"The one who bears a shield must never be hasty."
Reisia recalled once more the words her benefactor had taught her.
She knew what it meant.
The essence of shield technique lay in allowing the attack, blocking it, and then countering.
That meant always keeping careful watch over the enemy's strike.
If one were to give in recklessly to provocation, one's vision would narrow, and efficiency would fall.
'…But how am I supposed to endure this!'
Inside her helmet, Reisia bit her lip.
Hans Byron.
That man, whose half-lidded eyes gleamed as he constantly searched for her openings—he was clearly the rival of Lord Speda.
'No doubt he seduced the naïve Lady Speda, pushing her into a succession struggle. A villain of the highest order!'
Her fury turned into motion.
–Clank, clank, clank!
Her master had also said:
A shield-bearer must know when to advance boldly.
She gathered aura in her thighs and toes, then leapt forward.
Just like before, she was sure she'd reach Hans Byron in the blink of an eye.
"Do you intend to ignore me again? If you thought the same trick would work twice, that is truly pitiful."
But her charge was stopped—by the white aura of protection.
"…Lady Speda."
"If an attack is deflected with the angled face of a shield, then I need only lessen the point of impact and pierce through."
With hair like molten silver streaming behind her,
Luciana smiled boldly from within her aura.
"Step aside. I'll entertain Lady Speda after I've dealt with that man."
"I'm afraid not. He's a precious right arm of mine, you see."
Clang—!
Their blades and rapiers clashed, a clear ring echoing through the arena.
"Excellent. Your swordsmanship is faithful to the basics and has risen to mastery—a model form."
"I appreciate the compliment, but… you are hardly in a position to evaluate me."
Evaluations were given by those above, not received by equals.
She was not someone to take Luciana Speda's admonitions.
'Even so… as expected of that man's sister. Her knowledge of swordsmanship runs deep.'
That instant, Luciana had devised a technique to thwart her charge.
In a pure contest of sword against sword, Reisia knew she would be disadvantaged.
Thankfully, she had another weapon—one like an extension of herself.
Thud.
A dull sound, very unlike the earlier clear ring.
"Kh…!"
"Such pinpoint thrusts are certainly effective for targeting vital spots. But before a shield, their advantage fades."
The blow did not glance aside like with a greatsword, but the damage was negligible.
Unless caught from behind in a surprise strike,
a rapier's aura-concentrated thrusts were easily nullified by a shield.
In short, it was a matter of matchups.
Luciana's quick sword and unorthodox style was the polar opposite to Reisia's steadfast, shield-driven advance.
"…I see. You truly are Student Council President material."
Luciana forced a smile, but Reisia could clearly see the sweat trickling down beside it.
"In that case, as you wish. I'll face you first."
With Hans Byron kept at bay, he would never be able to interfere.
Thinking so, Reisia pressed forward with her shield.
Her strategy was always the same: trust in her shield and armor, and drive straight through.
–Clang, clang!
Though their blades met as if on equal footing—
"Kh…!"
"Impressive. For a mere freshman."
She wasn't bluffing.
She had survived numerous dispatches and live battles.
Any other freshman would have fallen within a few exchanges.
But Luciana was no ordinary noble's daughter.
She fought back with wit and skill, defying both matchup and size difference.
"But how long can you keep this up?"
As a woman, Reisia understood.
Luciana's strength and stamina were still lacking.
Reisia had refined her endurance through experience, even her aura was matured.
But Lady Speda was still lacking in such details.
Her heavy breathing betrayed her exhaustion.
'In other words…'
When she completed her growth at the Academy—
when experience forged in real battle was fully hers—
Would Reisia even be her equal then?
Her potential was dazzling.
"Pointless worry. Facing a worthy opponent after so long—do you think I'd be the one to yield first?"
Even as she tired, Luciana grinned fiercely. There was no sign of surrender.
"Lord Speda often spoke of his younger sister. Now I understand what he meant."
"…My brother did?"
"He boasted often—saying you would surpass him someday."
But that time was not now.
Even mighty trees began as fragile sprouts.
At present, she could not overcome even Reisia, much less her brother.
"Enough chatter. Let's end this."
Reisia, as always, channeled aura into her shield.
Her calculations were complete.
Hans Byron—empty talk, no presence.
Lady Speda—potential, but unable to deliver decisive blows.
Victory was hers.
'But if it ends like this…'
A sudden concern struck Reisia.
Would Luciana resent her for this defeat?
–"Brother, I heard the daughter of House Parnell is here."
–"…Yes, why?"
–"Oh, nothing. I just owe her a debt."
Ah, the daydreams of noble ladies in their youth!
At their debut, they felt as though they could conquer the world.
And their worries too spread wildly.
"Lady Speda, you've already reached the rank of Expert, haven't you?"
"…So the rumors reached even the Council."
"Of course. The Council always scouts its future members."
This was an insurance policy.
With victory nearly certain, she wanted to impart guidance.
As the younger sister of the man she revered, Reisia would show her some kindness.
"For one so young to purify aura without aid is remarkable. Now you must move toward the next stage."
Aura Master.
The pinnacle dreamed of by all who walked the path of aura.
It was not enough to merely strengthen body and weapon.
"Watch carefully. I too am only an Expert, but closer to the next stage than you. It will surely help."
"…!"
At that height, weapon and wielder became one.
The first step was to forge a unique technique of one's own.
–Clang! Crash—!
"Kh, what—!"
Luciana's sword, raised to deflect the shield as before, was knocked away by overwhelming force, flying from her twisted wrist.
As she clutched her trembling hand in shock, Reisia leveled her sword at her.
"…Strange. She tracked me, responded at the right moment. Yet why could she not block it?"
The reason was simple.
It was a difference in aura usage—one that created overwhelming disparity.
"Etch this movement into your eyes. It will serve you well."
Luciana would no doubt grasp it quickly.
"…So. I lost, did I?"
Resigned but satisfied, Luciana admitted defeat. Reisia's smile widened in victory.
"But this is not our defeat."
"…What?"
"Hans, now!"
At Luciana's cry, someone shot toward Reisia like lightning.
That servant, left at the edge of her vision, leapt from Luciana's shadow.
"You—!"
"You dropped your guard, Lady Parnell."
Busy swinging at Luciana, she had left an opening.
Hans Byron, who had seemed so meek, pounced.
"Since Lady Speda needs a rest, why not keep me company? I've even prepared a surprise."
His twisted grin fit perfectly for a villainous foe.
Matchups existed for a reason.
Luciana's swordsmanship was superb, yet against Reisia's insane durability and stamina, she lost ground.
But the same applied between Hans and Reisia.
"What is this…!"
"I told you, I can see right through your movements."
She was nimble for an armored knight, but to a rogue like him, her actions were far too obvious.
'Besides, the situation is entirely different now.'
It was possible only because he had closed into her blind spot, where her shield and sword could not operate fully.
Alone, he'd have exhausted himself dodging her strikes forever.
–"Lady Speda, can you create just the briefest opening?"
–"An opening?"
–"Otherwise, we'll lose to her stamina. Better to gamble on close combat."
It was a risky strategy. Close combat meant greater danger.
–"Reckless indeed."
Luciana had looked worried for a moment.
But then she smiled wryly, as if to say she wouldn't waste worry on him, and agreed.
Thanks to her, Hans winked playfully, then turned back to the fortress before him.
"…Boast all you like. Once I shake you off, you're nothing."
She backpedaled, swinging her shield like a bludgeon, desperate to drive him away.
It was almost exhilarating—
to see her struggling so earnestly—
–Clank, clank!
—only to fall into despair when defeat loomed.
"What, the locks…!"
"Indeed. Shouldn't you have checked your gear before the duel?"
The leather straps fastening her plate, the joints protecting her limbs—
all undone.
The fortress's bricks were falling one by one.
A humanoid foe?
A defense centered on shield and armor?
She was the perfect sacrifice for his debuff relic.
The golden wand, which had pried at her armor with telekinesis, returned to his hand.
"Now then, to finish…"
While her gear tangled around her like decorations, halting her movements, Hans gathered aura in his leg.
"…Khah!"
"My, even your shield. Wasn't it precious to you?"
Just as Luciana had lost her sword, Hans kicked Reisia's shield-hand with all his strength, sending her tower shield flying.
'Damn, even her base stats are ridiculously solid.'
It cost him pain, but the shield was gone.
Now she had only her straight sword left.
"Enough!"
"Argh!"
But in the instant Hans overextended, Reisia tackled him with aura, slamming him across the arena.
"You vile villain! I'll—educate you on the spot—!"
With bits of broken armor clattering around her, Reisia advanced slowly.
"Give up."
A dagger touched her throat.
Not Hans's, but one imbued with pure white aura.
Luciana's family heirloom blade.
Not her usual greatsword or rapier, but something new.
"The match is decided."
"…Lady Speda."
With her uninjured hand, Luciana tilted the dagger and declared proudly:
"Without armor, without shield—do you truly think you can beat me with just a sword?"
In swordsmanship alone, Reisia could not match Luciana.
At this range, a dagger against a straight sword—it was hopeless.
Slowly, Reisia's hand rose.
"…I yield."
The humiliation brought tears to her eyes.
It was exquisite.
[Quest complete!]
[Seize the Student Council Presidency]
['Luciana Speda's' ruin is suppressed.]
[Other rewards—see details…]
The system window congratulated them with a full-course feast befitting dessert to the main meal.
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