There was someone who had been swinging his sword in the field.
As for who that person was. It was not clear since he would barely attend anything other than the personal classes. Once you get out of the academy ground, on the field, you would find the person swinging his sword mindlessly. No, mindlessly was not the right word, and though his sword-forms and katas were strange. His sword demonstration reminded them of a sword dance that was evoked against agile foes.
"Is that right?" Carwyn said with a passive look.
"That's right, Archduchess!" said the woman with her arms crossed. "Not only that this man has the ability. He's so dedicated to his practice and it also helps that he's quite handsome!"
"I'm married."
"Come on now," the woman shook her head with her hands on her hips. "Just because you are married, doesn't mean that you can't admire it?"
"Go away, Misha."
"Boo, you're so serious, Archduchess."
The two walked on the halls of the academy. Afternoon sunlight entered through the glass panels. Misha walked with Carwyn while carrying that thick and long staff of hers. With the white halls of the academy, there was an immaculate feeling that one could feel when walking down the halls. The two stopped for a moment when arriving at the flight of stairs leading down. Misha was the first one to take a step, Carwyn followed, holding on to her hair as a gust of wind blew.
"Oh, he's here as well," Misha pointed her face in the direction of the training field.
Carwyn looked. Some students were interested in the sword dance of the student. Though they did not dare to break his trance, fearing that the sword would have been pointed at them. From where she stood, students were hiding in secret, watching the sword dance of this man whose sword form was swift, agile, and rather deadly.
"He's conjuring gust with his sword blows."
"Isn't he? From what I can gather he should be knocking on the final step."
"The six-layer of power," Carwyn muttered.
The man in the field continued displaying his prowess of the sword. With the afternoon sun and the fast movements, Carwyn could not truly see what the man looked like. But the body of the man, wide shoulders, and tall posture made it clear to Carwyn why there were more female students here than males watching this man.
"Gosh, isn't it wonderful?"
"Is it?"
Carwyn looked at the man again. This time she found herself stopping at the familiar sword forms he displayed. Carwyn's brows raised for a second, then she thought to herself that the sword form was not a secret to masters. The man in the field suddenly went for a pirouette that ended up slashing sideways.
"I don't know what's the point of that?"
"It's a counter attack when facing a wild beast. He's making use of his agility and strength to fight monsters. If your words are right, then this man can use his superhuman strength to deliver clean blows.
"Oh, so that's it. You are knowledgeable about this, Archduchess."
"I've seen such fighting a long time ago."
"That explains it then."
Carwyn lifted her gaze away from the field. She walked down the flight of the staircase. She heard Misha hurry behind her back. She didn't return to the female dorms as one would expect. She bid Misha goodbye, left the academy, and went back to the manor that the Archduchy procured for her.
Redbrick and clay tiles, the manor was enough for her daughter and servant. She entered silently, found her daughter Roselia, and played with her until it was time to eat. She ate her meal and then went to her study room where she found an orb of communication.
She contacted Micah.
"Milady, what is it?"
"Can I still not talk to the Archduke?"
"No. The Archduke is in his seclusion."
"Will, will he come out?"
"That is for the Archduke to decide."
Butler Micah was the type whose loyalty didn't budge no matter what. And his loyalty had been rewarded with him acting as the head temporary head of the family. Carwyn wanted something, but with a legitimate reason, the repute, and the symbol of the family on him. It was impossible for her. She could only ask the Archduke.
"Are you barring me?"
"I am not. It is the truth that the Archduke is in seclusion. He will continue to supply you and the young mistress with the promised funds. Mistress, although you have little trust of the Archduke, at least believe that he will not let anything happen to the Mistress. And must I remind you how incredibly lenient we have been? Now please excuse me, I have matters to attend to."
The orb turned off. Carwyn set aside the orb with a dissatisfied look. She took the study lamp, switched it on, and placed it on the corner side of the table. She thought for a moment of Micah's words. Seclusion, if he was changing, then what would she do?
Hope. It was there. But she hastily snuffed it out of fear that it will burn her. She kneaded her forehead and thought of the man practicing in the fields. There was something about his words that made her wonder what this man was after, desperately swinging his sword, chasing after something.
Carwyn looked to the side. She opened a drawer and found black lingerie inside the drawer. She covered her face, knocked on her head, and thought to herself how foolish she was. She turned her attention to the apparatus on the side instead, practicing her control of prana, refining it.
She was still far from her desired outcome. Although she was planning to gain some benefits. With the state of the Archduchy, and the seclusion that her husband had gone to. She couldn't do anything other than continue her practice.
"Maybe they had noticed?" Carwyn knew that they were not people who she should have taken lightly.