The Cunning Treasure Hunter

"Disciple of Senior Brother Kael, huh."

"Do you know who that is?"

At Aiden's murmur, Vera looked up at her with curiosity.

Aiden nodded slowly.

"I still remember. Back then, I used to argue a lot with Senior Brother Aetheris."

Argue a lot?

The vague expression made Vera tilt her head in puzzlement.

"We'd constantly spar, trying to prove who was stronger."

"...It seems both of you have strong pride."

"You could say that," Aiden chuckled.

Vera slowly rose from her seat, wearing the sword Aiden had given her at her waist. A month of practice had left her grip imprinted on the hilt. She no longer fumbled with it, her movements now sharp and accustomed.

"Vera," Marcus called out just as Verawas about to leave the tent.

Turning back with a blink, Vera faced her senior brother.

"…Win."

It was an obvious thing to say, yet Marcus clenched her fist tightly as she said it, shaking it in encouragement. Perhaps, as the senior-most disciple, it was her duty to cheer for her juniors.

A small laugh escaped Vera, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"…What's there to thank me for? It's only natural."

"I'll make sure to win."

After bowing deeply to both Aiden and Marcus, Vera stepped out of the tent. At the same moment, from the tent on the right, a taller boy by about three inches emerged.

"Oh, you must be Vera?"

"…Yes, Senior Brother Kyun. I look forward to your guidance."

Smiling warmly, he extended his hand to help her up onto the sparring platform. Judging by Vera's slender build, he must have thought she'd struggle with the height.

Vera accepted the gesture without hesitation.

"Oh! Even though they're about to face off, they're showing camaraderie! Truly admirable!" The announcer exclaimed loudly, drawing attention from the onlookers and the representatives of the Gale Trading Guild.

Support didn't only go to the strongest; the key factor was demonstrating the spirit of a true martial artist. Even if one fell in pursuit of noble deeds, their reputation and title could still bring benefits.

For the Gale Trading Guild, such stories were profitable. A renowned martial artist's cherished sword, crafted by a famous blacksmith—this connection alone could elevate their reputation. While most of the prestige went to the blacksmiths, the Gale Trading Guild played the crucial role of intermediary, securing orders for those who admired the warriors yet couldn't approach such famed craftsmen directly.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother." Vera bowed respectfully.

Kyun blinked in surprise. Such politeness was unusual among the disciples, especially the younger ones.

Most of the third-generation disciples were teenagers who had spent years training together since their early teens. At that age, hierarchical relationships were often loose, despite the occasional scolding from their masters. Hot tempers often flared among them.

"Well… It's nothing to thank me for."

"As you may have heard, my name is Vera."

"Ah, yes. I'm Kyun."

His awkward demeanor revealed his unfamiliarity with the situation. Over the past month, Vera had largely kept to herself, not participating in the usual activities of her peers, such as catching frogs by the creek or engaging in sparring matches.

Having already reached a pinnacle of skill, Vera was out of reach for her fellow disciples. No one dared challenge someone so far ahead of them in ability.

"Please, grant me your guidance."

Thus, Vera had always remained a distant, unfamiliar presence among her peers—a prodigious yet enigmatic martial artist.

"On the contrary, I should be the one seeking your guidance." Kyun chuckled, saluting with his fists before stepping onto the platform.

Vera mirrored his gesture, her hand resting on her sword's hilt.

"Such humility in acknowledging each other's skills! And the grace in their challenge! Both embody the pride of disciples from Great Suncrest Sect!"

The two stepped onto the sparring ground, maintaining a proper distance. Drawing their swords, they adopted identical stances. Both wielded the Elegant cherry Sword Technique.

"Identical forms! With that, all preparations are complete! The duel begins now!"

A sharp, resounding gong echoed once, signaling the start.

"…Hoo."

Kyun did not forget his master's words.

Kael, wielder of the Breaker Sword.

His master had said that the girl before him was on par with him in skill.

In other words, facing her was akin to clashing swords with his master—a formidable task.

Kael's level rested at the pinnacle of the Peak Stage, teetering on the brink of transcending to the next realm. Known for the fiery sword that expelled demonic energy, his title resonated with honor. But titles did not always correlate to strength.

In his case, his fame and character had earned him such recognition.

For Kyun, who had only recently crossed the threshold of First-Class Martial Artists, his master was an insurmountable wall.

Moreover, Kael was known for his immense pride.

And now, his master had acknowledged this petite, slender girl as his equal—a monster in human form.

"A martial artist standing at the very edge of the Peak Stage, huh."

Facing her head-on with proper tactics would only result in a crushing defeat.

Thus, he needed a strategy. Not something as underhanded as throwing sand or spitting in her face, but there were ways to gain the upper hand.

"…I'll strike first."

Boom!

As Kyun launched himself forward with a powerful step, his body propelled like an arrow.

Standing taller by three inches and weighing significantly more, his muscles, built through rigorous training, gave him an advantage in mass and power.

"Haaaaah—!"

Elegant cherry Sword Technique, Third Form: Blossom Withstanding Snow.

Like its name suggested, this was a defensive technique, meant to withstand incoming attacks. The sword was raised horizontally, resembling a cherry branch, prepared to block descending strikes.

But as Vera saw him closing in while maintaining a defensive stance, she blinked.

"…I see."

Her eyes narrowed as she discerned his intent.

This was a clear attempt to unsettle her—a trick relying on physicality rather than swordsmanship.

Charging in with a defensive stance?

It was essentially an admission that he intended to use his body to ram her, rather than relying on the elegance of the Elegant cherry Sword Technique.

By seizing the initiative and forcing her into a defensive position, he aimed to disrupt her rhythm and close the gap instantly.

Once she was caught off guard, her slim build and delicate wrists would likely fail to withstand his assault.

A smile spread across Kyun's face.

What he had failed to consider, however, was that Vera had no intention of holding back in a friendly spar.

Her slender hand grasped her sword, which began to hum softly. A radiant glow erupted from the blade.

"Sword energy…!"

"At such a young age, with that frail body—she's manifesting sword energy!"

"How old is she? Fourteen?!"

"She's breaking the youngest record for a Peak Stage martial artist!"

Murmurs erupted from all sides.

The members of the Suncrest Sect remained silent—they had already seen her strength, whether through rumors or firsthand.

The outsiders, however, could not hide their astonishment. Their greedy gazes fixed upon her small, delicate frame.

But Vera was unfazed.

With a light step, she retreated half a pace, her movements graceful as she unleashed her attack.

The same move she had used to subdue Marcus.

Elegant cherry Sword Technique, First Form: Flower Branch Greets the Sun.

Her right foot firmly planted itself on the ground as her sword lashed out.

The tip of the blade struck directly at the flat of Kyun's sword.

Boom!

An unbelievable scene unfolded.

Despite not anchoring herself with a firm stance, it was Kyun who was sent flying backward as if a ball had been hurled against a wall.

"Ugh… Ahh!"

He tumbled across the ground, dust covering his body as he shivered uncontrollably. His insides churned violently, leaving him unable to gather his inner strength.

Though he hadn't suffered internal injuries, the disruption in his energy flow rendered him incapable of fighting further.

"How… How is this possible…?"

But what shocked Kyun wasn't just the fact that he had been repelled.

The girl standing before him wasn't just a martial artist nearing the Peak Stage.

She had summoned her sword energy effortlessly, displaying no signs of strain.

At her level, even the disparity in physical mass could be mitigated.

For him, who had only reached the First-Class Martial Artist stage, there was no way to overcome such an opponent, no matter how much force he used.

What truly left him speechless, however, was the sight before his eyes.

A field of cherry blossoms in full bloom, their petals red to the point of being black.