“Ha······ Hoo······ Hoo······.”
How long has it been?
After exchanging blows with Trie a few times — or rather, getting hit a few times — my clothes were soaked with sweat, and my breathing was labored.
“It’s only been 10 minutes. You can’t give up.”
“······.”
Damn. This can’t be. Has it only been 10 minutes?
“Then let’s go again!”
“······!”
Trie’s new attack came flying at me once more.
Even though she wasn’t using any mana, my eyes struggled to keep up with her movements.
However, after being hit a dozen times, my body instinctively raised the sword to block.
*Clang!*
“Ugh!”
The sound of impact rang out as my wooden sword clashed against hers.
Though it was a light sword, it was specially designed to have the weight of a longsword.
That heavy weight pressed down on my arm, but I managed to support myself on one foot.
It was wisdom gained after I was knocked over due to poor posture earlier.
“Haa!”
Trie spun her sword and aimed for my head.
Zwerchhau. It was a technique that struck from both sides at head height.
– “Try to block this, Schlus!”
At that moment, a translucent figure appeared before my eyes.
It was the activation of my ability, ‘Memory of True Self.’
An image of Schlus’s father attacking with a Zwerchhau appeared.
His figure overlapped with Trie’s and hit me all at once.
In the memory, Schlus tried to block it but was struck on the head by the sword that came from the opposite side.
‘Got it.’
In that fleeting moment, I learned one thing through that counterexample.
I could at least tell that I couldn’t block that technique with my physical abilities.
So there was only one way.
*Clang!*
“Oh.”
Instead of defending, I would respond with the same attack.
I mirrored Trie’s stance completely and lashed out, clashing our swords together.
This created a deadlock where neither sword could move.
Hmm. So what should I do from here?
“Quit spacing out!”
“Huh?”
As if to give me the answer, Trie grabbed my wrist.
In that instant, my center of gravity was off, and something caught my ankle, causing my vision to spin.
My waist slammed into the ground, and a painful tightness gripped my breath.
As I regained my senses and tried to get up, Trie’s sword was already hovering close to my neck.
“You’ve died for the 13th time.”
“Haa······ Let’s go again······.”
“No. Let’s take a break. You’ll die at this rate.”
Trie’s words made all the strength drain from my body.
I tried to get up but instead lay down, exhaling ragged breaths that scratched my throat.
I was panting as if I was about to die.
On the other hand, Trie only had slightly quicker breathing, showing no signs of fatigue.
I guess she had better stamina than I did, but she also moved far more efficiently.
I couldn’t even perceive how vast the gap between us had become.
“Still, you didn’t let go of the sword. That’s a good job.”
Now that I think about it, I was still gripping the sword tightly.
It was as if it was glued to my hands.
Seeing Schlus’s memories multiple times, I remembered the times I got hit by my father every time I dropped the sword.
Thanks to that, I felt like I would never let go of this sword.
“Is my condition serious?”
“Umm······.”
Trie averted her gaze and hesitated for a moment.
Is it ambiguous?
Or is it in a state where it’s hard for her to be honest?
“Uh. It’s a bit serious.”
“Is that so?”
It was the words of someone who would become the strongest knight in this world.
It must be true.
Both my modern mind and Schlus’s body might not have much talent with swords.
I could excuse myself since I spent all day staring at the computer.
I thought Schlus might have some experience with swords, but······.
What a useless guy.
“Let’s rest a bit.”
Trie watched me closely and put down her sword.
She didn’t seem fatigued at all.
I felt bad that my lousy stamina was wasting her time.
I guess we had to continue then.
‘Selection and Concentration. 1 second spent on stamina.’
I silently whispered inside.
As if my heartbeat, which felt like it was about to burst, gradually calmed down, my breathing slowed.
Even after a second passed, I wasn’t gasping for breath again.
I realized that using ‘Selection and Concentration’ on my stamina could reset my fatigue, which was quite useful.
But I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t divide it into less than a second.
If I could divide it infinitely, I could use 0.01 seconds for stamina and just run around all day without getting tired, so it seemed like they prevented abuse to some extent.
Smart move.
“Let’s continue.”
“Huh? Are we done resting already?”
“Yep. I’m good to go now.”
“Um······ Okay. Let’s keep going.”
As I got back up, Trie raised her sword and took her stance.
Seeing her glaring and tensing her legs, a wave of fear hit me like I was facing a predator.
She usually looked so goofy, but when she wielded a sword, that aura poured out like crazy······.
I swallowed my saliva and raised my sword to face her.
“This time, let’s use Internal Circuit for our duel.”
“Sounds good.”
She seemed to be teaching me how to fight while using the Internal Circuit.
Surely, the way to fight when using my bare hands is different from when using that monstrous physique.
I used ‘Selection and Concentration’ on Mana Sensitivity for 2 seconds.
Then, I activated the Internal Circuit. Just for those 2 seconds.
The mana energy generated from the circuit was quickly converted to more than 99% mana due to my mana sensitivity.
I felt power surging through my body.
With this, I should be able to hold on for about 3 minutes.
After that, I’d have to make excuses about running out of mana.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.”
Trie pulled back one foot, preparing to charge.
Looks like I’m going to get hit hard again.
But they say everything is learned through getting hit repeatedly.
As long as I can get strong enough to beat an ordinary extra, I’m willing to endure this hellish training.
“Hah!”
With a battle cry, Trie’s wooden sword flew towards my forehead.
*
“Khah······. Haah······.”
“Hoo.”
Schlus gasped, his chest heaving. His entire body was covered in blue bruises.
Trie wiped the sweat dripping from her forehead, looking at him with a somewhat pitiful expression.
It wasn’t that it was pitiful.
She was pretending to feel sorry for him.
‘His learning speed is insane. No matter how I look at it, he has talent.’
Schlus’s growth rate was enough to surprise Trie.
He definitely seemed to have some experience with swordsmanship.
But that was all. He only had the marks of having learned the basics; his movements were rough and untamed, indicating he hadn’t undergone long training.
What was remarkable was how fast he absorbed lessons.
Whenever he got hit hard, he never fell for the same attack or deception again.
Every time Schlus stumbled and rose again, his posture and movements transformed entirely.
He countered Trie’s attacks with such completely different styles that it would be hard to believe he was the same person.
Though he lacked any remarkable physical abilities, his judgment was bold, and he showed no fear of the sword.
Usually, beginners only think of blocking incoming sword strikes, but he was thinking of attacking back instead.
“I’m sorry. I’m out of mana now······.”
“Is that so? Then let’s call it a day.”
Moreover, Schlus had an exceptional ability with the Internal Circuit as well.
Even in the first class of Battle Magic, he had shown keen insight, yet when clashing swords, it turned out to be tougher than expected.
It had waned near the end, but at its peak, his output even surpassed Trie’s.
It was purely due to the differences in mana management capabilities and swordsmanship skills that he was barely held down.
Even Trie, who had never taught anyone, could tell. Schlus was a born swordsman.
If he were taught properly, he looked like he could quickly reach the level of a high-ranking knight.
‘This is the first time my heart’s racing like this······.’
Trie felt her heart racing, experiencing excitement.
This was the first emotion she felt since deciding to walk the path of magic.
Perhaps her father felt this way when he trained her.
Now she understood why her father was so harsh on her and scolded her when she was inadequate.
It was to prevent her from being satisfied with her current position. It was a lie meant to make her run towards the end of her talent.
Trie decided to use her father’s wisdom directly.
Schlus’s talent was still far from reaching its peak.
“Next duel will be······ um······.”
“······?”
Seeing Schlus swaying as he stood, Trie trailed off.
She had intended to suggest the next day, but looking at Schlus’s condition, it seemed too much of a stretch.
“Let’s do it three days from now. I’ll come at 9 again. How does that sound?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to do it earlier? Before I lose my feel.”
“No. I have a schedule.”
Trie unknowingly told a lie.
With his injuries, it was clear that if he lived an everyday life for at least three days, his body would ache.
“Thanks for the duel. I’m sorry for not being able to repay you immediately.”
“No, it’s fine. You said you’d teach me magic after the midterms. A little delay is no problem.”
“I’ll walk you to the main entrance.”
“No, just rest. I’ll go alone.”
“······.”
Trie left Schlus, who was still breathing heavily, and exited the training room.
Her attendant bowed as he guided her out.
What a pretty and young girl, she thought.
I hope Schlus doesn’t make a move······. That idea crossed her mind, but she decided to forget it as it wasn’t her concern.
“By the way······.”
I forgot to ask Schlus something.
The girl in the nun’s outfit I saw when I entered.
She was definitely the Saintess of Flechette, Iris von dem Flechette, whom I had only heard about in rumors.
I hesitated over what brought her to see Schlus and ended up completely forgetting to ask.
I thought about going back to ask her, but—
“No. Later······.”
Trie shook her head, deciding to save that for next time.
*
Lunch after intense exercise was special.
The food prepared by the top-notch chef Emilia would still taste great even if we ate it when full.
“I’m going out.”
“Yes. Where are you going?”
“I’m heading to the café.”
“Are you referring to that place we went to together last time?”
“Yes. That’s right. Would you like to join me?”
“No. I’ll stay back and guard the mansion.”
Emilia slowly shook her head.
Honestly, I didn’t want to bring her along; I just asked out of courtesy.
I didn’t want someone who only planned to surveil me by my side.
“Hey, Hainkel······.”
“Yes, Emilia. What is it?”
Emilia, rarely hesitant, began to speak.
What’s this? Is she trying to make a request?
“I know it’s a rude question. But why do you use formal language with me, a commoner, while using casual language with other nobles?”
“Um······.”
I wondered what she was asking. It wasn’t too rude a question.
Girls like Erica, Iris, and Trie were my classmates, so casual speech just came out.
But Emilia was merely someone with whom I had made a contract, so I used honorifics automatically.
Even though she was an employee I hired, I couldn’t command her informally.
In this world where the class system was alive, such behavior might indeed be hard to understand.
“Well, I don’t know either.”
“Eh?”
Even if I explain it in detail, she wouldn’t understand, and I didn’t want to describe it either.
So I just gave a vague answer.
It was already spilled water, anyway.
I wanted to act as if I had a special reason to complicate things a bit for her.
Leaving the dumbfounded Emilia behind, I exited the mansion.
“Wow······.”
Even though I had been out many times on the streets of the institution, I still seemed to be less adapted.
Unintentionally, I kept gasping in admiration.
Someday, I would like to take a leisurely tour.
Visiting various places in the Empire would be nice. It would also be good to drop by the Great Forest or the desert where the elves live.
After all, I would have to go at some point later.
There was no need to rush.
As I enjoyed the scenery of the fantasy-like city, I soon arrived at my destination.
A shaded alley where sunlight streamed in at an angle. In it was a semi-basement café and bar.
As I burst through the door, a pleasant chime rang out.
“Welcome.”
Upon entering, I froze as I was greeted by the head of the Intelligence Agency, Eric.
The man turned away.
Just seeing him from behind made my heart pound loudly.
He was someone I had imagined over and over again in my head; I felt I would recognize him just from his back alone.
That guy, who was a pain even just by looking at his head, slowly turned around.
“······.”
“······.”
Siegfried Hertlocker.
That was the first encounter with that damn protagonist.
