Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Training (2)
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It was fair to say that Eleanor and Iliya had both reached a profound level in the field of swordsmanship.
On one side was the person who would destroy the world, while on the other was the person who would save it.
Hence, why I was mulling over this.
Their skills and teaching abilities were completely different.
"Why are you taking a step back?! Use that brain in that thick skull of yours!"
"You call this swordsmanship? This is more like flirting than fighting. Are you trying to seduce your enemy?"
"…"
Watching the two's fierce back-and-forth argument made my head throb.
To be precise, they were both engaged in a heated debate about my curriculum.
Their passion was so overwhelming that it had drawn the attention of everyone in the gym, probably wondering what on earth was happening over here.
'…At first, they started relatively amicable.'
But the debate that initially began with mutual respect and courtesy had now devolved into personal attacks.
'Come to think of it, wasn't it always like this in the story?'
These two, well...
They were inherently incompatible.
Recently, I was hoping that they would at least become somewhat friendly through my mediation, but it seemed like that was too far-fetched of an idea.
The Tristan Ducal Family and the Hero candidate.
These two were destined enemies until the end of the scenario. It was set in stone when one thought about the setting of the game.
"…"
So.
Unless I intervened, the story would continue as it was.
'The further I go, the more I'll need these two.'
Just looking at the Purifier boss battle, an item that shouldn't be here appeared.
Considering this variable, who knew what was waiting for me ahead?
Besides, the only people who could defeat a devil were the devil's vessel themselves and the Hero who had received an angel's blessing.
These two were my most reliable allies. Their assistance was essential for the progression of the scenario.
'…Isn't this also in the game?'
Depending on the route the player took, their relationship could improve to a fairly good level.
However, if I wanted to directly use the situation to my benefit...
It would get dangerous.
Mainly.
A playboy that was caught was as good as a cold corpse.
How much more would the consequences be if the final boss and the main character were involved?
If exposed, I'd be ripped to shreds. Literally.
"…"
Even though I was in a position where I had to create a harem to prevent the extinction of humanity, I didn't really want that.
There would probably be a branch option in the upcoming Class Observation event.
'I'll never do it.'
'Eung. I won't do it even if I die.'
"…"
I had thought about this before, and it always ended up strangely. However, I wouldn't do it under any circumstance.
Whilst I was pondering this, a voice suddenly came from the side.
"Ah, really! This isn't going to work, let's just do it separately! Teach!"
"…Hmm?"
An angry Iliya suddenly placed a reverse-blade sword in my hand.
It was a steel sword with a cutting edge on the inward curve.1
As I blankly stared at it, she took a step back and proudly puffed her chest out.
"Try following along!"
Then, she drew her sword and stomped the ground.
Her sword style was probably self-developed.
Free-spirited, practical, light, and snappy, whilst still having a fierce and solid attack.
At first glance, it just looked like a bunch of erratic movements, but her swift reflexes brought those movements together as one. Even the surrounding students from the Knight School, who were devoted to self-discipline, looked at her with their eyes wide open.
"There! Did you see it?"
After finishing her demonstration, Iliya wiped off her sweat and grinned at me.
"Now give it a try!"
"…"
'Are you kidding me?'
"…I thought you'd teach me?"
"…I learned this way."
"…"
"Anyone can do it, right…?"
Her voice gradually trailed off.
It was probably because she sensed the bewildered looks from the Knight School students staring at her.
I could feel a headache crashing straight into my brain.
Was she just bragging about her genius qualities? And didn't she just say she was experienced in teaching swordsmanship?
"…You, are you kidding me? You don't even have the basics of education."
Eleanor, who was watching from the side, rebuked her with a sigh.
She then drew her sword in front of me and assumed a stance.
"I'll start with the basic, but most importantly, your stance. Let's begin with a downward strike."
Having said that, Eleanor demonstrated a few simple movements.
'Oh, oh oh…'
Starting with the footwork, shifting one's center of gravity, precise gaze control, and the upper body's posture. Each step was accompanied by a detailed explanation.
I thought that she would teach me the same way Iliya did, but she was actually teaching standard.
"Give it a try."
"Yes, this much should be..."
Saying that, I grabbed my sword and attempted the downward strike.
However.
"…"
"…Um."
"…Uh…"
I failed miserably.
No, this was harder than I expected.
I thought it would be a simple downward motion, but in reality, it was a struggle just to avoid falling over while trying to maintain balance.
This was especially true for an untrained person like me. Without the Desperation skill, just holding on to the sword was an ordeal in and of itself, not to mention swinging it.
The expressions of those who were watching around me were ambiguous. If it were obvious that I was simply a novice, they might have found it cute and cut me some slack. But with such an artistic horrendous failure, the atmosphere was more like, 'What was that?'
"…At this level, shouldn't you start by training your body before swordsmanship? Would it even make sense to receive instruction right now? No, didn't you handle the monsters easily…?"
Even Iliya had a puzzled look on her face.
However.
"No, you did well."
When Eleanor said that expressionlessly, everyone's looks became strange.
"…Yes? That was good?"
"That's right. You could use it in real combat."
"…"
Facing Iliya, whose face was saying, 'What the hell are you talking about?' Eleanor drew her sword with a sigh.
"Watch closely."
Standing in front of the training dummy, Eleanor raised her sword.
"Heup!"
She slashed straight down.
However, it looked clumsy through and through just like the one I did earlier, with not a hint of proper posture.
Frankly, it was embarrassing to even call it a strike. It was just trying to avoid falling over.
Normally, the sword strike would've done near zero damage and simply bounced off the dummy. But then...
—!
—!!!
—!!!!!!!
It sounded as if there was a bomb exploding.
The dummy shattered into powder-like fragments and created a crater on the ground as if it had been hit by a meteor. The shockwave even reached the walls — leaving visible cracks.
"…"
"…"
Everyone in the training room stared at the scene with their mouths wide open.
"See?"
Eleanor flatly spoke as she retrieved her sword.
"There is nothing wrong with your stance."
"…"
She continued without batting an eye.
"So, starting today, this man will receive regular training from me. Do you understand?"
"…"
"Dowd Campbell did a splendid job. There is no problem with his learning capabilities."
"…Hey, Student Council President."
Iliya sighed.
"What?"
"Don't you just want to meet him every day?"
"No."
"…Is that right? What does even a lecture mean to a person of this level in the first place—"
"I said no. I only accept rebuttals in a duel."
"…"
While Iliya squinted in silence, my gaze remained glued on the wreckage that Eleanor had left.
'…Is she stronger than before?'
I knew that her exceptional physical ability was formidable, but it was unlikely that she could display this level of power at this point in time.
There was only one hypothesis I could come up with.
'Has she fused with the fragment to this extent already?'
If a devil's vessel was rapidly progressing in strength, then there was no other possibility.
Completely fusing with the fragment would boost one's stats and give rise to special abilities.
This was a fortunate development that could greatly help me in the scenario, but it wasn't entirely pleasant, either.
Especially considering how the events usually unfolded within the game.
'The devil's vessels are greatly influenced by each other's presence.'
If Eleanor had fused with the fragment to this extent, it was highly likely that other vessels with devil fragments would also be affected, increasing the likelihood of awakening the devil within them.
In other words, this was a warning sign that another vessel was about to emerge.
In addition, this was also a catalyst that accelerated the progression of the main scenario.
'…This isn't the time to be relaxed.'
The devil vessels usually appeared in accordance with the progression of the scenario.
Thus, it was almost inevitable that another vessel other than Eleanor would appear throughout Chapter 2.
In short.
I would soon meet a powerful and dangerous woman who would become obsessed with me.
Which basically meant that I would get caught up in several events that could cost me my literal life.
So, as to not die, getting stronger at a faster pace was practically a requirement.
'Swordsmanship is important, but I also need to develop other areas.'
If it was urgent, then divine power-related things were necessary.
The amulet's growth would increase my overall survivability and adaptation skills, so I should put this on the list.
And, one more thing.
"No, you're just taking advantage of the situation!"
"Hmm. Didn't I say I only accept rebuttals in a duel?"
"…Well, neither of you can teach, so please be quiet."
I sighed and stopped the two from wrangling again.
Even though I did say that they were my most reliable allies.
It was now clear that I couldn't learn swordsmanship from either of them.
There was only one remaining option.
Someone who could train both my swordsmanship and divinity.
"…You want a pass to the equipment room?"
"Yes."
When I confidently made the request, Atalante's expression subtly changed.
"Do you know what's in there?"
"I've already met her once."
I ran into her when I was taking the Ultima.
A swordsman who cut everything that came within three steps of her.
Yuria Greyhounder. The Final Boss of Chapter 2.
And also a promising vessel candidate along with the Saintess.
"…"
That was right. The Final Boss of Chapter 2 wasn't the Boy King, but her.
The Boy King wasn't someone the player character could handle in more ways than one, so the actual final battle would take place with her.
"To be honest, she's not a good person to touch right now."
Atalante took out a key with a sigh.
Nonetheless, she seemed to have accepted my request like a noble who listened to anything I said. Still, she couldn't just do it without giving me a word of warning.
"Her existence itself is a risk factor that can trigger a war between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom. I didn't hide her out of sight in Elfante for nothing."
With a serious face, Atalante continued.
"And you know about the upcoming class observation, correct?"
"Yes."
"During the event, members of the Holy Kingdom, including the Saintess, will be staying in Elfante. Yuria Greyhounder's existence must not get exposed during that time."
I nodded with a wry smile in response to Atalante's words.
Certainly, Yuria's existence would be a disaster in and of itself if it rose to the surface.
'To go further in-depth, the problem lies in the sword she's holding…'
The Holy Kingdom's national treasure created a Curse of Severance that prevented people from getting close to the wielder. Likewise, the wielder couldn't get close to other people. It was an item that Yuria stole and ran away with a long time ago.
As I've said before, this was the reason why she manically cut down anything that came three steps within her.
If Yuria was caught with the sword, there was a good chance that shit would get real between the two countries.
That was how important it was to the Holy Kingdom.
'…That being said.'
Yuria's fighting power also skyrocketed the closer the distance between herself and the other person.
Especially if the distance was within two steps. Even if Eleanor and Iliya attacked at the same time, they would probably still lose.
The reason why Eleanor and Iliya's close combat skills were only top tier and not the strongest was because of Yuria's existence.
'…'
The problem was that the national treasure of the Holy Kingdom, in conjunction with the Boy King, inevitably stirred a major incident in the Academy.
It was also a key item in Chapter 2.
"So I need to at least know what business you have with her. If I deem it too dangerous, I have no choice but to reject this request."
Atalante solemnly said.
"The curse itself is highly dangerous, and politically, its very existence is no different than a ticking time bomb. There are many reasons why important people like you shouldn't be in contact with someone like her. Your actions must be completely devoid of any risks."
"Ah, then you can be rest assured."
No matter how dangerous Yuria might be, it wasn't that risky for me to go there.
It was just a way for my divine power and swordsmanship to grow rapidly at the same time.
. I answered with a smile.
"It's nothing grand. I just want to have a little sword spar."
"…"
"I plan to do this every day for the next week or so."
Atalante's expression rapidly soured.
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