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Chapter 7




【7】6
“Ugh!”
At one corner of the training ground, Celia let out a groan.
Leo, however, paid no mind to her and continued to wipe the sweat off his body in the shade, replenishing his fluids.
‘What kind of kid is this?’
Seeing this, Celia wore an expression of disgust.
Despite moving much more intensely than Celia, he seemed perfectly fine.
With her trembling limbs, she dragged herself over and sat down next to Leo.
She no longer had the luxury to put on a show.
She focused on recovering her strength as much as possible during the break.
‘If I don’t, I won’t be able to keep up.’
Even if it’s difficult, she couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to keep up with him.
‘He’s got some grit.’
Outstanding talent.
And a mindset that refuses to give up.
It was exciting to think about what kind of hero he might become in the future.
While the two were resting, Gis entered the training ground.
He stroked his chin as he saw Celia, who was trembling.
‘This will be a good experience for Celia.’
She had never fallen behind anyone of her age since birth.
Gis, who had watched Celia’s training since she was young, was worried about this.
While she wasn’t overly arrogant, she did have a high nose.
Pride and arrogance.
Celia was standing on the line between the two.
‘It’s not bad for her to have this experience before entering Lumeren.’
Being the best in Jerdinger doesn’t mean you’ll be the best in Lumeren.
There are many other noble families of heroes in the world, not just in Jerdinger.
Just in the Rodren Empire, there’s the Lewalin family of magic heroes.
‘You can’t always be the best.’
Before her confidence turns into arrogance.
It’s not bad to see a wall once.
Leo and Celia.
If they were to be objectively evaluated, their outstanding areas were different.
‘Leo hasn’t learned the Aura Heart Method, so he can’t compete with Celia in terms of aura. On the other hand, his physical abilities are far superior.’
And the weakness that Gis thought Celia had was also in her physical abilities.
Of course, it’s not that Celia’s physical abilities were lacking.
For a swordsman, physical training is fundamental.
Compared to the average person, Celia had immense strength and power.
‘But she hasn’t surpassed her limits. And swordsmanship.’
Swordsmanship was also the reason Celia’s competitive spirit was burning.
She had never met anyone her age who could match her in swordsmanship.
‘But according to my sister, Leo is better at swordsmanship.’
To Gis, Leo was the first wall Celia had ever encountered.
“Uncle, what brings you here?”
Celia asked as she struggled to get up.
“You look exhausted. Sit and rest.”
After saying this, Gis looked at Leo.
“Leo.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“I’m thinking of asking the head of the family to let you inherit the ‘Phoenix Breath’.”
Celia was taken aback by this sudden statement.
“Phoenix Breath?”
An Aura Heart Method that only recognized family members can learn.
‘Does this mean this kid will officially become my cousin?’
Celia looked at Leo with a peculiar gaze.
“I don’t think the head of the Jerdinger family will easily agree.”
“So there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“Passing the Lumeren entrance exam.”
“Uncle, the Lumeren entrance exam is a real battle. This kid, who hasn’t even learned aura! Ah, no. Young Master Leo, it’s too dangerous for him.”
“Are you worried about me?”
Leo asked with a smirk, and Celia replied curtly.
“Hmph. I’m just stating the facts.”
Training and real combat are different.
“Besides, Young Master Leo doesn’t have any real combat experience, does he?”
Most Lumeren applicants have real combat experience.
Celia had also participated in monster hunts and had experience in taking down monsters.
The difference between having and not having real combat experience is significant.
Leo smiled at Celia’s words.
He was more familiar with battlefields where lives were on the line than with peaceful daily life.
“Leo. What do you think?”
“Have you asked Father and Mother?”
“They said they would follow your decision.”
“Then I’ll take it.”
He was already planning to persuade his parents to take the entrance exam this year.
Seeing Leo’s immediate response, Gis smiled.
“So you were planning to take the entrance exam this year?”
With a satisfied expression, he said as he left.
“Then I’ll be looking forward to it.”
***
The Delan Royal School was on break until the exam.
So Leo invested this time in training.
Celia desperately tried to keep up with his schedule.
“Haha! Look. I, I did it, didn’t I? Damn white-haired brat! How... Uh?!”
On the last day.
Celia was using a wooden sword as a cane to drag her trembling limbs back to the mansion.
She felt nauseous on the way back.
The overworked girl’s body was a rag.
Celia wobbled to Leo’s room.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
When she opened the door, she saw Leo with a basin containing something.
“What’s that?”
“A potion.”
“Don’t tell me you secretly used a potion when you said you wouldn’t?”
If she had used a recovery potion, her training wouldn’t have been so arduous.
But Leo didn’t use potions because he thought it would hinder his training.
Seeing this, Celia, who was also stubborn, didn’t use potions.
“Adjusting your condition the day before the exam is basic, right?”
Celia’s body was already at its limit.
Thanks to pacing herself, she managed to avoid completely breaking down over the week.
Of course, if her willpower had been lacking, she would have broken down long ago.
At first, Leo had intended to make her suffer, but he was impressed by her persistence in not giving up.
“You’re right.”
“Crawl to the bed and lie down. I’ll apply the potion.”
“I have plenty of potions too.”
Celia uses potions made by the best alchemists.
“This is much more effective than what your family uses, though.”
“Hmm. I doubt it, but since it’s Young Master’s gesture, I’ll accept it.”
Celia rolled up her training suit sleeves and lay down.
Her slender, white limbs were exposed.
Leo dipped a cloth in the potion in the basin and placed it on Celia’s arm.
The cold sensation and the pain relief made her eyes widen.
The soft fragrance made Celia’s eyes widen.
“Wait! Is this an elf-made potion?”
“Probably.”
“How did you get it?”
Elf potion!
A top-grade item among potions, known only to elves, which other races can’t even imitate.
She never imagined that a young noble from a rural duchy would have one.
“I bought it from a hole-in-the-wall shop.”
“A hole-in-the-wall shop? Where is it?”
“It’s gone. I bought everything.”
“Ugh. Well... Anyway, how can you use such a precious item just to relieve muscle pain?”
“It’s my choice how I use it.”
Actually, this was a potion Leo had made himself.
The recipe was given to him by [Ancestor of the Constellation] Luna.
“Young Master is secretly quite generous.”
Despite the expression of regret, Celia willingly let Leo treat her.
The potion-soaked cloth was applied to her arms and legs one by one.
The terrible muscle pain disappeared as if by magic.
“Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“I won’t lose tomorrow.”
Celia revealed her competitive spirit.
After a week of training together, she realized that Leo wasn’t someone to be underestimated.
‘He might even pass the exam.’
“I won’t be careless like last time.”
Celia laughed.
“So if you end up losing to me, don’t complain.”
“You’re just talking big.”
Just as Leo was placing the cloth on Celia’s thigh, he firmly grabbed it.
Snap!
“Ouch! Hey! It hurts!”
“What? Hey? You’re still a maid? If you’re a maid, act like one.”
“Ha! You’re kidding! Just wait! I’ll repay the humiliation tomorrow! I’ll crush you...!”
Crack!
“Aah! It hurts! S, stop! I won’t be cheeky! I won’t be cheeky! Aah! Young Master!”
Celia’s scream echoed through the mansion.
***
The next morning.
A large crowd was seen at the central training ground of the Delan Royal School.
They were there to watch the entrance exam.
Among them was the King of Delrod.
Celia, who had taken off her maid uniform after a week, brushed her hair.
“Hmph! Those unlucky Lewalins haven’t arrived yet.”
“You’re being harsh, considering they’re from the same country’s hero family.”
“You’ll understand when you meet them, Young Master. That’s why I say this.”
“True? But you should change your tone.”
“Oops!”
Celia quickly covered her mouth.
It seemed to have become a habit over the week.
Meanwhile, other examinees were glancing at Celia from a distance.
“Is that Celia Jerdinger?”
“She’s one of the top candidates in the western region. She certainly looks confident.”
“Want to bet? Whether the top will come from Lewalin or Jerdinger.”
Leo smirked at the other examinees’ whispers.
“You’re famous.”
“Hmph, of course.”
“So, about your tone.”
“Ugh?”
‘This has become a complete habit!’
While she was blushing and covering her mouth, someone called out to her.
“Miss Celia!”
“Hm? Leo Frob. Why are you here?”
Geliven, who was approaching, frowned.
“I’m here for the Lumeren entrance exam.”
“What? You’re taking the entrance exam? Hahaha!”
Geliven burst into laughter.
“You must be desperate to die. You, who can’t even handle aura, taking the Lumeren entrance exam? I hope you don’t embarrass the country.”
Ignoring Leo, he stood in front of Celia.
“Miss Celia. Let’s both do our best this time.”
Celia narrowed her eyes at this.
“Sorry, are you talking to me?”
“Excuse me?”
“I have trouble remembering faces.”
“A week ago, at the Delan Royal School, we met. I’m Geliven Tradden, the school representative.”
“Oh, that’s right. Sure. Let’s both do our best.”
“Excuse me? Ah... Yes.”
Celia smiled outwardly.
Geliven made a wide-eyed expression at her smile.
At that moment, there was a commotion at one side of the training ground.
Celia glanced over.
“Duke... No, Leo. Follow me.”
“Why me?”
“Oh, come on! If I say follow, just follow.”
Celia grabbed Leo’s wrist and headed towards the commotion.
‘Ugh! Trying to act close to Miss Celia!’
Sparks flew from Geliven’s eyes.
The story of the Jerdinger family staying at the Frob estate was already well-known.
The fact that Leo was Celia’s cousin was a secret.
Thus, Geliven couldn’t understand the reason.
‘We’ll see, I’ll show my skills in the exam!’
Meanwhile, Leo, following Celia, met two men and women with sky-blue hair and eyes.
“It’s been a while, Celia.”
“Hi. Abad Lewalin.”
Abad Lewalin smiled softly.
Seeing this, Leo muttered to himself.
‘He’s a bit smug.’
“Celia, are you ready for the exam?”
“Of course! I’ll be the top.”
“Huh, is that so? But what will you do? The top spot will be mine.”
“Oh? You’re free to delude yourself. Hahaha!”
As families that had competed for the top position in the empire for hundreds of years, the psychological warfare was sharp.
“Let’s go, Chelsea.”
“Yes, brother.”
After the psychological warfare, Abad left with Chelsea.
Celia’s eyes widened.
“Unlucky, isn’t he?”
“He’s a bit smug, but I don’t see him as unlucky.”
“No, look. He’s a very rude kid.”
Celia clenched her fist.
“Huhuhu- I’ll make him like butter on a hot frying pan, you smug butter kid.”
With a fierce smile, Celia burned with determination and glared at Leo.
“Don’t lose to those kids! The Jerdinger family can’t afford to lose to the Lewalins!”
“I’m not a Jerdinger yet.”
“Prepare yourself! Lewalin! I and Leo will crush you!”
Leo answered indifferently, but Celia didn’t hear.