Chapter 2: Book of Secrets
IRENA broadcast her confidence in her physical prowess by dragging Unen more than half the distance to the town square, without losing speed. She paused to shoot a wry grin at Unen who was left gasping for air on the ground behind her.
“Unen, I think you should work out a little more.”
“Irena…I think…you should…be more aware…that…your stamina…is outside the…norm…” Unen got out between haggard breaths.
Irena puffed out her cheeks as if she found what Unen said rather upsetting.
Irena’s father was a master swordsman who had been skilled enough to once serve as a guard at Lord Baborak’s castle. He took an arrow to the knee during a skirmish with Chelveny twenty years ago and retired. He lived out his retirement tilling the farmland in Yezero bequeathed to him by Lord Baborak for his years of service. Though he had retired from his work as a castle guard, his skill with the sword remained leaps and bounds beyond the average townsperson’s, and so he took it upon himself to become the valiant swordsman who singlehandedly created and commanded Yezero’s Vigilante Corps.
Having learned the basics from her father since she could walk, Irena became a skilled swordswoman and strong enough to contend for first or second place as the mightiest sword wielder in town. Even if Irena didn’t have the advantage of standing a good two heads taller, it was evident Unen had no chance of beating her friend at anything physical.
“But if you want to travel around the world making maps in the future, you’ll need to get stronger. Otherwise you’ll become an easy snack for wild animals and robbers.”
“I’ll just hire a strong bodyguard when that time comes.”
“…Aren’t you struggling to do that very thing right now…?” Irena sighed.
Unable to find a good comeback, Unen humbly lowered her head and apologized, “Sorry for dragging you into this.”