“Or perhaps I’m too handsome for you to focus?”

How does he blurt out such nonsense so naturally?

I thought I had gotten used to Dietrich’s narcissistic side, but it seems I still have a long way to go.

His self-love, expressed as naturally as breathing, was now astonishing.

“Don’t you ever get tired of doing that every day?”

“It’s a pity you can’t understand. My face is thrilling. Always fresh. Being handsome is the best.”

I’m tired, so tired. I was at a loss for words in the face of his confident remarks.

However, in a way, I could understand him.

With a face like that, it would be stranger if he didn’t love himself.

Come to think of it, Ren might be a bit more unique compared to Dietrich.

They’re similarly handsome, but Ren didn’t even seem to realize he was an exceptionally good-looking man.

‘I wish Ren had as much confidence as Dietrich.’

Once again, as he naturally came to mind, I startled myself and lightly slapped my cheek. I needed to snap out of it.

Am I really going crazy? Just like before, I found myself thinking about Ren again.

I suddenly realized how often I think about him.

This wasn’t the time for that. I needed to focus properly on Dietrich again.

After firmly grasping my wandering thoughts, I diligently followed his guidance beside me.

After 30 minutes of struggle, I was finally able to hold the sword properly.

“I’ve taught you all you need for now. From here on, keep practicing this stance. So that you can immediately grip the sword even in the most frightening and daunting situations.”

“Is this all? Don’t I need to learn how to swing the sword separately?”

It was a purely curious question, but instead of answering, Dietrich called out to me.

“Lady Vivian.”

“Yes?”

“Even if I teach you, you won’t be able to do it anyway.”

Suddenly putting me down like this?

As I glared at him with narrowed eyes, he let out a light laugh as if he had seen an amusing sight.

“Of course, you could do it if I taught you. But, Lady Vivian. Do you have confidence in remembering everything you’ve learned when faced with a magical beast?”

My mouth suddenly went dry. Because his words were right.

‘He seems to understand me quite accurately.’

Dietrich eventually continued speaking slowly.

“Lady Vivian doesn’t need to actively take down magical beasts like Ludovica. That method wouldn’t suit you either. So from now on, just trust me and keep practicing holding the sword until you’re comfortable with it.”

“I understand.”

After nodding, I immersed myself in training diligently.

Except for the time spent eating meals and taking short breaks, I was in the training ground all day.

It was summer, so the days were long, but I worked hard from sunrise to sunset. Using all the strength I had, and even the strength I didn’t have.

I tried facing the magical beast trapped in the iron cage, and constantly did image training.

As a result, I could quickly and correctly grip the sword while imagining a magical beast right in front of me.

The sun had completely set, and darkness soon enveloped the surroundings. It was the time when magical beasts regained their aggressiveness.

Dietrich approached me as I was slumped over in exhaustion.

“Good work, Lady Vivian. Now it’s time to put it into practice.”

Already?

Thinking this might be taking the same route as when Ludovica taught me, my face unconsciously contorted.

“You don’t need to make that expression. The current Lady Vivian can defeat that magical beast from earlier.”

“Even if you say that…”

As my voice trailed off, he began to explain in a serious tone.

“Listen carefully. All you need to do to catch a magical beast is to charge at it with your sword.”

“Is it alright if I don’t stab its vital point?”

“You have your ability, don’t you? A remarkable power that could even kidnap someone like me. If you activate that power, most magical beasts will die just by brushing against your blade.”

I actively etched his words into my mind.

“And what if the magical beast doesn’t die? Just don’t give it a chance to attack, and charge again, that’s all.”

A simpler fighting method than I expected.

Just trust in my ability and keep charging at the magical beast until it dies.

I was worried if I could do it well, but at least it felt much more realistic than the method Ludovica had explained.

However, the nervousness was unavoidable.

At the thought of having to fight a magical beast right away, my mouth became parched.

Perhaps noticing my agitation, Dietrich approached and placed both hands on my shoulders.

Our gazes met head-on.

“If you’re not confident in yourself, then believe in me, Lady Vivian.”

“…”

“I’m never wrong. If you’ve learned from someone like me, you can defeat such a magical beast with ease.”

“…Alright, I’ll believe in you, Dietrich.”

Even though it was clearly meant to encourage me, the subtle confidence in himself underlying those words was fascinating.

‘Right, with Dietrich here, what is there to be afraid of?’

If anything goes wrong, he’ll save me just like Ruby did this morning. I shouldn’t be scared.

I gripped the sword again while slowly exhaling a deep breath.

After confirming that I was ready, he ordered a knight to bring the magical beast.

The magical beast in the iron cage looked more violent than when I saw it earlier.

Unlike early morning, the sun had completely hidden in the darkness now.

The magical beast was frantically chewing on the iron cage with its grotesque and sharp teeth.

The iron cage was clearly marked with tooth impressions, showing how strong its bite force was.

The knight counted by folding his fingers and then opened the cage door.

A moment later, the magical beast sprang out like a coiled spring through the gap.

My legs almost gave way at the sight of it charging towards me with a terrifying momentum, but I stood firm, determined not to yield.

‘Trust Dietrich, just trust him.’

After activating my ability, I quickly assessed the magical beast’s position with my eyes.

It had already come right up to my nose, opening its mouth as wide as a person’s height, as if to swallow me whole.

A distance where I felt I could be eaten at any moment.

Unable to keep my eyes open, I simply charged forward with my eyes tightly shut.

Along with a crunching sound, I felt the weight settling on the previously light sword.

‘Did I defeat it?’

When I bravely opened my eyes, what entered my sight was none other than the magical beast, dangling while stuck on my sword.

“Eek!”

Because I had been holding the sword at an angle, the limp body of the magical beast slid closer to the sword’s handle.

I threw the sword away in shock and dismay.

While I had imagined defeating the magical beast, I had never anticipated a situation like this.

“That won’t do, Lady Vivian. You shouldn’t let go of your sword like that.”

Dietrich, who had been standing in the corner of the training ground, picked up the sword I had dropped.

He casually stepped on the magical beast to fix it to the ground before pulling out the sword, his actions very natural. He seemed accustomed to this kind of thing.

“If you do that, it’ll be difficult to respond when other magical beasts appear.”

He held out the sword to me. I took it with an embarrassed smile and put it back in its scabbard.

“I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll make sure to hold onto the sword until the end.”

Why am I so timid and prone to overreacting?

No matter how surprised I was, even I thought it was foolish to throw away the weapon that’s fundamental to fighting.

“Still, congratulations. You defeated the magical beast as you wanted. Next time, you’ll do even better if you just keep your eyes open properly.”

“Oh, that’s right! I really did defeat the magical beast!”

I only just realized it now, having been startled by the carcass.

‘Did I really do it? Me? For real?’

This was a first, an experience like this.

I had always frozen up whenever I encountered magical beasts, but to actually eliminate one with my own hands.

Of course, the one I just fought was said to be the weakest kind among magical beasts, but still, this was something I couldn’t help but be happy about.

After all, just this morning, I couldn’t even properly resolve to fight due to its bizarre appearance.

‘To think I’d improve this much with just a day’s practice.’

For a moment, the image of a magical beast resembling a giant hyena flashed through my mind.

The very one that had given me a phobia of magical beasts when I was young.

Perhaps if I continue training like this, I might be able to face that magical beast too.

And if that becomes possible, it would all be thanks to Dietrich.

The reason I’ve been able to do this much in such a short time is clearly because he’s a good teacher.

I grabbed both of Dietrich’s hands and expressed my gratitude. I couldn’t help but smile due to my overwhelming joy.

“It’s all thanks to you, Dietrich! I’m really so grateful!”

“Ah…”

“If it weren’t for you… really. Ugh, I don’t even want to imagine.”

“…”

“Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

As I was giving my final thanks, I noticed Dietrich’s expression for a moment.

He had frozen with a face that was hard to tell whether he was flustered or displeased. His cheeks seemed to have turned slightly red.

Worried that I might have done something offensive due to his subtle reaction, I quickly let go of his hands.

“Oh no, I did it without thinking! I’m sorry! I won’t grab them next time!”

Had he been displeased because I grabbed his hands? He gave no response.

I waved my hand in front of his eyes, which were stiffly fixed and unmoving.

Dietrich, who had been in a daze, suddenly startled and then stammered.

“I, I just remembered something I have to do. I think I’ll have to go first. Lady Vivian, you’ve also overexerted yourself today, so go and rest. We’ll continue the training tomorrow.”

Where had his usual composure gone? He hurriedly left the place like someone being chased.

“…What’s going on?”

Whatever it was, it seemed really urgent.

I tilted my head and watched as he disappeared.