Chapter 36: A Special Announcement

Ah, my neck hurts. I slowly opened my eyes and touched my neck. My vision was still a bit cloudy.

"I'm sorry," Cimmerian bowed at me. "I really didn't mean to overdo it."

"Oh, brother, it's fine." I patted his shoulder to ease him a bit, "it only means that I'm still not on your level, right?"

Rayha, who was standing nearby, hurriedly bellied up with us, "how're you feeling, Vaissien?"

She looked at me with eyes filled with solicitude.

Ever since, the thing I hated the most was when people pitied me, so…

"Don't worry, I'm fine now."

"I-Is that so?" She heaved a deep sigh. "Then that's good to hear. Anyway, I'll just leave you here. My mother just called for me."

"Okay, take care."

Rayha went somewhere I didn't know exactly. From what I heard, their house wasn't actually damaged from that last assault. So, she might be going somewhere outside the evacuation site.

A moment later…

"Vaissien, did Cimmy apologize already?" Big Sis Belle joined us. She'd been on the other side of the evacuation site talking with someone. And when she noticed that I was already up and awake, she immediately went back here.

"Oh, yes. But I think he doesn't have anything to apologize for." I looked at the silent Cimmerian. "I mean, it was part of the duel's rules. I lost fair and square."

"Yes, brother, you're right." Cimmerian interrupted, "however, as someone who's put pain in you, I think I should really apologize."

"I-Is that so?" I was really embarrassed knowing that it really wasn't that much of a deal. "Anyway, thanks, brother!"

"You're welcome. You know we can always duel anytime until you're satisfied."

"Wait, wait, wait, it's unfair, I wanted to fight you, too, Cimmy." Ferm, who was silently cleaning his knife on the bench not so far from my bed, joined us.

"Are you sure? I saw a few mistakes in your moves a while ago. But if you insist, then fine, I'll fight you too." Brother immediately looked at Big Sis Belle. "If I have time, that is, since there have been so many pressing things that I need to do, you know?"

"Ha-ha-ha, well, you're right." Ferm settled down. "But if you want some assistance on this 'pressing things' you said, I'd be glad to extend a hand."

"No. It's fine, you don't have to trouble yourself. All in all, I'm happy that everyone's fine." Brother looked around as if he was looking for someone. "I'll be back later. So if you'll excuse me."

He then took his thick coat and left outside the evacuation site.

Brother's just the best. I mean, seriously? Without using a sword? He's so talented. Maybe I should attack him sneakily next to see his reaction…

"Oi, wait!!" Big Sis pinched my arm a bit as I smiled and looked at brother leaving.

"You're thinking something bad, aren't you?" She wore an inquisitive look on her face.

"I'm not thinking such things like that. My miserable defeat was a form of learning to me that I shall continue to polish my other skills."

Yes, you're right—should have been my answer when she asked, but I still lied.

"That's good, then." She smiled at me.

"Now, I'm gonna do something important. Since you're already fine, I'll just leave you here."

"Okay, thank you."

That attack earlier was well planned. He intentionally did it to stop me from pestering him for a duel. It was an indirect way of saying "stop bothering me, there's a way you can defeat me!" or things like that. It seems like I've been wrong about him after all. He's not only scary because of his strength, but also due to his high intellect. Damn it! It's no use dwelling on that for now. I just lacked the necessary skill to compete with him, and that's all.

Anyway, the village started preparing for dinner, as it was already late afternoon. Since I was totally fine already, I got out from my bed for a short stroll. Sometimes, being in bed for a long time also does more harm than being active and getting an injury. You'd die from boredom and inaction.

As I was folding the thick blanket in my bed, someone came at me.

"Hey, Vaissien, feeling okay now?" Chief Feldor, who was sitting at the chair nearby, asked while sipping his tea. "You've been miserably knocked out cold. Although I don't feel bad about it. It's just that your brother's way stronger than normal, even stronger than I am. So what can you expect?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now." I answered while warming up my right leg, and twisting my neck a bit.

"Is that so?" He gazed at me. "Anyhow, did Cimmerian tell you some additional information regarding the Magitonian Book? If he did, then what's your plan now?"

Magitonian Book? Oh, that's the one I'm currently reading right now. That's the last one from the six brother lent me.

"No. I only read the book, but he didn't say any word about it since he lent it to me." I sat down beside the Chief. "Why? Is there something even more important in the book rather than what's being disclosed?"

"Not yet, huh? If that's the case, then just wait until he tells you." The Chief filled his cup again from the boiling pot on the table. "By the way, gather the four others now, I have something very important to announce."

"Announce?" I was confused what type of announcement did he want to say now. Couldn't he just wait for tomorrow when everybody would be present?

"Well, okay. If you'll excuse me, then."

Ferm was just a few meters away from me. Rayha probably returned to the village. Waldo's on the other side talking with someone. Elaine could not be seen here either.

"Ferm, do you know where Elaine is?"

"She went to the toilet a while ago, she'll be back soon."

About half an hour passed.

I already called each of Chief Feldor's students in Sword Arts. However, the latter seemed to be waiting for someone, or something perhaps? He continued to silently read something from the scroll he was holding. The table he used while drinking his green tea was no longer there. It was replaced a bigger one. Later, Elder Grucia brought a few delicious-looking soup which I didn't know the name. There were some huge slices meat too as well as booze.

"Feldor, you've kept the kids waiting." Elder Grucia tapped his shoulder.

"Oh, yeah. I've almost forgotten. I'm sorry—"

Then, as he sensed the inquisitive reaction on faces of Ferm and the others, he kept all the scrolls.

"Everyone, thanks for coming here tonight. As you may have initially heard, I'm going to announce something very important today."

"Oh, the food looks delicious. Is it for us?" Ferm jokingly asked the Chief.

"Actually, yes." He smiled at Ferm. "But before we get on to that, let me congratulate you all first for your Sword Art training completion. Tonight onwards, you're no longer my students but full-pledged sword artists."

"Do you mean, we've already passed the standard of becoming a sword artist?" Waldo, whose eyes were wide-open, asked Feldor. "Really? Did I really make it this time!?"

"Yes. It's exactly as you said."

"Wow! T-Then, that's amazing!" Ferm jumped with joy.

"Yahoo! Elaine, I guess we're sword artists now." Rayha was hugging Elaine tightly, but she noticed something on her. "What's wrong? It seems like you're not happy?"

"Rayha, of course I'm happy. But I'm anxious as well." She wore a sad look on her face. "This only means that we'd be facing more dangerous situations from now on if we decide to find jobs related to being a sword artist."

"Technically, you're right, Elaine. But I have a better suggestion." The Chief looked around. "Just be patient, let's wait for Cimmerian to arrive. I also invited him."

"Brother?" Oh, so this is also about what he said a while ago, huh? Anywise, I'll just wait for him.