to Mukhade, it was a technique from its previous contractor, the founding emperor Reinhardt.
In other words, the Knight Order’s current ‘Storm’ is actually a simplified version of this move. Since it wasn’t her own technique, she didn’t feel right giving it a new name.
It was a kind of inheritance. Reinhardt had also learned sword techniques from even more ancient and powerful warriors through Mukhade. In the future, Vita would certainly leave behind her own creations.
“Well then, let’s end here for today.”
Cielsa was scheduled to visit the Stuart family in the afternoon, and he would be in charge of escorting her.
“All right, thank you, Teacher.”
Vita’s shirt was soaked with sweat, a strand of her ash-white long hair stuck to her face. Having trained since morning, she was feeling tired now.
Wald turned his back to her, waved a hand, and his figure disappeared at once.
***
She returned to her dormitory, took a hot shower, and lay on her bed, feeling her body float lightly and comfortably.
Wald was an honorary professor of the Knight Department. He had arranged for Vita to have exemption privileges; as long as she participated in the practical exam at the end of term, she would earn full credits.
After a morning of battle, Vita felt the fighting spirit within her had become much more condensed, and her real combat abilities had improved greatly.
For Practitioners, mental power was the foundation of everything. Once Vita’s swordsmanship reached the Silver level, her mental strength naturally broke through to Silver as well.
Fighting spirit was the combination of mental and vital energy, accumulated continually through training and combat. Its maximum capacity depended on one’s mental strength and individual constitution.
The presence of fighting spirit also tempered the body, making Practitioners’ physiques ever stronger and more extraordinary.
“Senior El has classes this afternoon. I shouldn’t bother him.”
Vita sighed. The strand of hair on her head drooped, as if expressing her disappointment.
She decided to take a nap first. When school let out this afternoon, she would go give Senior El a surprise.
Thinking this, a smile appeared on her lips.
***
Time passed, and the academy’s tower rang out with a melodious chime.
“By the way, why did you volunteer to lead the dream magic session?”
Karen finished packing her things and asked before leaving the classroom.
Christine replied, “Such a complicated ritual is rare to practice, especially with a professor assisting. It should really boost my magical skills.”
The setting sun shone on her flaxen hair. Christine didn’t even lift her head, her beautiful brows knit in concentration as she continued to study the lesson.
“You’re really hardworking.”
What a shame… Karen thought to herself, shaking her head inwardly.
Magic was a discipline far more reliant on talent than others. Low-level mages found it difficult even to learn or copy the magic of their predecessors. Talents like El could easily adapt or modify spells.
This wasn’t just about magical aptitude, but intelligence. The foundation for learning magic was advanced mathematics, complex formulas, and a transcendent ability to understand.
Otherwise, there was no way to construct spell models.
It’s no exaggeration: the students of the Magic Department were all highly educated talents. Their intellect could shine in any field.
Even among such people, El was one in ten thousand, and he was exceptionally hardworking. As Karen would say, “He’s truly gifted at being a bookworm.”
“Keep at it, Christine. Hard work will pay off.”
Karen encouraged her before leaving.
If El were here, he would definitely say something like that. Since he wasn’t, Karen decided to be his stand-in today.
“Mm, thank you,” Christine replied mildly.
Sure enough, my words have nowhere near the impact El’s do. Karen scratched her head and left the classroom.
The days ahead won’t be so peaceful. I really envy those kids who can still enjoy themselves at the academy, Karen thought.
Karen had received a mission from Cielsa—to monitor that one from the Lavaud family, Pino, and preferably obtain evidence of his collusion with the Demon Cult.
That afternoon, Cielsa’s investigation came to a temporary halt. The Knight Order, acting on her orders, had sealed off the entire city.
The atmosphere was tense, as if a storm was brewing.
He rounded a corner, only to be stopped by an unexpected person.
“Mr. Fitziat, isn’t Senior El with you?”
Karen looked up. He recognized the petite girl before him: Vita, the Sword Saint’s apprentice who had been making waves lately.
And her relationship with El was ambiguous; many had seen them alone together.
“El took the day off and didn’t come to class. If you need him, contact him by communication stone.” He replied coolly.
Vita frowned, dissatisfied with the answer, but still politely said, “Thank you.”
Just as she was about to turn away, Karen’s communication stone rang.
He answered immediately, and Vita watched as Karen’s expression transformed into a bright smile.
“There’s something you need me to give him? All right, I understand. Oh, come on, you know what El’s like—he’s just too shy to turn people down. Don’t worry, he still has feelings for you, he’s just embarrassed to admit it…”
Vita followed Karen expressionlessly for a while.
When Karen finally hung up and turned around, he was surprised. “You’re still here? Didn’t I say to contact El directly?”
“Mr. Fitziat, do you have something against me?”
“Yes.” Karen had no interest in lying about this.
“May I ask why?”
“Because you’re trying to ruin Aurelia and El’s relationship. It’s that simple.”
“Why? She isn’t even with Senior El now, so of course I have the right to pursue him. Besides, didn’t she betray Senior El?”
Vita didn’t understand. She’d interacted with quite a few second- and third-year seniors, but in their eyes, El and Aurelia had always been a couple—it had never changed, even if the two hadn’t spoken for ages.
Karen pressed, “What do you mean by betrayal? Is that for you to define? You don’t even know the whole story, so what right do you have to judge?”
“I don’t hate you, but I don’t recognize your relationship with El. Aurelia and El’s feelings have stood the test of many things—what about you?”
“You’ve only ever seen El’s gentle side, fallen for him because he stood up for you? Like some sheltered young lady reading romance novels all day, with nothing but pink bubbles in her head?”
“Have you ever seen El when he’s angry? Do you know how stubborn he can be, like a mule sometimes? You know nothing. You haven’t even argued with him once. He sees you as a child, do you get that?”
Vita’s face turned pale; she couldn’t find a reason to argue back. “It’s not like that…”
Karen realized his emotions were getting the better of him and decided to end the topic. “Anyway, your feelings are far too cheap. In my view, you’re not even on the same playing field.”
With that, he brushed past Vita, unwilling to entangle further.