Theudifara: The Adventurer's Ambition is to Become the Empress

The Guild's training grounds buzzed with activity as Alruna and I trudged through our second day of trials. Adele's absence gnawed at me—her battered body still unconscious back at Claudia's mansion, tended by Leofric's fussy herbs. The memory of Claudia carrying her in last night, limp and bloodied, flashed in my mind. "Just a standard physical exam," she'd said. Lies. Standard exams didn't leave ribs cracked and mana veins scorched.

On this second day, the test was divided into two parts. The first part involved completing a series of physical tasks within a few minutes. For example, participants had to run 200 meters on an oval track. Over ten minutes, participants were required to run around the track as many times as possible. Each lap was recorded and used to determine whether a participant passed. There were about ten other tasks with similar concepts.

The second part of the test required participants to demonstrate their physical combat strength. This part of the test was divided into three types: close to mid-range weapons, long-range weapons, and unarmed combat using martial arts. Each participant could choose the test that best suited their fighting style.

For someone like me, who used long-range weapons, the test involved shooting at several targets at different distances and conditions. However, for Alruna, who was a glaive user, she had to spar directly with an instructor. As for the unarmed combat type, I didn't know the details, but they likely sparred with an instructor as well.

There were exceptions to today's test. Participants could skip this stage and go directly to the test on the third day under certain conditions, for example, if the participant relied primarily on the power of the Law rather than physical strength. However, on the third day they would face another test. From what I heard, the test was specially designed for those who used Law as their main fighting power.

Alruna and I passed the first part without any issues. We both received fairly good scores. Currently, we were resting against a damp stone wall in the underground training hall, our sweat-soaked tunics clinging to us.

"Ha... My muscle feels like it's been trampled by a wyvern," I groaned, massaging my calves.

Alruna tilted her head. "Really? That didn't seem too bad to me."

"...When it comes to stamina, you're more like my sister, not me."

She chuckled, but her eyes flickered a bit. "How's Adele?"

"Still out cold." I grimaced. "Claudia claims she'll recover soon, but I'm buying herbal tonics anyway. Knowing my sister, she'll try to spar again the moment she wakes."

Alruna's smile faded. "She's... resilient. I fought her once, and I know her determination is the strongest I've ever seen."

"Stubborn, you mean." I kicked a pebble. "Always charging headfirst into disasters. Her determination may be amazing, but her body isn't!"

"...O-okay..."

Alruna turned her head after that. I wondered what she was thinking.

"I'm envious of you, Fleda."

"...Envious...?"

"You and Adele. The way you... care. Argue. Protect each other." Her voice softened. "I never had that."

I stilled. Alruna rarely spoke of her past.

"My family..." She hesitated. "I had a half-brother—my family's golden child. Skilled. Beloved by everyone. Contrary to him, I was always treated as a burden for my parents. My frail health only worsened the situation."

Her words hung in the air, sharp as her glaive.

"When he died—killed by a monster—I thought... maybe now they'd see me. Instead, they molded me into his replacement. I had to learn many things at just 14 years old: math, economics, social studies, history, noble etiquette, and more. I was fourteen, Fleda. Fourteen, and my father handed me a blade still crusted with my brother's blood."

"..."

"I hated them. Hated him. But... their cruelty forged me." She flexed her scarred palm. "This body? A weapon they honed. This breath?" She tapped her chest. "Stolen from death itself. Asthma nearly killed me as a child. Now? I outrun storms."

My throat tightened. "Alruna, I..."

"Don't pity me." She held her glaive tightly. "I'm telling you because... your bond with Adele—it's what I craved. To be someone's sister, not their tool."

Silence stretched. Then—

"Join us."

She blinked. "What?"

"I wouldn't mind having another sister." I nudged her shoulder. "Sister has adopted strays before.'"

"I'm not a stray," she muttered, but a smile tugged her lips.

"Sure, sure. But you are stuck with us." I grinned. "Congrats, Little Sis."

"Little? I'm thirty-five!"

"And I joined the family before you. Respect your elders!"

"Hahaha!" She laughed, her gloomy face from before disappeared without trace. "Okay, then."

To my surprise, Alruna agreed to my strange suggestion. I had only meant it as a joke to lighten the mood.

Not long after, the bell tolled, signaling the end of rest period. Alruna stood, offering a hand.

"Come on, Big Sis. Let's survive this." She said with a genuine smile.

I picked her hand. "You too."

I couldn't stop smiling even after parting ways with Alruna. Today, I gained a new sister.

***

"All present? Good." Instructor Gainas barked, his owl-feather ear tufts twitching. "You see those target dummies? Each has unique conditions—stationary at range, moving up close, obscured by smoke. Your task: strike as many as possible in three minutes. Use bows, crossbows, slings—no thrown weapons. Accuracy and quantity count. Form three lines. First row, step forward!"

Discipline. That's what this man was about. A former soldier, no doubt—every word a whip crack. I adjusted my quiver, fingers brushing the ashwood bow old Aldwin had crafted for me back in Ercangaud. Sturdy yet flexible, its grip worn smooth from years of use. Thanks, Aldwin. Don't fail me now.

"Ready... steady... loose!"

Thwip!

Thud!

My first arrow pierced through smoke, striking a distant dummy's center. No time to cheer—I nocked another, targeting the next challenge: a dummy zigzagging on pulleys.

Thwip! Thud!

Thwip! Thud!

I prioritized the hardest targets first—long-range, obscured, erratic. Points mattered, but strategy decided ranks. Sweat trickled down my neck as the clock ticked.

"Two minutes!" Gainas roared.

A moving target darted left. I adjusted, compensating for the wind machine's artificial gale. Thwip! The arrow hit bullseye. No time to celebrate. Keep moving.

Nearby, a fellow participant fumbled their crossbow, bolts scattering. Gainas's scoff was audible. Focus, Fleda.

Thwip! Thud!

Thwip! Thud!

Each arrow I released flew with precision, striking its mark with satisfying thuds. The rhythmic sound of bowstring and arrows hitting targets was almost like music to my ears.

By the final minute, my rhythm was pure instinct—draw, aim, release. The world narrowed to the bowstring's creak and the thud of impact.

***

"Haa... I nearly jumped out of my skin when Gainas praised me."

The stern centuria had actually smiled after reviewing my targets. "Flawless technique," he'd grunted. "Clean shots. Precise. Pass." His approval felt surreal—like a stone gargoyle offering flowers.

I'd scored perfectly. Every arrow dead-center, even through smoke and gales. Pride warmed my chest—Old Aldwin's bow had served me well. Adele better wake up soon. I'll definitely share this with her once she wakes up.

Speaking of Alruna, where has she been? I've been sitting on the front garden bench of the Guild for about thirty minutes, and she's yet to appear. Is something wrong? Or is her test just taking longer than expected? Thinking about it makes me anxious.

"Ouch..."

Speak of the devil. Just as I decided to look for her, Alruna walked out on her own. However, she looked completely exhausted. Parts of her clothes looked like cleaning rags.

"Alruna! Over here!"

"Ae#$1o*&!@...."

Oh dear, she's so worn out that she started speaking the language of gods. Seeing her like that, I guided her gently to the bench where I'd been sitting earlier.

"Oh! Where am I?"

She's finally come to her senses. What on earth did she go through to end up this worn out?

"What's wrong, Alruna?" I tried to calm her down. "How did you end up like this?"

"Nothing. I passed. It's just that I got stuck with a truly insane instructor."

"E-eh...."

"Hm..? Why is your face like that?"

"Ah, it's nothing serious. Besides, why did you say that?"

"Like I just told you. My instructor was completely nuts! For some reason, he reminded me so much of my father. Even when I clearly couldn't continue sparring, he kept attacking me until I was overwhelmed. And his arrogant attitude was incredibly annoying!"

"Aah! I'm so mad right now, I feel like my head's going to explode! Fleda! Give me a hug!"

"E-eehhh!?" Suddenly, Alruna buried her face in my chest and hugged me tightly. "What are you doing, Alruna!?"

"Mmmhmmm...! This feels sooo comforting!"

As Alruna spoke with such vigor, the warmth of her breath was unmistakably grazing my skin, causing a slight shiver down my back.

"You...!"

"...Sorry, Fleda. Let me stay like this for a moment."

At first, I wanted to scold her. But then her expression turned sad. Instead, I held her close to calm her down.

Slowly, Alruna began to shed tears. It seemed she was afraid of something, something that reminded her of her dark past. I knew the feeling, because I sometimes felt that way too.

If it weren't for Adele, I don't know what would have happened to me. Thanks to her, I didn't get stuck in my fears and found the courage to move forward.

"There, there... Let it all out..."

Since childhood, whenever I was sad or upset, Adele would lend me her lap. And there, I could cry or vent as much as I wanted until I stopped on my own. She remained patient and was always there to heal my heart. That's the kind of sister I admired so much.

...

"Feeling better now?"

"Mmhmm."

Alruna nodded slightly, her eyes reddened from the tears she had shed—soaking through my clothes in the process. But no problem, because now Alruna is my cute little sister, I'll let it slide this time around.

"Alright. Let's head home. Since you've enjoyed your crying session, it's getting late now."

"...Ahahaha... Sorry, Fleda."

"Oh, before that, let's stop by the market. We'll buy some herbal medicine first and then head home." I glanced Alruna with a smile. "And maybe grabbing some snacks wouldn't hurt either. We ought to celebrate what happened today, right?"

Alruna was the first to get up. She offered me her arm again. "Let's go then!"

****