I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 13

“Theo, The Empire’s Dawnlight isn’t supposed to look like that. Are you trying to invent an entirely new sword style?”

“Flora, didn’t I give you explicit instructions? Use only The Empire’s Dawnlight. Stop relying so much on the Fel family swordsmanship.”

“Saeorin… among the three of you, you’re the best. Flawless, actually. A little adjustment to your posture, and there’d be nothing to criticize.”

Saeorin, Theo, and Flora lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath. Theo and Flora looked particularly frustrated.

Both of them had trained in a single swordsmanship style their entire lives, internalizing its forms so deeply that even their unconscious movements followed its principles. 

Even though they were aware of it, their bodies acted on instinct, rejecting the unfamiliar and clinging to the familiar.

As a result, sparring with Kanok using only The Empire’s Dawnlight was incredibly difficult for them.

For Saeorin, however, this restriction posed no significant challenge. Thanks to his blessing—the ability to utilize others’ memories as his own—adapting came naturally.

But even Saeorin was beginning to feel irritation creeping in. After all, his primary reason for joining Azure Wings was revenge. 

Training to grow stronger was fine, but he was impatient to hunt down the reincarnators and avenge his fallen siblings.

In Saeorin’s view, with Kanok’s help alone, he could probably track and kill the reincarnators responsible for his tribe’s destruction.

Not just Kanok—the other members stationed at Azure Wings’s headquarters were exceptionally strong as well. There were at least three more knights on Kanok’s level. So why was this taking so long?

Unable to hold back his frustration, Saeorin spoke up.

“Deputy Commander.”

“What?”

“When do we start hunting the reincarnators?”

“I was wondering when someone would ask that,” Kanok said with a knowing nod, as if accustomed to such questions.

“We’ll embark on your first mission at the end of this intensive training period—on my final day as your direct supervisor. Of course, I’ll be going with you.”

At Kanok’s response, Flora and Theo shot to their feet, firing questions in rapid succession.

“Wait, really? We’re actually going after a reincarnator?”

“Will we be allowed to use our personal swordsmanship then, or just The Empire’s Dawnlight?”

Kanok remained silent until the two calmed down. Once they did, he addressed the questions.

“Yes, you’ll be hunting a real reincarnator—an uninvited guest from another dimension. That’s our job.”

Theo nodded, stepping back in satisfaction. Kanok then turned his gaze to Flora, preparing to answer her question.

“My orders remain the same during missions. You’re to use The Empire’s Dawnlight, not personal styles. However, if there are no other knights around, you may use your personal swordsmanship.”

Having answered Flora’s query, Kanok looked at Saeorin, as if to ask, Don’t you have any questions?

Saeorin sat up. He had plenty of questions but couldn’t ask them all. So, he focused on the one he was most curious about.

“What does the target reincarnator look like?”

If the mission date was set, it meant they already had information on the target. Saeorin’s assumption was correct.

“Fifteen years old, light blonde hair, blue eyes. Goes by the name ‘Akmin.’ They wield a sword and are reportedly skilled in hand-to-hand combat as well, so be cautious. I’ll provide more detailed information later in a dossier.”

Kanok’s gaze lingered on Saeorin, who still looked dissatisfied despite the answer. It seemed Kanok was wondering if there were more questions.

Saeorin opened his mouth again.

“Is it possible to pursue a specific target?”

“You’re not much of a reader, are you?”

“By books, do you mean…”

“The Azure Wings Manual that was in your room. It explains everything.”

Saeorin blinked and nodded absentmindedly.

‘I need to learn to read. It’s not unnecessary after all. It’s essential for living here.’

Later that afternoon, after training had concluded, Saeorin headed to the room next door—Flora’s room.

Knock, knock.

Following the etiquette he had learned, he knocked on the door. Flora opened it, revealing herself.

“Saeorin?”

Flora’s face had returned to its original, delicate beauty now that the swelling had completely subsided. The human body was a marvel. Saeorin, curious, poked at Flora’s cheek where it had been swollen.

“H-Hey! What are you doing…?”

“You’ve healed completely,” Saeorin remarked.

“Well, yeah…” Flora replied hesitantly.

Saeorin removed his hand from her cheek and, without hesitation, stepped into her room. The action was so natural that Flora didn’t even have time to react.

‘Did I invite her in…?’ she wondered.

Saeorin sat down in a chair and got straight to the point.

“Flora. Can you read?”

“Uh… yes, of course?”

“I have a favor to ask. I want you to teach me how to read.”

Saeorin pulled out a small pouch of money as he spoke. He had learned that borrowing someone’s effort required appropriate compensation, hence the pouch.

“Teach you how to read…? Wait, don’t tell me—” Flora stopped mid-sentence, her mouth hanging open as realization dawned. She had momentarily forgotten Saeorin’s origins.

“That’s right. You’re an Astin.”

“So that’s what you call us. Deputy Commander Kanok referred to us the same way… So, will you teach me?”

“Hmm. Not every day—I need time for my own training,” Flora said, pulling out a blank notebook, a pen, and a book titled Azure Wings Manual and setting them on the table.

“And keep your money. It’s not that hard.”

Flora’s tone was kind, showing no sign of annoyance.

Time passed swiftly. Over the course of four days, the rigorous training began to wear away the ingrained sword forms in Theo and Flora’s movements. They were becoming more accustomed to The Empire’s Dawnlight.

As their proficiency with the style grew, so did their ability to work as a team. Their coordinated strikes became sharper, exploiting openings more effectively, while their defense covered each other’s weaknesses seamlessly.

Meanwhile, during the brief intervals between training sessions, Saeorin learned to read. By the end of the four days, he could read and write simple words, including his own name.

On the morning of their first mission, Saeorin woke up feeling a rare sense of excitement. 

The thought of finally hunting down a reincarnator with his own hands was exhilarating. 

Even if the target wasn’t directly responsible for his tribe’s destruction, the mission still filled him with determination.

He got out of bed and prepared to leave. Having packed his bag the night before, there wasn’t much to do.

He dressed in the issued uniform and strapped three swords to his back. Originally, he had five, but two had broken during training, leaving the remaining slots on his harness feeling oddly empty.

When he opened the door, Flora was already waiting for him outside, dressed in the same uniform.

“All ready?” she asked.

“Yes.”

The week of training had brought Saeorin and Flora much closer. Spending late nights together on Saeorin’s reading lessons had naturally made them something akin to friends.

“Off on your first mission, huh?”

“Don’t die out there,” called out some of the earlier recruits as they passed by Saeorin and Flora.

The two watched the older knights disappear before turning and heading toward the gathering point.

Outside the dormitory, Kanok and Theo were waiting for them. Saeorin and Flora quickly joined them.

“Everyone’s here,” Kanok said. “Let’s move out.”

Kanok observed his three recruits carefully. First, Theo, whose face showed clear signs of exhaustion. 

He was doing his best to mask it, but his restless night, filled with excitement and nerves, was evident.

Next, Flora. She was in slightly better condition than Theo but still visibly tense. Her breathing was uneven, and her usual expressions were stiff and restrained.

Finally, Saeorin. She was calm and composed, with steady breaths and no outward signs of nervousness. She didn’t appear to have lost sleep, either.

‘The best of the three,’ Kanok silently assessed.

Without wasting time, Kanok led them out of the Azure Wings headquarters. All the necessary procedures had been handled the day before, so there was no need for delays.

As they departed, Kanok spoke.

“As long as you stay by my side, you won’t die. So don’t be nervous.”

His tone carried unwavering confidence, which seemed to lift Theo’s spirits noticeably.

Kanok chuckled lightly. “But remember, I’m only accompanying you on your first mission. After this, you’re on your own, so pay attention and learn well.”

Kanok’s first destination was an imperial relay station. These stations, managed by the Empire, allowed knights to borrow horses and carriages whenever needed.

“With the knight order’s insignia, you can rent horses and carriages from any relay station in the Empire. Memorize this—you’ll need it for long-distance travel,” Kanok explained as he rented two horses and a small carriage.

Typically, knights wouldn’t bother with carriages on missions, but Kanok made an exception, thinking it might be necessary if there were injuries. He didn’t feel the need to share this reasoning with the recruits.

“All aboard!” he commanded.

The three recruits hurried into the carriage. Once everyone was seated, Kanok climbed onto the driver’s seat and took hold of the reins.

Clatter-clatter-clatter—

The carriage quickly set off, leaving the imperial city behind.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was tense. Saeorin sat with a serious expression, reading through the dossier containing the reincarnator’s profile.

“Hey, Flora, do you think something’s bothering Saeorin?” Theo whispered.

“No idea… She didn’t seem upset yesterday,” Flora replied quietly, glancing at Saeorin.

Saeorin’s stern expression wasn’t unusual, and there wasn’t a particular reason for it now.

‘Sword… swordsmanship? This word is… village… girl… This is really difficult.’

The truth was simple—Saeorin was struggling to read the imperial script.