POV: Nina Farion
Until I was thirteen, I thought I could be considered very talented with the sword.
I still led a group of children in the Sword Sanctuary with my cousin, Jino, our dojo being the strongest outside the inner dojos.
But after Rygar and Eris arrived, my thinking changed.
After a while, I realized that even if I was talented, in the outside world that talent was relative. I began training intensely to defeat Eris.
At least, I wanted to prove that I could beat her, since she was always so arrogant in training...
But still... she was nice.
She kept training with me because she said I was the only one who hadn't given up on defeating her. Honestly, I couldn't blame the rest.
Eris's fighting style was very intense and aggressive, even by the standards of the Sword God style.
Anyway, after talking with my father, the Sword God, he told me I was too soft for letting a small setback shake me, and then I really started trying to improve.
Even when Eris became a Sword Saint, I further intensified my training to catch up to her.
I abandoned all the girls and the group I had formed in the dojo, focusing solely on the sword.
The only one who accompanied me was my cousin, Jino.
As we trained and time passed, Rygar Adoldia began speaking with us often.
Until then, I thought he must be some kind of superior being, but after talking with him, it was clear he was just a person.
An extraordinary person, capable of taming dragons and destroying countries with magic, besides being extremely talented in swordsmanship.
That was when I began to admire him, perhaps with a slight crush at the time.
He trained Jino and me. To me, at first he only trained us so we could stand up to Eris and keep her from growing arrogant.
Even after we became Sword Saints, we continued training intensely.
Isolte, who had arrived at the Sanctuary with the Water God, was already a rival of Eris when I reached the inner halls.
Maybe it was around that time... the moment I truly saw and experienced how vast the world was and how many talented people of all kinds it hid.
Isolte, Rygar, Eris, Aisha... our group had a strange dynamic... I, Isolte, and Eris lived in friction, always competing.
Jino was as strong as us, but he didn't really compete with us; he helped me train to beat the others and always cheered for me.
Rygar stood above all of us like a bright, unreachable sun. His wife, Ghislaine, was also much stronger than us.
And his disciple, Aisha, was a genius comparable to him—she was not only much smarter than us despite being younger, but had become a Saint-level mage at five years old...
Anyway, this group was strangely disconnected... but still we became very close.
And these last two years were definitely much more fun for me than the previous thirteen years of my life.
We trained together at the Sword Sanctuary, went out to hunt monsters, killed dragons, defeated a horde of monsters, cleared labyrinths, and our friendship grew ever stronger as we fought battles together.
Even though superficially I only fought and competed with Eris, I still considered her one of my closest friends.
I was truly happy... if I could change something, it would be that I wanted to defeat Eris more often.
At present, I was hunting a wandering red dragon together with my cousin, Jino Britz.
Aisha had been teaching me to read and write in the human language over the past few years, and I could already be considered somewhat skilled, so we decided to come on our own.
Rygar said the others were busy, and we left after hearing that.
Right now, we were gathering information.
In the past, in our interactions, I used to take the initiative; I had always been the leader among us.
But in the last year, Jino had been somewhat different. After meeting Rygar and training with him for a while, he began dedicating himself much more.
We were currently at the adventurers' guild. Jino was talking to a middle-aged man, probably an adventurer, and returned saying:
"The dragon apparently entered a Luster Grizzly bear's cave and stayed there. Let's go!"
And so we continued on our way, Jino leading the path. He really was different.
We were still very close, as always. Most of my training was done with him as my sparring partner, and he was stronger... Not just with the sword, but in his personality...
Jino began training in other styles with Rygar, even learning the Beast God style that Rygar was creating.
I thought this would delay his progress in the Sword God style and I was worried. When I asked why he wanted to do that... he simply told me, with a determined look:
"I want to reach Rygar... no, I want to surpass him!"
That day, I was shocked and incredulous. My cousin, who had always followed me around like my vice-leader... when did he gain such ambition?
As our training continued, I briefly wondered: was I training with the intention of surpassing Rygar...?
No. I wanted to surpass Eris. And maybe I wanted to surpass my father.
But even after discovering later that Rygar was just a person like everyone else, and not some kind of god, just by looking at him you could tell he was in a different league... even beyond her father, the Sword God.
Just think about it: at fifteen years old, Gall Farion was an arrogant Sword Saint who thought he dominated the world.
Rygar was fifteen now... He was an Emperor in multiple styles. Emperor in multiple magical schools. And the creator of new spells and styles. And he showed no signs of slowing down...
Who would even think of surpassing someone like that...?
Since that day, I watched Jino constantly. He trained in the other styles, but never let me leave him behind in the Sword God style.
He improved like never before, gaining more and more strength while I gradually realized the magnitude of his determination...
I finally realized that Jino wasn't joking... and, realizing that, I felt ashamed.
And again I changed my point of view. I would also train to surpass Rygar, even if I couldn't reach that in my lifetime... I had to have at least that determination.
And so I did. I was almost certain that Rygar would surpass my father in a few years, although my father was confident that wouldn't happen.
So I trained even more.
But since that time, I began to see Jino in a slightly different way... and I could notice that he was treating me differently too.
One day, he said he liked my hair tied back. That he thought it looked pretty. And I was embarrassed.
Why? Did I like Jino? I didn't have the right answer to that question.
As I thought about it, I couldn't help but make a comparison.
Eris liked Rygar. She said she would eventually marry him several times. And Rygar didn't seem particularly averse.
It so happened that he liked more 'developed' women, like Mistress Ghislaine, and Eris was still young.
Putting that aside, Eris had Rygar.
Whenever I thought about having a partner, I first thought of Jino. He seemed the natural choice.
He was four years younger and we were cousins, but... he simply seemed the most logical choice. But even so, I wasn't planning to marry now.
So, I held that feeling and those thoughts as I continued my life normally.
I kept thinking about all kinds of things as we walked.
I was somewhat inattentive while looking at Jino's figure walking ahead of me, when suddenly, I noticed a slight tremor in his ear...
He told me about it. Part of training in the Beast God style included keeping your senses sharpened for as long as you could, without losing focus.
Jino had detected something, and I saw him move in an instant.
And at that moment, I felt the danger.
A swordsman leapt from the shadows toward me, wielding a technique I was very familiar with: the Longsword of Light.
I was taken by surprise. He was already midway through the strike. Even if I struck now, I would be slower. But I didn't give up.
I drew my sword quickly, only to realize that indeed I wouldn't be faster than him.
But at that moment, another sword blocked the blade. Sparks flew before my face as I barely made out the silhouette of the enemy.
A kick hit him on the right side of his torso, sending him flying away.
It was Jino.
I was shocked by his intervention, but I had already fought enough battles to compose myself. I finished drawing my sword and heard Jino say:
"Back-to-back!"
Quickly, we positioned ourselves back-to-back, alert. Enemies appeared around us, laughing maliciously.
The man who had used the Longsword of Light technique recovered from Jino's blow, brushing the dust off his body with arrogance.
"Hohoho, you're good, boy..."
He was a tall, stocky man with blond hair. He wore his hair tied back and had a short beard, wearing a fur-trimmed cloak over warrior's garb.
His eyes turned to me with a malicious smile.
"You must be Nina, the little daughter of Gall Farion, right?"
I asked cautiously:
"Who are you?"
"Hehehe, I am Enzo Moreira," he replied in a tone full of venom.
"An old rival of your father... You know, I was thinking of sending a challenge letter, but... I think it would be far more effective if he came to save his daughter. Don't you think?"
I frowned. Beside me, Jino whispered softly:
"Nina, on my signal, attack the one who ambushed you..."
The swordsman, getting no response, continued provocatively:
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Hm, whatever..." He licked his lips with scorn.
"You'll be much more talkative when we're alone in a room..."
His lascivious gaze filled me with disgust. I was about to respond when Jino spoke in a firm voice:
"Hey, you."
Enzo turned around curiously, raising an eyebrow:
"Hm? What is it, brat?"
"You're too irrelevant to have so much to say," Jino said, looking at him as if he were already dead.
At that moment, he drew his sword from its sheath, holding it by just two fingers.
It didn't mean much to our enemies, but that was the signal we'd arranged long ago.
Without waiting any longer, I advanced with the Longsword of Light against the leader. Everything around me slowed.
Jino vanished from my sight. Enzo reacted quickly, colliding his sword against mine with equal speed—after all, he was also a Sword Saint.
I thought Jino's plan was for me to face the leader while he handled the others, but in the next instant, Enzo Moreira's head flew through the air.
His expression frozen in an ignorant, malicious grin, not understanding the cause of his death.
Jino stood behind him, in a Beast God style stance. I was speechless.
I hadn't seen him move. It was probably the Wild Dash... and that fatal strike... was it from the North God style? Or the Beast God?
I didn't have time to think. Jino didn't pause for a second and charged at the other swordsmen.
He slaughtered them with a combination of styles and skills wielded in absolute mastery. I didn't stand idle either and joined the fight. In about fifty seconds, it was all over.
Jino turned to me, looked me up and down with a slight smile, and said:
"Let's go."
Then he continued walking as if nothing had happened. I followed him, still stunned. He didn't comment on the events, beyond checking that I was okay.
Two days later, I asked if he was going to report Enzo Moreira at the Sword Sanctuary.
"Who?" he answered, confused.
Apparently, he hadn't even remembered the enemy's name.
Later, we found the wandering dragon. It was very strong. We had to use several strategies to defeat it. But Jino and I had known each other for so long.
We knew everything about how the other fought. In perfect synchrony, we defeated the creature.
When we reported our feat at the Adventurers' Guild, a lady thanked us with a smile:
"I thank the couple! Two swordsmen, eh? It's hard to find a partner who likes the same things these days!"
I was extremely embarrassed. Jino just smiled, as always. We returned to the Sword Sanctuary talking about all sorts of things.
After that journey, I began to think that... Jino was really very wonderful.
---
The Iron Legion was on the other side of the world, mainly on the continent of Milis, but it already had branches in several other regions.
It was a gathering of warriors under Rygar's command, functioning like a large mercenary group—though it was much more than that.
They carried out missions all over the world: attacks on slave traders, adventuring work, mercenary contracts, monster hunts, and even diplomatic and commercial operations.
Rygar had created the Legion with many purposes, among them: to form a deterrent force powerful enough to change the social status of his race; to build an efficient information network spread across the world; to rescue beast-race members who had been captured or enslaved—among many other goals.
According to what I heard from Nigav, the new Sword Saint of the Sanctuary and also a member of the Iron Legion, there were many reasons people joined the organization.
Some sought protection for themselves or their families, others aimed for a place where they could grow stronger and find new opportunities.
Many wanted access to weapons crafted exclusively by the Legion's dwarves, which were of superior quality compared to other arms, and there were those who simply felt inspired by Rygar's absolute power.
His name had spread across the world; his extraordinary achievements and feats over the past few years were already living legends.
It was no wonder so many wished to be part of it.
Honestly, in recent years, Jino and I had been considering the idea of joining the Legion.
The reasons were many—besides everything I'd already mentioned, we knew that Eris, Ghislaine, Aisha, and even Isolte were theoretically already members.
Isolte had said that if she ended up becoming the next Water Goddess, an alliance between the Water God–style dojo and the Legion would be certain.
Looking from the outside, we seemed to be the only ones left out.
But the truth is, despite having considered it before, I never thought as much about joining the Legion as I did after we flew on a dragon for the first time... That was magical.
Definitely one of the most thrilling things I've ever done in my life.
I felt the wind cutting across my face, the horizon opening before us—a feeling of absolute freedom, impossible to describe in words.
And I knew Rygar had more dragon eggs—that they would soon hatch.
So, when I asked for one, he simply extended the offer with that confident, serene look. If I joined the Legion, I would have a dragon of my own. A unique bond with that legendary beast. A winged partner.
I felt a tremendous temptation. He didn't even need to list the other benefits of joining the Legion, for I already knew them all, having spent so much time among its members.
I simply answered that I would think it over. I still wanted to talk it through with Jino and my father.
But deep down, my decision was already practically made. The image of myself riding a dragon through the sky wouldn't leave my mind.
I trained with Jino for most of the day while thinking about it and walked home with slow steps, imagining all the possible futures.
But halfway there, a thunderous voice caught my attention at the entrance to the Sword Sanctuary.
"Bwahahahaha! How adorable! So come all at once. As a reward for your boldness, I'll let you attack me once before I go crushing everyone!"
The next thing I heard were screams from the Sanctuary practitioners as they attacked the stranger.
Without thinking twice, I ran toward them.
When I arrived, I saw about twenty fallen swordsmen around a man, and others watching him without attacking.
A demon with obsidian skin, long purple hair, and prominent muscles, he had six arms and was looking at the group with an arrogant smile.
"I am the immortal Demon King, Badigadi! Bwahahaha! I will grant the title of Hero to anyone who defeats me!"
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