Chapter 72

"Hey, that's not right. Don't run like that. It sounds like a goose waddling."

"A master doesn't make a sound when running, not even when their hair touches the floor."

"Use your knees and ankles as springs to absorb all the noise."

"Make sure you can activate it even when walking normally."

Mirei's "Short Sword Lecture" had officially begun. As expected, the lecture focused not on attack methods using a short sword but on "how to move around."

"Do you understand? The greatest weakness and strength of a 'short sword' is its short blade. As I explained before, its high portability is the first advantage. It conserves energy during long marches and is also useful when climbing steep cliffs or swimming across rivers."

"So it's suitable for scouts, right?"

"An excellent scout might not even carry a weapon, prioritizing the use of their ears and eyes, and focusing all their energy on escaping."

"I see... Then, would a raiding unit use short swords?"

"Exactly. Climbing walls under the cover of night, killing enemy soldiers, and stealing their weapons—using a short sword is fitting for such missions. Once you steal a weapon, you can use it from then on."

"I don't plan to join the military, but it was helpful."

"Oh? You aspire to be an adventurer?"

The Lecture Building C had been tidied up—more like Hikaru had forcibly decluttered it—and now had only a small blackboard and three desks and chairs each.

"Well, that's true."

"If you're an adventurer, it's better to use a long sword or a spear—though there are times when a short sword can be advantageous."

"Like in narrow dungeon corridors, right?"

"...If you already know, why do you need to attend the lecture?"

"No, it's useful to have a third party confirm if my thoughts are correct. Besides, I'm all head and no body. I want to learn the actual movements directly."

"Hmm."

With such exchanges, Hikaru was practicing movement techniques in the backyard of Lecture Building C. Footwork, drawing the short sword, shifting the center of gravity, and movement techniques.

Mirei, surprisingly, had a talent for systematically explaining her knowledge and experience, and Hikaru absorbed it all.

"Well, that's enough for today, right?"

"Y-Yes... Thank you very much..."

After two hours of intense training, Hikaru couldn't move anymore. He lay flat on the ground, drenched in sweat that stung his eyes. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve. Despite Scalard being a northern country, summer had arrived, and the sun was intense.

"Huff... Why are you even using a short sword, anyway?"

Mirei, sitting in a folding chair in the shade, asked. Her legs were crossed, revealing a glimpse under her skirt, but she still didn't exude any charm.

(What they say is true... The allure of something that seems visible but isn't...)

Hikaru, drenched in sweat, thought idly. Today's underwear seemed to be yellow.

"Because... I have a stealth-oriented combat style, I guess."

"Huh? You're not suited for stealth. Your movements are barely better than an amateur's."

Despite increasing his "Strength" and "Explosive Power" with the Soul Board, Hikaru understood that his actual movements were still amateurish. This lecture was helpful for him. As a complete amateur, he could move around unnoticed even by experts with the power of the Soul Board "Stealth." The more he learned about real stealth movements, the better his "Stealth" would become.

"Did you have a teacher, Instructor?"

"Well, yeah. In the Jalarzak where I was born, men were for close combat, and women were for support, with clearly defined roles."

"Wait, you're from Jalarzak?"

"Yes, but what's so surprising?"

"You're not hairy..."

"That's only the men."

Is that so?

"Magic, scouting, and long-range attacks were women's roles. The men of Jalarzak are so muscle-headed that they can only charge into enemy lines and swing their weapons."

"Wow... Such a culture..."

As he said this, Hikaru remembered Gafurasti, a historian and descendant of the ancient Poel Senior Dynasty, and Agreia von Hortens, who was with him. She had an astonishing "Intuition" of 6.

"Instructor, have you heard of Agreia von Hortens?"

"Oh—she's the cousin of the Chief Minister, right? I heard she's quite unusual and uses magic derived from the worship of an evil god."

"Is she skilled?"

"I don't know. My teacher could use healing magic and hated curse soul magic."

Healers are anti-evil gods.

"Maybe you met the Chief Minister through Agreia von Hortens?"

"......"

"Don't give me that smile! You're lying on the ground, you know!"

"Is a stealth type rare in this era?"

"Rare... Yes, users who primarily use short swords are few. As I mentioned, many people practice them for night raids."

"I see. So they're used as a secondary weapon when the main weapon can't be used."

Hikaru nodded, thinking.

(In my case, I need the "movement" that a short sword provides. I don't plan to increase my "Short Sword" skill... besides, my "Throwing" is already maxed out.)

Eh, cough, Mirei cleared her throat.

"So? Hikaru... Is today's lecture over?"

"Yes, I understand."

Hikaru slowly got up. He had made a deal with Mirei for the lectures. One was that Mirei wouldn't get drunk. This was being upheld, partly because Hikaru had improved the environment. However, Mirei's frustration at not being able to drink was building up. So,

"I'll go change, so let's meet at our usual lunch place."

Hikaru decided to let Mirei drink alcohol within his sight.

"Okay!"

Mirei raised her hand with a voice that seemed to have a heart attached to it.

After returning home, taking a bath, and changing, Hikaru headed to the bustling area. He found the hidden bar where Mirei was waiting. The bar was called "Cheers to Alcohol," a rather straightforward name. It was moderately busy, not too crowded and not too empty.

"Hello."

"Oh, Hikaru. You're here."

"Hikaru, hurry up!"

The shop owner nodded from behind the counter, and Mirei, already seated, was excited. The other customers started to murmur.

"Hey, that's... "

"Really. They say he tamed the drunk princess."

"I've never seen Mirei so happy and sober."

Hikaru felt like sighing.

(The instructor was waiting for alcohol, not me.)

Hikaru walked past the counter to the other side, where the shop owner