After walking for a while, they finally stepped out into the open training field.
The field was enormous, stretching far beyond what the eye could easily take in. Flat, well-worn grass covered the ground, marked with clean white stone lines and circular training zones. Rows of wooden dummies stood in formation, their surfaces dented and scarred from countless strikes.
Off to one side, several sparring arenas were set up, each bordered by low wooden platforms where people could sit and watch. Weapon racks lined the edges—wooden swords, staves, shields, even a few blunted metal blades neatly arranged. Farther out, archery targets stood tall in front of trimmed hedges, and beyond them loomed the massive outer walls of the estate. The air carried a mix of scents—fresh grass, sweat, and leather.
Knights and soldiers filled the field, already deep into training. Some practiced precise sword forms, others sparred in pairs, their weapons clashing sharply. Commands rang out, boots thudded against the ground, and the rhythm of training echoed across the entire area.
The moment people noticed Azrean and Sumi, everything began to slow. One by one, the knights and soldiers stopped what they were doing and bowed deeply where they stood.
Sumi immediately stepped forward, raising both hands.
"No need to bow! Please keep training. We came here to train too."
A few of them exchanged glances, then smiled warmly. One of the older knights suddenly raised his fist.
"Everyone! Train harder! Lord Azrean and Lady Sumi are watching us now!" A loud cheer followed. "Yes!"
In an instant, the entire field burst back into motion. The sounds of training grew even louder than before, filled with renewed energy.
Azrean looked around, a faint smile on his face. Then a familiar voice called out from behind them.
They turned. Jaek was walking toward them, a wooden practice sword resting casually in his hand. Behind him, Invanne followed, still dressed in her training outfit.
Sumi and Azrean blinked in surprise.
"Big sis Invanne? What are you doing here?" Sumi asked.
Invanne didn't look too pleased. Her expression was slightly stiff as she answered in a quieter voice.
"Sir Jaek called me. He said he needed me for something important."
Jaek let out a hearty laugh as he stopped in front of them.
"To properly show you what real sword combat looks like, we're going to demonstrate an MvM."
Azrean and Sumi exchanged a glance, confused for a second. Then Azrean spoke.
"MvM... that means Man versus Man, right?"
Jaek nodded, a grin spreading across his face.
"Exactly. Ms. Invanne and I will be having an MvM."
For a moment, there was silence. Then both of them reacted at the same time.
"What?!"
Before long, the entire training field had shifted its focus.
People gathered around the main sparring arena, filling the wooden viewing platforms until there was barely any space left. Knights, soldiers, even servants leaned forward eagerly, voices overlapping in excited chatter.
"They're actually doing it! The commander and Ms. Invanne are going to fight!"
"I used to pray for times like this! A real match between those two? This is going to be insane!"
Azrean and Sumi sat right at the front in special chairs, looking down at the arena below.
In the center of the sandy ground, Jaek and Invanne stood facing each other. Both held wooden practice swords. their stances relaxed but ready. Invanne glanced briefly at the crowd, then back at Jaek and asked.
"Are you sure about this, Sir Jaek?"
Jaek adjusted his grip, a grin spreading across his face then he replied with confident.
"Yeah. I've wanted to cross swords with the Thirteenth Star Magician for a long time."
She studied him for a second, then gave a small nod. A man standing off to the side raised a bright red flag.
"Both fighters, equip your limit indicators!"
Jaek and Invanne each slipped a thin silver bracelet onto their left wrists. The moment they locked in place, they gave off a faint glow.
Sumi tilted her head, whispering,
"What are those?"
Azrean shook his head slightly.
"No idea."
The man with the flag stepped forward and raised his voice so the entire arena could hear.
"This match is an MvM between Commander Sir Jaek and Head Maid Ms. Invanne!"
The crowd quieted just enough to listen.
"Victory will be decided when one fighter's limit indicator breaks!"
He lifted the flag higher.
"For the first two minutes and fifty seconds—magic is strictly forbidden! Both fighters will rely on swordsmanship alone!"
A small pause.
"After that, magic is allowed for the remaining two minutes and fifty seconds!"
Jaek lowered his stance slightly, knees bending, sword angled forward.
"That means I have to win before 2 minutes and 50 seconds or I lose."
Invanne took a small step back, her face calm and unreadable.
"Good luck to you, Sir Jaek."
The man raised the flag high into the air and screamed.
"Ready... Set... Duel!"
The flag dropped. Both of them disappeared. A split second later—CRACK!
They reappeared in the middle of the arena, swords clashing with a loud crack. The sheer force and speed of their collision sent cracks spiderwebbing across the ground beneath their feet.
The crowd erupted. Cheers, gasps, voices rising all at once. Sumi jumped slightly in her seat, clapping her hands with bright excitement.
"Wow! Go! Both of you!"
Azrean didn't move. His eyes stayed locked on the arena, wide.
"I didn't even see them move..."