Ian’s eyes, tinged with a hue of blue, visibly quivered. Just as the subtle vibrations ceased, Ian asked me.

“Does that mean you are a Swordmaster, senior?”

“Yes, but at some point, I felt that my aura was a bit strange. Every time I used it afterward, there were side effects. That’s the truth about the day you witnessed.”

“So you vomited blood not because you were injured by the magical beast but because of the side effects from using your aura?”

It was a very neat summary. As I nodded, Ian opened his mouth with a dry expression.

“Then what did I see back at the inn?”

“That was also due to the side effects. I had been practicing ever since I felt that my aura was unstable. I ran into you on the way back from my secret practice.”

Ian slightly tilted his head, then nodded as if he was convinced. Gradually, his previously stiff expression softened.

“Swordmaster… so you really are one.”

“You knew I was a Swordmaster?”

“I speculated based on your callous-free hands. I had read a book about aura before.”

The same book I read?

That book where the author talked as if they knew a lot about aura but ultimately said they didn’t know how to wield it.

Was the author Vintz? I think it was something like that…

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about me. I didn’t even get a scratch when fighting the magical beast.”

“…”

“If you need assurance, I can show you how I use my aura.”

Laying all my cards on the table seemed the best way to erase any doubts about my injuries or whatever.

“…You would show me?”

Ian seemed hesitant, a departure from his usual enthusiasm for dueling.

“If you don’t want to, it’s fine…”

“It’s not that, but if you’re telling the truth, you’ll vomit blood when using your aura, right?”

Ian looked like someone who was empathizing with my pain.

“It may look bad, but it doesn’t really hurt that much. So it’s okay.”

“Very well. I’ll have to see it to believe it.”

Signaling him to follow, I headed to the spot where I had practiced with my aura before. We passed by the knights’ training ground and soon entered a forest path surrounded by trees.

“I practiced here that night as well.”

As soon as I said this, Ian swiftly scanned our surroundings. His eyes were more cautious than curious.

I unsheathed my sword and manipulated my aura. Soon, a white glow enveloped the blade.

I turned and sliced through a tree. As expected, nausea surged up. Just as I was about to close my mouth, Ian rushed towards me.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I just vomited a bit of blood…”

For a moment, the world seemed to spin, and I tightly closed my eyes. It was then that I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist.

“Do you really consider this to be alright?”

I slowly opened my eyes to see Ian’s tightly sealed lips. His face filled my expanding vision, and he looked truly angry.

“The pain lasts only for a brief moment when I vomit. The dizziness is the same.”

“Do you have to use your aura? You’re strong enough even without being a Swordmaster.”

“…I know, I do.”

I had enough confidence that even without utilizing my aura, I was the best swordsman in the empire, all thanks to mastering the art of the sword.

Because I’ve reached this level in swordsmanship, I could wield my aura.

As Ian said, Rosebelia was undoubtedly strong, even without her aura.

“But I want to wield my aura again.”

If I didn’t know that Rosebelia was a Swordmaster, I might have been content with this much…

But I knew too well the weight the name ‘Rosebelia’ carried in the original work.
One of the scenes I loved was when the empire was in uproar upon finding out Rosebelia was a Swordmaster.

Even as a supporting character, her life was so extraordinary that it was impossible not to admire her.

But if I could no longer wield aura because I’m in this body? That was something I couldn’t accept.

“So you’re going to keep practicing like this?”

“Until I go on a magical beast subjugation.”

Even if no one else knows, I do.

What Rosebelia’s previous life was like, what her past that I read was like.

Despite knowing she was a Swordmaster, she chose to keep it a secret, diligently walking only the path set for her as a knight. I knew her pride better than anyone.

“Did you initially not have any side effects?”

“Yeah. Back then, my aura felt stable, but now it’s like it’s raging. So I’m trying to stabilize it again.”

If after entering this body, I couldn’t use aura at all, that would be another matter.

Even if the aura is unstable, I can use it, so I can’t easily give up.

I didn’t want to ruin the ‘Rosebelia’ that remained vivid in my memory.

“Are the side effects vomiting blood and dizziness?”

“I also get sleepy and feel sluggish. But it’s only for a moment, so it’s fine.”

At that moment, the arm that was wrapped around my waist tightened. Surprised, I looked up to see eyes that seemed to be submerged in a deep ocean.

“That phrase.”

“…”

“Do you say it habitually?”

My teeth clenched instinctively.

Should I say he has a keen eye? His ability to read people is surprisingly good.