Chapter 21: A Master’s Challenge

Leon stood before the woman referred to as his master.

Both clad in black, with matching dark hair, they seemed remarkably well-suited, almost like siblings.

Yet, one was a man destined to become a hero, while the other was the most notorious S-rank bounty bandit! How had two such opposing figures become intertwined three years prior?

“Three years, Leon, it’s been too long,” she said, a faint smile playing on her lips. “I told you to train for three years before reappearing, and you truly did it.”

Her face, elegantly structured and beautiful, was framed by short hair and a fringe swept to one side. That cool, distinctive voice—it was undeniably her.

Three years ago, Leon had encountered the Nine-Headed Sea Serpent in his hometown. Injured herself, she had saved him.

Afterward, she recuperated in Leon’s home for several months, during which she imparted her sword techniques to him.

Now, Leon reflected that it had been only a few brief months until she had recovered and departed.

Her identity? Her true name? How had she sustained her injuries? Leon knew absolutely nothing about her.

Carrying the weight of his unaddressed questions about her, Leon finally asked, “Who exactly are you???”

“My full name is Vanessa Rothschild. Do you understand now? Are you truly going to oppose me for Liuli’s sake?”

“You’re the daughter of that wealthy magnate?”

“Precisely. You destroyed my home, you foolish apprentice!”

“You abused Liuli for ten years? Why? Why would you be this kind of person?”

“I have always been this kind of person,” she replied coldly. “Join me. What do you say to the two of us, master and apprentice, conquering all the regions of Irilanto with our combined strength?”

“Forgive me, but I cannot condone your methods.”

“Oh?” Vanessa raised an eyebrow. “Then try to surpass me.”

No sooner had she spoken than Rothschild’s Gardener—the man with the scissors—leapt from the rooftop, positioning himself directly in front of Leon.

“You might not know this yet, but your master is the continent’s strongest swordswoman.”

‘This man was here for revenge, and having someone block his path to his master was truly infuriating, an absolute eyesore!’

Clutching his Roaring Light Sword, Leon and the Gardener, with his formidable shears, lunged at each other almost simultaneously.

In that instant, Leon unleashed the same single-blade technique as his master: the Fleeting Shadow Slash.

‘There was little difference between cutting down five men and cutting down one.’

He vanished from the Gardener’s front, reappearing behind him, then swiftly sheathed his sword as the Gardener collapsed, spurting blood.

In his dying moments, the Gardener drew a dagger and plunged it into Leon’s left thigh.

“This fiend…” Leon impaled him with a single thrust of his sword.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, he flung the blood-dripping dagger away. His master observed the scene.

“Why do you make the same mistake I do? You often neglect to finish them off, don’t you?” Vanessa snapped her fingers, and four swords of distinct forms materialized at her feet.

There was the Dragon-Slaying Blade, Kassadin, designed for greatsword techniques; the Secret Blade, Affection, for dual-wielding; and an unknown crimson demonic sword.

This, then, was the true essence of the Sword-Wielding Flow.

“Let me see how much you’ve improved!” she declared, drawing the crimson blade.

A gust of wind swept through, and both figures vanished from sight!

Immediately afterward, a blur of clashing blades erupted as the two engaged, employing identical techniques.

Though the wound on Leon’s leg wasn’t deep, it still affected his speed.

A mere tenth of a second’s deviation, and a missed sword thrust grazed past his ear, leaving a trail of blood.

‘His master truly wasn’t holding back.’

Had he not subtly dodged his head, the battle would have already concluded.

Leon retreated to his original position, while Vanessa stood unperturbed, her sword resting on her shoulder.

Her silhouette bore a striking resemblance to Leon’s.

Naya finally caught up!

She rushed to Leon’s side, her heart aching as she saw blood streaming from his cheek and left leg.

“I’ll heal you right away!” Naya declared, reaching out to cast a healing spell on Leon’s injured left leg.

Yet, the light of her magic extinguished in an instant.

The healing spell had failed. Aio did not respond to her as they usually did.

Naya tried again, but still received no response. Was this the legendary ‘mana exhaustion’?

‘Had Aio abandoned me? Why? Could Aio not hear my prayers?’

In her desperation, terrifying thoughts flooded Naya’s mind.

She tried a third, a fourth, and even a fifth time, but all her efforts were in vain.

“I’m so sorry…! Leon! I…” Naya sobbed. “I can’t use healing magic anymore!”