ODKO | Chapter 23

Faced with those green eyes that couldn’t even answer the question about whether his face was Jack’s type, Cayenne felt as if he’d received a more embarrassing answer than a straightforward confession. That’s why his face had turned red.47c6a032e6d96d2c

Caught off guard, he ab06b69353 heard the truth hidden 476c230907 in silence.6e390fdd036337c1

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Still, it wasn’t something entirely surprising.e2b8b97e2ad5aff1

Anyone could aa0c922cb5 quickly notice ce473ec388 that Jack a81a0d531c had feelings 4bcb2e9cac for him, 013bcbd857 judging by 7fa7a86610 the way e711fcdf03 his lips 6fb25a06bc would curl e5b93a66de into a ec40ece6f8 smile whenever 7fc3b14307 their eyes 31817eeaa6 met.7afe4dbfe314c911

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When he first saw Jack’s name on the roster, he couldn’t believe what kind of guy he was, so he kept him close to monitor him. But after observing him a bit, Jack wasn’t the promiscuous and frivolous guy he had expected.5c9a37536ee1b1e4

Once Cayenne ddf9a1d3b0 started to 9c58710a69 think Jack b30939a0eb was somewhat e34db34127 trustworthy, he 4b8e202364 began to 8604d0f55f see him 2042d06361 differently.3221b9624c402d9a

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Despite being a commoner, Jack would shrink back and hunch his shoulders, but if given a little attention, he’d react like a happy puppy.85a736c50466cdc9

After promoting him and keeping him close, Cayenne found that Jack wasn’t as incompetent or frivolous as he had thought.e06de87de0d61362

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Jack was reasonably 0b7a95cb42 perceptive and knew 16b81dbb09 how to be 9db0492a86 obedient to authority, bcc266d49b making him well-suited f7c78c60fe for social life.6a3358783402bf3a

Even without deliberately keeping him busy with tasks, Jack didn’t seem like the type to gossip about what had happened. But that was as far as it went.4b0e10e06d588830

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The constant worry that 4f91535226 he might spill secrets 39bb2653da somewhere eased a bit.6fa7393a8503e1c0

The anxiety that kept 4234472f4b him from sleeping well 5a85a0cd61 at night loosened slightly, 3c16fb4ecd and he had no e49e08227d expectations or awareness of 9fefc5e316 the new secretary, who e46bf96d4f looked at him with 0cf906fe36 eyes so open it f5038b87e2 was impossible not to 3c16f2eb06 notice.2269039c56fe8484

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To be more precise, he shouldn’t have had any.f911f3fd00537c84

‘What is this…?’caa92198e567d02f

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Cayenne muttered, clutching 1bbe7471e6 the coat draped a8e6359e2b over his arm 0763de4b10 tightly. The unfamiliar 454dcd21b9 scent he 47a37746cc noticed in 38c124ed61 the coat 8528d5ae71 seemed to 62523bd962 calm the ef483b89dd dizziness that ca7f0a0487 had clouded ccae81e3a1 his mind.aa9b96c5fe7d74ed

The touch that had a31898e280 pressed his fingertips so 3bcfc0b3f2 diligently in the distant 0d6549490d consciousness felt vividly real.ac0a5fd8df1fda53

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Even though 36412d5911 it had 28939cc9c1 been a d212cde3cb while since 81c2eea4fc he calmed ff8e7b7e3d down, his e67593c143 palm still d988594363 felt hot.746158e4471ed6be

He should 9adf4db7ae have felt a1161a9743 indifferent, whether 1037b3e5c4 Jack liked 875ced489b him or 5eb78ecd74 not.14ad4835f576f3a3

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“…My head hurts….”e3424ae51fa16be6

His head felt like 5d38063c1e it was going to 0a0768edd5 split. Cayenne leaned against the 6b6c586f62 hallway wall, murmuring as 10fb1e646f he pressed his forehead, 234fa63f49 consumed by the headache.f667ad230e2b57c4

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⋆. 𐙚 ˚1929ed6abf3e4bdc

Despite the stormy 09f7a2137e routine, the morning 40a60947d1 dawned the same.73041565584c6203

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On days without special 6b016acee8 duties, the general knights f142af4cab mostly spent their time b4b020d1d5 sparring and training in 55c5e861e2 the training grounds.5c5220d9756ed5a9

So, the crowded training 088e2042f4 grounds were no different 4f76436a7d from usual.03ded8e32e653f27

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Except for one 1b4d1942f3 figure standing with 31516c62d7 arms crossed in 3dbb9af198 a corner of 657d4862f7 the training grounds.4edf4dce5dacffc2

“…Is this for real?”c3abbfe3fa466f7e

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Cayenne Madison’s expression was serious as he watched the knights’ training for the first time.33856ee9edc2c67e

Cayenne’s unexpected appearance at the training grounds early in the morning naturally made the knights tense.6db71da37b3aa83f

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Those who saw it as a perfect opportunity to stand out to the famous Madison family knight didn’t shy away from more intense training than usual.c9d71b35552e7ecd

The knights’ passion, sweating profusely, made the dirt ground burn hot.faac7119cb711040

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Unlike the proud Deputy Commander Miles, Cayenne’s impression was a bit different.52f09333d209a8bd

“Is this really the level of the talents defending the Empire’s capital…?”8d5c26a780b0e718

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Miles couldn’t believe his ears. But before the flustered Miles could say anything, Cayenne, disappointed by the training level that fell far short of his expectations, glared at him.e8a62e2a183b9cec

“What’s going on, Deputy Commander? I could take on all of them and win… Isn’t the training intensity too lax?”a07610cb599f2729

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“That can’t be, Commander. Under the previous commander, we’ve been conducting systematic training.”171bd9f9c5a7cd22

“This is the result of systematic training? Who’s the head of training?”602f644d266c5664

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Cayenne’s expression grew even more severe. The knights in the training grounds, unintentionally overhearing the conversation between the commander and deputy commander, fell silent like mute people with honey in their mouths.03c38d2a44d43c8b

Amidst this, a 31491ae391 blond man standing 02bdca1040 at the edge 73d26538d8 of the training 44d133d88c grounds cautiously raised d32aedb1f5 his hand.5cfd2825cd2f3ae8

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“Training Supervisor Benjamin Tyler.”49a3fb047e64085b

“Draw your sword.”eddc1a8cb1943e12

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As soon f18428d417 as Benjamin, cb7d99f11f the training bab6e225dd supervisor, introduced 033a1d326a himself, Cayenne f3cd776e2e immediately raised 616a8bcf74 his sword a285e2365b towards him. Both Benjamin and be7d7a104b Miles, who were f2533c6aa1 watching, were taken 9adf64c31b aback, and even 2dd3cb1a7d Jack Carlson, standing 7ac5fae62e behind, widened his 2a5f85b60e eyes in surprise.ca571b5d0e806002

“Are you planning to spar directly?”4ce7ee661dac2ca7

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Cayenne didn’t even bother to answer Miles’ question. With a serious frown, he loosely held his sword and stepped into the center of the training grounds.4bb6dee4ffbcaeb0

The knights, who had been engrossed in showing off their skills, all stopped and became solemn. Some of them, feeling insulted by the term “this level,” stepped back with hostile expressions. As Cayenne walked, the knights naturally parted to make way. However, those who didn’t go far watched the confrontation between Cayenne and Benjamin with various expressions—some eager to see the new commander’s skills, some slightly intimidated, and some with keen interest.7fd67cc3e244ce9f

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Jack watched Cayenne and Benjamin in the center of the training grounds with a slightly worried look. He wasn’t concerned about the spar itself but was worried about Cayenne, who had shown sudden deterioration in condition the previous day while escorting the Crown Prince.23f80f653b0606af

…Is he f9bd72f855 okay with fbc280f0c9 that stamina? Jack was worried, but f99fb472e2 he had no grounds c5ac40e8ce to stop Cayenne, who 657cced18c had stepped forward as bab039b468 the commander.7ef3d84a78b1fafb

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“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to learn from the commander.”c4d4e4735b26ed09

Standing in the center cf74510c0b of the training grounds 275d6aafa3 with his sword, Benjamin 322ff251a8 looked bewildered.e03f10db6bffa774

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The previous commander was an older man who rarely participated in training directly. Even within the same knights, the commander’s rank was more naturally encountered at events than in the training grounds. For Benjamin, the training supervisor, who had such an ingrained perception, the request for a spar from the young knight commander was an endlessly awkward and strange experience. Especially since the impression of the handsome commander in light workout clothes seemed more suited to a socialite than a knight.71fc6962cbf04566

“It’s not an honor. Benjamin Tyler, the eldest son of Earl Tyler of Cyril, right?”84ca3e1905aee04e

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“That’s correct.”e92406d6dfef05b8

“I know it’s one of the reputable knight families. Let’s see your skills.”ae4841237e4431c5

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Cayenne spoke 130906e5ff in a 63c52993c0 cold, emotionless 23ad6c3ac9 voice. Benjamin responded calmly, 8d182d9e71 but his lowered b0afc0b44f sword seemed unsure.447d43235224b19c

“Commander, since there’s a risk of injury, it would be better to change swords….”6ac7e6c20b8dbe1f

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Miles, observing the situation, stepped in. Both Benjamin and Cayenne were holding real swords sheathed in scabbards. Miles thought it would be better to switch to wooden swords provided in the training grounds for safety, but Cayenne not only ignored Miles’ advice but also glared fiercely.9a367861b9ea82ca

“Are we trainees? Knights who must fight for the Empire shouldn’t be afraid of blades and use wooden swords?”51736fd69a75ee7d

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With the commander’s provocative words, the atmosphere in the training grounds turned icy. Jack frowned unconsciously at the rapidly cooling air.5b89b78cec7a8c75

“Since you say so, I’ll face you sincerely.”c7fd1c94160b665e

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Benjamin changed his hesitant stance and gripped his sword firmly. He seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment. Cayenne, on the other hand, seemed satisfied with Benjamin’s changed attitude and relaxed his sharp expression.ffe6ae6ef491e48d

“That’s more like it.”6c42e7deef54af80

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As Cayenne fc25fe3752 slightly raised 56df78a5a8 his sword, ce02debe0e Benjamin changed 4ea13f640a his expression 1a6b21285b and drew 786f6fe1bc his sword. The hesitation c3449396eb from a 0042d173c8 moment ago bad4857f8e vanished as 91e45e8b7f the blade, 4f6dd585d7 reflecting light, 0c157a01e3 cut through b47f2caee3 the air aff107e81d threateningly.e9745f14218a7c6d

Clang!732f328d9d0cf809

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Despite the unexpected attack, a sharp metallic sound rang out. Cayenne, who hadn’t even drawn his sword, calmly blocked Benjamin’s downward strike. It was Benjamin, not Cayenne, who frowned. Cayenne’s sword, which blocked the strike, was sturdier than expected. It was a strength he couldn’t have predicted just by looking at Cayenne’s physique.f593c4d6fe5a8b1a

Momentarily forgetting his f2fdc9bc56 next move in 07c35ef85c unexpected surprise, Benjamin 2105ed9d2b obediently retreated, widening d16b829f43 the distance. He intended 752e13b365 to use 86ab66d56c the recoil a3c04e1bfe to continue 69a4b69ac7 his attack 51b413925f without fully 9f034f515e retreating, but b867ca9351 the scabbard e062dbfeb0 that had 0df62d7775 pushed away 76b7cbd28c the blade 371f370698 was already cf1eb17a3e flying horizontally 0030663dca towards his 438f690a6d waist. Unable to regain his 52755b1322 stance, Benjamin hurriedly raised ad19694cdc his sword to block 186d42cb98 his side. Another clang! echoed loudly. The returning e42cabf7b2 force was 7f84b834b5 so strong b16f610395 that it 8e15d3ed05 felt like 037fd4b122 the sword 6d48250d55 he was 6917c6ae4e gripping with af1af06bad all his 89fa6c6f45 might would 5ad04e5107 fly out.abd7bbd18866bb23

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The impact felt like his upper body was being torn away, and Benjamin gritted his teeth. His mind went blank with shock. It was a moment when he lost his composure due to the incredible strength and speed that couldn’t be imagined just by looking at Cayenne’s appearance.5ec9f4b53e21e106

“There’s no need to continue.”ee675983a08e9850

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At Cayenne’s low voice, Benjamin belatedly realized that his stance had already collapsed. He also realized that Cayenne, standing a few steps ahead, still hadn’t drawn his sword. Benjamin’s expression twisted with frustration and embarrassment.7ffc06497319daf5

“Simple physical combat can 6d1380730a be influenced by differences 58d3a6200c in physique and strength, bdc9c88a6e but swordsmanship is called 764dbc6ed1 an art for a 850caab3e4 reason. By anchoring your weight 53248f9f4d through your lower body 3e13796e20 and utilizing the recoil c62c2e171e of your upper body c71a90c9ef effectively, you can amplify 221387f04a the destructive power of cfb57e0924 your blade. Mastering that 4e362b1074 balance and 1a68c28f34 technique is 3eef872a90 the essence e50fabf88d of true b34d2892bd skill.51767d6019df13ee

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…Your movements are riddled 7a9cbb8c2e with openings. In other words, b26270793a your fundamentals are 14b35f7369 a mess. With such 9eba127505 weak foundations, 3b70ef3754 it’s no 62b48dbba5 wonder the eb1bb498de training you’ve 837280bee4 been overseeing 43397fd3f3 is just 2695feae06 as flawed.”11d74b776f80e93f