Chapter 8

"Good morning!"

"Hey, you're always so early."

As soon as the training hall opens, Riti is the first to arrive. Even though the receptionist is still yawning, Riti is eagerly waiting for today's training to begin.

It has been two months since then. Initially, she was striving for the title of swordsman and the promotion to 5th class. However, the jobs registered with the Adventurer's Guild turned out to be more interesting than expected. She got so engrossed in them that she realized she had only completed half of the training courses.

Thanks to this, she has become quite popular among the residents, but she hasn't made much progress. Although it's not a complete reversal of priorities, Riti finally realized it was a problem.

Today, she will focus on the training sessions and then practice.

"301, 302, 303..."

"That's enough with the swings! Next! Take the hit!"

Sensing that she would continue until she was exhausted if not stopped, the instructor likely noticed that her number of swings was unmatched in the training hall.

She continued without a break, practicing in pairs, "swinging" and "taking the hit." Her partner was the same man, Bildt, who had shouted encouragement earlier. Despite his age, he swung his sword down against Riti, who had already surpassed 300 swings.

His expression clearly showed his determination to defeat her.

However, Riti stood her ground and smiled.

"Haa... haa... I can't... anymore..."

"You don't have to push yourself, Bildt. But this can't continue."

"I'll do it."

The one who stepped forward was Roma. She was busy with the final exam preparations, but she wanted to understand Riti better.

Is she really a beginner? She wanted to find out.

For Roma, who disliked the male-dominated customs, it was a joy to see a strong woman.

However, her competitive spirit didn't change, even against a woman.

"Riti, here I come... Haa!"

Roma, a prodigy who reached the final exam in just one year, struck with such intensity that it startled the entire training hall.

Unlike before, this was a serious blow. Riti, who was taking the hit, was knocked down by the impact.

"Ah... I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay..."

Roma, coming to her senses, helped Riti up. Realizing it was too much, Instructor James regretted his decision.

He should have stopped it. Despite Riti showing signs of being a prodigy, the experience gap was too large.

He was about to assign her a different partner when Riti said:

"Please, one more time."

Without showing any surprise or disappointment, Riti took the stance to "take the hit" again. Thinking she was just being stubborn, Instructor James realized something.

Even though she was hit by Roma's swing, Riti didn't let go of her sword. When Roma helped her up, she still held the sword in one hand.

Considering she didn't sustain any major injuries, Instructor James decided to stop it.

"Still, I should stop—"

"Please."

The tone of her voice was the same as before. It wasn't to ask for permission from Instructor James, but to request it from Roma.

This made Roma put more effort into her swings, even though she had only been holding a sword for a year. Her competitive spirit took over, but it was also a sign of her immature mindset.

"Ta!"

A more powerful strike hit Riti's sword.

But the result was different. Her grounded lower body and stable center of gravity were ready to withstand Roma's serious blow.

Riti's sword stopped Roma's, and her eyes seemed to be looking at something beyond. Not at Roma, but at everything she was absorbing.

It was the same intense focus she had shown in Yggdrasia, the ability that had slightly intimidated even Aldis.

"Ugh...!"

"Huh?!"

Roma, unable to deliver a second strike, was understandably intimidated. Riti, coming to her senses, quickly lowered her stance and bowed.

"S-Sorry!"

"Why are you apologizing? You did a great job."

"R-Right."

The timid attitude from her time in Yggdrasia still lingered. Determined to change, Riti took her stance again and encouraged Roma to continue. Roma responded with relentless strikes.

Riti gritted her teeth and endured the relentless blows.

"That's enough! Stop!"

Instructor James, sensing the danger in Roma's continuous strikes, shouted. It wasn't because the other trainees or instructors were watching, but because Riti had already reached a level of proficiency.

She had repeatedly withstood strikes that even the top trainees preparing for the final exam couldn't handle. She was already at their level.

Instructor James, who hadn't fully gauged Riti's abilities, decided to advance her to the next stage.

"Riti, after the swings, you'll practice the sweeping strike."

"What?! Instructor, isn't that too early?!"

"I'll stop if it's too early. Riti, now it's your turn to swing."

"Yes, sir!"

As a trainee, Riti couldn't argue with the instructor's decision. Roma, though, was not entirely calm. She prepared herself fully to withstand Riti's strikes.

The moment they faced each other, Roma wanted to back down. But her pride as an older and more experienced trainee kept her in place.

"Haa!"

"Ugh...!"

The strike was sharp and heavy, shattering her supposedly stable center of gravity.

The shock traveled from her sword to her hand, arm, and entire body, feeling delayed.

Roma tried to hide her shock, not wanting Riti to notice.

Unaware of Roma's thoughts, Riti delivered a relentless second strike.

"Ugh...!"

Roma realized she couldn't withstand a third strike. She would be the one to fall this time.

Where did this small body get such strength? Was she really a beginner?

The next strike proved there was no time for such thoughts.

"Ah!"

"Roma!"

"Stop there!"

Unable to withstand it, Roma fell on her bottom. Riti, who had dropped her sword, helped her up.

Though she stood up, Roma avoided eye contact with Riti.

"Riti, you're amazing."

"S-Sorry..."

"Don't apologize! And don't misunderstand, thank you."

"Huh?"

Roma met Riti's eyes. Clenching her fists, she took a determined stance.

"Thanks to you, I can improve without getting too arrogant. I was feeling a bit too good about myself, being praised for reaching the final exam in just a year... I think I was looking down on you as a beginner."

"H-Huh..."

"Having a rival close to my age has reignited my motivation!"

"Rival..."

For Riti, this was a new concept. A rival is someone who shares the same goal and helps each other improve, and the person you most want to beat.

She wasn't sure if she felt that way about Roma yet, but seeing Roma's enthusiasm, she understood what a rival was.

"Instructor James! Can Riti and I be partners for a while?"

"Ah, sure. But your instructor is—"

"That's fine. I don't mind formalities."

The one who agreed was Instructor Cadoc, an older and more experienced instructor. Known for his gentle nature, he focused on nurturing the next generation after retiring from the front lines.

With his experience in the royal knights, he chose to work at the Swordsmen's Guild, a stepping stone for higher-ranking knights.

"However, we need to adjust for the final exam. Don't overdo it."

"Yes! Thank you very much!"

"James, this is Riti, right? Observe her progress and prepare her for the final exam."

"Huh?! But she's still—"

"Don't worry about formalities. Talented individuals should be allowed to advance quickly."

Having served as a knight until retirement, Cadoc had some reservations about the rigid knightly code and lifestyle.

While discipline brings strength, it also has its drawbacks. People are diverse, and some former knights have achieved great success after leaving.

With this experience, Cadoc emphasized flexibility.

"Roma and Riti, I'll see you at the final exam."

"Huh? What do you mean—"

"Don't worry about it now. Let's start."

Though Cadoc's words were mysterious, they were quickly forgotten as Roma, more determined than before, pressured Riti.

Riti, facing Roma, focused again.