NOVEL NEXT Chapter 134
After finishing her morning workout and drenched in sweat, Yurasia looked around while eating her meal.
“Stella still hasn’t returned, huh?”
“Right? According to the Flame Sovereign, she said it would start right away today. Looks like it’s pretty serious.”
The Wish Right received from the Flame Sovereign—one of the five wishes was to become Stella’s mentor.
Honestly, she thought that even if the Flame Sovereign refused, she wouldn’t have any choice but to stay silent.
Well, it’s the Flame Sovereign we’re talking about.
Having a reputation as one of the six pillars of the Empire and constantly exploring Gebihenum, she figured it would be natural to decline.
But guess what?
The Flame Sovereign listened to my request and instantly agreed without a second thought. Why? Simple.
‘That is a wish I can grant as the Flame Sovereign. Understood. Shall we start tomorrow?’
Because it was within her ability to grant.
However, seeing each other every day was impossible, so they agreed on meeting twice a week. Honestly, that’s plenty.
Even if it was just once a week, I’d be too busy digesting what I’ve learned for the remaining six days.
But the Flame Sovereign insisted on checking in twice a week—though each time with the condition of discussing various topics when they meet, which isn’t a hassle at all.
The Flame Sovereign… well, she simply found my stories to be incredibly entertaining and really… liked them. So I didn’t mind.
And… even if she didn’t like it, those conditions were acceptable to me.
Stella becoming the Flame Sovereign’s disciple and progressing rapidly? Of course, that’s a great thing.
Because someday, they would all visit Gebihenum together.
But that’s not the end of it.
There was another important reason.
The Flame Sovereign mentioned that she would hand down items belonging to heroes to descendants of heroes or those who carried their legacy.
Stella belongs to Behrhaigen.
Kaloso is also from Behrhaigen.
Of course… it’s possible the Flame Sovereign might not know Kaloso’s name or surname. She might not even know about the betrayal.
But Stella’s magic resembles Kaloso’s.
I could tell it resembled his, and I figured the Flame Sovereign would surely realize it.
Then, naturally, Kaloso’s items would be passed on to Stella.
However, it wouldn’t be transferred without any notice.
If Stella’s level rises or if there’s something important, she agreed to inform me first.
And the Flame Sovereign, without questioning why, simply said she understood.
After all, if she figured out that Stella was a descendant of heroes, she would undoubtedly come running to me, excitedly babbling.
In the same way, Stella would likely bring me the items received from the Flame Sovereign to show me.
If she were to hide it… well, no… I trust Stella.
So if the Flame Sovereign became Stella’s mentor, it would bring good things for me, Stella, and the Flame Sovereign herself.
“Is that okay?”
Yurasia whispered quietly while scanning her surroundings.
“It seems like the Vice Headmaster really… dislikes the Flame Sovereign a lot… Are you going to get scolded?”
“Actually, I have supplementary classes with the Vice Headmaster today, so I’m planning to ask her why she dislikes the Flame Sovereign so much.”
gulp gulp – She sipped her lemonade and continued.
“I’m curious if she dislikes her just for touching her disciple or if there’s another reason. Still, um… I don’t think she’s that bad. She probably won’t try to kill Stella or anything.”
Well, it hasn’t been that long together.
But during that short time, I observed everything about the Flame Sovereign closely.
I’m not completely blind when it comes to people. After getting betrayed so many times, I can distinguish if someone will stab me in the back or not.
The Flame Sovereign was someone who would cover my back… albeit I sensed there was something she was hiding.
What that is, I’ll have to ask Leona.
“That would be a relief… um…”
Yurasia seemed hesitant, wiggling her fingers as she glanced at me.
“What? Are you worried about something?”
“No, not at all!”
I looked at Yurasia, who responded confidently.
“You’re just overthinking.”
“…Huh? What do you mean?”
I knew exactly what she worried about.
Next to me is Leona, and the Demon Fist is nearby.
Next to Stella is the Flame Sovereign.
Next to Pina are the spirits.
But who’s next to Yurasia?
I’m not sure about Yurasia, but there’s Ronan Luzarack next to her.
“Next to Yurasia, I’m always here, right?”
“Eh…? Always?”
“Yep. Always.”
Yurasia’s clear eyes blinked a couple of times.
Then, her ears turned red, and her lips fumbled.
“That, um… suddenly… why, why is that?”
I narrowed my eyes at Yurasia.
“Why? Because I thought you were feeling anxious since you don’t have a proper mentor?”
“N-no?!”
“Do you think I haven’t been watching you everyday? I can tell by your expression and your eyes, you brat. Why? Sword Demon? Do you really think that guy can handle a sword that well?”
“Um… well, it seems like he can…?”
“Hah, right. He might handle it fine… but, let me tell you. I…”
NOM NOM Pina, enjoying her tteokbokki, looked at me wide-eyed in surprise.
I paused for a moment, wondering how to respond.
Well, it’s only natural, just as the world is round, the continents are vast, the oceans are deep, and the sky is high; I definitively wield a sword better than that low-life.
I handle it so well that it’s almost unthinkable to even compare it with such a fool.
In swordsmanship? I’m certain I would win without a doubt.
But how could I prove that?
Right. Yurasia has seen me wielding weapons. In Arant Museum, she directly witnessed me slice through demons.
But back then… was I mainly using a sword?
I used many weapons.
The sword was merely a consumable.
“Um… Young Lady?”
Yurasia, with a face that seemed to regret saying something unnecessary, held my hand tightly.
Or maybe… does she look like she’s trying to soothe a sulking younger sibling?
I can’t tell. Am I sulking? Am I?
It’s not sulking but more like… a bit let down?
…What is this feeling? What is it?
“I like your sword the most, Young Lady.”
“Stop lying.”
“I swear it’s true!”
“…Enough. It’s already too late.”
Why must I feel this way?
I’m annoyed?
“Yurasia.”
“Y-yes?”
“I’ll send you a personal message after the supplementary class, so come to my Personal Training Grounds.”
“…Okay.”
“Why? Don’t want to?”
“Of course, I want to!”
Hearing Yurasia’s strangely eager reply, I glared at Pina, who was still staring at me.
“Why are your eyes wide open like that? Jeez.”
“Hieek…!”
Pina lowered her eyes.
Not only that, she curled up, hugging her tail close.
Yurasia patted Pina’s back, chuckling softly.
“Pina, when the Young Lady is sulking, it’s best to avoid her gaze quietly.”
“I’m not sulking!!”
“Hiiih…”
*
“Ellie!!! Eliaernes!!!!”
Thud thud thud thud thud! Leona could be seen sprinting down the hallway towards us.
What insane speed. At this rate, it seems she won’t be able to stop on time, but she stops perfectly.
So, I just nodded and entered the Personal Training Grounds first.
“We’re supposed to enter together!!! Are you going to leave me hanging?!”
KWAANG! Leona burst open the door as if she was going to break it.
“Everyone’s staring, you know?”
“So what? Are you embarrassed?”
“Yes!”
“My gosh. Without any hesitation, you say you’re embarrassed of your master. What a horrible disciple you are.”
Yet, laughing cheerfully, Leona stepped into the training grounds. Then, sniffing the air, WHAK! she released an unfamiliar killing intent.
“…Eliaernes.”
Even if she’s a Beastman, she shouldn’t have such a keen sense of smell. I wonder what’s up with Leona.
I sighed softly and spoke.
“There was a reason.”
I said it casually, but goosebumps rose on my arms. Sweat started to gather in my clenched fist, and chills ran down my spine.
It’s not that I’m scared or afraid. It’s just that this weak body reacts on its own.
“What’s the reason the Flame Sovereign is here?”
Leona narrowed her eyes, looking at me.
After a brief moment, she contained her aura and sighed.
“…Sorry. I shouldn’t be mad at you.”
“Is the Vice Headmaster suffering from anger management issues?”
“You… you dare speak to your master like that?!”
“But honestly, if it were someone else, they would have fainted from that killing intent you just released.”
Leona’s tail shook and then drooped defeatedly.
“Ugh… Yeah, I guess you’re right. Sorry…”
As I glared at Leona, I wiped the sweat forming on my hands and plopped down on a chair.
“Vice Headmaster. Please come and sit here.”
“Okay…”
Trudle trundle – With her head down like a convict, Leona glanced at me and sat in the chair.
“Vice Headmaster, you’re one of the six pillars, right?”
“Well… I used to be.”
“Your name is still up there, though.”
“I clearly said I’m stepping down, but those brats left it there without permission. I have to go there one day and overturn everything, those bastards.”
“The royal family?”
“What’s stopping me?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“What do you mean, ‘that’s true’?! Our disciple shouldn’t learn such bad behavior!”
“You already said all that, so why should I prevent her?”
“Still, no way!”
I shot a look asking what she intended to do. Leona returned the glare with the same inquiry.
“So, now tell me. What’s the reason the Flame Sovereign came here?”
“Answer my question first.”
“Question?”
“Yes. Why do you dislike the Flame Sovereign so much? From our chat, she doesn’t seem like a bad person.”
Leona’s forehead furrowed.
Her tail stood rigid, and her ears perked up.
“…I can’t tell you that.”
“Why not?”
“That’s adult business. You such… a young kid doesn’t need to know this. Actually, it’s something you don’t need to know your whole life.”
“Hmm… if you don’t tell me…”
“If I don’t tell you?”
Leona raised an eyebrow.
“I won’t be your disciple anymore.”
“W-what?!”
“And I’ll go to learn from the Flame Sovereign instead. I’ll be very friendly with her.”
“W-w-what in the world does that mean?! Eliaernes! How could you say that to your teacher?!”
“I didn’t want to compare like this, but the Flame Sovereign tells everything without hiding anything, while you hide way too much.”
“That… that’s! No! That idiot hides so much! But the Flame Sovereign…!”
Thud! Leona shot up from her seat.
I flinched, acting surprised. Then Leona subdued herself and sat back down.
“The Flame Sovereign is only hiding things that can’t be avoided. Knowing them might make you tired or anxious. I don’t want my disciple to know that, and that’s the only reason!”
“I do understand the Vice Headmaster’s intentions, though.”
“But then why bring up such absurd and horrific talk?!”
“But you must understand my side too. I’m trying to uphold my loyalty…? Something like that which is why I didn’t ask the Flame Sovereign. Normally, after hearing from one side, one tends to lean that way, right? That’s why I asked you first, the master, to hear your side and think and make judgments with that perspective.”
As I whined dramatically, Leona’s tail fell flat.
Her ever-upturned lips drooped, and her perked ears deflated.
“Ugh…”
She transformed from a lioness into a drenched cat.
“…Okay. I… appreciate that.”
“But if you keep hiding, I might get upset and leave for somewhere else.”
“You mustn’t do that! You’re my disciple! My only disciple!”
“Then tell me. Why do you hate her so much?”
Leona, biting her lip, sighed deep and finally spoke.
“…You must never, ever, under any circumstances, let this slip. Understand?”
“I have a very heavy mouth.”
“Don’t even show that you know.”
“Of course.”
“Eliaernes, I trust you. Therefore, I shall share this with you… It’s not because I fear you might go to that idiot that I’m telling you this. Understand?”
“Oh, I get it. But your tone has changed, Vice Headmaster.”
“Aah… Y-yeah. Thank you…”
After some more contemplation, Leona finally spoke in a subdued voice.
“The Flame Sovereign is a remnant of the past.”