Chapter 9

This time, it's a fighting episode. I deeply felt how difficult it is to portray fighting scenes. Thank you for the bookmark.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you, Sir Zahar, my name is Mary."

Since my attire was formal, I gave a slight bow and quickly finished my introduction. As an added touch, I gave him a dazzling smile.

"Hmph..."

He turned his head away, his cheeks slightly red. The bashful yet stubborn attitude of a young boy was rather endearing.

Just then, a fist named Chop was brought down on Zahar's head.

(I just heard a loud thud, is he really hitting me... You're wearing gauntlets, this is scary...)

"What are you blushing for, you brat! Lady Mary doesn't need to be addressed so formally, just call her by her name."

Zahar, who was crouching and holding his head on the spot, looked genuinely in pain...

"Ah, um... Sir Count. I was supposed to learn martial arts, right? Why are you introducing me to Zahar...-san?"

I decided to use the honorific "-san" since suddenly dropping it felt a bit abrupt.

"Claus is fine. I don't deserve to be called a count."

"Hmm..."

"I brought this one to be your sparring partner from today. I thought someone of similar build would be better."

"What! Father, are you telling me to spar with such a weak girl!"

(Oh, he finally spoke, but he's calling me "such a" girl, what a nerve.)

As Zahar stood up to complain, another iron fist was delivered.

"Don't misunderstand, you're just a practice dummy. Be ready to be knocked around for Lady Mary."

"What!"

"You're a bit too full of yourself. This is a good opportunity to learn what it feels like to be hit."

(Claus, please don't involve me in your son's education.)

It seems Zahar has an incredible talent and strength for his age, so much so that even people older than him can't match him, as Lord Claus explained to me. He's like a cocky, invincible fighter.

Despite the unreasonable request, Zahar reluctantly stepped back, seemingly unable to defy his father. Looking at the rest of the family, it's clear how much he has been pampered.

(Thank you for the sweet life, Father and Mother! Next time, I'll tell Father how much I love him.)

"Alright, we don't have much time, so let's start with the basics."

――――――――――

For the next few hours, Lord Claus taught me the stances, the points of applying force, and the breathing techniques in a very patient and gentle manner, though his face was intimidating.

He was an excellent teacher, and I quickly learned the forms and could punch without losing my balance. I thought I could even become a martial arts instructor, though his face was scary.

"You're a quick learner, Lady Mary. It took Zahar three days to learn this."

"Wow, really?"

"Ah, that was when he was five. Now, it would take just a few minutes."

Lord Claus, who was impressed by me, seemed to find it amusing, and Zahar corrected him, seemingly trying to compete with me. Despite everything, it seems he respects his father.

(Still, to learn how to punch at the age of five. What a combat freak, just like my father. I hope he's not lifting rocks or something.)

"Let's practice some sparring, Zahar, be her partner."

"Yes..."

He seemed to have given up and readily complied, standing in front of me. However, his aura was so intense it made me shiver.

(Zahar, please don't glare at me like that, it's scary, stop it.)

Unaware of the tension between us, Lord Claus began teaching us sparring.

"When the enemy grabs you, first move your body to the side and grab their hand."

I moved my body as if I were a puppet controlled by Lord Claus, following his every move.

"Then, pull them in while bending down and sweep their leg from left to right."

My foot lightly touched Zahar's unguarded leg, but he didn't budge, as if he didn't expect to be swept. Of course, since we were doing it slowly and lightly, it was unreasonable to expect him to fall.

"Alright, let's practice this sequence of movements."

"Yes!"

I repeated the movements as instructed, continuing them diligently. Zahar still didn't seem to expect to be swept.

After a few minutes of repeating the same movements, I noticed my movements were getting faster, and I started to enjoy it. I realized I might have never moved my body so freely before, and it was incredibly fun.

"Hmm, you're doing quite well, Lady Mary. You might have a talent for this."

With Lord Claus praising me, I became even more enthusiastic. It seemed his words were bothering Zahar, as his speed of grabbing me seemed to increase slightly, though it wasn't too fast for me to react.

(You're trying to make me fail by getting a bit serious, huh?)

I felt a competitive spirit rise in me, and I moved my body to keep up with his speed.

"Let's try a real sparring session now."

At Lord Claus's words, our eyes met and sparkled.

Zahar moved first, grabbing me at a speed that was incomparable to before.

I deflected his hand, moved my body to the side, bent down, and swept his leg. Of course, Zahar was trying to resist the sweep.

Smack!

A good sound was heard, and Zahar was knocked flat on the ground, looking confused.

I stood up with a victorious smile, and he quickly jumped up, his face flushed.

"That was just a mistake, let's do it again!"

"Sure, I'm ready."

For the next few minutes, he was repeatedly thrown to the ground.

(Ah, this is so much fun! Moving my body is so much fun!)

I was thoroughly enjoying the thrill of moving my body and the excitement of overpowering a bratty boy.

"Hmm... Let's call it a day here, Lady Mary. Zahar can't keep up."

"Ah, yes, that's true."

When Lord Claus called out to me, I came back to my senses and saw that the beautiful young boy, Zahar, was now covered in mud and lying on the ground.

"I brought Zahar to teach him what it feels like to be on the receiving end of an attack, but I didn't expect you to break his nose. You truly are your father's daughter, hahaha."

I wasn't even out of breath and hadn't broken a sweat, while he was panting heavily.

(This... is the difference in level, I see.)

Realizing I had gone too far, I hurried to help him up, but Zahar stood up without my help.

"I, I was just off today... Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost to such a weak girl."

(His stubbornness is impressive, but I'm glad he didn't think I was strange.)

Honestly, I hadn't been using my full strength, but if I had, I might have been suspected. Thinking about it, this level of effort was just right, and it was a good learning experience.

"Mary! Next time, I won't lose, so be prepared!"

"Lady Mary, you brat."

He didn't even get to finish his last words before Lord Claus's iron fist silenced him.

Thus, I gained... no, I got a bratty sparring partner.

(But moving my body is really fun! Thank you, God! For bringing me to such a wonderful world! I'm so happy!)

I sent a mental letter to God.

A few days later, I was at the bottom of a pit of misfortune.

In my hand was a luxurious letter.

The content of the letter was an order for me to go to the palace because the prince wanted to meet me.

Thank you for reading this far.