Reborn As A Maid

The roar of the crowd hadn’t stopped.

"RAVEN! THE WHITE SWORD HUNTER!"

Jennie stood in the middle of the arena, holding the practice sword high.

Across from her, Ser Valtor Cain was on one knee, his great sword lying on the ground.

The favorite contestant lost the battle.

And what was strange is that Raven hadn’t even drawn her own weapon yet.

The referee raised his flag and announced the winner.

"Winner of the quarterfinal match—RAVEN!"

The cheers of the crowd increased.

Jennie put down the practice sword, breathing heavily.

And then she looked at the sword—it was seriously damaged; deep cracks went through the surface of the wood. One part of the sword was squished by the great sword of Valtor; the wood of the practice sword was split in many pieces.

Jennie sighed. "Poor thing."

Roxy watched her from the competitors’ section, being confused. "You care about the sword?"

Jennie looked at Roxy. "Yes, it served me well."

"Jennie, you just defeated one of the strongest warriors in the tournament."

Jennie looked at Roxy, not understanding. "Oh."

Roxy put her hands on her head and started cursing. "How can you be so casual?!"

Snow was already laughing loudly.

Jennie was walking towards the exit of the arena calmly.

The crowds were chanting her name.

"WHITE SWORD HUNTER! WHITE SWORD HUNTER!"

She unwillingly lifted her hand but then lowered it immediately, blushing. "Never doing that again."

Snow was laughing.

However, at the royal balcony, there was nothing to laugh about.

Arthur Queens stood there, watching the young girl’s back.

Lucas was beside him, looking worried.

Both of them were looking at the corridor where Jennie disappeared.

Finally, Arthur said something, whispering quietly. "That technique."

Lucas nodded. "The Crescent Step."

"Someone I once knew could use this technique."

"Yes."

Arthur frowned. "Not only could use this technique. She perfected it."

Lucas was looking at the corridor with furrowed brows. "Then how does Raven know it?"

Arthur couldn’t give an answer.

Two men stood in silence, thinking.

Neither of them noticed that Queen Lilia wasn’t looking at Valtor anymore.

She was looking at Jennie.

Again.

Jennie reached the corridor from under the arena when she felt something.

Someone was looking at her.

She turned, her eyes raising to the royal balcony.

There was Lilia standing there, her figure outlined in the morning sunlight.

Their eyes met.

Jennie’s smile was disappearing, and her heart started racing.

For some reason, it seems that the noise of the arena stopped for a while; everything was narrowed only for these two girls.

Lilia’s hand was touching her chest unconsciously; she was gasping.

Again.

This strange feeling.

She had already experienced several times this strange feeling after Raven joined the tournament competition—a feeling of familiarity, longing, and warmth she couldn’t explain.

But this time it was more intense.

Lilia didn’t feel only this familiar feeling. She felt longing as though she had been parted from Jennie for a very long time and some part of her soul needed to cross the distance between them.

She didn’t understand it, she didn’t know why.

But she couldn’t stop looking.

Jennie noticed that, and her heart started aching.

Lilia.

She had imagined many times this meeting with her old friend, when she could tell her the truth.

But not like that. Not like she was trying to remember something and Lilia was looking at her in such way.

Jennie looked down, feeling her throat getting tightened.

She couldn’t tell her that. Not now.

"Jennie!"

Roxy’s shout brought her back to reality.

Jennie turned her head, her face changing.

Roxy stood a few steps away from her, her hands crossed, looking impatient.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Back to the waiting room."

Jennie nodded, walking with her stiff legs.

Before going away, she looked at the royal balcony one more time.

Lilia was still watching her.

Jennie smiled, her heart full of unsaid words.

Then she left.

The announcer announced the next match.

The crowd roared when Rudy Kiss entered the arena with her usual show.

Rudy walked backwards through the gate, waving at the crowd with her hands.

Then she stumbled into the wall.

"Ow."

Crowd started laughing.

Then she saw her opponent—the broad-shouldered martial artist Valen Stroud with scars all over his body.

Valen had reached the quarterfinals using his strength, smashing his opponents with a powerful force.

Unlike Rudy, he was looking deadly serious; his face was hard, his eyes cold.

He looked at Rudy, his voice calm. "You don’t look very dangerous."

Rudy smiled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me today."

Valen cracked his knuckles. "I will make it fast."

Rudy’s eyes were sparkling; her smile widened. "How rude."

The referee raised his hand, his voice piercing the silence. "Begin!"

Valen rushed forward, moving incredibly fast for his size.

Rudy disappeared.

The audience gasped in surprise, shouting confusedly.

Valen stopped, looking around. "Where?"

A voice sounded behind his back; it was light and mischievous. "Here."

Valen turned, throwing his fist.

Rudy wasn’t there anymore.

"Here!"

He turned again.

There was nothing.

Then—

Rudy appeared sitting on his shoulders, her legs hanging comfortably.

Valen’s face became empty, losing its composure.

The audience erupted into laughter.

"GET OFF!"

Rudy placed her hands over his eyes, her voice sweet. "Guess who?"

Valen roared, trying to catch her with his massive hands.

But Rudy was vanishing; it was just an illusion.

Real Rudy was standing several meters away, her arms crossed.

Valen rushed at her again, his fist swinging.

Rudy stepped into the shadow, her body fading in darkness.

The arena fell into silence; crowd held their breath.

One second past. Then another one. Then another one.

"Where did she go?"

Even the royal knights were searching, looking around.

Then Rudy’s voice sounded everywhere at once; it was impossible to pinpoint her location.

"Left."

Valen turned to his left, lifting his fist.

"Right."

He turned right, his body tense.

"Behind."

He turned around, widening his eyes.

Nothing.

Then his contestant badge fell off his chest, falling on the floor with a loud sound.

Valen was staring at it, his face turning pale.

Rudy was standing on the other side of the arena, holding his badge in her hand. "Looking for this?"

"HOW?!"

Rudy threw it back, and Valen caught it with fumbling hands.

Then he noticed that something was missing—his glove.

He looked down.

His glove was missing.

Rudy was holding it in her hands with innocent smile.

The audience was cheering with laughter, their voices rising in happiness.

Even Jennie couldn’t help smiling, letting her earlier tenseness go.

Roxy looked wary, frowning at the stage.

"What is she doing?"

Jennie shrugged. "I don’t know."

"You’re a swordswoman. You should know how to fight."

"I do know how to fight with a sword." Jennie gestured at Rudy with amused expression. "That’s not fighting."

Snow was rolling on the floor laughing, his howls reaching the stands.

Valen decided finally to stop pursuing Rudy.

He closed his eyes and tried to breathe deeply.

Rudy’s smile faded a bit. "Oh?"

Valen focused, listening to the arena.

He wouldn’t follow her tricks any more. He waited, keeping his body motionless.

Silence.

And then he felt the movement.

A whisper of disturbed air.

He punched.

Rudy managed barely to avoid it, widening her eyes.

"Nice."

Valen kept attacking, his punches following without pause.

Now Rudy had to move—duck, jump, move to the side.

For the first time, the audience saw Rudy actually avoiding the punches rather than disappearing. She was surprisingly fast—though not as fast as Jennie, but still really fast.

Rudy was moving as a thief—unexpectedly, loosely, unpredictably.

She threw a small knife, its sharp blade shining in the light.

Valen deflected it with his arm.

Another one came from behind.

He ducked, avoiding it.

A third knife stuck into the ground right before his foot, embedding itself into the stone.

Valen looked around, frustrated. "How many weapons do you have?!"

Rudy smiled, showing her teeth. "Enough."

She disappeared.

Valen turned around, relying on his instincts.

Too late.

Rudy suddenly appeared right behind him, touching his neck with her fingers.

"Got you."

Valen froze, his body stiffening.

Rudy whispered, "You’re out."

The referee raised his flag instantly, cutting with his words the shocked silence.

"Winner—RUDY KISS!"

The audience burst into cheers, shaking the arena.

Rudy bowed low, satisfied. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Valen looked at her with bewilderment. "I don’t understand what just happened."

Rudy smiled warmly. "Neither do I."

The audience burst into laughter again, appreciating her tricks.

Jennie looked at her, blushing a bit.

Rudy glanced at Jennie, meeting her eyes.

And then she winked.

Jennie blushed immediately.

Roxy narrowed her eyes and whispered sharply. "Don’t."

Rudy blew her a kiss.

Roxy’s eye twitched. "RUDY!"

Snow collapsed, rolling from laughter.

With Rudy’s win, the quarterfinals ended.

Four warriors left.

The arena went silent, while the crystal display above the battlefield lit up, shining with golden light.

The audience was waiting, holding breath.

The semifinalists appeared one after another, their names blazing with letters on the screen.

KAI VIPER

MIRA KINGSTON

RAVEN

RUDY KISS

The audience erupted, shouting deafeningly.

Jennie was looking at the names with fast beating heart.

Roxy stepped beside her, whispering. "You made it."

Jennie nodded, staring at the screen. "And Rudy too."

Roxy sighed, her shoulders dropping. "Yes."

Snow was wagging his tail with amusement. "She will flirt with you again."

Jennie was looking downward, blushing a bit. "Why are you so sure?"

"Because she hasn’t stopped."

Jennie looked toward Rudy.

The Phantom Thief was waving enthusiastically at her right now, with her satisfied smile.

Jennie looked away instantly, blushing even more.

Roxy crossed her arms, saying flatly. "Exactly."

The crystal screen changed, rearranging the names.

The semifinalists pairs appeared.

SEMIFINAL ONE

RAVEN

VS

RUDY KISS

Jennie widened her eyes, holding her breath.

Roxy’s mouth fell open in shock.

Snow stopped and froze, his tail stopping moving.

And then he started laughing loudly.

"NO!"

Jennie was staring at the screen, unable to believe what she was seeing. "Rudy?"

Across the arena, Rudy was looking at her with unreadable expression.

For a few seconds she was saying nothing.

And then her lips started curving upward, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

She blew Jennie a kiss.

Jennie blushed deeply.

Roxy instantly grabbed Jennie’s shoulder. "No."

Jennie was looking at Roxy with perplexed expression. "What?"

"She is your opponent now."

Rudy was shouting from across the arena. "Don’t worry, Raven! I’ll be gentle!"

Roxy’s expression was murderous. "She’s dead."

Jennie sighed, drooping shoulders. "Roxy..."

"She’s dead."

Snow was laughing so much that he could barely stand on his legs, shaking with laughter.

The crystal screen showed the second semifinalists pair.

SEMIFINAL TWO

KAI VIPER

VS

MIRA KINGSTON

The audience was erupting again, their cheers rising along with the announcement.

Kai was looking at Mira calmly.

Mira smiled warmly. "Looks like we are fighting."

Kai nodded. "I was hoping for it."

Mira raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why?"

"You are strong."

Mira smiled, her eyes crinkling. "As you are."

The two warriors exchanged the nod respectfully, silently acknowledging the upcoming fight.

Jennie was staring at the semifinal bracket, her thoughts racing.

Rudy.

Then Kai and Mira.

The tournament started with hundreds of participants, with each warrior having his own hopes and dreams. Now there were only four warriors left—warriors who proved their right to the finals.

Jennie was looking at the arena with tightened fingers holding her damaged practice sword.

Rudy was dangerous—she was now sure about it. The unusual tricks and shadow moves made her completely unpredictable fighter. She didn’t rely on the power, but cunningness—fights style which helped her to defeat each of her opponents.

But Jennie couldn’t help smiling.

This will be quite interesting, indeed.

Then she felt another gaze.

Jennie was looking upward.

Lilia.

Once again.

The Queen was standing silently on the balcony, her silhouette outlined against the setting sun.

She wasn’t watching Kai. She wasn’t watching Mira. She wasn’t watching Rudy.

She was watching Jennie.

They were looking at each other.

Lilia’s expression was softening, aching with longing she couldn’t recognize.

Jennie felt painful feeling twining in her chest, familiar ache that refused to go.

Why was Lilia looking at her like that? Why she felt like the Queen was trying to remember something? And why did Jennie desperately want to cross this distance?

Lilia was pressing her hand to her heart, her pulse accelerating.

Aurelia was shimmering softly next to her, her golden light pulsing with recognition.

She whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Raven..."

Jennie was widening her eyes.

It was just one word—but hearing her name from Lilia’s lips felt strangely familiar.

Lilia was frowning, her eyebrows furrowing.

Why did she say it like that? Why was the name so important?

She didn’t know.

But she knew one thing—

She couldn’t stop looking at Jennie.

The spectators started to depart, their voices merging with the evening air. And the four semifinalists stayed there.

Kai remained silent, holding his spear and looking unapproachable.

Mira inspected her staff, touching its runes with her fingers.

Rudy leaned on the wall, looking extremely pleased with herself.

Jennie stood by, looking at the damaged practice sword in her hands.

Roxy came, her voice low. "Are you afraid?"

Jennie smiled thoughtfully. "A little."

"Good."

Jennie looked at her, frowning.

Roxy smiled gently. "It means you respect Rudy."

Jennie nodded, her eyes returning to her damaged practice sword.

She looked at the arena, its stones scratched from the battles that took place there.

"I do."

Then she looked at Rudy.

The thief smiled back, her eyes glittering playfully.

There were no kisses, no jokes, no silly moves today.

Only a cold calculating gaze.

Jennie’s smile faded, her heart hammering.

Rudy stopped playing with her.

And this thrilled Jennie’s heart.

The semifinal would be different.

For the first time in the tournament, Jennie would face a person whose moves she won’t understand right away – the person who can disappear, deceive experienced warriors and whose fighting pattern is hard to see.

Rudy Kiss.

The Phantom Thief.

Jennie slowly lifted her damaged practice sword, its surface covered with scratches.

The spectators gave her a name already – the White Sword Hunter.

And tomorrow she would prove whether she deserved this title.

Up in the sky, Lilia looked down on her for the last time, her heart filled with unsaid words.

And somewhere inside of her subconsciousness, some things came to life.

A white-haired girl. A maid. A promise. A friendship. A life that vanished into thin air.

Lilia closed her eyes, her tears threatening to fall.

She didn’t know why.

But she felt like looking at Raven, she saw the girl she was waiting for.

And the semifinal was only a night away.