Volume 6 Chapter 57 Extra
A very short extra.
While Luke traveled with Cecilia to Count Gardner's land, far in the north of the kingdom, the Waldner Knights were in the middle of training in Waldner Castle's courtyard.
Their goal was, of course, to prepare for the coming battle.
The snow had melted around the capital Blankfurt, so outdoor drills were possible. But they did not know who might be watching.
They could not reveal their tactics, so they held daily mock battles in the courtyard, imagining real combat.
They practiced one-on-one fights, but they focused especially on many-against-one training.
"If there's an opening, aim for the legs!"
It is not just about slowing an enemy's movement.
Even if an arm is lost, some soldiers can fight with one arm.
But if they lose a leg, they instantly need rescue.
It takes people to carry someone who cannot move.
In other words, an attack to the legs could reduce enemy numbers by 2 with one strike.
In that small but tense training area, Wayne struggled to keep up, wearing a desperate expression.
He was supposed to be a normal soldier, but his academy record and growing skill let him train with the Knights.
Of course, Rolf did not plan to send Wayne to fight the Pilgrim of Truth or the Empire.
But because of Wayne's nature, it was obvious he would rush to battle if it happened.
So, Rolf wanted to boost Wayne's skills, even just a little.
Yet Wayne's face looked uneasy.
Not because the training was too intense...
"Alright, next──Wayne, is it?"
It was because Airen stood before him, smiling.
"Please go easy on me!"
Wayne bowed and lifted his sword.
Airen attacked fiercely with 2 swords.
Wayne managed to hold out for a few exchanges...
"Too soft!"
Then Wayne's sword was knocked aside, and Airen's blade pressed close to his throat.
"You're still too soft. Come at me anytime!"
Wayne nodded at Airen's sparkling smile, but inside, he felt mixed emotions.
This was the letter Wayne wrote before spring break.
When he received a reply, he was overjoyed.
So, he felt a bit hopeful.
Maybe when he returned to Waldner, his relationship with Lady Airen would change.
For example, she might act a little shy.
Or, she might show him something other than her armor.
But no, that was not the case.
Airen was still the same, her bright smile shared with other Knights too.
(Ah, maybe I misunderstood.)
Wayne, staring blankly at the sky, heard Airen shout from afar, "Wayne, get it together!"
That voice made Wayne focus on training again, running to spar with another Knight, sword in hand.
But Wayne didn't know...
Before training started, Airen was groaning in front of a mirror.
"'Hey, Wayne'... no, that's not right."
In the mirror, a troubled Airen looked back.
"'Wayne, let's do our best today'... was it like this?"
She tried different expressions and voices, but nothing felt right for her.
"Why? How did I talk before?"
Airen tilted her head in front of the mirror, still unaware of her changing feelings.
She had started to think about Wayne, and now, she didn't know how to act naturally.
The feelings they both held were still too small and weak to call love.
But perhaps their spring, just like Waldner's, was close at hand.
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