Sieg and Lien, and the Demon World Great Emperor

Lien's Perspective:

Sword Sanctum

I was sparring with Sieg in our final round.

With a swing of my sword, Sieg sidestepped it, and the sword in his hand turned with the motion.

The next instant, its edge had already stopped before my neck.

My hands froze around my sword.

"I lost."

"Mm."

Sieg withdrew his sword.

I looked up at him. His breathing had barely changed, while I was already a little out of breath...

I didn't know when it had started, but it wasn't just strength anymore. Even his speed was becoming a little too much for me to keep up with...

When we used to practice, I could barely keep up through experience and technique. Sometimes, I could even catch an opening.

But I hadn't even seen when he changed direction with that last strike.

I had only swung by instinct, and then I lost...

I raised my sword again, preparing to practice a while longer.

"Lien."

"Mm?"

"Are you still going to practice?"

"I'll just do some empty swings on my own."

"...You've been practicing for a long time. You should rest."

As Sieg said that, he came over and cast healing magic on me.

"Thank you... but I still want to practice a little longer."

"You've been too anxious lately. That isn't good."

"It's fine. I'll just do some empty swings."

"Your movements are already slowing down. You're obviously tired, so you should get some proper rest."

"I can still go!"

I spoke a little too urgently.

Sieg looked at me for a while, then sighed.

"You've been too impatient lately, Lien."

"I..."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"What's making you so impatient?"

"It's nothing..."

Sieg patted my shoulder.

"We're good friends, aren't we? Tell me."

I fell silent for a while and began thinking about why I had