A Master?

“Ignis…”

I whisper as my tachi is shrouded in Ignis’s crimson flames.

The principal stands before me, inspecting my sword thoroughly. “I am actually amazed that you managed to do this on your tenth try.”

“Thanks to your precise and easy-to-understand notes… I am impressed that you were able to create such concise documentation.”

“I am the headmaster, after all. So, how does it feel?”

“Your method seems to be working. However, my mana is being drained far too quickly while activating and maintaining this. I doubt anyone with a low mana reserve would be able to sustain it for long.”

“Why, of course. This is only version one of my hypothesis. No research can be completed overnight.”

Principal Orphus then pulls out a steel rod and tosses it toward me. “Try to cut it.”

I sweep my sword in a swift arc. Before my blade even touches the metal, the rod begins to melt, making the slash feel like cutting through pudding rather than solid steel. As the severed pieces fall to the ground, Principal Orphus stares at the raw destructive force, genuinely amazed.

“The result is there, but it seems the technique itself wastes far too much mana,” Principal Orphus ponders, stroking his chin.

“Pretty much…”

I give the sword a swift slash in mid-air, extinguishing the flames before sheathing the blade back into its scabbard.

“It seems waking up this early in the morning isn’t a waste of time after all…” Principal Orphus chuckles softly.

“Of course it isn’t… Don’t tell me you’re just a lazy person, Mr Principal?”

“Well, I am a busy person. I work late into the night, you know?” he responds with a light, self-deprecating smile. “Does Your Highness think a principal’s work is easy?”

We discuss the technical details of mana distribution for a short while longer, until students begin pouring into the training facility inside the club building… Compared to yesterday, far more students are entering the facility today.

“It seems yesterday's mock battle increased the number of students who want to join this club,” Principal Orphus observes, gesturing toward the growing crowd.

I sigh heavily, exasperated. “This isn't even funny, Mr Principal. I already know that you planned this from the start during yesterday's mock battle.”

“Well, good luck!” the principal chuckles, raising his right hand in a light wave as he walks out of the room. The students bow respectfully in sequence as he passes by them.

I see Lucius, Nicolai, Ciel, Seranova, Rio, Ashton, and Glenn enter the building…

But someone else catches my eye as she enters behind them…

Most of the people who have arrived are boys—particularly those destined to become the future rulers of their respective territories or enter the military. In this kingdom, a noble’s duty is not only governing their land, but also defending the populace from monster incursions. That is why second sons or lower-tier nobles usually choose a military career: to carve out a name for themselves.

That is why I am genuinely surprised to see a proper, elegant young noble lady step into the facility in the middle of male nobles. Just with her presence makes people turn their heads, causing the other students to murmur as if she were an enigma…

I clear my throat loudly to cut short their gossip.

“Good morning, everyone… I do hope you have come here to grow stronger so you can protect those you love. Let’s meet on the main academy field once those who just arrived have changed into their PE uniforms.”

The only ones wearing PE uniforms right now are those who also came yesterday. Compared to yesterday, our numbers have easily doubled—perhaps even tripled.

After everyone gathers, we start to stretch before going for a run. As we stretch, someone complains from the middle of the pack.

“Wait… We’re doing the exact same exercise as yesterday?”

“Yes. Physical exercises are a regimented training routine. It is meant to build your body's foundation, which we will build upon as you reach the next level. Only those who can still swing a sword properly after running may move on to our next level of training.”

Hearing that instantly shuts up most of the students, especially those who already know that running two laps on this field drains their stamina completely.

“Listen, there is no shortcut to true power. I myself have run like this every single day for more than two years.”

“But… your quick-step technique…”

“That technique requires strong leg muscles and precise mana manipulation. The basics involve making your body lighter by redirecting force elsewhere while boosting your power using leg enhancement. Sometimes the technique requires you to endure intense strain, especially if you want to accelerate further. If you skip building this foundation, do you really want to tear your muscles or break your legs the moment you try it?”

The noblewoman raises her hand gracefully. “Are girls like us more likely to master this technique better?”

“No… not necessarily. Girls do have more flexibility and a lighter frame than men. However, greater muscle mass allows boys to execute this technique at higher speeds, but in the end, it depends on the individual. My master always taught me that girls need to focus on technique over brute force, as we cannot beat men in raw power.”

After hearing that, the boys start to discuss among themselves.

“So, we can surpass you if we train?” Lucius asks, raising his hand.

“It depends on your training. I do have a two-year head start, but that doesn’t mean I will go down easily.”

After finishing our warm-up, we prepare to run…

“Alright, let's begin! Run as far as you can manage. Short breaks are fine—just don't overexert yourselves!”

I push forward while glancing at the group running behind me. It seems the young noble lady's stamina is even worse than I anticipated. I recall the worst case yesterday was a boy who could only manage a single lap, but this noble lady is reaching her limit after just half a lap. Even so… she keeps trying to move forward, one agonising step at a time.

Meanwhile, the boys are taking the training much more seriously than yesterday.

Just like before, most of them are barely able to keep running after completing their second lap. However, rather than giving up completely, they take brief rest periods while I complete another lap ahead of them, falling back into line to take another lap at a slower, more manageable pace.

Lucius, however, has been glaring at me since yesterday. He is clearly growing suspicious of my identity, and I can’t blame him. The worst part is the real possibility that he might ask Father to launch a background check on me. Fortunately, the name Luminera is virtually brand-new, having been registered specifically for the enrollment at this academy—and the kingdom hardly keeps an exhaustive census of every commoner's name originating from the most remote rural villages.

Just as we finish our training, I notice a few students approaching with baskets of breakfast rolls and cups of water. Among them is Amelle…

“Amelle?” I ask, genuinely surprised by what she and her companions are doing.

“Good morning, Lumi! I told my cooking club leader yesterday about your gruelling morning practices, and she gladly agreed to wake up early to prepare this for everyone!”

“How did you manage…” I am completely speechless…

“We'll talk later! I'm going to start handing these out!” Amelle waves at me cheerfully before setting off to distribute the simple breakfast. It didn't take long to prepare, but it's deeply appreciated by the exhausted crowd.

It seems the boys are overjoyed—especially since the noble girls belonging to the cooking club are all quite cute… I sigh softly as I take a bite of a warm roll. Just as I am about to take a second bite, the visibly exhausted noblewoman comes to a stop right in front of me.

“Can I… sit next to you?” she asks in a soothing voice, despite her unsteady breath. Her ponytail is askew from running.

“…Sure! Go right ahead,” I reply, patting the grass beside me with a welcoming smile.

“My name is Gabriella du Tyrell…”

Huh? Is she Marquis Tyrell’s daughter? Don’t tell me… she’s Lieutenant Granz’s younger sister?

Hearing that name makes my heart skip a beat. Before I can stop it, a single tear slips past my lashes and trails down my cheek.

“A-Are you alright?” Gabriella asks, panicking slightly as she sees me suddenly shed a tear.

“I-I’m fine…” I murmur, quickly wiping the moisture from my eye before giving her a reassuring nod.

“Then, can I ask… can I really become stronger?” She places both hands over her chest.

“Yes, you can… Anyone can become strong enough if they train.”

“Even though I am a frail girl? I couldn’t even run a single lap.” She pulls out the hairband keeping her hair in a ponytail, letting her long, wavy, pinkish hair fall to her hips.

She’s as cute as a rabbit!

“Human muscles work the same way as far as I know, so you definitely can…”

I can hear her sigh of relief…

“But… if you burn yourself out by over-exercising, it will only have a negative impact on your body. That is why the best advice I can give you is to take our morning regimen seriously. Do not slack off, and do not miss a single day.”

“I see…” Lucius suddenly chimes in. He is thoroughly drenched in sweat, but as expected of my little brother, his resolve hasn't dimmed in the slightest.

“Your Highness!” Upon realising that the person standing before us is Lucius, Gabriella panics slightly, scrambling to offer a quick, formal bow.

“It’s fine… Rise,” Lucius responds, waving a hand to dismiss the formality. “I hold high expectations for your family. I am very grateful for your house's service—especially to Lieutenant Granz, who fell alongside my elder sister…”

“It is my honour…”

He turns back to me. “You said that you’ve been training like this for two years to get as strong as you are now?”

“That is true. This is my second year, one month, one week, and five days. Even then, I still can’t land a single blow on my master.”

Lucius is taken aback by what I said. “Then… I can’t even imagine your master’s power.”

“That is fair, Prince Lucius… My master has trained for sixty years, which is why our skill levels are vastly different. If the principal hadn't forced—I mean, encouraged me to start this club, I would still be out here training every morning on my own. I've learned that swordsmanship is fundamentally about experience.”

“I see… Then, one last question. You said that we could perform that quick-step leap after three months of training. How long after you started training did you first touch a sword?”

“Six months after my training began.”

The surrounding students have stopped chatting and begun to listen closely to my explanation.

“That is… actually longer than I expected.” Lucius places his right hand beneath his chin.

“That is true, and that is precisely why I need to tell all of you this right now,” I say, standing up and sweeping my gaze across the gathered recruits. “If you think this club is going to be easy, or that you'll get quick results to become a swordmaster overnight… then I believe you are wasting your time coming here.”

Before the students are able to think clearly, Gabriella suddenly declares, stepping forward and bowing deeply to me. “I will do whatever you instruct me to do! So please, make me strong, Master!”

“Huh?”

I am genuinely taken aback, extending both of my arms to stop her. “I am not worthy to be your master! I am only two years into my own training.”

“Gabriella… You’re the daughter of a Marquis. Bowing to someone who has yet to make any result for this country, let alone addressing her as Master…” Lucius starts, his tone carrying a sharp royal reprimand.

“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Gabriella interrupts, keeping her head lowered. “Unlike all the people here who were fortunate enough to form a pact with high-ranking spirits, I need you to understand what I am facing. My spirit is only a low-ranking one—so low that even noblemen of equal rank hesitate to propose after seeing its abilities. People nowadays evaluate suitors strictly by their spirits: whether the entity is useful for combat, or if it can assist with territorial management.”

“Luciole…” She then summons her only spirit, an entity taking the shape of a faint firefly… “My spirit's ability is to illuminate my surroundings. If I cannot provide any utility for my territory through a spirit, I will make my own path even if there is none. I refuse to be a political liability to House Tyrell. This is my chance to become better… and if I don’t take this opportunity now, I may never get another!”

A silence settles over the field. Gabriella’s raw confession lays bare the cynical reality of noble marriage politics, striking a raw nerve among several lower-tier nobles in the crowd who nod in agreement… It seems some of them joined this club for the exact same reason as Gabriella.

Lucius looks down at her; the harshness in his eyes softens into a complex expression. He closes his mouth, unable to dismiss the truth behind her words.

“You don’t need to call me ‘Master,’ Lady Gabriella… I am merely the leader of this club, no different than the leader of the cooking club right over there. I promise to help you improve, but in the end, it is your own willpower that will make you stronger.”

“Yes! Thank you, Lady Luminera!”

I giggle a bit. “Just Lumi is fine.”

Gabriella… I’m sorry that I am the one who put your brother in a dangerous situation that resulted in his death. I will do my absolute best to help you.