Future Knight

Chapter 12

‘I want to learn it. But as a stranger, would they even allow me to learn? What if I bring it up and it just puts me in an awkward position?’

Kang Chan found himself feeling strangely timid, which he found rather pathetic.

However, given his current situation, it was extremely difficult for Kang Chan to straightforwardly ask Elradian to teach him the elves’ swordsmanship.

So, Kang Chan began to cautiously gauge Elradian’s mood, trying to read his intentions.

He was already deeply captivated by the elves’ swordsmanship and did not want to give up. He listened to Elradian’s words attentively, sometimes reacting with playful exclamations, and sometimes showing regretful expressions, going as far as to act in ways that were completely out of character for him.

However, perhaps due to his exhausted body, Kang Chan eventually succumbed to the overwhelming sleepiness and dozed off.

“There are many other races that see us elves as just long-range support using bows and spirit magic, but I assure you, there is no other race in this world with as long and prestigious a history of exceptional close combat swordsmanship as us elves. The reason for this is… Hey, are you asleep?”

“No! I’m not!”

“How can you fall asleep while listening to such an exciting story?”

“No! I was listening to everything.”

Kang Chan, now wide awake, quickly wiped the drool from his mouth and attentively listened again with sparkling eyes.

Elradian, who had been looking at him with a somewhat displeased expression, resumed his praise of the elves’ swordsmanship.

Currently, Kang Chan was so exhausted from the deadly battle with Keremion that he could have fainted, but he fought off the creeping fatigue and listened to Elradian’s explanation to the end.

Thanks to that, Kang Chan began to understand why Keremion had been so strong.

It was the concept of mana that composed this world and the fact that by utilizing this mana, one could become stronger than an ordinary human.

And it wasn’t necessary to undergo some damned physical modification surgery either.

He also learned that it required immense effort, talent, and time to move this mana at will.

“Hmm, it’s already this late? No wonder you’re tired. Take a good rest. I should be going now.”

“Are you leaving already? Then when can I hear the rest of the story?”

At Kang Chan’s words, Elradian’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Weren’t you bored by my story?”

‘This is my chance! There won’t be another opportunity like this.’

Seizing the moment, Kang Chan spoke to Elradian with an even more earnest expression.

“I was so excited to hear about the grand history of the elves’ swordsmanship that my palms were sweating. As someone who also wields a sword, I would love to learn it if possible.”

“You want to learn the elves’ swordsmanship?”

“If you would teach me. But that might be difficult, right? I’m not an elf after all.”

Kang Chan did his utmost to put on a regretful expression.

His normally expressionless facial muscles weren’t easy to move just because he wanted them to.

It seemed like his face might cramp up.

Perhaps recognizing Kang Chan’s sincere effort, a conflicted look appeared on Elradian’s face as well.

“Hmm…”

‘This human is of an age equivalent to an elf who has finished their prime years. With such a body, no matter how much he trains, he probably won’t achieve a very high level… Swordsmanship is something that must be honed from a young age before the body fully develops over a long period. Well, this is why few young elves prefer swordsmanship. Anyway, this human has been allowed to reside in the forest village with Lady Arteon’s permission, making him the only non-elf allowed. Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to show a human a glimpse of the greatness of our elves’ swordsmanship this once. Who knows? If he eventually reaches the level of a master in elven swordsmanship, the prestige of the elven sword…’

Having thought too far ahead, Elradian’s face was filled with unusually rich expressions for an elf.

In truth, there was no other race that underestimated the elves’ swordsmanship.

However, what was even more frightening about them was their archery, which overshadowed their swordsmanship.

The terrifying precision of the elven archery, capable of hitting coin-sized targets from hundreds of meters away, was well-known throughout the continent.

Their mana-infused arrows rendered any armor and shields useless, making heavy armor a cumbersome burden in front of them.

The elves’ swordsmanship was often overshadowed by the fearsome reputation of their archery. In Elradian’s heart, there was a desire to prove to the world that the elves’ swordsmanship was in no way inferior to their archery.

Given this, how could he not be delighted to hear praise for the elves’ swordsmanship from a human, not even an elf?

‘Hmm, I should discuss this with Lady Arteon first.’

Rising from his seat, Elradian spoke to Kang Chan.

“Hmph! Then come find me at the training ground early tomorrow morning.”

“Really?”

“Nothing is decided yet, so don’t get your hopes up too much. Just come early tomorrow morning. Now then, I’ll be off. Hmph! Is it going to rain?”

“Then I will see you tomorrow! Elder.”

Kang Chan’s way of addressing Elradian had now changed to a more affectionate term, Elder.

* * *

Elradian, sitting in a modest room, was conversing with someone through a crystal ball.

“This is the situation. What are your thoughts, Lady Arteon?”

“That is absolutely impossible. Especially allowing the elves’ mana cultivation techniques to be passed to another race is absolutely forbidden.”

“Of course.”

“Furthermore, we still know nothing about his true intentions, other than the fact that he came from another world. You understand my point, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then, Elradian, I have other pressing matters to attend to, so I must take my leave.”

Elradian, with a dark expression, bid her farewell.

“I understand, Lady Arteon.”

“May the spirits bless you, Elradian.”

“And may the forest grant you peace, Lady Arteon.”

After the brief conversation with Arteon, Elradian rose from his seat and looked out the window, letting out a sigh.

### 5. The Unattainable

“What? You might start learning our elves’ swordsmanship from today?”

“He told me to come back today.”

“Hmph! It’s a waste of time. We elves never teach our knowledge to other races.”

“Well, we’ll see about that, right? I’m off now.”

“…”

Watching Kang Chan walk away, Jaina’s feelings were no different from Kang Chan’s yesterday.

She had planned to skip class and go hunting with him today, so she couldn’t help but feel betrayed.

“Go ahead and beg and plead, but they won’t teach you…”

Left alone, Jaina watched Kang Chan’s disappearing figure and finally burst into tears.

In truth, Jaina, with her loud and eccentric personality, didn’t get along well with the other elves who had more serene dispositions.

Moreover, her lack of concentration meant she wasn’t good with a bow like the other elves, nor did she have any talent for magic.

Given her noisy nature and lack of skills, it was inevitable that she had no friends approaching her.

Kang Chan’s arrival had been like rain in a drought for her.

For the first time, she had found a friend she could be with without any pretense.

Since then, Jaina hadn’t wanted to be apart from Kang Chan for even a single day.

To her, Kang Chan was an inseparable friend, like half of an apple.

“Idiot…”

Without even thinking to wipe away her tears, Jaina just sat there and cried endlessly.

Kang Chan’s reappearance caused the young elves to start whispering among themselves.

Among them, the elf who reacted the most sensitively was Keremion, who had previously been defeated by Kang Chan.

Still suffering from the aftermath of his defeat, he sat leaning against a tree, staring blankly into the distance.

When Kang Chan suddenly appeared, Keremion, radiating a fierce killing intent, sprang up like lightning and drew his wooden sword.

He roughly pushed through the other elves and approached Kang Chan.

“Human! Let’s fight again!”

“I have no business with you.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I have no business with you.”

“Say that again.”

A thick killing intent erupted from Keremion’s entire body, as if a sword fight could break out at any moment.

But at a single word from someone, he quietly returned to his place and resumed staring at the distant mountains.

“Stop! Human, follow me.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Keremion watched in disbelief as Kang Chan respectfully followed behind Elradian.

‘Why is Lord Elradian dealing with a human like him?’

Ignoring Keremion’s intense, burning gaze, Kang Chan followed quietly behind Elradian. Then, as if he remembered something, he turned back to look at Keremion.

Kang Chan extended his fist towards Keremion and raised his middle finger.

Whether this Earthly insult would work on Keremion was uncertain, but in his current mood, Kang Chan felt he had to do it to feel satisfied.

The human made a strange hand gesture at him.

Keremion mimicked Kang Chan’s gesture and showed it to his companions, asking what it meant.

Of course, the other elves, not knowing either, copied the gesture and showed it around, asking each other what it meant.

Seeing this, Kang Chan couldn’t help but laugh.

“Haha, don’t tease him too much.”

Startled, Kang Chan quickly turned back and followed Elradian quietly.

“That child is agitated with you because he has bad memories involving humans. Don’t let it trouble you too much.”

Kang Chan responded cautiously to Elradian’s words.

“May I know what happened?”

“Well, I don’t really want to talk about it, but since you’ll be staying in this village and will see him often, I’ll tell you a bit. Keremion’s sister had a bad experience with humans.”

“I see.”

It was clear without needing much thought what that bad experience could have been.

He wasn’t even born on this planet, yet he had to bear Keremion’s anger for atrocities committed by other humans. It felt truly unfair.

As they conversed, they crossed a vine bridge and climbed high into a tree. Elradian spread his arms wide and exclaimed.

“We’re here! Come inside.”

“Where is this?”

“Where else? It’s my home.”

Despite Elradian’s high status as the Elder, his home was no different from the modest dwellings Kang Chan had seen. He was moved by Elradian’s simple lifestyle.

Not only Elradian but all the elves he had seen lived without any greed or avarice. The only thing they were excessively attached to was the forest they lived in.

“Sit here.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Well, the reason I brought you here is…”

After a brief pause, Elradian spoke with difficulty.

“I told you yesterday not to get your hopes up too much, didn’t I?”

“Yes, Elder.”

Kang Chan didn’t want to hear what Elradian was about to say. He could already guess what it would be.

“I’m sorry. It seems it will be difficult for you to learn our elves’ swordsmanship. This is a decision made by the council.”

As the words he had most dreaded came from Elradian, Kang Chan felt all strength drain from his body.

“As expected, I see.”

“We elves never share our knowledge with other races. That is our law.”

Kang Chan had heard this from Jaina before.

“Is there no way?”

“I’m sorry. Once a decision is made, even I can’t change it. Please understand and return.”

“I really want to learn swordsmanship. I’ll do anything.”

“I’m sorry. It’s already decided. Please understand.”

Despite knowing it was futile, Kang Chan earnestly pleaded several more times, but Elradian firmly rejected his request.

Finally, Kang Chan had no choice but to turn back towards home.

His steps felt heavy.

Feeling a lingering regret, Kang Chan kept looking back, feeling increasingly pathetic.

‘I really wanted to learn…’