The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Shione, gripping her bow, took a deep breath to steady herself.

‘…I’m more nervous than I thought.’

Of course, she understood in her head. There was no need to be so anxious to shoot in front of Herrel, the maid. This wasn’t a hunting competition or a tournament to showcase her prowess. It was simply a moment to demonstrate her growth. After Herrel had left, she only needed to express her journey through a single, well-aimed arrow.

If she just shot like usual, hitting the target’s head, Herrel would be satisfied.

─They say that in a lifetime, there are more moments of comparison and negativity than moments of recognition. Even though I come from a common background… Princess Shione’s father told me that nobles are not exempt from this.

Yet Shione didn’t want to shoot a simple arrow either.

─One day, you’ll become a great noble just like those in the Count’s House; you’ll surely rise again someday. I promise to always support you, Shione.

Perhaps it was Herrel’s words lingering in her mind when she first realized her lack of talent in swordsmanship that made the single arrow feel so heavy.

“Phew…”

She used memories of the past to regain her composure and took a breath.

‘This single shot needs to be my best.’

As she nocked the arrow, she pondered what her best effort could truly be. How could she encapsulate all the time she had spent honing her skills? The thrill she felt when she first hit the target, the fulfillment of recognition from her mother for her archery, the pride she felt after saving the Great Forest and becoming a noble hero, and even the exhilaration when her unrequited love succeeded.

All the emotions tied to those memories flooded her. Recalling the sensations at her fingertips, she nocked the arrow.

‘So what have I gained from all those past experiences?’

From the moment she nocked the arrow, she felt her perception rapidly expand.

Outstanding archery, the magic inherited from her ancestors, and the spells that manifested according to her will.

Shifting her focus away from the outside gaze and the expectations placed on the arrow, Shione began to delve into what was etched deep within her. Soon, she reached a state of clarity, where anxiety felt like an unnecessary luxury. Her momentum shifted, becoming exceedingly pure.

‘Everything I need is within me. There’s no reason I can’t accomplish this.’

She deconstructed her archery skills.

The style she learned from Rey, her mentor and lover, was so ingrained in her that it mirrored his own habits and stances. Yet within that style, her unique insights existed.

As she applied her own flair on top of the foundation given by him, the tip of the arrow gleamed sharper.

‘This is it…!’

She felt it instinctively.

This shot was going to be the most formidable and sharpest yet.

However, she still had more to do. She began to work on her magic.

‘What should I—’

Her knowledge of magic wasn’t deep.

She had merely stolen glances at Epheana Alenarr’s teachings.

There was a reason archers were considered lesser than knights. A knight who had reached mastery could track arrows with their eyes and cut them down with their swords. After the door to magic opened, she had resolved—just like her mentor—to imbue her bow with unconventional magic that could overcome knights.

But in that moment, she hesitated, feeling that her skills were still lacking.

She bit her lip.

‘Even so, I can use great magic. What’s stopping me? I’ll draw out everything I know to complete this!’

She tossed aside the academic notion of magic she learned from Epheana Alenarr.

Before the first wizard formalized magic as a structured academic discipline, all wizards relied on their talent and intuition to wield magic, didn’t they? Hence, they were regarded as possessors of transcendent perception that could replicate divine miracles.

Moreover, since ancient magic was centered more on association and will than on theories and formulas created by the empire, Shione had no doubt about the possibilities.

‘It’s possible…!’

She felt the mana responding, beginning to flow just as she envisioned.

If things continued like this, she would shoot the arrow successfully.

But before long, she reached a point where the arrow’s aura and the magic could no longer blend—it was a stopping point.

‘…This is a wall.’

The solid barrier she had felt while training in swordsmanship and spear techniques.

It was as if her talent couldn’t reach beyond this point, firmly erected to obstruct her will.

This wall was dozens of times taller and thicker than any she had encountered before, and she quickly realized it.

‘This is the wall my mother broke.’

Before her stood a wall that had frustrated countless knights, a gatekeeper that hindered their path to new horizons.

‘Am I supposed to give up here?’

The wall of a master is great.

Even in scripture, it is said that it represents the highest realm a mortal without divine power can reach.

But rather than giving up, Shione steeled herself even more.

‘…If my mother could overcome it, why can’t I, her daughter?’

What she had gained was not just archery and magic, but an unshakeable belief and trust in herself.

And it was not just for herself.

─I promise to always support you, Shione.

She was sure that at least Rey and Herrel would stand by her side, supporting her throughout her journey.

She decided to confront rather than retreat.

In that brief moment, the wall crumbled, and a new realm came into view. She even caught a glimpse of the clue to something beyond that horizon.

‘Ah.’

She felt a sense of omnipotence surging through her body.

It was as if a brilliant star had settled in her eyes. Suddenly, everything became clear.

The power she would one day possess fully.

‘Now I can do this.’

Just before the luminous clarity fading away, she released the arrow, and she realized.

“…Did I just break through the wall?”

That energy she felt, akin to that brilliant star, she had captured within her fingertips and the barrier. What had once felt infinitely thick and strong had shattered.

“I—I really did it? Something even my sister couldn’t?”

As the remnants of the wall that hadn’t been completely obliterated settled, she could finally consider herself at the threshold of a true master. It was a process that Ainel had also gone through, so it made sense.

Amid her joy, confusion overwhelmed Shione as she turned around to see everyone’s ecstatic reactions.

“Uh… Did everyone see that…?”

Of course, everyone’s shock was like a goblin finding a heap of gold coins—good news!

*

“D-Did Princess Shione just break through the wall?”

“…It seemed like a weak attack, but I think she did, Lady Diolia.”

“A weak attack, you say? She shattered the spell that continuously drained mana and obliterated more than half of the shooting range…!”

From the sidelines, I had a vague sense of it, but Shione had indeed transcended the barrier of mastery.

I thought she would become stronger after this realization. However, a master was still a master. Such a level was only achieved by a rare few on the continent. I had expected her to stop at that wall or at least be at that threshold. But the way she did it was exceptionally dramatic.

Everything has its cause, and there must be a reason for how much she has grown. I’ll have to discuss that with Shione later.

But one thing was certain; a future of unprecedented upheaval in the kingdom was looming.

‘Now even the royal family can’t touch the Count’s House.’

With two masters now in the Count’s House, the royal family bearing authority and history could no longer dare challenge them.

I believe this generation’s Count could potentially gain the greatest power in the history of the kingdom.

‘This is definitely a good thing.’

I’m holding the Count’s House line tightly.

And our head has already declared he will protect the Count’s House.

Amid Shione’s soaring returns on her long-term investment, I felt pure happiness.

“Commander, there’s an enormous wave of mana emanating from here. Is something going on…?”

“…I believe I felt a foreign divine presence, but where is the priest…?”

Just then, the unusual pressure I had sensed from Shione earlier caught the attention of the priest and a group of knights, who rushed to the shooting range.

Through the conversation between Shione and Lady Diolia, they swiftly realized.

Shione had broken the barrier of a master.

“Everyone, stand at attention!”

In the midst of the chaotic excitement, my shout silenced the room, causing everyone to adopt a disciplined posture.

Even the most exuberant, Lady Diolia, gathered her voice and slowly took her position.

“I present to you the kingdom’s new star!”

With her resounding declaration, she immediately saluted.

Following her lead, the entire Order of Knights saluted with such fervor that it echoed throughout the Count’s House.

As Shione accepted their homage, they all knelt on one knee, foreheads touching the ground, as if it had been rehearsed.

“Thank you for your congratulations. Now, everyone, please rise.”

After Shione’s words, everyone dispersed.

After all, a master had emerged among them. They must have been eager to chat amongst themselves, especially since she had jumped from an intermediate expert to master status in no time. They must be curious about her level of archery.

After the other knights had left, Shione turned her gaze back to her maid.

“…I guess I was wrong.”

Perhaps overwhelmed by emotions, tears flowed down her cheeks like chicken droppings.

“I said you’d one day become a great noble.”

But those tears were merely fragments of joy that had reached its peak.

“You’ve already become a respected noble among everyone. I’m so glad, truly glad—”

More precious than reaching the pinnacle of her abilities was the view of her being admired, in contrast to the scorn she had faced in the past.

Shione simply embraced her maid.

*

While Shione momentarily took her leave to converse with Herrel, Diolia and I headed straight to the main hall where Ainel was. After all, this news must reach our head first.

The protagonist, Shione, was better off resting and managing her energy rather than running around now. It would be nice to chat with Herrel to ease her mind; they seemed to bring a sense of comfort together. While we were away, they would manage well.

“There are now two masters in the family. Surely, the gods are watching over us. Wouldn’t you agree, Deputy Commander?”

“Certainly, this is a historical event. It’s a blessing.”

“With this, Ainel herself will happily fund the restoration costs. Maybe even raise the entire budget. Truly a wonderful thing…!!”

As we continued, Diolia exclaimed in joy.

‘What a rare sight to see Ainel outside her office.’

We encountered Ainel hurrying towards us, sword in hand, as she approached with urgency.

“I felt an immense wave of mana sweeping through the family. Diolia, Baron Karpel, what has transpired?”

I answered her directly and succinctly.

“Princess Shione has reached the realm of mastery.”

“W-What, splendid—”

“The wave of mana corresponds to Princess Shione’s rise, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Hmmm…”

Ainel cleared her throat, trying to appear unfazed, but she couldn’t hide the way her calm composure shattered as her gaze darted between Diolia and me.

“…What did you just say? Our Shione has reached the realm of mastery?”

“While we need to gather our composure to confirm more details… based on that energy from earlier, yes, it’s true.”

“Ho—”

With her answer, Ainel Shianella’s expression began to shift, revealing her joy almost spilling over.

Ainel Shianella was on the verge of ecstatic collapse at the news of her daughter’s achievement.