Chapter 141
"What's this, why are you so weak?"
After the first sparring ended in just a second.
Thinking that she had misjudged her own strength, she initiated a second and then a third sparring, but the result was the same.
My wingless body flew through the sky, not once but three times.
"..."
Me, lying on the ground in an unsightly pose after being flung.
Lucia's sigh of lament followed from behind.
"Really, you don’t even know the basics of fighting, let alone swordsmanship. How did you get into Annwood Academy? Has the admission standard dropped significantly?"
It was a disdainful sneer. But I couldn't argue back.
Because there was nothing wrong with Lucia's assessment.
'It’s true that I’m weak.'
I had mimicked three of Lucia's skills: [Swordsmanship], [Reflexes], and [Dynamic Vision]. Yet, this was the extent of it.
The level difference played a role, but a bigger issue was my lack of understanding of how to fight... or more precisely, swordsmanship.
The [Swordsmanship] skill merely assists in aspects like angle, timing, and distance. It's just there to aid in how I swing my sword.
That means I need to take the lead in attacking and defending, like swinging the sword, blocking, or dodging.
But as a novice in combat, it’s unrealistic to expect myself to perform well.
When I should attack, I block, and when I should block, I attack, making it beyond odd to Lucia.
"You're lacking in so many ways? Even if I'm generous, it's third-rate."
Yes. If I were to summarize my current state in one sentence.
'The secret technique is first-class, but my swordsmanship is third-rate!'
"...Your reflexes and response aren't bad... It's just your judgement that's at a beginner's level. Do you only excel physically? But that doesn't make sense..."
Suspicion filled Lucia's eyes.
Currently, I am supposed to be dreaming of becoming a Lester Family rat and living a life for revenge.
And to be worse at fighting than a third-rate thug?
That's impossible, leading naturally to suspicion.
'Especially since I used [One Flash] and [Sky Splitter]...'
It only amplifies Lucia's doubts.
However, I already have an excuse prepared.
"Keke, I've lived a life prioritizing information. I've only acquired the minimum combat skills."
"But you seem to use the Lester Family's secret techniques quite well?"
"Secret techniques have specific stances. It's not difficult since you just have to follow them."
"Normally it's the opposite, isn't it? If you could mimic it after seeing it once or twice, it wouldn't be called a secret technique."
"Keke, is that so? I can't understand. What's so difficult about mimicking?"
"..."
A flimsy excuse to the point of absurdity. But it would work on Lucia.
'Since Lucia belongs to the category of geniuses.'
Lucia has been hailed as a 'hero' since her thirties.
She claimed a place among the Ten Swords much earlier.
Being called a genius went even further back.
'She wouldn’t have understood others. That’s what being a genius entails.'
Whether it was peers, seniors, adults, or even those called geniuses in her time.
While making each and every one of them kneel, she must have wondered.
Why can't they do this? Why do they fight like that? Why are they making such foolish mistakes?
And at some point, Lucia must have realized.
That she was a genius, and being different from others was the reason.
It’s not to deny the decades of effort Lucia put into her swordsmanship, but it’s also undeniable that she had a natural talent for it.
Maybe, right now, Lucia sees a reflection of her younger self in me.
"...So that was it."
As evidence, Lucia nodded.
Her suspicion turned into conviction. From doubting me as 'a weird one' to 'this guy is a genius'.
"Swordsmanship should be easy to mimic, then."
"Keke, swordsmanship is too diverse. You need to react differently depending on the opponent."
"Hmm~ That’s true. Every opponent has different weapons, personalities, and styles."
"Indeed."
"So, you can only mimic secret techniques... That’s a really strange talent. Well, it's perfectly fitting for someone suspicious, sly, and perverted like you."
Although some strange appendages were attached to her comment, I decided not to object.
Getting past this situation was the priority.
Lucia nodded in agreement then.
"Alright. So, you want to learn swordsmanship?"
"Keke, as you know, there are many restrictions on using secret techniques."
"There are many eyes watching, and you need to time it right. It's not easy to overpower an opponent with just secret techniques in this world."
That's Lucia for you. Spot on.
Being able to use secret techniques is definitely an advantage, but creating the opportunity for them is the essence of swordsmanship.
It’s an individual’s ‘skill’.
Using swordsmanship to buy time and find an opening in the opponent, and applying the right secret technique for the situation, would make fights much easier than now.
"But it's a problem. There’s only one way to solve your issue right now."
"Are you talking about experience?"
"Right."
Indeed, what I need the most right now is ‘experience’.
Gaining experience through sparring is the fastest way to improve skills.
I've been aware of this issue.
But it was impossible for me. Why, you ask?
'If I get beaten badly by kids, it would break my concept.'
Suspicious guy, strong guy, a guy you shouldn't mess with.
If that concept breaks, everything I’ve built would be for naught.
'Until now, I’ve been using Divine Imitation to overpower opponents with sheer force...'
But that won't be easy moving forward.
I need to accumulate real combat experience.
'I could easily gain experience by asking Luna, Alex, Rodelin, or Raymon...'
But that would mean revealing my lack of fighting skills.
Fighting with those kids would have to wait until I get stronger and grasp the basics of combat.
'I can just make the excuse that I'm experimenting with various things.'
Anyway, for these reasons, asking those kids for a sparring session was out of the question.
That leaves me with only one option...
"Are you sure about this? Well, I don't mind since it'll be fun."
...which is the monster, Lucia.
Noticing my predicament, Lucia let out a sly grin.
Despite my resolve, seeing that look made my determination waver.
But...
"Please, go easy on me."
"I'll finally get to relieve some stress. Oh, don't take it personally, okay?"
"Keke, not taking it personally but relieving stress seems logically inconsistent, doesn't it?"
"Not really."
As Lucia's smile stretched from ear to ear.
The sparring session from hell began.
*
After several rounds... no, after about ten instances of what could only be described as unilateral beatings.
"Ah, I'm starting to feel less stressed."
That was what Lucia, sitting on my back, said.
Yes, at this moment, I was face-down on the ground, obviously not by choice.
Lucia, lost in thought for a moment, then spoke.
"I noticed you occasionally mix in some odd moves... Are those secret techniques too?"
She must be talking about the Fleur Family's secret techniques.
Most of the sparring sessions ended in just a minute, but in the last one, Lucia decently received my sword.
During that process, I used the Fleur Family's secret techniques, and Lucia was pointing it out.
"That's correct. Was it... not to your liking?"
"No, it was actually the only thing worth noting in your swordsmanship. How should I put it... it's fundamentally solid?"
"Keke, you noticed. Yes, it's a swordsmanship with very solid fundamentals."
"Which family's secret technique is it?"
"Keke, well..."
I was about to say 'it's a secret' when Lucia raised her fist.
"I'll kill you if you say it's a secret."
"...It's the Fleur Family's secret technique."
"The Fleur Family? Never heard of them before."
"It's Professor Lérang's family. Known as 'Mimic Lérang'..."
"Mimic Lérang? What kind of ridiculous nickname is that? Never heard such a thing."
To think the nickname that got me officially into Annwood Academy would be dismissed as obscure.
Well, from Lucia's perspective, it was to be expected.
'Because Lucia is a monster.'
Only monsters exist around a monster.
Sorry to say, but Professor Lérang’s skills are far from what could be considered monstrous.
It would be more surprising if Lucia knew about it.
"Anyway, it's strange."
"Keke, what part of it is strange?"
"It's fundamentally solid but... it lacks something. It doesn't have that 'snap!'. Really strange..."
"...'Snap'?"
"No, 'wham!'? Anyway, really strange."
"..."
The really strange one is you. 'Snap!', 'Wham!' What are those even supposed to mean?
Flying through the air made me wonder if getting hit had messed up my [Translation] skill?
'Maybe hitting it a few times will fix it, like with machines(?)? That’s how it usually works, right?'
Not sure if the information window falls under the category of machines, but it might be similar.
While I was metaphorically pounding on the innocent [Translation] skill with my fist.
"Does it mean it lacks a decisive factor?"
It was Luna. Luna, drenched in sweat, had joined us.
"Yeah, exactly. Swordsmanship is ultimately created to harm others, right? But it lacks that."
"So it was like that. I've felt that way for a while now. Like... it was made solely for personal training?"
"For training... Hey, show me again. Let’s take a proper look this time."
And so, I ended up demonstrating the Fleur Family's secret techniques in front of Lucia and Luna.
Dance, blade, wings, darkness, sky.
I demonstrated all five secret techniques.
"Hmm... Is this how it's done?"
Lucia demonstrated the Fleur Family's secret techniques.
Even to someone as unschooled in swordsmanship as me, it was clear the movements were perfect.
They were beyond cool; they felt beautiful.
After finishing the five secret techniques, Lucia seemed to have an epiphany.
"Interesting? The muscles trained are all different. If combined, it seems designed to train muscles across the entire body?"
"Muscle training?"
"Yeah, plus, the core muscles are involved in every movement. It's not really a swordsmanship secret technique. More like... a training secret technique?"
A training secret technique?
Something clicked in my mind.
'Synergy skill.'
A skill that exerts additional effects when other skills are present.
A prime example is Alex's [Hard Worker] skill, which aids the growth of other skills.
If the [Fleur Family Style] skill was of that variety?
"Miss Lucia! Please watch me this time. Spar with me too!"
"Ah, tormenting this old lady... Kids these days..."
Grumbling, Lucia walked away from me.
Clack-.
I stood up, leaning on my sword.
My legs were shaky, but the possibility of discovering a new hidden piece.
The desire of a veteran player took hold of me.
I don’t know the answer, but my task is clear.
Whoosh-!
To keep trying.
That's the only way to gain recognition from Lucia.
*
Whoosh-!
I'm drenched in sweat, the taste of metal strong in my mouth, making me want to rinse it out immediately.
I've lost track of how many hours have passed or how many times I've repeated this motion.
Actually, I don't even want to know.
What matters now is uncovering whatever is hidden within the Fleur Family's secret techniques.
Nothing else matters.
Just as I was about to repeat the first movement.
Slip!
The sword slipped from my hand.
'Damn.'
My concentration was broken. I picked up the sword, muttering complaints.
[You have diligently practiced the Fleur Family's swordsmanship. Your concentration is commendable.]
[Compatibility rate 34.3%.]
[As a reward, your Agility stat increases by 0.3.]
...What?
Why did that increase?
--TL Notes--
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