I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 24: Knights’ Competition (3)

“I can’t accept this! My opponent let go of their sword during the match!”

Tybolt’s frustrated shout echoed through the training grounds, nearly reaching a tantrum. 

However, he was the only one unwilling to accept the outcome.

The other Wind knights exchanged nods, calmly discussing the match they had just witnessed.

“It’s a bit disappointing… If Tybolt hadn’t let his guard down, it could’ve been a good fight.”

“Pointless speculation. Tybolt lost, and that girl won. Accept it, Tybolt.”

“B-But…! Please, let me fight again! This time, it’ll be different!”

Tybolt was obstinate. Just as Kanok was about to step in, I spoke before he could.

“Would you say the same thing in a real battle?”

“What…?”

“In real combat, you’d be dead.”

I glanced at my right hand. The purpose of a spar wasn’t to kill but to measure strength and foster growth. 

That’s why I’d held back at the end. If this had been a real fight, Tybolt’s head would have been crushed in my palm.

“Until the moment our swords clashed, your mind was somewhere else. You stood before an armed opponent, distracted. You should be grateful this wasn’t real.”

“I… that’s…”

“I understand, though. How could anyone focus properly with such beauty standing before them?”

“W-What…?”

At my words, Theo and Flora sighed deeply, clearly used to this kind of situation. Tybolt, however, was left dumbfounded, his mouth hanging open at my audacious declaration.

With a light step, I leaped off the platform, landing near Kanok.

“Deputy Commander Kanok, I’d like to use my pass now…”

“Ah, sure. You’re using it right away?”

“Yes.”

Kanok pulled a slip of paper from his coat and handed it to me—a One-Day Pass. Taking it respectfully, I quickly left the training grounds.

No one disputed my words. They were simply true.

***

Leaving the Azure Wings headquarters, my first destination was a bakery. 

This time, I could read the sign above the shop.

“Golden Hill…”

Despite being a weekday, a long line stretched in front of Golden Hill. Joining the end of the queue, I stood on tiptoe, trying to peer ahead.

Of course, I couldn’t see much.

But patience had its rewards. After about thirty minutes of waiting, I finally got my hands on the coveted pies.

The crinkling paper bag held five large pies. Three were for me; the other two were set aside for Theo and Flora.

Seated on a nearby bench, I bit into one of the pies.

Without missions to occupy me, my days were colorless. After rigorous training, I returned to my room for additional practice during personal time. 

Occasionally, I sparred until nightfall. That was my routine.

Days like this, therefore, were precious—a rare reward for tireless effort. 

Sometimes, one needed to ease up to avoid breaking entirely.

I chewed the pie slowly, letting the sweetness dull the embers of my vengeance.

The bustling area around the bakery was rich with gossip and rumors. 

Though I couldn’t verify the accuracy, the information often proved useful.

“I heard a Reincarnator destroyed a neighboring country recently… They say with a single gesture, thousands of swords flew through the air.”

“You believe such nonsense? It wasn’t thousands of swords but an army of ten thousand soldiers. They called it the Lord of a Thousand Blades.”

Time passed as I absentmindedly listened to the chatter, finishing one of the pies. I stood and stretched. My short break was over—it was time to return to my routine.

On the way back, I purchased a pretty ribbon for my hair.

Time flew by, and the day of the tournament arrived.

The event was held in a massive colosseum located in the heart of Karma’s capital city. 

The colosseum was large enough to host most Imperial Knight events.

‘So many people…’

Even though it was a weekday, the crowds were overwhelming. I gawked, wide-eyed, at the throngs of spectators.

The knightly tournament was one of the Empire’s grandest events, drawing visitors from neighboring nations.

“Over here, Saeorin!”

“Oh, okay.”

Responding to Flora’s call, I joined my comrades. I had wandered off briefly before the tournament began. Theo was with Flora, enjoying the brief reprieve.

We spent our free time wandering, snacking on street food, and buying souvenirs. Dressed in casual clothes rather than our uniforms, we weren’t recognized as knights.

‘How differently people act depending on what I’m wearing…’

In uniform, everyone treated me with respect, seeing me as a knight rather than a mere girl. Now, it was a different story.

Strangers showered me with compliments—beautiful, adorable—and even gave me items I hadn’t purchased.

Saeorin’s hands grew heavy with all the gifts. One particularly insistent man even begged them to meet his son.

“Hey, you! Who gave you permission to sell here?”

A familiar voice broke through the din. Turning toward it, I spotted Raynard, casually berating a peddler.

Naturally, Theo, Flora, and I gravitated toward him.

“Senior Raynard?”

“Huh?”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, it’s you three… It’s my first time seeing you in casual clothes,” Raynard remarked casually, even as he kicked over a neatly arranged vendor’s stall. The display tumbled down with a loud crash.

“Ah, no!”

If one didn’t know better, they’d think he was just a street thug.

“If you want to sell here, get a proper permit!”

“I’m so sorry! This is my first time in this country…”

The vendor hurriedly packed their wares into a large bag and fled, avoiding the stares of onlookers.

Watching the scene unfold, Theo asked, “Isn’t cracking down on unlicensed vendors something the city guard should do? Why are we handling it?”

“Ah, this is just a task I’ve been stuck with because of a disciplinary action. Normally, it’s not our job.”

I glanced up at Raynard with an odd expression. If anyone in the Azure Wings was the most frequently disciplined, it was undoubtedly Raynard. He had earned his fair share of reprimands over the years.

“Still,” Raynard said, “shouldn’t you three be getting ready? The tournament’s about to start.”

“Oh no!”

We panicked, checking the time and realizing we had only ten minutes before the tournament began. Without so much as a proper goodbye, we bolted.

Raynard’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

We arrived just in time and quickly changed into our formal uniforms before heading to the colosseum. It was already packed with knights from various factions.

Many of the faces were unfamiliar, highlighting the diverse array of competitors. Even my closest peers now felt like rivals.

I took a deep breath to steady myself.

Alongside my peers and competitors, the seniors from Azure Wings and other factions were also present. Those not participating had gathered in groups near the colosseum walls.

Looking up, I saw the crowd of spectators filling the massive arena. 

At the highest and most ornate seat sat a man with golden hair and languid crimson eyes, gazing over the venue.

The Emperor of the Karma Empire raised his hand.

At that moment, a hush fell over the colosseum.

“Proceed,” the Emperor said.

Though his voice was soft, it carried a strange, commanding power that resonated throughout the space. Everyone could hear him.

I stared at the Emperor, captivated. For a brief moment, it felt as though our eyes met.

A wave of cheers erupted, breaking the silence. The Emperor’s words had signaled the start of the tournament, and the audience roared in excitement.

But amidst the cheers, I felt a sharp, oppressive pressure. It was as if countless swords with razor-sharp edges were pointed directly at me.

Scanning the arena, I realized the source of the pressure was the knights participating in the tournament. It was an attempt at psychological warfare, a test to seize the initiative.

But it didn’t faze me.

“Phew…”

A frosty breath escaped my lips. Channeling my own energy, I joined the flow. A faint silhouette of a white wolf appeared around my small frame.

A fierce, predatory aura swept over the colosseum. 

The oppressive energy startled many of the knights, who instinctively reached for their swords. Their faces betrayed their unease.

Then, I withdrew my aura. The icy chill and wolf’s silhouette vanished without a trace, leaving only a smile on my lips.