Chapter 22 - Conflict

Actually, when he thought about it, this wasn't such a bad situation.

Noel and Katya had both reached sublime heights in their respective fields. And since they openly wielded their own unique supernatural powers, they were the two pillars supporting the efficiency of Aiden's skill copying. If he could receive proper instruction from them, his combat abilities would undoubtedly improve at a tremendous pace.

-Skill Info

◈ Weaver of Fate

⎨ Meyer Belford ⎬

- Bond: Level 1

- You may copy 1 skill.

Especially since he had recently received that opportunity...

[ Copying 'Skill: Analysis.' ]

...and could use it to obtain a skill like this.

◆ Analysis

[ Some things are visible only through the eyes of one who has built up experience on countless battlefields. Analyzing and learning schools of combat becomes significantly faster. ]

The skill description alone made it clear that this was a golden opportunity. All that remained was to reap a whole heap of benefits.

Which was precisely why Aiden was now learning such a bitter lesson.

... Having talent and having a talent for teaching were two completely different things.

"Why would you construct a defensive formula there? You could survive doing that in the Coalition War? Are you sure you weren't playing house instead of fighting a war?"

"I have to wonder where you learned the fundamentals of combat. Are you trying to show off how stupid you are? Did everyone around you keep praising you until you thought you actually knew what you were doing?"

"..."

Watching the two exchange such vicious barbs gave him a throbbing headache.

To be precise, they were having a heated discussion about Aiden's curriculum. So heated that everyone on the training grounds had turned to stare, wondering what on earth was going on.

The discussion had begun with at least a modicum of mutual respect and courtesy. Now it had devolved into personal attacks.

'... Come to think of it.'

Hadn't they always been like this in the scenario? The thing about these two was that they were fundamentally incompatible.

They had recently had a tremendous fight, but even so, they had seemed willing to avoid open friction out of consideration for each other's circumstances and positions. Apparently, differences in personality weren't so easily overcome.

'I'm going to need both of them more and more as things progress.'

With the scenario twisted beyond recognition and all manner of dangers cropping up, these two were, at least, allies Aiden could trust right now. Their help would be essential even in the first chapter, which was about to begin. He couldn't have them constantly fighting like this.

And as he mulled that over, a window suddenly popped up before his eyes.

!! Side Quest !!

▶ A fierce conflict involving two Important Characters is about to occur.

▶ Resolve the situation as peacefully as possible.

▶ Handling the current situation smoothly will grant advantages in the upcoming Main Quest!

▶ Failure will incur penalties!

"..."

Come on. That didn't mean it needed to dump an actual quest on him.

"Oh, for crying out loud! Let's just each give it a try instead! Hey!"

As he was thinking that, a voice came from beside him.

"... Yes?"

Having snapped that out angrily, Katya promptly unleashed divinity around herself. Colorless flames radiated scorching heat in every direction, making everyone on the parade ground back away.

"Try copying this!"

Her Highness then began directing those balls of flame around her, balancing offense and defense through her supernatural power as she 'fought' an imaginary opponent.

Her movements were free-spirited, practical, light, and nimble. Yet the attacks she actually unleashed between them were all instinctive and fiercely sharp.

At first glance, it was merely a haphazard collection of movements. But flashes of quick thinking bound them into a whole so impressive that even the knights training nearby watched with wide eyes.

'... That really drives it home.'

She really had been taking it easy when she fought Dame Noel. The demonstration was so terrifyingly advanced that he couldn't help thinking it.

"See?"

Finishing her demonstration, Katya wiped away her sweat and grinned at Aiden.

"Now you try!"

"..."

Was she kidding? The thought sprang to mind of its own accord.

"... You said you were going to teach me."

At Aiden's blank response, Katya tilted her head instead.

"I showed you, didn't I?"

"..."

"Can't you just do it now?"

He looked at her, wondering if she was joking, but she was utterly serious. She genuinely seemed convinced that anyone could do it after seeing it once.

"To think you were so confident. Unbelievable."

Noel, who had been watching, sighed as she delivered the rebuke. Then she drew her sword and took a stance in front of Aiden.

"I'll start with the basic stance. That's the most important part. Would you watch carefully?"

She demonstrated a few simple movements for him, providing detailed explanations of everything from his planted foot and shifts in his center of gravity to precisely where to look and how to position his upper body.

'... Oh.'

This was definitely better than Katya's attempt. At least she seemed to have some idea how to teach a complete beginner.

He followed along as Noel patiently and methodically explained everything to the end. Then she nodded and spoke.

"Good. Now, if you do exactly as I've explained—"

With that, she swung her wooden sword at the wooden training dummy before her.

And then...

!!!!

A deafening roar, like a bomb going off.

The dummy shattered into near powder. A crater gouged the floor as if a meteorite had struck it, and the impact even sent hairline cracks spreading across the walls.

"—this is the result."

Having caused that devastation, Noel turned to Aiden without batting an eye.

"Would you like to try?"

"..."

"..."

Noticing the silence around her, Noel glanced about, trying to gauge everyone's reactions.

"... It isn't that difficult, is it?"

"..."

"You can wield pure-white energy just as I can, Aiden, so this much should be... within your abilities..."

Her voice grew fainter as the expressions around her became increasingly strange.

By the look of it, she genuinely assumed that, with that much explanation, he would naturally be capable of this.

"... You know."

Katya put a hand to her forehead and sighed.

"You're not much different from me."

"... Take back that appalling insult."

The moment it became clear that neither was any better than the other, they immediately started bickering again. Watching them made Aiden's temples throb.

'How the hell am I supposed to learn anything—'

Even if he'd snagged a skill from the Knight of Dawn, there was no way he could learn anything with instruction this atrocious—

-System Message

▶ The effect of 'Skill: Analysis' activates.

▶ Proficiency in 'School: One Strike, One Arrival' increases.

▶ Proficiency in 'School: Flourishing Flame Arts' increases.

▶ You have gained proficiency in two or more schools.

▶ The 'Combat Styles' category is now unlocked. You may now learn related skills!

"..."

Aiden shut his mouth the moment he saw the window appear.

'I gained knowledge of those schools from watching that...?'

Incredible, Knight of Dawn.

No joke. Absolutely incredible...!

It was such a terrifying talent that he could admire it without reservation, even overlooking the dozens of times the man had killed him last night...!

As he indulged in that sincere admiration, he noticed Noel speak again after her prolonged bickering, looking as though she were forcibly suppressing something.

"... Then let's leave it here."

"What?"

"It's obvious that neither of us can serve as a proper teacher. So why don't we both leave Aiden alone?"

"..."

"I won't dictate matters concerning Aiden either, so let's settle this with you agreeing not to interfere, Your Highness."

"... What?"

"I'm saying we should end this peacefully. There's no need to fight any further."

... Huh.

Aiden looked at Noel in surprise. After all that vicious arguing, he hadn't expected her to back down so easily.

But the moment he saw Katya's expression, he abandoned all hope of a peaceful conclusion.

"... So."

Katya gave a little laugh.

"You went to all the trouble of picking a fight with me, and now that you've got a convenient excuse, you're backing out. And you want me to back out while you're at it?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

The princess wore her usual inscrutable smile. But Aiden had spent enough time watching her by now that he was beginning to understand.

She was angry.

"Coward."

What followed was an act of violence entirely in keeping with that assessment.

Flames burst into being around Katya's body. They wound along her arm like a coiling snake, then shot toward Noel in an explosive blast.

Of course, Noel wasn't someone who would fall so easily to that. She drew her sword in a flash, deflected the attack, and glared at Katya in fury.

"What do you think you're—!"

Before she could finish, Katya was right in front of her, seizing her by the collar.

"You."

Before the flames around them had even cleared, Katya's voice cut through. The hostility gleaming in her blue eyes stabbed straight at Noel.

"How about you stop acting like that man's guardian?"

"... Why wouldn't I? Aiden and I are going to be married—"

"So I've heard. But watching you two, something feels off. Your attitude, in particular."

Katya's snarling voice cut Noel off.

"You keep wavering because you don't even know how to treat him yourself, do you?"

"..."

"You're scared of getting any closer, but you can't push him away completely either. It's pathetic to watch."

"..."

"And yet you keep making it obvious how much it bothers you to see me with him. If you aren't going to make him yours, quit sticking your nose in and fuck off. You're getting on my nerves."

As Noel remained silent, a twisted smile curved Katya's lips.

"I don't even understand why you're trying so hard to protect him in the first place. Hm? That's not the kind of person you are, is it?"

"..."

"Anyone who fought in the Coalition War would know. Not that shiny 'Lionhearted' title the Empire dresses you up in, but that very fitting name, 'Butcher,' for slaughtering friend and foe alike—"

The next instant, all expression vanished from Noel's face. The change was so abrupt that even Aiden, merely watching from the sidelines, felt a sudden sense of danger.

Beneath the faint, easy smile she usually wore lurked a murderous intent fierce enough to tear skin.

"Wait, Dame Noel—!"

Before Aiden could stop her, energy erupted from Noel's body.

People nearby were sent flying with screams. The floor shook, and the entire building shuddered. Everything around her was overturned as though a storm had struck.

And this was merely from releasing her supernatural power.

This was how she acted when she truly intended to hurt someone—a side of her Aiden had never seen.

"You're one to talk."

Her voice emerged cold, carrying something beyond anger, something almost demonic.

Still in that state, Noel seized Katya by the neck and slammed her into the floor.

The floor crumpled as though a bomb had exploded. Noel had driven Katya into it with enough violence to create a small crater, and her eyes brimmed with ferocity.

"If you're going to be a selfish person who does whatever she pleases, why not carry on alone instead of dragging others into it? Know your place."

At Noel's frost-sharp words, Katya chuckled from where she had been driven into the floor and retorted,

"There we go. Finally showing your true colors—"

"You don't care in the slightest whether Aiden himself wants to be with you."

"... What?"

"I'm saying you're just as pathetic. You can't even properly grasp what others might think of you."

"..."

"Someone irresponsible, selfish, and utterly inconsiderate, who pushes everyone around however she pleases—people are better off without someone like that. Isn't that obvious?"

"What are you—"

"You're a burden to Aiden. Do you understand?"

Katya's mouth snapped shut. Her face went blank. Just as Noel had said, she looked as though she had never once considered it from that perspective.

"So."

Noel growled at her again.

"You're the one who should stay away from Aiden."

Before Noel could finish by driving Katya's head into the floor—

"Stop!"

Having somehow forced his way through the energy pouring off Noel, Aiden grabbed her and pulled.

"Both of you, stop!"

"..."

The moment his hand touched her, Noel flinched, her eyes widening. As if only now coming to her senses, she drew all the released energy back into her body in an instant.

"..."

She hastily looked around.

Her gaze passed over the devastated training grounds, the people staring at her in shock, and finally Aiden, panting after pulling her away. She clenched her teeth until she drew blood.

"... I'm sorry you had to witness that disgraceful display."

With that, she hurriedly picked up her uniform cap from where it had fallen nearby. Still unable to catch his breath, Aiden watched her leave the training grounds as if fleeing.

His gaze then settled on Katya, who remained embedded in the floor, still dazed. The shock must have been considerable; she hadn't moved so much as a muscle.

As though to remind him, the window appeared before his eyes once more.

!! Side Quest !!

▶ A fierce conflict involving two Important Characters is about to occur.

▶ Resolve the situation as peacefully as possible.

▶ Handling the current situation smoothly will grant advantages in the upcoming Main Quest!

▶ Failure will incur penalties!

... So this hadn't appeared for no reason.

That was the only thought pounding through Aiden's head.