Chapter 54

Leasis pulled out her wooden sword without hesitation. Hizen recognized it at a glance because she had used it in the gladiator tournament. It was not a wooden sword from Harknon, but from Utran.

Do you still have that garbage? His expression changed subtly.

For the last demonstration, Leasis took a deep breath on the middle of the bridge. It was unusually lively under her feet. Contrary to people’s expectations, she held the wooden sword without using a blue sword.

Leasis was different from Alain and Karma. She needed to know her enemy to fight properly. From the beginning, she looked at the shadow that was determined to swallow half of her body. Shadows were already running over and over, covering her feet.

Leasis thought of Hizen and gave some energy to her toes. However, the shadow trembled strangely as if rejecting it.

It was dangerous, but she decided to try a little more. She used her energy in many ways to find out about this new form. From the tip of her feet to her legs and pelvis, she alternated between energizing her body and exhaling weakly.

In the meantime, the shadow covered all of her lower body and came up to her upper body. The knights booed Leasis with a pathetic look. Even if she failed, she should at least try like Alain and Karma. In their eyes, Leasis was just a stupid coward. Only Hizen and Max watched Leasis with calm eyes.

Leasis closed her eyes slowly for the last time as she heard Setchen’s voice cheering for her. She had understood all the patterns of the shadows. Contrary to her initial thoughts, the reason that caused rejection was the energy in her calves.

Then, all she had to do was to take advantage of its weaknesses. Her red eyes flashed with liveliness. She energized her calves and her wooden sword.

A fine light emanated from her legs covered by the dark shadow, and the blue aura on the wooden sword mixed with a strange white color, was emitting a mysterious power.

Leasis took the shadow as it was. It was the same position that Hizen had shown.

Quick!

The shadow faded with the cruel sound of something exploding. Leasis took back her wooden sword and looked at Hizen. The sound of her heart pounding was even ringing in her ears, and her mouth went up in joy of success.

She looked like a child who wanted compliments. But Hizen said fiercely.

“Too slow. In real fights, black wizards use all kinds of unpredictable methods, so it’s more important to quickly check the opponent’s attack patterns.”

Everyone looked dumbfounded. It was obvious that Leasis had done well, and she was the only one successful.

Even Karma was angry, even though he could not admit it. He could not believe he was talking like that.

Hizen did not stop talking.

“Sir Leasis. You stay here and train until all the knights have succeeded.”

“Okay.”

When Leasis answered calmly, Karma looked at the two alternately with a surprised face. He had thought Hizen was going to give Leasis special treatment, but he was not?

Hizen was now staring at Karma instead of Leasis. His eyes were as cold as before.

“Sir Karma, Sir Alain. Same for you.”

*

The sun had already set. Ten people were still remaining, including Leasis, Setchen, Karma and Alain.

Hizen was standing at the end of the bridge, watching them. Max approached him while whistling.

“As expected of the Commander-nim.”

Instead of answering, Hizen looked at Leasis. Even though the weather was not hot, sweat was flowing on her face like rain, and her neat red hair was all tangled.

She repeated her training to the point where she seemed to know only that. When other members of the group failed, she gave advice to help them.

But still, it was better than Karma or Alain. The two Vice Commanders were staring at Leasis with their pride hurt. As a result, the knights who were falling behind had no choice but to trust Leasis more.

Max smiled because he liked to see the young woman working hard.

“I really can’t keep up with Miss Leasis.”

“Yes… She’s the only knight who can beat me.”

Max’s brown eyes widened at the words filled with sincerity. Looking at her, Hizen’s face was beautifully colored. She was so bright that he could see her even in the dark.

Even after some time had passed, Hizen’s eyes stayed on Leasis. Even though the night sky was very beautiful, he did not even think about looking up at it. It was like time had stopped, or like he was someone who could only look at her.

You really like her. Max smiled significantly as he looked alternately between Hizen and Leasis. As expected, our Commander-nim was very smart.

Unlike usual, he used the title ‘Sir’ for all the knights, and naturally recognized Leasis as one of them. He also clearly showed the difference in skills between Leasis and the other knights, and extended the practice time to prevent the 1st Division from making her do chores. Besides, he even gave her a chance to get closer to other knights.

In many ways, it was a neat and legitimate procedure like Hizen. Max tried not to clap, and whispered to Hizen.

“Isn’t it weird how time flows these days?”

“What do you mean?”

“Three months will feel like a long time.”

Hitting the nail on the head, Hizen closed his lips. Max alternated between Hizen and Leasis. There seemed to be no progress as expected.

At that time, Hizen spoke in a determined voice.

“I don’t care how long it takes.”

“What?”

“I don’t care if it’s three months, three years, or 30 years. I will wait as long as she can be happy.”

I can’t believe our Commander said this. Max opened his eyes wide.

But his body and mind played separately. Hizen covered his face with both hands and murmured like a spell.

‘Quickly. Go by quickly. Three months…’

*

Blix was sitting on a huge tree. No one had recognized him because he had hidden his traces.

Blix was chewing bread, looking at Leasis, sweating on her long legs. He enjoyed roaming around her like this.

In the meantime, Blix had learned a few things about Leasis, and not Hellhard. An antique name that went well with her, her changed affiliation, where she was staying, etc. Especially those who cared about her.

The green eyes looking at Hizen quarreling with Max shone dangerously. He had never imagined that the two were in such a deep relationship. He had noticed something strange since Leasis defended Hizen, but did not expect it to be like this… Somehow he felt like he had become a unnoticed spectator between them. Not long ago, she was still by his side. The feeling was not very pleasant.

Blix, scratching his head, looked at Leasis. The wooden sword in her hand struck down vigorously the shadow on the floor.

‘That’s right! That’s how you do it. Refine your strength…’

Blix immersed himself in her training without even realizing it. Her swordsmanship, a proper combination of Harknon and Utran, was eye-catching. Even after the gladiator tournament, she seemed to have put a lot of effort in it.

It made Blix quite proud. He murmured with a deep smile.

‘Turn your arms a little bit more there…’

He immersed himself for a while, but someone climbed on the thick branch where he was sitting. He could not even feel the slightest step.

As he turned his head, a long black-haired handsome man clicked his tongue. It was Elnos.

“You’re slacking off properly.”

Elnos glanced at Blix and folded his arms. He looked down insidiously at Leasis, who was killing shadows.

That maid-turned-knight was definitely excellent, but so far she had not been worth using. But he had no reason to rush things. In addition, he had to leave her alone because of Max’s suggestion.

By the way, he was wasting time like this at the most important time. At least the Blix he knew would never do such a stupid thing.

When Elnos snorted, deep green eyes stared at him.

“Don’t think about it.”

Blix’s expression was more serious than ever. He fiddled with his earring and said warningly.

“If you touch her, I won’t forgive you.”

He could not believe Blix, who had no relationship with her, even brought this up. Was it a new affection? Elnos sat on the branch with a slightly surprised face.

The most exceptional thing about the situation going as planned was the maid. But he had not yet been able to judge whether her sudden appearance was good or bad.

Blix’s mood sank to the bottom with Elnos’ interest. It was the first time he had this feeling of anxiety. So he brought up unnecessary words.

“Elnos. I like that child.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

Blix’s eyes did not seem to want to move away from Leasis. It was like he had known her for a long time. She was that friendly and familiar. In particular, her finely curved eyes, big lips, and friendly speech sometimes appeared in his dreams.

Blix had learned many emotions thanks to her. One of them was longing. He missed practicing with Leasis and Setchen in the waiting room of the gladiator arena. He should have been a little nicer then.

Elnos could not have known his brother’s feelings. He said, tapping the branch with his long fingers.

“You’d better stop. That maid who became a knight… No matter how hard you look at her, she’s not on our side.”

Just as Elnos knew Blix, Blix knew him as well. Elnos was relentless to anyone not on his side. It was true for anyone, including women.

“No.”

Blix held Elnos’ hand tapping the branch. Elnos’ white hand turned red with the strong grip.

“Don’t kill her.”

When Blix spoke threateningly, Elnos burst out laughing. He did not know why Blix and Hizen, who were not interested in women, changed like this.

“Is there something special about that red-haired maid?”

“She’s a good person.”

“Are you… crazy?”

Blix shook his head silently. The tension surrounding them became tense.

Bang!

Blix and Elnos instinctively came down from the tree branch.

“Commander-nim, what’s wrong? Suddenly, you threw a sword at the tree…”

“Max. Send the knights back right now.”

Hizen ordered Max and raised his two swords with a cold face. Unlike before, he looked cool.

Elnos, who was hiding on another branch, smiled mischievously. He grabbed the back of Blix’s neck as if he was about to run away.

‘Let’s go for today.’

‘You want to run away? With the two of us, we can cut his throat.’

‘The Count is still worth using.’

‘Tsk.’

At Elnos’ words, Blix looked annoyed. The two disappeared in an instant, as if they had never been there.