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"Light Reversal will flash—"
"—when his desire burns brightest."
Eris stomped her foot in frustration.
"I don't get it! But it sounds really cool when you say it!"
Ghislaine's expression stiffened slightly, her tail standing rigid in the air.
"...Well. The first time I heard it, I thought the same thing."
Eris blinked.
"Huh? You didn't come up with that?!"
"...No. I heard it from a Sword Emperor at the Sword Sanctum when I was relearning Light Reversal. It was so... memorable that I never forgot it."
Eris puffed out her cheeks, unsatisfied.
"Then what about that confusing 'desire' stuff?! That was your explanation, right?!"
"...No."
"That's just how they talk at the Sword Sanctum."
Ghislaine was nothing if not honest.
Eris gritted her teeth.
"Hah?! Then what about 'This is still far beyond your current level, so for now… just watch'?! I might not understand it, but it feels deep! That was yours, right?!"
Ghislaine's tail straightened further.
A rare flicker of embarrassment crossed her face.
As Eris' Sword God-style teacher, being called out for recycling someone else's wisdom was... uncomfortable. Even for someone as straightforward as her.
She cleared her throat.
"...That one was me."
Eris snorted, chin lifting triumphantly.
"Then you're still cool!"
"...I just replaced the original subject with Allen's name, so technically—"
Eris crossed her arms, her expression shutting down.
She'd stopped listening.
Years of "tutoring" had honed her ability to filter out unwanted information—even from Ghislaine. A survival skill beaten into her by countless frustrated instructors.
But Ghislaine took swordsmanship—and Eris' future—seriously. She studied Eris for a moment before continuing.
"Back then, I was in your position. I watched a Sword King reignite his desire... and that was what finally pushed me past my limit."
"Now, he's a Sword Emperor."
"Wait—I thought the Sword God was your teacher?!"
"The Sword God just says things like—'Come at me! Beat me, and we'll fight to the death! The winner becomes the next Sword God! You'll get enough money to party for a hundred lifetimes! Women from slaves to princesses will line up bending over for you! Just say your name and people will piss themselves! Take one step and crowds will split like the Red Sea!' ...And so on."
"Looking back, he was trying to stoke my desire. But at the time, I didn't realize it—just like you don't realize where your desire lies now."
Ghislaine paused, hesitating.
She decided against sharing what exactly that Sword Emperor's desire had been.
Not appropriate for Eris.
(Because his had been: "I want to make a princess bend over in front of a crowd!")
(…Very vulgar. Bad influence.)
(As for how he achieved that desire? Simple. He did make a princess from a ruined kingdom do exactly that.)
(Yes. Ghislaine had been there.)
(Though she'd waited outside during the... finale.)
(Notably, his Light Reversal plateaued at Sword Emperor rank afterward. The reason? Also memorable: "Eh, not as fun as I thought. Hey Ghislaine, don't tell the Sword God, got it?")
(...Sword God style was unique. Everyone's desires differed.)
Eris had been tuning out the "money and women" talk, but perked up at "just like you don't realize where your desire lies."
She nodded approvingly.
"That part was cool!"
Ghislaine stayed silent.
Good call not elaborating.
She glanced at Eris, relieved to see her usual haughty demeanor returning.
Her earlier speech had been partly to plant a seed for Eris' future growth...
But also partly personal.
Since Allen brought Sylphie and Rudeus to Boreas, Eris had been visibly happier—a stark contrast to the past few years.
Ghislaine didn't want that spark dimmed.
She didn't want Eris' budding admiration for Allen shattered.
If the two could maintain a good relationship, it would benefit House Boreas too.
Her gaze flicked to Hilda in the distance.
"Let's join them."
"Okay!"
Allen watched silently as the rabbit-eared maid, and Rudeus fawned over Sylphie's new dress—much to the latter's flustered embarrassment.
Outwardly calm.
But the way his fingers kept tracing the hilt of his broken sword betrayed his unease.
Footsteps approached.
He turned as Ghislaine and Eris drew near, offering an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. I was supposed to demonstrate silent tachi for Eris."
"It's fine!" Eris interjected, her voice brimming with energy.
Her gaze, however, was too intense—burning into Allen until he had to look away.
When he met her eyes again, those crimson pupils were locked onto him, unblinking.
The little lioness had begun her "observation"!
Allen blinked, unsure what she was up to now—
But Ghislaine's voice cut in, redirecting his attention.
"Are you alright, Allen?"
"...I'm fine."
"You probably already know, but I'll ask anyway—do you understand what's happening?"
"Yeah. I know where the problem is. Thanks."
Ghislaine studied his face.
No confusion. No panic.
Just quiet acknowledgment.
She nodded, saying nothing more.
A silence settled between them.
And at some point—the rabbit-eared maid, Sylphie, and Rudeus' chatter died down too.
All eyes turned to Allen.
The courtyard fell still.
Only the wind spoke.
After dinner, history lessons should have begun.
But Rudeus needed time to review the material and prepare, so class was postponed.
Soon, bedtime arrived.
The trio exchanged their usual "See you tomorrow" at the door.
It opened, then closed.
Allen leaned against it, exhaling slowly.
After a moment, he turned—
And walked to the desk by the window.
Opened the drawer.
Pulled out last night's notes.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 220 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 80 power stones I will publish the next chapter.