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In fact, when you think about it, this isn’t such a bad situation. Whether it’s Noel or Katia, both are individuals who have reached an elevated state in their own domains, and since they both openly handle their unique abilities, they serve as the two pillars supporting Aiden’s skill-copying “efficiency.” 

Even just receiving proper training from these two would undoubtedly allow his combat abilities to grow rapidly. 

-Skill Info-

Weaver of Fate

{Meyer Belford}

Bond: Stage 1

– You can copy one skill.

Considering he had received something like this recently…

[‘Skill: Analysis’ is being copied.]

If he can acquire a skill like this, even better.

Analysis

[There are things visible only from the perspective of someone who has traversed countless battlefields. The analysis and acquisition of styles become exceedingly fast.]

Just reading the skill description, it’s clear that this is a golden opportunity. All that’s left is to collect a lot more. 

Thus, the lesson Aiden is chewing on this time comes from this fact: the ability you hold and the ability to teach others are completely different things.

“So why are you constructing a defensive formation there? Were you able to survive doing that in the Allied War? Or were you just playing house instead of participating in the war?”

“And you, where did you even learn your combat standards? Are you bragging about being slow-witted? Did you think you were really skilled because everyone around you kept praising you?”

Watching the two exchange such sharp remarks, Aiden feels a headache coming on. 

To be precise, they are both fiercely debating Aiden’s ‘curriculum.’ Their enthusiasm is so intense that everyone in the training ground is looking over, wondering what’s going on. 

What started as a debate with minimal respect and courtesy for each other has now devolved into a personal attack level of hostility. 

‘…Come to think of it.’ 

Were they always like this in the scenario? These two, after all, are inherently incompatible. 

They’ve been avoiding noticeable friction out of consideration for each other’s positions and circumstances, but their personalities seem too difficult to reconcile. 

‘Later on, I’ll need both of them.’ 

Given the twisted and increasingly perilous scenario ahead, Aiden knows these two are the most trustworthy allies he has for now. 

Their help is essential for the progress of the first chapter of the upcoming scenario. If they keep clashing like this, it’s going to be a problem. 

And then, while Aiden reflects on this, a window suddenly pops up before his eyes.

!! Sub Quest !!

A fierce conflict involving two important characters is about to occur.  

▶ Resolve the situation as peacefully as possible.  

Successfully managing the current situation will grant advantages in the next main quest!  

▶ Failure will result in disadvantages!  

‘No way. There’s no need to make this into a quest and throw it at me like this.’ 

“Ah, seriously! Instead of arguing like this, why don’t you both just try it yourselves! Hey!”

Just as Aiden is thinking this, a voice suddenly rings out beside him.

“…What?”

With a sharp tone, Katia suddenly conjures up a divine aura around her. 

Grey flames erupted fiercely, causing everyone in the training ground to take a step back. 

“Try following along once!”

Then, Princess Katia immediately began to control the flames around her. Through her ability, she harmonized attack and defense while engaging in a ‘battle’ against an imaginary opponent. 

Her movements were free, practical, light, and agile. But the intermittent attacks that were unleashed were all precise and incredibly sharp. 

At first glance, it looked like a collection of randomly strung-together movements, but her quick reflexes tied everything together so seamlessly that even the knights training nearby widened their eyes in awe. 

Suddenly. It dawned on him—this person had definitely held back when fighting Noel. The demonstration reached such an intimidating level that it made him think that way. 

“Did you see?”  

Soon after finishing her demonstration, Katia wiped her sweat and flashed Aiden a bright smile.  

“Now, give it a try!”  

Is she joking?  

That thought came to him naturally.  

“…Weren’t you supposed to teach me?”  

When Aiden responded blankly, Katia tilted her head instead.  

“I showed you, didn’t I?”  

“Shouldn’t you be able to do it right away?”  

Thinking she was joking, Aiden looked at her, but her expression was dead serious. She genuinely believed anyone could copy her moves after seeing them just once.  

“It’s hard to believe how confidently you’re saying that.”  

Even Noel, who had been watching, sighed and scolded her.  

Then she drew her sword and took her stance right in front of Aiden.  

“I’ll start by teaching you the most important basic posture. Would you like to observe slowly?”  

Noel demonstrated a series of simple moves in front of Aiden, explaining in detail each aspect—foot placement, weight distribution, eye focus, and upper body posture.  

‘…Oh.’  

It was definitely better than Katia’s approach. At least Noel seemed to have a grasp of how to teach someone who knew nothing.  

As Aiden followed her explanation, Noel carefully finished her demonstration and nodded, opening her mouth.  

“Good. Now, if you follow what I’ve explained…”  

With that, Noel swung her wooden sword at the practice dummy in front of her.  

And then—  

-BOOM!  

A deafening explosion-like sound erupted. The practice dummy shattered to pieces, almost turning to dust, and the ground cracked as if struck by a meteor. Even the walls had fractures from the impact.  

“Like this.”  

Noel, who had just created that spectacle, turned to Aiden without batting an eye.  

“Would you like to try?”  

Looking around at the stunned faces, Noel quickly read the room.  

“It’s not that difficult, is it?”  

“Since you can also handle pure energy like me, you should be able to manage this… I think…”  

As she saw the increasingly bizarre expressions around her, Noel’s voice trailed off. From the looks of it, she genuinely believed that after explaining it, Aiden should “naturally” be able to do the same.  

“Hey.”  

Katia sighed and rubbed her forehead before speaking.  

“You’re no different from me, are you?”  

“Please refrain from such horrible insults.”  

And as soon as they both concluded that they weren’t so different, they immediately started bickering again, causing Aiden’s temples to throb.  

‘What am I supposed to learn from these two?’  

Even if he had copied the Knight of Dawn’s skill, it was impossible to learn anything with such a chaotic teaching style.  

-System Message-  

‘The effect of Skill: Analysis is activating.’  

‘Mastery of the school of swordsmanship: *Ikken Ittō* is increasing.’  

▶ ‘Mastery of the school of magic: *Seonghwa Arts* is increasing.’  

You have gained mastery in more than one school.  

▶ The ‘Turo’ category is unlocked. You can now learn related skills!  

As soon as Aiden saw the window pop up, he fell silent.  

‘Did I just gain mastery in these schools of thought by watching…?’  

The Knight of Dawn is incredible. No joke, truly incredible…!  

He was so impressed by this realization that he almost forgot the dozens of times he had been killed by the same person last night. It was enough to fill him with admiration.  

As Aiden silently admired, Noel, who had been bickering with Katia, suppressed her frustration and spoke.  

“Let’s leave it here.”  

“What?”  

“Clearly, neither you nor I are capable of being proper teachers. So, how about we both stop meddling with Aiden?”  

“I won’t interfere with Aiden anymore, so why don’t you stop as well, Your Highness?”  

“…What?”  

“I’m saying, let’s end this peacefully. No need to keep fighting.”  

…Huh.  

Aiden looked at Noel, surprised. He hadn’t expected her to back down so easily after all the intense bickering up until now.  

But as soon as he saw Katia’s expression, Aiden quickly gave up any hope that things would end peacefully.  

“…So.”  

Katia chuckled and spoke.  

“After all that fighting with me, now that a convenient excuse has come up, you’re just going to back out? And you expect me to do the same?”

“Is there a problem with that?”  

The princess’s face was decorated with her usual enigmatic smile, but after having observed her for a while, Aiden could tell one thing—she was angry.  

“Coward.”  

What followed was an action that aligned perfectly with that sentiment. In an instant, flames erupted and engulfed Katia’s body. Like a snake coiling around her arm, the flames twisted before they were explosively shot toward Noel.  

Of course, Noel wasn’t someone who would be easily taken down by that. She swiftly drew her sword and deflected the attack, glaring furiously at Katia.  

“What do you think you’re doing~!”  

Before Noel could even finish her sentence, Katia was already at her side, grabbing her by the collar.  

“You.”  

Before the flames around them could fully dissipate, Katia’s voice dropped. The hostility gleaming in her blue eyes pierced into Noel.  

“Stop acting like you’re that man’s protector all the time, will you?”  

“Isn’t it only natural? Aiden and I are going to be married—”  

“I’ve heard, but watching from the side, your behavior is… questionable. Especially your attitude.”  

Katia’s growling voice interrupted Noel’s sentence.  

“You don’t even know how to deal with him, do you? You’re torn between fear of getting closer and not being able to push him away completely. It’s pitiful to watch.”  

“……”

“And yet, you’ve been getting annoyed whenever I’m with him. If you don’t plan to claim him, then stop interfering and get lost. You’re just irritating.”  

Katia’s twisted smile grew as Noel remained silent.  

“Honestly, I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with protecting that man. You weren’t like this before, were you?” 

“……” 

“Anyone who participated in the Allied War would know. Forget the fancy ‘Lion’ nickname the Empire gave you—your real title should’ve been ‘Butcher,’ killing enemies and allies alike—”  

In that moment, Noel’s expression disappeared completely. Even Aiden, who had been watching silently, sensed the sudden surge of danger.  

The faint smile she always wore was replaced by a murderous aura so intense it seemed as though her skin might tear.  

“Wait, Lady Noel~!”  

Before Aiden could intervene, an explosion of energy burst from Noel’s body. People screamed, the ground shook, and the entire building seemed to tremble as if caught in a storm.  

All of this from simply unleashing her energy.  

It was the first time Aiden had seen Noel in such a state, truly intending to ‘harm’ someone.  

“You, of all people.”  

Her voice, filled with rage so cold it was almost otherworldly, cut through the air.  

And with that, Noel grabbed Katia by the neck and slammed her into the ground.  

The impact was so fierce it shattered the ground, forming a small crater. Noel’s eyes were filled with a terrifying intensity as she glared down at Katia.  

“If you’re going to live as a selfish individualist, then don’t drag others down with you. Know your place.”  

Noel’s icy voice echoed as she spoke. Katia, pinned to the ground, responded with a mocking laugh.  

“Finally, the real you is showing~”  

“And yet, you don’t care one bit whether Aiden *himself* wants to be with you, do you?”  

“What?”  

“You’re just as pitiful. You can’t even figure out how others see you.”  

“……”

“You’re irresponsible, self-centered, and you thoughtlessly manipulate everyone around you. People like that are better off gone. Isn’t that obvious?”  

“What are you talking about—”  

“You’re a burden to Aiden, don’t you get that?”  

Katia’s mouth snapped shut, her face blank with shock. It was clear from her expression that she had never considered things from this perspective.  

“So.”  

Noel growled once more, glaring at Katia.  

“Stay away from Aiden.”  

Just as Noel was about to slam Katia’s head into the ground again—  

“Stop!”  

Aiden, breaking through Noel’s overwhelming aura, grabbed her.  

“Both of you, stop this!”  

The moment Aiden touched her, Noel flinched and her eyes widened. It was as if she had just come to her senses. The energy that had erupted from her was rapidly pulled back into her body.  

She frantically scanned her surroundings—the wrecked training ground, the people staring at her in shock, and finally, Aiden, who was gasping for breath after pulling her back.  

Noel gritted her teeth so hard that it looked like she might draw blood.  

“I apologize for this disgraceful display.”  

She hurriedly picked up her hat, which had been knocked to the ground, and practically fled from the training ground. Aiden, still catching his breath, watched her leave.  

Then his gaze shifted to Katia, still lying on the ground, looking stunned. She hadn’t moved since the ordeal.  

As he looked at her, a familiar message popped up in front of his eyes, as if to remind him.  

!! Sub Quest !!  

▶ A fierce conflict involving two important characters is about to occur.  

Resolve the situation as peacefully as possible.  

Successfully managing the current situation will grant advantages in the next main quest!  

Failure will result in disadvantages!  

This.  

This wasn’t just a random event.  

That was the only thought echoing in Aiden’s mind.

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