Alert!: this chapter has been translated by Mangademon / demonicscans.org, this is a premium translation, not mtl
"Ugh!"
In one corner of the training ground, Celia was groaning in pain.
Leo, on the other hand, was wiping his sweat and rehydrating in the shade, unconcerned by her state.
‘What kind of person is he?’
Celia looked at him with an expression of disbelief.
Despite moving far more intensely than her, Leo seemed perfectly fine.
Dragging her trembling limbs, she sat down beside him.
At this point, she had no energy left to maintain her pride.
She focused entirely on recovering her strength during the break.
‘Otherwise, I won’t be able to keep up.’
Even though it was exhausting, her pride wouldn’t let her lag behind.
‘She has grit.’
Leo admired her exceptional talent and determination.
He began to wonder what kind of hero she might become in the future.
While the two were resting, Gis Zerdinger entered the training ground.
Seeing Celia trembling, he stroked his chin thoughtfully.
‘This will be a valuable experience for Celia.’
She had never fallen behind anyone her age.
Having watched Celia train since she was young, Gis had worried about this.
Though not arrogant, her pride was undeniably high.
Pride and arrogance.
Celia was walking a fine line between the two.
‘It’s not a bad thing for her to experience this before entering Lumerne.’
Being the best in the Zerdinger Family didn’t mean she would automatically be the best in Lumerne.
There were many renowned heroic families outside of Zerdinger.
Even within the Rodren Empire, there was the magical hero family, the Lewallins.
‘You can’t always be the best.’
Before confidence turned into arrogance, encountering a wall to overcome was a necessary experience.
Leo and Celia.
When comparing the two, their strengths lay in different areas.
‘Leo hasn’t mastered Aura techniques, so in that regard, he’s no match for Celia. But in terms of physical abilities, Leo is far superior.’
One of Celia’s weaknesses, in Gis’s opinion, was also her physical strength.
Of course, this didn’t mean Celia lacked physical prowess.
For a swordsman, physical training was a given.
By ordinary standards, Celia was incredibly strong and capable.
‘But she hasn’t surpassed her limits. And then there’s swordsmanship.’
Swordsmanship was the reason Celia felt competitive against Leo.
She had never met someone her age who could rival her in swordsmanship.
‘But according to my sister, Leo is ahead even in swordsmanship.’
To Gis, Leo was the first wall Celia had ever faced.
"Uncle, what brings you here?"
Celia struggled to her feet and asked.
"You look exhausted. Sit down and rest."
Saying this, Gis turned to Leo.
"Leo."
"Yes, Uncle."
"I’m considering asking the family head to let you inherit ‘Phoenix Breath.’"
At the unexpected words, Celia was shocked.
"Phoenix Breath?"
A special Aura technique that only acknowledged family members could learn.
‘Does this mean he’ll officially become my cousin?’
Celia looked at Leo with a curious expression.
"The Zerdinger family head won’t grant permission so easily."
"That’s why there’s a condition."
"What is it?"
"Passing the Lumerne entrance exam."
"Uncle, the Lumerne entrance exam is a real battle. For someone like Leo who hasn’t learned Aura—ah, I mean, for Young Master Leo, it’s far too dangerous."
"Are you worried about me?"
Leo smirked, and Celia replied curtly.
"Hmph. I’m just stating the facts."
Sparring and real battles were different.
"Besides, Young Master Leo doesn’t have any real combat experience, does he?"
Most Lumerne applicants had some experience in real combat.
Celia herself had participated in monster subjugations and fought monsters before.
Having real combat experience made a significant difference.
Leo chuckled at her words.
He was far more accustomed to life-and-death battlefields than peaceful daily life.
"Leo, what do you think?"
"Did you ask my parents?"
"They said they’d leave the decision to you."
"Then I’ll take the exam."
Leo had already planned to persuade his parents to let him take the entrance exam this year.
Seeing his immediate response, Gis grinned.
"As I thought, you were planning to take the exam this year."
With a satisfied look, he left, saying, "Then I’ll look forward to it."
***
Until the exam, Delan Royal School was on break.
Leo spent the time focused on training.
Celia desperately tried to keep up with his schedule.
"Ha ha! See? I did it! You damn silver-haired guy! How abou—ugh?!"
On the last day.
Using her wooden sword as a cane, Celia dragged her trembling limbs back to the mansion.
On the way, she felt nauseous.
The overworked girl’s body was in tatters.
Celia staggered to Leo’s room.
Knock knock-
"Come in."
Clatter- When she opened the door, she saw Leo holding something in a basin.
"What’s that?"
"A potion."
"Don’t tell me you’ve been secretly using potions after telling me not to?"
Even just using recovery potions would have made the training far less grueling.
But Leo refused to use potions, claiming it hindered proper training.
Seeing that, Celia had also stubbornly refused to use them.
"Adjusting your condition before an exam is basic common sense."
Celia’s body had already reached its limit.
She had overworked herself for a week while pacing herself to avoid completely collapsing.
Still, without strong willpower, she would have given up long ago.
Initially, Leo only intended to mess with her, but he admired her determination to keep up.
"That’s true."
"Roll up your sleeves and pants, then lie face down on the bed. I’ll apply the potion."
"I have plenty of potions myself."
Celia used the best potions crafted by top alchemists.
"This will be more effective than what your family uses."
"Hmm. I doubt it, but I’ll accept it since it’s your gesture."
Celia rolled up her training uniform sleeves and lay down.
Her slim, pale limbs were exposed.
Leo soaked a cloth in the potion from the basin and placed it on Celia’s arm.
The cold sensation eased the pain.
Celia’s eyes widened at the soft scent.
"Wait! Is this potion made by elves?"
"Probably."
"How did you get this?"
Elf potions!
This was a top-tier potion, classified as the highest grade.
Only the elves knew the recipe, and no other race could replicate it.
She never imagined that the young master of a rural marquis family in this kingdom would possess such a thing.
"I bought it from a general store."
"A general store? Where is that?"
"It’s gone now. I bought all their stock."
"Ugh, I see... But how can you use such a precious potion just for recovering from muscle pain?"
"It’s my choice how I use it."
In truth, Leo had made the potion himself.
The one who taught him the recipe was **Luna**, the [Founder of the Constellations].
"Young Master, you’re surprisingly generous."
Though Celia looked regretful, she obediently let Leo handle her recovery.
One by one, cloths soaked in potion were placed on her arms and legs.
The terrible muscle pain vanished as if it had been a lie.
"Young Master."
"What?"
"I won’t lose tomorrow."
Celia showed her competitive spirit.
After spending a week training together, she realized Leo wasn’t someone to be underestimated.
‘He might even pass the exam.’
"I won’t let my guard down like last time."
Celia smirked.
"So if you meet me and fail, don’t hold it against me."
"How dramatic."
Just as Leo was placing a cloth on Celia’s thigh, he gave it a firm squeeze.
Squeeze-!
"Ack! Hey! That hurts!"
"What? Hey? You’re still a maid. Act like one."
"You’ve got to be kidding! Just wait! Tomorrow, I’ll pay back this humiliation! If we meet, I’ll completely crush—"
Squeeze-!
"Ahhh! That hurts! Stop! I won’t mess around anymore! I won’t, I swear! Ahhh! Young Master!"
Celia’s screams echoed throughout the mansion.
***
The next morning.
The central training ground of Delan Royal School was filled with a crowd of spectators.
They were there to watch the entrance exam.
Among them was the King of Delrod.
After a week, Celia had shed her maid uniform and brushed her hair back.
"Hmph! Those annoying Lewallins aren’t here yet, it seems."
"That’s harsh for a heroic family from the same country."
"You’ll understand why I say this when you meet them, Young Master."
"Is that so? But I think you should fix your tone."
"Ah!"
Celia hurriedly covered her mouth.
It seemed the habit of the past week was hard to break.
Meanwhile, from a distance, other examinees were glancing at Celia.
"Is that Celia Zerdinger?"
"I heard she’s one of the top candidates in the western region. She sure seems confident."
"Wanna bet? Will the top spot go to the Lewallins or the Zerdingers?"
Hearing the murmurs of the other examinees, Leo chuckled softly.
"You’re quite famous."
"Hmph, of course."
"But about your tone."
"Ugh?"
‘This has completely become a habit!’
While her face turned red, someone called out to her.
"Lady Celia!"
"Hm? Leo Plov. What are you doing here?"
Gulliver Traden approached, frowning.
"I’m here to take the Lumerne entrance exam."
"What? You? Taking the entrance exam? Ha ha ha ha!"
Gulliver burst into laughter.
"You must have a death wish. Someone like you, who can’t even use Aura, taking the Lumerne entrance exam? I hope you don’t embarrass the nation."
Ignoring Leo, he stood before Celia.
"Lady Celia, let’s do our best this time."
Celia furrowed her brows.
"Sorry, do I know you?"
"Huh?"
"I’m bad at remembering faces."
"We met a week ago at Delan Royal School! I’m Gulliver Traden, the school’s representative."
"Ah, that happened. Sure, let’s do our best."
"Huh? Ah... yes."
Celia smiled politely.
Seeing her smile, Gulliver made a foolishly delighted expression.
Just then, commotion broke out on one side of the training ground.
Celia glanced in that direction.
"Leo... No, come with me."
"Why me?"
"Ugh! Just come along if I tell you to."
Celia grabbed Leo’s wrist and headed toward the commotion.
‘Ugh! Acting so close with Lady Celia!’
Gulliver’s eyes burned with jealousy.
It was already well-known that the Zerdinger Family had stayed with the Plov Family.
The fact that Leo was Celia’s cousin, however, was a secret.
Thus, Gulliver couldn’t understand their closeness.
‘Just wait. I’ll show my strength during the exam!’
Meanwhile, following Celia, Leo encountered two individuals with light sky-blue hair and eyes.
"It’s been a while, Celia."
"Hello, Avad Lewallin."
Avad Lewallin smiled gently.
Leo thought to himself.
‘That smile is a bit too smooth.’
"Celia, are you prepared for the exam?"
"Of course! Becoming the top candidate won’t be a problem."
"Heh heh, is that so? What a shame, though. The top spot will be mine."
"Oh? Keep dreaming. Ha ha ha!"
As families that had competed for the title of the Empire’s greatest for centuries, their rivalry was sharp.
"Let’s go, Chelsea."
"Yes, Brother."
Avad concluded the verbal sparring and left with Chelsea Lewallin.
Celia narrowed her eyes.
"Annoying, right?"
"I’d say he’s a bit smooth, but I don’t find him particularly annoying."
"No, just wait. You’ll see. He’s the most obnoxious person ever."
Celia clenched her fists tightly.
"Heh heh... I’ll turn you into melted butter on a hot frying pan, you slimy butter bastard."
Wearing a chilling smile, Celia glared fiercely at Leo.
"Don’t you dare lose to them! I can’t accept the Zerdingers losing to the Lewallins!"
"I’m not even officially a Zerdinger yet."
"Prepare yourself, Lewallins! Leo and I will crush you to pieces!"
Though Leo gave a lukewarm response, Celia didn’t seem to hear him.
End Of Chapter
