Chapter 258 - Volume 3
Chapter 37 – Freya’s swordsmanship
============== Freya’s POV ============
Freya knew that she did not have superior talent in the sword. After the events in Bucce, she had tried closing the gap between her and the other squires in the academy with her obstinate personality, by putting in more effort than the others to inch her way closer.
But it was not as simple as she hoped for.
As the days passed by, she gradually realized that effort alone was not able to bridge the gap between the talented and untalented. There were many people who were more capable than she was, and she was part of the crowd who were insignificant. Her little pride as the best swordsman in Bucce disappeared completely when she realized she was dwarfed by the brilliance by the top knights in the academy.
In front of her was a senior apprentice knight; a Silver-ranked swordsman like Bennett. The rules of the competition limited the usage of strength, and the combatants were to duel each other with the knowledge of their swordsmanship; if this were not the case, she would have been defeated long ago—
However, this was precisely why she felt her sword which was held with both hands tremble a little, at the thought that she was fighting against someone superior.
Her frowning opponent was carefully circling her. The stubborn defense from her had caused him to suffer a little disadvantage.
Freya shook her head, her ponytail swinging hard.
“I have seen these techniques before……” Maynild’s expression was a little strange as she muttered to herself.
Freya watched Maynild leave for the other tournament area after throwing that sentence, but she gradually paled as she thought of a possibility—
[She knows Brendel?]
=============== Princess Gryphine’s POV ==============
“Who is that?” Magadal asked.
“What?” The half-elven princess turned back.
“That squire who won earlier,” Magadal watched the crowd from above as she spoke, “I saw Maynild speaking to her down there.”
Gryphine followed her gaze and recognized her quickly.
“That’s Everton’s daughter,” she sighed, “but it seems like she has not inherited his father’s talent. Even though she’s quite good, she’s not the best amongst this year’s batch, and if you compare her to her father, the difference would be even more apparent.”
“That’s because the quality of this year’s batch is outstanding.” Even though Magadal did not know much about swordsmanship, she was observant and had seen enough to judge: “Bennett and two other talented youths. I have heard you speak about them more than once.”
“Yes, it seems that Mother Marsha still blesses Aouine,” Gryphine answered with a small smile, “I intend to pick the squires with the highest points from the respective years. Oberbeck and I agree that we need to groom this year’s intake, and it’s my idea to allow them to leave here and train.”
“Then that youth Bennett has caught your eye?” Magadal looked up and turned to her: “He does seem to be very reliable; youths like him in the nobles’ circle are rare—”
“Indeed,” Gryphine’s eyes glinted, ” but I know of one more. He is the one who showed me the noble lineage from our ancestors has not dried out yet, and that this ancient kingdom still has hope.”
“I rarely hear such high praise of another person from you.”
Gryphine did not answer. The person she was thinking of was the very same person Oberbeck spoke of. She had confirmed that he had not accompanied Freya to attend the academy.
[This person is mysterious. I’m not sure where he is right now and what he’s doing, but I have a feeling that he would appear before us very soon. As to how he would reappear…..]
Gryphine smiled inwardly and dispelled her strange thoughts.