The beautiful future Lin Mo described made Noelle's heart surge with longing.
To become stronger.
To stand on her own.
To even safeguard the peace of the world.
Such promises were things she barely dared to dream of.
Yet the man before her told her that as long as she became his student and accepted his guidance, all of it could come true.
Just as Noelle was about to nod in agreement, hesitation crept into her heart.
After all…
To her, Lin Mo was not just a stranger—he was someone she had never even seen in Mondstadt before.
"Um… could I have some time to think it over?" Noelle asked timidly.
"That's fine," Lin Mo replied. "But… do you have any concerns?"
"I… I still have many duties in the Knights of Favonius," Noelle said softly.
"If I follow you to train, it might interfere with my work…"
She voiced one of her worries.
Because she was weak, she could hardly help with combat-related missions.
Most of what she could do for the Knights were chores—brewing tea, making coffee, washing clothes, cleaning, cooking… It kept her very busy.
If she trained with Lin Mo, her work with the Knights would inevitably suffer.
She might even lose her status as a knight-in-training altogether.
"Well… you really are diligent and responsible," Lin Mo said with a smile, a hint of approval in his eyes.
Those were exactly the qualities he liked most about Noelle.
Perfect wife material, really.
"How about this—go back and think it over," Lin Mo suggested patiently.
"If you can, apply for a long leave from the Knights. That way it won't affect your duties."
"After all, only by becoming stronger can you contribute even more to the Knights."
The words "contribute even more" struck straight at what Noelle valued most.
"I'll do my best! Please give me some time to consider it, sir!"
Noelle bowed deeply to Lin Mo.
Though she said she needed time, she had already made up her mind.
"Alright. Take your time," Lin Mo said with a gentle nod.
He could tell—the young maid's heart had already been moved.
"You may go. I take a walk by the lakeside every evening. Come find me then."
With a wave of his hand, Lin Mo dismissed her.
"Then I'll head back now, sir. Thank you for valuing me so highly."
Noelle bowed once more, then broke into a small run toward Mondstadt—toward the Knights of Favonius headquarters.
She knew it was almost time for the Knights to get off work.
She needed to find the strongest greatsword user in Mondstadt.
She needed to consult that person about swordsmanship—to truly gauge just how powerful her prospective teacher was.
That person was the Spindrift Knight, Eula Lawrence.
Before long, Noelle arrived at the Knights' headquarters, panting heavily.
"Oh? Noelle, why are you so out of breath? Is something wrong?"
Eula's puzzled voice sounded from nearby.
Eula had just finished work and was considering her plans for the evening—
whether to head out hunting for a hearty meal,
or to have a drink at Angel's Share.
"Huff… Lady Eula…"
Noelle gasped. "I… I'd like to trouble you for some of your time. I want to ask you about swordsmanship."
"I don't mind," Eula said. "But don't you need to rest first?"
Seeing Noelle drenched in sweat, Eula couldn't help but worry.
"It's… it's fine. Let's go to the training grounds now."
"…Alright."
Eula nodded, though her eyes were full of confusion.
Noelle did occasionally ask her for advice on swordplay, but her talent was admittedly limited. She often overthought things and ended up discouraged.
Eula wondered if the young maid had once again realized her own weakness and was trying to muster the courage to train seriously.
Soon, the two arrived at the Knights' training grounds.
The evening glow was already fading.
Eula picked up a training greatsword and asked curiously,
"Noelle, how would you like to practice this time?"
"Lady Eula, could I be the one on the offensive this time, while you focus on defense?"
Noelle looked at Eula, a fierce determination burning in her eyes.
"…Alright. Come."
Eula immediately raised her sword, bracing herself.
In the next instant, Noelle lifted her training greatsword high and charged straight at Eula.
Clang!
Clang!!
Clang!!!
The clash of steel rang out, deafening.
From the very first strike, Eula's gaze sharpened with gravity.
Every blow struck directly at the blind spots in her defense.
If not for Noelle's lack of strength, Eula was certain—
with equal power, the force of those strikes would have knocked the weapon right out of her hands.
Clang!!!
Another thunderous impact echoed through the grounds.
Even Eula was forced to stagger back several steps.
If they had been evenly matched in strength,
losing her grip on the sword would have been the least of her worries—the momentum alone would have been enough to inflict serious injury.
"Huff… huff…"
Noelle gasped for air, clearly exhausted and unable to continue her assault.
This was only her fourth swing, yet she was already completely spent.
"Noelle," Eula asked gravely, "where did you learn this swordsmanship?"
Because she knew—
only a true master who had fully integrated their art could create techniques this powerful.
Clearly, Noelle was not a swordmaster.
Neither was Eula herself, nor even Acting Grand Master Jean.
In Mondstadt, the only one who might truly deserve that title was the expeditionary Grand Master, Varka.
"Lady Eula, I secretly learned a few moves from a swordsmanship master," Noelle said excitedly.
"With your expertise, what kind of evaluation would you give this style?"
"A swordsmanship master… That explains it."
Eula's suspicions were confirmed.
She looked at Noelle seriously and said,
"If you possessed the same strength as me, I would lose to you. No—
I would be severely injured."
"This style is bold and overwhelming. It requires immense strength to fully unleash its power."
"I can sense that its creator…"
"…is a legion-level leader, someone no weaker than Grand Master Varka himself."
Those few words were enough to prove just how terrifying this swordsmanship truly was.
And in that instant, Noelle made her decision.
Today, she would apply to Acting Grand Master Jean for a long leave—
and then become Lin Mo's student, training by his side.
--------
T/N:
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 40 chapters in advance on my Patreon : [email protected]/furinaimpact