A faint tremor transmitted along the pale green blade.
Though they hadn’t fully bonded, Timere had found its way back to Oz. Once, he had tried to seal it with his own hands, but now it had returned to him.
‘Does it trust me?’
Timere lacked a consciousness and couldn’t answer that question. It was simply ready to be wielded. However, their bond seemed to be forming smoothly, indicating some level of trust.
‘…I’m not sure if I should use it.’
Oz looked away from Timere and glanced at Hanette. She had withdrawn her magic, but her expression remained cold. Using Timere to fend off the flames might make her think he was lacking in skill.
"Hanette."
"…What do you think should happen now?"
Hanette asked softly, slightly turning her head. Zion, observing both Oz and Timere, remained silent. Originally, he had intended to gauge Oz’s skill level, but now, with Timere in play, the situation had changed. He couldn’t make a rash decision.
"It might be best to stop the sparring for now. There’s a Magic Sword involved."
"I think we can continue."
Hanette had already assessed Oz’s skills to some extent. Even if Oz used the Magic Sword, she could just increase her magic power to match. The sparring was meant to test skills, and a Magic Sword was part of those skills.
"Hanette, this isn’t about winning or losing."
"I know."
"The Magic Sword could escalate the fight. What if someone gets hurt?"
"He can’t beat me. So there’s no reason for it to escalate."
"……."
Zion finally understood what Hanette meant. Even if Oz used the Wind Magic Sword, she could still evaluate his skills. She would be able to handle any attack and control the power to ensure no one got hurt.
"Think carefully. Do we really need to continue this sparring?"
"Yes, we do."
"If things get out of hand, I’ll step in."
"I’ll leave that to you."
Unable to argue further, Zion returned to his original position. Hanette was serious about the sparring, though her personal feelings might be slightly influencing her. But it didn’t seem serious enough to cause concern.
‘He hasn’t fully bonded with it yet….’
A Magic Sword could only be fully mastered by a qualified person through direct contact. Until then, it was just a matter of bonding, and the full power of the Magic Sword couldn’t be harnessed. But Oz had managed to bond with the Wind Magic Sword while separated from it, ultimately being recognized as its rightful owner.
‘The Sylase Knights are here, so they can stop it quickly if needed.’
Enrite and Seran were Magic Sword users, strong enough to be called experts. If injuries occurred, Enrite’s light Magic Sword could heal them quickly, and Seran’s thunder Magic Sword could respond rapidly. Recently, the light Magic Sword had awakened, significantly enhancing Enrite’s combat abilities.
‘…Exceed Rain might awaken too.’
Enrite’s words couldn’t be ignored. Exceed Rain was a primordial Magic Sword, much like El Tesoykve, and its awakening could follow a similar process. This could lead to a significant increase in power.
‘There was nothing like that in the original story.’
Strictly speaking, the original content didn’t describe such events. El Tesoykve had awakened, and Enrite had separated from the Magic Sword to become fully human. While it could be considered a variable, it wasn’t something that could be confirmed yet.
‘How does a Magic Sword awaken?’
Enrite had reached his awakening through a deep understanding of humanity. Mastery of Exceed Rain, the resonance between Exceed Rain and Brecht, and the desire held by El Tesoykve—all these factors indirectly contributed to his transformation.
‘There needs to be a catalyst… then a goal….’
Zion snapped back to attention as he felt the surge of two distinct magics. Hanette stood still, releasing red flames. Oz, gripping Timere’s hilt, channeled white magic through the blade.
‘They don’t need to engage directly.’
Magic Swords enhance magical constructs and efficiency. Normally, Oz would rely on his swordsmanship, but with Timere, he could now wield wind magic. This shifted the fight from a clash of swords to a battle of magicians.
‘But this won’t earn Hanette’s approval….’
Zion prepared to intervene, imprinting magic throughout his body. Flames surged forward, and winds gathered, twisting rapidly. As the flames and wind clashed, a strange sound echoed as they began to intertwine.
‘It’s a bit different.’
Hanette increased her magic output, transforming it into flames. Before wielding Timere, Oz had barely managed to fend off the flames. Now, he was calmly countering them. The power of the Magic Sword was impressive, but without the skill to wield it, even that would be meaningless.
‘…He’s doing well.’
Hanette varied the power and speed of her magic, trying to pressure Oz. But Oz swiftly created gusts of wind to respond.
‘But I’m still not satisfied.’
Hanette poured more magic into the flames, finally stepping forward. The flames grew larger, their heat intensifying. Oz, straining to block the flames, began to feel the fatigue setting in.
‘He should be ready to give up by now….’
Hanette leisurely approached, peering through the flames. Between the flickering flames, she caught glimpses of Oz. He was drenched in sweat, struggling to fend off the flames.
‘He’s so frustrating. He can do better, so why….’
Hanette noticed something and frowned. She saw a form overlapping with Oz, but she couldn’t accept it and felt a strong sense of rejection.
‘I’m not like him.’
Hanette suppressed the form and diminished the flames. Oz, gasping for breath, lowered Timere.
"You’re barely hanging on and trying to join the knights? Isn’t that a bit much?"
"I’ll endure as long as I can. Please continue."
"You don’t understand, do you? If we continue, you could die."
Hanette had no intention of killing Oz. She was just trying to intimidate him into giving up his application. It seemed petty, but it was a way to reasonably reject his request.
"…I’ll still continue."
"You…."
Hanette clenched her fists tightly, unable to deny it any longer. She saw herself reflected in Oz Ternein—living in the shadows of a troubled past, striving for a better future.
"You want to try? Fine, endure to the end."
Hanette’s golden eyes gleamed as she released more magic. Zion quickly sensed the change, and Enrite approached Zion, while Seran followed, drawing more magic.
"You chose this, so don’t regret it."
With Hanette’s warning, flame fragments filled the training ground. Oz gripped Timere with both hands, controlling his magic. The flame fragments swirled, encircling Oz rapidly.
"Hanette, stop! That’s enough!"
"Stay out of this!"
Zion summoned Exceed Rain, staring at Hanette. Despite her anger, she was calmly executing her magic. If she showed any sign of instability, he would have stopped the sparring immediately.
“Hooo...”
Oz calmed his breath, infusing magic into his blade. The flames before him were the most destructive magic used in the duel so far.
‘This is a trial.’
Oz repeated the word to himself. He had always faced trials but had avoided them before leaving Duke Ternein. They had seemed too frightening and painful. Now, he accepted that he needed to endure and overcome them.
‘I will overcome this.’
White magic turned green as the air currents formed. The currents wrapped around the blade, growing darker green as they compressed.
‘Even if I can’t join the Lihines Knights… I must overcome this.’
Oz leaned forward, lowering his blade. This would be his final attack, having exhausted his remaining magic. While he might not counter the flames, he would have no regrets.
Oz steadied himself, waiting for the flames to approach. Hanette controlled the magic, sending all the flames toward him.
"Hup..."
Oz pushed off the ground, twisting his body and adding force to his arms. As he spun, a green line formed, creating a whirlwind. The flames converged, mixing with the green vortex. The flames pushed inward, while the vortex spun faster, repelling them.
Hanette watched, then chuckled softly.
‘He’s managing. Unbelievable….’
The vortex gradually slowed, and the flames dissipated. Oz, on one knee, gasped for breath.
“Ha… I wanted… ha… to be like you.”
Oz slowly stood, meeting Hanette’s gaze. Hanette remained silent, listening.
“But I was too scared… ha… to act like you.”
“…….”
“Then an opportunity came… I became stronger. And I got greedy.”
“…….”
“Even though I knew it was wrong, I attacked you. I shouldn’t have…”
Oz caught his breath, his eyes filled with sadness. He knew he might never wash away this sin, that he might never be forgiven. He felt he deserved punishment for his actions.
“This feels right.”
Oz reversed Timere, lifting it high. Zion and Enrite, understanding the significance, moved quickly. Seran, surrounded by electricity, charged toward Oz.
“I was too greedy. I hope this makes amends.”