After reminiscing on my memories, Libert and I continued training, the echoes of our shes reverberating through the training grounds.


    ng...!


    The sound of metal meeting metal filled the air as my de collided with Libert''s. Despite my strength advantage, he effortlessly guided my de out of reach, his movements precise and fluid. With a swift maneuver, he struck me on the chest with his dull sword, causing a sharp sting despite theck of a cut.


    "Looks like you heeded my advice, sir hero," Libert remarked, his toneced with a hint of satisfaction. "The path your sword takes is much clearer now."


    "Sticking to the basics isn''t always the path to strength, but it doesy a solid foundation," I replied, acknowledging his point.


    With determination, I dashed straight towards Libert, attempting a thrust. But as expected, my sword found only empty air as he effortlessly sidestepped my attack. Undeterred, I pivoted, seeking to continue the assault.


    With a twist, I aimed my strike at Libert once more, but again he blocked it effortlessly, his movements a graceful dance of defense and offense. In a swirling motion of his own, he deftly stabbed at my hands, causing a sharp pain to shoot through me as his de struck my palms.


    "Ugh..." I grunted, the pain momentarily overwhelming my senses. Instinctively, I released my grip on the sword, and before I could react, Libert''s de was at my neck, the tip pressing against my skin with a warning.


    "I lost…" I admitted with heavy breath, raising my hands in surrender.


    Libert smiled before tossing a towel my way.


    "Your skills with the sword aren''t bad, though one wouldn''t call you a genius. But you are talented. Your ability to instinctively feel where to properly strike is a rare trait, even among the most skilled knights I''ve met. They usually hone that instinctual ability through hard-earned experience," hemented, his words carrying both praise and constructive criticism.


    "You still make unnecessary movements, sir hero. If you can fix that in due time, you''ll be able to hit me without even using aura," he added, trying to reassure me with a gentle smile. But even as he spoke, I couldn''t shake the knowledge of just howcking my movements were.


    For now, there wasn''t much I could do about it. In reality, I was still technically a beginner, and making unnecessary movements couldn''t be helped at this stage.


    I''ll reach my goal in due time. Even if my sword skills don''t reach the highest pinnacle, it doesn''t truly matter.


    My other skills will make up for it.


    But even so, I resolved to train harder, knowing that in the future, I might need it more than ever before.


    "Can we go again?" I asked, wiping the sweat off my face with the back of my hand.


    "dly," Libert replied, a glint of determination in his eyes as he pointed his sword at me once more.


    For several more hours, we shed swords, the rhythm of our strikes echoing across the training grounds. Despite the fatigue setting in, I persisted, each sh pushing me to improve.


    Throughout our session, Libert imparted a few tricks here and there, but he didn''t delve deeply into teaching me his style.


    Instead, he emphasized that it wasn''t the goal of a master to impart their exact style onto their student. Rather, he aimed to nurture my own unique abilities and allow me to bloom in my own way.


    His words resonated with me.


    After all, each of us was different, and even if I meticulously trained in his style of swordsmanship, the nature of my abilities meant that I might not need to utilize it in the same manner as him. Practicality dictated that I find applications for my unique skills.


    For now, sticking to the basics remained essential. Only once I had mastered the fundamentals could I begin to explore a swordsmanship that truly suited me.


    Libert had mentioned the existence of pdins whose fighting style matched mine, but they were too weak to train me.


    It was a reminder that my journey would be unique, and I would need to forge my path forward.


    "Finding your essence will probably be quite hard, sir hero," Libert remarked solemnly.


    "Essence?" I inquired, curious about this new concept.


    "It is the final destination for those who wield the sword," Libert exined gravely, his gaze piercing as he spoke.


    Not long after, I felt his aura expand, and a sensation of deep suppression gripped my body, as if invisible chains were anchoring me to the ground.


    Despite the instinctual urge to break free, I found myself unable to move, trapped within his overwhelming presence.


    Then, suddenly, everything around me shifted into shades of ck and white, disorienting and surreal. In that moment, I could sense Libert''s intent, his de aimed for my neck. Panic surged within me as I felt a disorienting sensation, as if the world had turned upside down.


    Had he struck me? Was my head severed from my body?


    Gasping for breath, I copsed to my knees, the world around me fading into darkness. But as quickly as it had begun, the disorienting sensation subsided, and reality returned in full color.


    As I looked up, I saw Libert slowly approaching me, his expression softened from its previous intensity.


    "That was my essence, sir hero," he exined, extending a hand to help me up. "Essence is essentially one''s own domain, a ce in this world which you own. Anyone who enters it bes crippled if their wills aren''t strong enough to match your own ideals."


    "The pinnacle of swordsmanship, huh?" I mused aloud.


    "Yes," Libert affirmed, his expression serious as he contemted the depth of my question.


    So basically, it''s an expansion of one''s aura... but with a defined trait.


    ''I see. So, is this what Siena does whenever she releases her aura? No wonder she can almost cripple an entire country with her aura alone''


    The thought sent a shiver down my spine.


    Sword masters truly were a force to be reckoned with.


    ''Hah... still, it''s a bit sad that I can''t learn celestial swordsmanship like Tristan'' Imented, thinking of Siena''s legendary technique.


    The moment I do learn it though, theplications that will arise would be too much to handle.


    Considering Siena''s animosity with the church…


    Well, it''s not suitable for me in the first ce.


    I sighed, pushing aside the fleeting desire. Dwelling on it wouldn''t change anything.


    ''But still, I kind of wanted to learn sword skills with cool styles''


    ncing at my watch, I realized it was almost past noon. I needed to return to my room soon the pope would probably send someone to call for me soon.


    ….


    As the meeting with the Pope and Father concluded, I sank into the couch with a heavy sigh.


    Why did it take them so much time to sort things out?


    The tension in the room, filled with subtle threats disguised within their words, made me feel distinctly ufortable.


    It seemed as though they didn''t even recognize my presence amidst their deliberations.


    Haah…!


    With another sigh, I slumped onto my bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling upon me. It was time to take a moment for myself.


    Summoning my staff, I reached out and touched it, feeling the runic engravings immediately light up in response.


    The staff possessed the remarkable ability to amplify my magical energy and spirit resonance, making it a powerful tool for establishing contact with others, even across great distances.


    However, as I prepared to reach out to Meralda, who I knew was likely with Adrian at that moment, a sudden realization struck me.


    This was likely the first time they had been together in a long while. Interrupting their reunion would be impolite, to say the least.


    With a sense of reluctance, I withdrew my hand from the staff. ''I shouldn''t intrude''


    Deciding to prioritize rest over furthermunication, I settled into my bed, feeling the weariness of the day wash over me.


    I miss you Adrian…


    ….


    As I stepped into my room, I was met by a priest, as expected. He informed me that my father, the duke, was waiting and wished to speak with me.


    With a nod ofpliance, I followed the priest, who served as my guide, to arge door.


    As we arrived, the priest stopped and turned to me.


    "His grace is inside... if you''ll excuse me," he said before walking away.


    I couldn''t help but feel a twinge of surprise. He didn''t open the door for me or guide me inside.


    Was this his way of respecting our privacy, or was it something else? Perhaps fear or rudeness?


    "Haha…"


    A small chuckle escaped my lips at the thought. Was the duke truly that ufortable?


    Knock... Knock... I rapped twice on the door, and a voice immediately responded, "Come in."


    Pushing open the door, I entered slowly, taking in the scene before me. There he was, the duke, after such a long absence.


    Handsome as ever, he regarded me with his cold eyes, though there was a hint of reluctance in his gaze as he avoided direct contact with me.


    I couldn''t help but acknowledge the lingering trauma evident in his demeanor.


    Despite the passage of time, it seemed that wounds from that time still haunted him, dad really needs to hold back with his entrances.


    "Adrian..!"


    Aria''s voice echoed from the side, her face lighting up with joy as she sat beside the duke. With an eager smile, she stood and enveloped me in a tight hug.


    "I missed you...!" she eximed, her embrace filled with warmth and affection. I couldn''t help but return the sentiment, though a thought nagged at the back of my mind: Did Aria forget the duke was here?


    As we shared the embrace, I almost voiced my concern aloud, but the duke''s reaction stopped me short. His typically serious demeanor had vanished, reced by wide-eyed astonishment.


    It was as if he was on the verge ofedic shock the only thing missing was if he opened his mouth.


    But I understood his surprise. After all, as far as he remembered, Aria harbored disdain for me.


    Finding his reaction amusing, I couldn''t resist adding fuel to the fire. With a mischievous grin, I attempted to overload his senses, adding to his bewilderment.


    "Yeah, I missed you too, Aria," I replied warmly, shing a gentle smile in her direction.


    "Hehehe~"


    Aria''sughter rang out, a strange mixture of happiness and excitement.


    It seemed she hadpletely forgotten about the duke''s presence, lost in the moment of our reunion.


    I couldn''t help but wonder if her joy was genuine.


    Had she truly missed me that much?


    The thought brought a sense of warmth to my heart, despite the awkwardness of the situation.