Following our lunch, Claire led us to her room to enjoy the view. We ascended the stairs to reach her tower room. As the door swung open, a window greeted us, offering a splendid panorama of the kingdom. Tem's excitement was palpable as he dashed towards the window for a closer look. Meanwhile, I entered the room, my gaze naturally exploring its details. Unexpectedly, a hand covered my eyes, later revealing Claire as the playful culprit.
“S-stop… you know it’s rude to look at a woman's things,”
Claire said in embarrassment, her hand serving as a temporary blindfold. I swiftly grasped Claire’s wrist, attempting to free my sight, yet her grip was firm, making the task more challenging.
“Let go… I can’t see a thing!” I exclaimed, tugging at her hand that veiled my eyes.
Amid our struggle and inadvertent movement, a mishap occurred – we stumbled and tumbled onto the edge of the bed. This unexpected collision made us fall on the bed, with Claire positioned beneath me. My hands rested near her shoulders, with our face in close proximity.
“Wh-what?” Claire stammered, a blend of confusion and nervousness evident in her voice.
Gradually, her face flushed a deep shade of crimson as she locked her gaze onto the peroson now positioned above her. As our eyes met, her breathing seemed to grow deeper, and an air of mesmerizing tension enveloped the space between us. My gaze remained fixed on hers, taking in her features and the sweet, captivating fragrance that surrounded her. The experience had my heart racing, my legs feeling oddly weak, and eventually, Claire closed her eyes as if in reaction to the intensity of the moment.
"Ehem,” Tem's voice interjected, effectively dispelling the moment.
Both Claire and I swiftly redirected our attention to Tem, met by his poker-faced expression.
Raising his hand, Tem queried, “Should I leave the room?”
In unison, Claire and I instinctively sprang off the bed, spinning around to face opposite directions, our backs now deliberately turned to each other. The once-intimate atmosphere was swiftly replaced by a sense of awkwardness.
"Ahh yes the… uh… the wall seems to be made out of… erm… walls,” Claire stumbled over her words, attempting to fill the air with light conversation.
“I think that’s what walls are usually made of,” Tem comments.
“Wow, um… yeah, this room is really impressive, and the view from up here is quite something too,” I chimed in, skillfully diverting the conversation to more comfortable territory.
“You do realize that’s actually a mirror, right?” Tem Comments.
The room was filled with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement as we collectively navigated through the slightly awkward aftermath of our unintentional mishap.
"Bahahaha,” Claire burst into laughter, clearly finding humor in the amusing situation we had just experienced.
Both Tem and I exchanged knowing glances, sharing a smile as we appreciated Claire's lighthearted response.
In a graceful twirl, Claire pivoted to face me. Her expression radiated warmth as she uttered, “Thank you for coming here,” a bright smile gracing her lips.
Her smile held a captivating charm, much like the gentle glow of the sun, warm yet not overpowering. Caught in the intensity of the moment, I found myself entranced by her smile. A sudden awareness dawned upon me, causing my eyes to widen slightly. Swiftly, I turned my face away, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks.
“Y-you’re welcome, Claire,” I managed to reply, my voice slightly shaky as I turned my face away.
Continuing our exploration of the castle, we strolled along its corridors. Tem, unable to contain his curiosity, piped up with an inquiry.
“Hey, Miss Claire, why did you choose to have your room in a tower? Doesn't it get annoying to climb those stairs all the time?”
Claire responded with a slight tilt of her head, her expression thoughtful.
"Great question, actually. My room wasn't originally in that tower. I sort of transformed it into my personal space. Initially, it served as a guardhouse for overseeing the castle walls. It used to house a knight, but since the room was spacious, I decided to set up my bed there... and voilà, it's now my room. As for comfort, well, yeah, I won't deny it's sometimes a hassle. But honestly, a little staircase climbing is way easier than patrolling the streets for over 8 hours."
"Wow," Tem exclaimed, clearly impressed. "So, does that mean it's still technically a guard house since you're a knight? Just, you know, a guard house with a bed."
Claire's eyes flickered upward as she pondered Tem's observation. Then, she gazed ahead with a chuckle.
"Huh, I never thought about it that way. You've got a point, Tem."
At this, Tem puffed out his chest and closed his eyes with an air of pride, as if he had just made a groundbreaking discovery.
"I knew it!"
The three of us arrived in front of an imposing door. Claire mentioned that this room was positioned at the heart of the castle with an open roof. It turned out to be the grandest space we'd encountered so far. As we stepped inside, a sense of awe washed over us. It was an expansive training ground akin to an arena, measuring 60 meters by 60 meters at its center. Surrounding it, bleachers formed tiers, leading up to the arena. As we focused our attention, we spotted a man with flowing red hair similar to Claire's, standing in the midst of the arena, wielding a rapier.
"Brother!" Claire's voice rang out as we descended the bleachers toward Noir.
Noir pivoted, his rapier sinking into the ground as he faced us. A warm smile tugged at his lips.
"My dear sister," Noir responded, striding closer to us.
With a gentle yet teasing gesture, he patted Claire's head, ruffling her hair as if playfully annoying her.
"Stop that! I'm not a kid anymore!" Claire exclaimed, a pout forming on her lips.
Noir's laughter filled the air, clearly amused by his sister's reaction. He then turned his attention to Tem and me.
"Nice to see you again," Noir said, his smile radiating a calm demeanor.
Both Tem and I nodded in response. "You too, Noir," I managed, my words tinged with a hint of nervousness
"What were you doing here, brother? I heard you were on patrol duty in the kingdom,” Claire questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"I was training, Claire. With the perpetrators now dead, our leads have run dry. The information you provided is all we have left to work with, so I figured I'd come here to hone my skills."
Noir picked up his rapier, slinging it over his shoulder as he approached us once more.
"But rest assured, we won't give up. Those who harmed you won't escape justice," Noir's voice took on a serious tone, his eyes narrowing with determination.
Claire playfully punched Noir's shoulder. "You'll succeed, brother. I have faith in you."
Noir's expression softened as he couldn't resist teasing his sister. He reached out and grabbed Claire's head, ruffling her hair playfully, his fingers moving in all directions.
"I'd feel much better if my dear sister gave her big brother a hug," Noir remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Claire responded with a mock sternness. "Don't get too cocky… Let go!" She playfully pushed against Noir's arm, breaking free from his hold.
Watching the siblings playfully interact stirred up a mixture of emotions within me—happiness for their bond, but also a pang of loneliness and emptiness. My expression turned blank as I gazed on. Then, a gentle tug on my shirt brought me back to the present moment.
“Hey, when do you think they'll serve dinner?” Tem asked, his hand tugging on my shirt.
I smiled at Tem's question and ruffled his hair affectionately. "What kind of bottomless pit do you have for a stomach? Where did all that food disappear?"
Both of us shared a lighthearted laugh. However, I noticed Noir's gaze shifting toward us, more precisely, toward Tem.
"Strange..." Noir mused, his hand resting on his chin as he observed us.
"You two are awfully close to each other. I noticed earlier... but I can confirm now, you're an elf, Tem," Noir pointed directly at Tem.
"Y-yes, Noir... I am," Tem replied, his gaze lowered.
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Despite having encountered Noir for the second time, Tem's caution remained intact. His instincts prompted him to stay guarded.
"Don't worry, child… I don't bite," Noir reassured. "I'm sorry to point this out, but elves and humans have... a long history. You don't see them in human establishments that much."
Tem nodded, still a bit reserved, but it seemed like Noir's words were gradually helping to ease his tension.
By the way, I never really thanked you properly for what you did… so for this," Noir said as he took a step back and bowed. "Thank you for protecting my sister and her friend."
With Noir's gesture, I panicked a bit, my hands making awkward gestures.
"Y-you don't have to bow, Noir… they're our friends, of course I'd help."
As Noir was bowing, he noticed the sword I was carrying and stood back up.
"Something as simple as a bow should be easy for a prince, no?"
"I guess so," I replied, scratching my head with a nervous chuckle.
"I can see that you have a sword with you, Aaron… is it okay if I test out the power that helped my sister?" Noir said as he pointed his rapier towards my sword.
"Brother! What are you saying!?" Claire interjected, disagreeing with her brother's suggestion.
"Fret not, my dear sister. I'll ask our dear friend Aaron to hold back," Noir replied with a playful smile and a hint of sarcasm.
"You can't!" Claire's expression grew serious, her brows furrowing in concern.
Although I do know Noir is strong, I'm still curious to know how strong this prince really is.
“I’m okay with it,” I said with a raised hand.
"What?!" Claire exclaimed, looking at me in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me?"
I then stretched my arms and legs, and Tem quickly skedaddled away from us, finding a seat on the bleachers outside the arena.
"You too?!" Claire exclaimed at Tem. She let out a sigh and then walked towards Tem, taking a seat beside him while pouting.
"This is a bad idea."
The arena stood empty, with only two figures on the platform. Tem and Claire watched intently, anticipating the upcoming duel. Noir then elegantly sheathed his rapier.
“This test will be easy, just like a normal battle. Whoever concedes first wins,” Noir stated, his expression remaining calm.
“Do you agree, Aaron?” Noir inquired.
Taking a stance, I positioned one foot forward and the other back, my sword unsheathed and held in front of me, ready for action.
“I agree.”
"Then let us begin," Noir replied with a determined tone.
"But before that..." Noir paused, his actions perplexing. He swiftly unbuckled the sheathed sword, tossing it beyond the arena's boundary.
"Much better."
I furrowed my brows in confusion, trying to grasp Noir's intention. Tem shot a quizzical look at Claire, one eye squinting and a half-smirk forming on his lips. Claire simply shrugged her shoulders as if this was a familiar occurrence.
"Are you sure you're fighting me without a sword?" I asked Noir, my forehead damp with beads of sweat.
Noir simply smiled. Then, a surge of magic erupted from him, akin to a dam bursting forth with water. It pushed against me, almost forcing me to kneel. A gulp formed in my throat, but I managed to stand my ground. Unlike my previous encounter, it felt as though I had somehow adapted to this overwhelming sensation. However, a sense of regret crept in as I realized the gravity of agreeing to face this formidable opponent.
Noir took a deep breath and assumed a fighting stance, his fists poised in front of him. As suddenly as it had appeared, the surge of magic dissipated.
The atmosphere grew still, akin to the eerie calm preceding a storm. My gaze remained fixed on Noir, my expression deadly serious, while he returned the look with a smile playing in his eyes. Neither of us moved, tension building in the air. My grip on my sword tightened, readiness coursing through me.
In the midst of this charged stillness, I made a subtle shift with my front foot. However, in that very instant, I saw it—the incoming punch. It was a fist hurtling toward me, closing the gap rapidly. The air around it rippled as if a meteorite was carving a sonic boom in its wake. Reacting instinctively, I shifted my weight ever so slightly, narrowly evading the punch. But in the process, I lost my balance and ended up sitting on the ground, a mixture of surprise and realization flooding over me.
"I couldn’t even see him lunging towards me," I mused internally, my arm still trembling from the near miss.
Meeting Noir's gaze once again, I noticed he extended his hand toward me. It was a gesture of assistance, a calm smile playing on his lips.
"Be careful, you lost your footing there," he advised, his tone serene and composed.
"Th-thank you," I stammered, my heart racing as I accepted his hand. Noir's firm grip helped me regain my footing, allowing me to stand upright again.
"Again," Noir said. Then he jumped back, creating a distance between us.
I slapped my cheeks to calm myself down and shook my head to focus on the battle and regain my composure.
"That was scary," I thought.
"You can do it!" Tem yelled from the bleachers, supporting me.
I looked at Tem and nodded. Tem nodded back with a smile.
I took a stance, preparing myself. At first, I was caught off guard by his speed, but now…
"It’s my turn," I said, my eyes serious and sword at the ready.
"That’s the spirit!" Noir commended. Then he took a stance, fists clenched in front of him.
The next round commenced, and I surged forward with a burst of intense speed that cracked the floor beneath me. I closed the gap between Noir and me in an instant, catching him off guard. Surprise and amazement flickered briefly in his widened eyes.
My sword swung horizontally, aiming for Noir. However, he swiftly bent backward, evading my sword slash with a graceful maneuver. He followed up by immediately delivering a swift kick to my abdomen, propelling me back and creating a bit of distance between us.
I regained my footing swiftly, preparing for my next move. But before I could act, Noir launched his counterattack. With impressive agility, he leaped into the air, his right foot coming down in a chopping motion. I instinctively raised my blade, using it to block his kick. The impact of his attack reverberated through the floor, causing it to crack beneath me and forcing me to kneel slightly under the force.
Refusing to yield, I summoned every ounce of strength I had. Pushing against Noir's kick, I managed to create enough distance to regain my stance. The exchange left the air charged with tension, both of us ready for whatever would come next.
The intensity of the battle hung heavy in the air as I caught my breath, my sword still aimed at Noir, who met my gaze with his characteristic calmness. The atmosphere crackled with energy as we both prepared for the next exchange.
"Come!" I yelled, my voice determined and resolute.
Noir's demeanor underwent a subtle shift. His eyes, once relaxed and smiling, sharpened with anticipation. His calm smile transformed into a mischievous grin. My challenge seemed to ignite a spark of excitement within him.
Without hesitation, Noir lunged forward, his lithe form moving with a calculated grace. His fists sliced through the air, each punch creating mini shockwaves. I reacted swiftly, using my sword to block the barrage of punches he unleashed upon me. However, with every impact, I could feel the force behind his punches increasing, each blow growing heavier and more powerful.
As Noir's punches intensified, my senses seemed to sharpen. My eyes tracked his movements with increasing precision, allowing me to predict the trajectory of his strikes. Despite the growing strength behind his attacks, my perception of his actions grew faster, enabling me to react more effectively.
Seizing the opportunity presented by my heightened senses, I reacted swiftly. As Noir's fist surged forward, I intercepted his wrist mid-punch with my hand. In a fluid motion, I positioned my sword with my other hand and drove it forward, aimed at his abdomen. The sword became a streak of steel, slicing through the air with incredible speed, creating ripples in its wake. My strike connected with Noir—or so I believed.
Claire's expression remained neutral, as if she anticipated the turn of events, while Tem's excitement caused him to bounce up and down in anticipation.
"Yeah! I knew you could do it," Tem exclaimed enthusiastically.
While Tem celebrated my move, I couldn't shake off the guilt that started to engulf me. Noir's body swayed forward as he struggled to remain upright.
"Are you okay, Noir?" I asked with genuine concern, sweat trickling down my forehead. The weight of possibly ending a noble's life loomed over me.
"Am I going to be a criminal now?" I wondered anxiously.
"I told you to hold back," Noir said, his body still leaning forward, concealing the injury I had inadvertently inflicted.
"I-I'm sorry, Noir," I stammered, my hands moving towards his shoulder as if to console him. However, in that very moment, I noticed something that made my heart race. Shattered steel lay at Noir's feet.
My eyes widened in realization, and I instinctively stepped back, creating a distance between us. My gaze shifted to my sword, and there it was: the tip of my sword, completely shattered.
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
"Ah, so you've noticed?" Noir said as he slowly stood up straight.
And there it was... his abdomen. The garment that was covering him was unscathed. He wore only a chest plate, leg armor, and wrist armor. Unlike Claire, who only had her thighs, cleavage, and head not covered by armor, Noir had little to no armor.
Yet, Noir’s abdomen was unscathed. Tem immediately stopped his celebration, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Noir walked towards the rapier he had thrown, a satisfied smile gracing his face.
"Do you know what makes a person strong, Aaron?" he asked, retrieving his sword.
I met his gaze, my eyes sharp and my brows furrowed. "Is it... power?"
"Does that mean those who have no power aren't strong?" Noir countered as he returned to his previous position, the sheathed rapier.
My response eluded me; I fell silent, unable to answer his thought-provoking question.
"Strength is not found by mere power alone," Noir began passionately. "Power is but a perk, a result. What of it if a poor man beats a rich man in a contest of intellect? Does that mean the poor man was weak because he lacked power, in this case, money?"
Noir unsheathed his rapier and discarded the scabbard to the side, his demeanor growing more intense.
"The things that make a person strong is not power," he continued, pointing his rapier toward me.
"It is the mentality, the will, the mindset. This is what makes a person strong. If a man couldn't walk but crawls to reach his destination, that, for me, is strength. If a weak man gets beaten up but still stands up for another day, he is no weakling. If a mother with nothing protects her child and strives to provide happiness, she already possesses everything."
Noir assumed his stance, his eyes sharpening once again as his magic surged like smoke being released from a crevice. I watched in awe as his magic flowed intensely, enveloping him in a deep crimson glow.
"And I say to you, Aaron, those who possess the mindset to never give up, for me..." Noir's voice reverberated, his magical energy erupting like a mighty wind, his body radiating a brilliant crimson light. "Will be the strongest!" he declared with fervor.
"Dimittis! Carve a path!" Noir's exclamation echoed through the arena.
As soon as those words left his lips, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I recognized that command from when Claire used it during our battle against the Fenrir (ref: ch 9).
Claire immediately stood up, concern etched across her face.
"Brother! What are you doing!?"
My heart raced as I realized the gravity of the situation. Defending against this move was going to be a challenge. I dropped my shattered sword and clenched my fist, determined to face whatever was coming.
"If that's the case, I'll use this," I muttered. Without hesitation, a black sword materialized in my hand, forged by my own power. The very act of summoning it unleashed a shockwave of energy.
Noir's gaze fixed on my newfound weapon. "So, this is your power," he whispered to himself.
In an instant, Noir launched himself at me with breathtaking speed, shattering the very floor he had been standing on. He was airborne now, his rapier's tip aimed directly at me. As he moved, light seemed to bend around his weapon, warping the very space it traveled through.
I instinctively raised my sword to intercept the oncoming strike, my grip firm, body tense, and focus laser-sharp. I braced myself for the imminent impact, fully prepared to engage with Noir's attack head-on. At the same time, I noticed Claire swiftly move to protect Tem, pulling him close and taking cover.
But then, in a blink of an eye, everything changed. My head jerked to the side, my vision became a blur, and a sharp, intense impact reverberated through my face. The sensation was jarring, and my ears started ringing, while a throbbing pain throbbed in my head. Before I knew it, I was on the ground, my hands instinctively reaching out to steady myself, my vision filled with disorientation.
Blinking rapidly, I tried to regain my bearings, struggling to push through the sudden confusion that had overtaken my senses. My attempts to rise proved futile as my body refused to cooperate, leaving me unable to adapt to the shock that had just shaken me. Even the sword I held seemed to dematerialize from my grasp.
I was left in a dazed state, unable to comprehend the lightning-fast sequence of events that had just unfolded. I hadn't even realized what transpired, but Claire, still holding onto Tem while ducking for cover, managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of the mesmerizing display of speed and precision.
"Noir, mid-air, pulled his rapier away and seemingly moved fast like teleportation to Aaron's side and punched Aaron," Claire recounted, her eyes widening and her mouth slightly agape in astonishment.
Noir stood at my side, his arm raised and his finger snapping. Almost immediately, an Umbroven appeared and knelt behind him. Noir retrieved his scabbard and sheathed his sword and proceeded to walk over to the Umbroven, handing him the rapier. The Umbroven stood, took the weapon, and vanished in an instant.
Noir then approached me, his posture bending as he rested his hands on my back while I remained on the ground. "You're strong, kid," he acknowledged before moving away. Claire and Tem rushed to my side. The sound of the door opening and closing signaled Noir's exit.
Claire leaned down, placing her hand on the back of my head. "Are you okay, Aaron? I warned you it's a bad idea," she said with evident concern.
"I couldn't see anything! Miss Claire grabbed me when it was about to get interesting!" Tem chimed in, his pout highlighting his disappointment.
Sighing, I rolled onto my back and stretched out, covering my eyes with my arm in an attempt to make sense of the intense encounter. "That was insane... what even happened?" I murmured to myself, my mind still trying to process the bewildering events.
Claire, ever eager to get a reaction out of me, decided to shake me out of my contemplation. "Well, this is what happened—are you asleep?" she quipped, attempting to rouse me with a gentle jolt.
Meanwhile, outside the arena, Noir was navigating the castle's halls, accompanied by an Umbroven. The Umbroven, curious but respectful, posed a question to Noir.
"I don't mean to sound disrespectful, Your Highness... but if your attack just now had connected with his sword then—"
"The castle would've disappeared?" Noir completed the Umbroven's sentence, a wry smile playing on his lips.
The Umbroven nodded in agreement, understanding the potential impact of such a powerful clash.
"Still, even if it connected, he would probably survive if he had adapted enough, and that's why I punched him to prevent that and secure the win," Noir elaborated, his demeanor relaxed. As he walked, he noticed a bird landing on a window sill. He paused, his gaze following the bird as it took flight once more, lost in thought.
"How high will this bird fly?"
End of chapter.