BKSL CH 21

Chapter 21 – My Heart Is Racing

“No holding back!”

With that shout, Yoti was the first to move.

He drew his sword from his waist and charged straight at Mirko.

“…Good footwork, but too soft.”
“…!”

Mirko drew his own sword in one smooth motion, his expression calm. He blocked Yoti’s strike easily, then parried it away with a light swing.

“Ugh…!”

Still, Yoti didn’t give up. His sword clashed again and again with Mirko’s, the sharp clang, clang, clang ringing through the air.

“Wow, look at Yoti go. Not bad for someone fighting the Vice-Captain.”
“Yeah, but he’s still being toyed with.”

I heard the knights around me murmuring to each other.

Standing beside me, Leo-san watched the two closely—though it seemed like his attention was more on Yoti’s form than Mirko’s.

“Too open. You’ve left yourself unguarded.”
“…!”

At first, I thought Mirko was only defending because Yoti’s strikes were too strong for him to counter.

But I soon realized—that wasn’t it at all.

He’d been watching Yoti’s movements on purpose, studying his skill.

And the moment Yoti’s sword was deflected and he stumbled slightly, Mirko’s blade flashed—its tip stopping right at Yoti’s neck.

Even to my untrained eyes, that swift, clean motion had no waste at all.

“…I yield.”

“Your power and aim are good. But you rely on strength too much. You need to learn patience.”

“…Yes. Thank you very much.”

Mirko calmly sheathed his sword without even the slightest break in his breathing, while Yoti hung his head in defeat.

“That was incredible…”
“Right? But that’s not even close to the full strength of the Vice-Captain. Yoti’s young, but he did well too.”

“Yes…”

It was my first time seeing knights spar right in front of me, and all I could do was gasp in awe.

Yoti-san was amazing.

But Mirko-san was even more amazing.

That was all there was to it.

Yoti-san was only twenty years old—he’d surely become much stronger in the future.

As for Mirko-san’s strength… I couldn’t even begin to imagine the limit of it.

He was just too incredible—beyond words. Saying he was “cool” didn’t even come close to describing it. I could only stand there in stunned admiration.

“That was really amazing…”
“Yeah.”

Was I always this bad at talking?

I wished I could say something clever, something more fitting. But all I could do was repeat, “amazing.”

It made me feel so small and silly.

That was just a practice match, but in real battles, these knights fought with their lives on the line.

I wanted to find a way to help them more—to do something, anything useful for them.

“Thank you, Sibel.”
“No, thank you for your hard work.”

Mirko walked over, taking back the jacket he’d left with me.

Still—now that he’d taken it off, I could really see how well-built he was. His body looked so strong and solid…!

“Um, you were really amazing!”

The words just slipped out of my mouth.

I couldn’t help but say it.

My heart was pounding, and my face felt hot.

They were all so cool—knights really were amazing!

“Thank you. …But our Captain here is even stronger.”
“Eh?”

Following Mirko’s gaze, I looked up at Leo-san.

“Hmm? Oh, well… maybe just a little,” he said with an awkward smile, scratching the back of his head as our eyes met for a brief moment—before he quickly looked away.

He seemed… embarrassed?

Still, he was the captain. Of course he must be even stronger than Mirko-san.

And when I imagined Leo-san drawing his sword and fighting seriously—my heart started racing even faster.

“…Well then, we should get going,” Leo said, sounding as if he were trying to reset the mood.
“Yeah.”

Mirko nodded, and the two of them walked off together, shoulder to shoulder.

I realized I should head back too.

“Ah, Sibel! Thanks again for the treat!”
“You’re welcome. I’ll make more and bring some next time.”

As I carried the now-empty container that had held the honeyed lemons, I made my way to the kitchen to help prepare dinner.

And then it hit me.

Wait… Leo-san and Mirko-san didn’t get to eat any, did they?

Maybe I should bring some to them later.