The training ground is full of enthusiastic crowd as if there’s a festival.
Aurora who’s lived a life without facing any disaster stared with nervousness at the mock battles. Though it’s not that she hadn’t heard the sounds of clashing swords before but to experience swordplay right in front of her was a totally different story. The restless atmosphere, the sudden burst of auras and the sounds of their heels stomping on the ground made it as if the training grounds was shaking. The wounded knights seemed to be more like warriors than a knights.
Seated at the chairs reserved for the nobles, Aurora sat on a corner and looked anxiously. Sitting next to her is Platoon Commaner Ingels, acting as her guard sitting in a pleasant manner. Right in front of her stood Felix with his shining silver sword at hand after being forced to fight in the training grounds to show off his good points to his fiancee.
“Lady Porta, do you know how strong Felix is?”
“When I asked Clavis-sama, he said he belongs in the top 10.“
Mock battles are weekly tournament in the 1st Platoon where the winners get to have a day off. Ruling out the use of magic, those who would participate must use practice swords as a weapon. There’s no medal of honor for it’s purpose is to train the knights, however, if you participated frequently then you can expect some words from your Platoon Commander which means you’ll have a bright future ahead of you.
There might be no medal of honor, but as if Felix was heaping up all of the honors he needs—despite acting like a pain in the neck by refusing him—Ingels smile sent a different meaning to Aurora.
“Top 10? It’s been a long time ago.”
“Is that so?”
“I can say he belongs in the top 5 now if he’s gotten stronger than me.”
“Oh!”
The sound of the blades echoes. Aurora sees Felix jump, his movements were agile and vivid as he stood at the center of the training ground surrounded by defeated knights. She came to a halt, stared intently at Felix’s swaying silver hair and dark red cloaked figure resembling that of a bird of prey.
Wouldn’t it be better if she embroidered such kind of crest in a blue seams with silver threads? Since it seems too flashy embroidered it on clothes… But it’s also a bit too fancy for a cushion…
“He’s just a naive and young man yet he’s already a Squad Leader.”
Aurora who’s absorbed in watching Felix fight turned her attention towards Platoon Commander Ingels.
“Is it the 4th Unit?”
“So you know Felix’s unit.”
“Err, Clavis-sama says it’s best that I fully knew the name of the unit he leads.”
“But doesn’t he stands out as a Squad Leader?”
—KIN!
The training grounds erupted with cheers. A practice sword flew and fell to the ground while Felix’s sword shines as he sheaths it back, it was his opponent’s defeat. This was Felix’s 3rd consecutive victory. He was supposed to end this in a single round but now he’s been fighting one after another.
“He’s really strong…”
Aurora stared at Felix who didn’t even break a sweat. This young man has all the qualities from his appearance, to his abilities and his character isn’t bad at all. With all of this in her mind, Aurora was still surprised that she got engaged with him.
“I’m surprised. I thought you’d prefer horseback riding.”
“Oh, was it a surprise to see a noble lady who’s interested in watching mock battles? ”
“I’m not too fond of these noble ladies, you see. ”
Not far away from the Platoon Commander who’s laughing vigorously, Felix’s elegant figure came into view. In the distance, he may look like he didn’t break a sweat but up close, he looked tired and weary. Some of his hair were sticking out in different direction due to sweating, his collar was loosened due to the heat revealing his neck and his flushing cheeks—what destructive sex appeal Felix have to disturb her conscience? To scrutinize him in such behavior, Aurora dropped her look somewhere else.
It’s not that she wasn’t confident as a woman but she always wonder—Is he really a human? She was reminded of a story in northern continent about magicians living deep in the forest—those forest folks the elves.
“You’ve worked hard, Clavis-sama. You’re really strong.”
“Thank you.”
Aurora who came back to her senses did her courtesies as Felix returned to his fight. Platoon Commander Ingels poured him a glass of water as he seated down the chair between Platoon Commander Ingels and Porta.
“Thank you very much.”
“Yeah.”
Waters trickled down Felix’s hands and Aurora involuntarily fans herself. Seeing her doing this, Felix was suddenly startled.
“That fan…”
“Isn’t it hot?”
“… If it’s too hot for you I’ll withdraw from the fight right away.”
The next match is about to start and Felix continues to the next fight. Since it’s a tournament, the following mock battles seems to be getting exciting.
“Do you want some water?”
“No thanks.”
“Who’s your next opponent?”
“Yule el le Loomis.”
“Ah—”
The Platoon Commander can’t seem to hide his sour expression as he looked back to Felix. Following him, Aurora finds the atmosphere freezing back to zero.
“That man is…?”
“Yule, he’s in bad terms with Felix.”
“I see.”
Just like Platoon Commander Ingels, Felix didn’t even tried to hide his displeasure and closed his eyes tightly. Platoon Commander’s low voice erased Aurora’s interest on the mock battle, leaving her with bitter taste.
“Yule is one of the best knight in the 1st Unit.”
“That man?”
“A good looking son of a noble house.”
“Hmm…”
“With shiny blonde hair and glistening blue eyes.”
“Hmm…”
“Those are what ladies usually screams.”
“Well, he somewhat resembles Clavis-sama.”
“Oh, do they put the same air of arrogance? ”
“Ah, I don’t mean it like that.”
“Platoon Commander.”
Aurora jumped back in surprise at Felix’s voice. Even though it was early summer, Felix eyes stared so cold it’s almost like winter.
“I’m going now. I hope you will take good care of Lady Porta.”
“Leave it to me. I won’t let any ‘insects’ near her so go wild as you want.”
Felix bowed deeply to Ingels who replied with a wave of his hand while Aurora folded her fan to do a courtesy.
“May the fortunes of war be with you.”
“I won’t lose…”
Felix told Aurora with keen and determined eyes then turned around, she saw him off looking at his back. Although he’s known for his shining silver hair, right now he’s like a sharp blade.
Over his back, Aurora could see the figure of a man with shining blonde hair. He must be Yule el le Loomis. Even at a distance, one can see his remarkable figure and his appearance hardly resembles Felix—he’s too flashy.
They were the exact opposite of each other.
A wave of uneasiness flashed over Aurora causing her to let out a sigh.