Ch. 71

Rovenin Fedri.

A once-in-a-lifetime genius who, at the mere age of fourteen, reached the realm of a sword user capable of manifesting Aura Blade, causing swordsmen across the continent to fall into despair and anguish.

Considering that knights, on average, manifest Aura Blade in their late twenties, it was undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement.

He was a figure who, bearing the weight of expectations that he would one day surpass his father, Duke Fedri, to become a Sword Master, had already earned the title of the continent’s greatest martial prodigy.

And he possessed such overwhelming might that no one could dispute it.

There’s a saying that if you want to know what ‘bone-chilling strength’ looks like, just watch Rovenin Fedri.

For the first time, I was spectating someone else’s match.

It was the match of that crazy guy who had suddenly asked me to fight.

Watching him felt like seeing a tiger toying with a dog; I even felt sorry for his opponent.

‘How is that the swordsmanship of a sixteen-year-old?’

“So scary.”

The fact that someone like that had casually asked me to fight sent a chill down my spine.

He moved at a speed I couldn’t even follow with my eyes and wielded his sword with absolute mastery.

He had long since outgrown the childish stage of swinging a sword around clumsily like Rashamu.

If I fought him, I felt like my head would be lopped off the moment the match began.

Of course, in matches, the rule was to use blunt swords without edges, so that wouldn’t literally happen, but still, my body trembled uncontrollably.

“What’s wrong, Geenie?”

“Don’t even ask. That guy talked to me earlier.”

“Whoa, really? Rovenin Fedri? He talked to you! What did he say?”

“He just suddenly asked me to fight.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s so cool!”

‘Is she crazy too?’

“Rovenin Fedri is famous for not talking to just anyone!”

“What?”

“He only speaks to people he acknowledges as strong! Asking for a duel means he recognizes you!”

I hugged the cage with Rai inside and shivered all over.

‘No wonder I wanted to run away.’

My danger detection radar worked sometimes after all.

“I absolutely, absolutely! will never fight him.”

“Why?”

“……”

“Think you’ll lose?”

Though it hurt my pride, I couldn’t imagine winning.

It would be like a fight between a child and an adult.

I watched Rovenin’s battle, resembling a winged beast, and thought to myself that I just needed to stay far away from that fight-crazed maniac.

But fate always approached cruelly.

And it kicked me down without fail.

Damn it!

—

The award ceremony began after the finals of the Youth Division.

Unsurprisingly, the winner of the Youth Division was Rovenin, a result that was practically predetermined from the moment the tournament started.

It was as good as a confirmed fact.

The unexpected happened in the Toddler Division, where I competed.

Apparently, everyone had expected that this year, the two sons of the Fedri family would claim victories side by side.

“All award recipients, please gather here. Yes, stand there.”

Despite the size of the prepared platform, there weren’t many awardees.

Following the aide’s instructions, we lined up neatly, and the only ones called to the front were two winners, two runners-up, and two special award recipients—just six of us in total.

It hit me again that I was among those six.

“Please maintain your distance from the person next to you. Special award recipient, a little more to the right.”

The aide meticulously positioned us.

It took about twenty minutes just to line up, tidy ourselves, and rehearse the award sequence.

‘Meeting the emperor sure is a pain.’

That was my honest feeling, though I couldn’t dare say it aloud.

And without any malicious intent, Rashamu Fedri, the runner-up of the Toddler Division, stood to my immediate right, while Rovenin Fedri, the winner of the Youth Division, stood to my left.

Being sandwiched between the two redheads was extremely unpleasant.

Understandably so, since both of them had been glaring holes through me ever since earlier.

The fierce stares pouring in from both sides were overwhelming.

‘Ha, the burden of popularity.’

The little redhead looked ready to devour me, and the bigger one too…

‘He’s devouring me with his eyes.’

To be able to say “let’s fight” just with a glare—what an incredible ability.

Though I felt the unspoken pressure from Rovenin, I deliberately ignored it.

No matter what, I won’t fight you!

I do have instincts, you know. I’m not someone who always jumps into danger. (T/N: Reallllllyyyyyy? LOL)

While I was deliberately avoiding looking at Rovenin, my eyes naturally met Rashamu’s.

Even though they were brothers, compared to Rovenin, Rashamu was much more… adorable.

Like the difference between a tiger and a puppy.

If Rashamu knew I thought that way, he’d definitely get mad.

Maybe because I looked at him a little too condescendingly, Rashamu ground his teeth and whispered quickly,

“What are you looking at, ugly!”

“What the heck. I’m really pretty, you know. Are your eyes broken?”

“Our family has perfect eyesight for generations!”

“Runner-up, mind you.”

“……Tch!”

Rashamu was clearly seething with frustration.

He must have thought he should be standing in my place.

‘How unfortunate. I guess I ruined the brothers’ grand victory scene.’

“Bleh.”

In response to their intense stares, I cheekily stuck out my tongue.

Just as Rashamu jerked as if he might leap at me,

The sound of an unfamiliar instrument rang out, and the emperor appeared.

Accompanied by an uncountable number of knights and attendants, the emperor walked across a luxurious, matte golden carpet.

We immediately stood at attention and faced forward.

The previously noisy audience became as silent as if someone had hit a mute button, and I could feel the other kids around me holding their breath in nervousness.

Except Rovenin Fedri, of course.

“Kneel and pay your respects.”

The aide said solemnly, and we all knelt in perfect unison, bowing our heads low.

While we stared fixedly at the ground, we could feel the emperor ascending the platform and taking his seat.

Strangely enough, there were moments when I could sense movements even without seeing them.

Rai said that what I was sensing was presence, and that it would become clearer as I grew stronger.

“Raise your head.”

That was the first time I heard the Emperor’s voice.

It was heavy, yet sharp and cold, filled with the arrogance of one who ruled.

The man who held the strongest power in all of the vast continent of Cransia—the pinnacle of humanity. Even I began to feel a little tense.

—

Normally, seeing the Emperor this close would be considered an immense honor for any noble family.

For me, the bigger thought was simply, ‘So that’s Ash’s father.’

“Award recipients, three steps forward.”

The aide ushered us forward.

The award ceremony proceeded smoothly, and while outwardly I maintained a solemn demeanor, inwardly I was bursting with excitement at the thought of finally meeting Ash.

Since the runners-up and special award winners only received certificates and prize money, my turn came quickly.

I mentally rehearsed the words I had to say.

“Winner of the Toddler Division Tournament, Geenie Crowell, step forward.”

It was my turn.

Calmly, I ascended the steps to the platform and stood before the Emperor.

Leaving less than two paces between us, I knelt on one knee once more.

Just in case, the Royal Knights stood behind the Emperor, lined up in an intimidating display, but honestly, the Emperor himself was already more than formidable enough as a warrior.

Even I, who usually treated everything half-heartedly, made sure to observe proper etiquette at this moment.

“I, Geenie Crowell of the Royal Drike Academy, greet the Sun of the Continent, Aron de Can Megaloprofitus. It is the greatest honor of my life to stand before Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!”

It was just a set ceremonial phrase—there wasn’t any real sincerity behind it.

A slightly embarrassing fact was that even the king of Dmitri had to say the same thing before the Emperor.

Though Dmitri wasn’t a weak country, compared to the Empire, it was little more than a small nation.

An allied nation in name, but effectively a vassal state.

“Geenie Crowell of the Royal Drike Academy, hear me.”

They say that having your name called by the Emperor sends shivers down your spine, but I didn’t feel that way. Maybe it was because I lacked a proper sense of awe toward him.

I guess I simply didn’t have the grit or sycophancy needed to chase after power.

“I, Emperor Megaloprofitus, commend your victory and bestow this award in my name. May you strive to become a warrior who contributes to the Empire’s prosperity. I bless the future of your talent.”

I had never thought of myself as a warrior, and frankly, contributing to Dmitri’s prosperity sounded more fitting than to the Empire’s, but for now, I respectfully bowed and received the certificate with utmost decorum.

“Your Majesty’s blessing is the honor of my family. I shall never forget this grace.”

I desperately wanted to stop spouting these soulless lines. Every time I did, I felt like my hands and feet shriveled up from embarrassment.

Honestly, taking internal injuries sounded more bearable than this.

‘Come on already! Do it!’

After receiving the certificate and bowing again, I stayed crouched, waiting eagerly for the Emperor’s next words.

Ask me.

Hurry up and ask me my wish!

I wanted to lift my head and glare at him to hurry, but I wasn’t stupid enough to commit such insolence, so I held it in.

“Come closer.”

Huh?

That wasn’t part of the ceremony schedule.

Keeping my eyes lowered, I glanced around.

This wasn’t something we had practiced.

The aide motioned subtly for me to do as I was told, so hesitantly, I took a step closer to the Emperor.