Chapter 19

An extra chapter has been added unexpectedly.

I still haven't caught up with the plot I initially thought of.

I'll do my best to update.

Yesterday was too abrupt, and I couldn't talk about anything.

I wonder why the old man called me.

He said he had the branch manager's permission, but if you think about it normally, it would create a huge hole in the schedule, so I'm curious about the reason.

It must be related to the fact that the branch manager found out about my skills, but is that all?

I woke up early in the morning.

The air outside was cool, and there was no one around.

For the first time in a while, I thought about moving my body, so I took the wooden sword that was leaning against the wall and went out to the courtyard.

I have never held a real sword.

Even when I was trained in self-defense by Nigel, I wasn't forced to.

Around the time I turned twelve, I started holding a wooden sword at Nigel's suggestion.

Seeing that I was buried in studies to hone my appraiser skills and absorb knowledge, Nigel took me outside and taught me how to train.

I thought that since I had reincarnated, I could apply some of my past experience, but it didn't go as smoothly as in a game.

I tried various things, but my skills didn't bloom.

I can't use my appraiser skills to evaluate myself, but I realized that the sword talent I was born with was low.

Some might think I didn't put in much effort.

If everyone could become strong just by wanting to, why would there be a word like "genius"?

I couldn't become like the protagonist in a manga. I gave up on becoming strong.

Still, I thought that building my body was different from fighting.

If something happened, it might increase the chances of escaping from an enemy.

With that in mind, I occasionally engage in this kind of training.

I have never held a real sword.

If I did, I might panic and end up stabbing myself.

I swung the wooden sword in the courtyard, emptying my mind and swinging it relentlessly.

I like this kind of mental focus.

Clack.

The sound of hard footsteps echoed in the corridor.

I stopped swinging the wooden sword and turned toward the sound.

"Are you one of the soldiers in this castle?"

He was a handsome man, and from his appearance, he was clearly a noble. He called out to me.

I placed my right hand on my chest and bowed slightly.

"No, I am someone who has been taken in by the Earl. My name is Noah Ignis."

"I see. I am Tristan."

Tristan, who introduced himself, is probably from the Mensis Knights.

He was wearing armor during the journey, and since I was in the last carriage, I didn't see his face.

"Noah, would you like to spar? With the wooden sword is fine."

"…Yes. I don't think I can be a worthy opponent for a knight, but if you insist…"

I was in a bind. Was this some kind of noble's game? I couldn't easily refuse.

Fortunately, he said it was okay to use the wooden sword, so I could just lose and run away.

After excusing myself, I went back to my room and brought another wooden sword. Nigel's was still there.

"Please go easy on me."

"Of course."

We just stared at each other silently.

I moved first. With no skill, I couldn't exploit any openings.

I was easily evaded, and from then on, I was hit one-sidedly. I just tried to defend without being overwhelmed.

Seeing my sword waver as I started to show signs of fatigue, Tristan swept his wooden sword strongly to the side.

The wooden sword flew out of my hand, and the tip of Tristan's sword was pressed against my neck.

"I… I yield."

I was out of breath. In contrast, Tristan's expression didn't change at all.

"What did you think?"

I managed to catch my breath and said,

"Yes, you are very strong. As expected of a knight. Your sword never wavered, and each attack was heavy. If you hadn't held back, I would have been knocked out immediately."

I spoke honestly about what I thought.

But Tristan wasn't satisfied with just that.

"Then, Noah, what if you used magic?"

"The result wouldn't change. My level of magic is powerless against your movements."

This was also true.

Against someone with his level of skill, even if I used magic, considering the time it takes to activate, I would be hit before it could take effect.

"You are me, and I am Lord Essex."

"Huh?"

I couldn't process it immediately.

He seemed to be talking about the difference in skill between the old man and me.

"Yesterday, I challenged Lord Essex to a duel right after meeting him."

What is he doing?

"The match was decided in an instant. I lost."

"Lord Essex has more experience than anyone in this country."

Tristan's icy eyes turned toward me.

Did I anger him? I've been on edge since then.

"Exactly. We lack experience. We are just decorative knights."

What a rare person. He's refreshingly honest.

The old man must have done it to break the pride of the noble young men.

At the very least, this person is aware of his lack of experience.

"Still, can you call yourself strong?"

"To me, everyone feels strong. I truly believe that you are strong, Tristan."

When I said this clearly, it seemed like the corners of Tristan's mouth relaxed a little.

"I see. …Anything else. If you have any other thoughts, speak honestly. I won't scold you."

I thought this would be the end. I genuinely said he was strong, not as flattery.

Would I anger him and get hit? While thinking about various things, I activated my skill.

Beautiful numbers lined up. Each ability was high, and there were no weaknesses.

However, in other words, there was nothing outstanding.

"What attribute of magic are you good at, Tristan?"

"I try to improve everything to the limit. If I have to choose, it would be light, I suppose."

"Then, why not focus more on that? I believe the attribute of light is suitable for the knights."

Tristan knew himself well. There was room for growth in the attribute of light.

I don't know if it's a family rule or a knight's code, but by trying to develop everything evenly, his strengths were not fully realized.

He was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll take your advice. It was a meaningful time. Let's meet again."

"Yes, thank you."

Tristan left the same way he came, making a regular clacking sound as he disappeared into the castle.

I feel exhausted from the morning.

2015/01/10 Revised