TSBTTDI – 11

The raw ore, about half the size of a building column, was wheeled in on a cart. The white, opaque mineral looked like it had been carved straight from a glacier.

‘They even used horses to haul it in? That thing must weigh a ton.’

I scowled at Valentin.

Judging by the way his lips curved up into that annoyingly fresh smile, he was clearly enjoying every second of this.

“Isn’t that Milliheriten?”

“No way.”

“They’re really going all out.”

The knights were more excited than I was.

‘Don’t any of you have training to get back to?’

They’d only been sneaking glances before, but now they were openly gawking.

‘What even is this Milliheriten that’s making everyone act like this?’

Thankfully, Norman was kind enough to explain.

“Milliheriten is an ore only found in extremely cold regions. Its strength is leagues stronger than Nichetra. It’s also used to make unbreakable swords, so it’s known as the holy grail of ore for knights.”

Holy grail, huh.

All of a sudden, the thing that looked like a frozen chunk of nothing started to sparkle in my eyes.

“There aren’t many who can refine it, so swords made from Milliheriten are rare.”

Norman added that the reason they’d brought it in as one solid chunk was because it was too tough to break apart.

‘So this must be the strongest ore in the world.’

I hadn’t wanted to make a spectacle of myself with my freakish strength, but this was an exception, there were Reynold cookies on the line.

I can’t lose out on this.

I clenched my fist and studied the block of Milliheriten.

I glanced at Valentin, and gave the cookie tin a playful shake.

‘Don’t shake that! You’ll break them!’

A low growl slipped out in desperation.

My hesitation vanished, I was going to smash this thing lickity-split, and secure those cookies.

I backed all the way to the edge of the training ground, took a deep breath, and charged towards the massive ore.

With every ounce of strength in my arms and legs, I launched forward. The wind roared past my ears.

Bang!!!!

My fist slammed with the ore. The immense force causing a shockwave.

But that was it.

The Milliheriten stood firm, exactly where it had been.

“Ouch…”

Only my hand suffered for nothing.

And along with it, my pride, which I thought would remain unscathed, also took a hit.

‘You’re the first ore to walk away from me unscathed. And it just had to be in front of spectators!’

Sure, I’d been holding back before, I didn’t want to look like some rabid beast. But now? My pride was definitely bruised.

‘I really did give it my all.’

Deflated, I silently rubbed my throbbing hand.

“Milliheriten really is something else.”

“With a sword made from that, you could fight a demonic beast and see another day.”

As the knights murmured in admiration, I trudged toward Valentin.

I drooped my ears and lowered my eyes until they practically fused with my face.

“Your Grace…”

Please just give me the cookies. Okay? Don’t be the type to tease me only to snatch them back.

‘How’s Valentin going to react to my first failure?’

Half anxious, half curious, I slowly lifted my gaze from his feet. Valentin was still staring at the ore.

‘Is he shocked I couldn’t break it? No, he probably brought it here so I would fail. He did say it’s used for unbreakable swords.’

While I was grumbling to myself, I caught a faint rustling sound.

It was barely a whisper, but a beast’s hearing doesn’t miss sounds like that.

‘Rustling…?’

Why does that sound so ominous?

The sharp, grating noise that needled my eardrum increased in volume— enough for everyone to hear.

I stiffly turned my neck like a rusty tin soldier.

‘No way…’

The once-solid Milliheriten was cracking from the inside.

The web-like fissures spread outward until they finally reached the surface and stopped.

While everyone stood stunned, mouths agape, Valentin was the first to speak.

“You succeeded.”

I turned my head and locked eyes with the dog on the cookie tin, its black eyes were sparkling.

“Good job.”

I’d wanted those cookies so badly… but now that they were in front of me, I couldn’t bring myself to take them.

I wasn’t sure if I should be impressed that the ore held together through all that force… or horrified that I was strong enough to crack it at all.

‘Am I the only one freaking out right now? Is this seriously happening?’

When I looked around, George Teller was staring at me with wide eyes.

The moment our eyes met, his face went pale. I had a bad feeling I’d just widened the gap between us even more.

Valentin asked why I wasn’t taking the cookies, and handed me the tin, he was the only one of us looking bright and carefree.

Devon, who had witnessed me crack the Milliheriten, said:

“If only you could control your strength, you’d be perfect.”

And walked past me to–

Hand me a random carton of eggs from who knows where.

“Are these raw?”

I shook them lightly and gave them a rub. The second I realized Devon’s intention– to train me to control my strength using eggs–

Crunch.

The shell gave way. Egg white and yolk oozed down my fingers.

“Tissue!!”

Determined not to ruin the expensive-looking sofa and rug, I yanked out tissues at lightning speed.

I used a mountain of tissues for just one egg, but better that than ruining everything.

I didn’t want to deal with Valentin showing up to my room and giving me that ‘It’s messy, but I get it, you’re a beast’ look.

‘You’re the one who’s cleaner than average, so don’t even start!’

I was so irritated I wanted to beat him at something. Anything.

As I wiped my hands, sticky with egg goo, I remembered our last sparring match.

‘I really thought I had a shot at beating him.’

Even if Valentin is the male lead, I’m super-de-duper strong.

Seriously, ridiculously strong.

Honestly, I was pretty sure no one in the entire Knight’s Order could be me with strength alone.

‘Maybe I have some kind of god-tier genes.’

I was even starting to pat myself on the back about it.

So, when that unexpected sparring match with Valentin came up, I was confident.

I even had the luxury of worrying about him.

‘What if I can’t hold back and hurt His Grace? Huh? If I’m not careful, I could snap an arm right off!’

I’m not exaggerating. You wouldn’t believe how many pieces of furniture have been victims. I’ve even accidentally injured passing knights before.

But no one took me seriously.

‘In a real battle, you end it as soon as your opponent can’t fight anymore.’

Devon just waved off my concerns. Even glared at me to get going.

Was he mad that I made His Grace wait? Ugh.

Muttering under my breath that I wouldn’t be responsible if Valentin got hurt, I trudged out to meet him.

But the moment he raised one corner of his mouth and pulled the sword from his waist, I knew I’d miscalculated.

The blade shimmered in the sunlight, razor-sharp. Valentin, holding it, looked slightly unhinged.

He really shouldn’t smile like that…

‘Am I seriously going to make it?’

Unfortunately, my bad gut feelings are never wrong.

The moment the match started, Valentin kicked me flat and knocked me down.

‘Eek!’

I hadn’t even moved before his sword flashed past my ear and drove into the ground beside me.

If this had been real combat, I’d already be dead.

The blade still vibrated from the sheer speed and power of his strike.

The thought that I could’ve died made my body shake uncontrollably.

Then Valentin — straddling me — looked down and lowered his eyes in that gentle, terrifying way of his.

His face, smiling sweetly in the sunlight, looked like the grim reaper. I broke out in goosebumps.

‘I, I’m dead… I’m sooo dead…’

I begged him to get off, but he leaned in, his lethally handsome face brushing my nose.

‘Strength is just a pearl necklace on a pig if you don’t know how to use it.’

I could only blink, staring into those slowly retreating green eyes. Valentin, watching me closely, gave my cheek a light tap.

‘Do well.’

He said it short and sharp, then stood up with ease.

I stayed on the ground, watching his back shimmer in the sunlight as he walked away.

This is bad…

That was around the time Devon — clearly taking Valentin’s words as a rebuke to himself — began torturing me with all kinds of training.

I used to think brute force was everything. But I had to admit — maybe a little finesse wasn’t a bad idea.

‘There might be times when strength alone isn’t enough.’

I gave the carton of round eggs a shake, snapping out of my thoughts.

Actually, now that I think about it… it’s like Valentin’s been trying to put me to work lately.

“Did he never plan to turn me human to begin with? Is he just trying to kiss me once and call it done?!”

But honestly, I kind of expected that.

If I became human again, I’d lose my beastly strength. Of course he’d want me to stay like this.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

I made a silent vow.

I’m going to show Valentin my amazing skills and make him fall head over heels for me. I’ll prove that I’m not just some beast who relies on brute force, that I can be graceful, controlled.

Contrary to that fiery resolve, the next egg shattered the second I touched it.

Knock knock.

Just as I was about to crush the last egg, someone knocked on the door.

‘Who is it? Is it Valentin?’

I grabbed a tissue and wiped the egg goop off my hand.

But the person waiting on the other side of the door wasn’t who I expected.