Editor : Amethyst00



“Ugh!”

In one corner of the training grounds, Celia groaned in pain.

Leo didn’t pay her any mind, wiping off his sweat and hydrating in the shade.

‘What kind of guy is he?’

Celia looked at him with an exasperated expression.

Even though he’d moved far more intensely than she had, he was perfectly fine.

Dragging her trembling limbs, she sat down beside Leo.

Now, she no longer had the energy to put up a front.

She used the break to recover as much stamina as possible.

‘Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep up.’

Even if it was hard, her pride wouldn’t allow her to fall behind.

‘At least, She’s got guts.’

Exceptional talent.

And a mindset that never gives up.

He was looking forward to what kind of hero she’d become in the future.

As the two of them rested, Zeiss entered the training grounds.

He stroked his chin as he watched Celia, who was still trembling.

‘This will be a good experience for Celia.’

Since birth, she had never once fallen behind her peers.

Zeiss, who had watched over Celia’s training since she was young, had always been worried about that.

While she wasn’t arrogant, but she definitely had a high opinion of herself.

Pride and conceit.

Celia had been standing right on that line.

‘It’s not a bad thing to have this experience before entering Lumene.’

Just because you’re the best in Zerdinger doesn’t mean you’ll be the best in Lumene.

There are many other heroic families besides Zerdinger in the world.

Even just in the Lordren Empire, there’s the magic hero family, Lewellin.

‘No one can be the best all the time.’

It’s not a bad thing to hit a wall before confidence turns into arrogance.

Leo and Celia.

Objectively speaking, they each excelled in different areas.

‘Since Leo hasn’t learned the Zerdinger Aura Technique, he can’t match Celia in Aura. On the other hand, Leo is far ahead in physical ability.’

And in Zeiss’s opinion, Celia’s weakness was also her physical ability.

Of course, that didn’t mean Celia lacked physical prowess.

For someone who wields a sword, physical training is fundamental.

By normal standards, Celia also had incredible strength and power.

‘But she’s never surpass her limits. And then there’s swordsmanship.’

Swordsmanship was the very reason Celia felt such competitive fire toward Leo.

She had never met a peer who could match her in swordsmanship.

‘But according to my sister, Leo is far ahead in swordsmanship.’

To Zeiss, Leo was the first wall Celia had ever encountered.

“Uncle, what brings you here?”

Celia asked, struggling to stand.

“If you’re tired, just sit and rest.”

With that, Zeiss turned to Leo.

“Leo.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“I’m thinking of asking the family head to let you inherit [Phoenix Breath].”

At those sudden words, Celia’s eyes widened.

“Phoenix Breath?”

The Aura technique that only recognized blood relatives of the family could learn.

‘Does that mean this guy is officially becoming my cousin?’

Celia looked at Leo with a curious gaze.

“I doubt the head of Zerdinger will agree so easily.”

“That’s why there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“Pass the upcoming Lumene entrance exam.”

“Uncle, the Lumene entrance exam is the real deal. This guy—ah, I mean, Young Master Leo—hasn’t even learned Aura! The exam is way too dangerous for him.”

“Are you worried about me?”

Leo asked with a smirk, and Celia snapped back bluntly.

“Hmph. I’m just stating the facts.”

A spar and real combat are different.

“Besides, Leo-doryeon, you don’t have any real combat experience, right?”

Most of the Lumene applicants had real combat experience.

Celia had also joined monster subjugations and killed monsters.

Whether or not you have combat experience makes a world of difference.

Leo chuckled at her words.

He was much more familiar with a battlefield where lives were on the line, than with peaceful daily life.

“Leo, what do you think?”

“Did you ask my father and mother?”

“They said they’ll respect your decision.”

“Then I’ll take the exam.”

He had already planned to persuade his parents to let him take the entrance exam this year.

Seeing Leo answer without hesitation, Zeiss grinned.

“As I thought, you were planning to take it this year?”

With a satisfied smile, he turned to leave.

“Well then, I’ll look forward to it.”

bl

Until the exam, Dellan Royal Academy was closed.

So Leo devoted that time to training.

Celia desperately tried to keep up with that schedule.

“Haha! See? I did it! Damn white-haired brat! How's tha—ugh?!”

On the last day.

Using her wooden sword as a cane, Celia dragged her trembling limbs back to the mansion.

On the way back, she started to gag.

Her body, worn out from the abuse, was like a rag.

Staggering, Celia arrived at Leo’s room.

Knock knock—

“Come in.”

Bang— When she opened the door, she saw Leo filling a basin with something.

“What’s that?”

“A Potion.”

“Wait, don’t tell me you said you wouldn’t use potions and were secretly using them?”

If she had just used a healing potion, training wouldn’t have been nearly as harsh.

But Leo refused to use potions because he said it defeated the purpose of training.

Seeing that, Celia had followed suit out of stubbornness.

“It’s basic to take care of your condition the day before an exam, right?”

Celia’s body was already at its limit.

Thanks to pacing herself during the week of brutal training, she hadn’t completely collapsed.

Of course, if she’d lacked the willpower, she would’ve given out long ago.

At first, he’d intended to mess with her, but Leo was impressed by her perseverance in not giving up.

“That’s true.”

“Roll up your sleeves and pants, and lie face down on the bed. I’ll apply the potion.”

“I have plenty of potions myself.”

Celia used potions made by the best alchemists.

“This one will work much better than what your family uses.”

“Hmph. I doubt that, but since it’s your goodwill, I’ll accept it.”

Celia rolled up her training uniform’s sleeves and lay down.

Her slender, pale limbs were exposed.

Leo dipped a cloth in the potion in the basin and placed it on Celia’s arm.

The cold touch instantly eased her pain.

Celia’s eyes widened at the gentle scent.

“Wait! Is this potion made by elves?”

“Probably.”

“How did you get this?”

An elven potion!

Among potions, it’s classified as a highest-grade luxury item.

Only elves knew the recipe; other races couldn’t even imitate it.

She never imagined a marquis’s son from a rural kingdom would have something like this.

“I bought it at a corner shop.”

“Corner shop? Where’s that?”

“It’s gone now. I bought everything they had.”

“Ugh. Well… Still, how could you use something this valuable just to recover from muscle ache?”

“I can use it however I want.”

In truth, this was a potion Leo brew himself.

The one who taught him the method was Luna, the Poet of the Stars.

“You’re unexpectedly generous, doryeon.”

Though she looked reluctance, Celia obediently let Leo tend to her recovery.

A cloth soaked in potion was placed on her arms and legs one after another.

The horrible muscle ache vanished as if it were a lie.

“Leo-doryeon.”

“What.”

“I won’t lose tomorrow.”

Celia revealed her competitive spirit.

After training together for a week, she realized Leo was not someone to take lightly.

‘He might even pass the exam.’

“I won’t make the mistake of letting my guard down again.”

Celia grinned.

“So if you run into me and lose, don’t hold it against me.”

“What nonsense.”

Just as Leo was about to put a cloth on Celia’s thigh, he squeezed her thigh hard.

Squeeze—!

“Ow! Hey! That hurts!”

“What? Hey? You’re still a maid, aren’t you? Then act like one.”

“Yeah, right! Just you wait! I’ll pay you back for today’s humiliation tomorrow! I’ll completely crush you if we meet—!”

Clench!

“Ow! Stop! I give up! I won’t act up! Please! Leo-doryeon!”

Celia’s screams echoed throughout the mansion.

bl

The next morning.

A large crowd filled the central training arena of Dellan Royal Academy.

They were there to watch the entrance exam.

Among them was even the king of Delad.

After a week, Celia took off her maid uniform and brushed back her hair.

“Hmph! Those obnoxious Lewellin brats aren’t here yet.”

“They’re a fellow hero family from the same country, aren’t they? Isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“You’ll understand once you meet them, Leo-doryeon. Then, you'll understand why I said that.”

“Really? Still, you should probably fix your speech.”

“Oh!”

Celia hurriedly covered her mouth.

She must have gotten used to it over the week.

Meanwhile, other applicants in the distance glanced at Celia.

“That’s Celia Zerdinger, right?”

“They say she’s one of the top candidates in the western region, and she sure looks confident.”

“Wanna bet? Will the top spot go to Lewellin or Zerdinger?”

Leo smirked at the other applicants’ chatter.

“You’re pretty famous.”

“Hmph, of course.”

“I’m just saying, watch your speech.”

“Ugh?”

‘This is a total habit now!’

As she flushed and covered her mouth, someone called out.

“Miss Celia!”

“Hm? Leo Plov. Why are you here?”

Gullivan approached, frowning.

“I’m here for the Lumene entrance exam.”

“What? You’re taking the exam? Hahahahaha!”

Gullivan burst out laughing.

“So you’re desperate to die. You, who can’t even handle aura, taking the Lumene entrance exam? I only hope you won’t embarrass our country.”

He ignored Leo and turned to Celia.

“Miss Celia, let’s do our best in the exam.”

Celia narrowed her eyes.

“Sorry, do I know you?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m not great with faces, you see.”

“W-we met at Dellan Royal Academy a week ago. I’m Gullivan Traden, the school representative.”

“Oh, right. That happened. Let's both do our best.”

“Uh… yes. Right…”

Celia gave him a polite, public smile.

Gullivan made a goofy face in response.

Just then, one side of the arena grew noisy.

Celia glanced in that direction.

“Leo-dor.. no, Leo. Come with me.”

“Why me?”

“Oh, come on! Just follow me when I say so.”

Celia grabbed Leo’s wrist and dragged him toward the commotion.

‘Tch! Acting all close with Miss Celia!’

Gullivan’s eyes flashed with jealousy.

It was already widely known that the Zerdinger family was staying at the Plov house.

But, Leo being Celia’s cousin was a secret.

So Gullivan had no way of knowing.

‘Just wait. I’ll show my skills in the exam!’

Meanwhile, following Celia, Leo met two people with light sky-blue hair and eyes.

“Long time no see, Celia.”

“Hello, Abad Lewellin.”

Abad Lewellin smiled gently.

Leo thought to himself,

‘His smile is a bit too smooth.’

“Celia, did you prepare well for the exam?”

“Of course! Being top won’t be a problem.”

“Heh, is that so? But what can I say? I think I’ll be taking the top spot.”

“Oh? You’re free to dream. Hahaha!”

As expected of families who had competed for the title of the empire’s top for centuries, the tension was sharp.

“Let’s go, Chelsea.”

“Yes, brother.”

After ending the face-off, Abad took Chelsea and walked away.

Celia scowled.

“See? Isn’t he annoying?”

“He’s a bit smooth, but I don’t know if I’d say the annoying.”

“No, trust me. Just look at him closely. He’s got a terrible attitude.”

Celia clenched her fist.

“Heh heh heh—Just you wait, you greasy butter boy. I’ll melt you like butter on a hot pan.”

With a menacing grin, Celia glared at Leo.

“Don’t you dare lose to those guys! I can’t accept Zerdinger losing to Lewellin!”

“I’m not even part of Zerdinger yet.”

“Get ready, Lewellin! Leo and I are going to crush you!”

Leo answered half-heartedly, but Celia didn’t listen.