Ch. 113

No matter how you looked at them, they were the Sword Master and the Archmage---two people with entirely different lifestyles and seemingly opposite personalities. Unlike my calm and composed grandmother, Jenna was lively.

"Hmm? Are you curious about those old stories, my little puppy?"

My grandmother looked a bit surprised by my question, as if she hadn't expected it. I nodded and replied.

"Yes, I'm curious. You two seem so different, both in personality and lifestyle, yet you're still very close."

-I'm curious too!

Kyros chimed in, just as intrigued as I was. Grandma and Jenna exchanged glances.

"We hit it off from the very first time we met,"

Jenna said confidently, smiling.

But Grandma shook her head.

"No, Jenna."

"Huh? No?"

Jenna's eyes widened in surprise at Grandma's who nodded yes in response to the question.

'It seemed like their memories of that first meeting aren't quite the same.'

Jenna's expression faltered while Grandma remained calm and composed. Seems that Jenna didn't give a very good impression on the first meeting.

'It feels like I'm in the middle of a lovers' quarrel.'

Before the atmosphere could turn awkward, Grandma broke the silence.

"That first meeting...."

"It was amazing."

"I hated it so much."

Their simultaneous but contradictory responses left me speechless. Jenna clearly enjoyed their first meeting, while Grandma remained unbothered.

"Huh, huh? Helena, you didn't like it?"

Jenna asked, her eyes wide with disbelief as if she had never expected that answer at all. Grandma nodded with a  gentle smile.

"No, I didn't."

Jenna's pupils trembled as if Helena's words had just caused an earthquake.

-This is getting interesting.

Kyros said excitedly, though I felt awkward, caught between the two of them.

'Should I not have asked them?'

I worried, wondering if my curiosity might damage their long-standing friendship.

"No way, really? Was my first impression that bad?"

"Yes."

"Why? Why would you feel that way? I loved meeting you!"

Jenna exclaimed, clutching Grandma's arm. Grandma smiled warmly and stroked Jenna's hair.

"I didn't like it back then, but I don't feel that way now. Don't worry."

What on earth happened between those two? As I stared at my grandmother with those eyes, she opened her mouth.

"When I first met Jenna, I was ten years old."

Grandma began, her gaze drifting into the distance as if recalling a far-off memory.

"At the time, I was learning basic swordsmanship. My older brothers were much more skilled, but I worked hard to catch up to them."

Hearing that Grandma had older brothers was new to me---it wasn't even mentioned in the game's lore. I listened intently, intrigued.

"I was determined to surpass them, even at that young age. So, I headed to a villa in the countryside to train. There, I practiced swordsmanship and learned mana breathing. That's where I first met Jenna."

As Grandma spoke, Jenna snapped her fingers. Cups of tea floated over to us, and the teapot poured tea into each cup. Grandma took a sip of the warm tea and continued.

"Back then, Jenna appeared to be my age, so I assumed we were the same age. When I found out her real age, I was shocked. Anyway, Jenna approached me with a blank expression---so different from how she is now---and asked me this."

Grandma continued speaking with an indifferent expression, as if copying Jenna's expression at the time.

"'Why are you learning swordsmanship? Even if a woman learns it, she won't succeed'. That one sentence ruined her first impression for me."

"I'm sorry, Helena. I didn't mean it that way."

"I know, Jenna. Back then---almost 60 years ago---the social environment was completely different. Women didn't even touch swords, and those who did were often ridiculed."

"...Those were foolish times,"

Jenna replied with a bitter smile.

"Yes. So, I felt bad the moment I heard Jenna's words. But I honestly replied, 'Because I want to.' After that, Jenna started visiting me every day. That's how our relationship began."

In other words, Grandma's bad first impression of Jenna stemmed from her seemingly dismissive words. But for Jenna, Grandma's answer left a strong impression.

"I fell in love with Helena's attitude back then,"

Jenna said, leaning on Grandma's shoulder.

"Of course, at first, I approached Helena because she was so adorable. Isn't that right? Your grandmother was the cutest when she was young!"

"Jenna, please,"

Grandma said, touching her forehead in exasperation at Jenna's boastful tone. Jenna burst out laughing.

"What's wrong? I'm just telling the truth. You were so adorable. Back then, you were what, ten? And I was about the same age as you are now, Levi. But how could I not fall for that diligent cute little girl practicing swordsmanship with such determination and an upright attitude?"

Honestly, if I were Jenna's age, I'd probably feel the same way. Grandma must have been truly special back then.

-Wow, those kids must have been so cute.

Kyros chimed in, clearly entertained by the story with a hint of laughter in his voice.

"Actually, back then, I suggested Helena learn magic. I wanted her to be my disciple,"

Jenna said, looking at me with a hint of regret.

"She told me she had staked her life on the sword."

Hearing that, I turned to look at Grandma again. I'd always known my grandmother was incredible, but realizing she said something so profound at such a young age made me admire her even more.

"So what could I do? I had no choice but to watch."

"Just watched? You came by every day to hang out."

"Well, I stayed quiet and didn't interfere with your training."

"That lasted for about a few moments. Then you couldn't hold it in and kept asking when it would end."

"That's...because you trained without taking any breaks!"

The two began to bicker, but it always ended with Grandma's smile. When Grandma laughed, Jenna would laugh along with her, without any more words.

"But Helena was truly incredible back then. She eventually defeated all her brothers and became the head of the household. Of course, she's still amazing now."

"That's right."

"From that point on, the number of female knights on the Continent began to increase. Your grandmother paved the way for a new era. You should be proud."

Jenna praised Grandma's achievements as if they were her own. I nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes. Grandma has always been amazing, but hearing her story today makes me admire her even more."

"It's not that big of a deal, Levi,"

Grandma said with an awkward smile, but both Jenna and I knew how remarkable Helena Holden truly was.

'I never really thought about the characters' lives beyond what was shown in the original story.'

Through Grandma's story, I felt a surge of emotions. Even characters who didn't take center stage in the story had their own childhoods, their own dreams, and worked tirelessly to achieve them---ultimately changing the world in the process.

They were pioneers of their own lives, even if they didn't appear prominently in the narrative.

And now, I was part of their lives.

Suddenly, it struck me: perhaps this world isn't just a game.

'It feels too real for that.'

But that thought quickly passed. After all, this was the world I had chosen to enter.

"Now that I think about it. I remember when I first met your husband."

"Oh, during my coming-of-age ceremony?"

"Yes. I secretly used invisibility magic to hang from the chandelier."

"That's right! Because of that, I couldn't enjoy the party properly---I had to keep an eye on you the whole time."

Jenna laughed heartily at Grandma's words.

'If Grandma had her coming-of-age ceremony, Jenna must have been over 100 years old.'

Jenna was truly a one-of-a-kind person.

"Honestly, you should have dealt with that bastard husband of yours without anyone knowing."

"Haha! Why do you hate my husband so much?"

"I didn't like the look in his eyes."

"Why? I thought it was cute."

"No. I'm telling you! When you weren't around, he'd treat me like I was his rival!"

"But you did the same, Jenna."

"He was worse!"

"But isn't it fine now? My husband has passed away, after all."

"That's true. In the end, I was the winner."

The two of them talked and laughed loudly. I, on the other hand, couldn't join in their spicy conversation, so I just stood there sweating nervously.

At that moment, Jenna's bright eyes turned to me, and for a moment, she looked as if she had just realized I was still there.

"Oh! Oh my, I almost forgot about you."

"Oh, I'm fine. Please, continue talking."

I replied with a polite, sales-like smile. But Jenna shook her head firmly.

"No, no. Listening to two old people chatter must be boring. Why don't you go check out the Magic Tower instead?"

"Are you sure, Jenna?"

"Of course! You're my guests,"

Jenna said, smiling warmly.

With a snap of her fingers, there was a loud thud. A black object flew toward us, accompanied by the sound of flapping wings.

The crow, which had been nothing more than a decoration moments ago, now moved with uncanny life.

'Wow...this is awesome.'

I thought, goosebumps rising as I watched its vivid, lifelike movements.

"Did you call, Master?" 

the crow croaked.

Its voice was raspy, but its words were clear.

"Crow, show this cutie here around the Magic Tower. If there's anything he wants, just give it to him."

"By 'cutie', you mean..." the crow began.

Its gaze shifted to Grandma, who shook her head and pointed at me. Only then did the crow turn its sharp eyes to me.

"Oh, it's you. Nice to meet you. My name is Crow."

"Oh, yes. My name is Revelof Holden."

"Aha, Holden! That means you're related to Lady Helena... Well, in that case, I shall serve you with even greater sincerity."

For some reason, the crow seemed genuinely happy.

"Levi, have fun exploring."

"Yes, Grandmother. And thank you, Miss Archmage."

"Ayy it's not a big deal."

I bowed to both of them and stood up.

"Okay, let's go!"

With that, I followed Crow and finally escaped from the Archmage's room.

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