Chapter 6

If you pass the final exam at the Swordsman Guild, you will be granted the title of swordsman. With a title, your role within the party will be more defined, making it a requirement for those who can take on extermination requests from level 5 and above.

As a client, one doesn't want to pay someone who has no title. Moreover, among the wealthy, there are those who seek knights, the higher rank of swordsmen.

However, as a higher rank, it's not an easy matter. This is because only those who have acquired the title of swordsman are allowed to study at the Knights' Guild.

If you aim for such higher ranks, not just swordsmen, acquiring the title of a lower rank is unavoidable.

"This is... a sword!"

"What is that girl doing?"

Holding up the sword provided to her, the girl was entranced. James, the instructor, had never met someone who was so moved by a sword.

He placed his hand on Riti's shoulder to bring her back to her senses.

"I'll have you start with some basic swings."

"Basic swings, like what everyone else is doing?"

"Yes. You must know the form before you can be formless. It also helps improve your basic physical strength."

"I did that in the village!"

"Really? A hundred times a day?"

"A hundred times?!"

Looking around, the other swordsmen apprentices were drenched in sweat, yet they continued their swings with single-minded focus.

James, the instructor, smiled mischievously, thinking he might have surprised her a bit.

However, the girl's enthusiasm didn't waver.

"Based on your physique and strength, I've chosen the lightest sword for you. How about we start with a few swings to get a feel for it?"

"Then, let's start!"

"Hehe, she'll tire out soon."

A lone swordsman apprentice, a man, chuckled to himself. His swings had already reached 200. His well-developed muscles showed he was already a seasoned swordsman.

The man, showing off, swung even more intensely.

"Huff! Puff! Take this! Huff! Puff! Take this!"

"Instructor! Do they have to shout like that?!"

"That's his hobby, don't worry about it."

The man, like many others, was one who aspired to be strong. Both James and the man thought Riti would give up quickly during the basic swings.

Most young people who joined the Swordsman Guild without a clear purpose and only out of admiration for swordsmen didn't last long. The monotonous swings would make them realize the gap between their ideals and reality, and they would leave, having only paid the registration fee.

Ironically, the guild's operating funds partly came from such people. James silently thanked Riti for her contribution.

However, he soon noticed something unusual.

"Huff! Puff! Take this! Huff! Puff! Take this!"

"No, you don't have to imitate that..."

Indeed, the sword was light enough for even a weak person to hold with both hands. But swinging it would usually end with it falling to the ground.

Picking it up and swinging it again was a grueling task, and James knew this better than anyone. But the girl in front of him was different. Her sword technique and balance were stable, and it didn't seem like it was her first time.

Perhaps her earlier comment about practicing in the village wasn't just a game. James understood this.

"...Not bad."

"Hey, for such a small body, you're doing pretty well, but you'll tire out soon, you know?"

The man, who had finished his swings, was also captivated by Riti. Despite his words, Riti showed no signs of tiring.

James, who had been watching optimistically with his arms crossed, saw that Riti only had a few sweat drops on her forehead. She had already exceeded 90 swings.

Although she had stopped making the strange shouts, she was counting the number of swings out loud.

"99... 100... 101..."

"No, don't push yourself! You can stop now!"

"Okay. What should I do next?"

"Next...?"

Though her breathing was heavy, Riti didn't seem to be out of energy.

James hadn't imagined that a girl he thought would give up would easily complete 100 swings.

What was even more unusual was her remarkably stable sword technique, which didn't look like that of a beginner.

James decided to ask her directly.

"Is this really the first time you've held a sword?"

"Yes. I wasn't allowed to hold one in the village, and I can't afford one now. So I'm really happy."

The girl didn't seem to be lying. Some beginners pretend to be beginners to get praise and satisfy their ego.

But such deception is easily seen through. The world isn't that easy to fool, especially by someone who can't deceive a seasoned instructor who has met the conditions to be a 3rd-class instructor.

Looking at the girl's clear expression, James was convinced she was a true beginner, though he couldn't be entirely sure.

He decided to move her to the next step.

"You'll do these swings every day. It's important to continue within your limits."

"Okay!"

"Next, we'll do 'receiving.' This is done in pairs, with one person swinging the sword and the other receiving it. Your partner will be... Roma!"

James had considered pairing her with the man who shouted, but the strength difference was too great. Roma, who had a similar build, was a better choice.

Roma was already close to the final exam. As a swordsman, his foundation was almost complete, and James was impressed by his talent.

Roma, sweating, approached and faced Riti.

"Go easy on her. She's a beginner."

"Okay. Riti, let's go."

Riti readied her sword, and Roma swung down with controlled force. The impact of the swords colliding, accompanied by the sound, was quite impactful.

Few could withstand more than a couple of hits. James thought she would give up quickly.

But Riti, with a serious expression, continued to receive Roma's strikes. It was indeed strange.

"Riti, that's amazing... really your first time?"

"Yes. I was watching earlier."

"Watching?"

"I was watching Roma and... others."

"Just by watching?"

Roma thought she was being teased. Like James, he suspected she was pretending to be a beginner to deceive others.

However, he also didn't want to doubt a potential friend of the same age.

He watched Riti in amazement, not stopping his observation.

"Hey, swordsmanship is interesting, isn't it?"

"Interesting?"

"Yes, everyone is doing different things with just this weapon. Look, that person is sweeping away the opponent's attack."

"That's difficult. It takes a lot of practice to master."

As the techniques progressed, the difficulty increased. Moreover, it was meaningless if the learned techniques couldn't be applied in real combat.

Many who could perform well in practice failed to apply their skills in real battles, and many were discouraged at this stage.

Only a few passed the final exam and could proudly call themselves swordsmen.

"Roma, your final exam is coming up. You can go back to your finishing practice."

"Okay. Then..."

Roma, who was about to return, was watched with interest by Riti. Despite being around the same age, he had progressed so far. This motivated her to work harder.

In fact, Roma's improvement was remarkable. While it took many years for some to acquire a title, Roma was close to the final exam in less than a year. His dedication to swordsmanship training was evident, and he hadn't even completed the level 6 course yet.

This was a challenge even for grown men. Beldt, who had been training for seven years, was still struggling with technique acquisition.

Perhaps this was why he felt superior to the rookie Riti.

"Instructor, do I really lack talent?"

"Your value isn't determined by me."

It was the instructor's duty to tell someone clearly if they lacked talent and to guide them. However, James, who couldn't be completely ruthless, could only be vague.

Nonetheless, the training so far wasn't wasted. Even if one couldn't excel as an adventurer, there were other things they could do with their developed physique.

"Many people would want your vitality. It might be worth trying a bit more."

"Right! Okay!"

Beldt moved on to the "leg cut" training. Riti, with a new partner, alternated between "receiving" and "striking."

These would advance to the next stage once the instructor deemed them mastered. Roma was close to the final exam with "sweeping," Beldt was at the intermediate "leg cut," and Riti was at "receiving" and "striking."

Normally, it would be a long time before Riti could take the final exam. However, she had been observing.

"That's a sweep... I see."

Even while practicing "striking" and "receiving," she observed the "sweeping" practice from a distance. The mock battles in the center were also valuable to her.

Roma, too, was paying attention to her.