The Sleeping Devil

Vol. 2 - Chapter 4 - The Steel Count's Daughter

In a hurry before being discovered by Didier, Sheriel quickly changed into the equestrian attire brought by Sergio.

It seems that for children, there are only equestrian pants available for women. Since there is hardly any gender difference in children's clothing, it was decided to bring me Didier's hand-me-downs.

"Um, women don't learn swordsmanship, right?"

"That's not true at all. We learn self-defense techniques at the academy, and it's necessary to learn swordsmanship to handle short blades and deal with swords to some extent."

"Indeed, I'm starting to feel that way too."

In that dream of death, I felt like it was the daughter who made Maria fall during the martial arts class.

The two of them were in the garden. It was a busy day, coming in and out.

"Although we'll try the baptism ceremony again just to be sure, if you can't use magic, then it's good to excel in swordsmanship. Well, there are no female knights at the moment, but the Beriard family has an obligation to participate in subjugations."

I see, so that's why they called me useless or defective.

Strangely, I understood and, with the memories of my previous life, I felt motivated.

I was given a practice sword that had its child-sized blade flattened and was taught the proper stance.

"Father, shouldn't we start with a wooden sword or something?"

"It's fine. We're Beriards."

Oh, it's heavy...

I put strength into my arms and focused on my core.

Slightly lowering my stance, I concentrated on keeping my balance steady, putting strength even into my fingertips so as not to drop the sword. Suddenly, blood began circulating throughout my body.

Yeah, I can hold it. I'm not sure if I can swing it, but it feels right.

A sensation as if sweat was gushing out of my pores reached the top of my head.

"Ho, interesting."

What's interesting? They suddenly handed me such a heavy sword!

I'll definitely have muscle pain tomorrow. My arms and back are tingling, and I'm only seven years old.

"Let's try swinging it a bit. Swing it down straight from above. Yes, that's good. At first, it's fine to use both hands, but let's work on being able to swing it with one hand as the basics."

Desperately maintaining my balance so that my body wouldn't be carried away by the weight of the sword, I managed to swing it down somehow.

Next, I brought it back up to the extension of my forehead, being careful not to flip it over.

"Hmm, let's have a little bout. I'll sit here, so come at me however you like."

Sergio and Sheriel's swordsmanship poses were out of reach due to their height difference. Considering that, Sergio sat cross-legged on the lawn and took a one-handed stance with the sword.

"If I get injured, I'll tell Didier about it."

"That's scary. Please be careful not to get hurt."

Alright, here I go! I lightly pulled back my left leg and firmly planted my right foot on the ground.

I struck diagonally towards Sergio's sword with all my strength. Clang! A high-pitched sound echoed, and at the same time, my palm went numb.

Uh-oh, I swiftly readjusted my grip on the sword as Sergio lightly pushed back.

I quickly shifted my feet to prevent my upper body from being left behind and turned my shoulder in the opposite direction of the hand holding the sword.

I flicked my wrist and thrust the sword forward.

Ka-chunk

The sword slipped out of my hand, soaring through the air and landing on the ground. Sergio had deflected it.

But surprisingly, I felt that I could do this.

"That's amazing. Sheriel might have the same talent for swordsmanship as me. Oh, was it the memory from your previous life that you mentioned before? Do you have memories that your body remembers?"

After a momentary pause, while flexing my tingling palm, I tried to recall the sensation from earlier.

"In my previous life, I was indeed a knight, but I don't really recall those memories. However, just now, in a vague sense... I felt like I knew what to do when I wanted to do something. Is it possible for the body to remember even though it's a different body?"

"Well, I don't know about that. I don't like thinking."

"You're the one who asked in the first place!"

"Anyway, are you consciously strengthening yourself? Or is it unconscious?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is it unconscious? Well, that sword should be difficult for you to wield in the first place. It would be enough just to swing it, but you swung it quite skillfully."

Why did you give me something like this, Father? And isn't this a bit too strict? At this rate, I might accidentally die during training. It's not funny to die at the age of seven due to my foster father.

Putting that aside, strengthening? Is it like the surge of strength in a dire situation?

Certainly, in the memories of my previous life, I had overcome numerous soldiers and jumped into the midst of a fire.

Maybe that's the type I am. Power-based or physical-oriented.

...I hate it.

"I'm not very good at sensing the flow of magic, so let's call Marcel. Zaris, can you go and get him? He's probably verifying the magic circle."

Zaris let out a sigh and gracefully walked away, quickly disappearing from sight.

"Does it have something to do with magic? I haven't done anything. The baptism ceremony went as planned."

"Well, I'm also puzzled, but that seems to be the only explanation. Or maybe it's just a naturally strong body like that of steel."

The Steel Marquess Lady... Well, that doesn't sound too bad. Though I'm not really fond of being a musclehead. I mean, I'm a girl.

Sheriel, on her own, was trying to accept the idea of being a cool and physically strong martial artist, coming up with her own nicknames. She had forgotten that she was a pure indoor type in her previous life.

And there, Marcel arrived, rushing over at an incredible speed, and Sergio began explaining things in his usual leisurely manner.

"What nonsense. But if you were born with muscles of steel... that's enviable, Sheriel."

Muscles, huh...

Being called the Steel Muscles Lady doesn't quite match my image. It's all about those subtle nuances.

"For now, take a look. Sheriel, try it again. This time, strike with all your might right from the start."

This wasn't the time for self-branding.

Once again, Sheriel focused on her core, exerting strength throughout her entire body. When her balance was clearly established, she put power into her arms and legs.

The sensation of blood flowing became even more distinct than before. Just as she stepped forward, she poured a special power into the palm of her hand as the swords crossed paths.

Clang!

This time, she managed to hold onto the sword without dropping it.

"No, this is... impossible. Why is this happening? Sheriel, have you ever undergone the baptism ceremony before?"

"No, I haven't. Wasn't it about having steel muscles?"

"Indeed, magic was in motion. Moreover, it wasn't a flow of magic throughout your entire body, but rather a seamless flow of magic directly to the muscles that should be used. This is unbelievable! What should we do, Sergio?"

"Well, even if you ask me what to do... Isn't it a good thing? Now I have my successor. Didier will take over the territory, and Sheriel will lead the Knights. It's settled."

No, no, this can't be happening.

Sergio brushed it off so lightly that Marcel's head began to ache. Sheriel was accustomed to it.

"Wait a moment, it's impossible to manipulate magic without blessings. Besides, we don't even know the attribute. We need to thoroughly investigate this in the Mage Guild. I can't figure it out by myself!"

"No, it's not possible. Sheriel will stay here and polish her swordsmanship with me."

Oh no, the adults have started arguing. Zaris seems to have completely blended into the background, standing motionless.

Just when it seemed like the conversation was finally settled, Marcel made a suggestion.

"Sheriel, why don't we try some magic? Perhaps you've unknowingly undergone the baptism."

"Is that possible?"

Since they say I sleep like a dead person, could it be that I received the baptism while asleep? Marcel continued muttering to himself, and they decided to try a simple spell.

"Alright, extend your palm forward and concentrate your consciousness there. When you feel a flow of magic like when you were moving your body earlier, chant 'Draw'."

Following their instructions, I focused my consciousness on my palm. I don't know about the flow of magic, but if it's similar to before, I should try to exert some power. Sheriel eagerly shouted in a loud voice.

"Draw!"

...

Hmm, nothing happened.

It's strange. Marcel tilted his head in confusion, but Sergio and Sheriel quickly retreated to the mansion, leaving him behind.

However, the discussion didn't end there. It continued during dinner as well.

Dior opposed an investigation from the Mage Guild, citing the company as a reason.

Hermes said an investigation from the Mage Guild was one possible approach.

Didier opposed going to the Mage Guild, but vehemently opposed Sheriel becoming a knight.

The opinions of the guardians couldn't be reconciled, and in the end, they couldn't even hear about the condition of the priests from Hermes.

The ash-colored-haired priest has been sleeping soundly ever since.

Sheriel returned to her room early and quickly prepared for bed. She was truly exhausted. It had been an eventful day, and she had exerted her body a lot.

Just as Mary extinguished the magical light and left the room, the familiar black cat arrived as if timing it perfectly.

"Hello, kitty."

"Meow."

"Be quiet, okay?"

"Nya."

The black cat meowed discreetly, as if understanding Sheriel's words.

In the dimly lit room, with only the moonlight illuminating it, they both lay down on the bed and Sheriel gently stroked the glossy fur with her palm as she recounted the events of the day without any particular order.

Today was truly a hectic day.

I failed the ritual in front of the noble family we met for the first time.

The ash-colored-haired priest collapsed, and we had a meal together, decided on my future path, and started my first swordsmanship training.

There were so many things happening that it made the failure of the ritual, which seemed to be the biggest issue in my life, pale in comparison.

And so, while absentmindedly stroking the black cat, I let out a sigh.

This is the time when I can feel the most calm. It's as if I am allowed to exist as nothing special.

"Sigh... I finally managed to settle down here, but I really don't want to join the Mage Guild."

The black cat's ear twitched towards me. I wonder if it's listening to me.

"But you know, I failed the baptism ritual today. I can't use magic. If I'm taken to the Mage Guild, I'll just become a test subject for experiments. Do you understand, kitty?"

"Meow."

"Yeah, I thought so. It's not something I want, right?"

Recalling Marcel's behavior, I ponder how much potential there might be.

At first, I thought he was just desperate to complete the errand, but now I can see that he genuinely cares about me.

However, even if he's a good person, I don't know what the other mages are like.

What if, despite calling it an investigation, it turns into days of torture?

"But I understand what Marcel-sama is saying too. If I can't even take magic lessons, I'll face difficulties even at the academy... And there's also the matter of my hair color. I might end up being bullied. Female bullying is terrifying, you know?"

"Meow."

"So, maybe joining the trading company is the only option... But trust is lacking when dealing with noble customers. Maybe becoming a knight is a possibility too, since I seem to have talent for it."

"Meow."

"Hehe. Yes, that's right. Well, those seem to be the only skills I have. Things like making sweets are just hobbies."

I don't know if the Mage Guild will be able to find out the cause, and I don't even know if this dream of death had this sequence of events.

What is the right answer? How can I continue living?

"Sigh... Oh, kitty, can you use magic? They say I have a color that doesn't exist, just like you."

As I let out a question that wouldn't have any response, I gently stroked the black cat's nose.

The black cat closed its eyes, seemingly enjoying the sensation, and stretched its head out as if to request more.

Could the rhythmic tapping of its tail against the bedding be a sign that it wants more petting?

"Hehe, do you have any itchy spots that need scratching, my dear guest?"

When its tail, which had been lifted high once, swayed down again.

"No way..."

Tiny particles of light gently fell onto the bed.

They resembled warm snowflakes.

It was a cruel hope.

Sheriel reaches out her hand towards the sparkling fragments of gold-like shimmer.

But as expected, they disappear as soon as she is about to touch them.

"Kitty, were you a magical beast?"