Taken aback by the unexpected voice, Natasha momentarily spaced out.
However, Amy was Theo's personal secretary.
If she came looking for her at this hour, it meant something was wrong.
Natasha quickly composed herself, lightly slapping her cheeks.
It was a routine she always did whenever she stood before many people, due to her natural shyness.
Creak~
Natasha opened the door.
"What brings you here, Amy?"
Natasha put on an impassive expression.
"I apologize for the late hour, Natasha. Theo hasn't returned yet. I came wondering if you might know something."
Similarly, Amy's face also showed no emotion.
Perhaps because of the chilly aura emanating from both women, the reporters and guild & national officials, who had been loitering near Natasha's door, held their breaths as they listened to their conversation.
Natasha replied,
"I don't know either. But it's unusual for Theo not to have returned by now. Did he not mention when he'd be back?"
"No, he didn't mention anything. By, would you come with me to the room of the 'Demon Hunter'?"
"...Alright, let's head there immediately."
.
R_ei T_anslations _ar
.
Amy and Natasha immediately set off for Maximin's room.
The others exchanged glances and followed the two.
Among them, some had ulterior motives.
'This is interesting. Who would've known Theo Lyn Waldeurk had ties with Maximin?'
Walking behind Amy and Natasha, this thought crossed Roy's mind.
Roy was currently conducting a detailed investigation of first-year students in the Hero Department of Elinia Academy to submit to Maitri.
The details included names, origins, and rankings – not just what reporters might know.
It delved into their favorite foods, their lovers, and hidden abilities...
The majority of these details required direct verification.
Maitri had pinpointed about 20 individuals for investigation.
This list included the top ten students ranked by grade, and also had names like Noctar, Siena, and Theo Lyn Waldeurk.
'Theo Lyn Waldeurk... The more I look into him, the more intriguing he gets. Most of the others are within expectations, but he's consistently beyond them.'
Roy felt a mix of stress and fascination.
Although Maitri had set the deadline for the following week, Theo was taking up far too much of Roy's time.
Maitri's orders were absolute.
If he said by next week, then it had to be done perfectly by then.
Observation and investigation were among Roy's strong suits, and he had confidence in them.
However, time was running short.
'Haah, still, I have to do it. It's been about 3 years since I joined Turning White... This is the first major task I've been given.'
This was an opportunity.
They say life-changing chances come knocking only a few times, and this seemed to be one of those moments.
Maitri was one of the top thirteen executives of 'Turning White,' a faction destined to become a significant power on the continent in the near future.
He had made it clear that resources, whether personnel or funds, weren’t an issue for this task.
It was clear he had high expectations for this project.
That's why when he heard that Theo was attending the association's academic seminar, he infiltrated under one of his numerous disguises.
He hoped to gather information from outside the academy.
But what a surprise.
He had only expected to find out about any secret lovers, but it seemed Theo had connections with the famous 'Demon Hunter.'
'With Piel here too, it's like hitting two birds with one stone.'
Grinning to himself, Roy continued to trail behind Amy and Natasha.
Inside Maximin's room.
Huff, huff...
I lay on the ground, gasping for air.
"You have keen eyes, Theo, but your stamina is lacking,"
Maximin said, looking down at me with an amused expression while holding a practice rapier.
'This monstrous man gives no openings.'
Catching my breath as I lay there, I regretted accepting Maximin's offer.
He said he'd teach me something before I left, after I had received the ring from him.
Maximin, like Piel, uses a rapier as his primary weapon.
I had learned many things from Piel's swordsmanship and thought to learn more from Maximin.
But this felt more like exhausting physical training.
'How many hours has it been?'
Initially, Piel's and Maximin's swordsmanship didn't seem that different, just varying in intensity and proficiency.
It reminded me of how extraordinarily talented Piel is.
'But then again...'
From a young age, Maximin received praise as the continent's top genius.
While his potential might not be as prodigious as Piel's, he's lived over 30 years longer than her.
Surely, he still had techniques he hadn't shown.
Maximin still looked thrilled.
"Get up, Theo. More important than stamina is mental strength. Opportunities like this are rare. I'll indulge you more if you impress me."
"...Here I come."
I stood up, gripping the practice longsword, and charged at Maximin.
My technique was a mix of what I had learned from both Piel and Irene.
I had simulated it countless times in my head and adapted it to my own style.
My style felt like 'elegant speed.'
It might seem like a dance at first glance, but it was filled with speed.
"Hmm,"
Maximin murmured, effortlessly deflecting my blade.
"Keep going. You're getting sharper."
"Haah!"
With renewed energy, I swung my sword wildly.
Despite the humiliation of rolling around on the floor earlier, new techniques spontaneously came to mind.
Maximin's sword, which had deflected mine, targeted my abdomen.
I anchored my feet to the ground and arched my back, a move Neike had demonstrated during the Knight Department 2v2 tournament.
Whoosh!
Immediately after, I braced my arms against the ground and swung my blade low, almost grazing the floor — another move from Neike.
"Hahaha, Theo! You really wield your sword in an interesting way."
Maximin, who dodged my blade with a small hop, then rushed towards me and playfully pressed down on my head.
"Ugh..."
My face hit the ground.
Yet, because of Maximin's strength, I couldn't lift my head.
"That's enough. You did well, Theo."
Maximin released his grip from my head.
I took a moment to catch my breath before getting up.
"It felt like I was only on the receiving end of the blows."
"Ha! My apologies. From what I see, Theo, you shine brightest when cornered."
"Really? Even against someone with skilled to be called ‘Demon Hunter’?”
"Indeed. I believe that one's true nature is revealed by how they act when faced with overwhelming force. By that measure, you pass."
"I'm not quite sure I follow."
"It's natural to feel that way. My son, Markvern, was very much like you."
“...Is that so?”
I stared at Maximin, trying to understand his casual reference to Markvern.
Maximin smirked.
"Theo, you truly are someone who evokes many feelings in me. Here, consider this a token of appreciation for entertaining an old man. Watch closely."
Maximin quickly got into a stance, raising his sword.
I recognized the stance immediately.
It was the sword dance I had seen from Piel.
Maximin began his dance.
His style was distinctly different from Piel's.
While Piel's dance was clean and elegant, Maximin's was rugged and dominant.
Instinctively, I activated my enhanced [Observer's Eye], capturing every movement of Maximin.
Seizing what can be seized.
Discard what must be discarded.
Let no one else enter.
The only vision is of me, performing this sword dance.
My eyes captured Maximin's movements, integrating them with my own sword techniques in real-time.
"...Whew."
I'm not sure how much time had passed when Maximin concluded his dance.
"Thank you, Lord 'Demon Hunter'."
With genuine respect, I placed my right hand over my chest and slightly bowed my head.
It might have been the noble courtesy engraved into Theo's habits, but right now, it held my sincere gratitude.
Maximin chuckled.
"Ha! So, what did you think of the sword technique of a retired old man? Not too bad, right, Theo?"
"Yes, I've learned a lot. Thank you, Lord 'Demon Hunter'."
"I'm glad to hear that. Look at the time! I kept you too long, especially when it's a rare day out of the Academy for you. I apologize, Theo."
"Not at all. I can't express how grateful I am for the valuable time you've given me."
I truly meant it.
Of course, I was hungry and drenched in sweat, but to experience such a profound moment was fulfilling.
"Then, I'll take my leave now, Lord 'Demon Hunter.' I look forward to our next meeting."
"As do I, Theo. I'll send a formal invitation soon."
Maximin glanced at a small room inside.
"Piel! Theo is leaving now. Do you not want to say goodbye?"
For several hours, Maximin had been calling out to Piel, who had shut herself inside the room.
-...Why should I see him?
From the room, Piel's sulky voice echoed.
"She must be going through puberty."
Maximin lifted his arms in an exasperated gesture.
I left Maximin's room.
Upon exiting, the sight before me was:
Natasha and Amy approaching me.
Following them were reporters, guild & national representatives.
And then,
'Huh? Why is that person there?'
