Chapter 12

I had planned to post this at night, but I decided to update at noon because I was so pleased with the ranking.

The noise around me, which had been so loud until just a moment ago, vanished in an instant.

No, it wasn't that it disappeared; I had shut it out.

The target of the information entering my eyes and ears was only Hembritz.

I calmed my mind and observed the opponent who had charged at me.

Hmm, good spirit.

However, I can see a bit of recklessness.

"---Kaaah!"

With a spirited cry, Hembritz lunged forward.

Hmm. It looks like a high thrust, but then a left body strike, right?

Not a bad move, but when you move like that, your front foot inevitably stays out. So if you're read or dodged, it becomes difficult to avoid.

"---Shit!"

I met the approaching bokken as I had predicted, covering it from above.

I could have dodged by stepping back, but that would have meant starting over. Since my prediction was spot on, I wanted to show off a bit.

That desire made me choose to counter.

The sound of the bokken clashing echoed through the training ground.

Unlike a thrust, a sweeping strike doesn't require much force if you can redirect the momentum, so it's less tiring.

I spun the bokken I had placed on top, using the tip of my hand.

By moving to scoop up his bokken, the force would be redirected, causing Hembritz to lose his balance.

"---Huh!?"

Oh, you're surprised, Hembritz.

But unfortunately, the bokken doesn't wait for your feelings.

I kept the momentum of the spinning bokken and aimed it straight for his neck.

I wanted to land a direct hit, but this is a controlled strike.

There's no need to finish him off. Besides, at this angle and speed, it would probably be dangerous. It was a well-executed exchange, both in terms of reading and movement.

"Whoa, he's countering that... That's amazing..."

"Can the vice-captain see his strikes...? No way..."

Hmm, not good. Because it went well, I lost a bit of my concentration.

I can hear the noise around me. This is not how a mentor should act.

I need to refocus.

I don't want to show any more embarrassing moves after coming this far!

"---Not yet!"

I lowered the controlled bokken, and Hembritz immediately charged again.

A right diagonal cut from a high stance, huh? He's trying to overpower me this time.

But again, unfortunately.

A straight, powerful strike is very weak against a lateral force.

I placed my bokken vertically to deflect the force from above.

I have to be careful not to get my hand caught, as there's no tsuba. Hembritz's strength is considerable, so if I deflect it incorrectly, I'll be the one hit.

"Y-ah!"

I deflected the diagonal cut, switched shoulders, and struck with the handle side of the bokken.

"Ugh!?"

Damn.

I intended to control the strike, but I hit his chin.

Hembritz's head snapped back.

"Sorry! Are you okay?"

I hurriedly asked, but his eyes still held determination and enthusiasm, suggesting that this sparring match wasn't over yet.

"---No worries! Here I come!"

Hembritz, lightly shaking his head, charged with even more momentum, as if to start over.

Yeah, faster than before.

A rising cut from a low stance.

I stepped back half a step to dodge.

Then I stepped in and countered with a body strike.

He blocked with his bokken.

Ah, his face is open again.

No, it wouldn't look good to use the same move again.

Oh, a spinning cut now.

Not bad, and great speed.

Then I'll do the same, with a spin.

"---Huh!?"

In this position, I can't see Hembritz's face.

I had circled behind him during the split second he was spinning.

But I could tell he was surprised.

Because his sword stopped.

"One point."

I lowered the bokken onto his exposed back of the head.

"Wh-what!?"

There was a hard, solid sound.

"Want to continue?"

Hmm, the feeling of a good match after a long time might be slightly uplifting my mood. Normally, I wouldn't ask such a question.

"---Of course!!"

As he answered, Hembritz charged for the fourth time.

And so, Hembritz and I engaged in a sparring match that lasted about ten minutes.

"...I... give up...!"

Hembritz, breathing heavily, finally knelt down and declared his surrender, his voice filled with regret.

Phew, that was long.

Usually, sparring doesn't last this long. I'm amazed by Hembritz's stamina.

But it was a good workout.

I managed to maintain my dignity, and it wasn't a bad result.

"Amazing...!"

"The vice-captain couldn't even land a single strike...!"

"What's with that reaction speed..."

As soon as I relaxed, the voices around me flooded my ears.

No, no, there's no need to be so surprised.

In fact, Hembritz's speed and power were impressive.

It was just that his movements were a bit too linear. I took advantage of that gap and inserted a few cross-attacks. I didn't do anything special.

"Truly impressive, sir."

"Thank you, Alyssia."

With a smile, Alyssia praised me.

I took the towel that had been prepared and wiped the sweat from the sparring match.

"Hehe. How was it, Hembritz?"

"...Complete defeat. I never expected this... I apologize to Sir Beryl."

"No, I'm not bothered. It's natural to be suspicious when someone suddenly appears like that."

The killing intent from earlier had completely dissipated, and the way Hembritz looked at me seemed to have changed.

However, Alyssia's smug face was more noticeable.

I wish she wouldn't do that. It's embarrassing for me.

"But, I'm glad I could teach you something."

"Please, no modesty. There is much to learn from you, sir."

I muttered to change the subject, and Alyssia immediately responded.

No, it's not modesty.

I'm just an old man who enjoys swordsmanship and has slightly faster reflexes than the average person. This time, it was just a good match with Hembritz's style.

Also, there's a significant age and experience gap between us. These kinds of interpersonal tactics aren't something you can learn overnight.

If I had fought Hembritz when we were the same age, the result would have been different.

In other words, the gap between me and Hembritz is just that much.

"Everyone is gathered, so shall we continue the training?"

"Sure, I understand."

From the sparring match, I could tell that the way the others looked at me had changed, not just Hembritz.

Yeah, it's much easier to work without skeptical gazes.

I may be a dull old man, but I prefer being accepted over being treated coldly. Besides, teaching swordsmanship outside the dojo is refreshing.

"Let's start by looking at everyone's sword skills."

"Hehe, please be gentle, sir."

As I said this, I looked around and saw eyes filled with respect, awe, and tension.

Hmm. Even though the skeptical gazes are gone, this is a bit much.

"...Is that okay with everyone?"

"Y-yes!!"

"...You don't have to be so stiff, you know?"

When I called out, the voices of the knights, who were as stiff as boards, echoed.

No need to be so formal. Even though I'm in the position of a mentor, I'm just a regular old man.

...Well, it's fine.

If we get along, it will naturally ease up.

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Daily Rank 11 overall

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