The Academy’s Crude Pink-Haired Martial Artist

_on the way to the training grounds._

“Hello, Ellie Young Lady!”

“What’s up, Yurasia?”

A blonde knight rushed over with a flourish.

Yurasia, sweating profusely, greeted me.

She’s the closest friend I have in the Knight Order.

She’s also the youngest and apparently the most talented.

Though to me, she seems a bit lacking.

Seventeen years old.

Her reactions are super cute whenever I tease her.

Anyway, it’s convenient that she happened to see me.

I should ask her to carry only half of this.

“Ha, ha. Hoo… What brings you here, Young Lady—”

“Here.”

“Huh?”

What was that “huh” for?

“Just carry half of this.”

“Uh, um… Sure. No, just give me all. I’ll carry it.”

“No way. I brought this for myself, so why would you carry it all? Just carry half.”

“Eh? Ah, you brought it for yourself, um, yes. I’ll carry it!”

Wooden sword, axe, spear, hammer, etc.

I handed over half of various weapons and examined Yurasia’s face.

Since she was drenched in sweat, it looked like she had been training. She must not have finished, right?

“Were you training?”

“N-no?”

Not training, huh?

“What? So you’re done?”

“Um… no?”

“Then why are you sweating like that?”

“Well, um, it’s hot!”

“Hot, you say?”

“Yes!”

“You’re saying it’s hot even though you didn’t train, in the dead of winter?”

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Yurasia.

In response, she flinched—shivering and turning her head away.

“Actually… I was training!”

“Then why lie?”

“Um, well…”

She fumbled through my questioning attacks, so she didn’t seem to have made the lie up herself.

Someone must have ordered her to do this.

Why would they send such a clueless one to lie?

Well, it’s clear; they sent her because she’s the closest to me.

The reason for hiding is that she wanted to conceal her rough training from the only daughter of Eustetia?

Still, after seeing the training I’ve done over the past five years, she shouldn’t have to go that far.

…There’s something going on here.

If I pressed harder, I might squeeze an answer out of her.

What to do, though?

If Yurasia, who’s claiming a decent position, can’t answer, is it someone at the captain level?

Or maybe, my father?

“Forget it. Don’t answer.”

I could definitely squeeze out answers from Yurasia, but I could also get them from the captain.

Besides, if she answers, Yurasia might just get into trouble for it.

I really don’t want to put her in a tight spot over this.

“Let’s go.”

I should head over, gauge the mood, and think it over.

The moment I started walking.

“Yes, yes?! U-uh… Young Lady!”

Quickly, Yurasia dashed to block my path.

I immediately adjusted my stride and brushed past her.

“Huh?”

“What do you mean, ‘huh’? If you keep this up, I’ll ask Yurasia all the questions I’m dying to know, you know? You’re not going to lie to me, are you?”

“Um, well… that’s…”

“Then just follow me. You can guide me slowly if you want.”

It’s fine to guide me slowly.

Understanding the situation and feeling considerate, Yurasia showed a relieved expression and awkwardly laughed.

“Ahaha… Yes, then I’ll take the lead.”

Soon after, Yurasia’s steps in front of me looked really heavy.

*

After roughly ten minutes of dragging my feet, Yurasia and I arrived at the training grounds.

It looked so clean that it was hard to believe she hadn’t trained.

But.

“It’s too clean.”

A training ground should at least have some equipment, armor, oils or cloths for cleaning equipment, and the occasional whetstone.

It’s clear now.

They must have cleaned everything up when they heard I was coming.

In a rush.

That’s a bit disappointing.

It feels like they’re avoiding me.

I want to blend into the Knight Order and partake in various trainings too.

No, even if that’s impossible, at least they should be showing me something, right?

It’s not like there’s a hidden secret technique here.

Or is there?

Even if there were, it would belong to me.

Having attained my fame and built my reputation, it’s natural I would have spread my techniques.

Well… it’s not like I have many techniques in my combat skills.

Still, there were some, quite decent ones, really.

Thinking back, it’s quite ridiculous.

Ha, what a joke.

“Haha! Yes! We’ve been cleaning so thoroughly!”

Meanwhile, Yurasia, who didn’t understand the hidden meaning of my words, scratched her head beside me.

“Is that so.”

Leaving Yurasia behind, I headed to the center of the training ground.

Soon, I dumped the wooden equipment I had brought into a pile and picked up the most familiar wooden sword.

Swish– Swish– It felt too light for training.

I’m not satisfied, but what can I do?

If I ask for a real sword, my father would have a fit.

After swinging it a few more times to loosen up, I called to Yurasia.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

Swish– Yurasia’s blue eyes scanned the surroundings.

She was looking at the knights hiding, trying to keep their presence unnoticed.

“Come here.”

“…Why?”

“People say Yurasia is good with a sword.”

“…Is that so? But… why do you ask…?”

“Show me. I want to watch.”

I need to confirm whose swordsmanship belongs to Eustetia.

Who knows? It might be my swordsmanship.

If that’s the case, I could fix any weird or lacking parts as the original owner of the technique!

“Uh, um…”

Again, Yurasia’s eyes swept nervously around before settling back on me.

“…I don’t quite understand, but are you saying you want to spar with me?”

“Yep.”

Yurasia’s face paled noticeably.

*

Thud– Thud– Thud–

After 30 minutes of persuasion (or threats), Yurasia and I began to spar.

But.

Thud– Thud–

I expected this, but it’s just too much.

I suggested a spar, but why are we playing make-believe?

Plus, she isn’t attacking, just blocking my wooden sword the entire time.

This isn’t showcasing swordsmanship at all.

Hah, this is why the pampered ones can’t do it.

Back in my day, sparring meant knocking down nobles without a second thought.

Eventually, I clicked my tongue and came to a stop.

“Uh, Young Lady? Is it over now?”

Yurasia, with a brightened face, asked.

Yes, I know.

If we were to spar here, swinging a wooden sword against me would surely put her in a difficult position.

She’ll want to escape this situation as quickly as possible.

After all, I am the noble daughter of Eustetia.

So what do I do now?

I guess I’ll have to bring someone along.

Someone who wouldn’t be too uncomfortable swinging a sword at me.

Thwack– Plop–

As I rolled up my shirt and pants, Yurasia gasped with her mouth agape.

Ignoring her stunned expression, I untied all the sandbags strapped to my arms and legs.

Thud.

“Agh! What is all this, Young Lady?!”

“Sandbags.”

Thud– Thud—

I released all the sandbags from my stomach and back, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

“Uh, um?”

Yurasia was still in a state of confusion.

Even so, she firmly gripped her sword and maintained a vigilant stance.

Originally, I intended to go easy and give her a fighting chance, but if she keeps this up, I won’t hold back.

Pat– Pat—

Approaching Yurasia, I swung my wooden sword—reinforced with mana.

Suddenly, crash—

Both my and Yurasia’s wooden swords shattered into pieces.

Normally, hers should have shattered, not mine!

This is disappointing!

“W-What. What just happened…?”

Yurasia’s expression shifted from shock to utter disbelief as she stared at the remnants of the wooden sword she had just held.

Her mouth moved silently as her hands flexed.

“Young Lady, how—what on earth just happened?”

Seeing her reaction, I couldn’t help but chuckle and called out to the knights hiding around.

“If you don’t come out right now, I’m going to live here.”

My voice echoed sharply throughout the training grounds.

It may sound like a brat throwing a tantrum, but at that moment, it was my only option.

If I didn’t, I felt like no one would come out.

And right now, I’m only fifteen.

Shouldn’t I be allowed to throw a little fit?

“If you don’t believe me, come check at dinner. I’ll be lying right here with my blanket.”

Ignoring Yurasia’s stunned expression, I turned back.

“One.”

I picked up the wooden sword that had fallen on the ground.

“Two.”

With my body now feeling incredibly light, I bounced in place.

“Three.”

“From the Eustetia Knight Order, First Knight Captain Karon Camelros! Representing the First Knight Order, I shall heed the command of Young Lady Eliaernes Eustetia!”

“From the Eustetia Knight Order, Second Knight Captain Galack Gomerros! Representing the Second Knight Order, I shall heed the command of Young Lady Eliaernes Eustetia!”

“From the Eustetia Knight Order, Third Knight Captain Olak Einstal! Representing the Third Knight Order, I shall heed the command of Young Lady Eliaernes Eustetia!”

“From the Eustetia Knight Order—”

Thud-

A giant man with his silver hair slicked back led a horde of knights bursting out from various places.

See? Wouldn’t it have been better if they just came out when I asked nicely?

Well, I never did ask nicely.

With a lighter heart than before, I looked up at Karon, standing at the front, easily towering over two meters, and extended my hand.

“Good to see you again, Sir Karon.”

“Yes. It’s been a while, Young Lady Ellie.”

Along with a refined response, Karon shook my hand.

A knight captain’s grip is certainly something else; his hands are practically callused.

He’s huge too.

I wouldn’t even take two fingers to wrap around his grip!

Hmm, speaking of which…

How do I go about this now?

If I say it directly, it might cause trouble, so I need to be a bit diplomatic.

Clearing my throat, I spoke.

“When I come, you’re always absent. Being the First Knight Captain must keep you busy. You must be tired.”

You’ve been hiding out every time I come to ask a question, haven’t you?

“Ahaha! I’ve heard that the Young Lady has come, but given my age… Now it’s to the point where I find it difficult to keep up with training.”

He’s avoiding my presence.

“Come on now, how can the First Knight Captain, of all people, be tired just because of age? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

Don’t bluff.

“Haha! Of course, I won’t let myself be outdone, but sadly I cannot escape my age!”

He’s saying he doesn’t want to be kicked out of his job because of age.

“I’ve been wanting to see your swordsmanship, Karon, but I’m rather disappointed. But can I believe you’ll show it someday?”

So he’s not going to spar with me today?

“Yes. I will show you someday. However, with the Demon Realm exploration coming up soon, it may be difficult to do so in the near term. Aged man like me must conserve my strength. Hehe.”

Sure, live long to avoid doing anything.

“Understood.”

Nodding easily in agreement, I looked around.

Among those knights, I primarily focused on those clad in the shiniest armor.

They definitely look strong.

Great, great.

With a grin, I addressed the captains of each knight order.

“Then does that mean I can expect the younger ones besides you to join in?”

No answer returned.

I took that as a positive sign.

Of course, they didn’t agree, but who cares?

If they don’t like it, they should just say so.

Even if they say no, I wouldn’t spare them anyway.

With a beaming smile, I deliberately brightened my expression and uttered my final words.

“Today, I plan to thoroughly ‘use’ all these wooden sticks. So, I ask for your cooperation.”

I won’t be leaving until everything I brought is broken; so figure it out amongst yourselves.

*

Meanwhile.

Yurasia, mixed among the knights, gazed at Ellie with a distinctly different perspective.

The wooden sword, which seemed casually swung.

It was light indeed.

But Ellie was carrying countless sandbags inside that small body.

How could she move so lightly, devoid of using mana?

That’d be difficult even for herself at this point.

No, it would be impossible unless you were one of the knight captains present.

It’s akin to controlling every muscle in one’s body, which is an insane feat.

And that final hit.

The strike that seemed like a child throwing a tantrum.

Even if I assumed it shattered due to carelessness before, could it withstand against another?

If she managed to, how could it be blocked?

No, that isn’t an attack that can be blocked.

That technique was solely meant for breaking weapons.

The path of the sword, its weight, and strength.

Each aspect concentrated on a single point.

This is a skill dedicated to destroying an opponent’s weapon rather than striking the opponent.

It felt just like a technique passed directly on by the Weapon Master, Arisa Eustetia.

Pure coincidence?

No. There’s no way that’s mere chance.

When Ellie used that technique, her gaze was filled with certainty, as if that was destined to happen.

Did someone from the Knight Order bestow this technique upon Ellie?

Or did she sneak in and steal it, deceiving even the captain’s instincts?

Yet, even if that were the case, both scenarios seem implausible.

That’s not a technique that could be used simply after a brief lesson or sneak peek.

That means Ellie must have awakened those skills by herself.

As Yurasia’s thoughts reached that conclusion, she gulped, swallowing hard, and clenched her reddening hands.

And as she watched Ellie, who was now choosing her sparring opponent with keen interest, she thought.

Young Lady Ellie is either a genius who inherited all the talents of the Weapon Master, Arisa Eustetia, or perhaps…

She might be the reincarnation of that very person.

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