I Played the Role of the Adopted Daughter Too Well - Chapter 63

Chapter 63

The duel between the two lasted for as long as an hour.

Clang!

The swords collided.

“Gasp…”

“Gasp!”

Both Jermi and Tundra were exhausted, though Tundra had a lot of minor wounds here and there while Jermi was unscathed

In terms of skill, the small storm had the upper hand.

It was undeniable. No matter how naturally talented Tundra was, the time he took to master the sword itself was still not enough.

Viola watched the duel between the two carefully.

Hickson smiled and said, “But you still fight pretty well, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, it’ll be hard to win.”

“No. You have to win against Tundra because he’s fighting on behalf of me.”

Jermi and Tundra collided again.

Jermi’s sword stretched sharply toward Tundra’s neck, and Tundra quickly avoided the sword and stabbed his opponent.

“Tundra. Is that all my hunting dog can do?”

He was definitely doing well. He was almost on par with a swordsman who had twice the amount of experience.

Viola’s intervention temporarily stopped the duel.

“Gasp…!” Tundra was very tired, but his eyes were blazing.

Rather, the fire in his eyes was more alive than the first time.

“Prince Jermi has a habit of giving strength to his index finger before the sword is launched.”

Viola did not discover this herself. It was mentioned in the novel. Later, it was a big weakness for him.

“It would be helpful to distinguish between a true attack and a feint.”

When it came to a real attack, strength went into the index finger.

As the force is applied to the index finger, the little finger is relatively slightly stretched out.

It was Jermi’s bad habit.

“Feel the rhythm, but also observe the patterns.”

Jermi’s first attack was always a light stab.

“Now every attack of the Storm Sword begins with a stab.”

The movement itself was simple.

It was just that it was so fast and natural that it was hard to parry.

“According to the response to the stab, Prince Jermi’s next move is decided.”

If it was a retreat, there was a nine out of ten chance that he would go deep.

If it was a counterattack, he would step to the right.

Hearing those words, Jermi smiled involuntarily.

‘Come to think of it… That’s true, right?’

The movements that remained in his subconscious now seemed to be clearly visible to Viola.

“As expected of a Verratoux! How’d you figure it out? You must be more skilled than me; that’s the only way you can see right through me, right?”

Although she was still young and her physicality was not astounding, it was said that she was born with the ability to read the flow. A few years later, as time went by, Viola might become a stronger master far beyond himself.

Clang!

Jermi’s sword was broken.

Being cheap, it likely could no longer endure the sheer amount of strain it had experienced over the past hours.

Flop.

Tundra, who broke Jermi’s sword, passed out.

“Okay, it’s a tie.”

One had a broken sword and the other fainted.

Jermi shrugged as if regretful. It was a draw against Viola’s hound, so it was his loss. “Yes, it is a draw. I know it’s only been a few years since he’s learned the sword, but your companion’s sword here is truly worthy of protecting you. I think he deserves to be Sir Hickson’s disciple.” His gaze shifted to viola, a soft smile on his face. “And Princess Viola. Thank you. Thanks to you, I caught a bad habit.”

“I didn’t mean to help.”.

“Thank you for the good teaching, Medea. One day, I will surely overcome you and capture the house of Verratoux. Thank you for saving me today.”

That was how it was said in the novel.

At that point, Medea was both an enemy and a benefactor.

The weaknesses of Jermi that Viola pointed out were actually those that Medea had later pointed out.

“Is Scholar Jermi still learning the Storm Sword?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Same as Tundra’s style, that one has a strong momentum and consumes mana very quickly, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“I think it will be of great help if he practices meditation.”

“Is yoga considered meditation?”

As soon as he heard that, Hickson burst into laughter. The yoga meditation ceremony was the breathing method and basic exercise method that noble girls of this world learned.

However, it was also something that would later be re-evaluated by Jermi.

“If I had learned the Yoga meditation five years earlier, I would have achieved a lot more.”

Anyway, at this point in time, the yoga meditation ceremony was the kind that the warriors were learning. It was not a meditation ceremony.

“Are you laughing at me for barely having a draw with your dog?”

“No way. I respect those who do their best. Thank you for honoring my swordsman.”

Jermi looked at Viola for a long time with interested eyes.

Viola seemed sincere.

“You want me to learn how to meditate?’

It wasn’t a joke.

He didn’t know why she said that, but he understood.

“I see. Princess Viola’s words are worthy of deep consideration. Anyway, I noticed a bad habit thanks to Princess Viola today, and I think I can improve upon it.”

“That’s a relief.”

“And since I tied with your dog…”

“Yes.”

“I sincerely apologize for all my actions. I was just motivated to be close to the princess.”

“Are you apologizing only with words?”

“Is there anything you want?”

Viola smiled lightly.

Jermi somehow felt afraid of that smile, feeling as if the skin of his face was being pricked.

“I already know Scholar Jermi’s advantage.”

“Really?”

“That process and method were just wrong.”

“…Yes.”

“That’s why I’m going to take that same favor and win.”

The so-called “Mad Wizard’s Laboratory”.

There, Jermi signed a contract with a spirit with the name of “Kell,” which later grew into the Spirit of the Wind.

‘If I could sign a contract with a spirit there…’

It would make her life so much easier.

The “Mad Wizard’s Laboratory” was a very special place, a strange historic site where one could make a contract with a spirit even without a high affinity with the spirit world.

In other words, it was an opportunity to meet a bodyguard, no, the guardian spirit.

“So, I’m going to visit the ruins with Sir Jermi.”

“I thought you would say no.”

“I was going to say no until I saw you really fighting with my dog.”

That was a lie, she had no intention of rejecting it. She was trying to get all the benefits possible while maintaining a proper distance from Jermi.

Jermi, who was currently feeling equal parts confused and foolish.

“I have decided to acknowledge Sir Jermi as a warrior, so I’ve decided to accompany you. I enjoyed seeing you fight in the way of the storm. It’s a great achievement.”

“Hehe.” He rubbed his nose.

It made him feel good that such a skilled Verratoux such as Viola seemed to be recognizing his skills.

“Instead,” Viola brought up the topic. “Agree to give me priority if I get anything there.”

Jermi pondered for a moment. Nobody knew what would come out of the ruins. It was even possible to get nothing at all.

‘But Princess Viola deliberately taught me by pointing out my weaknesses and wrong habits.’

If it were his enemy, he wouldn’t have taught them.

‘In addition, she even protected my pride.’

She didn’t teach him in person. By pretending to give Tundra advice, she handed Jermi the information.

He judged that it was Viola’s meticulous and warm consideration. “I think my father will be angry if I blindly accept the condition. Actually, it’s information that my father gave me.”

“Then I won’t accompany you.”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Jermi laughed. “I’ll make an additional condition, too. Listen. It won’t be a loss.”

“What is it?”

“I became interested in the princess. I want to get close to you. It’s amazing that you have those eyes at that age. I think we have to let go of our grudges to get to know each other. I was going to let go from last time, but I ended up losing.”

“…”

Jermi bit his lip slightly to show his determination.

A strong commitment made it easier to speak.

As soon as possible, he spoke quickly, “If you refuse to talk, I will officially ask the Verratoux family for an engagement.”

“Engagement?”

Viola was well aware that he had no interest in women or marriage.

Even at this moment, the curiosity in Jermi’s eyes was not at all curiosity in her as a woman.
Viola Verratoux was mysterious in this man’s eyes for her strange kindness.

“I’m not interested in women or marriage anyway. If I have to get married anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to have a relationship with a Verratoux. There’s no reason to reject me, right? In my own way, I am the successor to the Storm Fortress, and the House of Verratoux can get their hands on a southern fortress. Geographically, it’s a very, very good position to keep the empire in check, and your family can also kill two birds with one stone. Perhaps Princess Viola, a white Verratoux, thinks so too. What do you think?”

Viola laughed incredulously at how marriage was being used as a negotiation point. “As a condition of transferring the priority of compensation, I accept informal speech.”

“You don’t want to be engaged with me?”

“I don’t.”

Jermi was one of the main supporting actors, a person who grew up overcoming all kinds of dangers and adversity.

There were always villains and traps around him.

If one wasn’t a fan living for Jermi’s face, it’s best to stay away.

“People say I’m handsome”.

“You’re handsome.”

“Then why won’t you accept the engagement?”

What was wrong with him? He wasn’t even interested in her like that.

Viola sighed. “It’s not my cup of tea.”

‘Your face is my preference, but your life is too dangerous.’

She wasn’t about to ruin her plans for a safe, happy life for a pretty face.

“I’m so sad to hear that. I think Princess Viola is cute.”

“Thank you for the empty words.”

Hickson’s eyes widened.

‘That kid!’

There was another human who recognized Viola’s cuteness hidden the cold demeanor and wintry tone.

‘Isn’t he a pretty good guy?’

No one else that Viola Verratoux was cute. There weren’t many people who had taste.

Even Viola herself didn’t know how cute she was.

‘But I don’t like it either.’

It was as if someone else had learned a secret which only he had known. The realization was strangely upsetting.

Anyway, Hickson was happy that Viola refused the engagement immediately.

“So, we decided to speak casually”.

“Okay.”

“Then we’re friends now, right?”

Viola agreed expressionlessly, while Jermi’s smile was beatific.

At that point, Tundra came to his senses and heard the tail end of their conversation. His eyes opened wide.

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