Chapter 45: Don’t Call Me Master

The noise of the tavern faded in an instant.

The man with the half-peeled fake beard was bowing so deeply his forehead nearly scraped the floor.

At the absurd sight, the gazes of the surrounding patrons pierced our table like sharp arrows.

(…Why did it come to this?)

I pressed my temples and let out a long, heavy sigh.

Beside me, Rowena, unable to understand what was happening, simply stared wide-eyed while tightly gripping the hem of my cloak.

“Get up.”

I spoke as quietly as possible, but with a tone that allowed no refusal.

“People are watching. We’ll talk somewhere else.”

The man snapped back to his senses and hurriedly stood up.

There was a certain refinement in his movements, but under the circumstances, it only made him look ridiculous.

I left the payment on the table, took Rowena’s hand, and quickly exited the tavern.

Chris hurried after us.

When we reached a quiet alley with little foot traffic, I turned around and gave an order.

“First, take off that ridiculous beard. Then we’ll talk.”

Chris obediently peeled off the fake beard, then faced me again and bowed deeply.

“My name is Chris! About the other day—my companions were terribly rude…”

“I don’t need your introduction. Tell me the reason. Why do you want to become my disciple?”

At my blunt question, Chris raised his head.

His eyes burned with a pure, almost childlike passion.

“In your swordsmanship, I saw the ‘real thing’ I’ve been searching for! What I’ve learned so far was rigid—meant to be ‘shown.’ But your sword is different! It’s been honed at the edge of life and death, stripped of all waste—refined purely to defeat the enemy! That is the true strength I seek!”

His words, filled with fervor, seemed entirely genuine.

But my answer did not change.

“I refuse.”

I cut him off with a single word.

“I have no intention of taking on disciples. And teaching others doesn’t suit me. It’s a hassle.”

“P-Please, I beg you! I’ll do anything—take care of chores, carry your luggage, anything! Just—!”

“You’re persistent. I won’t say it a third time.”

With that, I turned my back on the stunned Chris and left with Rowena.

Back at the inn, the moment I shut the door, exhaustion washed over me.

I sat down on the bed and let out another deep sigh.

Then, Rowena, sitting beside me, gently patted my back with her small hand.

That warmth gradually calmed the irritation in my chest.

I gave a wry smile and gently patted her head.

Then I scooped her up in my arms.

“Wah!”

Lifting her lightly into the air, I gently rocked her.

“Hehe…”

Before long, her smile returned, and soon her laughter rang through the room like tinkling bells.

Hearing that laughter, the troublesome events from earlier somehow felt insignificant.

The next day, after breakfast, we went out to explore the settlement that was soon to become a town.

Around the reservoir, a lively morning market had formed, with stalls selling fresh fish, vibrant vegetables, and local crafts.

The savory smell of skewered small fish grilled in sweet sauce teased my nose.

“Edo, there.”

As I was looking at some weapons on display, Rowena tugged lightly on my cloak and whispered.

Following her gaze, I saw Chris peeking at us from behind a large barrel, acting as suspiciously as possible.

He was wearing a wide-brimmed hat pulled low over his face, but it was completely obvious.

I let out an exaggerated sigh and deliberately walked off in another direction.

But Chris didn’t give up.

When we entered a bakery, he peeked in through the window.

When we stopped at a smithy to watch the craftsmen at work, he somehow ended up standing beside us, arms crossed, nodding as if he belonged there.

“Edo, again.”

“He’s still there.”

Rowena’s quiet reports reached my ears each time.

This continued the entire day.

At that point, I could only be exasperated by his persistence.

That evening, as we passed by the arena, I finally gave in.

I turned toward Chris, who had been tailing us, and called him over.

“…Fine. If you’re that serious, I’ll give you one chance.”

Chris’s face lit up instantly.

“Tomorrow, the final qualifiers will be held in this arena. Enter them.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t misunderstand. I haven’t decided to take you as a disciple. If you make it through the qualifiers and perform well in the main tournament… then I’ll consider it.”

“Consider it”—a vague promise.

But for Chris, it seemed more than enough hope.

“Yes! I will absolutely meet your expectations, Master!”

“I told you—don’t call me Master!”

Watching Chris run off toward the arena full of energy, I once again took Rowena’s hand and began walking.

Then, just once, Rowena glanced back at him.

Hiding slightly behind me, she whispered in a very small voice—

“…do your best.”