They don't want me to try anymore.

The practical training session ended quickly.

The other students went to play polo together and invited Richard, who declined as usual.

He carried his staff and sword back to the training ground, hoping to request a private training room to roll up another scroll.

then……

"Sorry, classmate, this place is full."

"full?"

"The Easter competition is coming up soon, and a lot of people are forming teams to train, and they often book two or three months in advance..."

Richard slapped his forehead: "Ah, I forgot about that."

Just then, someone behind him said, "Hmph, isn't he being a bit too arrogant? He's so careless and doesn't even prepare beforehand; how does he expect to win the competition?"

Turning his head, he saw that the speakers were four classmates from the imperial nobility. Although many students at St. Goethe were positive about Richard, there were always some who were hostile to him because of his status, but they just didn't dare to be too outspoken.

Sure enough, after making a sarcastic remark, those people didn't say much more, but they deliberately raised their heads high and slowly walked towards the small training room on the left.

Richard rolled his eyes, too lazy to explain that he had no intention of participating in that competition at all.

Nowadays, a few idiots are no longer worth his time.

However, to be fair, he was indeed a little worried.

The training room was full, but he didn't want to go to the public training grounds either—he hadn't forgotten the strange behavior Big Black had exhibited when he confronted the griffin riders in Nion, and he was thinking of summoning the dragon to take a look, which would require a large, sparsely populated area.

Do we have to leave the school gate?

Playing with Longlong in the suburbs feels like it could easily attract the city defense forces...

At that moment, the female administrator, who had been looking apologetic, heard the voices coming from the iron pipe beside her.

"Huh? It's that one? Are you sure? Okay, I'll tell him right away... Hey, don't go yet!"

The caretaker stopped Richard and said, "The people in the innermost training room said you can share it."

The innermost one?

Richard was slightly surprised. As far as he knew, Saint Goethe's training room was also divided into many levels (after all, the gap between professionals was too great). Basic rooms could be used by appointment, while advanced rooms required payment.

The room at the far end is the largest and most functional, and it is said to be able to withstand the full force of a Gold-rank professional's attack. Opening it once will consume more than a dozen magic crystals.

In the past, even though members of the Dawn Class received discounts, Richard was reluctant to use them.

Those who had just mocked Richard also heard these words, their eyes widened, their mouths twisted, and an emotion called jealousy overflowed.

One of them stepped forward and asked, "Is the student inside lacking a practice partner? We can do that too..."

The administrator shook her head: "I'm sorry, the other party specifically asked for Richard."

Richard seemed to hear the sound of his back teeth being crushed.

Hmm... I'm happy.

Now I have no choice but to comply.

After having some guesses in his mind, he imitated the way those people had done earlier, raised his chin, and slowly walked into the depths of the corridor.

He opened the door and found himself on a platform that was excessively wide.

Looking around, I could even vaguely see mountain peaks in the distance... Ah, isn't this indoors?

An illusion? A projection? Or is an entire illusory world permanently fixed here?

Amazing.

After admiring the view for a moment, he turned around and looked at the figure waiting for him at the far end of the room, and sure enough...

"Miss Luvia, thank you for your invitation."

"You're welcome. I also have something I wanted to tell you..."

Luvia took something dark from behind her back and gradually approached.

Richard raised an eyebrow, looking a little nervous.

Could it be chains? Sister, we haven't seen each other for only a few days and you're already pulling something so big? Oh no, this crappy training room is so enclosed, there's nowhere to run...

I'd like to give you a gift.

"what?"

When they got closer, Richard realized that what Luvia was holding was...

A sword?

It was a one-handed sword, entirely silver-white, with seven azure diamonds inlaid on the hilt, and fine patterns on the blade, through which a mercury-like liquid seemed to flow.

"This is……"

"The sword forged by the elves is called Averisinda, which translates to 'Darklight Blade.' It is not only sharp and tough, but also engraved with runes that aid in spellcasting and accelerate mana regeneration. It can also be used as a staff."

Luvia watched Richard's expression with some nervousness and said:

“I noticed that although you are a summoner, you really like using swords, but your sword is quite ordinary, so I took the time to specially pick one out that should suit you.”

More than just suitable...

Zheng!

As soon as Richard gripped the sword hilt, he almost heard the spiritual resonance with his ears.

What a sword!

As expected of a future half-step sword saint, his skill in sword selection is truly unparalleled!

Richard couldn't hide his liking for it, and after playing with it for a long time, he finally put the sword back in its sheath.

Recalling his earlier suspicion that it was an iron chain, he couldn't help but ask with some shame, "Isn't this gift a bit too expensive?"

Not just money, but also time... Richard thought that Luvia had rarely shown herself these days, probably because she had gone out to look for the sword.

This favor is not something you can easily accept.

However, since it involves personal growth and is a matter of life and death, it's difficult to refuse.

Luvia said calmly, "It's alright, for the sake of friendship."

"...Thank you."

Richard answered solemnly.

Then Luvia added, "When I watched you fight before, I noticed that your sword techniques were not standardized. If this becomes a habit, it will cause problems, so..."

"Richard, if you don't mind, I can teach you how to use a sword."

Richard admitted that his swordsmanship was learned from Connaught's court swordsmen, and that his skill level was limited, with much room for improvement.

But, the female swordswoman's private tutoring...?

Richard swallowed hard, unable to refuse—as he'd said before, when it came to improving his strength, there was no room for pretense.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Miss Luvia. I will repay this kindness many times over in the future!"

Luvia was overjoyed.

We're on the right track!

Indeed, by putting yourself in others' shoes and leveraging your strengths, you can reap rewards!

She calmed her excitement and said seriously, "Since we're already at the training ground, why don't we start now? You can also get familiar with the new sword."

"But first, I need to understand your skill level in all aspects, not just in swordsmanship, but also in your fighting habits with your summoned creatures."

To put it bluntly, it's just a fight, right?

It's hard not to be nervous when sparring with a gold-level opponent for the first time.

Richard smiled slightly, drew the newly acquired Spectral Dagger, and pointed it at Luvia.

At this moment, Luvia also stood with her sword in hand, her aura changing instantly.

The previous tension and shyness had vanished, replaced by a sharpness that was almost impossible to look directly at.

Richard's muscles tensed up involuntarily.

The Sword of the Empire is indeed terrifying...

He took a deep breath.

Wielding the gleaming spikes, he summoned four elemental creatures before him at a much faster speed than before.

Then, he silently recited a spell, and the purple-eyed black dragon appeared in the training room!

Compared to before, the giant black dragon is now a size larger, and the surface of its scales and horns shimmers with a bright luster. Richard asked about it in his broken dragon language, but the latter didn't know what was going on either. He could only speculate that it was a change caused by the system's characteristics.

In any case, the effect should be positive.

In short, a dragon, a small elemental legion, is lined up and ready to go.

This is the strongest lineup Richard can field.

"Miss Luvia, I'm ready!"