CHAPTER 117 …………………………………………………….
“Hey?”
You’re not doing the training you’re supposed to, so why are you just standing there watching me?
I tilted my head in question, and the knights, startled, ducked behind a tree.
Even so, with their bulky frames and muscles, there wasn’t much they could hide.
Did they really think they could hide completely with that body?
No, more importantly…
“When did they start doing that?”
“Hm?”
Per followed my gaze around the area and shrugged indifferently.
“Well, maybe from the moment you started hitting the straw bale with that wooden sword?”
“That means you’ve been watching from the very beginning….”
Neither of us were considerate—me for not knowing until now, and Per for knowing but not telling me.
No one could rival our level of thoughtlessness…
If only Dad Derek were here, it wouldn’t feel like everyone’s eyes were on me.
Dad Derek’s intimidating face had the effect of naturally commanding people’s attention.
I glanced at the empty spot where he would normally sit and let out a small sigh.
There was only one reason he wasn’t here.
Because of Dad Kyle’s errand.
Ever since Dad Kyle declared he wanted to get information on the self-proclaimed “guardians of the world,” Dad Derek had been diligently going in and out of the palace.
Even if I asked what he was doing…
No one would tell a child; it’s something they don’t need to know.
So I kept my mouth shut about Grandma Margo giving me the sacred sword.
Of course, with so many eyes in the palace, it would probably spread soon enough.
Anyway!
“Phew.”
I sighed deeply again, glancing at the knights peeking at me.
I could totally understand why they were watching.
A small child running into a training ground far beyond their skill level, straining and struggling—of course it would pique anyone’s curiosity.
I’d be curious too.
And those eyes.
Still fixed on me from behind the tree, I quietly gripped the wooden sword again.
At the same time, the knights made ridiculous faces and stomped their feet.
“Ugh…!”
Some even let out odd little exclamations.
It looked like they wanted to rush forward at any moment.
Their eyes clearly said one thing:
Ah, you’re holding the sword all wrong!
-I hope.
“Per.”
Ignoring the burning gazes, I casually asked Per a question.
“Do you know how you’re supposed to hold a sword?”
I felt I had to ask, if only because those eyes were so pitiful.
“Hmm?”
Per widened his eyes for a moment at my words.
“Ah.”
Then he approached with a mischievous smile.
He placed his hand over mine and whispered:
“You have to hold it like this.”
“Th-that…!”
From behind the tree, someone’s small, angry voice sounded again.
Maybe their companions quickly covered their mouths, because it quieted down immediately.
I already heard everything.
I wondered what on earth the man was angry about.
“…Still annoying.”
Per muttered, straightening his back as if he couldn’t take it any longer.
“Should I just get rid of it?”
“What?”
I immediately grabbed his collar, shocked.
Get rid of it? What?
Surely not the knights?
“No matter what, you can’t hurt people, Per!”
“Just kidding.”
Per shook his head with a sly grin.
“I told you, I don’t do things you’d hate.”
Trying to pass it off as a joke.
Anyone could tell he was serious just now!
“I don’t like those kinds of jokes.”
I looked him squarely in the eye and spoke firmly.
I don’t like jokes about people’s lives, even as a prank.
“Okay, I won’t make those jokes anymore.”
Per smiled brightly again and obediently replied.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Sometimes I feel Per’s sense of morality is far weaker than anyone else’s.
Is it because his abilities are too exceptional that everyone else seems trivial to him?
Just like a person doesn’t flinch killing an insect…
Does Per see other people the same way?
I really need to educate him properly.
I couldn’t just let him grow up like that; I had to stay by his side and guide him.
I wanted to keep being friends with Per.
“Anyway.”
Lost in thought, Per looked away from me and spoke again.
“I don’t want to stay like this forever, either.”
After saying that, he lightly twirled his fingers.
At the same time, a transparent bubble-like barrier began to form around us.
It felt similar to the defensive barriers Dad Harzen would use.
“With this, no one outside can see us. And of course, we won’t hear each other’s sounds either.”
“Wow!”
Perfect timing, that’s a relief!
I sincerely admired him, giving him a thumbs up and beaming.
“Thanks, Per.”
Thank you for not hurting anyone…
“……”
Per said nothing in response to my thanks, simply staring at me.
“Well, it’s not that hard. You should focus on practice too.”
He murmured softly, turning his head slightly.
His ears had turned red. Normally so cheeky, yet strangely shy at moments like this.
“Yeah, I should, practice.”
Anyway, as Per said, I couldn’t just sit here forever.
I got up from the floor, brushed off my seat, and gripped the wooden sword properly again.
No time to waste.
I need to practice again.
But first…
“I need to change my approach a bit.”
Hitting the straw bales blindly would only be like trying to crack a rock with an egg.
It would just wear me out.
The real problem starts with understanding the instructor’s intention.
So let’s start from the beginning.
Still holding the wooden sword, I slowly thought things through.
Grandma Margo said the sword’s true power wouldn’t manifest for someone unprepared.
For someone unqualified, it was just a toy.
What does “qualified” even mean?
It probably didn’t mean swordsmanship skill.
If it did, Grandma wouldn’t have given it to me blindly when I had never even held a sword properly.
Who decides what “qualified” means?
Perhaps I already knew the answer.
Someone familiar was already by my side.
It was probably…
- Can you hear my voice?
Just as I was gathering my thoughts and taking a deep breath,
a clear, childlike voice echoed in my mind.
Like Yepi had done before, the voice resonated inside my head.
- You smell like home.
Soon after, another refreshing voice filled my mind, like dew on the leaves.
- My hometown, where I grew up.
“……”
- You’ve been to Pardes, haven’t you, child?
