Physical conditioning and magic refinement were my daily routine, a program I strictly maintained. Even if the body of an Iron Man slowly crumbled and the weight of my life gradually lightened, my principles would sustain it all, allowing me to live and move even if my body was destroyed.0

... However, I looked at Yulie without a word, noticing her round cheeks as she approached with a composed expression, seemingly prepared for how she might appear to me, and then questioned me regarding swordsmanship and sparring.0

"Sparring?" I inquired.0

"Yes, in truth, this is the second time I have witnessed your swordsmanship, Count Yukline," Yulie replied.0

"The second time, you say?"0

"I saw it at the Imperial University's affiliated Knights' Order," Yulie said, nodding.0

“... This is a junior knight named Yurie, a spirited young warrior from Freyden who seems to have many questions. By the way, what was that basic stance just now?” Raphel said with an easygoing smile, standing beside Yulie.2

Even as he spoke, Raphel's eyes betrayed his curiosity about the basic stance he had just witnessed. Though it was merely a warm-up for me, the knights would recognize it at a glance—this basic stance was designed more efficiently and naturally than any other swordsmanship.0

"It is merely part of physical training," I replied as I sheathed my sword.0

"For mere training, it was, I found, perfection itself? The connection and composition of the basic stances, moreover, were beyond question," Raphel interrupted. 0

Then Raphel continued, "Let there be no misapprehension. My desire does not extend to possessiveness. My swordsmanship, by now, is inseparable from my very being. Therefore, even should I wish for alteration, it would not change. However, your very swordsmanship is renowned through whispered admiration among the ranks of knights."0

"... Renowned?" I said, furrowing my brow.0

"Yes. A considerable number of people have witnessed your physical training. I, too, have seen...0