Chapter 42
Ironclad Knight, Royce Sinclair.
A name that requires no introduction, one of the greatest knights in the Crescent Empire.
Royce was always mentioned when the question arose: “Who is the strongest in the Crescent Empire?”
Despite being a knight, a role that heavily depends on physical prowess, Royce retained his position as one of the strongest even with age.
The countless achievements of Royce Sinclair included the legendary Northern Continent Suppression Operation, a tale still told to this day.
Amidst retreating battle lines, he alone held his ground, maintaining the frontline until reinforcements arrived—a legendary story.
Rumors claimed that Royce had slain thousands of monsters single-handedly during that operation, and such claims were far from exaggeration.
It was during this time that Royce earned the nickname “Ironclad,” gaining recognition not only in the Crescent Empire but across the entire world.
‘He’s certainly no ordinary man.’
Royce observed Ryu Yeong, standing with a calm expression and holding a wooden sword before him.
Ryu bore the subtle pressure Royce exuded as though it were nothing.
It wasn’t just an aura of intimidation; Royce had mixed mana into his presence, adding an edge meant to provoke fear.
From the moment Ryu treated him indifferently, unlike other kids, Royce had known: this boy had guts.
Royce had canceled his prior engagements just to attend the dinner because of Ryu.
A commoner who caused a stir from the moment he entered the academy.
Normally, Royce wouldn’t have cared. But this year was different; his youngest daughter, Elaine, had entered the academy as well.
Because of this, he paid more attention than usual to academy affairs.
While it was surprising that Elaine hadn’t claimed the top spot upon entry, he dismissed it as inconsequential.
The skills developed during the semester—and especially by graduation—mattered far more than the initial ranking.
At the time, Royce’s interest in Ryu was merely passing curiosity.
However, after the annual competition, Royce’s opinion changed drastically.
Ryu, who had surpassed Elaine to become the top student and displayed unparalleled performance during the competition, was clearly no ordinary individual.
Royce’s high evaluation of Ryu wasn’t due to his swordsmanship alone.
It was his composure and audacity.
When facing undead—a sight likely unfamiliar to him—Ryu had charged in without hesitation, exuding confidence and determination.
And now, standing before Royce, Ryu showed the same unyielding spirit.
Even when faced with the man often called the greatest swordsman in the Empire, Ryu showed no signs of faltering.
“Are you ready?”
“I’m ready.”
“Haha.”
Even his tone was brimming with composure.
Royce found Ryu’s confidence impressive, albeit slightly irritating.
It had started earlier at dinner when Ryu casually declared himself a mage.
While learning a variety of skills might be the trend these days, Royce couldn’t fathom a swordsman claiming to be a mage.
To someone like Royce, born and bred as a knight, such statements were incomprehensible.
Thinking that today’s youth were insufferably arrogant, Royce finally picked up his wooden sword.
Gripping the practice weapon hanging nearby, Royce assumed a proper stance.
Instantly, the atmosphere shifted.
The air between Royce and Ryu grew heavier, and tension filled the room.
“I can use magic too, right?”
“Hahaha. Do as you please.”
‘Truly bold.’
With Ryu’s words, the tension briefly dissipated.
Royce casually moved his left hand behind his back, holding his sword with only one hand.
“I’ll stick to one hand.”
“If you feel like using both later, feel free.”
“…Come at me.”
Ryu’s oddly provoking remark made Royce’s expression harden, and his grip on the sword tightened.
‘Typical for a commoner—crossing the line from boldness to a lack of decorum,’ Royce thought.
Clang—
The wooden swords clashed, creating a crisp sound that echoed throughout the training hall.
Clang—Clang—Clack—
After the initial strike, the sound of swords clashing rang out repeatedly.
Royce remained passive for now, merely receiving Ryu’s strikes to gauge his skill.
Ryu’s attacks were unremarkable.
He started with a standard overhead slash, following up with continuous, fluid strikes as his stance allowed.
The power and speed were average, nothing extraordinary.
Clang!
But the attacks began to change precisely after the fifth clash.
Royce, sharp as ever, noticed mana gathering subtly around Ryu.
Though invisible to the naked eye, it was unmistakable to Royce.
‘He’s enveloping himself in wind?’
Without any incantation, Ryu began using magic, shrouding his hands and feet with intangible energy.
Suddenly, his attacks became much faster and stronger.
With wind enhancing his arms and legs, Ryu’s strikes now carried increased speed and power.
Without any preparatory leaps or time spent gathering strength, he delivered identical moves with significantly heightened impact.
‘So this is the kind of mage he is.’
Royce had envisioned a stereotypical mage when Ryu mentioned magic.
The type who’d scramble to the backline during combat, chant a long spell, unleash a large-scale attack, and then claim their work was done.
But Ryu clearly didn’t fit that mold.
He used magic to strengthen his body, swinging his sword with several times the power and speed he had shown earlier.
A combat style trending among young knights these days.
Using magic to compensate for physical shortcomings—a method of battle.
This was Royce Sinclair’s first time witnessing it in action.
‘Not bad.’
Clang—Clang—
The light, crisp sound of wooden swords clashing turned much heavier and duller.
Even as Royce continued to deflect with just one hand, Ryu Yeong was steadily increasing his speed and power.
‘But a shortcut is still just a shortcut.’
Thud—Clang—
Royce decided it was time to teach this young opponent that relying on shortcuts would only get him so far.
He firmly stepped forward with his right foot, sword at the ready.
It was the preparatory stance of Sinclair Swordsmanship.
“This is your last chance to break through.”
Despite Royce’s threatening words, Ryu showed no signs of intimidation.
Instead, he smiled faintly and adjusted his grip on his sword, prompting Royce to do the same.
Having faced countless foes on numerous battlefields, Royce was unshaken by most provocations.
Yet, for some reason, his daughter’s friend’s calm demeanor grated on his nerves.
Clang—Clang—Clang—
Ryu began his assault as if he had been waiting for the signal.
His sword moved quickly, aiming for Royce’s openings. Royce, however, stood his ground, deflecting each attack without moving his feet.
‘His swordsmanship… is ordinary…!’
Clang!
It was in that brief moment when Royce’s focus wavered, distracted by his thoughts.
A sudden, invisible energy emerged from an unexpected angle and struck at his side.
Instinctively rotating his body, Royce managed to block the attack—an airborne mass of compressed air.
It was sharp, almost blade-like, as it hurtled toward him.
Narrowing his eyes, Royce concentrated on the mana dispersed around them.
The attack hadn’t originated from Ryu’s hands but from the ambient mana scattered nearby.
Clang—Clang—Clack—
Without giving Royce any time to think, Ryu continued his assault.
Ryu’s swordsmanship itself wasn’t particularly remarkable.
At best, it was an unpredictable mix of various techniques, making it hard to anticipate.
At worst, it lacked any solid foundation.
But when combined with those sharp air blasts coming from difficult angles, the situation became increasingly troublesome.
Even though Sinclair Swordsmanship was renowned for its defensive focus, it wasn’t solely about defense.
No sword technique in the world existed purely for defense.
The hallmark of Sinclair Swordsmanship was to defend while waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.
Royce was preparing to exploit such an opening.
“You certainly have talent.”
“Thank you very much.”
When Royce stepped back and spoke, Ryu mirrored the movement and responded.
Their gazes briefly met in midair before they simultaneously resumed their duel.
Once again, Royce assumed a defensive stance, and Ryu charged forward.
Clang—Clang—
It was the same pattern as before.
Ryu swung his sword while launching sharp air blades from tricky angles.
This time, his strikes were faster and carried more force.
‘Hmph.’
Royce let out a bitter smile internally, though his face betrayed no emotion.
Ryu indeed possessed skills worthy of his confidence.
After clashing swords a few times, Royce began to understand how Elaine had been dethroned as the top entrant.
To Royce, however, Elaine and Ryu were merely children—equally inexperienced in his eyes.
Woosh—
Rotating his body in a 360-degree motion, Royce swung his sword horizontally, forcing Ryu to instinctively retreat.
At the same time, the mana scattered around them was swept away by the force of Royce’s sword.
After having remained stationary for so long, Royce finally advanced toward Ryu.
Clang—Clang—Clang—
With measured force, Royce swung his sword at a speed matching Ryu’s earlier strikes.
Although Ryu didn’t falter and met his attacks head-on, he couldn’t launch those troublesome air blades anymore.
‘It’s time to end this.’
Woosh—Clang—Clang—Clang—!
Royce began to swing his sword in a series of powerful strikes, signaling the end of the spar.
The attacks were nearly impossible to dodge, even with the aid of magic.
“Hm?”
Clang—
Just when Royce was certain his strike would land, Ryu suddenly shifted diagonally, avoiding his blade and counterattacking.
Royce barely managed to twist his body in time to block Ryu’s strike.
It was a close call.
“So… now you’ll use both hands?”
“…”
It was then that Royce realized he had instinctively grabbed his sword with both hands to block Ryu’s attack.
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