Perhaps this was why Nuo Ya let him leave work on time…
Manner somewhat sensed that Nuo Ya was always bothered by the stiff relationship between him and his family. After all, she was practically half of the Nearl family, and sometimes she even called him 'uncle' along with Maria. Although Manner himself thought his attitude didn't affect anything, and a stiff relationship wasn't a very important matter. He was rarely home, so even if Maria disliked him, she rarely saw him.
To be honest, if Maria hadn't gone to participate in the Knight's Competition, he wouldn't have had a proper conversation with Maria for almost a month.
…Although he didn't dislike Maria; rather, as his brother's daughter, this child was already much more obedient than Margaret.
But looking at Maria, Manner always thought of Margaret or Zofia. Both of them had suffered misfortunes because of knightly combat, yet Maria still unhesitatingly threw herself into this bottomless abyss. For Manner, his feelings for Maria were probably more akin to 'hating iron for not becoming steel.' To protect a meaningless noble status, or rather, to protect the position Margaret had held.
For that child who adored her sister, such a reason was clearly enough.
But for Manner, Maria wasn't Margaret. He, instead, hoped Maria wouldn't continue to be a combat knight like Margaret. He hoped Maria could pursue her previous interests and become a skilled artisan, at least having a skill to live well. Even after escaping the pressure of the Nearl Family family, a sunny child like her would be loved wherever she went.
Being an artisan was good; why become a combat knight?
He, himself, didn't want to be a knight back then, which was why he ran off to the border to become a ranger. He was inherently someone who hated being restrained. Although he had now become the very thing he once despised, the essence of his heart was still the same as before; he was still that rebellious Nearl who didn't want to be a knight but wanted to fight for the weak as a ranger.
As he thought, Manner had already arrived at the garden training ground. Knightly combat was a points-based system, so there weren't matches every day. Maria was currently training with Zofia. Zofia's teaching ability was actually far superior to her own strength; no matter who was placed under her, she could generally teach them to achieve something. Manner had always believed that Zofia was more suited to be a teacher, rather than her current… Bladewhip Knight.
Having lost her dominant hand, she had now returned to the position of a coach… Perhaps it was a form of 'all roads lead to Rome' in a sense.
He arrived silently, and the two young fillies still sparring didn't notice his arrival. He watched Maria and Zofia's offense and defense, and to his surprise, Maria's swordsmanship hadn't been neglected due to her long-term artisan research; it could even be described as solid. Coupled with her consistent use of Stone source art during combat, she seemed to be constantly emitting a faint glow. This pale golden light made Manner feel somewhat dazed.
Margaret's light back then was scorching, a golden radiance that would burn one's eyes with a single glance, like a knight from a picture book.
But Maria was different; her light was gentle, subtly nourishing, not dazzling, yet endlessly vibrant. Though seemingly weak, it was unwavering—if Margaret was the midday sun, then Maria was probably the rising sun at dawn?
It was ironic, in a way… He and his elder brother seemed to have been like that back then too.
Manner watched the two sparring, a smile unconsciously forming on his lips. When he and his elder brother sparred, did their father watch them like this too?
Now, his elder brother and sister-in-law were gone, and he had become what he was today.
He took a deep breath, suddenly remembering what Nuo Ya had said before sending him away.
"Giving employees time to deal with family issues is what a good boss should do."
…"Deal with… family relationships?" Manner first frowned, then sighed, "If it were that easy…"
"…Heiya!!" Maria's longsword arced, and as Zofia grew tired, she finally seized an opportunity, striking Zofia's weak point. The unsharpened sword landed directly on Zofia's shoulder guard, scoring a hit! "I… I hit her!!"
…" Zofia looked at the sword strike in disbelief. Indeed, she was very tired, but this was the first time Maria had bypassed her defense… and the first time Maria had hit her.
"…Not bad.", Zofia looked at the happy Maria, a flicker of unwillingness crossing her expression. She quietly clenched her left fist, and only after feeling the pain in her left hand did she release her fist with a sense of relief. "You're already better than me, Maria."
"Right! Isn't it great!" Maria, immersed in the joy of finally landing a hit, completely missed these details and was still showing off her achievement. "I thought it would take at least a few more months! I didn't expect it to happen now!"
"…You're getting complacent over something like this?" Just then, a voice that made Maria's hair stand on end came from the side. Her movements instantly stiffened. She slowly turned her head, only to see an expressionless Manner walking towards them.
"…No, no, I just… was a little happy.", Maria immediately dropped her previous posture, looking at Manner with some embarrassment. "I didn't think I was very good…"
"If you're going to be complacent over something like this, you should leave knightly combat as soon as possible. After fighting for so long, your strike couldn't even finish the match… You're currently just relying on the power of Stone source art to engage in a war of attrition. This kind of fighting style can only deal with opponents whose strength difference isn't significant. Once the opponent's strength reaches a certain level, you'll be directly crushed.", Manner's expression was serious, and his words carried a tone of reprimand. Zofia, who was on the side, originally wanted to interject, but she was sent back by a look from Manner.
"Your fundamentals are decent, but that's all they are…" Manner continued his sharp critique, "Your forehand isn't refined, your backhand is weak. With your level, you still want to compete with other knights? Dream on!"
"I… I tried my best…" Maria whispered, "I've tried very hard…"