That evening, in the living room, Cyan sat leisurely on the sofa, his mind wandering through countless thoughts.
"I'm almost back to my old training pace… This recovery speed really does suit the body of a noble."
Even so, a trace of melancholy flickered across his face as he let out a sigh.
-Haizzz....
"Still, I've barely made any real progress."
"My swings, my footwork… nothing has really changed. It's all just repeating itself over and over."
"Of course… my knowledge of swordsmanship only comes from movies. There's no way I can rely on something that shallow to train properly."
"This is a fantasy world. Swordsmanship here can't possibly be that crude."
"After all, how could an ordinary world compare to one filled with magic, monsters… and even dragons?"
"Maybe… having a proper sword instructor would help at this stage."
At that moment, fragments of Cyan's memories surfaced.
"Right… if we're talking about swordsmanship in the Holy Kingdom, the best choices would be those from the two greatest sword clans."
"The Moon Clan Lunari and the Star Clan Sforza—both are immensely powerful. Learning from them would make my path far smoother."
"However, the Moon style focuses on defense… it doesn't suit my current fighting style at all."
"A school centered on speed… the Star sword style, a branch of the Holy Sword, would fit me much better."
"In fact, geography supports this too. The Moon Clan lies far in the southwest, while the Star Clan borders the southern edge of the Velton territory."
"But…"
"..."
At that thought, Cyan's expression tightened slightly as he fell into deep contemplation.
"I don't really like the idea… but I should probably ask Lord Konan about this. He might be able to help."
"If things continue like this, neither my swordsmanship nor my magic will improve at all."
"..."
"Hmm… it should be about time. I should prepare a bit."
"Serafina might need me to teach her something… or maybe she wants to talk about going to the territory."
"If she just wanted to see me… kids these days really are bold."
Just then, the living room door suddenly swung open, making Cyan flinch slightly.
A maid with distinctive blue hair stepped in first, followed by two children.
A young lady with white hair tinged faintly with violet, dressed in an elegant black gown, entered gracefully. Behind her came a blond boy clad in noble white attire, exuding authority.
The young lady smiled brightly, her cheeks faintly flushed as she spoke first.
-Hello, Cyan. Have you been waiting long?
-Oh, not at all, Serafina. I just arrived myself,— Cyan replied awkwardly, scratching his head.
Cyan shifted his gaze toward the boy standing behind her, a fleeting hint of disappointment crossing his face as he spoke.
-Oh, greetings,Older Brother Lucian. I didn't expect you to be here as well.
Lucian stepped closer, lightly scratching his cheek. His eyes wandered around the room, unable to meet Cyan's gaze directly.
-Ah… um… actually…
"....."
-Well… I asked Sera to arrange… a meeting with you, Cyan.
Seeing Lucian's awkwardness, Cyan felt slightly surprised.
"Is this something that serious? He looks really flustered.""The same Saint-tier mage who fought me evenly the other day… would act like this?"
Cyan interlocked his fingers on the table, his expression turning serious as he looked at Lucian.
-Is something wrong,older brother?
-Ah… well… the thing is…
At that moment, Lucian suddenly bowed deeply at a perfect 45-degree angle, his back straight, hands pressed tightly against his thighs, eyes fixed on the floor.
-I… Luci—Lucian De Borgia… sincerely apologize to Cyan Von Velton for my rude behavior.-I listened to many foolish rumors… and because of that, I disliked you and acted improperly.-However, after our battle, I understand now—you are not that kind of person. Personally, I have no objections to your engagement with Sera.-I sincerely apologize, Cyan.
As he finished speaking, Lucian's ears turned red, yet he maintained his posture.
Serafina also bowed, her left hand resting gently over her right before her abdomen.
-I am also at fault for not stopping my brother. Please forgive the two of us.
The sudden scene left Cyan momentarily bewildered.
"Was that fight really that serious…? To me, it was just like a simple quest in a game."
Leaning slightly forward, his brows lifting with a hint of sympathy, Cyan responded gently.
-I see… well, I didn't really take it to heart.
He extended his hand.
-It's fine. I accept your sincerity, Lucian—and yours as well, Serafina.
Hearing his response, the two children visibly brightened and straightened up.
Lucian quickly grasped Cyan's hand, his face filled with relief.
Seeing this, Serafina smiled warmly.
The two spoke in unison.
-Thank you for your kindness!
Cyan waved his hand dismissively.
-Come on, sit down. You didn't come here just for this, right?
-You're quite perceptive!— Lucian replied softly.
The siblings sat properly across from Cyan.
Lucian spoke with a formal tone.
-I have something I'd like to give you as a gift, Cyan.
He then gestured toward Sitri, who had brought a cup of tea and placed it on the table before Cyan.
Lucian extended his hand toward it as he introduced it.
-This is a premium tea exclusive to our family. Its name is Gyokuro—please, feel free to enjoy it.
Serafina chimed in enthusiastically.
-He spent a long time deciding on what to give you—and even on the apology… so please, go ahead and enjoy it.
Lucian blushed, waving his hand.
-Hey… what are you saying?!
-I'm just telling the truth.
Watching the exchange, Cyan couldn't help but smile inwardly—a rare sense of peace in this new world.
-Alright then, I won't hesitate any longer..
Cyan lifted the teacup to eye level.
The tea was not the usual deep golden hue, but clear like amber, reflecting light into soft green rays reminiscent of emerald.
A thin wisp of steam curled upward, carrying the pure scent of fresh grass after rain, intertwined with a faint richness of the sea—layer upon layer of fragrance so refined that it calmed the mind instantly.
He took a small sip.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, a strange coolness spread, quickly transforming into a deep, gentle sweetness that seeped into every crevice of his teeth.
It wasn't the sharp sweetness of sugar, but a dense umami richness—as if it contained the very essence of heaven and earth, condensed into a single drop of dew.
The flavor coursed down his spine, causing the magical circuits within Cyan's body to resonate faintly.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. This sensation… was truly strange.
A faint bitterness lingered at the aftertaste before vanishing instantly, leaving behind a lingering elegance that refused to fade.
Cyan gently swirled the teacup in his hand, his deep gaze fixed on the rippling liquid.
A strangely familiar feeling rose within him.
Both familiar and distant… like something he had forgotten. Something he had once felt somewhere far away, in a place where time itself seemed to stand still.
"Gyokuro…" — Cyan murmured, his voice low, as if speaking only to himself.
"The name 'jade dew' truly fits.""This taste… it's a tea from my old Earth."
He looked up at Lucian, his deep blue eyes now carrying a trace of contemplation.
"For the past six years… this is the first thing I've seen that resembles something from Earth."
"Why…? I feel like it's not that simple…"
A single hot tear suddenly formed at the corner of Cyan's eye, slowly rolling down his cheek.
It fell, dissolving into the jade-colored liquid.
He wasn't crying in the usual sense—there was no sobbing, no visible emotion on his face.
His body simply reacted… for no apparent reason.
All of a sudden, Cyan felt his body grow unbearably heavy. His shoulders sank slightly, his head lowering.
It was as if a part of his strength had been drained away.
A deep, bone-weary exhaustion surged up from the depths of his being.