In the vast expanse of the royal castle training ground, a tall building trembled with violent intensity, as though a raging spirit was sealed within.
Royal Knights clad in glistening armor stood around it, their bodies visibly shaking.
They swallowed hard, heavy lumps caught in their throats, their legs buckling beneath them in fear.
"T-This wave of magical energy… Princess Lousielle is going on a rampage again!"
One knight clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his neck as waves of magical nausea crashed over him in intervals.
Some knights barely managed to stay upright, while others had collapsed, vomiting out the contents of their stomachs.
"Argh…! This is torture."
Denis removed his helmet and leaned on the hilt of his sword for support.
He had just been enlisted today and was already subjected to this torment, even before real training began.
The magical wave that struck his body was enough to knock him unconscious. And the terrifying part? The source wasn't even near them.
'What kind of monster is the princess…?'
'I-I don't think I can bear it anymore… I-I'm at my limit…'
Even though he wasn't anywhere close to the building, the magical pressure was still too much for him to endure.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a figure approaching the training ground.
His eyes lit up, it was the rumored hero, summoned just the day before.
"L-Lord Adrian is here!!"
At the mention of that name, everyone turned in unison, their faces lighting up in relief.
It was as if salvation had arrived.
It wasn't as though they were going through intense physical training, but this was more like mental torture.
Adrian, dressed in casual clothes, frowned at the trembling building. A sheathed sword was strapped to his waist.
He had the misfortune of arriving right in the middle of the storm.
The moment the first wave of magical energy hit him, his expression twisted into a very bitter grimace.
But then, he noticed a knight looking directly at him. Instinctively, he composed himself. Thankfully, he had acquired the skill—[Greater Aura]—which he promptly activated.
The nauseating pressure around him cleared instantly, and his calm, gentlemanly expression returned.
He would like to avoid showing any other face aside from his usual calmness.
He stepped forward and asked what was happening.
"Princess Lousielle is—"
Just as one knight began to speak, the ground rumbled violently, as if a powerful worm was tunneling through the earth below the training grounds.
The knight swallowed his words, his voice trembling as he continued.
"Princess Lousielle is training in the sparring hall."
The fallen knights struggled to their feet, their legs shaking in hesitation.
None dared approach the building, as though some uncontrollable force threatened to break free from within.
Then, after a tense moment, the intensity began to fade, and a wave of relief washed over them.
"Tell her I'm here,"
A crease formed on his brow, his expression hardening, perhaps reconsidering the opinion he had formed of the princess.
Denis rushed off to deliver the message.
Upon entering the silent hall, he stopped dead in his tracks. His jaw dropped, and no words escaped his throat.
His eyes widened at the sight before him. The hall looked as if a horde of monsters with razor-sharp claws had clashed in brutal combat.
He had heard the rumors—the sparring hall walls were reinforced with adamantite, the strongest known metal, to withstand her destructive blade dance.
And judging by the gashes everywhere, they were all true.
By simply swinging her sword, she had carved deep lacerations across every surface.
It was her A-Tier skill—Blade Judgement—in action.
"Did I call for any knight?"
The voice was low, yet it carried a crushing weight, making Denis tremble.
Before he could respond, another figure stepped into the hall.
It was Adrian. Growing impatient at Denis's delay, he had decided to come in himself.
Lousielle's sharp perception caught his presence, causing her brows to furrow.
A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead as she sheathed her sword.
She turned her head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Adrian, her eyes lingering on the sword strapped to his waist.
Before he became crushed by their presence, Denis quickly fled from the hall.
For some reason, the combined presence of the two was too much for him to withstand.
Adrian scanned the surroundings, mild surprise flickering in his eyes.
He had been given a sword forged from adamantite, capable of withstanding his holy magic.
Now, looking at the deep gashes carved into the same material all around him, he began to doubt its durability against her strikes.
Still, not wanting the atmosphere to grow awkward, he spoke up.
"Beautiful swordsmanship."
His tone was soft, almost deferential, but it elicited no response.
"I haven't seen Rei around since he was rushed out of the church hall."
"It seems he depleted his mana while trying to activate his skill,"
Lousielle's voice was cold, since the two heroes were at least acquainted from their previous world, she thought she should let him know about Rei's situation.
"Depleting mana while activating an E-Tier skill? That's serious."
Having explored the royal library, Adrian had gained a good grasp of magical energy concepts.
Lousielle remained silent, keeping her aloof demeanor, but at his words, her eyes flicked toward him, sharp and cold.
"Don't get me wrong," Adrian added quickly. "I just understand now how grave his situation is. But… it seems there's still a way."
Lousielle's attention sharpened. A moment ago, she had been considering leaving, assuming this conversation was just another arrogant showoff of him.
But now, she was curious.
"I have a plan for him. With my talent, [Greater Ally], I can boost the power of those who fight alongside me. I could take him under my wing."
Her brow furrowed at the proposal.
It was unheard of for a hero to awaken an E-Tier ability. The royal council had already started making arrangements regarding Rei's future.
Though it made sense, they were summoned heroes from the same world, perhaps even friends, but there was something more in Adrian's tone.
It suggested new possibilities.
Just this morning, her father, King Alveron Leonis, had planned to send Rei to live a peaceful life among the commoners. After all, a summoned hero couldn't be returned.
In his case, with an E-Tier skill, it was better he live a quiet life. Even some commoners boasted D-Tier skills. Some special ones even had C-Tier.
It wasn't a cruel decision. It was reasonable.
He would receive gold coins to start anew in the city.
But now, with Adrian's words, that path could change.
"Tell me more," Lousielle said, her voice slicing through the air like a blade.
Her posture remained calm, but she was listening closely.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. He had successfully involved himself in a matter of great importance. With this, he could boost his importance within the royal council.
Slowly, a smile curled at the corners of his lips, one that Lousielle couldn't see.
"My talent, [Greater Ally], allows me to form a hero party. When we fight together, everyone's strength is scaled by 100%."
"That means even my S-Tier skill, Sword Saint, becomes twice as powerful."
The tone he used for the last part caused a flicker of contempt to cross Lousielle's expression.
But she composed herself.
She thought silently.
As expected of a true hero, although his ability is the highest tier known, but when its power is doubled, it is like surpassing many decades of training in a single step.'
Lousielle's grip tightened around her sword, her gaze cold and calculating.
Her highest-tier skill, [Blade Judgement], was A Tier and Rank 65.
How many decades would it take to reach his level?
For a sixteen-year-old with such accomplishments, it still didn't feel like enough, not when compared to a true hero's ability.
After discovering her talent at the tender age of four, she had begun training with swords.
Becoming a Holy Knight at the age of twelve had come through relentless training and countless battles.
Especially considering her talent with swords, something no one else in the entire kingdom possessed.
she was a sword prodigy.
And yet, this S-Tier skill could let Adrian become a Holy Knight in a single step.
While she bled to earn every step, he didn't earn his sword through discipline...
It had simply become a part of him.
With his B-Tier [Sword Mastery] skill, it was as if the goddess had carved it into his very being.
It was simply unbelievable. Insane. Almost unfair.
But this was a hero's case, someone blessed by the goddess herself.
Even with talent, a goddess-given skill and blessing far surpassed anything one could be born with.
"What do you say?" Adrian asked. "Will you allow me to speak to the council on his behalf?"
Lousielle's suspicions were confirmed. He wanted influence—a louder voice in the kingdom royal council.
Without answering, she turned and walked out of the hall.
At the entrance, she paused and gave him a simple reply before vanishing.
"I will consider your idea."
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This chapter hinted about what the royal council had in store for Rei.
Do you think it is fair?
Don't forget to comment your thoughts about the chapter. Your voice matters in this story.
Thanks for reading...