Reborn As A Maid

Laughter caused by Rudy Kiss’s crazy act slowly disappeared under the sound of the increasing roar of the Grand Royal Arena, being replaced by some sort of nervous tension which crackled in the air like lightning just before the storm started.

The first round was over.

Hundreds of warriors were entering the tournament that morning with their bright hopes and ambitions. Only a few had survived—they were the best and the exceptional, those who had proved their right for the next stage of the competition.

The Great Fight Tournament has finally reached the stage where talent won’t be enough.

The survivors were monsters in their own kind—spear masters, battle mages, knights, beast hunters, assassins, mercenaries. All of them had proved their right for this stage through blood, sweat and iron will.

And there was Raven—the White Sword Hunter.

Jennie Queens.

Or, to be exact,

Raven.

Great crystal screen above the arena became active, illuminating its surface with golden shine. Name after name flashed on it making the audience gasp and cheer.

KAI VIPER — ADVANCED

MIRA KINGSTON — ADVANCED

GARETH GERAT — ADVANCED

KING GALE — ADVANCED

RUDY KISS — ADVANCED

And then—

RAVEN — ADVANCED

The audience went wild, its cheering resounding all over the stadium like a tidal wave.

"Raven! The White Sword Hunter!"

"She defeated a veteran warrior without using even a real weapon!"

"The wooden sword! She only used the wooden sword!"

Jennie was standing among the survivors listening to the cheers with embarrassed look on her face. Her cheeks were becoming pale because of the thousands of voices calling out her new nickname.

Roxy was standing next to her with big grin on her face. "You realize that they have become totally obsessed with you, right?"

"I don’t know what to do about that," Jennie was scratching her cheek embarrassedly.

Snow was proudly sitting next to them, puffing out his chest. "Wave."

Jennie looked at him with question in her eyes. "What?"

"Wave at them."

"Why?"

"Because heroes wave."

Jennie was staring at him with astonishment on her face. "Since when are you an expert on heroes?"

Snow was lifting up his head, making his golden eyes shine with mock knowledge. "I have been watching humans for years. So, I know these things."

Roxy was sighing and shaking her head. "This isn’t an answer."

Finally, Jennie raised her hand towards the audience waving it uncertainly.

The result was immediate—the cheering got even louder becoming deafening roar that was shaking even the stones of the arena.

Jennie was quickly lowering her hand, her blush getting even deeper. "... That made it worse."

Snow burst into the laughter that echoed all over the competitors’ territory.

The survivors were being led to a great waiting chamber beneath the arena. Its walls were carved of ancient stones and were lit by numerous torches making dancing shadows on the floor.

Unlike the chaos of the registration hall before, the atmosphere here was different—it was quiet, serious and heavy.

Everyone understood the significance of reaching this stage.

Further battles will be difficult. A single mistake may become your final one. A single hesitation may cost you everything.

The competitors were gathering in the middle of the chamber, looking at each other with sharp and careful eyes.

Kai Viper was leaning against a column, his spear being beside him, his look was concentrated and calm.

Mira Kingston was looking at the runes engraved on her staff with quiet concentration, carefully tracing each glowing symbol with her fingers.

Gareth Gerat was standing immovably like a fortress, his enormous shield lying on the floor.

King Gale was sitting close to the window, surrounded by his silver wolf and great black bear who was sleeping somewhere behind him while his hawk was resting on the wooden beam overhead.

And there was...

Rudy.

She was hanging upside down on the bench with her feet being rested on its back and her head pointing at the floor. Black and purple coat of hers was laying like spilled ink while her eyes were shut in peaceful contentment.

Jennie was looking at her with confused frown on her face. "Are you comfortable?"

Rudy opened one eye and gave lazy smile. "Extremely."

"Why are you hanging upside down?"

"For better perspective."

Jennie was looking all around the chamber, her confusion growing. "Perspective of what?"

Rudy’s smile grew wider. "You."

Jennie immediately felt stupid for asking, her cheeks blushing.

Roxy’s eyes were narrowing, her instincts of protectiveness flaring. "Would you please stop flirting with her for five minutes?"

Rudy was straightening up, giving innocent look on her face. "I wasn’t flirting."

Roxy was looking at her, her look sharp.

Rudy was smiling. "Not this time."

"RUDY."

Snow was starting to laugh again, his howls echoing all over the chamber.

The doors were opening.

Arthur Queens was walking inside, his mere presence forcing silence to fall.

The Royal Hand of the Kingdom was walking to the center of the chamber, his look becoming severe and his posture perfect. He was sweeping his look across the gathered warriors, carefully measuring each one.

"The first round has managed to separate hundreds of skillful warriors from the strongest ones. From this moment on, each battle will be performed individually. No simultaneous battles anymore."

The competitors were listening to him attentively, their looks glued to the aging statesman.

"Every battle will take place in the Grand Royal Arena. Every fight will be watched by Her Majesty, the royal court and citizens of Seraiya."

Arthur’s voice was becoming resolute, acquiring authority.

"Do not consider this tournament as some kind of entertainment. Here, the strongest warriors of the whole continent will prove their power."

He was stopping his look for a brief moment on Jennie—a brief moment so subtle that not everyone would notice.

She noticed.

Arthur was fixing her with his look for a very brief period of time, but there was something that had changed in it. Perhaps, it was some flash of recognition or some vague memory that still hasn’t reached his mind.

Jennie’s look was becoming thoughtful.

He still doesn’t recognize her. Not completely. But there was something in Arthur’s look that has changed—like whisper of his instincts which are trying to tell him some truth that his mind hasn’t accepted yet.

Arthur was continuing speaking, his voice resolute.

"The brackets of the quarterfinals will be announced soon."

Great crystal screen appeared behind him, illuminating its surface with golden shine. The names were arranging themselves on it, letters glowing brightly.

The first battle was becoming known.

Kai Viper vs. Gareth Gerat

The atmosphere in the room was becoming notably more quiet, weight of the pairing falling upon the competitors.

Kai was looking at Gareth with unreadable look on his face.

Gareth was looking at him with calmness of the fortress, his face was calm.

Neither was smiling.

Finally, Kai was giving respectful nod as a sign of respect to the upcoming battle.

Gareth was returning it with steady look in his eyes.

Second battle appeared.

Mira Kingston vs. King Gale

Mira was widening her eyes and squeezing her staff.

King Gale was smiling warmly. "Looks like we will be opponents."

Mira nodded. "Looks like it." Her eyes went to his animal friends, and her brows wrinkled. "I hope your friends won’t mind fighting a fire mage."

King Gale smiled kindly. "They’ll be careful."

The third pairing appeared.

Raven vs. —

The crystal light fluctuated hesitantly.

Then a new name appeared.

Dar Vane.

Powerful swordsman from the northern kingdoms. Famous for his ability to use a massive two-handed sword, able to cut through any steel or rock. He was already famous as a veteran of many battles, a warrior who never retreated.

Jennie studied his name with interest.

Rudy leaned towards her and spoke into her ear. "Interesting."

Jennie turned toward her and frowned. "You know him?"

"No." Rudy smiled even wider. "So why is it interesting?"

"Because he looks like someone who could throw you off your feet."

Roxy immediately approached Jennie protectively. "Don’t inspire her."

Rudy chuckled lightly.

Then the final pairing appeared.

Rudy Kiss vs. Valen Stroud.

Rudy smiled even wider, her interest showing clearly in her eyes. "Oh?"

Slowly, one of the tall martial artists turned to look at her. Valen Stroud—he had black cloth tightly wrapped around his fists, and his body was covered with dozens of battle scars.

He didn’t say anything.

He just looked.

Rudy waved and called brightly. "Hello!"

Valen continued to look at her, completely silent.

Rudy turned to Jennie and said sarcastically. "He is rude."

Jennie tried to suppress laughter and nearly fell on her knees.

Arthur dismissed all competitors from the platform with authority. "Rest. Your fights start tomorrow."

The warriors left one after another and made noise in the arena.

However, one person stayed there.

Lilia.

She entered the arena silently from the side door. Most of those who saw her now noticed nothing unusual—she was dressed in her white-and-gold dress, and Aurelia hung at her side, her golden scabbard glowing softly in torchlight.

Arthur bowed politely. "Your Majesty."

Lilia nodded and started looking around the room.

Jennie.

She managed to spot her standing near the door; the silver locks were catching torchlight.

Somehow she was looking for her without even noticing it—a feeling that she herself could not explain.

Jennie felt someone’s gaze on her.

She turned her head.

Their eyes met.

Lilia froze.

Jennie froze too.

Everything around them faded out; they were the only people left in the world.

Once again—strange feeling.

Just like when she caught her falling. That same feeling—the same warmth, that same ache.

Lilia couldn’t understand what was going on.

Why does looking at her make her heart heavy? Why does she suddenly want to smile? Why does she suddenly want to remember everything about her—every memory, every dream, every secret?

Jennie looked away first.

Her heart was beating quickly; she couldn’t breathe right.

She perfectly well understood the reason for that.

Lilia—her old friend, her former mistress, the person whom she had guarded for many years, whom she laughed with and learned and grew up with.

But—

Lilia couldn’t recognize her yet.

Roxy noticed the interaction; her eyes narrowed.

Her cheeks puffed out; her expression showed pure jealousy.

Once again.

Snow glanced at her with amusement sparkling in golden eyes. "You are making the face."

"What face?"

"The jealous one."

"I’m not jealous."

"You are."

Roxy glanced at Lilia, then at Jennie, then at Lilia once more. She slumped in disappointment.

"...She is Queen."

Snow nodded thoughtfully. "Yes."

"So I cannot exactly compete with her."

Snow thought for a while, tilting his head. "You can become Queen."

Roxy opened her mouth in surprise. "You have such brilliant idea?!"

Snow laughed loudly; his howls resounded in the room.

Jennie turned to them with confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing!" Roxy shouted, blushing furiously.

Snow grinned happily. "Roxy wants to become Queen."

"SNOW!"

Jennie opened her eyes in shock. "What?!"

Roxy put her hands over Snow’s mouth. "Don’t listen to him!"

Across the room Rudy watched their conversation with amusement sparkling in eyes.

She whispered quietly. "This group is even more interesting than I expected."q

Meanwhile, Lilia stood near the door, gazing at Jennie.

Arthur noticed it; his voice was kind. "Your Majesty?"

Lilia blinked, startled. "I am sorry."

"You have been staring at Raven."

Lilia glanced at Jennie with heartache. "I know."

Arthur waited patiently, waiting for her answer.

Lilia placed one hand over her chest and said in almost a whisper. "I don’t understand."

Arthur’s expression softened. "What do you mean?"

"Every time I look at her, I feel that I’ve forgotten something precious." She tried to choose the right words; her brows were frowning. "Something important."

Arthur’s eyes narrowed; he was interested in her answer. "Do you think that you have met her before?"

Lilia glanced at Jennie with pain in her heart.

Jennie turned and looked at her.

Their eyes met.

Lilia’s heart started racing; she could hardly breathe.

"...I don’t know." She smiled sadly. "But I want to remember."

Far across the room, Jennie heard nothing.

But somehow she felt the weight of her gaze—the pain, the confusion, and hope.

The quarter-finals were approaching. The strongest warriors of the continent were gathering.

But for Jennie, the greatest battle might not happen in the arena.

It would be the battle between Lilia’s forgotten memories and the truth which Jennie isn’t ready to reveal yet.

The next morning the Grand Royal Arena was more crowded than ever.

Quarterfinalists were announced; their names echoed around the city of Seraiya like legends. Only the best warriors were left—the elite, the extraordinary, the ones who proved themselves through blood and determination.

All seats in the enormous stadium were occupied; thousands of people were outside, trying to listen to the fight via magical broadcast crystals. Everything was humming with anticipation—the very atmosphere.

Tournament became the greatest event of the continent in recent years.

And one name appeared everywhere.

Raven.

White Sword Hunter.

No one knew her origin. No one knew her real identity. And no one understood why a young swordswoman is participating in the greatest tournament in the world with nothing but practice sword.

But everyone wanted to see her fight.

Jennie was standing inside the waiting room of her competitor, her fingers playing with the wooden handle of her practice sword.

Right in front of her, Roxy crossed her arms, showing her concern. "You can take Excalibur, you know."

Jennie shook her head. "I do not need it."

"And why do you think it would be like that?" Roxy questioned.

Jennie directed her gaze towards the arena. "I just want to see how far I can go without Divine Sword power."

Roxy let out a sigh, her shoulders falling. "You always do something crazy after saying that."

Snow was lying on the ground, his huge form sprawling across the stone. "I bet she will win."

"Why do you think it will be like that?" Roxy asked.

Snow opened his eye, staring at her with golden gaze. "It does not matter."

"Why?"

"Because Jennie is Jennie."

Roxy stared at Snow with complete disbelief. "... That is the most useless explanation I have heard from you."

Snow closed his eye again, letting out an exhale of contentment. "You are welcome."

Jennie giggled softly.

Then the announcer’s voice sounded in the stadium, full of excitement.

"Our next quarterfinal fight will start soon!"

The audience roared with their cheers, filling the stadium with loud noise.

Jennie’s smile faded away. Her look turned serious and concentrated—the look of the fighter.

Jennie started walking towards the arena.

As soon as Jennie stepped inside the arena, crowd started cheering.

"RAVEN!"

"WHITE SWORD HUNTER!"

"RAVEN! RAVEN! RAVEN!"

Jennie stopped for a half second, her eyes widening.

She had not expected that—she had not thought about the fact that there would be thousands of people calling her name, admiring her.

Jennie’s gaze moved along the rows of stands. There were children waving with their handmade wooden swords. Some of the audience members had white cloths tied around their shoulders—imitation of her coat. Banners with Jennie’s name were flapping in the wind.

Jennie scratched her cheek, feeling embarrassment. "How did it happen?"

Roxy giggled with delight. "You are famous."

"I do not want to be famous."

"It is too late."

Snow appeared right next to Jennie, his golden eyes glowing with playfulness. "Wave."

Jennie looked at him with indifference. "No."

"Wave."

"No."

"Wave."

"Snow."

The wolf-like creature let out a disappointed sigh, his ears falling down. "Fine."

Jennie stepped into the arena.

Her competitor was already there.

A tall man in the dark blue armor was standing in the middle of the battlefield. His name was Dar Vane—he was a veteran swordsman from the northern kingdoms, well-known with his steadfastness and his enormous two-handed sword which was almost as tall as Jennie herself.

Announcer called out Dar’s name with the authority in his voice.

"Dar Vane! The Northern Executioner!"

People started clapping and shouting with approval.

Dar lifted up his gigantic sword, the blade shining in the sunlight. Unlike his nickname might say, his eyes were calm—the eyes of the warrior that had been through thousands of battles and who respected each of his opponents.

Dar looked at Jennie carefully, his gaze turning down to her wooden practice sword.

His eyebrow twitched. "Again?"

Jennie blinked, showing her confusion. "Again?"

"Do you really bring a wooden sword?"

Jennie looked at her weapon again, noticing its smoothed surface. "Yes."

Dar let out a sigh, his shoulders sagging. "I have spent twenty years training with a sword. Please, do not insult me with that thing."

Jennie smiled with challenge in her voice. "Maybe you should try to change my mind."

Crowd roared in response.

Dar’s face tightened, his grip on the sword getting stronger. "Fine."

Referee stood right between them, his voice having authority in it. "The rules are the same! No killing! Victory comes through surrender, incapacitation or ring-out! Contestants ready?"

Jennie crouched down a little bit, shifting her weight onto her toes.

Dar lifted up his enormous sword, getting ready to strike.

Referee took his hand off and dropped it.

"BEGIN!"

Dar attacked.

The ground cracked under his first step, the power spreading around like a shockwave. He made a horizontal strike with his great sword, aiming the edge at Jennie’s midsection.

Jennie ducked.

The weapon flew over her head, making wind ruffle her silver hair.

She moved forwards, closing the distance.

Dar immediately reversed the direction of his blade, his movements being smooth and fluent.

Jennie jumped back.

The giant sword barely missed her chest, its edge grazing the fabric of her coat.

Crowd held their breath.

Dar continued to attack—he was swinging his sword one time, two times, three times.

Each of his attacks had terrifying amount of power in them—enough to crack stones and split steel.

Jennie did not block. She did not counter.

She just moved.

To the left. To the right. Backwards. Forwards.

Each attack of his was missing by a hair’s breadth, her body flowing around the blade.

Dar’s eyes narrowed, his brow furrowing.

She is reading me.

He changed his stance, making his movements more unpredictable.

Jennie noticed it, her eyes following his movements.

He will attack from the right side.

She moved before his strike.

The great sword hit the place where she had been standing a second ago, cutting the stone floor.

Dar’s expression changed, his confidence falling apart.

Jennie stepped forwards.

Tap.

Her wooden sword hit his wrist.

Dar immediately switched his grip, his fingers wrapping around the hilt.

Jennie struck his elbow.

Tap.

He stepped back, his balance getting unstable.

Jennie struck his shoulder.

Tap.

Crowd roared in response, their cheers filling the stadium.

"She is too fast!"

"He is not even touching her!"

"She fights with a wooden sword!"

Dar gritted his teeth, frustration and respect battling in his eyes.

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