CHAPTER 234: THE CURSED SWORD [1]

Rin’s POV

The curry was coming along nicely.

The familiar scent of roasted spices and caramelized onions floated through the air, wrapping the small dorm kitchen in warmth. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was hearty—comforting. Something you could put in front of someone when words failed.

I stirred the pot gently, checking the texture of the vegetables. Not too soft, not undercooked. The rice was almost ready too. Just a few more minutes.

The door creaked open behind me.

I didn’t turn around, but I knew who it was. Her steps were quieter this time. Slower.

Leona.

"...What are you doing?"

Her voice wasn’t sharp like earlier. It carried a strange mix of curiosity and suspicion, like she’d caught me hiding snacks under my bed.

I glanced over my shoulder.

"Cooking."

She crossed her arms, brow raised. "Yeah, I can see that. I mean why?"

I turned back to the pot, giving it another stir before answering.

"I feel bad always being treated by you," I said, tone soft but clear. "I should do this sometimes, too. But I knew you’d never let me, so I tried to do this in secret."

There was a pause. Then, a low chuckle.

"Honestly, I’m a little scared. Are you a good cook?"

I smirked to myself. Her mood had definitely improved from earlier, and while the question was teasing, her voice was lighter. Less strained.

"I’ve been told I’m decent."

Yeah, in my previous life I used to cook for my siblings children in orphanage.

Of course, I was not good at start but later at least become decent enough to cook it.

So, Yeah. I was confident in my skills.

Leona stepped closer, peeking over my shoulder at the simmering pot. "What is it?"

"Please try it, guest."

She scoffed but didn’t hide the small smile forming at the corner of her lips.

"Oh, curry."

I nodded. "Yeah. Thought it’d be easy enough, and... well, you looked like you needed something warm."

She didn’t say anything right away, just stared into the pot, watching the steam curl upward. Eventually, she spoke.

"You know, my favorite foods are all strong-tasting stuff like this."

Of course I know, that’s why I am making curry in the first place.... Which is also one dish that I can cook with confidence also.

I blinked and turned to her slightly. "Really?"

Anyway, I pretended to not know. After all she didn’t shared it with mer her preference in food and what I know about her from is novel.

"Mm. I grew up with food like this. Spices, bold flavors. Stuff that wakes you up."

"I didn’t know," I admitted. "But... there aren’t many people who dislike curry."

She smiled, this time more openly, and leaned against the counter beside me.

"I needed this," she murmured.

I didn’t press. I just handed her a spoonful from the pot.

She took it, blew gently on the edge, and tasted it.

Her eyes widened slightly, then she turned to me. "Huh. Not bad. You’re better than I thought."

"I’ll take that as praise."

"Don’t let it go to your head," she said, setting the spoon down. "Still... thanks."

We stood there for a moment in silence. The steam from the curry curled between us, and for a short while, the academy, the sparring match, even her sword—everything felt far away.

But that didn’t last.

Because thw curry was ready.

I took out two plates and began serving the curry, careful not to let any of it spill over the sides. Leona watched me with an unreadable expression, arms folded again but no longer defensive—more like she was trying to memorize the scene.

"Sit," I said, nudging one plate toward her spot at the small dining table.

She obeyed, surprisingly quiet. I placed my own plate across from hers and joined her a moment later.

We both took our first bites at the same time. The room was quiet aside from the gentle clinks of spoon against ceramic.

"This is actually good," Leona said between mouthfuls, almost grudgingly.

"Now you sound surprised."

"I am," she said without shame. "I thought you’d mess it up and we’d end up ordering emergency takeout."

"Your faith in me is overwhelming."

She snorted. "Hey, I said it’s good."

I glanced at her plate. Already halfway finished.

"Don’t eat too fast. You’ll get heartburn."

"Says the guy who made spicy curry," she shot back, but her voice had lost any bite. "...Still. Thanks, Rin."

I looked up at her.

"For the food?"

"No," she said, eyes meeting mine. "For knowing I needed this. Even without me saying anything."

I blinked. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. Then I smiled, small but honest.

"Don’t thank me yet. I still might have burned the bottom."

That made her laugh—soft, real.

"By the way, why did you come back so quickly? I thought you would be gone for a hour or so."

Leona paused between bites, her spoon hovering just inches from her lips.

"I was," she said after a moment. "But I changed my mind."

I tilted my head. "That’s not really an answer."

She shrugged, trying to appear casual, but I noticed the slight tension in her shoulders.

"Let’s head out after we finish eating."

"...Huh?"

That was sudden.

Was she avoiding my question?

I narrowed my eyes, but she glanced at me like I was being dramatic.

"Don’t give me that look," she said with a light scoff. "The reason I came back was to show you something cool. And since you seem to understand what you did wrong, I’ll give you a chance to take it back."

That smug look on her face...

What was she even talking about?

By now, she should’ve realized she wouldn’t win a serious match without relying on her signature sword techniques.

"Actually," she said, leaning forward a bit, "I’ve got a secret weapon."

...Huh?

My spoon froze mid-air.

That didn’t sound good.

A strange chill crept up my spine.

I remembered it—the weapon she only revealed in the second year, when her pride forced her to stop holding back.

There shouldn’t be any reason for it to appear now.

"Leo was bragging about that shiny weapon he picked up from the dungeon you two cleared," she said, rolling her eyes. "But me? I’ve got something better."

My jaw clenched slightly.

Yeah, I knew.

I knew exactly what she was talking about.

And I really didn’t want her to use it now.

"...Really? What is it?" I asked, keeping my voice calm even though I already knew the answer.

She smirked, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"It’s a pure white blade," she said softly. "I haven’t used it much yet—it’s still sleeping, you could say. But since you treated me to curry, I’ll let you see it too."

No doubt about it.

It was that sword.

The one she only drew when she dropped her hero act and went all in.

Frostveil.

A cursed blade, glimmering like freshly fallen snow, beautiful and brutal all at once.

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Author Note:

Thank you for reading the Chapter. I hope you continue to do read more in future.

Bye~bye From your author.