I awoke early in the morning, nearly at dawn. Yuli was the first to rise, and our eyes met as she was already looking at me. Seeing Yuli smiling close by instantly cleared the drowsy haze from my mind.
“El, did you sleep well?”
“…Good morning.”
I managed to greet her while trying my best to calm my racing heart. Judging from Yuli’s lack of reaction, it seemed I hadn’t given anything away.
“Has the morning training not started yet?”
“Yeah. We have time, so you can prepare slowly. Only a few of the knights who are particularly diligent will be at the training ground this early.”
Still, as someone receiving guidance and a guest in someone else’s house, I didn’t want to give the impression of laziness. After returning to my room for a quick wash, I changed into comfortable clothes: a long-sleeve top and long pants suitable for movement, with my hair loosely tied back to keep it from flying around. Grabbing the sword I had stored nearby, I stepped into the hallway, where Yuli was already waiting by the door, fully prepared.
“Did you keep me waiting long?”
“Nope. Preparation doesn’t take long when we’re doing the same thing. Shall we head down?”
“Yeah. I feel sluggish after doing nothing but eat and sleep all day yesterday. Let’s go quickly.”
Together with Yuli, I headed toward the training ground. The closer we got, the louder the sounds of individual practice and shouts of effort became. However, it seemed, as Yuli had said, that most were still conducting personal training, without any coordinated effort.
“Young Lady, have you arrived?”
Upon entering the training ground, one of the knights close by greeted Yuli. He appeared to be rather advanced in age.
“Good morning, Sir Lupin.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the knight named Lupin resumed his personal training. Yuli and I began stretching to loosen our muscles before warming up with a slow jog around the perimeter of the expansive practice area. Given it was the mansion of the Count, it was no surprise the training ground was vast. After a few laps, we were both appropriately warmed up—just enough to start sweating.
“Attention!”
Just as Sir Lupin called out with a powerful voice, the scattered knights quickly lined up in orderly rows. Meanwhile, Yuli and I stepped slightly away from the main formation and waited together.
“Did you sleep well last night, Head of the House?”
Rather than showing excessive respect, Lupin offered a simple inquiry of well-being as Count Craig approached leisurely and stopped in front of him.
“That I did. I see you were the first to arrive again today, Lupin.”
“Heh, getting old has its perks—no morning sleep for me.”
“In that case, I’ll leave today’s training to you, Lupin, as usual.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Upon receiving Lord Craig’s command, Sir Lupin began to lead the knights in well-coordinated drills. A quick glance showed that they were practicing group tactics rather than individual skills.
“Come this way.”
After entrusting the knights entirely to Lupin, Count Craig led us both to a quieter corner of the training ground. Despite being secluded, the expansive area still provided ample space for us three to maneuver.
“Hmm… there is no point in you two sparing since neither of you would bring out your full capabilities against each other. We’ll assess your skills individually. First, Yuli, draw your sword.”
“Yes.”
Following Craig’s order, Yuli withdrew her sword with a form I’d seen numerous times throughout the semester.
“Now, swing your blade.”
Unlike Yuli, Craig remained stationary, showing no stance and didn’t even bother drawing his own sword. Undeterred by Craig’s casual posture, Yuli struck her sword with full force.
Whoosh!
Predictably, Craig deflected Yuli’s attack with ease.
Whoosh Whoosh!
Repeated swings followed, yet not a single strike of Yuli’s managed to graze even the edge of Craig’s clothes. After dozens of futile attempts, Yuli began to breathe heavily.
“Huff, huff.”
Eventually, her fatigue caught up to her, and her sword wavered in place. Only then did Craig speak.
“Your attacks are dull, your flow fragmented, and your feints clumsy. It seems you’ve learned nothing since the Academy.”
Though stung by the harsh critique, Yuli bit her lower lip but offered no excuses, silently accepting it as true.
“…Still, your stamina has improved compared to before. That’s enough, rest now.”
As soon as Craig gave the order, Yuli sheathed her sword. Her trembling hands struggled to fit it back into the scabbard on several attempts before finally succeeding.
“Then let’s move on. Alicia, draw your weapon.”
After Yuli sheathed her sword, it was my turn to draw mine. It was a live blade, but I wasn’t overly concerned. An expert Sword Master like Craig wouldn’t be injured by my sword easily, and even if somehow hurt, surely he wouldn’t fuss at the daughter’s friend.
Upon seeing me draw my sword, Craig’s brow arched slightly before he too drew his sword from the scabbard he had concealed.
Craig positioned himself then, and the stance looked familiar—identical to the one Yuli had practiced all semester. However, the difference in intensity was glaringly obvious.
Even with the overwhelming presence, I felt no fear. The pressure felt less than the encounter I once had with a Demon. Compared to that moment, this felt more like standing under the blazing summer sun without shade—challenging but bearable.
“Hmm. Your presence isn’t bad. Begin if you’re ready.”
There was nothing to prepare, so as soon as Craig gave the word, I lunged at him.
Clang!
Predictably, my attack was blocked. The force of the impact reverberated up my arm, numbing my hand, but I clutched the hilt tightly.
Craig stood still, blocking my blade effortlessly as I struck again, and again, only to be deflected with a simple lift of his sword.
Ting!
Resisting the momentum that would have sent my blade flying, I pressed forward with all my strength, clinging to his sword as if it were a magnet pulling me in.
Attempting to sweep his blade aside using both hands only proved futile. The sheer power in Craig’s one-handed grip far surpassed mine, a testament to the mastery of his own aura enhancing his strength far beyond simple muscle training. Even applying my full strength with both hands against his one casually raised hand was ridiculous—I should’ve expected nothing less from a Sword Master.
Attempting to break free by twisting my blade was met with resistance as Craig refused to relinquish the contact, maintaining the distance as I stepped back.
No matter how I swung or pressed, Craig’s blade moved with an ease akin to liquid, thwarting each effort.
Seeking an opportunity, I subtly shifted my foot closer to his, aiming to destabilize him. But before my foot connected, Craig stepped back, simultaneously shoving my foot to the side with his own, disturbing my balance further with his sword pressing against mine.
I instinctively released one hand from the hilt to break my fall, rolling to regain my footing. As I rose, Craig’s sword was already pointed at me.
“Hmm… Not bad. Considering your age… no, even without the age factor, this is impressive. Your sword handling, instincts, finding openings, and manipulation of aura flow—they’re above what an ordinary knight could do.”
Seeing Craig’s sword retracted, I brushed off the dirt and stood up.
“However, your swordplay lacks form. Put positively, it’s freeform, but ultimately means you lack a proper foundation. You haven’t mastered conventional forms to transcend them—you skipped that entirely. Frankly, it’s utterly practical.”
Craig’s assessment was swift, dissecting my technique from just a few exchanges. My style, if one could call it that, lacked any grandeur—had I possessed that, the Guild Master might’ve created a Swordsman’s Guild instead of an Assassin’s.
“Fortunately, you have remarkable talent. With such natural aptitude, it’s better to hone it as it is than to impose rigid training in swordsmanship this late. I can see traces of correction from someone, but they refrained from making drastic changes. Even I wouldn’t dare tamper now—it would only disrupt your progress.”
He must have been referring to Selian. Perhaps as an educator, her perspective was on par with that of a Sword Master like Craig.
“Thank you.”
“Anne!”
After thanking him, I thought it proper to acknowledge his words. However, instead of replying, Craig turned and called across the grounds.
“Had I summoned you?”
At Craig’s command, Lupin immediately approached us without question, despite the young age of his new opponent.
“Delegate the rest of the training to someone else or let the knights train independently. Starting today, you will duel with Lady Alicia here as often as you can. It will surely benefit both of you.”
“Yes, understood.”
Without questioning, Lupin returned to the knights and issued orders accordingly.
“Ellicia. Henceforth, each morning we will duel once. And subsequently, you will engage in continuous practice with Lupin. Your swordplay, born of raw talent, needs only guidance and experience to thrive.”
“Yes, understood.”
These were the words of a Sword Master. There was no room for doubt.
“And Yuli. I will personally oversee your training from now on. Make sure not to miss any sessions.”
“Yes.”
With that, Craig concluded the session. Having already completed my practice with Craig, the rest of the day consisted of countless duels with Lupin, concluding the day’s training.
