I'll Smash Everything with Passive Skills-Chapter 80: 0. The Duke (2)

"Hmm?"

The Sword Saint, who was about to knock, halted his actions.

The reason was simple. Thanks to the presence of another person felt behind him.

"Who are you?"

"...."

As he turned to confirm the owner of the presence, the Sword Saint could only be left speechless.

What first caught his eye was, amusingly, the handsome face of the man.

The Sword Saint had lived a long life.

He looked much younger than his physical age, thanks to the influence of the mana he had refined, but he was now nearing sixty, a seasoned veteran.

Thus, he couldn't help but be amazed.

When compared to the experiences he had accumulated over such a long time, the man standing before the Sword Saint was so handsome that the term "handsome" seemed inadequate.

"Are you the famous Veris von Vitelbach?"

"...How do you know my name?"

"It seems to be correct. Hehe."

The Sword Saint let out a friendly smile.

He had come to the academy in person to verify the truth of the rumors and with the intention of taking that young man as his disciple.

However, even before confirming his abilities, the Sword Saint found himself genuinely fond of Veris standing before him.

"I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?"

With a vigorous stride that belied his age, the Sword Saint approached Veris. He ignored the subtle noises coming from inside the mansion.

"Nice to meet you. I am Duke Heinkel, head of the Hindenstaufen family and a knight protecting the great Vera Empire. I am also known as the Sword Saint."

"Sword Saint?"

Veris raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of a notable figure.

"Indeed. Though it's a bit awkward for me to say, how about we move to another place?"

Veris nodded at the Sword Saint's suggestion.

The sounds he had been hearing made him hesitate to enter the house.

It was clear to anyone that something was off, so having a conversation in the mansion was certainly not the best idea.

"I will guide you to a quiet place."

"You are quite polite. Good, good!"

Muttering to himself about what was so good, the Sword Saint followed Veris as he moved.

*

"Do you know why I came to the academy?"

"...I have no idea."

Veris stated the unembellished truth.

The place where Veris and the Sword Saint were sitting and conversing was a quiet café in the commercial district.

There had been a moment when the sudden appearance of Veris drew the attention of the other customers, but the innermost part of the café was a perfect space for conversation.

"I found an interesting student. I wanted to take him as my disciple, so I sent a letter, but amusingly, it was returned without being read!"

Unnecessarily excessive information. Veris maintained his silence.

It was unnecessary information to explain why the Sword Saint, the greatest master of the empire, had come to this academy and to Veris's mansion.

"So I decided to come in person. You may not know this, but my daughter is attending the academy."

"Is that so?"

Veris replied nonchalantly and took a sip of his tea.

"Do you have any idea who that audacious student is, who didn't even read my letter?"

The Sword Saint smiled broadly.

Veris immediately shook his head.

"I have no idea. Information is not so easily obtained."

"Ah."

It was a mature response for a mere academy student.

For some reason, the Sword Saint found himself looking at Veris with a surprised expression.

"Are you really a first-year student at the academy?"

"...How did you know that?"

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At the Sword Saint's question, Veris's demeanor suddenly changed.

In truth, Veris had not fully believed what the Sword Saint was saying.

How could he easily believe that a person he had never met before was claiming to be the Sword Saint and trying to enter his mansion?

That was why Veris had shown no signs of wariness and had guided him to the café.

Verification. He had intended to carry out that simple task.

"Don't be too wary. Rumors about you have already spread throughout the entire empire."

"...."

"Your mind seems sharp, but you lack perception."

"Excuse me?"

The Sword Saint let out a hearty laugh once more before speaking.

"Are you curious? About the person I sent the letter to, the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) one I wanted to take as my disciple."

With a swift motion, the Sword Saint pulled out a white envelope from his pocket and presented it to Veris.

What first caught Veris's eye was the seal stamped with the family crest.

And then.

"What is this?"

The address and recipient written in the corner of the letter were both people Veris knew very well.

[ To Veris von Vitelbach, 21st Street, Commercial District, 3-6. ]

The address was familiar, and the name was familiar.

In fact, it was amusing to say it was familiar. That letter was addressed to none other than Veris himself.

"...I didn't know."

Veris, knowing that saying anything here would hold little significance since the Sword Saint had come directly to the academy, said that.

"Ah, yes. I also thought you didn't seem like someone with such an audacious personality. There must have been a mistake in the delivery process."

Though they hadn't exchanged many words, the Sword Saint's attitude toward Veris was surprisingly friendly.

Intrigued by his kindness, Veris asked, "You seem to be interested in me."

"I must correct my earlier statement about your lack of perception."

The Sword Saint tore open the seal of the letter in front of Veris and showed him its contents.

The letter's content was simple.

The formalities that a noble should naturally observe.

And then came praises for Veris's abilities, followed by a handwritten note from the Sword Saint, Duke Heinkel, inviting him to become his disciple.

"I believe you have an idea of what I want to say to you."

The Sword Saint's subtle voice was filled with confidence.

It wasn't hard to understand. He was the undisputed greatest master of the empire, and there was no one of higher rank than him except for the royal family.

Surely, there wouldn't be a foolish person in this land who would refuse such an offer to become his disciple.

However.

"If the offer is to become your disciple, I must decline."

"...Huh?"

The Sword Saint let out a foolish sound that didn't suit him.

He wondered if he had misheard, but he hadn't.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I have no intention of becoming anyone's disciple."

"I can't believe it!"

The Sword Saint, with a look of disbelief, leaned back in his chair.

Having reached a mature age and built a reputation, he never expected someone would so casually refuse his offer to become a disciple.

"May I ask why?"

"Because I do not need anyone's teachings."

"Ha, haha! Hahaha!"

His voice was flat.

But the strength contained within it was anything but ordinary, causing the Sword Saint to let out a hollow laugh.

He had no blessings from the heavens like the Duke Wallenstein of the Gallia Kingdom.

Yet, he had grown strong. The reason was simple. His extraordinary level of insight combined with his talent produced exceptional results.

Thus, the Sword Saint could not afford to dismiss the words of the student sitting before him.

"I will speak frankly. I am amazed."

The Sword Saint made his judgment now.

The rumors circulating about the student named Veris von Vitelbach were mostly true without needing to verify their authenticity.

And that meant....

"You give off a feeling similar to mine."

"A feeling, you say?"

"Indeed."

The Sword Saint turned his gaze to the coffee, from which white steam was rising.

"Pure white mana."

"...?"

"Highly condensed mana astonishingly boasts a pure white light. Just like the mana you and I use."

What was the Sword Saint trying to convey?

Veris maintained his silence, having nothing particular to say.

"I want to share swords with you."

At the confession of the aged absolute master, Veris let out a hollow laugh.

After all that build-up, was he merely proposing a spar?

"I mean with real swords. Yes, I am now requesting that we engage in a lifeand-death duel with all my sincerity."

However, the Sword Saint's subsequent explanation only made the previous request feel even heavier.

A life-and-death duel?

If someone were to see this, they might find it amusing that the Sword Saint was requesting a full-powered duel with an academy student.

Yet, the calm eyes of the Sword Saint proved that what he was saying was no joke.

"May I ask why?"

The atmosphere was tense. Veris asked the Sword Saint.

"I was bored."

The Sword Saint's answer was straightforward.

Bored.

It was not an incomprehensible statement. Veris finally understood the Sword Saint's thoughts.

The position of an absolute being is indeed sweet.

However, sometimes it can become a shackle instead.

"Do you think I can be your opponent?"

"Honestly, I am still half in doubt. But after talking with you, my body itches, and I can't sit still."

There was a sense of firm resolve in his voice.

To this, Veris felt a sense of absurdity.

He was bored. Therefore, he wanted to engage in a full-powered duel using real swords.

It was a proposal that could be roughly understood. The problem was that Veris had no reason to accept it.

"It's not a difficult request."

"If that's the case?"

"However, I must set a condition."

In truth, generosity without any cost does not arise except among family.

Veris turned his gaze to the sword hanging at his waist.

It was a sword from another world that had not been given a name. This was also something he had received as a price in a transaction with the dean.

"A condition?"

"Yes."

Veris looked at the Sword Saint, who had a bewildered expression and continued speaking.

"I will wager my duel with you. Then, what will you wager, Sword Saint?"

Veris's low voice stirred small ripples in the calm heart of the Sword Saint.