Chapter 253 : Chapter 253

Chapter 253

She ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍wore the same light armor as the knights guarding the training ground and had a thin sword at her waist that called a rapier to mind.

‘Even ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍if I were being generous, she does not look thirty.’

Her ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍blue-green hair was the same as Crown Prince Marcelo’s, and even her features and sun-browned skin resembled him enough to bring him to mind.

‘A ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍royal of the Ocean Current Nation.’

Step. ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Step.

The ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍knights guarding the training ground flinched at her footsteps.

The woman walked forward without hesitation and stopped before Killian.

“I am Levia Aquares, Aquares’s Third Princess.”

Her bold voice rang through the training ground in Continental.

Once Killian confirmed that she was royalty, he politely offered a sword salute.

“I am Killian Eurasia.”

At his brief greeting, the corner of the princess’s lips curved up.

“I heard two foreigners crossed the sea by a strange means. So you are the younger brother.”

“It seems word spread quickly.”

Other than the meals delivered to them and three hours’ use of the training ground each day, they were in no position to move about freely.

Killian had been worried because Crown Prince Marcelo had shown no particular interest, but judging by the princess personally coming after hearing the rumor, it seemed his concern had been unnecessary.

‘Though she does not look ordinary either.’

Killian gave Princess Levia a cursory look.

Anyone could tell from her bearing that she had trained with the sword.

“Did you say you wished to cross swords?”

“Teruba said that you are a Superhuman who reached the realm of Master at a young age.”

“That is correct.”

“Where could I find a better opponent to learn a thing or two from?”

“I see. You are a knight who walks the path of the sword.”

Keeping a pleasant smile on his face, Killian tried to assess the situation.

‘What are you plotting, Levia Aquares?’

It was certainly unusual for a woman to learn the sword rather than magic.

But it was not unheard of. Serena and Gala alone had reached great heights in the Annihilation Squad.

Expanding the scope to the fairy race, Ashirian was essentially a knight who had mastered 7-star despite being a queen.

‘Should I put the plan in motion?’

Her status as a princess could not have been better, but it was difficult to discern her true intentions.

“My elder brother is busy governing the nation, so I merely thought someone from the royal family should step forward.”

As she spoke, she took hold of the thin sword at her waist.

“But we are staying here as His Highness the Crown Prince’s guests.”

“Oh? Are you refusing?”

The smile that had been friendly only moments ago turned cold.

Then Yulian, who had been watching beside them, stepped forward.

“Would our position not become troublesome if the princess were injured during the spar?”

He spoke firmly, unlike his usual self, who valued expanding connections. If word spread that a Eurasian knight had injured a foreign princess, it would be good for neither side.

Her response was immediate.

“So you are reluctant to cross swords because I am a woman.”

“That is correct.”

“Julian Eurasia, I hear you were imprisoned for some time. You have developed a rather crooked attitude.”

“I apologize. I am the sort to hold rudeness in my heart. If I have wounded the delicate feelings of a princess, I will offer my apologies.”

Ssssss.

Blue-green mana rose from Princess Levia’s body.

‘She has stabilized 5-star.’

While Killian silently evaluated her skill—

Sss.

Yulian drew up mana to face hers.

Blue mana no less impressive than hers gathered around Yulian.

At that, the knights in the training ground drew their swords and approached.

“How dare you act disrespectfully toward the princess! Withdraw your mana at once.”

Killing intent entered the knights’ swords.

“...”

“...”

Yulian kept his mana raised and looked at the princess as if to ask what she intended to do.

Without averting her eyes, the princess spoke.

“Sheathe your swords.”

“We cannot...”

“Strong blood runs through the Aquares royal family. Do you intend to make a mockery of my honor?”

At the princess’s rebuke, the knights hesitantly lowered their swords.

“Exchanging swords is a fine thing. But would the excitement not fade if this were merely a spar?”

“It seems you laid a trap and waited for us.”

“If you are unwilling, you may withdraw the thought even now.”

“Very well. There ought to be that much entertainment in crossing swords with a Superhuman.”

She did not care about Killian’s provocation.

‘Did Marcelo not send her? Did she truly come merely to cross swords?’

If so, she could be a good lure to draw out the Crown Prince.

“Since the princess’s will is so firm, there is nothing to be done. Then I will personally...”

He was about to say he would cross swords with her.

“That is enough.”

Marcelo appeared with his escort. His face showed that he was displeased with the situation.

But Princess Levia was no different.

“Brother, I too am a knight of Aquares.”

She spoke in a voice full of dissatisfaction.

“I know your skill is outstanding. But Prince Killian is a Superhuman.”

“The medium is simply the sword. It is no different from one royal greeting another.”

“Do not act rashly and ruin the kingdom’s affairs.”

Killian stepped back as he watched the two siblings snap at each other.

‘What sort of situation is this now?’

“If that is your view, Brother, then I have even more reason to cross swords.”

“Levia!”

“We are facing a Continental man before we conquer the Continent. What better opportunity could there be?”

“This is an order not as your elder brother, but as the Crown Prince...”

Before Marcelo could finish—

Toss.

Levia took off her glove and threw it at Yulian, interrupting him.

“Julian Eurasia. I challenge you to a duel.”

“...?”

Her gaze shifted from the stunned Yulian to Marcelo.

“In consideration of your position, Brother, I have changed my opponent for you.”

“You... Until the very end...”

Marcelo’s face flushed red at Levia’s unilateral action.

“Surely you do not intend to trample upon my honor?”

Marcelo’s expression twisted, and Yulian, who had been dragged into the incomprehensible situation, glanced at Killian.

‘What should I do?’

At the look that seemed to ask that—

Killian silently nodded.

“Very well! I accept!!”

Yulian shouted, putting mana into his voice.

Everyone in the training ground turned their attention to Yulian.

“Eurasia is a kingdom of knights. There is no weakling in my Knight Order who refuses a duel.”

Yulian met the eyes of Levia Aquares and Marcelo Aquares in turn.

“A duel needs live blades to have any tension. Is that not so?”

“Give this man a live blade.”

At Levia’s order, the knights at the training ground hesitated, watching the Crown Prince’s reaction.

“Now!”

She shouted and looked at Marcelo.

“Give him a sword.”

At the Crown Prince’s order, one of the knights handed Yulian the sword he had drawn.

“It is inferior to mine, but it is not a bad sword.”

Whoosh. Whoosh.

Yulian swung the sword through the air as if checking its weight.

“Drink a recovery potion. You were sparring, so the duel will begin only after you have recovered sufficiently.”

“That is thoughtful of you.”

An uncomfortable atmosphere settled over the training ground while the recovery potion was prepared.

“Will this do?”

Yulian whispered to Killian as Killian approached.

“It was an excellent provocation.”

“Damn it. Of all times for the Crown Prince to appear, it had to be then.”

“It is better this way. If you defeat the princess now, Brother, we can make them owe us a definite debt, with your life as collateral.”

What they needed to be careful of was that, unlike Yulian, who had only just entered 5-star—

“Princess Levia has stabilized 5-star.”

“Even if we are both 5-star, not all 5-stars are the same.”

“That is quite an arrogant thing to say.”

“I learned it all from an excellent Tactician.”

“You should remain alert. I do not know what lies between the Crown Prince and the princess, but seeing her press matters like this, she must be confident not only in her mana, but also in her swordsmanship.”

“Hmph. I too have crossed countless deadly trials with my life on the line.”

If she had been 6-star, it would have been different.

As the leader of a Knight Order who had carried out subjugation operations, he did not believe his ability could be the same as that of a princess raised like a hothouse flower. Yulian displayed his usual confidence.

It was a look he showed only when he was certain of victory.

‘Well, I have prepared for the possibility.’

Soon afterward, Yulian drank the recovery potion and headed to the center of the training ground.

“To stabilize 5-star in a woman’s body. You are impressive, Princess.”

“I am not facing you as a princess, but as a knight. Pray that the only thing you lack compared with your younger brother is strategy.”

Clang!

The duel began as their mana-cloaked swords collided.

Clang. Clang.

Yulian’s slashing sword and Levia’s thrusting sword interwove several times.

‘That Yulian is doing fairly well.’

He was making up for his inferior amount and density of mana with his trained body. It was not bad that he was also one step ahead in receiving the thin sword’s attacks.

The princess’s sword, which aimed at vital points with light movements, was not bad either. But that was all. As their exchange continued, the ground beneath her feet began to give way little by little.

It was a difference born of actual combat experience and stamina.

‘Princess, if that is all you have to show, I am disappointed. Were you merely a royal woman throwing a tantrum?’

Killian thought he must have unknowingly expected that she might be someone on Sharle’s level.

Thinking he had seized the advantage, Yulian began to move faster.

‘At this rate, he can finish the duel without suffering a serious wound...’

Clang!!

“Urgh...”

Yulian’s face twisted after his thrusting sword was knocked away.

Clang! Clang!!

Yulian frantically blocked the sword that had begun to press him with momentum.

There was no trace left of the evenly matched exchange from moments ago.

Srrk.

Killian used Hyang.

His vision turned red, and he saw lines of mana connecting around Yulian and Princess Levia.

Unlike Yulian, whose mana all extended in the form of lines, Levia’s mana took the form of points. Even those changed fluidly into lines and planes according to the situation, moving precisely where needed.

‘Is it a technique that condenses Carpe and fluidly strengthens the body’s abilities?’

Interesting.

For the first time, Killian took an interest in Princess Levia’s skill.

Yulian’s face was drenched in sweat after he had received dozens of exchanges in an instant.

“Thorn!”

He tried to seize the flow by unleashing several Eurasia Style techniques.

Sssrrr.

The mana that had been moving through the princess’s body in the form of points now began to take the form of a plane.

Boom!!

With a sound impossible to believe had come from a thin sword, Yulian’s body rolled across the ground.

Gulp.

“Bleurgh.”

Yulian staggered to his feet after vomiting the blood that had risen in his throat.

“Urgh...”

Not only the hand gripping his sword, but even his legs trembled faintly.

From point to line. From line to plane.

The mana that had moved with perfect freedom focused in her eyes.

Then.

“Eye.”

The moment the princess’s lips moved—

Her blue-green eyes turned black. It was enough to give the illusion that darkness had fallen over the area.

And Yulian began to allow her sword to strike all over his body.

At this rate, far from making the Crown Prince owe them a debt, he would end up owing a debt to the princess as well.

‘Shall I begin soon?’

Killian secretly released mana without anyone in the training ground noticing.

“Ah... Aah...”

Unable to contain the power flooding into him, Yulian’s body trembled.