A traitor appeared

“That’s right!”

Luke admitted openly.

His mind-reading ability didn’t just trace keyword-related memories—it could read muscle memory too, allowing him to learn an opponent’s techniques or copy their magic.

The catch? It required preparation time.
His earlier disadvantage was just data collection.

“Mere imitation won’t beat me!”

Charlie unleashed fiercer assaults.
Physically, Charlie was a near-1.9m brute, rippling with power.
Luke, barely 1.8m and weak in enhancement magic, lost in raw strength despite higher level.

So Charlie exploited his physique, using exclusive sword forms Luke couldn’t mimic—or would flaw at if forced.
Against normal foes, Luke would mimic until they cracked mentally.

But to win Charlie’s respect? No cheap tricks.

Thus, his real plan—

*Clang!*

Charlie’s greatsword was parried for the first time.
No hesitation—another strike.

Prolonged fights naturally revealed moves, especially to a mimic.
Charlie’s answer: relentless, storm-like combos, leaving no room to adapt.

*Clang!*

Second strike blocked too.

Charlie charged a flaming sweep—scorching air surged, snow vaporized, ground scorched.
But just before impact, Luke raised his sword, deflecting with minimal force at the perfect angle, disrupting the attached magic.

“You… saw through it?”
Charlie stared in shock.

“Exactly. Now… lesson time.”
Luke sheathed one hand behind his back, wielding his sword single-handed.

The tide turned one-sided.
No matter Charlie’s efforts or physical edge, nothing landed.

Watching Luke stroll elegantly, toying with Charlie like a cat with a mouse, Elia’s brief excitement iced over.

[‘Useless Charlie! I actually had a sliver of hope!’]

But Elia mourned losers for zero seconds.
She pivoted to post-fight spin.
Seeing Charlie stubbornly charging futilely, inspiration struck.

If victory was impossible, lose *tragically*—evoke pity for the weak, disgust at the bully’s cruelty.

Bypassing the barrier, she messaged Charlie:
[‘Enough, Big Brother Charlie! Stop fighting!’]

*Can’t kill him anyway…*
Her chibi made a devilish face.

To her, Charlie was a gambling addict—yell “stop,” and pride plus sunk dignity made him double down until bankrupt.

[‘I’m fine, Elia. Don’t worry.’]

As predicted, Charlie brushed her off and dove deeper into battle, blissfully forgetting his own name.

Luke needed no messaging—he was lost in showing off power and coolness.
*Perfect.*

Even if Charlie was disliked, he was *their* general.
Seeing an outsider toy with him arrogantly? Outrage or pity was guaranteed, breeding doubt about Luke’s character.

Today’s big humiliation failed, but branding Luke a brutal thug? *Victory.*

[‘Make it bloodier!’]
Her chibi roared.

At first, the crowd seethed with anger and heartache.
But gradually…

“Huh… Boss Charlie looks like he’s *enjoying* this?”

His subordinates noticed first.
“This guy’s in battle-mad mode, isn’t he?”

Word spread fast.
Charlie was eating hits but *loving* it—pushing limits through failure, even at the cost of looking pathetic.

“That’s just masochistic…”

Pity died in throats.

“Right here—obvious flaw…”

Meanwhile, Luke’s graceful guidance drew noble ladies’ screams.

Ten minutes later, even Charlie’s knights stopped resenting Luke for shaming their vice-captain.
*One wants to fight, one wants to teach—who are you demons to judge?*

A death duel turned friendly spar—thrill-seekers left disappointed.

Half an hour in, only Elia remained, staring like a statue.

“As expected of Lady Elia—so caring for the kingdom’s people.”

To onlookers, she stood vigil to prevent accidents.
But her furrowed brow wasn’t worry—it was *fury*.

[‘What is this?! Fighting for me? Punishing the rude one? Why are you suddenly buddy-buddy sparring?!’]

She couldn’t comprehend Charlie—her “big brother”—defecting to the enemy.

[‘Fake. Must be fake. Idiot Charlie’s just waiting to counter when Luke tires.’]

Alas, no comeback came.

After nearly three hours, Charlie collapsed, spent.

“Next time.”
Luke offered a hand.

“Deal.”

Charlie grasped it without hesitation.
They shared a warrior’s grin.

Meanwhile, a certain scummy pinkette’s chibi *fainted from rage*.