In the garden, lightning darted through the air as sword shadows filled the sky.

The sword in Calis’s hand seemed to split into countless blades. Wrapped in lightning, they danced endlessly through the air.

Karl was completely dumbfounded by the sight.

He never would’ve imagined that swinging a single longsword could create so many sword shadows. What the hell was the principle behind this? Was it simply a matter of speed? Or was magic being used to project the shadows?

Before Karl could think it through, Calis had finished performing every sword technique.

She tossed the sword to Karl and said, “These sword shadows have a certain degree of offensive power, but they’re nowhere near as strong as the real blade. They’re mainly illusions projected from the lightning magic left behind. Of course, speed is also a major factor. There aren’t that many moves. Take your time and figure them out yourself.”

Karl caught the longsword, still recalling Calis’s movements.

His memory might not have been perfectly precise, but he had remembered the general form.

Because he was a reincarnator, Karl’s memory was exceptionally good. He could remember every book he had read in his previous life, and he never forgot anything he saw in this life, either.

This was probably one of the special perks of being a reincarnator~~~

Karl tightened his grip on the longsword and walked to the spot where Calis had been standing. Then, imitating her movements, he began to swing the sword.

He didn’t inject any magic right away. Instead, he copied Calis’s motions and went through the sword techniques roughly once.

Standing nearby, Calis watched Karl’s movements. A hint of surprise appeared on her face.

She truly hadn’t expected him to memorize every movement after seeing them only once.

His precision was a little lacking, but the overall form was correct.

Just as Calis was thinking this, Karl began circulating his magic power. Lightning surged across his body.

The next second, Karl swung his sword. Countless sparks of lightning burst into the air.

However, Karl’s **Thunderflash Blade** didn’t fill the sky with sword shadows like Calis’s had.

With a single move, Karl produced only two sword shadows.

Yet those two sword shadows were enough to completely unsettle Calis.

What the hell?! Was he kidding?!

He’d only seen it once. This was his first time using the technique, and he’d already produced two sword shadows?!

Was this guy cheating?!

When Calis had first learned the technique, she had performed it hundreds of times without producing a single shadow.

It was only half a month after mastering the technique that she had barely managed to create her first one.

But Karl…

This was his first attempt, and he had produced two sword shadows.

If she told her master about this, he’d probably beat her half to death for bragging.

While Calis was reeling in shock, Karl finished performing all the sword techniques.

“I can only produce two sword shadows. I’m seriously terrible at this.”

Karl looked at the longsword in his hand, sighed faintly, and shook his head.

Calis nearly broke down when she heard him.

What the hell? You produced two sword shadows on your first try! What more do you want?!

Still, Calis didn’t show her shock. She merely said in a calm, icy voice, “This sword technique is all about practice. Keep training, and you’ll definitely be able to fill the sky with sword shadows someday.”

Karl immediately smiled.

“Thanks for teaching me the sword technique, Sis. Let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll see you off.”

“???????”

Calis’s face instantly became one giant question mark.

So, right after she finished teaching him the technique, he was already eager to see her leave?!

Was this really a case of getting what he wanted and kicking her to the curb?

In truth, Karl didn’t want Calis to stay in his house for even a moment longer.

Having a villain like her around was bound to cause trouble if she was discovered.

And if she teamed up with Freya to form some kind of villainous beauty duo, things would get even worse.

However, Karl didn’t reveal any of that. Instead, he replied, “You can’t stay at my house forever, Sis. You’re obviously just lying low for now. I understand. Once things calm down, it’ll be time for us to part ways.”

Karl genuinely believed that Calis was only hiding temporarily. Someone as powerful as her couldn’t possibly remain in the count’s mansion forever.

Calis stared at the understanding genius before her. The corner of her eye twitched slightly.

Then she smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’m not leaving. I plan to stay here permanently. Nowhere else is this safe.”

After saying that, Calis turned around and walked away in displeasure.

Karl grew frantic.

What the hell?! Leave! Why aren’t you leaving?!

Are you planning to stay until New Year’s?!

As long as you don’t leave, I can’t rest easy for even a single day!

But Karl couldn’t exactly say that out loud. He could only swallow his thoughts and silently hope Calis had been speaking out of anger, just to mess with him.

* * *

After Calis left, Karl continued practicing his sword in the garden.

Meanwhile, Calis arrived at the study of her father-in-law, Count Watt. She bowed slightly and said, “Chairman, I’ve completed the mission you gave me.”

Watt sat behind his desk, his round belly sticking out prominently. His face was full of surprise.

“That fast? Didn’t you just start?”

The mission Watt had given Calis was to teach Karl the **Thunderflash Blade**.

The technique couldn’t be called the very best, but it was still respectable among lightning-based martial arts. It ranked near the bottom of the S-class techniques, yet it was considerably stronger than the Empire’s swordsmanship.

According to Watt’s expectations, Karl would need at least half a month to learn all the sword techniques.

Then, he’d need at least another three months before he could produce any sword shadows.

But now Calis had come to tell him the mission was complete.

What the hell was going on?!

Calis answered seriously, “That’s right. It began and ended almost immediately. I was surprised, too.”

“What exactly does that mean? You didn’t get lazy and decide not to teach him, did you?”

Watt believed Calis wouldn’t dare slack off. But what if she’d thrown a little tantrum?

“Chairman, Karl learned every sword technique after watching it only once. On his very first attempt, he produced two sword shadows.”

“……………………”

Watt stood there, completely frozen.

He had to be dreaming, right?

Remembering every sword technique after seeing it once was something Watt could accept. He already knew that Karl had an excellent memory.

But producing two sword shadows on his first attempt? What the hell was that supposed to mean?!

Did he think **Thunderflash Blade** was some cheap technique anyone could learn?!

Still, Watt didn’t reveal his surprise. He merely pretended to be calm and said, “In that case, you don’t need to worry about him anymore. Let him figure it out himself. The difference between two sword shadows and ten is merely a matter of practice.”

Calis nodded to show that she understood.

Then Watt cleared his throat and said, “Calis, we’ve found out where your master is being held.”

Calis immediately lifted her head, her heart filled with anticipation.

“Where?!”

Watt looked at her and sighed softly.

“Shugger Abyssal Prison.”

The moment Calis heard those words, she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cavern.

Being imprisoned there meant that no matter what method she used, she would never be able to rescue her master.