Swordsmanship Genius Transcending Through a Covenant Episode 3
The moment Tarian gripped the wooden sword, his momentum changed.
I looked at him calmly, even while feeling the murderous intent that seemed as if he would cut me down at any moment.
It stings.
A knight who had reached the level of a Sword Expert. He was a formidable opponent to face at this moment.
Tarian lightly held the wooden sword and drew a circle on the floor.
Inside here, I will take you on using only my left hand.
They probably mean they are giving a handicap because he is right-handed.
On top of that, if you even restrict the range of activity… … .
If it were just one unit, there might be a possibility.
Right, there was no need to be scared from the start.
“Phew.”
He let out a low sigh and slowly raised his sword.
It was impossible to break the covenant without moving.
And I had no intention of letting the oath go to waste.
then…….
I need to move.
Whoosh—
He immediately charged at his opponent and swung his sword, but Tarian dodged it with just a single step.
"also."
The moment a gap is seen, he immediately swings his sword.
'fast!'
If you try to read and respond, it is too late.
I felt a huge shock at the same time as blocking it solely through reaction.
"flaw……."
In an instant, the hand burst open, and blood, which hadn't flowed for a while, fell to the floor.
Is a formidable opponent really a formidable opponent?
As expected, it was an overwhelming difference.
It was a sword filled with murderous intent, enough to make one think they might die for a moment.
'still.'
If it doesn't work, you have to keep trying until it does.
That is the very reason I’ve stuck with this damn game and made it this far.
"Gasp!"
He swung his sword.
Rough and heavy, yet solid.
Incorporating everything I have honed in Northern swordsmanship until now.
Tung-
But a sword that simply bounces away.
At the same time.
"once."
Looking at the wooden sword that had brushed against my neck, I slowly shifted my gaze toward him.
"Will you do it again?"
I gripped my sword without hesitation in the face of the cold gaze directed at me.
I have realized it for sure now.
The gap is too wide. Even if I pour everything I have into it, it will be difficult.
No, I couldn't even understand everything I had in the first place.
After that, sparring continued a few more times.
Every time, Tarian played games with me.
Percussion!
puck-
Even attacks that could not be blocked at all flew in, and wounds accumulated all over my body.
In the meantime, I gained enlightenment.
You've been just beating people up without explaining anything for a while now, haven't you?
Weren't you sure you came to teach me?
Besides, this guy has been getting on my nerves for a while now.
Heh.
It is because of a lack of practical experience.
"Cough!"
If you don't know, you have to learn by getting hit.
"Cough!"
As expected, you are holding out, Confucius.
Crazy bastard.
I don't think he was like this in the game.
"Brother, a nobody like this is a teacher… …? I heard he’s famous?"
“Hmm, continuing at this rate wouldn’t be meaningful. I acknowledge your persistence, but let’s stop here.”
“…….”
The moment I heard those words, I was seething with anger.
Ha, this bastard.
My lips twisted without me realizing it.
Suddenly, the past came to mind.
A personality that sees things through to the end, no matter what.
That was life.
Born an orphan, I had to survive somehow.
That is why I thought I could accomplish anything if I just put in the effort.
Why are you trying that hard?
Words I've heard countless times.
Effort did not necessarily guarantee a reward.
That is why, at some point, I got hooked on the game.
Because if you put in the effort, you will be rewarded.
Then I came across 'Last Savior'.
It was the same as usual.
They'll wake up soon and look for something else.
However, I didn't know it would be five years.
I obtained information, developed a growth method, and got to know the world.
The feeling that when you face a wall and try to solve it through effort, a new wall approaches.
It was fun.
I always broke down walls, grew, and earned rewards.
That is why I wanted to smash the last remaining wall even further.
To take one step further.
And now that such a world has become reality.
I have been working harder than ever.
'therefore.'
Do you think I would even think about giving up here?
“Hey, do it again.”
“There is no point in doing any more…….”
"You said you'd teach me swordsmanship."
Now, even the oath didn't matter.
Only one goal remained.
Smash it.
I have to get back at that guy somehow.
Because I felt like I wouldn't be able to sleep at all otherwise.
* * *
“Haa, phew…….”
He let out a low sigh and picked up the sword that had fallen to the floor.
"again."
“…….”
I aimed my sword at Tarian, who was looking at me with a slightly stiff expression.
Seeing him, who didn't even show a hint of exhaustion, I was naturally filled with anger.
I sparred with him all day long and suffered repeated defeats.
My skills are definitely improving.
Simply acquiring skills and increasing proficiency through covenants was on a completely different level from learning through direct action.
"Will you continue?"
"again."
The sun had already set, and deep darkness had settled over the training ground.
However, I still had no intention of giving up.
If you keep going until the end, a way will eventually come up.
'article?'
An unapproachable being.
The knight was practically treated as a tactical weapon, but at this moment, that didn't matter.
'How can I land a punch on that face?'
After repeating it a few more times, it was already past night.
At first, my grip just burst, just like during training.
However, as time went by, I felt my senses gradually becoming dull.
Now it was so difficult to even move the hand holding the sword, so I wrapped it in a bandage and secured it to the sword.
“…….”
Tarian just stared blankly at my hand.
"again."
He let out a low breath.
It was only then that Tarian was seen about to speak.
“Keep your mouth shut until the end, I’ll show you.”
However, at that one remark, Tarian closed his mouth as he was about to open it.
In that way, maintaining an immobile posture, he calmly observed Tarian.
Northern swordsmanship.
Rough and simple, yet heavy.
That is why, until now, I have generally tried to take the first move.
but.
I understand a little now.
I recalled the Northern swordsmanship I had seen so far.
And Tarian, facing me with the same swordsmanship right before my eyes.
When he displays Northern swordsmanship… … .
Did not move first.
It was a way of responding to the opponent's attack.
Infinitely heavy and calm.
Yes, that was Northern swordsmanship.
If you act hastily, you will break easily.
So I waited.
Until he steps forward.
and.
Pat-
I saw Tarian's wooden sword, which had already come right up to my nose in the blink of an eye.
Block it.
Gradually, I realized the true meaning of Northern swordsmanship, which I had previously understood merely as a skill.
It is a simple movement, but it blocks the sword by observing the opponent's movements.
Percussion!
As expected, it doesn't break easily.
While feeling a strong shock, I checked the opponent's next move.
An attack that follows while moving half a step to the side.
'now.'
He looks for a gap with heavy force.
From vertical, back horizontal.
He swung his sword widely, taking advantage of the gap in the naturally flowing movement.
Rough, but solid.
Percussion!
I felt pain along with a sharp sound.
Tarian's sword struck me precisely on the shoulder; although the force was strong enough to make my body involuntarily float with excruciating pain… …
Thump-
My sword had also struck Tarian's side.
As I lay there, I could see the sky and Tarian's expression.
"at las……."
Seeing Tarian's slightly crumpled expression, I burst out laughing without realizing it.
“I did it! I did it, you bastard!”
A tremendous sense of pleasure; dopamine surged at the thought that I had succeeded, even though I hadn't managed to inflict any wounds.
“You think it’s meaningless? If I go all the way, I’ll win every single one. I’m telling you, I’ll win every single one!”
Confucius.
“……?”
As I was rejoicing to myself like that, Tarian approached me with a serious expression.
"why?"
Please forgive my rudeness in recklessly testing You, Master.
I was speechless for a moment at the sight of him apologizing while even bowing his head.
I will stake my honor on helping Confucius grow.
“…….”
"and."
Tarian's complete acknowledgment.
That wasn't the end of it.
Tarian, having gathered his sword, looked at me and continued speaking.
“So you have attained enlightenment in Northern swordsmanship. I am impressed. Please take a rest for the time being...”
Watching Tarian say that, I opened my mouth without realizing it.
“What are you talking about? We have to spar tomorrow, too.”
"yes?"
Isn't that obvious?
The way to become stronger is right in front of you.
Leaving this alone was something only a fool would do.
-Ha, you rascal!
[You have successfully completed the pact with the Old Training Iron Sword (Normal).]
[You have acquired 'Frostwalk (F)'!]
['Northern Swordsmanship (D)' proficiency grows!]
['Northern Swordsmanship(D)'▶'Northern Swordsmanship(C)']
['Northern Swordsmanship(C)'▶'Northern Swordsmanship(B)']
He smiled as he watched the explosive growth in proficiency thanks to training with Tarian.
I even felt as if a tremendous sense of exhilaration and accomplishment was flowing through my entire body.
This is just the beginning.
My growth was just beginning.
* * *
Tarian, who was sparring with Ian, realized that cold sweat was running down his face without him realizing it.
When I first received the offer to become a swordsmanship teacher from Cain Rashid, I didn't think much of it.
I thought that the lesson was being taught to the second son of a humble family, and that he probably wasn't that serious either.
I intended to just roughly set the basics, spar with them, and then leave.
I'm sure that was the case.
I never expected to be this flustered in a sparring match held simply to maintain discipline.
Why don't you get tired?
What? Training until this hour?
Why won't they give up?
Many questions followed one after another.
"again."
“……!”
Ian speaks suddenly and immediately starts to regain his posture.
Just how many sparring matches did I have with that one word?
I was worried about Ian and wanted to suggest a break time and time again, but I couldn't when I looked into his eyes.
That is the look of a prosecutor.
I thought I would be scared because I lacked practical experience.
Otherwise, I thought it would be difficult to even stand and barely manage to hold on.
But it wasn't both.
I have challenged myself over and over again.
With my hand forcibly wrapped in a bandage even as it burst and was on the verge of breaking.
Before the bruises all over my body had even faded, I continued sparring while skipping even meals.
How can they do that?
I couldn't understand why they were acting so hastily, or why they were obsessed with growth at all costs.
The Rashid family is a humble noble family that rules a territory, nonetheless.
Moreover, the second son of such a family did not need to go out of his way to work this hard.
Crazy person.
It was a thought that one would never dare utter to a noble, but Tarian found himself thinking it without realizing it.
In addition to that, the thought that it must stop.
If you do any more than this, it might break.
However, whenever he had such thoughts, Ian actually took a step further.
Like someone trying to break an unbreakable rock by any means necessary.
Stopping this would not have been proper etiquette for a swordsman holding a sword properly.
It was Tarian's choice, as he instinctively realized that it was not an act of consideration for Ian, but rather a path that would hinder his growth.
Meanwhile, Ian's skills continued to improve.
Of course, that didn't mean I intended to easily give up a hit.
Because as a prosecutor, knowing my limitations and how to deal with them was more important than anything else.
“Phew…….”
However, the one who broke those limitations was none other than Ian.
And Ian's final blow.
This is… … !
It was clearly a blow that would have flustered even Tarian.
I've only regarded you as an inexperienced person, but you chose to sacrifice flesh to gain bone? And while leveraging the strengths of Northern swordsmanship at that?
This was a judgment that even a skilled inspector could not easily make.
No matter how well-trained a body is with a wooden sword, it is impossible not to feel some pain.
This is pure madness.
Tarian was unwittingly welling up with joy.
Ian Rashid is obsessed with winning.
And to grow, I have been bumping into the wall that is myself.
As if the pain felt during that process were nothing.
Judging by his more refined Northern swordsmanship, it was clear that he had attained enlightenment.
As for Northern swordsmanship, there is really no need to even touch it.
It might be too early to make such an assessment, but he was a genius.
Or maybe it's a monster.
Tarian frowned as he was struck by Ian's sword, yet he felt as though a laugh was about to escape.
"With this person by my side, I might be able to break down the wall, too."
And so, the next day came.
That's it.
Are you finished?
“Uh, we’re sparring again today, right?”
Ian still had a smile on his face as he approached naturally.
It seems he really enjoyed getting a taste of his own medicine a while ago.
'but.'
Even though I sparred with a handicap several times, I landed a valid hit on an opponent several levels above me.
It was just an excuse to begin with.
It's just that Ian Rashid was outstanding.
So, I could fully understand why he was so high-spirited.
"……great."
Tarian hesitated for a moment, but he still couldn't refuse.
A good teacher should help their student, not hinder their growth.
Natural talent.
There was no rumor that the second son of the Rashid family was exceptionally talented.
Rather, there were big rumors about Cain Rashid, who has become the current head of the family.
However, what Tarian actually confirmed was completely different.
Obsession bordering on madness.
I wouldn't dare evaluate it myself, but if I had to describe it, it is a heaven-sent talent.
That was exactly how Tarian saw Ian right now.
“What’s wrong? Why are you spacing out?”
"no."
It's so bland.
Watching Ian speak with a smirk, he found himself thinking of something without realizing it.
The thought that perhaps teaching him swordsmanship right now might be a stroke of luck for him.
