I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 10: Entrance Test (3)

Saeorin’s next opponent was a girl who appeared to be around the same age—or more precisely, the age of my younger sister, Saeran.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Fell Flora.”

The girl introduced herself as Fell Flora. From the noble family name preceding Flora’s given name, I could infer her social status.

Among the civilized people, there existed a special class called nobles. 

Those whose names included a family name were members of the nobility. That meant Flora was a noble as well.

Indeed, Flora seemed different from ordinary people. Her attire, the air she exuded, and even the faint scent that drifted on the breeze—everything about her was unusual.

“Saeorin.”

“You said you came from beyond the snowy mountains, didn’t you? Does everyone in your tribe have such beautiful hair?”

Curious, isn’t she?

Instead of answering, I unsheathed my sword. This wasn’t a place for idle chatter. It was a place for combat.

“You’re impatient.”

Flora radiated composure in everything she did. Her gaze carried the weight of someone who looked down on all things, her calm demeanor remained intact even when facing my drawn sword, and her commanding presence seemed at odds with her petite frame.

Everything about her seemed natural, as if she had been born with it.

Are all nobles like this?

“Begin!”

As I pondered the question, the signal to start was given. Immediately, I pushed all thoughts aside and swung my sword.

I began lightly, with a tentative strike to gauge her skill. The attack carried minimal force, allowing an easy transition into a defensive stance if needed.

Swoosh—!

The strike missed completely. Flora sidestepped backward, evading the attack without even drawing her sword.

Her lack of a drawn weapon indicated that her turn had not yet begun.

I spun my blade and unleashed a series of consecutive thrusts targeting her upper and middle sections, followed by a sweeping slash aimed at her torso. 

The silver blade caught the moonlight, scattering a faint blue glow as it traced a long, elegant arc.

Her sword emerged at that precise moment. It seemed as though she had been waiting for the perfect opportunity. Her blade struck mine with immense force.

Clang—!

The clash of metal sent tiny sparks dancing in the air. I winced as a sharp pain radiated from my wrist.

The impact was heavy—like striking an immovable boulder.

Despite my destabilized stance, Flora didn’t press her advantage. Instead, she halted and smiled, as if granting me time to recover.

A single breath.

That was all the time she gave me—enough to regain my footing and ready my sword once more.

Swoosh—!

Her sword sliced through the air with precision. I hurriedly retreated, narrowly avoiding its path.

Her strength was overwhelming. Engaging her directly wasn’t an option—circling to find an opening was the better strategy.

Just as I began to execute my plan, Flora’s sword abruptly changed direction. The reflected moonlight left a faint, trailing glow as her blade curved sharply.

There was no way to avoid it. I had to block it.

I swung my sword to meet the attack.

Clang—!

“Ugh!”

A groan escaped through clenched teeth as another powerful shock reverberated through my body. I continued to parry her relentless strikes while stepping back repeatedly.

Clang! Clang—!

The more attacks I absorbed, the more the toll accumulated. My wrist trembled, and I retreated further, clutching my shaking hand.

Hah…

Despite her barrage of strikes, Flora showed no signs of exhaustion. On the contrary, she smiled lightly, demonstrating her ease, and swung her sword elegantly in the air.

Her movements were light, graceful, and refined.

“Not bad. I thought you’d drop your sword.”

I bit my lip at her comment. I had nearly lost my grip. If I hadn’t held on tightly, the sword would’ve slipped from my hand.

“If that’s all you can show me, let’s end this here. I have dinner plans with my father.”

The moment Flora finished speaking, the atmosphere shifted. It felt as though a perfectly honed blade had been pointed directly at me.

I exhaled slowly, steadying my nerves.

The faster the sword moved, the more power it required. Conversely, wielding great force necessitated speed.

Strength came from muscle. Yet Flora’s arms were slender.

It’s that power.

I finally understood the source of Flora’s immense strength. It was a mysterious energy, the kind I had felt deep within the forest.

Occasionally unleashed, it enhanced physical abilities. Flora was undoubtedly channeling this energy.

It’s a power she can control.

A smile crept across my lips. The stinging pain in my wrist was no longer noticeable.

Life has been a series of lessons. Ever since crossing the mountains, I had constantly encountered new experiences. 

My once-narrow world had crumbled, replaced by towering new walls of knowledge.

It felt as though my perspective was expanding. Embracing this broadening world, I raised my sword toward my opponent.

“Oh…”

Sensing a shift in my aura, Flora’s lips curled into an intrigued smile. That smile was the signal.

Taah—!

Flora kicked off the ground, her body becoming a blur. Her swift movement resembled someone gliding effortlessly across an icy surface.

I calmed my breathing and waited for an opportunity—just like the predators of the snowy plains, who only revealed themselves at the very last moment. Holding my breath, I moved the faint energy within my body.

Flora’s blade swung a half-beat slower than expected, carving an unusual trajectory through the air. Unlike before, her sword’s wavering motion seemed designed to distract my focus.

I locked my gaze onto her movements. What I needed was sheer power. Anything else was unnecessary. No matter where her blade aimed, I would meet it head-on with raw strength.

Swoosh—!

The moment I had been waiting for arrived. Reacting to the faint sound of her blade, I swung my sword.

My held breath exploded outward in a burst, and my previously subdued presence swelled instantaneously.

Flora, however, was unfazed. She had anticipated that I was hiding a trump card. What caught her off guard wasn’t my attack itself, but the intensity of my gaze in that instant.

Her vision faltered. As her eyes met mine, the shadowy form of a massive wolf appeared behind me, fangs bared in a feral snarl.

Her breath hitched. Simultaneously, the flow of mana that had been coursing through her body was disrupted, and the strength augmenting her movements dissipated.

For a brief moment, her mind went blank, overwhelmed by the sudden hallucination.

Quickly realizing her mistake, Flora exhaled sharply and forced her mana to flow once more.

I was half a breath too slow, she thought. There’s not enough power in this strike.

Claaang—!

The clash of our swords erupted with a sharp, resonating sound. The mana-infused blades screamed as they collided, sending out strange, rippling waves.

Crack—!

The first sword to fracture was mine. Seeing this, Flora smiled, certain of her victory.

But the next moment, something unexpected occurred. The pressure forcing her sword back vanished in an instant, and I ducked low, slipping directly into her personal space.

For a fleeting moment, Flora entertained the thought: Is she acknowledging defeat and coming to embrace me in admiration of my skill?

Thwack—!

That was until my small fist collided with her face.

“What the…!”

Thwack—!

This barbaric…!

My punches didn’t stop. Clutching my small fists tightly, I repeatedly struck Flora’s face.

Caught completely off guard, Flora allowed two consecutive hits before staggering backward and dropping her sword. Immediately, another punch landed squarely on her face.

Smack—!

This time, the sound was sharper, almost satisfying in its clarity. Flora’s body quivered for a moment before collapsing entirely.

I climbed on top of Flora and delivered two more punches to her face.

Thud—! Thud—!

“Stop! That’s enough!”

Had someone not intervened, I likely would have delivered at least five more blows to Flora’s face.

Hoo…

I obediently stepped back. My opponent was unconscious—I had won. Blood dripped from my clenched fists, staining the ground below.

Still filled with adrenaline and excitement, I raised my bloodied fist high. It was a reflexive action, a behavior ingrained from my tribe’s traditions.

This fight was a dedication to the wolf god and a testament to the honor of a warrior of the tribe.

But there were no brothers, no tribespeople, nor my younger sister here to celebrate my victory. Only silence and the eyes of strangers.

Letting out a deep sigh, I turned to the judges.

“Th-the winner is… Saeorin!”

After the winner was decided, the unconscious Flora was carried out of the arena on a stretcher. Her face, swollen beyond recognition, was a testament to the brutal fight.

I stood still, facing Flora as she was taken away, and struck my chest twice with my right fist.

This was a traditional gesture of respect among the White Frost Tribe, used to acknowledge a worthy opponent.

Fell Flora. She was a strong adversary.

If Flora hadn’t held back, I knew the fight would have ended in my defeat. I collected my fractured sword and returned to my tent.