I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 11: Azure Wings (1)

Late in the evening, while preparing for the next match, I was approached by an official.

“Saeorin, you’ve passed the second test. Proceed to the next location.”

“What…?”

I tilted my head in confusion. The second test was supposed to be in the form of a tournament—a continuous series of matches until the final victor emerged.

“It’s true that it’s a tournament, but passing the second test isn’t based on winning. It’s determined by meeting specific criteria.”

“Does that mean I don’t have to fight anymore?”

“That’s right. However, if you wish, you can continue competing until the end. You won’t gain anything from it, though.”

After a brief moment of contemplation, I rose from my seat. If there was nothing to gain from a fight, there was no reason to continue. 

Besides, I had already been informed that I’d passed the second test.

With that decision, I began packing my belongings.

Guided by the official, I arrived at a modestly furnished reception room. 

Before entering, my gaze quickly swept across my surroundings.

The room seemed to exist solely for conversations, with minimal furniture—a small table and a plush-looking chair.

My focus shifted to the man seated across the table. His arms were crossed, and his eyes were closed. 

He wore a dark blue uniform, and the sword leaning against the table suggested he was a swordsman. Yet, there was no detectable aura from him.

Had I passed by without paying attention, I might not have noticed his presence at all.

He’s like a predator on a snowy plain.

“Come in.”

The man’s firm voice broke the silence. I glanced around, wondering if someone else had been called. But no one else was there. Even the official who had guided me had disappeared.

Cautiously, I stepped into the room.

The man opened his eyes as I entered and picked up a document from the table.

“Have a seat.”

I didn’t comply. Approaching someone who deliberately concealed their aura was akin to walking into a trap. In the harsh, frozen plains where I had lived, such behavior was suicidal.

“I’m more comfortable standing,” I replied.

“Hmm. Suit yourself.”

The man didn’t seem to care, proceeding with his task.

“Let’s see… Saeorin. Place of origin: beyond the mountains. Swordsmanship style: none…”

The document in his hand contained basic information about me. It was the same form I had filled out at the entrance before starting the admission tests.

“Capable of using mana with decent talent. Concerns noted: barbarian origins… I told them not to write unnecessary remarks, but they still did.”

The man frowned, displeased with the note, and grabbed a pen to cross it out.

“That’s better. Now, Saeorin, a formal question—why did you apply to Azure Wings? Let me guess, revenge, right?”

He answered his own question with a nod before I could respond. Taken aback by his assumption, I reluctantly nodded.

“Azure Wings’ work tends to attract people with similar pasts. That’s why I guessed.”

“Then… have you experienced something similar?” I asked cautiously.

The man raised his head, a slightly startled expression crossing his face, as if he hadn’t expected the question.

“Uh, yeah. Something like that.”

From there, he asked lighthearted questions about family, preferences, and other personal topics. I answered sincerely within reasonable limits.

“All right. Last question. Saeorin, what blessing were you born with?”

“Blessing…?”

“Your unique talent. If it’s hard to answer, you don’t have to.”

A blessing bestowed at birth. It referred to my ability to read the memories of swords. 

Startled, I blurted out, “How does a civilized person know about that…?”

My talent was considered a sacred gift from the divine wolf spirit. 

At least, that’s what everyone in my tribe, myself included, believed.

“Blessings from the world aren’t exclusive to you Astins. We, whom you call civilized, are also born with such blessings.”

I nodded blankly, my previously held beliefs shaken. It was disorienting but not impossible to accept.

The man, observing my reaction, jotted a short note on the document.

“Open-minded for an Astin, and quick to accept… good. Now, let me ask again. Can you tell me about your talent?”

I remained silent.

Since coming to this place, I had discovered an important truth through reading the memories of many swords: the civilized people zealously guarded their sword techniques from being leaked.

Revealing a family’s secret swordsmanship was seen as treason, punishable by severing the offender’s arms or execution.

It was understandable—disclosing swordsmanship was tantamount to exposing one’s weaknesses to potential opponents.

In that sense, my blessing was both enviable and fearsome to any swordsman. Silence, therefore, seemed the wisest answer.

The man nodded, as if understanding my hesitation. His own blessing was likely a hidden trump card, so he didn’t press further.

Rising from his seat, the man picked up a sword leaning against the wall. 

The heavy blade exuded a sharp metallic scent mixed with oil.

He tossed it to me.

“Take it. This is the standard-issue sword you’ll receive upon joining Azure Wings.”

I effortlessly caught the sword that was tossed my way.

The man explained that it was the standard-issue sword given to recruits upon joining Azure Wings. That meant I was officially a member of Azure Wings.

My lips curled up slightly, but the expression soon faded.

No memories.

The sword wasn’t old; it was brand new.

A pang of disappointment surged within me. I would have preferred a sword that had been used by others—a weapon imbued with experiences and lessons. A sword without memories was of no use to me.

Still, I didn’t let my disappointment show. Turning away, I sheathed the new sword into the scabbard hanging from my back, replacing the Chieftain’s sword that had been shattered during the match with the longsword.

“If you have a preference for a specific type of sword, you can make a request later to exchange it. For now, just hold onto this one,” Kanok added.

“Yes…”

“Since you’ve joined Azure Wings, let me introduce myself properly. I’m Kanok, the deputy commander of the Empire’s Knights, Azure Wings.”

Introducing himself, Kanok gestured behind him. A door that hadn’t been there before was now visible.

I followed Kanok’s instructions without question. In the White Frost Tribe, the words of the strong were law, and I was accustomed to such hierarchies.

Once inside the room, I passed the time by eating the bread and jerky prepared on the table. 

The bread was soft, almost melting in my mouth. Its taste was unlike anything I had ever known, a stark contrast to the coarse meals of the tundra.

Soft, fluffy, and almost like warm snow.

Despite its texture, it was the jerky that I considered more valuable. After all, it could be stored for emergencies. 

I made sure to stash all the jerky into my pockets, just in case I needed it later. By the time I was done, my pockets were bulging with jerky.

I had just eaten half the bread when the door opened, and a boy entered—a familiar face. It was Theo.

I didn’t bother greeting him.

Rather than feeling pleased to see Theo, I viewed him as a rival for the bread on the table. I focused even harder on finishing my share.

“Hey, you…!”

Theo, on the other hand, reacted dramatically upon seeing me. His expression was peculiar—he seemed happy but also irritated, like he was on the verge of yelling.

Even so, I just kept eating.

“You passed too, huh, Saeorin…”

I glanced briefly at Theo in response to his words. I noticed that he also had a sword with a special insignia on his waist. It seemed Theo had passed the Azure Wings admission test as well.

“Uh, so… say something…” Theo said, his voice slightly awkward. He sat across from me, hoping to initiate a conversation, but I found it uncomfortable.

“So, uh, is the bread good…?”

I didn’t bother replying. If it weren’t good, I wouldn’t have been wolfing it down. This bread was the best I’d ever tasted in my life.

This must be the craftsmanship of the civilized people…

I made up my mind. Once everything was over and I returned to my homeland, I would make sure to bring back the recipe for this bread.

I had just finished eating all the bread when the door opened again.

This time, a girl who appeared to be around the same age entered the room. 

Her face was peculiar, swollen as if she had been beaten badly. It wasn’t hard for me to recognize her.

The girl’s name was Fell Flora.

“You…!”

Just as I recognized her, Fell Flora recognized me as well.

I immediately stood up and extended my hand. In the White Frost Tribe, strength was always respected. Fell Flora was someone worthy of such respect.

“It was a good fight, Fell Flora.”

“Uh…”

Flora was taken aback. She even flinched and stepped back, thinking I might attack her. But I wasn’t. I was merely offering a handshake.

Looking confused, Flora eventually shook hands with me.

As we shook hands, the door opened once more, and Kanok entered the room.

“So, have you all introduced yourselves? Good. You’re the last ones. Get along with each other. Now, pack your things and follow me.”