20 Chapter 20 – Swordmaster (8)

"Oh, this is a good sword."

Van Ester touched the sword on the rack with admiration. He was now looking around at weapons in the armory of the estate. He murmured satisfactorily,

"This is much more practical than most standard longswords. Is it because the period of peace has put smithies on the decline? Some of the places I had visited on the way over here, had smithies where they didn't even see that some of their swords on display were rusted."

"Because it was my father's will to always have good swords left nearby…."

"This one's good enough. It'll be good enough to hang in there I guess.."

"What do you mean, 'hang in there'?"

"Don't ask me when you already know, just make sure to keep these in good condition and take care of them."

"Even if you say so…"

Lord Halvark replied, scratching his nose. Van Ester took a sword and spun it around. Feeling the balanced weight, he nodded his head with a satisfactory look.

"Okay. I'll take this one today."

"Are you still doing that every day?"

"Yes."

"I… I don't know what their decision will be…"

Lord Halvark sighed. It had already been two weeks since High Count Van Ester had started staying at the estate. All he had done so far, was mess around and train with Asher and Reika. Even if it was messing around, it was a bit extreme for the two poor kids, Lark Halvark thought.

"I know she's talented. But I don't know if she's really got what it takes to become a swordmaster. That's a statement that doesn't get thrown around easily."

"Of course she's worth it; she can definitely become a swordmaster if she puts the work in. Her talent is otherworldly even when compared to some of the other swordmasters I've met. But she's not who I'm interested in."

"Is it Asher?"

Lord Halvark frowned. It was hard for him to understand.

"The troublesome child."

The Asher that Lord Halvark hadn't paid attention to, had changed so much. The fact that Asher even picked up a sword, even if it was for one day would be a miracle. But he had been swinging the sword with dedication for over 2 months now, and even Lord Halvark could guess just how high-leveled Asher's swordsmanship was.

The boy, who was the epitome of trash itself, suddenly reached the 'threshold' with the sword. Above all, his attitude had incredibly dramatic changes compared to what it used to be like. (1)

If previous Asher saw him with hostility and distrust, he now showed goodwill and affection towards Lord Halvark. It was the same gaze that his father gave him when he was young, so it felt all the more uncomfortable for Lord Halvark to face him. Van Ester stroked his chin.

"Yes, you've told me the story about that child, and I've been thinking about it. Human beings don't change very easily."

'So you tried to kill him.'

The small murmur from Van Ester, made Lord Halvark step backwards reflexively. Van Ester waved his hand.

"But it wasn't what I thought it could be, so don't worry. Whatever it is, he's definitely a human. Such swordsmanship cannot be carried out by those 'outsiders'."

"…what exactly have you been doing for the past 20 years?"

asked Lord Halvark, swallowing his saliva. Van Ester gave him an empty and bitter smile.

"I saw the world go on in more ways than you can imagine."

***

"I hate him."

Reika murmured with a sulky face. Asher, who was moving slowly, sighed and relaxed his muscles.

"What's wrong with you again? Those with the title of a swordmaster, deserve to be called masters with the sword. Shouldn't you show some respect?"

"You don't look at him with respect, do you?", Reika shot back,

"Well."

Because Asher had already reached the realm of the swordmaster in his last life. Well, did he reach it? He didn't know anymore.

Asher laughed bitterly.

"Anyway, there's nothing bad about him. There's a lot to learn from such a person."

"But you are my teacher."

"I'm not even a proper teacher, don't you know? Ask High Count Van Ester to accept you as his disciple. He'll probably teach you."

It was impossible for even a swordmaster to not recognize Reika's monstrous talent with the sword.. Van Ester must be interested in her. But, he was still showing interest in Asher, which could be said to be a complete anomaly, but that interest would disappear soon.

Reika bit her lips.

"…You're the one I'm aiming for."

"What?"

Asher's body stopped moving. Reika's expression was completely serious.

"I want to be like you."

Her eyes contained a hint of envy and admiration. But they also contained respect. Asher slowly opened his mouth.

"…it's no use to aim for me."

"How come?"

"Because you and I are completely different."

That was the undeniable truth. Reika had talent, and Asher didn't. Talent was absolute. The day when the gap would decrease between them would surely come one day. But, Reika scratched the ground roughly with her toe in a circle.

"It has nothing to do with that. It's just what I want to be."

She looked at Asher with burning eyes. Asher shook his head.

"You shouldn't try to copy me…."

"It's not like that."

Asher paused. Reika's words contained a strong will. She continued, biting her lips.

"You are my teacher. Whatever the decision to be made is, it's my choice. It doesn't matter if it has to do with talent. I respect the person you are and that's why I want you as my teacher."

Asher's sword skills, and his attitude towards the sword.

Both those two things were something absolute in Asher's very being. Reika saw that and couldn't help but admire those traits and want to become the same.

Reika continued to speak hurriedly,

"So please don't belittle yourself. I don't know about anyone else, but I respect you. So please…."

The response didn't come and silence lingered. Asher looked at Reika with a complicated face. He was nothing. That;s what he thought. But why was she, who was now aware of her monstrous talent, looking at him with such a look of admiration and determination?

'I don't know.'

He had lived a long life, but he had never encountered something like this before.

The door opened. Van Ester came in with a spear on his shoulder. He then looked over the atmosphere between the two kids for a moment, and laughed.

"What? Is it a lover's quarrel?"

"No."

Asher lifted the sword. This was what happened to those who had a weak mindset, he thought.

Then Asher rushed at Van Ester.