The Captain of the Imperial Guards? The troublemaking boy who was employed here and only was a hindrance to others? The identities clashed together quite a bit and even he was trying to figure it out. What and who, was he really at this very moment?
He thought about it for a brief moment of silence and then opened his mouth.
"Well, first off I am the Young Lady's teacher."
That would be all he needed to say for now.
Reika flinched at the words, but then hardened her face with determination and raised herself up with her sword, while she rubbed her wrist and arms that were in pain.
"But this doesn't make any sense. If swordsmanship is this useless in battle, then doesn't that mean practicing sword arts and styles are meaningless?"
"That's not entirely true."
Swordsmanship was made to become flexible for those who can utilize it best. Those who can pursue swordsmanship with talent and adaptability, become fearsome existences that are known as swordmasters.
"It is because you are too inexperienced, Miss Reika. You have the talent to become much stronger than even me."
"Then I just blindly relied on it too much? Was it because I didn't come up with any kind of variations of my own?"
"Why did you blindly rush in to an opponent of whom you know almost nothing about, thinking you could overpower them because you simply had a higher tier of swordsmanship?"
He had lived in the era of heroes. In those times, there were countless and numerous amounts of battles of which several lives were lost.
He himself had been on hundreds if not thousands of battlefields, and survived during that bloody era. He would never lose to some child who had just started learning swordsmanship, no matter how talented she was.
He desperately wanted to pursue the sword even in that life. So what if he was a seasoned warrior? He wanted to walk the path of the sword. So what if he had reached the realm of a swordmaster at the end of his life? It was useless that he could never fully see what was on that realm despite having just reached it for a brief moment.
Emotions raged throughout his chest.
That life was over. He had this one and he would pursue the pinnacle of swordsmanship once more.
'I will forge my own path.'
He thought to himself. His resolve would never change.
Rubbing her body, and trying to support her weaker limbs, muttered.
"Ehhh, this will be at least a few days of rest to heal my muscle pain as well as sprained arms and wrists."
"Sure. It will actually be better if you take a rest and don't come back for a few hours. But after that, make sure you come back as fast as possible to resume your training."
"What?!"
Reika shouted out in surprise. Asher laughed at the pure and honest reaction of such a little girl trying to take the easy route.
"That was a test, but did you think that was all there was to it? First the measurements of your reaction time and adaptability, which we measure are complete. Now it's time for physical training."
"Um…."
Reika broke out into a cold sweat and her eyes darted around.
"I'm actually feeling a bit sick… and um… my shoulder feels a bit funny as well, maybe my bones…"
"I purposefully avoided direct contact with your bones and ligaments, you may have thought them to be broken, but I purely hit your muscles which are most likely in pain right now."
"Fuck.."
Reika mutturred the most profane word she knew; unbefitting of the young lady of the estate.
—
The Halvark Manor was still standing tall on the estate even after the past 100 years it had been through. It wasn't an incredible estate compared to most other estates of nobility, but it wasn't negligible either. It was average in the very sense of the word.
Some of the younger generation complained that the Manor was too traditional and old-fashioned with it's lack of renovations. But the older generation knew that the traditionality and consistency of the surroundings around the manor were quite tranquil.
It was an influential family, since it was located quite close to the Capital of the Empire. And it's geographical advantages were quite enviable by other city lords. But mostly the very dull and tranquil atmosphere was due to the Lord of the Halvark family. It was quite a moderate family with their actions and political stances within the Empire.
He hated quarrels and unnecessary troubles that could be brought to the estate. He would also rule fairly with whatever resources he currently had. It was quite a humble family among the other nobilities.
Lord Halvark was amicable and had a high praise from his citizens. However, his son Luke was… a bit radical to say the least. However, Lord Halvark hoped that his son would eventually change for the better.
"Whoo-"
Venicia, the Lord's Wife sighed and put the spoon down. She stared at Reika who was still drinking the soup prepared for her, with anxious eyes.
"..Reika."
"Yes mother?"
Reika flinched and rose her head from the bowl of soup. Venicia sighed once more.
Venicia was so proud when she first gave birth to Reika. Though she shed tears of sorrow when she found out the baby was a girl, she was prideful that her daughter was growing up to be quite a beautiful young girl.
(T/N : Sexism was incredibly common within the feudal eras, I do respect this author for actually having knowledge of this compared to most novels. But it is quite sad nonetheless to see.)
Eventually Venicia could not hold in her thoughts any longer and spoke out.
."
"… You strongly insisted with your tenacity and I will respect your decision no matter what the results of it turn out to be…"
Exactly one month ago, Reika had come to Venicia asking for her to give Asher the laboring boy, the freedom of schedule in his work. At first Venicia did not understand why this was being requested from Reika.
Reika and Asher's relationship had one of simple indifference. It wasn't like the relationship between Luke and Asher which consisted of enmity. It was simple indifference.
Because of this, Venecia's interest was piqued and allowed her request to be granted. Then a bit later on, Reika had requested for a couple of training swords. When Venicia asked her about why she needed them, the answer she got back was "He said he will teach me swordsmanship". Venicia thought it was simply someone else teaching her that had stopped by on their way to the capital and allowed her to do so.
But when she found it was Asher… she was quite surprised to say the least. But, Venicia recalled a certain rumor that was floating around the estate the past few days.
It was that Luke had challenged Asher to a duel, yet the results were far from the expected outcome. The most surprising thing was that Luke's attitude which had been rampantly disturbing until then, was curbed to the side with a form of humility. Lord Halvark and Venicia herself, were quite pleased and surprised with the fact their son Luke had a change in nature. Whether it would only be temporary or not, it was not known, but still pleasing to see.
At this opportunity laid in front of Venicia, she thought Asher and Reika could become quite close with each other. But perhaps, that might have been the wrong decision to make.
Venicia anxiously opened her mouth once more and spoke.
"Have you been okay with it?"
"Hahaha!"
Reika laughed with a big smile on her face. But what Venicia was concerned about was all the dirty specks of dirt and scratches on Reika's beautiful face. Her hands had also become rough and calloused; unbefitting of a young noble lady in the Empire.
"It's been like this for over a month now. You leave me with no choice but to be worried."
Venicia thought it would be some simple thing that Reika requested that perhaps came from a little bit of a romantic emotion from Reika. However, it was clear that it had been over a month now, with the opposite intended result. This time her gaze turned into one that was firm as she glared with disappointment evident across her face, at Reika. Reika, noticing this, quickly stuffed her food in her face and hurried out.
"Well thanks for the meal mother, but I've heard enough of it. I'll be back later!"
"Reika!"
Standing up abruptly out of her chair, Venicia shouted out at Reika who was already off and running to the training grounds.
In the dining room the other 3 of the family were still there. Luke, then stood up and bowed as he spoke.
"Well then father and mother, I will be taking my leave as well."
As Luke departed, there was silence in the dining hall. Lord Halvark who was eating quietly, spoke with a calm tone.
"Reika is a clever and gifted child, it will be okay I think for her to do what she wants for now."
"But honey…!"
Venicia bit her lips. She was a great mother and overall amazingly capable woman. However, her soft side was always shown when it came to children. Lord Halvark smiled at the scene and spoke.
"If you still have qualms about it, how about you go and see Asher for yourself?"
"I.. myself?"
Venicia quickly shook her head.
"No I can't, if I go the citizens and other workers will think I am showing unreasonable favor once more. I've already been watching over him quite a bit, but if I make a mistake, the discipline in the manor…"
"Asher has changed."
Lord Halvark smiled at Venicia. She had spoken as if it were a problem to go check on Asher due to favoritism, yet her body was already facing the door to go see the changes for herself.
It was a child that Venicia treasured dearly, and raised from the shadows. Although she couldn't show it much due to the implications it had on the line of succession, she cared very deeply for the boy.
"I see.. Then I shall go ahead and see for myself."
Venicia nodded, turned around and left promptly.
Lord Halvark's smile, abruptly contorted into suspicion. He picked up his wine glass and took a sip.
"Charon."
"Yes sir."
The butler from behind him approached forwards and bowed his head in respect.
"Go and follow after Venicia and report to me in detail whatever happens there."
"As you command, sir