I Can See the Sword’s Memories

Chapter 7

A gentle breeze brushed softly through my hair. Saeorin didn’t rashly draw his sword. That was because he didn’t sense any hostility from the other party.

It was simply a precaution.

Lowering his hand, Saeorin stepped aside.

As Saeorin backed away without resistance, the boy also lowered his stance from the sword posture. 

Then, after glancing at Saeorin with an awkward expression, he began to walk at some distance.

Saeorin likewise began walking. There was no reason to stop since their destination was just a little farther ahead.

Step—step—

The sound of small footsteps was joined by another pair. Saeorin turned his head to look behind him. The boy he had encountered earlier was following him at a steady distance.

It was a remote area with few people around. Even though he didn’t sense any hostility, the fact that the boy was deliberately following him hinted at some other intention.

Saeorin stopped in his tracks and called out to the boy.

“You there.”

“…Me?”

At Saeorin’s question, the boy halted. His face showed surprise, as though he hadn’t expected to be addressed.

“What’s your purpose in following me?”

“What? Following you? Why would I follow you?”

“This is a deserted, narrow path. There are plenty of other routes, but the fact that you’re intentionally following me suggests ulterior motives, doesn’t it?”

Saeorin’s suspicion was natural. This wasn’t the first time he had experienced something like this, and the boy he met this time seemed to be harboring romantic feelings as well.

‘How unfortunate.’

He felt sorry for the boy. But what could he do? This was an inevitable outcome. His sister, Saeran’s body, was just that beautiful.

“Let me make this clear in advance. Boy, I can’t pursue any relationship with you. It’s not the right situation for that.”

The boy, Theo, frowned and tilted his head at Saeorin’s words. It was hard to grasp what the small girl in front of him was trying to say.

“What did you just…”

“Honestly, it doesn’t make me feel good. If possible, I’d prefer you not walk the same path as me.”

Theo stared at Saeorin’s retreating figure. Despite his ragged appearance, the way he spoke was no different from that of a noble lady. Arrogant nobles sometimes misunderstood others’ actions in such a manner.

Anger bubbled up in Theo, and he shouted immediately.

“Hey! What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Who on earth would even like someone like you…! And I’m not following you; I’m headed to the Karma Empire!”

Theo exhaled deeply, having vented his bottled-up frustration. His shoulders rose and fell as his chest swelled with emotion, a clear sign of his anger.

Saeorin turned back to look at Theo, who was yelling with a flushed face. Seeing him so worked up, Saeorin realized his words had struck a nerve.

Children often—no, usually—reacted like this when their true feelings were exposed.

Saeorin nodded.

“If I misunderstood, I apologize.”

“Wha…”

Theo was taken aback by the unexpectedly quick apology. Regardless, Saeorin turned around and resumed walking.

Theo, who had been standing in a daze, also started walking again.

The strange journey of the boy and girl together continued for quite some time. That was because their destination was the same.

Saeorin didn’t concern himself with Theo. However, Theo couldn’t stop thinking about Saeorin.

At first, he observed Saeorin out of curiosity, wondering just how exceptional his appearance could be to warrant such arrogance. However, as time passed, Theo found himself entranced.

Even though his clothes were dirty, his hair shone with a radiant gloss. Despite the trail of dust settled along the sweat streaks on his face, his skin looked smooth. And those eyes—what about them? Whenever their gazes occasionally met through half-lidded eyes, an intense shock reverberated through Theo’s chest.

Hmm…

If he already looked like this, what would he look like cleaned up and well-dressed?

Theo shook his head vigorously to dispel the image that had formed in his mind. But once such thoughts began, they wouldn’t stop.

Eventually, Theo spoke up.

“Hey…!”

There was no response. Theo called out again.

“Hey, you there!”

“What is it?”

Silver-white hair fluttered lightly with a casual turn of the head. Theo felt his face flush as he spoke.

“I’m Theo. What’s your name?”

At Theo’s question, Saeorin’s right eyebrow twitched noticeably. Theo watched this reaction with growing apprehension.

Saeorin looked at Theo steadily. He had been claiming to have no interest, yet here he was sneaking glances and now even asking for his name.

Debating whether to ignore Theo’s question, Saeorin glanced up at the sky, where the sun was beginning to set.

At their current pace, it would take another day to reach their destination. Having someone to talk to along the way wouldn’t be so bad.

If the boy were to reveal any lecherous intentions and try to make a move, separating his head from his body would solve the problem.

Of course, that was unlikely to happen. Boys of this age tended to be overly proud. Stirring that pride just a little would prevent them from trying to get any closer.

Saeorin nodded slightly before responding.

“You claim to have no interest in me, yet now you ask for my name.”

“I…”

At Saeorin’s teasing tone, Theo’s face turned beet red. Before his breathing could grow more ragged, Saeorin quickly continued.

“Saeorin. And you’re Theo.”

To be honest, Saeorin half-expected to get hit. He had provoked Theo enough that a punch would’ve been warranted.

However, no punch came. The boy named Theo averted his gaze slightly and simply nodded.

‘How strange. When I teased my brothers, I often got hit a few times…’

As time passed, the awkwardness between them seemed to dissipate, and Theo began peppering Saeorin with questions. How old was he? What were his hobbies? Where was he from?

Naturally, Saeorin didn’t answer them all. Depending on his mood, he would occasionally give a response.

After the flurry of questions, Theo began introducing himself, even though Saeorin hadn’t asked. Haltingly, he explained his situation.

Through Theo’s introduction, Saeorin learned that he too had suffered great losses at the hands of the Transcenders.

“You’ve been through something horrible.”

“Well, it’s not exactly uncommon…”

“Is your reason for heading to the Karma Empire to join Cheongik?”

“Yeah.”

Saeorin studied Theo. Though he feigned calmness, his eyes burned with barely restrained fury.

Suddenly, Saeorin found himself curious. How skilled was this boy who shared his goal? How strong were the swordsmen of the Cheongik that he aspired to join?

Saeorin placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.

“Are you strong?”

“What…? Of course I am! Someone like me could join Cheongik right away!”

Saeorin nodded thoughtfully. Theo, having lost his hometown to the Transcenders, couldn’t possibly be stronger than them.

This was merely a curiosity. Saeorin wanted to gauge the strength of a swordsman from a civilization and see how his own swordsmanship measured up against this self-proclaimed strong boy.

“If I defeat you, that would mean I could also join Cheongik, wouldn’t it?”

“What…?”

“I’m suggesting we spar.”

Saeorin said this as he drew one of the five swords strapped to his back—the third one.

Shiiing—

The drawn blade was thin and short. The grip’s color had faded with age, but the blade itself remained sharp.

It was a rapier. Held lightly in Saeorin’s small hand, the sword moved gracefully. It extended in a straight line, carving an elegant arc in the air, leaving a beautiful trail.

Swoosh—!

It wasn’t a strike meant for depth—just a display of technique. Purely for show, the swordsmanship embedded in the rapier’s memory was all about aesthetics.

For now, that was enough. This style best suited his current body.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“What…”

After a moment of hesitation, Theo reluctantly drew his sword.

Shiiing—

The blade emitted a faint blue glow, reflecting the light of the setting sun as it was unsheathed.

Theo’s reluctance was obvious. He didn’t seem eager to spar but felt compelled to agree due to Saeorin’s insistence. Saeorin didn’t mind. Soon, Theo’s hesitant demeanor would be replaced by genuine determination.

Smiling lightly, Saeorin removed the heavy pack from his back and tossed it aside. The weight lifted, bringing a welcome lightness to his body.

Tap.

His steps grew lighter. Exhaling softly, he merged the memories of an unnamed swordsman with the techniques of the White Frost Tribe.

“Let’s begin.”

“If you get hurt, it’s not my fault…!”

Before Theo could finish his sentence, Saeorin stepped forward with his right leg. His steady breathing exploded in a burst of energy, channeling power into his right leg.

His forward-extended leg became a strong pivot. Maintaining that position, Saeorin swung the sword in his right hand.

Swoosh—!

The strike came from outside Theo’s field of vision. Among the swordsmen Saeorin had faced so far, none had been able to avoid this attack. But this time, he expected it to be blocked. Saeorin could sense Theo’s eyes tracking his sword.

Clang—!

A spark, reminiscent of the setting sun’s glow, flared as steel met steel. Saeorin gazed at Theo, who had successfully blocked his sword.

Theo showed no sign of surprise. His breathing remained steady. In response, Saeorin decided to quicken his movements.

Without hesitation, he rotated his wrist and stepped back.

Tap-tap—!

The thin rapier tapped against Theo’s longsword several times.