"…I always feel this, but your eloquence is so dazzling it even makes the other party feel pity."
Perhaps she had completely adapted to the life of a maid by now.
Wearing her maid's uniform neatly, Batory glanced at the letter I was holding, then shook her head slowly.
"Heh, even if she's a noble, in the end she's just an immature girl. Bewitching her with a few words is child's play."
The seal bore the crest of a wagon wheel.
Stamped with the unquestioned emblem of the House of Baron Parnell, the letter read:
[To Sir Hans Byron,]
[I have continued to consider your proposal.]
'Considered, huh.'
More accurately, she was probably checking whether my words were reliable, or investigating me through her connections.
The position and authority of the Student Council President.
And the ties that still bound her to the House of Baron Parnell.
[…]
[I will gladly accept. I too wish to contribute to Lady Speda rising to the position of Student Council President.]
"A curious thing indeed."
"What do you mean?"
Since she had seen the documents Moonwhite delivered, I could speak openly.
[Origin: Noble Faction]
[Concerns have arisen in the House of Baron Parnell over Lady Reisia Parnell's involvement in succession disputes after her recent tenure as Student Council President.]
Tilting her head, Batory voiced her thoughts.
"As I understand, the descendant of warriors and you are Imperial Faction. You were supposed to be like vampires and gargoyles—irreconcilable like Revain's enemies. Why then would she cooperate with you?"
A sharp observation.
If only she hadn't just ruined the neat pile of dust she'd swept up with her broom, it might have sounded downright intellectual.
'Still a long way from being the perfect maid.'
But that flaw was also part of Batory's charm.
"Let me take care of that."
"But that was my task…"
I ignored the hint of regret in her voice, took the broom, and supplemented her point.
"Your Ladyship is correct. The House of Parnell and the House of Duke Speda belong to opposing factions. Naturally, they would check one another."
However.
That was only true from the perspective of the House of Parnell.
It was not necessarily true for Reisia Parnell herself.
"Look at me."
"…What absurd thing are you saying now?"
"The Hans Byron I impersonate is merely the third son of the House of Baron Byron, a man of little worth there. Yet in the House of Duke Speda, his value has soared."
I recalled the information Moonwhite had given me about Reisia.
A woman.
Not even the eldest daughter, the usual heir.
And unlike the House of Count Frontal, the House of Parnell's heir had no disqualifying flaws. On the contrary, their eldest son had secured a solid reputation as a capable heir.
"In the same way, had Lady Parnell remained with her own house, her talents would have been wasted."
Or worse, they could have become poison.
If the succession dispute escalated, people would inevitably die—such was true in every age.
'As expected of someone who served as Student Council President.'
She judged her own talent and the realities of her situation with cold clarity.
Even though she lost to Luciana and me, her sharp political calculation remained.
Clearly, she bore the marks of someone who had once led amidst the noble heirs' endless intrigues at the Academy.
'Though, I suspect that's not the only reason.'
The affection of a young maiden.
For someone like me, too busy preventing destruction, the word felt alien.
"…Difficult indeed, human politics. In Ebludon, force alone decided matters."
"You needn't think it so different. At its core, it's still people pursuing their own gain."
Reisia could showcase her ability.
The House of Duke Speda gained a talented rising star.
Luciana acquired a tutor to guide her path to the Student Council Presidency.
"In the end, it's simply choosing a stronger rope to climb. For her, and for me."
The only loser was the House of Parnell, who had lost their talent. Everyone else gained their happy ending.
"Now then, I've gathered up the dust, so please dispose of it. And don't forget the mopping."
"Mmh… very well. I shall not fail this time."
Clutching the broom tightly, Batory resumed her duties while I set off to report to Luciana.
"Might as well observe this too."
I was still far from being an Expert, but seeing it beforehand could only help.
I went straight to Luciana's chambers and handed over the letter.
"So, Lady Reisia will be taking on my training?"
"Yes. Having one who already walks the path of Aura teach you is the most effective method."
The professors had their role, but they taught to the general curriculum. They could not focus on tutoring a prodigy like Luciana one-on-one.
"You brought her over already?"
"She already had ties with Young Master Darius. It was easier than expected."
"Ah yes. They were master and disciple once. I never imagined that bond would be rekindled like this."
A faint smile bloomed on her face.
Luciana was a knight to her core.
The prospect of a skilled mentor to aid her growth delighted her.
"Then we must summon her at once."
"…Pardon?"
"There is no time to waste. Lady Parnell herself said she would soon resign the presidency. I must prepare all the more."
If I had been mistaken about one thing, it was underestimating Luciana's hunger for strength.
Like lightning frying beans, the duel was arranged in an instant.
"Greetings, Lady Speda."
"Ah, my heart races at the thought of crossing swords with you once more, Lady Parnell."
"Hehe, that's an honor. But next time, please summon me in the afternoon. My mornings are consumed with paperwork…."
The Student Council President carried not only power, but also heavy responsibilities.
Yet she dropped everything the moment Luciana's urgent request for a duel reached her.
'Well, she is the sister of the man she may serve in the future.'
It was a certainty: after blood ties, academy bonds were the strongest. Who could blame her for nurturing them?
"I'll remember that next time."
"Sparring with one's peers is always a good experience. Even the Crown Prince himself showed outstanding performance in Student Council exchanges."
"My peers? Hmph, aside from a few exceptions, they are all cowards avoiding duels."
Luciana cast a narrow-eyed glance at me.
—Hans, you at least should spar with me.
Not only the silent pressure, but even a mental transmission.
I raised my hand in surrender.
—Haha, I've been swamped with work lately, my Lady. I neglected my training with you. I promise I'll be your opponent next time.
—Your words… always excuses. Shameless.
She turned her head away, pouting adorably. I couldn't help but be captivated.
But then, another mental voice cut in.
—…You will keep your promise, won't you?
The red-haired knight pressed down her helmet, hiding her expression. But the blue light blazing in her eyes said enough.
'If I lied, she'd chase me to the depths of hell.'
She must have already confirmed much of it through her connections.
—You need not worry. Lady Parnell is skilled. With a word from me, she will soon be under Young Master's banner.
—…Very well. I'll trust you.
—Please, focus on sparring with my Lady. My arrangements with you and Luciana's favor are separate matters.
Clang.
Her helmet dipped. Clearly, it was a gesture of gratitude.
"So then, what do you intend to teach me?"
"Since you already surpass me in fundamentals, I will teach only one thing."
Just as on the day of their last duel, Reisia gathered crimson Aura into her shield.
—Vrrrmm.
The massive iron bulwark hungrily devoured her Aura, surging so strongly it seemed to reach the ceiling.
"Progress toward Master level."
"Oh?"
"Aura differs from person to person. Improving your swordsmanship to harness it fully, and creating your own unique technique—that is the first step toward becoming a Master."
I understood immediately.
'She means Unique Techniques.'
[Trash game trait: bosses full of unfair patterns]
[6th run, Lecton's insane. Full-map thunder insta-kill—how do you even counter that?]
[It's easy, how are you failing…]
[Shut up if you won't answer properly]
[You need to burst DPS during his prep and break his horn.]
[But his extra HP is ridiculous.]
[Change ally AI to "use skills in sync with my Unique Ability."]
Special skills unique to each character—their trump cards.
In magic, these were "Unique Spells."
In Aura, they were "Unique Techniques."
—Crash!
As before, Luciana's sword was flung away helplessly by the shield's charge.
"Kh!"
"Not dodging was wise. Clashing directly helps you understand the essence of Aura."
Her voice rang cold through the helmet, the stern tone of the Student Council President.
"From now on, you will continuously receive my Unique Technique."
Luciana only grinned in response.
"Just what I wanted."
Though her arms trembled from the earlier strike, she did not waver.
Instead, she analyzed every move, seeking to absorb the technique as her own.
"Excellent spirit. Let us continue."
"Yes, please."
The shield charged.
Luciana's blade flew.
Over and over, the duel repeated.
Watching them, I too fell into thought.
"Unique Technique, huh…"
Still not even an Expert, it was far beyond me.
But another thought struck me.
'What about Unique Magic? Maybe that I can reach.'
It had been a trick, but thanks to Batory, I had already learned Telepathy.
I had even acquired several racial Unique Spells.
Surely I had the qualifications to awaken a true Unique Magic.
The problem was…
'For the first time, I wish I had reincarnated as someone else.'
Rene, Opharn, Camilla, Theodore…
Their awakenings were written clearly in the original story. I could have helped them.
But as "Hans Byron"?
A character who never even appeared in the original? I had no clues.
"…I'm jealous of Luciana."
She had a proper teacher before her.
She knew herself and her sword. She would soon grasp a Unique Technique.
"…But I won't lose."
If the stork stretched its legs, the sparrow had to do the same.
Fortunately, I had allies to help me.
—Lady Batory, are you cleaning?
—Hmm? No! I just finished. But what's this, you reaching out to me first…?
—It's nothing serious. Could you visit my room tonight?
Privacy, pride—none of that mattered.
If it was for growth, I'd do whatever it took.
—Bang!
From the clash across the arena, the impact sent my rocket pendant flying.
The shabby surface reflected my face.
And that face… looked very much like Luciana's just moments ago.
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