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“For now, I’m trying to find out what you lack. To do that, I’ll need to see your condition.”

She unclasped her arms and stepped before the metal machine, resting her hands on her chin. Her gaze swept over my naked torso. Behind her, a robed wizard with glasses almost as big as her face nodded. She fiddled with the complicated-looking levers and buttons, and I slowly got more nervous with each click.

“This is a device to measure your body’s parameters. How it’s circulating, mana, how much you have, your level of magic, and anything else of note. Of course, it also checks your physical condition.”

“The machine was originally designed for the Queen and archmages of the Seventh Circle and above, so it should be able to calculate your body without any problems.”

The wizard stammered after Agnes’ words, excitedly backing up her explanation.

“…I’m sorry, but who are you?”

At my question, the wizard jerked her head up from fiddling with his machine to look at me. The large eyes behind the glasses were of different colors. They glowed yellow on one side and blue on the other. Her hair was a vibrant blue that reached her shoulders. However, despite her innocent and cute appearance, she exuded a presence I couldn’t ignore.

“Oh, I apologize for the delay in introducing myself. I’m Laura Maureenn, the Tower Master of the Royal Tower.”

Laura Maureen bowed her head and said. ‘A Tower Master at her age…?’ No, she looked young but was probably much older than that. The sea-like amount of mana wasn’t something a child could possess.

“She’s a Seventh-Circle archmage. I asked her to help me, and she agreed quite readily.”

“If it’s the Queen’s command, I’m happy to help. Besides, it would be an honor to be the first to examine the Hero’s body that no one has yet…Yes, definitely honored.”

The excitement in her eyes made me want to break the shackles on my arm, but the best I could do was shuffle away from Laura, who had a flush on her cheeks. She looked like she wanted to dissect me. Seeing my disgusted expression, she coughed and turned away.

“Okay, let’s get to work. First, take a deep breath.”

I inhaled to comply. Laura nodded and pressed a green button, presumably the start button. A tingling electric current began to run up my left arm and through my body. It wasn’t a pleasant sensation, but it passed faster than expected.

“Now, let’s see what we get.”

Unable to contain her excitement, Laura rubbed her palms together and approached the instrument panel. Staring at the numbers on display, she let out a series of mmm’s and ahh’s of approval, then shook her head and scribbled something down on a clipboard.

“How did the results turn out, Laura?”

“Well, I’m sure you would’ve guessed this, but his magic, like mine and Her Majesty’s, is not worth measuring in the first place.”

Laura held up the slip of paper that recorded the results. Agnes took it and brought it to where I could also read it.

“I see. It’s written 7+ here. Does that mean I have Seventh-Circle level of magic?”

Looking back at me in confusion, Laura grinned.

“Measuring your magic reserves is pointless if your magic level is above seven circles. The recovery rate is already different, and the same amount of magic is of different quality.”

Laura explained eagerly, and Agnes nodded. ‘Wait. That can’t be right.’ I looked at the Queen in surprise; she looked at me as if she didn’t understand why I was looking at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…nothing.”

I said. Agnes was unrivaled in talent in the original story. As the youngest person to qualify as a Swordmaster, I wouldn’t be surprised if her mana reserves were comparable to those of a 7th circle or higher Archmage.

“Alright, now that I’ve checked your mana reserves here…it seems the elixir is a bit pointless, but I was thinking of giving it to you anyway.”

She held a vial to me that she had placed on the table next to the machine. The bottle contained a sparkling blue liquid. It was like the stars in the Milky Way reflected on the ocean’s surface.

“Here, take it. It will help you in some way.”

“I couldn’t, Your Majesty.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s just a small gift.”

Agnes spoke in a slightly sarcastic voice and then released my restraints. I rubbed my numb arms and accepted another sheet of my measurements.

“Now, you may look at it, Hero; you’ll be pretty pleased with the results. Your physical potential is above average, and your mana circulation is healthy. At the very least, there’s no way to further strengthen your body with elixirs or procedures.

I nodded and read the words on the paper, written in a cute font.

“How far you progress will depend on your level of cultivation. Eventually, you’ll reach the heavenly realm beyond humanity.”

Laura placed her hands on her hips as if to say, “Ahem,” as she explained.

“I, Laura Maureen, haven’t developed an accurate measuring device for someone of your standard yet, so I apologize.”

“…That’s quite remarkable, Tower Master Maureen.”

“Just call me Laura. I don’t like titles. It’s too awkward and long.”

Laura shook her head in response, but she seemed to enjoy my compliment, her face beaming with pride. It was surprising for a wizard of her caliber to be so proud of a simple compliment.

“Now that you’ve been measured and I’ve given you the elixir let’s move on. Laura, would you like to come along? I think you’d be interested in what comes next.”

“Of course, Your Majesty, my interest in the Hero has grown stronger with these measurements.”

Laura’s eyes lit up, and she pumped her fist in the air. Agnes tossed me a robe and smiled as I put it on.

“It’s time for sparring, Elroy. I haven’t taken swordsmanship lessons in a while because there haven’t been many knights of my caliber, so I apologize if I can’t teach you properly.”

Sparring?

I walked behind her, dumbfounded. No one in this world could even reach her toes when it comes to skill. We walked down a long hallway, up a flight of stairs, and through an open doorway into a spacious, sturdy-looking training room.

“Have you ever sparred with anyone to improve your sword skills?”

I shook my head thoughtfully. I had sought some instruction from Archduke Quenor, but even then, I was weak compared to what I am now. My fight with Arjen was barely a duel. The only time I’ve ever had a serious discussion with someone about swordsmanship and martial arts was with the Holy Sword, but she hasn’t said anything for some time.

“I don’t think there’s a hierarchy in swordsmanship. It’s just about getting stronger as you work with the sword. Thinking about how to use it better and beat the person before you. It’s not the same as learning the basics.”

One of the old knights waiting in the hall casually handed her a sword. She looked at me and gave me another sword.

“You’re training with the Hero today? It’s been quite a while since you visited.”

“It’s not for my training. I doubt the knights have anything left to teach me anything in the first place.”

Her words might have bruised the old knight’s pride, but he laughed it off. It was clear from how they spoke that they were on good terms.

“I took her under my wing for quite a while and taught her most of what she knows.”

“You taught me that for what, three years? You lost to me, and you’ve been nagging me to show up at the tournament ever since.”

The knight smiled, rather pleased by Agnes’ provocative words.

“Well, it’s no wonder, Your Majesty. I was beaten by a child who had only held the sword for three years. You truly had the makings to become the greatest swordsman on the continent.”

The old knight glanced at me, then handed me another sword.

“You use twin swords, don’t you?”

I nodded and took another sword from him. I held it up and looked at Agnes. She looked at me curiously and beckoned.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started.”

I gripped my sword, remembering the memories of crossing swords with Archduke Quenor. Indeed, her sword is strong, no doubt a match for the Archduke.

“Come at me with all your might. If you can’t get stronger by increasing your power, try to figure out how to utilize it. Pitting yourself against someone of equal or greater strength will help you improve your use of it by leaps and bounds.”

Agnes looked up as if it was a given that I was weaker than her. That was confidence. Confidence that she could win with pure swords no matter who she was pitted against. I raised my swords and took my stance. Try as I might to find a weakness in her; I can’t see one.

“It would be pointless to start slow.”

When the duel began, the person before me was not the Queen but the target I needed to defeat. I gather my momentum and loosen the grip on my wrist. Gaps are made, not found. I remembered something Archduke Quenor had once told me, and I closed the distance between us.

“Ohhh.”

Laura’s exclamation was short, and Agnes before me smiled widely.

“That’s a good attitude to have.”

The sound of metal colliding echoed through the entire palace.

***

“…Ouch.”

Somehow, I managed to walk home and escape from Daphne and Marianne, who were looking at me with concern. I returned to my room and lay down.

To make a long story short, I lost. Not as quickly as before, but not by a hair’s breadth either. I had clearly given the Queen my all. She wiped the smile off her face and returned the favor, and before I knew it, I was lying on the ground.

“Of course I was going to lose.”

I have years of experience. My sword has grown over hundreds of battles by the Mist. I thought that if I fought Arjen again, somehow, I would not be outmatched.

“I’m too arrogant.”

Arrogance. I wanted to get stronger, yet I believed I was at the peak already. This was different from the attitude of someone who wanted to improve. I let out a long sigh and clenched my fists. I was supposed to train regularly, once every three days, so I’d have to do better next time.

“Whoa.”

I let out a short breath and sat up straight. I closed my eyes and tried to replay today’s battle. How Agnes moved. Where she looked when she first saw me charging at her. Did she read my movements, then go on the defensive? How much of her power did she use in her swings? What exactly was the attack that made me go to a disadvantageous position?

My mind raced. I tried to understand Agnes’ movement and her thinking. And then the darkness in my closed eyes thinned, forming a vague landscape.

“…Ah.”

It was a familiar scene.

(It’s a shame you’re still struggling alone.)

Ah.

My eyes widened at the sound of a voice I hadn’t heard in a long time, and I looked around.

“You don’t have to turn your head like that. I’m right here.”

In front of my dazed eyes, the Holy Sword appeared. Hair shimmering with silver, eyes red as carnelian.

“That vixen… no, the Queen can’t teach you much. It’s best if I’m the one to guide you.”

“No, what’s with the sudden appearance after all this time?”

“A sense of crisis.”

The Holy Sword had appeared out of nowhere and started muttering things I couldn’t understand. As I stared at her, she snapped her fingers.

“Listen well, Elroy. It’s an imaginary world, so it shouldn’t be too hard on your body.”

In her hand was herself… the Holy Sword.

“I will train you to the point where you can defeat her in the blink of an eye.”