"Could I borrow him for two months?"
Upon hearing Morgan's words, Scáthach's composure finally wavered slightly. "And your reason?"
"It's simple." Morgan raised a finger. "He can't just leave the Land of Shadows whenever he pleases. If it's only for a week or two, that's fine. But if it's longer—especially with neighboring Alba keeping an eye on us—the people of the Kingdom of Shadows won't be able to handle the monsters in the nearby mountains on their own."
"Since you don't have the time, I'll help you. I'll take him away for training," Morgan continued, "so he can grow stronger."
"He already receives help from my mother at the training grounds. My mother is very strong!" Nessa retorted.
"This kind of training is completely different from what he receives from Scáthach." Morgan shook her head. "Without real trials, he'll end up nothing more than a flower raised in a greenhouse."
Scáthach nodded slightly.
Morgan was absolutely right.
Even if she disliked the woman, she had to admit one thing—
No one becomes strong without enduring the trials of real battle.
Training and actual combat are vastly different.
Previously, she had considered letting Arthur live a carefree life in the Land of Shadows, but that went against her disciple's wishes.
Moreover, she also hoped that Arthur could reach the summit.
She had stood here alone for a very long time; it would be a great joy if someone could climb up to stand beside her.
Arthur looked at Morgan, seated before him, and realized she was watching him as well. Morgan wore a serene smile, as though she had already thought everything through.
"Two months?! Two months of training outside the Land of Shadows?!" Nessa slammed her hands on the edge of the table and stood up abruptly, glaring at the blonde woman beside her. "No way! Absolutely not!"
"Calm down, calm down, little girl~" Morgan smiled and gestured for Nessa to relax. "Your mother hasn't even said anything yet. There's no need to get so anxious."
"Besides… don't you want him to grow stronger?"
Nessa sat down reluctantly, muttering, "Of course I do… but two months is a long time. I can't go two whole months without seeing Arthur…"
Arthur turned his head to look at Scáthach.
She appeared deep in thought and remained silent.
He did not interrupt his master's reasoning and quietly considered Morgan's words as well.
Over the past five years, Arthur believed his training results had been quite good—at least better than his peers. But Morgan was right: he could never reach the level he desired without experiencing real battles.
Scáthach's overwhelming aura in combat came not only from her strength, but primarily from her countless battles on real battlefields.
But to suddenly leave for two months—
Arthur's thoughts were abruptly interrupted when he felt someone's fingers brushing against his calf. Looking down, he met Morgan's blue eyes, shimmering with a seductive glint, as her fingers gently traced along his leg.
What is this woman planning? he thought.
Scáthach seemed to be pondering Morgan's proposal, completely unaware of Morgan's subtle actions.
Or perhaps she had already noticed—but chose to ignore them.
Arthur attempted to pull back, but felt Morgan's piercing gaze, as if warning him: I can't guarantee what will happen if you do.
There was no doubt she was serious—and that she would certainly take further action if he withdrew.
With a sigh, he could only silently endure Morgan le Fay's "punishment," waiting for Scáthach's final decision.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Scáthach spoke.
"Before I decide whether to grant your request, I would like to speak with you alone."
"You'd like to speak with me privately?" Morgan considered for a moment, then nodded lightly and said casually, "Hm, of course—but let's wait until after dinner. Ah, that's right, I don't think I ever properly introduced myself before."
As she spoke, Morgan lightly kicked Arthur's calf.
"That won't be necessary." Scáthach cast a casual glance at Arthur. "The Goddess of Death… daughter of King Uther, and also someone who could be considered another of Arthur's mentors."
"So you already knew everything." Morgan le Fay looked at Scáthach with a surprised expression, resting her chin on her hand.
"That certainly saves time on personal introductions—"
"Let's not waste any more time with each other," Scáthach's voice suddenly rang out. "If your so-called business amounts to flirting with my apprentice, then I can only conclude that you lack sincerity and may leave now."
"Oh?" Morgan looked the woman before her up and down.
"You seem rather angry."
Scáthach suddenly laughed. "He is my apprentice, but also my daughter's fiancé. He is inexperienced and still young, and therefore less resistant to many unpleasant temptations from the outside world. So I hope that no woman who does not value her reputation attempts to seduce him."
"After all, there is a significant age difference between the two of you. An improvised master-style relationship may be acceptable, but anything beyond that… best to forget it."
A sound like something invisible shattering echoed faintly in the air.
Morgan suddenly sighed. "Well, if we're talking about age difference… that is certainly true. As a goddess, I no longer remember anything related to age."
After finishing, she abruptly changed the subject.
"By the way, do you know what he used to call me?"
Scáthach remained silent.
"He used to call me 'big sister'… After all, age doesn't matter to a goddess. In his eyes, I was merely an older sister." Morgan slowly swung her feet. "As for my teaching abilities, please forgive me. I simply lack experience and haven't taught for very long, so I'm certainly not as skilled as you in that regard."
The smell of gunpowder seemed to spread through the air. Nessa watched the two women, blinking, completely unaware of what had suddenly unfolded.
She cast Arthur a meaningful glance.
But Arthur simply shook his head, signaling that she should remain silent.
"My teaching abilities aren't as good as yours…" Scáthach murmured to herself, then sighed. "In truth, with your strength, your teaching ability shouldn't be that poor. You simply haven't considered how to teach others. Furthermore, if your teaching ability is so weak, there is no reason to take my apprentice away for training."
Morgan nodded slightly. "That's true… So, is there any way I can prove my worth?"
Scáthach pointed to the red spear beside her.
"Oh? I don't mind," Morgan le Fay said, rising to her feet. "In that case, how about we step outside and spar a little?"
Scáthach smiled. "With pleasure."
Just when she had been concerned about lacking a worthy opponent, a very suitable one had suddenly appeared, and Scáthach was naturally quite pleased.
"Then—"
Arthur glanced around and sensed the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. If left unchecked, the situation could escalate further.
"Um—" Gathering his courage as the two women prepared to leave the hall, Arthur stood up.
Scáthach stopped and turned to look at him. "What is it, my apprentice?"
Morgan said nothing, but her eyes reflected curiosity, clearly wondering what he intended to say.
Arthur took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and looked at them both.
"Actually, I think Master and Morgan are almost the same age, aren't you? So arguing—or even fighting—over something like that is completely pointless."
(End of Chapter)