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“He apparently showed promise quickly in the mercenary group. A noble who took notice of him recommended that he take the Academy entrance exam.”
“……”
“Thanks to the letter of recommendation that noble wrote, he succeeded in entering, but it wasn’t long before he realized he was suffering from Mana insensitivity.”
It was truly an unfortunate story.
Felix’s life was much more unfortunate than he had expected.
To have his talent recognized and enter the Academy, only to realize he had the fatal limitation of Mana insensitivity.
His life here probably wasn’t easy either.
Despite that, he had eventually unlocked his talent.
‘Amazing.’
It wasn’t easy to find that kind of aptitude even in a Noble house.
Especially considering that most students had received systematic education since childhood.
But Felix had grown up in the opposite environment and still surpassed the level of the surrounding students in an instant.
‘To have that level of skill as soon as his Mana insensitivity was cured… His potential is on a different level from ordinary people.’
His past was somewhat similar to that of Duke Argenta himself.
Duke Argenta also grew exceptionally fast from a young age, despite not receiving systematic education.
As if the talent passed down through generations had reached its peak in Duke Argenta’s generation.
As a result, people praised the Duke as the pinnacle of swordsmanship, and it became an opportunity for the Argenta Noble house to solidify its reputation as the Empire’s best martial Noble house.
Duke Argenta knew his own genius better than anyone.
And at this moment, he was convinced that the boy named Felix was the same kind of person as him.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited.’
The Duke wore a faint smile in the middle of the training grounds.
The Headmaster, who was watching him, wore a confused expression.
He couldn’t understand why such a great noble was interested in a mere commoner.
‘How many outstanding students are there in the Academy besides that guy?’
He hoped that instead of paying attention to a mere commoner, the Duke would take a closer look at the Academy’s promising noble children.
‘If I accept a child from a Noble house as a disciple, I’ll be recognized for introducing them to the Duke.’
In that sense, it was of no use to him that a lowly commoner had distinguished himself.
The Headmaster swallowed his annoyance and pondered how to divert the Duke’s attention.
Just then, he remembered a report he had heard from an instructor a while ago.
“Duke, now that I think about it, there is something I should mention.”
“What is it?”
“Recently, a Superior Magical Creature was subjugated in the forest near the Academy.”
“Superior Magical Creature?”
“Yes, it was a Drake. From what I’ve heard, it’s highly likely that one of the students was the one who subjugated it.”
Duke Argenta’s eyes sparkled. Drakes were especially powerful among Superior Magical Creatures.
It was a Monster that someone who couldn’t properly handle Aura couldn’t even face.
“One of the Academy students is a Sword Expert, how interesting.”
“They are probably hiding their level. I haven’t identified them yet, but I’m telling you because I thought you might be interested, Duke.”
The Duke could clearly see what the Headmaster was up to.
But even knowing his intentions, he couldn’t help but be interested.
Finding candidates to succeed the Noble house was his top priority right now.
Just then, a voice was heard from across the training grounds.
“Headmaster, I heard you were looking for me.”
The Headmaster erased his gentle expression and looked at the person who had suddenly interrupted the conversation.
“Come closer.”
Duke Argenta carefully examined Felix as he strode towards him.
‘His spirit is better than before.’
He could feel that Felix had grown in that short amount of time.
As soon as Felix stopped nearby, the Headmaster said in a cold tone.
“The Duke said he has something to ask you, so I called you. Answer the questions well, and be careful not to be rude in front of him. Do you understand?”
The Headmaster left the training grounds as is, leaving behind a cold gaze.
Felix stared at the Headmaster’s back for a moment before turning his head.
Then, Duke Argenta’s gaze fell on him immediately.
A heavy sense of oppression weighed down on his shoulders, but Felix took a breath and calmly met his gaze.
The Duke’s eyes wavered slightly at his calm attitude.
His tightly closed lips and slightly tense jaw seemed to reveal his agitation.
As if regaining his composure, the Duke opened his mouth calmly.
“I heard it hasn’t been long since you recovered from Mana insensitivity. You seem to have grown quickly in a short period of time.”
“I feel like I’m quickly finding the level I was originally supposed to be at.”
“……That’s quite a confident answer. Your talent was originally that outstanding, but you just couldn’t realize it because you were suffering from Mana insensitivity?”
“That’s right.”
It was a very bold answer.
But a satisfied smile spread across Duke Argenta’s lips.
“I’m curious about your genius skills. How about having a match with me?”
It was a statement that would have shocked other Academy students if they had heard it.
Duke Argenta not only let Felix’s arrogant answer slide, but even gave him the opportunity to spar with him directly.
This was an incredible stroke of luck for an aspiring knight.
Duke Argenta’s sparring sessions were not just practice, but an opportunity to receive important teachings.
Felix also did not refuse the special treatment given to him.
“I look forward to working with you.”
At his acceptance, Duke Argenta silently drew his practice sword.
Felix also grabbed the hilt of the sword at his waist.
Instead of attacking first, he observed his opponent’s stance and raised his spirit.
Because there was nothing more foolish than showing an opening to someone stronger than himself first.
Duke Argenta smiled with satisfaction as he looked at Felix.
He thought so when he saw the last sparring session, but he was quite clever.
“Then I’ll go first.”
It was a guided sparring session, but he didn’t hold back.
His sword rushed straight for Felix’s empty right waist.
As if he had expected it to some extent, Felix moved to the left to avoid the attack.
A strange light flickered in Duke Argenta’s eyes.
He had adjusted the speed so that his opponent could avoid it, but the evasive movement was quite smooth for the level of an Academy freshman.
Then, the Duke’s sword unexpectedly aimed for Felix’s legs.
He was curious to see how far he could see and avoid it.
Whoosh-!
Fortunately, Felix barely managed to avoid the attack before the Duke stopped his sword at the last moment.
‘Is this what a normal student’s movements are like?’
That couldn’t be.
He had seen countless knights.
The attack he had just made was at a level that Felix could not have avoided with his level of handling Mana.
‘At least a Sword Expert.’
For a knight, awakening Aura meant reaching a higher level.
As the level increased, the body became more agile and the strength increased.
There was a huge gap between simply being able to feel and handle Mana and the level of Sword Expert.
And the person who knew that difference best was Duke Argenta.
Clang!
Clang!
The Duke and Felix began to exchange blows silently. Felix was already completely absorbed in the sparring with the Duke.
Perhaps it was because the tension had eased to some extent.
He began to show his true skills without hiding them. Twisting stabs, rushing attacks, and so on…
Thanks to this, Duke Argenta was also excited.
Then, surprise appeared in Duke Argenta’s eyes as he observed the clashing swords.
Because a faint blue energy was rippling from the tip of Felix’s sword.
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