The Author's POV

Swoosh-! Swoosh-!

A sword streaked through the air, cutting through it in a swift manner and giving rise to a whistling sound. Sweat trickled toward the ground, quickly evaporating the moment it touched it.

Swoosh―!

Amanda swung her sword again.

'You're not fitted for the sword.'

Her grip on the hilt tightened, and she found herself swinging with even more force as her teeth clenched tightly.

'Bastard.'

She wanted to refute his comments. They were denying her efforts and the blood, sweat, and tears she shed to get where she was.

It was denying her efforts.

Every time she thought back at his face and the condescending look he gave her as he said those words, Amanda found herself hating him more and more.

…It's just that.

'What if his words are true?'

She stopped swinging the sword and lowered her hand.

What if, the words he said weren't a lie and were the truth?

'But how's that possible? There's no one within my age group who is as strong as me. There's no way what he said is true…'

She was trying to convince herself, but thinking about the strength that he displayed, Amanda found herself starting to doubt herself even more.

She looked at the sword in her hand.

'Perhaps…'

Clank―!

The door to the training ground suddenly opened, and when Amanda turned her head to see who had entered, her face crumbled.

It was him.

***

'Someone looks a bit hostile.'

I could feel Amanda's glare from the other end of the room. She didn't look all too pleased with my presence.

"What are you doing here? This training ground is occupied."

"Oh, I know."

I nodded my head and continued to move forward. Amanda was dressed in a form-fitting uniform that accentuated her curves beautifully, and she had her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

However, even though she looked very alluring at the moment, the thing that caught my attention was the sword that she was holding in her hand.

"You still haven't changed your weapon?"

I was hit by a more powerful glare.

"Who are you to tell me what I should do, and what I shouldn't do?"

"Haha."

I found myself laughing at her tone.

She was being incredibly cute at the moment.

"Is there something funny?"

If looks could kill, I'd probably be dead a million times over.

…Sadly, looks couldn't kill.

'Hmm, maybe when my charm levels up… That'd be interesting.'

"No, don't mind me. I just think that your reaction is quite cute."

I extended my hand, and my sword appeared in my hand.

Amanda frowned at my words and took several steps back. She had a sudden look of understanding.

to

looked at me in

that's your goal, then I suggest you give up. I have no interest in a

"Uh?"

freezing

spot? Were you actually trying to use this chance

didn't care. At that moment, I

call me a

"Ah."

my chest as

It hurt.

squid

she's just saying this because she's angry

had to

only be

"Huu…"

deep breath and recovered

fall for her

her and removed my sword from my sheath. Amanda's eyes

are you doing? Were you so hurt by my words

mouth twitched, and I shook my

I'm just going to spar with you and let you understand why I said what I

another

or flirt with you… The reason why I said what I said is because I

may not realize it just yet since she was too weak, the moment that she broke into rank, she would

not be the same Amanda from my world―her current personality being a dead giveaway—or perhaps not even be real,

it. Who was it that

notice the flaws in Amanda's swordsmanship, but thinking that he wasn't yet rank, I could only attribute it

moment.

on by pointing my sword in her direction. She didn't seem convinced

than the strongest man in this world. I'm

stopped while narrowing my eyes

afraid that my words are

the trick. Instantly, Amanda

as cold as

"Fine."

toward me

as expected. She's really not talented

second time that I sparred with her, and it became even

Clank—!

"Too obvious."

her balance. Landing softly on the ground, she punched me

Clank—!

"Too wide."

Clank—!

"…Your movements are wrong."

Clank—!

than you. Your movements are

Clank—!

"Really?"

more disappointed as time went on, yet at the same time, I found

It was really fun.

even more, but we just continued to spar on and on and on. It was only after Amanda

"Haa…haaa…"

faint, I could see that the edges of

must've enjoyed herself. I'm

how different she was from my Amanda,

"Convinced yet?"

"Nope."

her head. Unlike before,

I massaged my forehead.

"Ugh, you're really stubborn."

"Get used to it."

"Haha."

laughed. She was quite the

my

when I thought

"Hey."

"Hm."

turned to look at

"What is it?"

that? Are you

"Oh?"

my brow. How did

her, I