“I will do so.”
I finally relaxed as the response came quickly. I was somehow nervous because I thought that he might refuse.
“But didn’t you say you had no intention of developing Auror before?”
“I’ve changed my mind. I reasoned that it would be better if I could develop it.”
I forced the primary reason down my throat.
Caleb, in my words, stated unequivocally that he would begin teaching me the following day.
Not to mention how grateful I was for him.
But the next day, I realized I had forgotten something.
The fact that Caleb is a swordsman genius!
That fact became clear to me when Caleb assisted me in developing my auror.
Caleb suggested that I try to feel what auror is like, and that he would track down the auror in my body using his aura. With the notice that it might sting a little.
When I said it was all right, the white aura I’d seen before wrapped around my hand.
And, as if pricked by a needle, a golden light emitted, just as it did when I held hands with the Archduke.
So far, everything was fine.
The problem is……
“All you have to do is to find the sensation you felt just now in your body and pull it out.”
“…… Is that all?”
“Is there anything in my explanation that you don’t understand?”
Naturally, there was.
Find the sensation and pull it out!
I have no idea what that sensation is!
“Do you all learn in this way? I mean, when you develop auror.”
“As far as I know, that’s how all the royal knights developed their auror. Even my swordsmanship teacher.”
I see. So that’s how everyone learned…… no, that’s not it!
Even if the comparison is wrong. So, so wrong.
The Royal Knights were a knights’ order that gathered only the empire’s most talented geniuses.
Truly, geniuses!
Caleb, who was still perplexed, listened quietly as I explained.
Caleb only realized why I was acting this way after that.
“I apologize.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
That’s what I said, but I was annoyed.
Because it sounds like he was apologizing for being so talented.
I know Caleb doesn’t mean it, but whatever.
“Now that I think about it, you mentioned taking a sword lesson in the past, but was he an aura holder?”
Who is he referring to…… ah, he mean my kendo master.
Because I couldn’t claim to have learned it at an academy, I stated to have learned it from a teacher hired by my family.
I shook my head.
“He wasn’t an auror holder.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to learn from someone else then? What do you think?”
I was wondering why he asked about it, turns out he was asking me to hire another teacher.
I’m sure another teacher would be more helpful than Caleb if I wanted to develop my auror……
“All right.”
I nodded after much deliberation.
“Instead, I’m hoping it’s not a member of the Royal Knights Order.”
Even though they’re not as good as Caleb, they are talented enough to be called geniuses.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
However, finding a teacher was not as simple.
First, auror holders weren’t common.
Though there were an unusually large number of auror holders around me and Caleb, it was a special case.
Still, I expected at least one person to apply for the position of teacher. However, there were no single applicants.
The maid who usually helps me dress said that because of the ducal family’s status, it is difficult for other users to apply. And, because it was quite plausible, I gave up on finding another teacher.
Instead, I worked hard by doing what Caleb said.
Naturally, the outcomes were always the same.
It was the same even when I practiced alone, with the expectation that if I held the sword and swung it, the auror would return as it had before.
‘Rather, I kept swinging my swords, not realizing Caleb had arrived. I unintentionally showed to him how I practice……’
It wasn’t a big deal. What’s the big deal about showing my practice?
I was only slightly embarrassed because the person who witnessed my practice was the best in the empire.
I tried to enlist the help of Elena’s father, the Archduke, but his teaching was similar to Caleb’s, so it didn’t help much.
Rather, I had to come back with full embarrassment and guilt caused by the meeting of the Archduke couple.
As time passed and no results were obtained, it became the day of the hunting competition, and I lamented, recalling the past in the carriage to the imperial hunting ground.
‘Well, thanks to that, I wasn’t bored until I got to the hunting ground, so it might not have been completely meaningless.’
There were already a lot of people on the hunting ground.
In addition to the knights who came to compete, there were many nobles like myself who came to watch.
‘Where is Caleb?’
I looked around, remembering Caleb, who had gone ahead of me to the hunting ground for horse and weapon maintenance.
However, because there were so many people, it was difficult for me to find Caleb.
‘It seems that every citizen of the Empire has gathered.’
I was walking around thinking that all I needed to do was find the Royal Knights’ uniform.
Not far away, I noticed a familiar face.
“Dame Seria!”
Natalie turned around when I called her name. Natalie pursed her lips as our gazes locked.
I couldn’t hear what she said because of the distance. However, the shape of her lips suggested that she was saying, ‘my lady?’
It didn’t take long for her to make her way through the crowd to me.
“Where is the Commander, and why are you by yourself…… Oh, you must have arrived separately from the Commander.”
“May I ask where Caleb is?”
“I’m on my way as well, so let me guide you.”
I decided to gladly accept Natalie’s favor.
“But I had no idea I’d see you here, Dame Seria. I heard that only five people from each knight’s order participate, so I assumed you didn’t.”
“I was fortunate. Because there was a lot of competition, the lottery was held fairly, but I just got caught.”
“Was there a lot of competition?”
“Yes. Everyone wanted to take part.”
“Everyone is so passionate.”
As expected, the Royal Knights are devoted to the Emperor……
“Anyway, because getting a good quality fur is not common.”
H-huh?
I think I just heard some unexpected answer.
“Is the winning item made of fur?”
“Because the winning item has yet to be revealed, we don’t know. I mentioned fur because the person who hunted the animals could bring it with them.”
“Are you saying that everyone wanted to participate because there were so many furs to be had?”
“Yes.”
Ah… Oh, the impression……
I paused for a moment before asking Natalie with a tearful greeting in the impressed emotion that had faded.
“So, Dame, what are your plans for hunting?”
“I’m not even going to try to win. I’m just going to catch a few rabbits and foxes.”
“Don’t you like it when you win?How about you try halfway?”
“I have too many opponents to win. Looking at the Commander and Vice-Commander, I don’t think I have a chance.”
“Ah.”
I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.
I’m not sure if Natalie’s hunting and sword skills are proportional, but they won’t be significant.
Furthermore, because her opponents were Caleb and Lord Vessel, words of encouragement were unable to escape my lips.
If it weren’t for them, I’d say, ‘Who knows? Perhaps you were lucky and won, Dame.’
After all, I had no choice but to change my words.
“But what will you do with rabbit and fox fur?”
“I’m going to make gloves and a cape for Mila out of the rabbit furs.”
“That’s a nice idea! Because it is still winter, she can use them to keep warm.”
“I believe so as well.”
Natalie smiled in response.
Looking at her happy expression, she seemed to imagine Mila already dressed in rabbit fur gloves and a cape.
‘Well, it must be really cute.’
Thinking of Mila, who would be dressed in fluffy fur gloves and a white cape, gave me a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Since you said the rabbit furs belonged to Mila, are the fox furs for yourself?”
“No, fox furs are for gifts.”
For gifts? Why isn’t she using it?
My query was quickly answered.
“Those who didn’t win the lottery wanted to give it to their fiancee, so they hung on me so desperately to ask for it…… So I decided to catch some and bring it to them.”
Natalie shrugged her shoulders lightly after saying, ‘Though there’s nothing I can do if I can’t catch some’.
“You must be suffering a lot.”
I cast pitying glances at Natalie.
Just hearing it, I could guess how much Natalie must have suffered.
After talking about this and that, I reached where Caleb was.
“Then I’ll return to maintenance myself.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Dame Seria.”
I approached Caleb after greeting Natalie. Caleb called me with a soft smile before I could open my mouth.
“You’re here.”
“How are your preparations coming along?”
“Well, I’m done with it.”
Caleb responded by sweeping the nose of the black horse beside him.
‘He was just wearing his usual uniform when he left this morning.’
Now, Caleb’s arms and waistband were full of weapons, including protectors.
I now understand why he had to leave so early before the hunting contest started.
Anyway, how does any outfit look so good on him?
Whose man is this man that looks this perfect?
“Elena? Is there something wrong with my face?”
Oh no, I’d been staring at him too long.
“No, there isn’t such a thing.”
“Then why……”
Because you’re so handsome.
The words got to the point of my throat, but alas, I was still shy enough to say them yet. Instead, I held out the strap I had been working on all night.
“I was thinking about when to give this to you.”
Okay, that was natural.
“This is……”
“I heard it’s a good luck strap, so I made one as well.”
When I say this, it sounds like I’ve accomplished something noteworthy, but it wasn’t.
The string was made of satin cloth and only the first letter of Caleb’s name was embroidered on it.
Initially, I attempted to engrave complex patterns but was unable to do so due to the string’s narrow width.
Still, it’s all about sincerity.
I said this while holding the strap in Caleb’s hand.
“I’m telling you not to get hurt and to return safely.”
Ugh, I’m embarrassed as I say that.
Is it because I put so much meaning into it when it really isn’t?
I was embarrassed at the time, so I smiled for no reason.
Caleb gently squeezed my arm and drew it toward him.
“Caleb?”
Something warm fell and touched my forehead as I looked up at him with a curious eye.
“I will do so.”
I finally relaxed as the response came quickly. I was somehow nervous because I thought that he might refuse.
“But didn’t you say you had no intention of developing Auror before?”
“I’ve changed my mind. I reasoned that it would be better if I could develop it.”
I forced the primary reason down my throat.
Caleb, in my words, stated unequivocally that he would begin teaching me the following day.
Not to mention how grateful I was for him.
But the next day, I realized I had forgotten something.
The fact that Caleb is a swordsman genius!
That fact became clear to me when Caleb assisted me in developing my auror.
Caleb suggested that I try to feel what auror is like, and that he would track down the auror in my body using his aura. With the notice that it might sting a little.
When I said it was all right, the white aura I’d seen before wrapped around my hand.
And, as if pricked by a needle, a golden light emitted, just as it did when I held hands with the Archduke.
So far, everything was fine.
The problem is……
“All you have to do is to find the sensation you felt just now in your body and pull it out.”
“…… Is that all?”
“Is there anything in my explanation that you don’t understand?”
Naturally, there was.
Find the sensation and pull it out!
I have no idea what that sensation is!
“Do you all learn in this way? I mean, when you develop auror.”
“As far as I know, that’s how all the royal knights developed their auror. Even my swordsmanship teacher.”
I see. So that’s how everyone learned…… no, that’s not it!
Even if the comparison is wrong. So, so wrong.
The Royal Knights were a knights’ order that gathered only the empire’s most talented geniuses.
Truly, geniuses!
Caleb, who was still perplexed, listened quietly as I explained.
Caleb only realized why I was acting this way after that.
“I apologize.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”
That’s what I said, but I was annoyed.
Because it sounds like he was apologizing for being so talented.
I know Caleb doesn’t mean it, but whatever.
“Now that I think about it, you mentioned taking a sword lesson in the past, but was he an aura holder?”
Who is he referring to…… ah, he mean my kendo master.
Because I couldn’t claim to have learned it at an academy, I stated to have learned it from a teacher hired by my family.
I shook my head.
“He wasn’t an auror holder.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to learn from someone else then? What do you think?”
I was wondering why he asked about it, turns out he was asking me to hire another teacher.
I’m sure another teacher would be more helpful than Caleb if I wanted to develop my auror……
“All right.”
I nodded after much deliberation.
“Instead, I’m hoping it’s not a member of the Royal Knights Order.”
Even though they’re not as good as Caleb, they are talented enough to be called geniuses.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
However, finding a teacher was not as simple.
First, auror holders weren’t common.
Though there were an unusually large number of auror holders around me and Caleb, it was a special case.
Still, I expected at least one person to apply for the position of teacher. However, there were no single applicants.
The maid who usually helps me dress said that because of the ducal family’s status, it is difficult for other users to apply. And, because it was quite plausible, I gave up on finding another teacher.
Instead, I worked hard by doing what Caleb said.
Naturally, the outcomes were always the same.
It was the same even when I practiced alone, with the expectation that if I held the sword and swung it, the auror would return as it had before.
‘Rather, I kept swinging my swords, not realizing Caleb had arrived. I unintentionally showed to him how I practice……’
It wasn’t a big deal. What’s the big deal about showing my practice?
I was only slightly embarrassed because the person who witnessed my practice was the best in the empire.
I tried to enlist the help of Elena’s father, the Archduke, but his teaching was similar to Caleb’s, so it didn’t help much.
Rather, I had to come back with full embarrassment and guilt caused by the meeting of the Archduke couple.
As time passed and no results were obtained, it became the day of the hunting competition, and I lamented, recalling the past in the carriage to the imperial hunting ground.
‘Well, thanks to that, I wasn’t bored until I got to the hunting ground, so it might not have been completely meaningless.’
There were already a lot of people on the hunting ground.
In addition to the knights who came to compete, there were many nobles like myself who came to watch.
‘Where is Caleb?’
I looked around, remembering Caleb, who had gone ahead of me to the hunting ground for horse and weapon maintenance.
However, because there were so many people, it was difficult for me to find Caleb.
‘It seems that every citizen of the Empire has gathered.’
I was walking around thinking that all I needed to do was find the Royal Knights’ uniform.
Not far away, I noticed a familiar face.
“Dame Seria!”
Natalie turned around when I called her name. Natalie pursed her lips as our gazes locked.
I couldn’t hear what she said because of the distance. However, the shape of her lips suggested that she was saying, ‘my lady?’
It didn’t take long for her to make her way through the crowd to me.
“Where is the Commander, and why are you by yourself…… Oh, you must have arrived separately from the Commander.”
“May I ask where Caleb is?”
“I’m on my way as well, so let me guide you.”
I decided to gladly accept Natalie’s favor.
“But I had no idea I’d see you here, Dame Seria. I heard that only five people from each knight’s order participate, so I assumed you didn’t.”
“I was fortunate. Because there was a lot of competition, the lottery was held fairly, but I just got caught.”
“Was there a lot of competition?”
“Yes. Everyone wanted to take part.”
“Everyone is so passionate.”
As expected, the Royal Knights are devoted to the Emperor……
“Anyway, because getting a good quality fur is not common.”
H-huh?
I think I just heard some unexpected answer.
“Is the winning item made of fur?”
“Because the winning item has yet to be revealed, we don’t know. I mentioned fur because the person who hunted the animals could bring it with them.”
“Are you saying that everyone wanted to participate because there were so many furs to be had?”
“Yes.”
Ah… Oh, the impression……
I paused for a moment before asking Natalie with a tearful greeting in the impressed emotion that had faded.
“So, Dame, what are your plans for hunting?”
“I’m not even going to try to win. I’m just going to catch a few rabbits and foxes.”
“Don’t you like it when you win?How about you try halfway?”
“I have too many opponents to win. Looking at the Commander and Vice-Commander, I don’t think I have a chance.”
“Ah.”
I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.
I’m not sure if Natalie’s hunting and sword skills are proportional, but they won’t be significant.
Furthermore, because her opponents were Caleb and Lord Vessel, words of encouragement were unable to escape my lips.
If it weren’t for them, I’d say, ‘Who knows? Perhaps you were lucky and won, Dame.’
After all, I had no choice but to change my words.
“But what will you do with rabbit and fox fur?”
“I’m going to make gloves and a cape for Mila out of the rabbit furs.”
“That’s a nice idea! Because it is still winter, she can use them to keep warm.”
“I believe so as well.”
Natalie smiled in response.
Looking at her happy expression, she seemed to imagine Mila already dressed in rabbit fur gloves and a cape.
‘Well, it must be really cute.’
Thinking of Mila, who would be dressed in fluffy fur gloves and a white cape, gave me a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Since you said the rabbit furs belonged to Mila, are the fox furs for yourself?”
“No, fox furs are for gifts.”
For gifts? Why isn’t she using it?
My query was quickly answered.
“Those who didn’t win the lottery wanted to give it to their fiancee, so they hung on me so desperately to ask for it…… So I decided to catch some and bring it to them.”
Natalie shrugged her shoulders lightly after saying, ‘Though there’s nothing I can do if I can’t catch some’.
“You must be suffering a lot.”
I cast pitying glances at Natalie.
Just hearing it, I could guess how much Natalie must have suffered.
After talking about this and that, I reached where Caleb was.
“Then I’ll return to maintenance myself.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Dame Seria.”
I approached Caleb after greeting Natalie. Caleb called me with a soft smile before I could open my mouth.
“You’re here.”
“How are your preparations coming along?”
“Well, I’m done with it.”
Caleb responded by sweeping the nose of the black horse beside him.
‘He was just wearing his usual uniform when he left this morning.’
Now, Caleb’s arms and waistband were full of weapons, including protectors.
I now understand why he had to leave so early before the hunting contest started.
Anyway, how does any outfit look so good on him?
Whose man is this man that looks this perfect?
“Elena? Is there something wrong with my face?”
Oh no, I’d been staring at him too long.
“No, there isn’t such a thing.”
“Then why……”
Because you’re so handsome.
The words got to the point of my throat, but alas, I was still shy enough to say them yet. Instead, I held out the strap I had been working on all night.
“I was thinking about when to give this to you.”
Okay, that was natural.
“This is……”
“I heard it’s a good luck strap, so I made one as well.”
When I say this, it sounds like I’ve accomplished something noteworthy, but it wasn’t.
The string was made of satin cloth and only the first letter of Caleb’s name was embroidered on it.
Initially, I attempted to engrave complex patterns but was unable to do so due to the string’s narrow width.
Still, it’s all about sincerity.
I said this while holding the strap in Caleb’s hand.
“I’m telling you not to get hurt and to return safely.”
Ugh, I’m embarrassed as I say that.
Is it because I put so much meaning into it when it really isn’t?
I was embarrassed at the time, so I smiled for no reason.
Caleb gently squeezed my arm and drew it toward him.
“Caleb?”
Something warm fell and touched my forehead as I looked up at him with a curious eye.
