Chapter 75

With the help of Fairvalter and the usual team of gardeners, we prepared for a sparring session in the square near the castle walls.

Theodora was given a wooden sword, and I was provided with a long stick of the same length as my usual bardiche, with a weight covered in a leather bag attached to the end.

I swung it around a few times, but since it was made for sparring, it was a bit light. I was afraid it might slip out of my hand.

"Sir Theodora, let me explain beforehand that the people of Fulftball do not practice sparring with weapons. This is because there is no point in determining superiority through sword skills. Please understand this point."

Theodora looked at me with a puzzled expression in response to Fairvalter's explanation.

"Doesn't sparring have no meaning in monster hunting?"

For a moment, Theodora seemed confused by my words, but then he seemed to grasp the meaning.

"...Is that what you mean?!"

Oh, you just figured that out?

"Then, what you said earlier about being bad at sparring against people..."

"Because the techniques I learned are for hunting and targeting vital points, they're not suitable for sparring against people. If we used them, it would turn into a fight to the death."

"Y-You should have said that earlier!"

"That's why I said I'm bad at sparring against people."

"Alright, that's enough."

Fairvalter clapped his hands lightly to draw attention to himself.

"Therefore, Sir Theodora, Lord Albert will not attack you. And Lord Albert, you must defend against Sir Theodora's attacks."

In other words, I have to use this long stick to block or dodge Theodora's attacks. Can I do that?

"Then, how do we determine the winner? Continuously receiving attacks, hmm, that might be a bit tough?"

"The one who drops their weapon loses."

Ah, I see. I understand. But...

"In that case, Theodora is at a disadvantage. I have a longer reach. So, how about this? Lanz, do you have any long, thin cloth?"

"Here."

I took the cloth that was offered and tied it near the weight.

"If I drop the long stick or if Theodora's wooden sword breaks or unties this cloth, I lose. Is that okay?"

Theodora nodded in agreement.

"Sir Theodora, can you use body enhancement?"

Just to be safe, Fairvalter asked Theodora while fitting him with what seemed to be protectors made from monster hide on his hands, feet, and upper body.

"Sort of?"

"Then, for safety, please use it if you can. Lord Albert, you can also use your magic, but you cannot channel it into your weapon."

"Understood."

I can feel that if I attach my magic to the long stick, it could cut even without a blade. I understand that much.

We took our positions, and I faced Theodora. Fairvalter would be the referee.

"Begin!"

At Fairvalter's signal, Theodora charged at me with his wooden sword. His speed wasn't that fast, so I deflected the tip of his sword with the long stick.

At the same time, Theodora lost his balance but quickly regained it and struck the long stick this time.

Hmm? It's light? There is some weight when it hits, but the vibration isn't that strong. Maybe the weak vibration is because I'm only receiving Theodora's sword and not swinging it myself.

As we clashed swords and the sound of metal rang out, Theodora's attack speed gradually increased. However, it wasn't too fast for me to handle.

"Damn it, why isn't it deflecting?!"

He started to curse.

No, it's not that it's not deflecting, but the impact is accumulating. However, the long stick is still light, so when I try to attack, the blade of the sword just slides off the curve of the stick!

It's easy to deflect the tip of the sword, but the impact is low, so I can't knock it out of his hand. This is so difficult!! Fairvalter must have known this.

What should I do?

The situation is that I can only block Theodora's sword.

"Show some worry on your face! It looks like I'm the only one struggling here!"

I don't know about that! Ugh, this is so frustrating! What should I do? Ah, right, if it slides...

I lifted Theodora's sword and deflected it there!

With a loud clang, the sword flew out of Theodora's hand and clattered to the ground.

"Match over."

Fairvalter's voice echoed.

Phew, I'm so tired.

"I'm not doing this anymore!"

"Why?!!"

"I'm tired! I want to swing with all my might! I want to aim for vital points!"

I now understand what Fairvalter meant when he said to aim for the neck in a real fight. It's the easiest target.

"Running away after winning?!!"

"I don't know! A novice like me can't control my strength! I'd rather go monster hunting than spar with people!!"

I also understood why he said sparring has no meaning.

Receiving the opponent's attacks was incredibly frustrating. I was driven by the impulse to strike at Theodora's vital points multiple times.

What Fairvalter taught me is really not meant for fighting against humans. I realized it's meant for fighting monsters.

"Lord Albert"

Fairvalter called out to me as I removed the protectors. His expression seemed to understand what I was thinking.

"If I had channeled magic into the long stick, I would have definitely done it."

"Understood."

"I've been attacked many times in the past and fought back, but that was because there was a clear intent to kill me, so I had no hesitation. But I now understand that with weapons, it can be even easier to finish a fight."

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