When I opened my eyes, something felt… wrong.
There was no pain.
Not in my body.
Not even in my right hand—the one that had been throbbing for days.
I slowly flexed my fingers.
Nothing.
No stabbing sensation. No burning.
Just… normal.
Evening light filtered through the curtains. Vanire stood beside me.
I gave her a faint smile.
"What happened?" I asked.
"The Lord ordered a healer," she replied gently. "You were injured during the spar with his daughter. He said this is part of your payment."
I closed my eyes again, relief washing over me.
A healer…
So that's why.
From tomorrow… I can train again. I can wield my weapon properly.
A thought surfaced in my mind—
I'm still too weak… far too weak. If this had been a real battle, I would have died.
My fingers tightened slightly.
I need to improve.
Then suddenly—
Khaun's test.
My eyes snapped open. I grabbed the book beside me and forced myself to read.
Still nothing made sense.
The words blurred together—mana, origins, structures… meaningless.
But this time, I didn't close the book.
"Just focus," I muttered.
Elsewhere — Inside the Duke's Chambers
Lerana lay on the bed, her body still weak.
Ranile stood on her right.
Her instructor stood on the left.
At the center, seated with a calm but cold presence, was Von na Raonelet.
The moment Lerana opened her eyes, his voice filled the room.
"So… you challenged an injured mercenary to a duel. And when he couldn't refuse, you threatened to kill his mount."
His tone was calm.
Too calm.
"Is my summary correct… or did I miss something?"
His gaze shifted—not to Lerana—but to her instructor.
The woman stiffened.
"My lord… he disgraced my student. My style. I only intended to remind him—"
The chair crashed loudly.
Von stood.
"Your style?"
His voice sharpened.
"The style you teach… was created by my late wife."
Silence.
"You read her work. Added a few changes. And now you call it yours?"
The instructor's face paled.
"I ignored it," Von continued. "Because you were teaching my daughter. Carrying her mother's legacy."
He stepped forward.
"But now?"
"You dragged an injured outsider into a duel… and still failed to win."
His gaze turned icy.
"What happens if this spreads? What happens to my name?"
Lerana clenched her fists.
"Father."
Her voice was weak—but steady.
"I was wrong."
Von paused.
"I should have waited until he recovered."
She met his gaze.
"But in this defeat… I learned something."
Silence filled the room.
"I thought I was strong."
A bitter smile appeared.
"Everyone praised me. Called me talented. Compared me to Mother."
Her grip tightened.
"I became arrogant."
Her voice lowered.
"But him…"
"That man fights differently."
Ranile stepped forward.
"My Lady, your techniques are refined. Clean. Structured."
"But his…"
He paused.
"His movements are lethal."
"No wasted motion. No hesitation."
He looked at her directly.
"He wasn't trained to win duels."
"He was trained to survive."
"And to kill."
Silence.
"And remember," Ranile added, "you both agreed not to use aura."
His voice hardened slightly.
"If he had… that final blow might have killed you."
Lerana lowered her gaze.
Her breathing steadied.
"…I need to improve."
Von exhaled slowly.
"Rest."
He turned to the instructor.
"You. Come to my office later."
No anger now.
Only authority.
He walked out.
Outside the Room
Ranile followed behind him.
Without turning, Von spoke.
"I told you to report if a duel happened… or stop it."
Ranile smiled faintly.
"My lord… a wild horse must be broken."
Von stopped.
"You said yourself—she's becoming reckless."
Ranile nodded.
"So I let it happen."
A brief silence.
Then—
Von smiled slightly.
"It seems the horse has been subdued…"
He glanced back toward the room.
"…but its heart is now on fire."
Ranile nodded.
"Both of them."