I learned the sword from Elenia.
We both gave it our all, pouring in effort and passion.
Elenia’s master was none other than Sir Noah.
To be precise, he was a sword master from another world, or rather, the sword itself.
Therefore, the swordsmanship I use is essentially the same as Sir Noah’s.
To be more accurate, the foundation of my swordsmanship is Sir Noah’s sword.
Clang! Clang!—
Every time the swords clashed, they let out a clear, resonant cry, and flashes of light sparkled.
A sword dance that others couldn’t even properly see.
It was truly a clash of titans.
But for me, the one in the midst of it, no matter how hard I tried, it felt like an unsolvable maze.
“…”
Look at that.
Sir Noah’s expression shows no sign of crisis, let alone confusion.
When I first counterattacked, there was a hint of approval, but it was merely superficial.
He already knows my next move, my next defense—what am I supposed to do?
‘There’s no reason to win, but after all the effort I’ve put in, losing so helplessly would be disappointing.’
There’s no way Sir Noah would let me win.
According to Elenia, he’s as eccentric as they come.
But if I lose after holding back, the nobles would be displeased, and Sir Noah himself would be dissatisfied.
Above all, I couldn’t accept retreating like this.
At times like this, the pride unique to elves burns fiercely within me, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
‘Two strikes from the front. One diagonal. Based on the pattern so far, it’s either a low strike or a thrust followed by a low strike… Damn it. No!?’
As if mocking my prediction, Sir Noah’s sword came down from above.
I dodged it because I’m an elf, but if I were human, I would have been split in half without a doubt.
The rhythm of his attacks, the unconscious combat breathing—all of it.
In the end, it’s all habits that come from being a living, moving creature.
If those habits suddenly change, the body can’t adapt instantly, and mistakes are bound to happen.
But Sir Noah’s sword flowed like water, smoothly ensnaring me.
[Do you need help?]
[Should I help you?]
What was that?
Two voices, both filled with echo effects?
I almost reflexively looked around, but thankfully, Sir Noah’s sword stopped me.
To be precise, if I had gotten distracted, my body and head would have been separated.
[You seem quite desperate, young friend.]
[Tyreal. What should I do? If you really need it, grab the light right below you.]
Even amidst the chaos of the swords clashing in front of me, I quickly racked my brain.
And then I realized—I had heard both of these voices before.
The gentle, breeze-like voice was the one I heard when wielding the bow of Mother Forest.
The intense, powerful voice was the one I heard when repeatedly banishing spirits.
‘One is the soul residing in the bow of Mother Forest. The other… I’m not sure exactly which one, but it must be the Spirit King.’
Clang! Clang!—
Given the opponent, I couldn’t tell them to be quiet, even though my mind was in turmoil.
In fact, the fact that they spoke to me first was already a significant event.
How should I respond?
What reaction would be more beneficial?
After deflecting Sir Noah’s sword a couple of times, I finally made a decision.
‘I’m sorry, Auntie. You surprised me by speaking so suddenly. Uncle too.’
[Huh?]
[What did you say?]
I didn’t know much about Mother Forest or the Spirit King to address them formally.
Moreover, one was already with me, and the other seemed interested in me.
Rather than being stiff, I thought it would be better to approach them more familiarly.
That’s why I came up with these terms of address.
‘If it was too sudden, I apologize. But I think this way of addressing you is better for both of us. Especially since I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment.’
Sir Noah’s eyes twitched slightly, as if he sensed some change in me.
If Elenia had been there, she would have stopped the sword and asked what was going on.
But Sir Noah showed no sign of slowing down, as if he didn’t care.
[Auntie, you say.]
[Uncle? You’re calling me Uncle?]
‘Since you are both above my mother and father, I thought it was appropriate to address you this way. If it’s uncomfortable, please let me know how I should address you.’
This brat!
How rude!
How dare you address me like that!
…But nothing of the sort happened.
Instead, one fell silent, while the other let out a soft chuckle.
[What kind of person is this? In a situation where you could die at any moment. Even the other forest clans have never been so informal.]
‘If it offended you…’
[Offended? No, just surprised and bewildered. Anyone else would have knelt and showered me with flattery.]
My prediction was somewhat correct.
When it comes to magic and spirit arts, elves are usually in awe.
If the Spirit King had spoken to another elf, they would have immediately prostrated themselves.
[Hahaha. This is quite amusing, isn’t it?]
[I feel a bit strange being called Auntie.]
[Why? Should I have you call me Grandmother instead?]
[Be quiet.]
Thank goodness.
I was actually a bit worried about whether to call her Grandmother.
But after some thought, it didn’t seem right, so I quickly switched to Auntie—a stroke of genius.
“Are you still distracted?”
“Eek!”
Wow, I almost lost my head that time!
Sir Noah! Even so, could you at least hold back a little?
[Whatever it is, that’s not important right now, young friend. Tyreal, was it? Are you really okay? You’ve been struggling against that non-human entity for a while now.]
[If you need help, just say so. If you were going to remain silent in a moment like this, I wouldn’t have entrusted you with the divine artifact.]
My life must truly be hanging by a thread.
Both beings are speaking to me like this.
Well, it’s true.
Sir Noah may look human, but he’s anything but.
‘I’m fine, Auntie. Uncle.’
[I know you’re remarkable. You’ve banished spirits like that. But isn’t this a different situation?]
‘This is something I chose and must overcome.’
[So, what does that have to do with this? Do you understand?]
[Honestly, I don’t understand either.]
Think about why the nobles around the training ground are so surprised.
It’s not just because Sir Noah’s sword is impressive, but because an elf, who usually scorns physical combat, is holding his own.
Earlier, the nobles had said, “Can elves really change their way of life?”
Here, I answer with this: It’s not about changing.
They’ve always been capable.
They just chose not to.
It’s not that they couldn’t.
They simply didn’t.
If they want to, they can.
That’s the true strength of elves, whose pride has led them to arrogance.
‘I’ll need your help later. I want to save that opportunity for when it’s truly necessary.’
[Anyone listening would think you only get one chance. Isn’t that right?]
[Huh? What? I thought there was a limit. Wasn’t there?]
Even better.
If there was a limit, I would have been in trouble!
I smiled and focused my mind back on Sir Noah’s sword.
*
At first, I was simply in awe of the spectacle before me.
Movements so fast I could barely follow.
A sword dance like a painting.
But as time passed, the nobles fell silent as if by agreement.
“…”
They already knew how strong Sir Noah was, so that wasn’t surprising.
What baffled them was the elf standing against Sir Noah’s sword.
At first, they thought he was just eloquent, understanding, and admired the Empire.
Indeed, the elf named Tyreal had shown such behavior.
So they welcomed him while subtly pointing out the flaws of the elves.
They wanted to vent their accumulated frustrations to someone who would listen.
They thought the Empire had been patient enough, and the other side needed to understand.
But now, it seems they might have overdone it.
He’s blocking Sir Noah’s sword, albeit barely, but still holding his ground.
They’ve never seen an elf wield a sword before, but now they see how terrifyingly skilled he is.
And the worst possibility follows: Could other elves do the same?
‘Right. I forgot. This Tyreal is so pro-Empire that I forgot.’
‘This is madness. When the opponent is smiling, you shouldn’t take them lightly but be even more cautious.’
The elves reflecting on their past and humbling themselves doesn’t mean our respect should end.
But when they say they want to change, we should quickly support and encourage them.
If anyone tries to undermine or oppose them, we should crush their heads first.