The Rise of the Sword Expert
Altair Dena Elbram

The last time I went to a cafe was with Levian, and now I'm with Verion.

He was eating mushroom paste well. In his left hand, romance novels were being read. He enjoyed both of them so much that it was hard to get him to talk.

The opportunity was used by Tanka to eat her food. Chicken with asparagus is very good for Tanka. In front of him had also come his order pancake ice cream.

He ate it quietly because Verion was unaware of it.

I also ate salmon. To be honest, when this suddenly I miss the taste of rice paddies. Ah, you know that food is a common thing that Indonesians eat. At every level, padang rice is a prima donna, no matter young old, rich and poor, padang rice is still good on the tongue.

Especially if the dish is rendang. Beef cooked with spices and coconut milk are very delicious. God, thinking about it drives me crazy and wanting to cry.

I swallowed my desire by gulping down the rough flesh of the salmon that went into my mouth. It's okay, I'll find a way.

"Why are your eyes glazed, Akion?"

Tanka looked at me suspiciously. I thought too deeply about the rice field, not realizing that the feeling of the kangen came to the surface.

"Looked at the taste of food that's too good." I'm tasting my tongue.

"Ah, you've suffered too long." Tanka mocked me and went back to eating her ice cream.

Bugh!

The thick romance novel was put Verion with medium strength, water vibrating in the glass.

"You've finished it?"

I pointed to the romance novel.

"Not yet."

"Why?" The book restriction stuck a little in the novel he read earlier. Looking at his limits, he only needed a little more time to finish.

"I can't afford it. I'm afraid I'm disappointed, it's terrible."

Getting into the story is common for readers who are too deep. Verion is experiencing it. He was agitated, but wanted to finish reading his novel.

Several times he looked at the novel on the table for a long time, then switched to doing other things so that he could refrain from rereading it.

"Ah, okay. I'll read it."

His hand moved slowly to determine the novel, the moment he was about to touch it, the cafe door rang. Someone got into it.

Behind him were some knights. I know, he's a noble's son too.

He looked at us with humble eyes. I didn't care about it, and ate my food back.

At first, I thought he was here for lunch like us. But maybe I was a little wrong.

His feet are approaching. It was a hurried, rough footstep. I still don't think about it.

He arrived at our table. I realized that, but I still ate my food.

"My name is Altair Dena Elbram. The first son of Count Elbram." He looked down with great respect to me.

Count Elbram, his territory is opposite Count Invit. They compete with each other, because of the bordering territory. They have the same title. Naturally, he was the natural enemy of Count Invit.

He pushed Verion's body, then sat down on the chair he had just put down.

Verion looked unhappily at him. Why did this child suddenly push him? Showing his displeasure at the older Verion.

"May I sit here?"

Well, he's been sitting down without my permission, so I just nodded.

Altair is below us. His body had not yet formed like ours, perhaps between thirteen years or fourteen years old.

Count Elbram's eldest son, so he was forced to send it. Moreover, I heard the news, that his father was experiencing tremendous sadness because his wife died recently.

"How honored I am to be sitting with the best swordsman in the Empire."

I watched him, a sword hanging on his waist. I think he idolizes Akion. I want to be a swordsman too.

"Verion, didn't you finish your meal?"

I purposely spoke to Verion to make him realize that there was Verion too.

"Sure, Akion." He put his novel in a paper bag. And finish the meal.

Altair looked cynically at Verion.

"You're so kind as to invite your bodyguards to eat a tabletop together." He smiled at me.

He looks like a sycophant who wants to look good in front of me. His attitude is still visible.

I imagined, what if he knew that Verion was the son of a Marquis who was a higher position than his father.

I smiled a little and then glanced at Verion.

When I called her name, she looked like a dog wagging its tail.

"It seems you want to be a swordsman."

"Yes, Mr. Akion. You're absolutely right." Face's happy. The one he idolizes is being sensitive to him.

"Then, apologize to him." I pointed at Verion who had been neglected by him.

Altair's distraught. Why should a noble apologize to a bodyguard inferior to him?

I shook my little.

"He's my friend. Even considered a child by Baron Sanktessy."

That brief explanation made him instantly change, he immediately looked at Verion very kindly.

"I'm sorry for my stupidity, Mr. Verion."

"It's okay, Altair. I understand at your age that arrogance is common."

Verion rubbed Altair's head. He deliberately did that to avenge Altair's treatment. He also knew, Altair would keep his attitude in front of me.

With that smile, Verion was always full of subtle trickery.

"That's great, Altair. A Knight must indeed be humble and dare to admit his mistakes. You can be a great swordsman."

His mouth was small open, both of his cheeks were flushed. He's very funny.

"Are you here to eat, Altair?"

"No. I purposely came here when I saw your carriage, Mr. Akion." He's being sweet.

"so. Is there anything you want to say?"

"Ngg. I honestly idolize you, Mr. Akion. I've seen you sword, and it's been amazing. That's how I want to be a swordsman." She's shy.

Verion who was watching him smiled slightly. He has a gentle and friendly attitude. She must have loved to see a child shyly saying her dream.

"Well, you could be, Altair." I laughed kindly.

He looked at me clingy. Maybe he knew about my rumors that I was a stiff and creepy person, but he still approached me because he wanted to meet so badly.

There was no braver attitude than him who did not believe the rumors despite hearing them.

**

"Mr Akion, allow me next time to treat you" He smiled.

"No need. It's an older man's job to treat the younger."

Altair made his eyes sparkle and made his head slightly lowered. He moved his feet with a cringe.

"Can you go tomorrow?"

"can't. Yesterday we had relaxed."

That was a lie. We added work, which is why our schedule was a little late.

"We're putting off our rest. We're going with Mr. Akion."

Altair asked his patriarch. A selfishness will make his knights in trouble later

I looked at him. At a young age, not understanding the workings of the world is common.

"You can't do that."

He looked at me confused. His selfishness was instantly confined, and Altair thought whether his treatment was anything to make me unhappy anymore. He bit the corner of his lips.

"If you want to be a good swordsman understanding your knight is important. How can you force those who need rest? Man is a living being, Altair."

I know he actually understands what I mean. All of his knights were clearly exhausted. If they did not rest and force to walk, he would probably lose half of his knights. Or if in a dangerous situation, the literature in a weakened state will quickly be defeated. His life is also the stakes.

He looked down, looking at his own feet. With a heavy heart, Altair chose to rest.

"We will meet again in the Empire, Altair. Take care of yourself."

I waved and smiled sweetly at Altair. Even Verion did the same to her. From a distance I saw his mouth that was conical funny because of the same disappointment and annoyance.

"When I saw her I remembered Renia."

Tanka who flew next to me commented on Altair. An immature child often does what he wants. I will tell you honestly, that Renia looks even more mature than Altair.

"I want to see his face shocked when I find out who I am." Verion laughed with gaiety.

"Maybe he'll pursed his lips again, feeling cheated by the both of us."

We both laughed. Maybe he'll become a great swordsman, and maybe I should watch out for him later.