Reset Life – Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Oh Yeah? Then Bring It On! (3)

“Wallflower? So you’re saying that I would neglect my partner, Miss Sermaila?”

“Isn’t the first dance a time for everyone to have with their partner? But from what I’ve seen, you’ve ignored that. Twice.”

Pilledvan’s face stiffens slightly. He probably doesn’t know that I accepted Aila as a friend. Do nobles not know that they can be friends with anyone regardless of rank before they become adults?

He frowned slightly and replied.

“Th-That’s because Miss Sermaila looked unwell throughout the carriage ride.”

“Did you not check whether it was motion sickness, boredom, or something else? Asking a single question would have been enough.”

“That’s……Sometimes there are things you can understand without asking.”

“As expected of Philip. Amazing.”

I nodded and pretended to compliment him. It’s an act of mockery that anyone can recognize, but with an attitude that no one can refute.

Pilledvan probably already knows. The fact that the second son of the Imperial Duke’s family couldn’t even properly escort his partner has been proven.

He bit his lip and glared at me, then straightened up and brushed his hair back.

“Don’t mention it. But are you also leaving your partner alone?”

“Huh? Ah. Teacher isn’t very interested in dancing. She ‘said’ she wasn’t really feeling it today.”

I added a subtle emphasis to make the meaning clear. The difference between asking for permission beforehand and not doing so is significant. Pilledvan’s face crumpled as if he understood.

Then he smoothed his face again and asked with a smile.

“Ah, I see. By the way, wouldn’t you introduce your partner?”

It was a request that seemed awfully suspicious, but there was no reason to refuse. I carefully introduced Levidian.

“This is my swordsmanship teacher, ‘Teacher Ibi’. She’s from the Hall of Martial Arts. Teacher, this is Pilledvan Salain, the second son of Duke Mujaindos Uck Salain of the Narvilt Dukedom.”

“It’s an honor to meet you. The Hall of Martial Arts is always a place I hear much about.”

“Don’t mention it. I’m Ibi.”

Levidian greeted him with a neat attitude. And Pilledvan began to look her over, and I suddenly had a bad feeling. Did he change his target?

Pilledvan smiled and shot an arrow of words at Ibi.

“I apologize in advance if this is offensive, but may I ask why you are wearing a mask?”

“I have a scar on my face that I’m reluctant to show others.”

“Oh, I see. You said you were from the Hall of Martial Arts……”

He stroked his chin as if thinking about something. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but choosing Levidian as his opponent is a mistake.

He thought for a moment and then whispered something to a servant, giving him an order. Then he said with a bright smile.

“Ah, I see. It’s an honor to meet a renowned swordsman from the Hall of Martial Arts. As it happens, my spear master is also here, so how about you have a chat with him?”

Hmm. What should I answer? I glanced at Ibi. She seemed to be thinking about something with a hardened expression. Then her eyes met mine, and she gave a bright smile as if to say not to worry.

She calmly nodded at Pilledvan.

“Alright. Who is this person?”

“Yes. He is a former spear instructor from the Small Forest Shrine. He is the best user of Remove Devil. Ah, excuse me, but may I ask what swordsmanship you practice, Miss Ibi?”

“I learned Stream Cloud.”

Actually, it’s an unknown swordsmanship called Seven Star, but the Hall of Martial Arts doesn’t only teach that. I heard that Stream Cloud is a swordsmanship that contains quiet yet strong power, like clouds floating in the sky.

“Oh, I see……”

Pilledvan’s eyebrows slightly raised after hearing the answer. It seems that the spear technique called Remove Devil is considered more powerful than Stream Cloud. That’s why his smile carried a subtle sense of victory.

Levidian said that there is no one best martial art, like swordsmanship.

It’s the person who is strong, not the technique.

Considering the wars and various experiences I had before dying, I think she’s right, so I don’t feel like responding.

After a while, a blonde man with short hair walked towards us. His well-defined physique and upright gait showed the demeanor of someone who has trained for a long time.

“You called, Young Master.”

“Yes. There’s someone I’d like to introduce. That is Miss Ibi, a swordswoman from the Hall of Martial Arts. And this is her disciple and the second son of Duke Ecaledon Uck Herduke of Orknesia, Arisein Pen Herduke. He was the first to receive the title of Knight in the Azot Kingdom. This is my spear master, Borionen Ventat. He is from the Small Forest Shrine.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

Borionen greeted politely. The blonde man with brown eyes, who looked to be about 30 years old, held one palm up in front of his chest and bowed, as people from the Small Forest Shrine do.

“Hello.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”

Levidian and I also greeted him. Borionen looked at us with deep-set eyes and nodded.

“Indeed. I heard that the Hall of Martial Arts trains even women to be skilled warriors, and it seems to be true. You have a splendid aura.”

“You flatter me. I heard that the Small Forest Shrine raises devout priests along with its faith. Seeing you, I think that statement might be an understatement.”

Do experts recognize each other? Borionen didn’t realize she was the Sword King, but he accurately grasped her qualities as a martial artist. Borionen himself had the posture of a skilled martial artist, evident to anyone.

Pilledvan’s face slightly contorted as he watched the two of them exchange polite greetings.

I don’t know much about the relationships between martial arts groups, but I know they have a sense of rivalry. He definitely seemed to be trying to stir up that rivalry between Levidian and Borionen to create a problem, but……it seems he doesn’t understand the nature of martial artists.

Those who practice martial arts all have a sense of camaraderie. Those who have reached a certain level through difficult training and practice understand each other’s hardships, so they don’t readily become hostile, regardless of their origins.

I looked at him with a pitiful gaze. With a hint of provocation, as if to say, try harder if you want to achieve something. He gritted his teeth and said to Borionen.

“Hmph. Rio, do you happen to know about the swordsmanship called Stream Cloud?”

“Yes. It’s a famous swordsmanship known in the Hall of Martial Arts.”

“Miss Ibi here has learned it.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Borionen expressed his admiration frankly, and I wanted to laugh. Because Pilledvan’s face, who was simply trying to assert superiority through technique, became even more distorted.

I guarantee, anyone who can recognize it would know that Levidian shouldn’t be underestimated even if she only learned thrusting.

Levidian smiled slightly and said,

“I’ve heard stories. They say you’re the best user of Remove Devil.”

“I still lack training. Ah, if it’s not rude, I would like to witness your swordsmanship someday.”

“How could that be rude? I would also like to see your spear technique someday.”

A friendly atmosphere continued. In proportion to that, Pilledvan’s expression gradually turned into a grimace. I barely managed to hold back my laughter and hid my face behind my juice glass.

Since he taught Pilledvan spear techniques, I thought his master might also be a bit twisted, but he was a very upright person.

Pilledvan, realizing he wasn’t getting anywhere, dismissed him.

“Sorry for calling you out while you’re busy. You were talking with Count Bring, weren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It would be rude to be away for too long, so you should go.”

“Then, excuse me. It was a pleasure meeting you, Ibi.”

“The pleasure was all mine.”

Pilledvan must be frustrated. He was trying to create something by asserting martial superiority, but the atmosphere was unexpectedly amicable.

I said in a relaxed manner,

“Thanks for introducing me to a good person, Philip.”

“You’re welcome, Risel.”

I smiled faintly and prepared for his next attack. Even if something came, honestly, he wouldn’t be a match for me.

I’m 10 years older than you in my real age, you think I wouldn’t see through your little schemes? I’ve seen over 40 noble children just like you.

Pilledvan bit his lip slightly and then brightened his expression again. What is it this time?

“By the way, Miss Ibi, how did you get the scar on your face?”

“I got it through various experiences. I was wandering before I started teaching Risel.”

“I see. A scar on your face……Really……”

A sneer appeared on the face of the Duke’s second son. It was a blatant smile that could be perceived as insulting. Levidian’s expression hardened, and so did mine.

“Oh, please don’t make such a scary face. It’s just……While it’s not uncommon for a swordswoman to have a scar on her face, I was just wondering what kind of skill level would allow a scar on the face. Hehe.”

Pilledvan covered his mouth with his fist and chuckled. Then, he crossed his arms and continued leisurely.

“Usually, a woman with a scar on her face wouldn’t easily appear in a place like this, but you’re bold, Miss Ibi. It seems you’re skilled in other areas besides swordsmanship. But if you’re willing to let your partner dance with someone else……Well, I understand why Risel was smiling so happily when he danced with Miss Sermaila.”

“Hey, Philip.”

“Stay quiet, Risel. I’m talking to Miss Ibi right now. Honestly, I was a bit surprised. That the second son of the Herduke family would attend with a swordsmanship instructor with a scar on her face as his partner. I think you should have brought someone more suitable for this occasion. As far as I know, Risel is not someone who doesn’t know that……I think there must have been a ‘strong request’ from one side for this to happen, what do you think, Miss Ibi?”

People gathered around murmured at Pilledvan’s words, mostly nodding in agreement.

Even though she’s my swordsmanship instructor, she’s not a noble. It would have been better if she had appeared with her real name and status, but she disliked that, so she hid it on purpose.

The situation instantly turned into a questioning of my noble qualities and the rudeness of a commoner who used her womanhood as a weapon to entice her student and attend the ball.

If she wasn’t my partner, it would have been a solvable problem. But I chose her as my partner, just like in Azot. However, this is the Empire, and there were many who would question her qualifications.

I made a mistake.

If I defend Levidian here, it would make me look like a naive child who blindly follows her lead. And her defending herself wouldn’t hold much meaning beyond an excuse.

I looked at Levidian. Her expression was stiff, and her eyes were cold. I know she doesn’t lose her composure easily, but she’s not the type to stay silent in this situation.

She said,

“What do you mean by that ‘strong request’?”

“Hmm, well. I can only assume that she’s quite beautiful under that mask. Since you and Risel are of different genders……I can only imagine there might be ‘other teachings’ besides swordsmanship.”

Pilledvan said with a sly grin.

I guarantee, the only person in this place who wouldn’t understand the meaning behind those words is……Joey.

The people gathered around mostly had suggestive expressions. Or they held faint contempt or surprise. Because, in reality, Pilledvan’s words contained a plausible question.

“Risel.”

“Yes?”

She whispered, lightly tugging my arm.

“May I take off the mask?”

Her voice was simply emotionless.

Just a flat tone with no hint of anger or any other emotion. Even though her honor was already damaged, she was saying that she would take the best course of action to resolve the situation calmly without getting angry.

I was about to nod in agreement when a sudden doubt arose.

If things go wrong, all the blame will fall on Pilledvan, and the Salain family. Despite that, Pilledvan is trying to find fault, as if he has to.

In a split second, I came to a conclusion. I stopped Levidian from reaching for her mask and said to her,

“You don’t have to.”

“But……”

“No. It’s alright. Aila, Teacher for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Aila nodded. She looked at me with a meaningful expression and said,

“Give it a try.”

“Ah, I will.”

I slowly walked towards Pilledvan. His eyes wavered for a moment, but he soon put on an arrogant expression and asked haughtily,

“Do you have something to say?”

“Of course.”

I took out a glove from my pocket and slapped him across the face.

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