Chapter 53 (2/2)

Doug was lost in thought as he poured cold water over his head.

(I wonder what I should do…)

Instructor Hislo had a point. Doug couldn’t argue with Heath either.

But he hadn’t given up.

Doug had an idol.

Captain York, of the 18th Division.

Apparently he had been taught by Doug’s master, Kaizar. In other words, York was Doug’s Senior Apprentice Brother.

Not only that, but according to Kaisar he was “the most talented student I’ve ever had.”

Four years ago, York had entered a martial arts compet.i.tion just once. His swordsmans.h.i.+p had mesmerized Doug.

Even though York’s opponent had been a famous knight, York had closed the distance in an instant and defeated him with a single blow. He was like a flash of black lightning.

Ever since then, York had always been Doug’s greatest idol.

One day he wanted to work under him.

But when Doug became an apprentice knight, he heard an unbelievable rumour.

Apparently a boy had entered the 18th Division as an apprentice.

All members of the 18th were scouted personally by York.

In other words, they all had enough talent and ability to draw York’s eyes.

Because of that, Doug had a.s.sumed that there was no option except to train hard to become an apprentice and then earnestly work as a knight to catch York’s eye.

But apparently this apprentice knight had directly entered the 18th. It was unprecedented.

Doug couldn’t stand it. He begged again and again to be transferred into the Northern Dormitory, and because of his pa.s.sion, his request was finally granted.

And when he saw Heath, Heath’s small, delicate frame had shocked him.

After all that, Doug defeated Gorms who stood in his way and finally challenged Heath, but he was rejected…

He had never even considered that he might be rejected.

Doug didn’t really have a reason, but he just a.s.sumed that if he won, then there was a chance his wish would be fulfilled, and even if he lost, there might be something he could learn from it.

But he was rejected again and again, never even getting a chance to fight. His transfer here had been meaningless.

(What am I supposed to do in this situation…)

Doug agonised over the problem. And then he came to a conclusion.

(There’s really no option except to fight…!)

But lately Doug had been so annoying that Heath would run away at the mere sight of him. Far from fighting, Doug couldn’t even issue his challenge now.

And then he realised something.

(But in here, he can’t run…!)

Doug had seen Heath coming in here to bathe as well. He hadn’t heard Heath leave yet.

Heath was still here.

If Heath was in a stall, then it was a dead end.

Doug made up his mind and splashed a final bucket of water onto himself before wiping himself dry and changing.

With that, he stood in front of Heath’s stall.

Ready to challenge Heath, he pulled open the curtain.

“Heath! Today is the day that… I…”

“Mn eh?”

Doug turned into a statue.

What lay beyond the open curtains was the sight of a naked, blond-haired girl…

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