Licia’s voice rose in protest.
The commander was quietly taken aback by the sudden shift in Licia, who had been such a calm and diligent student until moments ago.
"W-Why?! Ren is so strong...!"
Hearing her cry of disbelief, the commander stepped away from Ren and approached Licia.
"As you say, my Lady, the boy is strong. I recognize it, as do my subordinates. However, the issue here is one of disposition."
The commander explained that this was evident in every facet of Ren’s movements. Licia, however, refused to back down. She spoke up again, this time recalling the horrific injury Ren had recently sustained during the incident with Jelququ.
"...Ren only just recovered from a serious injury. Couldn’t that be the reason?"
The commander immediately shook his head.
"My Lady, do you remember when I told Master Ren to 'move freely'?"
Licia nodded, though she was clearly struggling to maintain her composure. To the servants watching from the sidelines, she seemed far more agitated than usual.
"I gave that instruction because I suspected he might have ingrained certain habits from his father’s training."
But that hadn't been the case.
"A combat style that is both aggressive and fiercely intense... that is undoubtedly Master Ren’s true essence. Such a nature is ill-suited for the Holy Sword Arts. His innate temperament would eventually become a hindrance to mastering the technique."
The commander noted that while minor habits could be corrected through training, the results in Ren’s case would likely be negligible. In fact, trying to force the style would only make the sword more difficult for Ren to handle.
In short, training would be counterproductive. It was better to leave his natural instincts alone rather than saddle him with mismatched techniques. That was the reasoning behind the commander’s claim that Ren lacked the necessary aptitude.
"One can find fierce swordsmen among adventurers and bandits, but their style is often born of desperation—a reckless edge honed by necessity. They do not possess a natural ferocity like Master Ren’s."
It was a part of him as fundamental as the face he was born with. If that were the case, it was doubtful whether it could—or should—be 'corrected' at all.
"Therefore, even if Master Ren were to study the Holy Sword Arts, there is no guarantee he would ever manifest the actual Arts."
Learning the style might allow him to understand its weaknesses, which would be useful if he ever faced a Holy Sword user, but the commander didn't believe the payoff was worth the immense time investment.
(If that's the case, I might as well learn a different style from the start,) Ren thought.
He wasn't particularly discouraged; he accepted the reality of the situation with a level head.
"I understand. In that case, would you be willing to teach me the fundamentals of sword handling instead?"
"I would be honored. It is a pleasure to instruct a promising young man like yourself."
Seeing that Ren had no intention of pushing the issue, the commander realized the boy had already moved on. To the knight, Ren seemed remarkably mature for his age.
However, Licia spoke up again, voicing the complicated emotions felt by Weiss, the other knights, and the household staff.
"R-Ren?! How can you be so calm about this?!"
"Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do if I’m not suited for it. But since we have the opportunity, I’d like to at least learn the basics."
He added that he would do so only as long as it didn't interfere with her own training. Fortunately, the instruction shifted into something Ren could participate in as well, making for an unexpectedly productive session.
Licia eventually seemed to pull herself together and threw herself back into the lesson, but...
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After the training concluded at sunset, Licia finished bathing and headed straight for the guest room where Ren was staying.
She sat on Ren’s bed, her legs dangling and swinging over the side. On the surface, she tried to act like her usual self, but Ren—having survived a life-or-death flight with her—could see right through her facade.
"That was a rare chance for instruction. Was it okay?" Ren asked.
"Hmm... what was?"
Licia thought she had hidden her feelings perfectly, but Ren had seen everything.
"Sir Weiss might not have noticed, but you were in quite a foul mood halfway through, Licia-sama."
"Oh? Whatever gave you that idea?"
Licia looked caught off guard for a split second before masking it with a defiant expression. It didn't last long.
"Didn't you know? You have a habit of twirling your hair with your fingertips when you're upset."
"Wait... r-really?!"
"I lied. But that reaction proves you really were in a bad mood, doesn't it?"
Ren gave her a playful look from his chair by the desk. Licia glared back at him with a pout.
"...Mean."
She said it so cutely that Ren could only shrug with a wry smile.
"I mean, it just doesn't make sense! It’s like he was saying you have no talent!"
"It wasn't just 'like' he was saying it. That’s exactly what he said."
"Then why are you—!"
"If you're asking why I'm so calm, it's because... well, I just have to accept it."
The bottom line was that he didn't have the disposition, and his natural way of fighting was fundamentally incompatible with the Holy Sword Arts.
"If anything, it was a help. Because he was honest with me, I won't have to waste any time."
His phrasing was a bit blunt, but it was true. There was no point in chasing a path that wouldn't lead anywhere.
"But still...!"
"I'm fine, really. It was a little disappointing, sure, but the Holy Sword Arts aren't everything."
There were plenty of other schools of swordsmanship. Besides, since he could summon Magic Swords, it felt like a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
(Come to think of it, I haven't fought a monster in a while.)
Since the Clausel family was looking after him, he had zero opportunities for combat. He hoped to find a chance soon, but the prospect of learning Imperial Swordsmanship from Weiss was also quite enticing.
"—That being said, Licia-sama."
Ren straightened his posture and looked her in the eye. Licia looked away, sounding a bit bashful.
"What is it? Why the serious face all of a sudden?"
"Please don't worry about me. Focus on your own progress next time, or you'll be the one missing out."
"......Hmph."
She looked deeply dissatisfied.
Still, it was clear that Licia was grateful for the day’s lesson. Though she had been shocked by the news regarding Ren, she had remained a diligent and respectful student until the end. The commander's words simply wouldn't leave her head, causing her concentration to slip.
"...Of course I have feelings about it. Hearing that my life-saver 'lacks talent' isn't easy to swallow."
"You shouldn't let it bother you."
"I know. Ren, I know it's something that can't be helped."
Licia paused, looking down. "But... after the session ended, I was told something as well."
"While I wasn't there?"
"Yes. The commander said that while it’s not as pronounced as yours, he noticed something concerning about my style, too."
Ren tilted his head. Licia was a prodigy destined to become a Sword Saint. He couldn't imagine what could possibly be wrong with her technique.
"He said my sword has habits very similar to yours."
"...Habits?"
"Yeah. I spent so much time studying your movements so I could beat you... I replayed your form in my mind over and over again, trying to figure out how you moved and swung your sword."
"Wait... you mean..."
Licia nodded with a self-deprecating smile.
"Exactly. Because I trained specifically to overcome you, your habits have started to show up in my own style."
The commander had told her that her habits were still within the range of being correctable. However, she found herself conflicted.
"I don't want to fix them. It feels like I'm being told that my goals—that everything I've worked for alongside you—was a mistake. I don't want to accept that."
"If you want to master the Holy Sword Arts, then 'mistake' is technically the right word."
"I know. That’s why I’m wondering if I should even bother with the Holy Sword Arts at all."
"Licia-sama, please don't let my situation influence you—!"
"No, it's okay. Like you said, there are other styles. Why should I fixate on this one? Maybe there's a different school that suits me better."
She wasn't wrong. The Holy Sword Arts weren't the only path to strength. But Ren knew her potential; he knew she was destined to master that style and become a legend. Part of him desperately wanted her to stay the course.
Yet, Licia's gaze was unwavering.
"What about you, Ren? If someone told you that the sword your father taught you was worthless and you should forget it, could you just say 'yes' and move on?"
"That's..."
He knew such a mindset might be considered immature. If a teacher said it was necessary for growth, a rational person should agree. But emotionally? It felt like being told your past efforts and the bonds associated with them were a waste.
Licia smiled, seeing the conflict on his face. She knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I feel the same way."
"It's not the same," Ren argued. "The weight of the situation is different for me than it is for you."
"Oh? How so?"
"I'm just the son of a country knight. You are the Saint. It's a different world entirely."
"I don't have some grand obligation," she countered. "My father told me to choose my own path and find my own ideals. I want to show my late mother the person I choose to become, not just a role I was forced into."
Ren found himself unable to argue. Her logic was sound, and the Baron supported her autonomy. As a mere guest and the son of a vassal, it wasn't his place to interfere. Besides, he realized he was letting his knowledge of the "Legend of the Seven Heroes" cloud his judgment.
"And it's not just about you," Licia added. "It would be a struggle to unlearn habits that have already taken root. It would be a waste of time, wouldn't it?"
"I... suppose so."
"Then I'll grow much faster if I start fresh with a style that actually fits me."
Again, her words made perfect sense. If a style required her to fight against her own progress, finding a new path was the more efficient choice.
Ren had been pushing for the Holy Sword Arts because he knew "Saint Licia" from the game, but he suddenly caught himself. He felt a wave of shame as he realized his mistake.
(Licia is her own person... She’s not just a character in a game.)
He apologized to her in his heart for ignoring her feelings. Looking at her as she sat there smiling, he decided to support her choice, feeling a sense of responsibility for the "habits" she had picked up from him.
"In that case, I'll help you look for a style that's perfect for you, Licia-sama."
Licia gave him a wry, knowing smile.
"If you're going to put it that way, you should say it's for both of us."