Turning Chapter 1012
“Besides... didn’t you give my disciple a great awakening?”
It was true that Yuder had deliberately tried to break through Meghna’s monotonous swordplay during their sparring session—but there was no reason to affirm that here. With a cool expression, he shook his head.
“I merely sparred. I didn’t give her anything in particular. Whatever she gained is entirely her own achievement.”
“Well then. If that’s how you want to put it, so be it!”
General Gino laughed heartily, clearly not taking Yuder’s words at face value.
“Before the match, I thought maybe I could teach you something about the sword. But now I see I was about to do something entirely unnecessary.”
Coming from General Gino, that was the highest praise a younger person could receive.
“I don’t know who you learned the sword from or when, and I won’t ask—everyone has their personal circumstances. But promise me one thing: that you won’t put the sword down from here on. As an Awakener and a swordsman, I’m curious just how far you’ll go.”
His voice was soft and discreet, barely audible to anyone else. It seemed General Gino had sensed the abnormal depth of Yuder’s skill during the spar and concluded there must be a secret behind it.
‘Well, considering it’s Gino Bodelli, I figured he’d sense something unusual from my sword. But I didn’t expect his conclusion to be curiosity rather than suspicion.’
Not only had he promised not to pry, but now he was saying he wanted to keep watching and hoped Yuder would continue on his path. It was too much praise—it made Yuder uncomfortable. But what could he do? After a moment’s hesitation, Yuder nodded.
“...Understood. I won’t put down the sword, for as long as I can.”
“Thank you. That’s the most satisfying promise I’ve heard today.”
After that, General Gino raised his voice so everyone nearby could hear.
“—Honestly, I’d love to jump in for a match myself, but for now, I’ll have to set that desire aside! But I’ve no intention of giving up. Someday, you must duel me. I’ll be waiting for that day!”
“Wow. Did General Gino just say he wanted to spar with Yuder?”
“No way...”
As murmurs spread through the crowd, Meghna stepped forward from her teacher’s side. Her hair was disheveled to the point of covering her face, her limbs were still bleeding, but even in that disheveled state, she looked anything but pained—only joyful.
“Deputy Commander Aile. Through today’s spar, I was able to rediscover many things I’d long forgotten. Thank you. The victor is you.”
“Victory doesn’t matter. I too learned much from sparring with you, Deputy Curlieva. Congratulations on your great achievement.”
The congratulation was dry and formal, but Meghna beamed.
“You’re returning to the capital tomorrow, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s a shame. If you’d had a few more days, I would’ve invited you to my home for a meal. The kids are loud with curiosity, but my husband’s cooking is rather good.”
“Oh, not just good,” Gino interjected with a chuckle. “Don’t be so modest, Meghna. That wouldn’t entice any guest. I’ve been to Meghna’s house often enough to know—Abelito’s cooking ranks among the top three in the South. I guarantee you’d never regret it.”
Meghna finally stepped back, looking satisfied only after hearing Yuder’s promise that if he ever returned to the South, he would definitely visit. He had thought she was the type strictly focused on duty, but clearly, there was more to her than that.
And then, with a soft chuckle, Kishiar—who had been watching the whole scene with amusement—finally stepped in to speak to Meghna.
“Deputy Curlieva. Once you become a Master, you’ll probably have a reason to visit the capital, won’t you?”
“Ah... yes.”
“The Cavalry will always welcome your visit. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to drop by and give our members a little instruction while you’re there.”
“...If I’m granted the opportunity, I’d be happy to do so. Thank you for the offer.”
“I should be the one thanking you. Now, go get treated. The Cavalry’s clerics and pharmacists are quite skilled—it’ll help.”
Meghna and General Gino departed. Yuder finally felt as if the last task of his time in the South was now resolved. He let out a long breath.
“Already heading back?”
If Kishiar hadn’t asked that, he would have immediately returned to the regional headquarters to prepare for departure.
“...Already? Was there something else to do?”
Instead of answering, Kishiar gave a quiet smile and glanced behind Yuder. Following that gaze, Yuder turned his head—and spotted a group of people loitering nearby, even though the spar had ended.
‘Them.’
The moment he saw them, his brow twitched slightly. Kishiar placed a hand on his shoulder with a low chuckle.
“Do you remember what I told you before? When I suggested you share the things we discussed with other members of the Cavalry?”
His voice was as calm as ever, but with those words, Yuder immediately recalled the day they had lain side by side on the bed, speaking freely. The pleasant, slightly hazy feelings of that moment also resurfaced in his mind.
He blinked away the sensations and replied,
“...Yes. I remember.”
“I think now might be the time for that.”
“But there’s still work to be done. How could I leave my post like this?”
Though Kishiar had already told him before that it would be fine, Yuder still felt conflicted and hesitated.
And as if knowing that better than anyone, Kishiar tilted his head and smiled once again.
“There isn’t much left. It’s all stuff I can handle on my own. But moments like this—opportunities like this—don’t come again. Don’t you think?”
The man who spoke such irrefutable words then gently removed his hand from Yuder’s shoulder.
“Go enjoy yourself.”
“......”
“Nathan, shall we discreetly take our leave?”
Even though his words were laced with humor, Nathan Zuckerman didn’t smile. He simply dipped his head and turned away—but not before glancing at Yuder.
“I’ll try to make more time once we’re back in the capital.”
“......”
“I’d like to train with you myself, Sir Aile.”
In his eyes flickered the same faint glint of competitiveness that Gino had shown earlier. Yuder watched as the tall figures of the two men disappeared into the distance.
“Yuder!”
“Deputy Commander!”
At last, those who had clearly been waiting for the right moment rushed toward him, calling his name as they surrounded him. Most were first-year members who had joined him from the capital, though some faces were newer.
Elpokin, his antler-like horns twitching with excitement, exclaimed in a voice thick with emotion,
“That duel just now was am—amazing! As expected of you, Sir ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Yuder—no, Deputy Commander! I... I respect you!”
Beside him, the much shorter Jaek clenched his fists and shouted,
“Y-you’re going back tomorrow, right? I-it feels too soon to say goodbye! You saved me in the arena back then, and I never properly thanked you! I—I want to give you my thanks!”
Unlike them, who couldn’t even look him in the eye properly, those who had known him longer were much more relaxed.
“Yuder. How are you still standing after a fight like that? Seriously, thank the heavens you’re in the Cavalry.”
“Right? Watching you slam Deputy Curlieva down the way you did—exactly like how you slammed me before—my foot started aching again from where it cracked!”
“That’s the Cavalry’s ferocity!”
“No, the Cavalry’s pride!”
“......”
As everyone chimed in one after another, the noise piled on until it was hard to even make sense of what was being said. But strangely enough, Yuder didn’t find the chaos unpleasant.
“Yuder. Are you alright? You don’t seem hurt, but...”
“I’m fine.”
That quiet, concerned question came from Gakein, her cheeks flushed with excitement like the others. He could at least make that out and responded calmly.
Then suddenly, someone shouted over the noise.
“It’s cold! How long are we going to stand around chatting like this? Let’s go somewhere decent!”
“Somewhere decent? Where?”
“Hahaha. I figured this would happen right after the duel ended, so I asked Kurga and Ever to grab a spot at the best place nearby!”
“Ooh!”
Amid a round of whistling and cheers, someone appeared from the distance. Kanna waved her hand and jogged up with a wide smile.
“Got us a reservation! Everyone, follow me!”
“Waaah!”
Joyful cheers erupted. Pushed along by arms thrown over his shoulders—by no one in particular—Yuder found himself swept out of the Southern branch headquarters of the Cavalry.