Chapter 186
“Looks like I’ll be seeing some familiar faces tonight.”
After parting ways with Frieda, Vargan was walking around Academia, gathering his thoughts. By chance, he moved towards the lakeshore, where a guest awaited him.
“Young Master, are you out for a stroll?”
Alicia, wrapped in a thin blanket against the rather chilly weather, smiled lightly upon seeing Vargan.
Vargan walked closer to her and replied, “Yeah. It’s getting rather boring just sitting around making plans.”
“This late… You’ve had quite the day again, haven’t you? …Ah.”
Realizing what she had said, Alicia felt a twinge of regret. Given Erica’s recent instability, she’d been previously scolded for expressing concern for Vargan.
Vargan, sensing her unease, waved his hand, indicating it was nothing to worry about.
“While Erica’s issues are indeed important, there’s no need to be overly cautious with your words. What’s more…”
Vargan scanned Alicia from head to toe. Today, she was wearing the Shugenhartz family servant outfit for some reason.
“Were you up to something?”
“Ah. Yes… It’s nothing major, just some simple tasks I needed to get done before bed.”
Just a moment ago, Alicia had been cooking. Embarrassed, she looked down, and Vargan didn’t pry further.
What nagged at him more was:
“You had outfits I bought you meant for activities. Why the servant’s outfit?”
“I didn’t want to dirty the clothes you bought me…! Ah! But please don’t get the wrong idea…! I absolutely do not think little of this outfit!”
“I know that. It was originally made for mobility, so it’s not that fancy.”
Having seen it every day before coming to Academia, it felt familiar. During summer vacation, she had followed Helion around, and shortly after, she had visited the Portlet Family’s mansion, so it felt like it had been quite a while since seeing a servant’s outfit.
“…Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Ah… Well… I thought I’d get scolded for doing something unnecessary, but you didn’t say anything, so I was just observing for a moment. I’m sorry.”
“Scolded?”
“Yes…”
“Why?”
“……Huh?”
Alicia shot him a confused look, then quickly smiled awkwardly as if shrugging it off.
Vargan guessed the reason.
“Have I ever scolded you for completing your tasks and taking your own time afterward?”
“That’s… No, you haven’t. I suppose I just overthought it.”
Though she didn’t show it, Alicia seemed a bit unsettled.
Noticing it might be related to her sense of smell, Vargan redirected the conversation to inquire about something he hadn’t been able to confirm due to his busy schedule regarding Erica.
“Is Arterion being helpful?”
Currently, she was a step away from Vargan, learning swordsmanship from Arterion.
Alicia smiled softly as she replied, “Yes, he’s helping a lot in improving my sword skills. I haven’t quite mastered the red aura yet, but I believe I’ll achieve it within a few months.”
“That’s quite impressive! You’ve only been wielding a sword for a little over a year, and you’re already nearing mastery!”
“It’s been just a little over a year since I picked up a sword. And yet, you’re already striving for the level of a master?”
Vargan said with a tone that elevated her.
Alicia attributed all of it to Vargan’s guidance, and while he admitted to some extent, he claimed that he had no greater talents in that area.
Vargan took a moment to recall the time from when he first met Alicia until now, and then suddenly spoke up.
“Speaking of which, quite some time has passed since the day we promised.”
Back in Rubid Village, when Alicia was overcoming her trauma.
Before eliminating Altife, he had said to her.
—In the next two years.
—Surpass the current me. Alicia.
“Yes, I remember it clearly. I’ve kept every single moment from that time close to my heart.”
“Of course you should. Do you know how much time and effort I invested to help you forget your fears?”
“…I really appreciate it.”
Perhaps reminded of that time, Alicia bowed in gratitude. Even years later, she would likely still bow like this whenever she mentioned her past thanks.
When she raised her head again and met Vargan’s gaze, he suggested,
“It’s a bit early, but let’s do a midterm check.”
“Midterm check… you mean?”
“Yeah, it’s too much hassle to rent an arena and it’s quite late, so this place will do.”
Beneath the vast night sky by the lake.
Vargan approached the darkened waters. He drew out mana and invoked elemental magic.
The property was ice magic, filled with extreme cold.
Kwachak—!
In an instant, the entire lake froze over. The snow-white thickness of the frozen surface was beyond estimation, as the water held within the large puddle was completely solidified.
The ice magic primarily used by Erica had a high degree of uniqueness, requiring a step further from general elemental magic. However, Vargan’s mastery of elemental magic had achieved comprehension, allowing him to accomplish this.
Step.
Vargan stepped onto the frozen surface.
Then he took out two iron swords from the white case. They were well-maintained swords without any special effects or magic.
Vargan threw one of them to Alicia. The sharp blade seemed to pierce through the air, but Alicia caught it gently.
Vargan said,
“Come up here. Didn’t I say we were doing a midterm check?”
Alicia nestled the sword in her arms and climbed onto the ice. Without hesitation, Vargan drew his sword and casually tossed the sheath aside.
“I’ll also fight alongside you. And I won’t use any magic other than what you can utilize.”
In other words, he wouldn’t use familiars or life potions at all.
Assuming the role of a swordmage, they would engage in combat.
“Draw your sword, Alicia.”
Noticing Alicia hesitating, Vargan urged her on. Alicia had some concerns.
“But… Young Master. Aren’t you currently undergoing the trial of your unique spell?”
Alicia knew that Vargan’s total mana and output had dropped by half.
Moreover, they were wielding real swords that could potentially kill their opponent.
Hearing Alicia’s worries, Vargan snorted in a cheeky manner.
“Alicia, when did you become so arrogant? Do you think you can get advantage over me with such trivial conditions?”
“It’s not that…”
“Enough with the excuses! Stop stalling and draw your sword.”
Left with no choice, Alicia drew her sword. She placed the sword sheath neatly with her cape beside her and stood before Vargan.
Although she had received a lot of training from him for quite some time, they had never clashed swords even once. After all, he rarely used his sword since he was a magician.
Seeing Alicia’s eyes not transitioning into a battle stance, Vargan spoke with a mix of irritation in his voice.
“Get a grip, Alicia! Do you think I’m just joking around with you right now?”
“Do you understand!”
Alicia flinched at Vargan’s scolding.
This felt different from his usual reprimands. Normally, he scolded her out of ridiculousness or playfulness, but now he was uncharacteristically serious and stern.
It was then that Alicia realized her behavior had been disrespectful.
She drew her sword. Light reflected off the blade, and strength filled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Young Master. And… thank you.”
As she activated her mana circuits, she increased the supply of full body mana. The mana surged from the hilt up the blade, forming a blue aura that enveloped the sword.
The aura had the quality of wind. It filled the gaps tightly and condensed for a stronger strike.
Her skill had sharpened significantly, showcasing a performance that could not be compared to before against Arterion.
Vargan also emanated an aura and infused it with the properties of wind, though it was not the ‘Attribute Establishment’ used by swordsmen. His power was significantly lacking, and his solidity was diminished.
Still, Vargan’s momentum was unwavering.
This was partly due to his unique character and charisma, but also because his level of magic was vastly superior to Alicia’s.
Alicia was acutely aware of this. A slight tension crept in. She again felt how absurd her earlier thoughts had been.
He was clearly a magician, not a swordsman.
However, the spirit he displayed felt flawless, like a master.
Just his stance with the sword alone was impressive, and combined with his exceptional magic, it promised even more challenging encounters.
Meanwhile, Vargan, who was also observing Alicia, smiled slightly, showing a satisfied expression.
“So, you’ve finally found your proper stance.”
—…!
Vargan charged first.
He controlled his mana to leap across the ground as if it were a slippery ice rink.
His steel sword slipped.
Alicia wielded her sword too, and the blades with the qualities of wind clashed.
—Kakakak!
The two storms collided.
Alicia was supposed to have the upper hand, yet they were evenly matched.
‘Is it a difference in total mana…!’
Vargan’s total mana had reached a transcendental level.
In contrast, Alicia was still a high rank, unable to reach comprehension.
Even though Vargan’s total mana was halved due to the trial of his unique spell, the overwhelming mass made up for the difference in blades.
The two exchanged blows multiple times.
Each clash echoed with a massive noise and wave that seemed to awaken the world.
Alicia gradually realized she was at a disadvantage. She attempted to activate her curse magic. At that moment.
“I’ll commend your attempt.”
Vargan’s interference shattered her spell mercilessly. The illusion Alicia had been conjuring shattered like fragments of glass.
As expected, magic alone wouldn’t suffice. She needed to counter with swordsmanship.
A moment of panic passed, and Alicia adjusted her stance, looking for an opening.
With every exchange, her body felt the tremendous recoil, and his spirit was phenomenal.
Yet, he was a magician, not a swordsman.
No matter how formidable he seemed, flaws in Vargan’s swordsmanship began to appear in Alicia’s eyes one by one.
Alicia’s sword narrowly evaded Vargan’s blade, aiming for his side.
Just as she seemed set to pierce him—
—Boom!
Black smoke erupted, and Vargan’s form disappeared.
At that moment, someone was aiming at her from behind.
But Alicia had anticipated Vargan would make this move.
With a push from her toes, she spun around in an instant, putting rotational force into her blade to strike her opponent.
—Boom!
“…!”
Another fake.
Black smoke burst forth, obstructing her view.
This wasn’t just ordinary mist but magic designed to prevent her from sensing the flow of mana. If so…!
Wham—!
Alicia ducked low and drove her sword into the ice.
The storm swirling around her spread out widely, forcibly clearing the mist.
Meanwhile, she interpreted the curse magic placed on her and deduced her answer.
As the storm dispersed the mist, Alicia found her answer and broke Vargan’s spell.
It shatters.
As the phenomenon became clear, Vargan realized he had been watching silently from a distance.
“Oh ho! You figured it out quite quickly.”
Like someone solving their own math problem.
Vargan had an intrigued expression.
He never gave Alicia any special consideration but was accurately ‘checking’ her level.
Alicia rushed at Vargan, mana exploding from her, precisely wielding her sword towards her target.
—Kagagagagak!
Their mock duel continued for several more hours after that.
It only ended when Alicia had completely exhausted all her mana.
* * *
Alicia was gasping for breath, relying on her sword.
She struggled to hold back the rising nausea, her body drenched in sweat as if she had just showered.
The darkness of the night that had shielded the two was beginning to dissipate. The early morning sunlight brightened the scene.
“Well done, Alicia. I was able to clearly assess your current level.”
Vargan clapped his hands.
With a satisfied smile, he congratulated Alicia on her achievement.
“Do you see? This wound you inflicted on me. If I hadn’t reacted quickly, I could have almost been killed by my own guardian.”
Alicia had deciphered all the spells Vargan had unleashed.
In the end, her sword merely grazed Vargan, causing blood to flow from the side of his abdomen along with his clothes.
The aura, imbued with the nature of wind, was so potent that even a slight brush left a rather deep cut.
It meant the blade’s intent was that threatening.
Truly, if his reflexes hadn’t been so quick, he would have suffered at least a serious injury, or in a worse case, death.
“I thought… Young Master would easily evade it…”
Alicia spoke with a weary voice.
Vargan agreed, saying he actually liked her spiritedness.
“Unless you have the resolve to truly clash with me, you can’t provide an accurate assessment. Well, that aside, you’ve grown quite a bit.”
“Thank you…”
She waved her hand, signaling that there was no need to say more. They both knew Vargan would only ramble about what she had to be thankful for.
“…Young Master.”
However, for some reason Alicia didn’t heed Vargan’s words and spoke up.
Her eyes indicated she had something important to say.
Vargan granted her permission to speak, and she hesitated before continuing.
“I want to… repay the 100 gold.”
Vargan had been about to respond, but it seemed she wasn’t finished yet, so he waited.
Alicia took a deep breath, exhaled, and continued.
“I will repay the 100 gold, so… please hire me anew.”
“Hire you anew?”
“Yes… I ask of you.”
Vargan understood the meaning behind her words.
Up to this point, the bond connecting her and him had been that 100 gold.
By settling this and establishing new terms, she was trying to create a new relationship.
This relationship might be a bit less binding than the previous one, but the difference in intent was significant.
In other words, Alicia was saying this:
—I want to clearly state that I am by your side of my own will.
She disliked the word ‘sold’ and the doubts it cast on her sincerity.
Thus, she wanted to engage in this somewhat useless act, as the only thing tying her and Vargan together was that 100 gold.
…But.
“Alright, that’s fine. I will allow it as you wish.”
Vargan gladly agreed.
He confirmed the arrangement: he would receive 100 gold from her and establish a new master-servant relationship.
“Thank you… Young Master.”
With that line, Alicia flashed a bright smile and collapsed.
It seemed she had strained to hold on just long enough to speak before finally succumbing, as she had done before when losing consciousness.
Vargan looked at the woman.
A lady he could not possibly understand from his perspective.
“How peculiar.”
He chuckled softly at Alicia.
