Chương 61: Spearmanship (I)
"The Basics of Spearmanship—First, Thrust. The position, angle, and force of the thrust are the key. Pay attention to the key points of my movements, the way I exert force, and the techniques."
As Scathach spoke, she swung her Gae Bolg, demonstrating the moves in front of Artorius and Mordred. First, she showcased them with a wooden humanoid target with markers around its body, executing the moves with utmost precision and speed.
Her long spear was an extension of her arm, extremely precise. It swiftly rose, lowered, and made a series of rapid thrusts, piercing the markers on the humanoid target.
"Did you see that clearly?"
"Just that? It's quite simple. I can do it too," Mordred replied nonchalantly, embracing an attitude of 'I don't acknowledge anyone except my brother' and happily fooling around.
"Is that so?"
While saying this, Scathach snapped her fingers, restoring the humanoid target to its original state. She took a step back, giving Mordred room to demonstrate.
"Alright then, let's see what you've got."
Mordred was brimming with confidence. She approached without hesitation.
Of course, there's a difference between confidence and blind arrogance.
Before actually making the move, she adjusted her body, wielded the spear, and felt the weight, length, and adaptability of the weapon. After performing a couple of techniques in place, she walked forward with full confidence. And then, da-da-da-da—In an instant, the markers on the humanoid target got pierced by her spear perfectly, or rather seemed like so.
"How was that, Teacher Scathach?"
Mordred grinned and looked over, her eyes hinting at a hint of provocation.
"It's passable." Scathach assessed.
"Just 'passable'?" Mordred furrowed her brow upon hearing Scathach's response. "I obviously hit them like yours?"
"Artorius." This time, Scathach didn't respond directly but called out to Artorius. "Explain it."
"Well, Little Mo," Artorius approached with a smile, and with a snap of his fingers, the humanoid target that Scathach had pierced reappeared right next to Mordred's target.
"Take a closer look, Little Mo."
"Hmm... Oh!" Mordred wasn't a fool; on the contrary, she was quite clever. She hadn't realized it earlier because there was no physical reference. Combined with her confusion, she failed to grasp it.
But now, prompted by Artorius, she immediately understood.
Scathach's target and Mordred's target appeared almost identical at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there were clear differences.
The 'round holes' in Scathach's target were all the same size, with smooth edges where they passed through. While Mordred's target had different-sized round holes, with some edges containing wooden fragments and sharp edges within.
"It's about the technique of exerting force, the angle of the thrust, and..."
Mordred furrowed her brow, carefully contemplating the gap between herself and Scathach.
"And it's also about will and spirit, Little Mo."
If it were before reincarnated, Artorius would never have mentioned these things. Instead, he would have been a stoic martial arts master with no emotions who used calculation and theory, perfectly integrating Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry into his swordsmanship, making it easy to cut through opponents.
Unfortunately, TYPE-MOON is a world driven by ideology. Will and spirit truly have an impact.
This was one of the reasons why Artorius felt he could not reach the pinnacle of martial arts. He didn't consider his will and spirit to be particularly 'ideological.' Instead, he preferred to be adaptable, innovative, and calculating. He found it hard to imagine sacrificing everything for something other than his mother, Artoria, and his sister, Mordred.
Artorius had a strong desire for material possessions; his soul wasn't noble. He couldn't reach the level of sacrificing everything for certain things.
Artorius was self-aware; he had always confirmed that he was a leader, a schemer, but not a hero.
"Even if you say that, I still..."
Upon hearing Artorius's words, Mordred didn't have an epiphany but furrowed her brow. It seemed that will and spirit were also quite challenging for her.
"Well, then watch carefully."
This time, it was Scathach's turn to teach—though she didn't use words or written expressions. Instead, she opted for something more direct.
"Mordred, stand still and watch my moves."
As she spoke, Scathach swung her spear and thrust it toward Mordred.
Mordred: "!"
Instinctively, she tried to dodge or block, but her body couldn't move—Scathach's magecraft had bound Mordred's body.
'Am I done for?'
As Mordred couldn't help but think this, Scathach retracted her spear.
Although she could clearly feel the sensation of her skin touching the cold spear tip, not a single inch of her skin was damaged. Scathach had mastered the control of force to the extent that it became an extension of her will. How far was she from achieving the so-called realm-breaking strike?
"Don't space out, pay attention!"
While Mordred was surprised while thinking, 'Wow, I'm not dead after all,' Scathach loudly shouted at her, snapping Mordred out of her reverie. Then she began to watch attentively.
Viewing the situation from a third-person perspective felt different from the first-person perspective. What mattered even more was the angle and perspective from which she observed the situation during intense danger and the desperate effort to concentrate.
'I see now, I see it. So that's how it is. This woman is amazing, no wonder I couldn't beat her!'
As Mordred watched Scathach's attacks, she entered a state of focus, even forgetting her fear. She single-mindedly paid attention to Scathach's techniques, memorizing everything. Only after Scathach withdrew her spear and released Mordred from the immobilization spell did Mordred fall to the ground.
Physically unexhausted, but mentally weary.
"Have you learned it?"
"Yes, Teacher."
This time, Mordred willingly called her 'Teacher' and was not felt forced like before.
Unlike Mordred in another timeline, who didn't receive recognition from her father, resulting in her stubborn and difficult personality like annoying tsundere, the Mordred in this moment was cheerful and bright.
"Umu."
Scathach nodded and then looked at Artorius.
"I won't need it, right, Teacher?"
Before she could speak, Artorius rejected her with a playful smile—but unfortunately, this act of skipping class did not gain Scathach's approval. In the next second, he was also immobilized by Scathach, experiencing a storm of spear thrusts.
Only after a round of attacks was complete did Scathach release Artorius. Signaling the end of this lesson, he fell to the ground next to Mordred.
"That's it for this lesson. Take a break, then start practicing on your own. I'll come to assess you in an hour."
After saying these words, Scathach turned and walked away.
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