Third-Person Perspective
Haist Gorion stood silently, staring at the young girl lying on the ground before him.
He was in shock.
For a long while, he didn't say a word.
Finally, a single word escaped his lips: "Monster."
It was the only word he could think of to describe Mizuki.
This noble girl, who had never wielded a sword or touched a weapon in her life, had made him question the years he had spent mastering the blade. Her instincts were nothing short of extraordinary.
In their brief exchange, she had already prepared counterattacks, anticipating his responses to her previous strikes.
What astonished him even more was how, just moments ago, she could barely grip the sword properly. Yet now, her weapon lay shattered after unleashing a relentless flurry of attacks and parries.
"What was that barrage of strikes?"
The combination of sword strikes she had used would take years of disciplined training to master, requiring strong muscles and endurance.
Haist was 38 years old and had seen much in his life. Though not the most experienced, he was considered talented in swordsmanship.
He had left home at fifteen, trained rigorously under his master, and achieved mastery by age 25. He had Sword Aura at 25 and reached four rank at 30. Even in the Western Continent, he would be regarded as exceptional.
And yet, seeing this young girl with her raven-black hair and monstrous talent made his entire journey feel like a joke.
"Hahahaha." Haist burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the empty training hall.
"Ah, Verdi… Verdi, why are you so lucky?" he muttered, shaking his head helplessly with a smile.
He made a firm decision then and there: he would teach this girl everything he knew.
>Verdi's Study
"Come in."
The stern voice resonated through the room.
The door creaked open, and Haist stepped in. Verdi's expression was firm and strict at first, but upon seeing Haist, he relaxed. "Oh, it's you? Tsk, no need for formality; you can just walk in."
Haist ignored Verdi's casual tone. Sitting on the couch, he rubbed his temples and asked, "Do you think I've waited too long to have children?"
Verdi nearly spat out his tea.
He stared at Haist incredulously and, with a worried tone, said, "Haist, are you alright? Are you…dealing with a midlife crisis? You don't look—"
Sensing danger, Verdi ducked his head quickly.
"Whoosh!"
"Crash!"
A thick black book from the desk flew past Verdi, shattering the window behind him. The book grazed his hair, leaving a faint warmth on his scalp.
"Man! You're no fun these days; there's no need to be so serious!" Verdi exclaimed, rubbing his head in pain. If he hadn't lowered his head in time, the book would have at least broken his nose.
A giant yellow hand materialized behind him, blocking the shards of glass from falling on him. The hand then started cleaning up the broken window.
"Answer me. Do you think I've waited too long to have kids?"
Verdi was puzzled but eventually answered.
"Why would you even ask that? You're still in your prime! Unless you've been swinging your sword so much it's—" Verdi stopped mid-sentence as he noticed another book twitching out of the corner of his eye.
"Ah, if I got married now, do you think I'd have a daughter like yours?"
Verdi: "???"
Verdi went silent, feeling a sharp pang in his chest. He had no idea what was going on with Haist today. Looking at his friend, Verdi felt a strange sense of unease. Asking himself:'Has he trained so much that his sword replaced his brain?'
"Did Mizuki do something?"
"Did she do something? She didn't just do something, this girl is a monster! Her talent in sword path is the greatest I've ever seen."
"Mizuki?" Verdi mumbled, visibly shocked.
"I've made up my mind." Haist looked Verdi in the eye and declared, "I'll make her my successor."
Verdi thought for a moment. Mizuki must have done something extraordinary. He was curious.
"What exactly did Mizuki do to leave you like this?"
Haist sighed.
"This afternoon, your daughter came to me and asked me to be her teacher and teach her swordsmanship. She was incredibly direct about it, with a look on her face that reminded me of Claude when he tried to recruit me to his team for the first time."
Verdi chuckled at the memory from 12 years ago. Knowing Mizuki's personality, it wasn't surprising she would do such a thing.
"I agreed and didn't refuse. After all, I have to give you some face. Besides, she seemed promising because of her overconfidence, it wasn't arrogance stemming from her noble status, but from within herself."
"How did it go? It seems like she impressed you regardless."
"…She was brilliant."
Haist spoke with difficulty, his face a mix of complex emotions but steady determination.
"Her initial stance was solid—not the clumsy randomness of someone picking up a sword for the first time. As we exchanged blows, she seemed awkward at first. Then, it was as if she got used to the 'sword.' Her rhythm changed. Her swings became faster, and her muscles adapted. Within minutes, her swordsmanship was entirely different from when she started."
"What happened in the end? I don't see Mizuki here either, did she pass out from exhaustion?" Verdi guessed.
A faint red blush of embarrassment appeared on Haist's otherwise stoic face.
"…I got a little carried away during the sparring and accidentally knocked her unconscious. My apologies for that. It's been a while since I've had a proper sword duel."
Hearing Haist's apologetic tone, Verdi itched to tease him but knew his old friend wasn't in the mood for jokes.
Verdi fell silent, deep in thought.
Hearing this story filled him with worry but also overwhelming joy.
He was proud - immensely so.
After careful thought and reflection, Verdi couldn't shake his concerns for Mizuki. This world was harsh and unjust.
Verdi understands it. While Mizuki's noble status and his protection were shields for now, Verdi knew these safeguards were temporary. The world lacked no shortage of predators who would exploit any weakness. And one day, Mizuki might find herself beyond his reach.
Mizuki was a proud person.
Verdi recognized his daughter's nature; she mirrored him in many ways.
Someone like her would never accept a life of perpetual protection. She would demand independence, even if it came at a cost.
That was why Verdi wanted his daughter to grow strong.
Strong enough to protect her pride.
Strong enough to live life on her own terms and find her purpose.
Strong enough to no longer rely on his protection.
If Mizuki could achieve that, Verdi would know no greater pride.
The room was quiet. Haist, for reasons he couldn't entirely explain, felt a subtle tension in the air.
"...As the heir to the first division of the 'Raging River Sword School,' you're required to choose at least one successor, correct?" Verdi broke the silence.
"That's right," Haist confirmed with a firm nod.
"And you believe Mizuki is talented and suitable enough to inherit your legacy?"
Haist fell into deep thought, replaying the events of the day in his mind. When he recalled the fierce determination in Mizuki's eyes, he knew he wouldn't regret his decision.
"Yes," Haist said with conviction. "I trust my judgment."
"Good," Verdi smiled. "I understand your decision, and I believe Mizuki will become an exceptional swordswoman under your guidance. However..."
"The answer is no!" Verdi abruptly declared.
"Alright, I'll start her training imm—wait, what? Did you just refuse?" Haist's tone shifted to incredulous disbelief.
"That's correct! Did you assume I'd simply agree?" Verdi chuckled, picking up his teacup and taking a sip.
The tea's rich aroma filled the air, and Verdi exhaled in satisfaction. "Ah, the tea here is truly delightful. I think I'll give the palace chef a bounce."
"Why?" Haist's brows furrowed.
"Why what?" Verdi smirked, clearly enjoying the playful tension.
"Why are you refusing?"
Seeing Haist's exasperation, Verdi raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No need to get worked up, Haist. I was just teasing."
"Then I can take her on as my student?"
"No!" Verdi refused once more, this time with a wide grin.
"You!" Haist's temples throbbed, the veins on his forehead becoming more pronounced. He was moments away from drawing his sword when Verdi hastily explained.
"Calm down! Mizuki really can't be your student. It's just not possible."
"Why not?" Haist demanded, his expression darkening.
"Are you afraid of exposing her to the dangers of the second division? Those are minor risks. Or are you simply being an overprotective father?"
"Yes, as her father, I naturally worry about her safety," Verdi admitted. "But that's not my primary reason."
Verdi sighed heavily, his gaze shifting to the ceiling. "Mizuki can't use mana. She's an ordinary human."
"What?" Haist blinked, unable to process the revelation.
"Did I mishear? Did you just say she's an ordinary human?"
"That's correct," Verdi confirmed, his tone laced with resignation.
A heavy silence enveloped the room.
"Fate is fair, isn't it?" Haist murmured, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Such immense talent... but no mana."
To Haist, Mizuki was a rare prodigy, one in a million. But without the ability to wield mana, could she truly inherit his legacy?
"You see?" Verdi said, his pain evident in his voice. "She can't."
Haist took a deep breath and shook his head. "I'm still determined. I want her as my successor. If that's your only reason for refusal, then I reject it."
Verdi wasn't surprised by Haist's persistence. He knew his old friend well, once Haist made a decision, he wouldn't back down.
"Are you certain about this?" Verdi asked.
"I am."
"Very well," Verdi conceded. "As her father, I officially appoint you, Haist Gorion, as her master. In doing so, I have one request for you."
"Speak," Haist said firmly.
Looking Haist directly in the eyes, Verdi's expression turned serious, his usual playful demeanor fading.
"Will you protect Mizuki? If something happens to me, can I entrust her to you?"
Haist was taken aback by the weight of Verdi's words.
"Verdi, you've said plenty of dumb things before, but this... this is the dumbest yet," Haist replied, his voice steady.
Verdi's heart sank. "So you're saying no?"
"Of course not, you idiot," Haist shot back, exasperated. "Why are you even worried about this?"
Haist leaned back in his chair, gazing out the window at the garden. "Mizuki or anyone else in this palace - I must protect them all. You don't need to ask me to do what I'm already committed to. So stop worrying, Verdi. You're not alone in this."
Relief washed over Verdi, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I'm such a fool for not realizing that sooner," he admitted with a smile.
At that moment, Haist appeared almost radiana steadfast ally and irreplaceable friend.
"Since you've taken Mizuki under your wing," Verdi added with a sly grin, "why not take Arai as well? I doubt their talents are far apart."
Haist's interest was piqued. "Arai? Your younger son, right?"
His lips twitched with excitement, but he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "Where is he? Let me test him. If he's not as gifted as his sister, then he's not worth my time."
"Oh, come on. Drop the indifferent act. I've already tried sending him to you before, but the little rascal managed to avoid it. You'll find Arai in the—"
Verdi stopped mid-sentence.
He glanced at the seat across from him and laughed.
Haist was already gone.