Chapter 9: The Swordsmanship Prodigy Saintess

Martial Arts Tournament (5)

1.

Dwayne, the tournament’s executive committee member, couldn’t hide his astonishment.

He was looking at a single girl—

A young girl who looked just over 10 years old.

She was the champion of this martial arts tournament.

Having spent many years as the head of the Breezera Town Adventurer’s Guild, he had met many skilled individuals.

But this girl possessed strength on a whole other level—so rare it could be counted on one hand.

The image of her sword aura still lingered in his mind.

A golden storm-like sword aura—

It reminded him of a hero who had passed away 10 years ago.

The Sword Saint, Adrian.

He had met him once in the past.

It was when the Sword Saint visited the town with the Hero.

Back then, he had used a similar technique to defeat a demon that had taken control of the city.

The form was similar.

But the power was completely different.

Of course, the Sword Saint’s sword aura was more powerful.

But that wasn’t what mattered.

What mattered was that this girl had used a technique similar to the Sword Saint’s.

Just who… is she?

Could she be a hidden disciple of the Sword Saint?

He considered the idea briefly—

But the timing didn’t line up.

The girl would have been born around the time the Sword Saint passed away.

And it wasn’t just her swordsmanship that shocked Dwayne.

She also used divine power.

He had never seen, nor even heard of, anyone freely wielding both mana and divine power.

Among the cardinals, there was a certain weirdo who knew how to wield a sword, but even he couldn’t produce sword aura like that.

As much as Dwayne felt fear, he also felt curiosity toward the girl.

“Huh…”

He let out a breath and stood up from his seat.

He walked toward the girl to begin the award ceremony.

“Congratulations on your victory. You’ve got incredible skill.”

“Thank you.”

She reached out her hand.

Dwayne took it as if to shake hands.

A small, soft hand.

There were light calluses in her palm, signs of sword training—

Yet it still felt like the hand of an ordinary young girl.

Should he call her a genius?

Dwayne shook his head inwardly.

No, it would be inaccurate to define her as genius.

It was something went far beyond that.

“Where did you learn to fight like that?”

“I never learned from anyone.”

“What?”

The girl looked up at Dwayne with eyes as clear and sparkling as ruby-colored blood.

“I practiced by myself.”

…That’s a lie.

That’s impossible.

But he couldn’t sense the kind of puffed-up, boastful lies children usually tell.

Dwayne found himself wanting to dig deeper into the girl.

Anyone would want to hear how a strong person became strong.

“If you ever have time, come visit the Adventurer’s Guild. I’d really like to hear your story.”

“Hmm…”

The girl stroked her chin like an old man stroking his beard.

“I don’t think I can.”

That in itself was unusual.

It was extremely rare for someone to decline an invitation from the Guild Master.

If she were a typical adventurer, she would have accepted on the spot, hoping to gain some benefit.

“I’d like to talk, too, but…”

The girl mulled it over, then shook her head decisively, as if it was not possible.

“I’m planning to leave the city today.”

“It doesn’t have to be today. Feel free to visit the Guild anytime.”

“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”

The girl bowed her head politely.

The award ceremony was brief.

They placed a medal around her neck and presented her with the winner’s prize.

“Here it is, the Potion of Growth.”

A potion containing a milky-white liquid.

It was the masterpiece of the alchemist Arte Faust.

Drinking just one bottle of it resulted in remarkable growth.

Its exact effects weren’t fixed.

They varied from person to person.

But what was certain was that any form of growth was a blessing.

A made had their mana drastically increased, instantly rising several tiers in magical power.

A gladiator gained immense physical strength and became renowned warriors.

All were individuals blessed by the Potion of Growth.

This tiny bottle alone was worth a whopping 100,000 gold.

Due to the recent shortage of materials, it hadn't been produced for some time, which only drove its value even higher.

If auctioned off, it would fetch at least five times its original value.

—Pop!

The sound of a cork being popped was heard.

The girl uncorked the elixir without hesitation.

“Huh…?”

Without a moment’s thought, she gulped it down in big swigs.

The 100,000-gold potion—

Or perhaps now worth 500,000 gold—

Disappeared in an instant.

Dwayne was dumbfounded.

So were the spectators who witnessed it.

100,000 gold was enough to live comfortably for life.

Most would at least hesitate or deliberate before drinking it, but the girl showed no hesitation whatsoever.

The shock didn’t last long.

Everyone’s surprise quickly turned to anticipation.

What kind of change would this bring?

Rumor had it… the effects of the elixir would appear immediately upon consumption.

“Ueegh…! It’s so fishy!”

The girl stuck out her pink tongue, scrunching her pretty face as she spat a few times.

But aside from that, nothing happened.

“You don’t feel any changes?”

Dwayne asked the girl.

She shook her head.

“Not at all. Is this thing fake or something?”

It was definitely not fake.

He’d received it directly from Arte himself —

As a reward for completing an ingredient collection request after slaying a dragon.

There was no way it could be a fake.

“Not even a sense that your mana increased? Or your strength? Or something something…?”

The girl shook her head again.

“…That quack, I knew it.”

She clicked her tongue and muttered something to herself.

“Well, fake or not, I don’t care. I can leave now, right?”

Despite the fact that nothing had happened — something that would have infuriated most people —

The girl remained perfectly calm, carelessly tossing the empty bottle aside and preparing to leave.

“Uh… well… The tournament is officially over, so… yes, you can go.”

“Thanks. I had fun.”

With a polite farewell, she trotted cutely out of the arena.

A strange silence fell over the coliseum.

All the excitement and anticipation had deflated in an instant, leaving everyone frozen in place.

The tournament itself had been thrilling—

But the ending felt oddly anticlimactic.

*

2.

The moment I left the arena, I started running.

I’m late!

So late!

I’d enjoyed the finals too much and totally lost track of time.

Bet Sister Bertina is going to scold me again.

I rushed to the waiting room and threw off the cloak.

Then I put on the veil I’d carefully folded and left to the side earlier.

“Thanks for letting me borrow it!”

I returned the practice sword and took off again.

“Ah, this too!”

I yanked the medal off my neck and handed it to the receptionist.

I felt a little sorry for whoever had prepared it, but I couldn’t take it with me.

I ignored the receptionist calling after me to take the medal back and just ran.

“Elia!”

“Eek!”

Just as I was running toward the infirmary next to the arena, I ran straight into Sister Bertina.

And she was clearly furious.

“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?!”

Since she couldn’t stand the sight of people fighting, she’d probably stayed in the infirmary the whole time.

That meant she likely didn’t see my match. Thank goodness.

I’d managed to keep my identity hidden pretty well, but when my hood came off during the finals… I was a little nervous.

I didn’t want anyone finding out how well I could wield a sword.

That would just cause unnecessary trouble.

“……I’m sorry.”

I made a crying face like a child who knew they’d done wrong.

“I just wanted to take a look around the city… but I got lost on the way…”

“Honestly…”

A little while ago, I would’ve gotten a flick to the forehead for that.

“Still, I’m just glad you came back safely.”

Sister Bertina took my hand.

“Let’s head back before it gets dark.”

“Yup.”

I went inside to gather my things.

There were a few patients in the building.

Some had gotten hurt being jostled in the crowd, and others had actually participated in the tournament.

That was when it happened.

“Hiiieeek!!”

A man staggering from the end of the hallway let out a shriek.

…Ah.

A familiar face.

Just thirty minutes ago, I had been facing him in the finals.

Was he called the phantom of the eastern marsh?

If I recall, his name was… Illuner.

Sister Bertina, startled, hurried toward him.

“Sir, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“Hii! Hiiiii!!”

The man trembled violently as he looked at me.

I lowered my head and averted my gaze.

Well… This is awkward.

I didn’t think I’d left him that traumatized.

Trying to smooth things over, I approached the man.

“Please calm down.”

I placed my hand gently on his knee.

“Aaaaah! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!!”

He jerked back as if having a seizure, flailing in a full-blown panic.

Sheesh, a bit dramatic, don’t you think?

Sure, I might have gone a little overboard…

But it wasn’t that traumatizing.

I’m not going to eat you, you know.

While Sister Bertina tried to calm the man down, I leaned closer and whispered in his ear:

“...Shut up and leave quietly.”

His whole body stiffened like a statue.

“Y-Yes! Yes ma’am! Absolutely!”

He leapt to his feet and bolted down the hallway.

“Sir!”

Sister Bertina tried to stop him, but it was already too late.

Poor guy.

The sharp, cold presence he had was completely gone. Now he was just a terrified mess.

I had healed his body completely, but healing the heart... that’s a little harder.

Still, I offered a silent prayer to the gods, hoping he would recover one day.

“What… just happened?”

Sister Bertina was at a complete loss, stamping her feet in confusion.

I took her hand.

“Sister, let’s leave the rest to the others and head back. We’ll be late otherwise.”

“Y-You’re right.”

We packed up and climbed into the carriage.

The clattering of the wheels lulled me to sleep.

“Fuaaaah…”

After a whole day of using mana and divine power, I was exhausted.

I closed my eyes.

Before long, I was softly snoring, fast asleep.

Time passed, as swiftly as the carriage racing across the road…

And I turned 19.

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