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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: 7. Ball (1)
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Time passed.
Yuri was sitting in front of Bernard again today, his entire body aching from the beating he'd taken. He wanted to knock the man down at least once and look down on him, but that day felt far off.
"Bernard."
Honorifics didn't come easily, so the contract to use them was effectively voided.
"Yes."
"You know what?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're pretty popular."
"Pardon?"
Instead of answering, Yuri jerked his chin toward the edge of the training grounds.
Bernard turned to look. Maids pushing a laundry cart were giggling among themselves before scurrying off.
"The maids keep peeking."
Yuri waved at them.
"Wave back."
"No thanks."
"Playing hard to get."
Yuri stood up.
"How's the swordsmanship?"
"You're right, Your Highness."
Bernard assessed.
"That swordsmanship has no fixed form."
"Exactly. It just flows naturally."
Yuri felt the movement of the Mana Circulation Method swirling through his body.
Mana synchronized with his will, extending through his veins, and that flow manifested in the world as a new form.
Thus, he merely embodied the Mana Circulation Method's flow with his sword.
"The Mana Circulation Method is the swordsmanship itself..."
Bernard looked regretful.
"I can't learn it myself. To study it, I'd have to keep watching you..."
"Isn't that great?"
"That's what worries me."
The Heart-Soul Severing left by Erich Brioll had been passed down only to Yuri. To observe it, one had no choice but to follow him.
"By the way..."
Bernard raised his sword and thrust into the air.
It was the attack that had just felled Yuri.
"Your growth is rapid."
"Of course."
Yuri shrugged.
It was only natural.
It had to be this way.
This life was the real deal.
"Your talent for mana is exceptional."
"Oh?"
Bernard rarely praised others. This was high praise by his standards.
"Yes. I'm surprised. To handle mana this well already..."
Yuri felt a faint pang of guilt.
His quick adaptation to mana came from his mercenary days.
He'd diligently researched to erase traces of the Brioll Mana Method, and in the process, his mana sensitivity had sharpened.
"Take it slow. I'm worried."
Worried was a new word from Bernard's mouth.
"Worried?"
"Yes. You're advancing too fast. For your age, your achievements are already high."
"I've only just started."
"The start was too quick."
"You told me to learn it."
"I didn't expect it to be this fast. Your body hasn't fully matured yet."
"I have whiskers."
"You don't."
"Soon."
Secondary sexual characteristics were typically the benchmark for starting Mana Circulation Method training. For Yuri, the signs were just beginning to show.
Considering the Mana Circulation Method's growth, Bernard was right—it was too fast.
But Yuri wasn't concerned. Thanks to memories of his past life, he clearly understood the harmony between body and mana.
"Don't worry. I'll control it well."
"Always observe your internals."
"Got it."
Yuri stood.
"Let's go again."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Yuri was training as hard as Bernard feared.
He had reasons to grow strong quickly.
Before he came of age, a certain event would shake the continent. Only much later did he realize it was the prelude to the storm.
He had to be ready by then.
"Real swords."
"Understood."
Instead of wooden swords, he drew Guilty, now familiar in his hand.
Yuri suddenly asked.
"You coming to the ball?"
"No."
"Why?"
"No need."
"Wanna bet?"
"No."
"Why?"
"You never follow through anyway."
"When did I...?"
"Honorifics."
"You said it felt awkward too."
"Awkward, not that I hated it."
"Whatever. Bet. If I land even one hit, you go to the ball."
"Ridiculous."
"You in?"
"I'll win anyway."
"We'll see."
Yuri didn't land a single blow.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Brioll held a ball every spring, inviting prominent nobles and dignitaries from other countries.
It was an important event for the royal family.
Heading to the ballroom, Yuri kept fidgeting with his clothes.
"What's wrong?"
"I said all of these were awful."
"What would be left if we took them all off? If you're like that, should I just bring your training clothes?"
"That might be better."
"Ugh. Why do boys have such tastes?"
"What did you just say?"
"Pardon?"
"Called me a boy..."
"Must've misheard."
"..."
Lately, Ena seemed to be getting cheekier, but she was cute, so he'd let it slide. Considering his past life, he was far more adult than her.
"I'll bring lots of what you like, Your Highness. Go find a cute girl."
"No work, just bring lots of meat."
Ena had been roped into ball preparations. It wasn't her job, but she'd volunteered due to short hands.
Near the ballroom, servants were hauling ingredients.
"Ah, hello, Your Highness."
Even burdened, they bowed deeply.
Yuri waved them off.
"Go on, work."
"Thank you!"
Ena rolled up her sleeves.
"Everyone's busy. I'll head in first."
"Yeah. Good luck."
"Don't cause trouble at the ball."
"Don't worry."
She hurried after the servants.
Yuri watched her go, then clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky.
White clouds drifted by.
"Hm..."
He thought back to the ball in his past life.
No memory meant nothing notable happened.
"Wasting time..."
Yuri clicked his tongue and headed to the ballroom.
Rosso, a familiar face, guarded the entrance.
"Your Highness, greetings."
"Hard work. Sir Rosso."
"You still remember."
"How could I forget a loyal Royal Guard like you?"
"An honor."
"Knowing you're guarding the ballroom puts me at ease."
"Haha, thank you."
"Who's next to you?"
"Yes! Your Highness, I'm Hudelson."
Rosso explained.
"He's new. Even greener than Jared."
"I see."
Yuri abruptly extended his hand.
Hudelson panicked, unsure, but caught Rosso's cue and clasped it reverently.
"Thanks for joining the Royal Guard. Young men like you are Brioll's future."
"Th-thank you..."
For Brioll's unity, such kindness was effortless.
Yuri patted his shoulder in praise.
"Carry on."
"Yes!"
Passing them, he heard whispers.
"The Third Prince is so kind. Nothing like the rumors."
"Yeah... I get it."
"Loyalty surges."
"Calm down, friend."
They thought he couldn't hear, but Yuri's mana-trained ears caught even faint praise.
"Heh heh heh..."
Even strong liquor dilutes with water. He'd thin out his past infamy.
"I'm here."
"Ah, Your Highness."
"Blow it fancy."
"Yes, sir."
At Yuri's arrival, the doorman blew the horn.
Early nobles stood and bowed.
Yuri scanned the ballroom before heading to the royal seats.
Cedric welcomed him.
"You're here."
"Brother."
Yuri blinked.
Chandelier light sparkled over Cedric's eyes. His neat formalwear enhanced his refined looks.
"Looking sharp."
"Thanks. You too."
His eldest brother as always, but on days like this, he was truly handsome.
Cedric, whose eyesight had recently worsened, had glasses in his breast pocket— even that looked stylish.
Yuri sat, newly admiring Cedric.
"Haven't seen Joshua?"
"Nope."
Yuri shrugged.
"He'll come when it's time."
Horns continued, and the ballroom soon filled with nobles.
An unexpected figure appeared.
"Sir Haime's here. No word he was coming."
Yuri frowned.
Another event that hadn't happened in his past life.
He hadn't thought he'd caused many changes since returning.
But one shift rippled to others, leading to unforeseen events.
Realizing how invisibly connected things were, Yuri shivered.
"Joshua. Why so late?"
"Overslept."
Joshua slumped into his seat, eyes hollow like he'd been up to no good last night.
Sinking into the chair, he said.
"Father's coming soon. Saw him on the way."
The ball began with Fiore's arrival. Most nobles were seated, awaiting him.
"What's up, Yuri?"
"Nothing."
Yuri shrugged. He felt Haime Sidoor staring but dismissed it as imagination.
Joshua muttered.
"Heard there's a surprise guest today..."
"Over there."
"Who's that?"
"Sidoor Count."
"That's no surprise."
"He never shows at these."
"Don't care."
"Then who?"
Before Joshua could answer, curtains parted behind them.
Fiore's entrance.
The orchestra stopped, and seated nobles rose to bow.
Yuri bowed with his brothers to their father.
Fiore said briefly.
"Enjoy yourselves."
As he finished, the orchestra blared.
The ball began.
Some nobles lined up to greet Fiore; others danced immediately.
Those watching from afar paid respects to Cedric next.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince."
"Thank you."
"Thank you for inviting us..."
But little attention to Joshua and Yuri.
"They're ignoring us?"
Joshua grumbled.
Past Yuri would have agreed and stirred trouble.
But now he was mature.
"That's good. What good is attention?"
"What's with you? Eat something bad?"
"Heh heh..."
Reforming Joshua would be gradual; no rush.
Yuri munched snacks, surveying the ball.
Casual nobles drank, chatted, danced.
Political ones clustered, plotting secretly.
And at the end, an utterly unexpected guest arrived.
The horn sounded.
Nobles stirred.
Custom was to arrive and wait before the king, yet this one came late, ignoring protocol.
Who?
A vivid red silhouette appeared at the entrance.
The ballroom fell silent.
Yuri forgot words.
Over white formalwear, a bright red cloak swayed.
Radiant golden hair and deep green eyes symbolized the continent's noblest blood.
The Emperor's line.
Second Imperial Prince Georg Ivarna Grangzaiyen.
Why was he here?
In the silence, Fiore spoke.
"Earlier than said."
Georg smiled lightly, bowing.
"I hurried. Passing nearby, heard good news."
"Grateful for visiting our humble place."
"Humble with Brioll's Swordmaster? Too modest."
Fiore stood and approached.
King to imperial blood.
They met eyes evenly and shook hands.
"Sorry for the suddenness."
"Always welcome."
"Thank you for the hospitality."
"Enjoy the ball."
"Gladly."
The crimson cloak, forbidden to any but the Emperor's blood, fluttered with his movements.
Yuri watched, frowning.
Joshua whispered.
"Not alone."
As said, Georg had retainers following. Among them, Yuri spotted a face he never wanted to see.
Joshua said excitedly.
"See her? Really pretty. Who?"
His finger pointed at a girl.
Yuri murmured her name.
"Ekaterina."
"Ekaterina?"
As Joshua tilted his head, Yuri continued.
"Ivarna Grangzaiyen."
Ekaterina Ivarna Grangzaiyen.
Georg Ivarna Grangzaiyen's sister, the Emperor's daughter.
And Yuri's sin.