Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 226: Efforts Made

"Just like that?" Rosanna asked. Aegis, sitting across from her, legs crossed, nodded.

"Just like that."

She told Rosanna all about recent events, recapping what Rosanna already knew and adding in the parts about the latest challenge.

"Goodness," Rosanna smirked. "My student is about to take the hand of an heiress. I knew you had potential, but even I’m shocked by this, I must admit."

"There’s just one problem," Aegis replied. "I’m not too certain I can win this fight."

Rosanna tilted her head, her purple eyes studying Aegis with that knowing look she always had.

"Tell me about the conditions."

"No personal weapons. They’re giving us both identical swords from some neutral third party. No potions within twenty-four hours. No outside help. Anti-teleportation wards around the arena." Aegis ticked them off on her fingers. "First one to yield or get knocked out loses."

"And magic?"

"Allowed, apparently."

Rosanna’s smirk widened.

"Then you have an ace up your sleeve already."

"I was thinking the same thing, but I’m not sure how much it’ll help. Darius isn’t stupid. He’s seen almost every spell I have, aside from my shadow magic. He’s probably been preparing counters."

"Perhaps." Rosanna stood up from her seat and walked toward the edge of the meditation platform, her loose robes trailing behind her. The wind at the top of the Sky Piercer tugged at her hair, and for a split second, she looked less like a ghost and more like a painting. "But there’s a difference between preparing for something and experiencing it. Theory only takes you so far."

"That’s reassuring, I guess."

"It should be." Rosanna turned back to face her. "Besides, you’re forgetting something."

"What’s that?"

"Me."

Aegis blinked.

"You?"

"I was one of the finest duelists of my era, you know." Rosanna’s tone was casual, like she was mentioning the weather. "Single combat was something of a specialty of mine."

"I didn’t know that."

"Most people don’t. The historians preferred to focus on the romantic parts. The inspiring speeches, the unlikely alliances, the forbidden love affairs." Rosanna waved a hand dismissively. "They tend to leave out the part where I personally killed dozens of men in duels before anyone took me seriously."

Aegis stared at her.

"Dozens?"

"I lost count somewhere around the twentieth."

"That’s... a lot of dead people."

"It was a different time." Rosanna walked back toward Aegis and sat down across from her again, close enough that their knees were almost touching. "Anyway, my point is, if anyone can train you to be borderline unbeatable in a duel, it’s me."

Aegis nodded slowly.

[That’s good to hear.]

Rosanna reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind Aegis’s ear.

"It will be intense. We have a lot of time to make up for. But, one more week of harsh training won’t kill you. Probably."

"Probably?"

"I said what I said. Now, get up. Time is of the essence, is it not?"

---

Someone knocked on Aegis’s door.

"Come in."

Evelyn walked inside, carrying stuff. What stuff? Aegis wasn’t sure. It physically hurt to turn her head and look, so she didn’t.

"My lady, are you alright?"

"Never better." Aegis stared at the ceiling. "I’m feeling the sweet burn of gains."

"You look like you got trampled by a horse."

[A ghost, actually. Close enough.]

Evelyn set whatever she was carrying down on the desk. Aegis heard papers shuffling, maybe a book or two, but she still couldn’t bring herself to move her head and check.

Last night’s training had been brutal. Rosanna, for all her grace and elegance, fought like she was trying to kill Aegis. Which, technically, she couldn’t do, being a ghost and all (could she? Aegis didn’t want to find out). But that didn’t stop her from breaking Aegis down through intense exercise.

Rosanna had drilled footwork into her until Aegis’s legs felt like jelly. Then she’d drilled guards and parries until Aegis’s arms gave out. Then, when Aegis thought they were done, Rosanna made her do it all over again while dodging aether projectiles.

"You wanted to learn how to win," Rosanna had said, watching Aegis gasp for air on the meditation platform. "Winning requires suffering first."

"I think I’ve suffered enough for three wins at least."

"Then you’re a third of the way there."

Aegis groaned at the memory.

"I have some updates for you," Evelyn said, pulling up a chair beside the bed. "If you’re able to listen."

"My ears still work... Probably."

"Very well." Paper rustled. "House Bellamy has announced a new trade agreement with House Morrow. Nothing that affects us directly, but worth noting. The Merchant Consortium has scheduled their quarterly meeting for next month. And there was an incident last night in the harbor district."

"An incident? What kind of incident?"

"A merchant was attacked on his way home from a tavern. Witnesses described the assailants as figures in black cloaks. They didn’t take his coin purse, just roughed him up and left."

[The Umbral Blade? They’re getting bolder.]

Aegis filed that away for later. She didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with shadow cultists right now, not with the duel less than a week away. But she’d have to look into it eventually.

"Anything else?"

"A few minor things. Lord Harbell sent a letter thanking you for your assistance with his debts. Lady Corina wants to schedule a meeting after the duel, assuming you’re available. And Rosalie wanted me to inform you that she’s finished brewing another batch of stamina potions."

"Perfect." Aegis finally managed to turn her head, wincing at the stiffness in her neck. "Can you have her bring one up? I’m going to need it."

"Of course." Evelyn made a note. "What are your plans for today, my lady?"

"Same as yesterday. Train until I can’t move, rest until I can, then train some more."

Evelyn paused, her quill hovering over the paper. When Aegis glanced at her, she caught the faintest hint of a smile on her steward’s face.

"Something funny?"

"No, my lady." Evelyn stood up and tucked the papers under her arm. "I’ll have Rosalie bring that potion right away."

She walked toward the door, then stopped.

"For what it’s worth," she said without turning around, "I think you’re going to win."

Then she left, closing the door softly behind her.

Aegis stared at the ceiling again.

[Alright. Let’s not disappoint her.]