Chapter 22: "A Sword’s Worth, A Man’s Pride"

Chapter 22: "A Sword's Worth, A Man's Pride"

When Karen opened his eyes again, he saw the familiar ceiling above him and couldn't help but let a wry smile play on his lips.

Just as he was about to sit up, a concerned voice came from beside him.

"Are you awake? How do you feel?"

Only then did Karen notice the pink-haired girl sitting beside his bed, looking at him with worry.

It's Hina? Why is she here?

Recalling the softness he felt just before passing out, a thought struck him. Could it have been her?

Coughing slightly, Karen responded with an awkward smile, "Ahem, haha, I'm fine."

As he spoke, he pushed himself up from the hospital bed and stretched, though his trembling movements made it look somewhat comical.

"Pfft~" Hina burst into laughter.

"Haha," Karen laughed along as well.

...

The room fell into a brief silence, and the atmosphere turned a bit awkward.

Except for the brief encounter they had on the training grounds, this was the first time Karen and Hina were this close.

He couldn't help but notice Hina's impressive figure—tall, slender waist, and, well... other features. The refreshing scent around her distracted him, teasing his senses.

Lost in thought for a full minute, Karen finally noticed Hina stepping back, her cheeks tinged with a blush, as though she realized something.

Karen awkwardly scratched his nose and let out a laugh.

"You…"

"That…"

They spoke at the same time and stopped, glancing at each other nervously.

Karen gestured for Hina to go ahead. "You first."

Hina stood up, reached for a sword by the bedside, and with a crisp "shing," drew it from its sheath. The blade gleamed with a cold light.

Karen's eyes widened, and he stammered, "N-no… wait! I admit I may have sneaked a peek, but I swear it was just one glance!"

Hina stared at him blankly, confused by his reaction.

As realization dawned, her cheeks flushed an even deeper red, and she fumbled with her words, "It's not that! No, I mean... Your sword is broken."

Before Karen could process what she meant, Hina handed him half of the sword.

Looking at the fractured blade of Yuan Hong, Karen felt a mix of emotions. He hadn't expected the sword he'd named Yuan Hong to meet such an end. Was the name cursed?

"Are you okay?" Hina asked gently.

Seeing Karen's solemn expression, she feared he might be devastated. She knew how much swords meant to swordsmen, especially their first.

Karen blinked and shook himself out of his reverie. "It's fine. I'm just feeling a bit sentimental," he said, forcing a small smile to reassure Hina.

She hesitated, studying his expression, then softly replied, "If you say so..."

Her voice carried a gentleness that lingered, pulling Karen's attention back to her. For a moment, the broken sword seemed like a distant memory compared to the warmth in her gaze.

He carefully slid the broken blade back into its sheath.

"They say some swordsmen value their swords as much as their own lives," Hina murmured hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Karen chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Not me. I'm not that kind of swordsman. Besides, I've only had this sword for three days. Hardly enough time to grow attached."

Despite his words, there was a faint trace of something unspoken in his tone, a flicker of emotion that didn't go unnoticed by Hina. She tilted her head slightly, studying him with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Karen chuckled, dismissing her concern.

Still smiling, he whispered, "Got a smoke?"

Hina pulled out a cigarette but hesitated. "You don't smoke, do you?"

"I do now," Karen replied.

Hina didn't hand it over, pointing out instead, "This is the medical room. If you want to smoke, you'll have to get up first."

Karen nodded and began shifting the quilt off him. But just as his feet touched the ground, a booming voice rang out from the doorway.

"Is that boy Karen awake yet?"

The voice, loud and commanding, was all too familiar to Karen.

Hina stood up immediately and greeted the man with respect, "Teacher Zephyr, Karen is fine." She motioned toward Karen in bed.

"Water… water…" Karen murmured weakly, his eyes half-lidded, as if in a daze.

Hina froze, completely baffled.

Zephyr strode over quickly, his expression tightening. "Didn't you say he was fine?"

He poured a glass of water and helped Karen drink it.

"Drink slowly…" Zephyr muttered, guilt evident in his eyes.

Karen felt a surge of warmth. "Teacher Zephyr, I'm okay, really."

Zephyr frowned. "You don't look okay. Where's the doctor? I'll call them."

Karen hastily stopped him, insisting, "No need! The doctor already checked. It's nothing serious."

He glanced at Hina, who remained silent, neither confirming nor denying his claim.

Suspicious, Zephyr sat back down. "Are you sure?"

Karen nodded weakly.

"Well, if you're fine, I'll leave this here." Zephyr placed a fruit basket on the bedside table.

Karen couldn't let him leave just yet. "Wait, Teacher! Where's my sword?"

Zephyr's eyes narrowed, and he smirked. "What sword?"

"Don't play dumb, Teacher!" Karen exclaimed, clutching the broken Yuan Hong dramatically. Tears welled in his eyes as he cried, "My sword… my sword!"

Zephyr's mouth twitched, unimpressed. "Didn't you get that sword two days ago?"

Karen wiped his eyes and retorted, "Even if it's only been three days, it's as important as my life!"

Hina couldn't hold back her laughter this time. "Pfft~"

Karen glanced at her, confused by her amusement, then turned back to Zephyr with newfound determination.

"Teacher Zephyr, a man's sword is his pride! If my sword is destroyed, it's like I've lost part of myself!"

Zephyr shook his head, exasperated. "You're overreacting."

But Karen, unfazed, declared dramatically, "A man stands with his sword! If the sword falls, so does the man! Teacher, do you really want to lose such an outstanding student?"