In the corner of the training hall.
I pinched the nose of the Nameless, who was peacefully napping under the shade.
“Ahhh! Master!”
“What the heck, are you still sleeping after I just had an epic martial duel?!”
His cheeks puffed up.
My one and only disciple had the audacity to snooze while I was out there putting on a badass show!
Instead of cheering me on, he was just lounging away!
Plus, if I think about it, my lack of effort in the duel was all Nameless’s fault.
He messed up in his first official match—lost pathetically—which meant I had to step in and save the face of our sect!
… Well, it’s not exactly a formal sect, but still.
Anyway, this Nameless kid is really grinding my gears!
It’s time for a little punishment.
I smirked, twisting his nose even harder, ignoring his screams.
With his eyes tightly shut, Nameless weakly lifted his hand and tapped my arm.
“Ow, Master, you’re breaking me!”
That was our agreed-upon signal when the pain got too much to bear.
When we first started training, he wasn’t good at controlling his strength and kept causing accidents, so we had to come up with that.
… Right, this should be enough punishment.
His bright red nose needed to stop swelling soon.
But even after this, my feelings of anger didn’t fade away.
I mean, wouldn’t anyone feel wounded?
My one and only disciple didn’t even witness my one and only duel!
… The more I thought about it, the more irritated I became.
Aren’t we supposed to be each other’s one and only?
Puffing my cheeks in irritation, I turned away, letting out a huff.
“Hmph.”
I wondered how I looked to him, but Nameless let out a small chuckle, clearly still dazed.
He kept touching his nose and finally opened his mouth.
“… From the beginning, Master, you…”
I shot him a glare, interrupting him.
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
Was he trying to avoid my gaze?
Nameless was sweating bullets, darting his eyes everywhere.
In the middle of that, he pretended to whistle nonchalantly, and honestly, that performance was priceless.
If only he could handle a sword that well.
“Tsk.”
He was annoying, but I had to admit, his cluelessness was somewhat endearing, so I decided to let it slide—just this once.
Well, it was kind of like watching a niece or nephew being silly.
Hmm, true.
I nodded.
I subtly glanced away from Nameless, who was pouting with an utterly disgruntled expression.
A sigh escaped my lips.
He was a man, but how did he pick up such girly habits?
Who in the world taught him those?
“Tsk tsk.”
It was truly pathetic.
I could be kind since I was his master, but what woman would like a guy who pouts like that?
… At this rate, my disciple was going to grow old alone, without even having kids.
He had to take responsibility and show me some grandchildren.
I let out a light sigh and shot a sharp glare at Nameless.
He flinched, shaking his body as he sensed my gaze, then slowly looked away.
Seeing that, my head started to throb.
I wanted to know why he was acting like that, so I spoke in a low voice.
“… What are you doing?”
At my call, Nameless’s head jerked toward me with a creaky sound.
His pupils were darting around wildly.
With little lips murmuring, he pointed at something.
“That, over there… Ah! That flower looks really beautiful.”
Then he launched into a ridiculous rant about how he saw a flower.
In a training hall with a smooth stone floor, where on earth would there be a flower, disciple?
Could he even see my decaying pupils?
Nameless hurriedly waved his arms, opening his mouth in defense.
“Master, I really mean it!”
“Hah… Where’s the flower then?”
Hearing him scramble like that, I turned my head, thinking I might as well humor his excuse.
Of course.
There were no flowers, just piles of weapons and a large mirror on the wall.
With a cold glare that demanded an explanation, I stared at Nameless.
Hmm…?
Predicting he would start sweating bullets, I was shocked to see the corners of his mouth quietly rising.
Curious about his sudden grin, I tilted my head slightly.
“Where’s the flower you mentioned?”
With a perfectly innocent smile, Nameless responded.
“Hmm? Isn’t it right there?”
“No… Where exactly…?”
As I mentioned earlier, there were just weapons and mirrors…
Wait a minute.
A wave of anxiety started to rise in my heart.
… A mirror?
Something felt wrong; I was filled with an overwhelming sense of foreboding.
No way, really?!
Before I could finish the thought, Nameless placed his hand on his forehead and shook his head slightly.
“Oh, Master, you look so beautiful that I just mistook it for a flower—”
He never finished his sentence.
-BAM!
I launched a kick straight at his solar plexus mid-sentence.
“What kind of cringe-worthy stuff are you saying?!”
My face flushed with embarrassment.
Where in the world did he learn such corny lines to toss around like that?
I let out an exasperated breath.
Honestly.
He really picked the wrong target for such cheesy lines.
Those are things you should only say to innocent girls or something!
That kid had no clue what the hell he was even saying.
Nameless dozed off again, and roughly half an hour passed.
He tossed and turned, finally sitting up and looking at me, trembling slightly.
Looks like he did realize he messed up.
But still, I had to admit that I overreacted this time…
I let out a tiny sigh and stood up, patting Nameless on the head.
“I’m really pleased you said that to me, but… Nameless, save those words for your future partner.”
“…”
Even when I asked, Nameless continued to pout without answering.
I chuckled at his stubbornness and ruffled his hair a bit roughly, as if to challenge him.
“Got it?”
“… Yes.”
Nameless begrudgingly nodded with a disgruntled expression.
But it was good he at least replied like that.
I was relieved that we were not at the worst stage yet.
Really.
… What a weight off my shoulders.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
…
Just after Nameless came to his senses, coincidentally, Lucius also opened his eyes and propped himself up.
Elia, seeing Lucius awake, rushed over with worry etched all over her face.
“Lucius! Are you okay?!”
Rubbing his forehead, Lucius squinted at her approach, shooting daggers at her before finally realizing who she was and immediately bowed his head.
“I’m okay, Saint.”
“Honestly… you really need to stop worrying me so much.”
Even though Lucius assured her he was fine, tears started filling Elia’s eyes.
Good grief, this is just ridiculous!
… Normally, I don’t resort to foul language.
But for some reason, every time I see them, it just drives me up the wall!
Can’t they see that I and Nameless are right here?
They seem completely lost in their little world.
… If I keep watching this, I’ll probably just get more frustrated.
“Cough, cough.”
Clearing my throat for attention, I gave a little cough to break their bubble.
And just like that.
Lucius’s pupils began to shake, and he slowly turned to face me.
His face started to turn pale.
… No way, is he scared of me?
I can’t believe it; shaking my head in disbelief, I glanced back at Nameless.
Nameless was following suit, his eyes darting around, clearly trying to read my mood.
Why do all the guys around me seem semi-screwy?
I frowned heavily.
Nameless and Lucius were busy rolling their eyes, desperately seeking my approval.
A small sigh escaped my lips as both of them flinched in unison, trembling.
“…”
My head throbbed terribly.
… Until recently, I thought Lucius was such an upright guy.
But now, it seems he is even more dramatic than Nameless.
When I was instructing him to duel, I pushed him even harder than I did with Nameless.
Yet here he was.
The mighty Hero, shuddering over just a simple match and looking at me like that.
I hadn’t imagined that his gaze would change so drastically after just one duel.
Before, he had looked at me with admiration that gave me a headache.
Now, he was practically oozing fear.
… It is such a headache when things get complicated with a Hero.
It seems nothing ever goes my way.
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