Yuri and his companions enjoyed a relaxing retreat at Jose's estate.
After spending a leisurely day, they would drink with sashimi while gazing at the sea, or simply rest the entire day doing nothing.
As the accumulated fatigue melted away, everyone began to feel much better.
"My body feels lighter than ever."
"Indeed."
"My swordplay feels smoother too."
It wasn't just their bodies that had recovered.
The combat experience they had accumulated in Adelvine had begun to settle in their subconscious, deepening their understanding of the sword. It felt like each of them had grown by at least a level.
Two days passed just like that.
While Yuri was spending time sitting in a rocking chair on the balcony, Jose approached him.
"Your Highness."
"Ah, Sir Jose."
"Shall we go now?"
"Oh, you mean to your teacher?"
"Yes."
"Sounds good."
Yuri stretched and stood up from the rocking chair. Then, he picked up Guilty, which had been leaning beside him.
"The others are probably still resting, so let's go quietly on our own."
"Yes."
"Is your teacher quite old?"
"Hahahaha, well, you'll see once we meet."
"I'm looking forward to it."
They quietly left the mansion.
Without a word, Jose walked toward the seashore.
Orphen was not a very large city. Once they left the streets, there were barely any people in sight.
A peaceful seaside village unfolded before them. Fishing boats floated motionless on the distant horizon, and seagulls soared overhead.
Before long, the two arrived in front of a steep coastal cliff.
"Didn't know this place existed."
Since it jutted out toward the sea, the view opened up completely when they stood at the edge of the cliff.
There was nothing to block the sight—only the sky and the sea.
Yuri stretched his arms wide and let out a long sigh.
"Aaah..."
Two similar yet distinct shades of blue were divided by the horizon, making it impossible to tell where the sky ended and the sea began. A refreshing sense of liberation washed over him.
It was truly a landscape the people of Bursen could be proud of.
Yuri spoke.
"So then, Sir Jose."
"Yes."
"Is this sea your teacher, by any chance?"
"Hahahahaha..."
Jose burst out laughing.
"A bit different, but yes. You could say that this is my teacher."
Then Jose stood beside Yuri.
"But my true teacher is right here."
Jose tapped his chest.
Yuri chuckled and nodded.
"Yourself?"
"Yes, that's right. I became strong on my own."
"You're a genius."
"Not as much as Your Highness."
"Not as much."
"Hahahahaha..."
"Just joking."
"It's alright."
"No,"
Yuri shook his head.
"You're a clear-cut genius."
When people evaluated Jose, they rarely chose the word genius.
But in truth, he was the one knight for whom that word fit best.
His natural physique and strength were only part of his gifts.
The reason he had become one of the Ten Strongest in his previous life was because his understanding of the sword and mana far surpassed that of ordinary people.
"So, your teacher wanted to meet me?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"Since when?"
"Hmm, perhaps since the very beginning."
"You and I have crossed swords before, haven't we?"
"Not like this."
Jose grinned and continued.
"Properly, this time."
Yuri gave a bitter smile. Just like Moyong Chan, it seemed that the stronger they were, the more they wanted to clash swords with him.
Yuri placed his hand on the hilt of Guilty.
"Alright. Let's do it."
Jose's proposal wasn't a light one. This would be different from any duel they had before. But there wasn't a single thought in Yuri's mind about avoiding it.
"Thank you."
"I'm curious, though. Why go this far? You're already stronger than I am."
"Hmm, that's…"
Jose scratched his head.
"Don't you get it?"
"No."
"That's kind of frustrating."
"Why?"
"Have you ever met someone weaker than you, but still really wanted to fight them?"
"Can't say I have."
Jose laughed.
"The reason is this—You haven't yet met someone more talented than yourself. Including me."
"I'm not so sure. I think very highly of you."
"Haha…"
"I mean it."
"Then let me ask another question."
Yuri looked up at Jose. He had a meaningful smile on his face.
"When do you think you'll surpass me, Your Highness?"
"Well…"
"I'm sure you think it won't take very long. Am I right?"
Yuri couldn't deny Jose's words.
He couldn't give an exact time frame, but he believed that it would happen eventually.
Unlike in his past life, the current him trained with full effort at every moment. Because of that, his limits remained undefined.
He even had a vague feeling that someday, he might be able to surpass even his father, Fiore Briol.
Perhaps that was why.
Even though Jose was undeniably stronger, he didn't feel that far away.
Seeing Yuri's vague expression, Jose grinned.
"Of course, I won't let that happen easily."
Yuri let out a soft chuckle.
"So you're planning to get the upper hand today while you still can?"
"Have you ever heard of the phrase cut the grass and root it out?"
"Sir Jose, you're scarier than I thought."
"Hahahaha, I'm joking. Anyway, the reason I want to cross swords with Your Highness is, how should I put it…"
Jose, choosing his words, slowly drew his sword.
"I simply wish to feel something, standing before the sea that made me who I am, facing a swordsman like you, Your Highness."
"To feel something, huh…"
Yuri raised Guilty in response.
"That sounds a little sentimental."
"Your Highness, don't misunderstand. I have no intention of ever letting you surpass me."
"Really? Today, I plan on showing you what defeat feels like."
"Hahahaha!"
"No point in waiting. I'll bring you down today."
"Go ahead and try."
The two faced each other with swords drawn atop the cliff.
"I'll be counting on you."
"Likewise."
Yuri stared intently at Jose.
Ever since they met during the Allied Army campaign, they had spent a long time together. Naturally, they'd sparred many times before.
But never like this—never with such sincerity.
In Yuri's mind, the strengths of Jose and himself began to be calculated.
Jose clearly had the higher total score, but if Yuri could capitalize on areas where he had the advantage, victory wasn't entirely out of reach.
Yuri stepped forward first.
"Fighting with the sea as a backdrop, it's quite picturesque."
"Then let's do it again next time."
"Well, will you still want to fight me then?"
"Oh, I was more concerned about whether you would."
While Jose was speaking, Yuri suddenly launched a lightning-fast surprise attack.
His sword aura slashed low, aiming for the underside.
Jose didn't dodge, instead lowering his blade to block. From the stance alone, Jose should've been at a disadvantage, but Yuri was actually the one pushed back by the force.
It was monstrous strength.
Unbothered, Yuri continued attacking. Circling around, he targeted only the spots that were difficult for Jose to guard. But every strike was blocked.
The tide turned.
Now, Jose swung wide.
Even before it landed, the sound of slicing wind rang in Yuri's ears.
Realizing it would be difficult to dodge, Yuri braced Guilty with his entire body. The impact slammed into him, sending him sliding back a great distance. A long mark was carved into the ground.
Shaking out his tingling arms, Yuri said,
"I'm starting to wonder if you're really human."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"But fights aren't won by strength alone."
"Then show me."
Undaunted, Yuri advanced again. Spinning around, he used rotational force to clash against Jose's blade.
A loud clang echoed.
The sound of metal against metal rang out repeatedly.
The swords grew heavier with each blow, and the exchange became fierce enough to be life-threatening.
Yet, despite the ferocity of the fight, the waves remained calm.
With the vast, deep ocean as their backdrop, the two continued their relentless sword clash.
"Impressive, haha!"
"You still have room to laugh?"
"But Your Highness is smiling as well."
"I can afford to."
"I don't think so!"
Their swords crossed again. Jose, having missed in midair, instantly corrected his posture and aimed at Yuri. Yuri did the same.
They allowed not even a sliver of an opening, immediately launching another attack.
Jose laughed.
He had waited for this moment.
To stand before the sea of Orphen, where he had grown up, and cross swords with the brilliant genius known as Yuri Briol.
He felt certain that, just from this, inspiration would arise.
And now, that certainty was proving true.
"Thank you for this fight, Your Highness."
"The same to you."
Jose had met many geniuses.
Even among his current companions, Laurent and Jared were shining examples. Either of them could enter any knight order on the continent without shame.
But the Third Prince was different.
It wasn't about understanding the sword better, or moving faster.
There was something that transcended physical attributes.
Yes, he shone.
And he was the kind of person who spread that light to those around him.
There was no better way to describe it.
"Is that all you've got, Your Highness?!"
Jose provoked him playfully, swinging his sword.
Most knights wouldn't dare face him directly. They'd try to dodge and exploit openings. Even the Third Prince, at first, had danced around him like that.
But sometimes, when all the conditions aligned, Jose would unleash an attack that was like a painting come to life.
And the Third Prince would meet it head-on, as if it would be a waste not to.
Of course, he couldn't fully handle it. Every time, the prince would end up at a disadvantage. At a glance, it seemed like a foolish choice.
But in those moments, it was as if he absorbed something—growing stronger in real time.
He was not the same person he was when they first crossed blades.
And when they clashed next, he would be different again.
Truly, an intriguing opponent.
Something began to stir in Jose's chest. Whether it was emotion or inspiration, he wasn't sure.
But one thing was certain—this moment was lifting him to greater heights.
Jose declared,
"Your Highness. I'm going to get more serious now."
"Yeah? Then I'll do the same."
It was time to raise the level.
"Be careful."
"Worry about yourself."
From Jose's body, mana rose like a great mountain, while the Third Prince created a swirling vortex through continuous rotation.
All the while, the battle continued. Waiting for the other to finish their technique only happens in practice. In a real fight, both were desperately searching for an opening to strike.
Jose laughed again.
"Could you stop laughing already?"
"I'd like to, but I can't. Hahahaha!"
"You're not holding back, are you?"
"Of course not."
In truth, he had held back at first. If he swung with full strength from the beginning, the fight would've ended too quickly.
So he had lowered his output, gradually increasing the intensity.
And the Third Prince had kept up.
Now, even Jose couldn't afford to be complacent. It was no exaggeration to call this a battle between equals.
With every exchanged blow, Yuri presented moves Jose hadn't anticipated.
Not just clever techniques, but as a person, his responses were extraordinary. And those differences were reflected in his sword.
Jose felt the light he sensed from Yuri once again shining upon him.
Choosing to duel the Third Prince had been the right decision. Just what he had gained so far had already elevated his level.
Jose shouted,
"At this rate, I'll win!"
"Probably."
"Are you just going to accept that?"
"Of course not. I'll have to bring out my hidden trump card and take you down."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"Don't you have any secret techniques up your sleeve?"
"Of course I do."
"Then show me."
"Shall I?"
They paused, swords pointed at each other. Their gazes locked. For the first time since the duel began, a stalemate lingered.
Then, suddenly, the wind blew in.
And the two swung their swords at each other.
That day, the residents of Orphen witnessed a human-shaped waterspout rise over the quiet sea.
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