No matter what world it was, nothing gained was freely given by the heavens.

At the very least, Kaelis felt that if you wanted something, you had to pay the corresponding price.

As for cultural studies, Kaelis had no intention of catching up... After all, learning written language, even with her exceptional memory, was still a bit taxing...

It would take over a month just to write normally, and she only had a few days left until the exam.

Learning that now is too costly. It was better to focus on improvement through martial means.

And the first step... was training.

...

Night fell, the full moon slightly waning.

Taking advantage of the decent night light, Kaelis, having finished meditating, sneaked out to begin her training.

But when she arrived at the muddy training ground, she suddenly heard panting...

Someone else was secretly grinding in silence?!

Kaelis was started. She turned her head and saw someone she hadn't expected.

“Elena?”

Seeing the gray-haired girl with emerald-green eyes, Kaelis was slightly surprised.

The other girl also hadn't expected Kaelis to appear here. Her mouth hung open, visibly shocked.

She seemed to be running laps. Upon seeing Kaelis, she instinctively tried to hide.

But then she felt helpless and turned back.

Kaelis had already called her name, running now would just be like covering her ears while stealing a bell.

“The night sky is beautiful tonight, Miss Kaelis...”

The girl said helplessly.

But whether intentional or not, Kaelis actually turned to look at the moonlight.

After a while, she gave a slight nod.

“Indeed... the moonlight is bright...”

The moonlight fell upon Kaelis's body, making her already unique figure appear even more mysterious.

Graceful and upright, the moonlight, unlike the harsh sun, casts a soft, pearly glow that makes Kaelis's skin seem translucent.

Her black hair swayed gently, exuding elegance. The striking contrast of black and white on her body creates a unique beauty.

A touch of red on her lips stood out particularly.

The girl stared blankly for a long time before turning back, looking at Kaelis with astonishment.

“You're really beautiful...”

“...Thanks?”

Hearing the girl's words, Kaelis turned with an awkward smile.

She hadn't expected anyone to be here, so she hadn't worn her veil.

Well, now that that was out...

Seeing the girl's slightly dazed expression, Kaelis shook her head.

Without giving it much thought, she began her stretches.

“So... why did you come out alone so late? Training?”

“...Mm.”

Elena hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly.

At this point, leaving would seem strange. Coincidentally, she was indeed feeling troubled and wanted to talk to someone.

Watching Kaelis's supple body stretch, her eyes glazed over for a moment before she nodded again.

“Mm...”

“Do you really need training?”

Kaelis blinked, curious.

Setting aside the rumors about the girl's excellent academic abilities and high performance, in Kaelis's eyes, there was no way the girl would actually go to the battlefield, right?

This training was probably just for show. What did she need to train for?

Kaelis's words were unintentional, but the girl's eyes dimmed for an instant.

But then, she forced a smile again.

“There's no helping it... If I don't do this, I won't have the qualifications to compete for first place.”

“...Huh?”

Kaelis paused, mid-stretch, and turned to look at the girl.

Seeing her smile, Kaelis blinked.

“Oh, I get it. You don't want to be someone who gets by on connections, right?”

“...”

The girl didn't answer, her smile gradually turned bitter.

But Kaelis didn't mind. After warming up, she started jogging.

After resting a bit, the girl slowly jogged up beside her.

After seven or eight slow laps, Kaelis picked up the pace.

The girl aside she seemed to struggle, but she gritted her teeth and stubbornly followed Kaelis's rhythm.

But clearly, already exhausted from running so long, she couldn't keep up with Kaelis's abilities this time.

By the final few laps, the girl's face had turned deathly pale.

Yet even so, she remained silent, only following.

But despite her efforts, the distance between them kept growing.

The girl didn't give up, continuing to chase desperately.

But the body didn't care about willpower. Just as the girl prepared to push forward with sheer force, her body suddenly swayed.

A weak, weightless sensation brought her sharply closer to the ground.

Although it was muddy ground, falling would still be somewhat embarrassing.

The girl instinctively stretched out her hands to protect herself.

But the expected impact didn't come. Instead, a strange sensation supported her body.

“Huh?”

The girl opened her eyes in surprise.

Then, she was stunned to see that on the muddy ground, a peculiar black-and-white sapling had suddenly sprouted, just the right size to support her!

Huh?!

“It won't last long, you know.”

From a distance, not too far ahead, Kaelis's warning voice rang out. The girl quickly stood up, and soon after, the sapling silently faded away.

“This is... an extraordinary ability?”

Elena was astonished.

But Kaelis said nothing, silently jogging another dozen laps before finally slowing her pace.

Her body sufficiently warmed up, it was time for sword training.

Kaelis intended to find a wooden post to practice slowly. But unexpectedly, Elena suddenly picked up her sword and quietly approached Kaelis.

“Huh?”

“...I've learned a bit.”

The girl smiled, tightly gripping her wooden greatsword.

Kaelis held a one-handed sword...

“Fine.”

Kaelis blinked, not refusing.

A live training partner, even without considering abilities, was still better than a wooden post.

At least it moved.

“Clang.”

The two began exchanging blows.

And upon contact, Kaelis realized the girl hadn't lied, she really did have some sword skill.

Although her movements were slow, the greatsword's attack range and power were slightly greater than Kaelis's.

This actually excited Kaelis.

But after a few exchanges, the girl spoke suddenly.

“Are you trying to compete for one of the top ten graduation rewards?”

“Huh?”

Kaelis was momentarily distracted, but answered while continuing to fight.

“Yes.”

Wooden swords clashing, both could feel the other wasn't using full strength.

“...Then... Don't you hate people like me?”

Elena spoke, her voice hesitated.

“Don't you think... Is someone like me disgusting? Someone with no reason, no ability, yet taking a spot you desire..."

“...I think you're showing off.”

Kaelis's reply was calm. Although she'd expended some energy, she was still in decent condition overall.

Seeing the girl clearly self-doubt, she shook her head slightly.

"Besides, does it even matter if I say something like this?”

“...”

“Life goes on. Right and wrong are secondary. The main thing is to keep going...” Kaelis said, rotating her sword in one hand. Under the moonlight, she suddenly stepped forward.

The girl was startedled, then snapped out of Kaelis's mesmerizing beauty, realizing Kaelis's wooden sword was already touching her neck. She stepped back slightly, conceding defeat.

Kaelis scored a point.

“No matter what I say, I can't change the current situation. Even if I had the ability to change this, that's something to consider later. Right now, I only need to do one thing... get into the top three!” Kaelis said, taking her stance again, facing Elena.

Her dark eyes sparkled in the night, like brilliant gems, constantly focused on her target.

This made Elena pause, blurting out:

“A cat with wings...”

“Huh?”

“...You're like a little cat with wings.”

Elena hesitated, then bowed slightly to Kaelis.

“Sorry... this comparison... you might not like it...”

“An interesting idea...”

Kaelis shook her head slightly, then gestured with her sword. Elena clenched her teeth and tightened her grip on the weapon again.

The two clashed once more.

With the experience from the first bout, the girl's sword style became clearer.

She drastically reduced her offensive desire, shifting entirely to defense.

But this made Kaelis even more cautious.

Preventing the girl from landing a fatal blow.

“So... why do you think I'm a cat with wings?”

“...You're very mysterious, and also very... unique.”

Elena slightly furrowed her brows. After a long while, she finally squeezed out that sentence, making Kaelis want to laugh.

Another thrust, nearing the girl's chest.

The girl 'died' again.

Kaelis scored another point.

The girl's cheeks puffed up, seemingly complaining about Kaelis's sudden verbal attack, but Kaelis just smiled.

It was only then that Kaelis suddenly remembered.

“Where's your maid? That Laura... isn't she around here?”

Given that woman's personality, she definitely wouldn't allow Kaelis to bring a wooden sword so close to the girl.

Hearing Kaelis's question, the girl shook her head slightly.

“I evaded her... She has to train during the day and take care of me at night... She's already very tired. I don't want to trouble her further...”

“Is that so... You're quite considerate.”

Kaelis continued her stance, and the girl, determined to give in, responded in kind.

Thus, the two continued sparring, fighting over a dozen bouts.

Although the girl had learned some swordsmanship, her mindset always seemed problematic. Whenever in danger, she'd lose composure. In contrast, after several life-or-death experiences, Kaelis had become calm, consistently able to turn the tide in desperate situations.

Throughout the night, Kaelis only intentionally lost twice when she saw the girl was about to lose her temper, otherwise, the girl would've been utterly dominated.

Of course, seeing the girl nearly on the verge of tears, Kaelis was quite pleased.

Live combat was ultimately faster for improvement than fighting inanimate objects.

Feeling the night was nearly over, Kaelis lowered her weapon.

“That's enough for today... Time to rest, or we won't wake up tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Elena nodded.

Although meeting Kaelis was unexpected, after this interaction, she truly felt Kaelis was different.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she simply felt happy being with Kaelis.

And...

Elena followed Kaelis, watching as the girl picked up a wooden bucket and poured water over herself, outlining her figure, and she couldn't help but stare.

And... she was so beautiful!

“Want some?”

Kaelis blinked, turned, and gestured toward the bucket. After hesitating a moment, the girl nodded.

The cold well water poured down. The girl instinctively shivered, but then, the sensation of blood surging through her body made her eyes brighten slightly.

It felt... like her entire being had come alive!

“After exercising, don't suddenly expose yourself to the cold, it's easy to get sick... But we've rested a bit, our body temperatures have recovered, so it should be fine. Still, when we return, we must thoroughly dry off and keep warm.”

Kaelis reminded.

The girl nodded.

Just as Kaelis was about to leave, the girl hesitated, then suddenly spoke.

“After you return... will you still meditate?”

“Mm-hmm...”

“Then... Could you teach me?”

Elena lifted her head, looking at Kaelis with slight anticipation. But this made Kaelis startled.

“You can't?”

Kaelis had previously asked Old Struth. Old Struth had said meditation techniques weren't rare, with many types available. The key was finding one suitable for oneself. But the girl... although Kaelis still didn't know who she really was, her status was certainly high. For someone like her, finding a suitable meditation technique shouldn't be difficult, right?

The girl quickly explained.

“Mother... won't let me learn. Laura still follows Mother's orders, so I have no chance.”

“...Why?”

“I don't know.”

The girl shook her head, but this made Kaelis hesitate.

Teaching a meditation technique... she wasn't unwilling, but the issue was that the girl wasn't just lacking opportunity, she was forbidden. If she suddenly taught her, wouldn't that go against the other party's wishes?

Although that woman seemed quite gentle, some matters couldn't be judged by appearances.

Kaelis didn't particularly want to get involved in trouble.

But the girl quickly added:

"I... I'll study secretly. Even if something happens, I absolutely won't expose you... Please! I really want to become an Ascender!

...I want... to help Mother a little!"

The girl lifted her head, her face filled with stubborn determination.

This made Kaelis feel helpless.

“...You're... fine.” Seeing the girl so earnestly, Kaelis thought for a moment, then didn't firmly refuse.

If nothing else, it was building connections... Who knows what use it might be in the future.

If trouble arose, it was just a simulation, she could simply stop teaching next time.

Besides, whether the girl could even learn her meditation technique was another matter.

“Tomorrow, I'll find a chance to draw a diagram for you. Then I'll teach you specifically.”

Kaelis nodded, giving her promise.

The girl's eyes suddenly sparkled. Moments later, as if she'd thought of something, she silently made a firm resolution in her heart...

...

“It's happened.”

Under dim candlelight, the daughter of the Viscount, previously defeated by Kaelis, returned to her room with a grim expression.

Looking at the few others in the room, she clenched her fist in frustration.

“That woman... is getting closer and closer to the Princess.”

“Damn it.”

At her words, everyone present showed displeased expressions.

Especially the two daughters of the Viscounts.

Being defeated by Kaelis and missing the chance to get closer to Elena was already frustrating enough. Now, seeing Kaelis's relationship with Elena growing better, they feel even more irritated.

Especially since they'd now investigated Kaelis's identity, she was just an ordinary village girl from the suburbs...

Being defeated by someone like this made them even angrier.

But Kaelis's earlier ferocious demeanor still made them uneasy, and truly provoked them.

But to let this go without action... they couldn't swallow this bitterness.

Seeing Kaelis's network expanding, it hurts more than their own losses!

At that moment, someone in the crowd spoke suddenly.

“I know someone... If we pay... maybe....”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.