S10 Second Prince

Before him, Suu stood facing Crebera, who held a practice sword.

Crebera deflected Suu’s sudden strikes from the ground with ease, exploiting Suu’s small frame.

Despite Suu’s bold advances, every attack was blocked by Crebera’s precise defense.

Suu’s swordsmanship, though agile, carried the impression of raw force. Crebera’s movements, in contrast, evoked the flow of a clear, graceful stream.

The two presented a stark contrast in both appearance and motion.

Suu was not weak—yet against Crebera, a veteran with extensive combat experience, Suu’s technique inevitably appeared clumsy.

This was no surprise. Crebera had attained the upper-tier skill “Sword Genius” to Level 7.

Suu’s “Sword Talent” stood at Level 6.

The gap between them was unbridgeable.

The outcome remained uncertain for a brief moment due to raw stat disparity.

Suu was simultaneously activating both Martial Combat Technique and Qi Combat Technique.

A skill that consumes MP and SP to boost stats. With Suu’s vast MP reserves, the increase from Martial Combat Technique was substantial.

By this point, physical stats had also risen significantly. Statistically, Suu held the advantage.

Yet Crebera refrained from using Qi Combat Technique due to a handicap, and without it, the balance shifted abruptly.

Even without Qi Combat Technique, Crebera would have prevailed.

The stat difference was marginal, but the foundational gap was too great to overcome.

No reversal was possible for Suu.

As expected, Suu was defeated after exhausting himself on the offensive and taking a counterattack.

Struck by the flat of the blade and slammed to the ground.

Anya rushed to Suu’s side immediately, casting a healing spell.

Suu, restored, brushed dirt from his clothes and rose to his feet, face twisted in frustration.

"Lost."

"Even at your age, moving like that... I could outrun you easily. Your talent is impressive, Your Highness."

"Flattery isn't needed."

As he stepped toward Suu, clapping echoed from directly beside him.

"Actually, I mean it. That was some solid movement."

Everyone present—myself included—stared in shock.

Even I, and Suu, had not noticed his arrival. Claire and Anya had not either.

Despite standing right beside me, I had felt no presence at all.

"Julius Brother!"

"Ah, surprised, were you?"

The man—Second Prince, and my biological elder brother, Julius Brother—laughed cheerfully, as if his prank had succeeded.

“When did you return to the country?”

“Just yesterday. I wanted to show my face sooner, but I couldn’t find time—had to meet with Father and Elder Brother.”

Julius Brother was older than me and had already been active abroad.

His return to the nation was therefore unusual.

“You’ve grown quite impressive, Sū. As always, your progress leaves me astonished.”

Julius Brother spoke gently to Sū.

But Sū, the one addressed, remained sullen and silent.

Sū clearly disliked Julius Brother.

To me, Julius Brother was more approachable and likable than the other two brothers.

Above all, I respect Julius Brother.

It is honestly unpleasant to see a brother I respect and a younger sister I cherish at odds.

"Su. That attitude toward Brother is unacceptable."

"Haha. It's fine. Su is going through a difficult age, after all."

Julius Brother, as if sensing something.

Even counting past lives, I should be older, yet I cannot help but feel Julius Brother surpasses me in mental maturity.

"Then, how about you, Shun? Shall I give you a training session? It's been a while."

"Really!? Please, I'd be grateful!"

To receive training from Julius Brother.

A dream come true.

"Then, I'll take it."

"Y-yes."

Julius Brother takes the practice sword from the visibly tense Cléva.

It is rare for Cléva to be so nervous around someone.

Well, that is to be expected from Julius Brother, after all.

"Good. Anytime. Attack from anywhere you like."

"Yes!"

I activate the magical combat technique and the energy combat technique immediately.

No restraint against Julius Brother.

Pouring every ounce of strength into the strike.

Sharp lunge, upward diagonal slash.

Brother blocks it effortlessly with one hand.

My full-force strike is stopped with ease by a single-handed sword.

Yet, as expected.

Brother could not possibly fail to stop such a basic slash.

I immediately retract the blade and launch the next attack.

It is stopped again.

Enjoyable.

No matter how hard I push, it does not land.

No matter how fast I swing, how much force I apply, how intricate the technique, it never reaches Julius Brother.

I cannot imagine how to surpass that sword.

To stand here, facing someone so far beyond reach.

It is immensely enjoyable.

Yet, despite the desire to continue forever, the end arrives.

My martial technique and breath technique have ceased.

Panting through my shoulders, I kneel.

"Ah. Shun's sword is very straight. It feels good. Exactly like Shun's talent—reaching endlessly."

"Ah... t-thank you... very much..."

A fragmented bow of gratitude.

While I am utterly spent, Julius Brother does not even breathe unevenly.

As expected.

As expected of the Hero(・・).

The strongest human in the world.

Will there ever come a day when I stand beside him?

One of my dreams in this world is to stand beside him.

I am still far from it now, but someday—surely—I will reach the point where I can protect Julius Brother's back.

That is my objective.