Volume 2: Chapter 23 - Duel with Shinika

For the next practical class, I chose swordsmanship.

The reason, of course, was because I wanted to gain more Combat Experience with the help of Teacher Klaus and also because...

I shifted my gaze to the Fire Magic learning area and saw Princess Yumina looking at me, before quickly turning her head away.

Princess Yumina's magic attribute is Fire, just like mine, but given her current extremely poor impression of me, it's best to avoid her for now.

However, there was one heroine I couldn't avoid, and that was Shinika, who was standing beside me with a meaningful smile.

"Didn't you choose Wind Magic last time? Why are you choosing swordsmanship this time?"

"Has Robert forgotten. The Arnold family is a famous martial arts family, so there's nothing strange about me choosing swordsmanship. Plus, you promised to spar with me after the Magic Baptism."

Previously, I had a feeling that it was because of what happened last time after the Magic Baptism. As expected, my feelings were correct.

Because Princess Yumina was absent this time, the swordsmanship class had many fewer people, only about a dozen or so.

As students gradually experienced the pain of training, the number would surely decrease further.

"First and foremost, let's start with warm-up exercises. Everyone, run from here to the end of the field, back and forth, ten times."

This was the first instruction Teacher Klaus gave to the students.

"Eh——!"

Most students expressed dissatisfaction, as if only Shinika and I thought this was normal.

And although it sounded tiring, Teacher Klaus probably wouldn't demand that the noble freshmen finish the run. Walking slowly was fine, and even resting in place wouldn't be punished.

Swordsmanship and physical training rely entirely on self-discipline; forcing others is useless. His demands were for those who genuinely wanted to learn swordsmanship.

"Robert, do you want to compete to see who can finish running first?"

"Are you planning to exhaust all your energy during the warm-up phase?"

Of course, I ignored Shinika's suggestion and jogged at my own pace.

I am wearing weights at the moment. If I have a contest of speed with you, I will be exhausted to death.

In the end, only Shinika and I were the first to complete the 10 rounds. Since they already knew I had studied swordsmanship, there was no need to deliberately hold back during the warm-up.

"Very good, both of you seem to be experienced. So I won't treat you as beginners. How do you want to train next? I will try my best to meet your requests as long as they are feasible."

I can train swordsmanship according to my own preferences? Sounds not bad.

"Teacher Klaus."

Shinika, who was beside me, raised her hand first, wanting to speak.

"Hmm, you go first."

"I want to have a serious swordsmanship duel with Robert!"

Hearing her words, I couldn't help but sigh.

There is no running from it now.

"This is not something I, as a teacher, can decide. We need to get Robert's consent first."

Then both of them turned their gaze to me, especially Shinika, whose face was full of anticipation. Although she looked cute, I wasn't falling for it.

"It's okay to fight. I agree."

This girl is truly stubborn. If I don't accept it, she will probably keep bothering me. It's better to get rid of her once and for all instead of letting her continue disturbing me.

"Then it's decided."

Teacher Klaus crossed his arms as he looked between the two of us, his eyes carrying a hint of interest.

"Since both parties have agreed then a duel it is. But remember, this is training, not a battlefield. Understood?"

"Yes!" Shinika answered energetically.

"...Understood."

Unlike her excitement, I remained calm.

Teacher Klaus then walked toward the weapon rack placed near the edge of the field and tossed two wooden practice swords toward us.

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I caught mine effortlessly while Shinika grabbed hers with both hands, her crimson eyes sparkling with fighting spirit.

The surrounding students also stopped their warm-ups one after another, curious expressions appearing on their faces.

"Wait, are they really going to duel?"

"Shinika is one thing, but isn't Robert just a despicable scoundrel?"

"Why did Teacher Klaus just say both of them were experienced? Only Shinika should be experienced."

"Does Robert really have some strength?"

Whispers spread through the training ground.

Shinika stepped forward and pointed her wooden sword toward me.

"Robert, give it your all."

"...You really like fighting that much?"

"It's because I finally found someone my age who feels interesting."

Interesting, huh.

Honestly speaking, if I removed the weights hidden beneath my uniform and used my real physical ability, I may have the chances of beating Shinika.

As for now, it's hard to say. She may not be able to compete with me in physical prowess but her technique must be superior to mine.

The novel said that her talent was "Sword Heart", a once in a millennium which is born solely for Swordsmanship. It was thanks to this talent that Shinika reached the top of this world and was honoured Sword Saint with average Magic Potential.

Now that her talent has awakened, her Swordsmanship skills must have increased a lot.

Teacher Klaus glanced at both of us before raising his hand and a faint smile appeared on his usually stern face.

"The rules are simple. Ring-out, surrender, or inability to continue counts as defeat."

"Begin."

Bang!

The instant his hand dropped, Shinika kicked off the ground explosively and her speed soared to a terrifying degree unimaginable to ordinary people.

Her sword sliced through the air toward my shoulder without hesitation.

Clang!

The wooden swords collided heavily.

The impact made several nearby students widen their eyes.

"Blocked?!"

Shinika herself also looked surprised, but only for a brief moment before excitement quickly replaced it.

"As expected of you!"

She twisted her wrist and launched another strike immediately after the first.

Left slash.

Right thrust.

Upward swing..

Horizontal sweep.

Her attacks flowed one after another without the slightest pause, as though she had already practiced these movements thousands of times.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sound of wooden swords colliding continuously echoed throughout the practice field.

Each strike targeted the gaps in my defense with astonishing accuracy.

The surrounding students were already staring blankly at the duel.

"W-What is this..."

"Is that really swordsmanship which students can master?"

"Shinika is amazing, but Robert is actually keeping up with her?!"

"Could it be that Robert really has some strength.

The students chattered among themselves.

Meanwhile, I silently endured the pressure.

As expected of the future Sword Saint.

Her attacks lacked power due to her current age and physique, but in terms of skills, she was above mine. A rough estimation, she was more than a rank above me in Swordsmanship

If it were an ordinary child standing here, the duel would have ended in less than three exchanges.

It's a pity, I am the one standing here. I have experienced even better Swordsmanship in the hands of Teacher Belius. Plus, my current Swordsmanship is D rank. I should be able to fight her.

Clang!

I deflected another thrust aimed at my chest and immediately stepped backward to widen the distance.

"Haa..."

My arms felt slightly numb.

Is this force generation technique that Teacher Belius talked about?

Not only force generation, her force dissipation technique is also superb.

Shinika lowered her sword slightly and smiled brightly.

"You're amazing, Robert."

"...Thanks."

"You're the first person my age who can block so many of my attacks."

Her crimson eyes burned with excitement.

"Then let me get a little more serious."

The atmosphere around Shinika suddenly changed. Her feet shifted lightly and her center of gravity lowered.

At that moment, Teacher Klaus's expression finally became serious.

"...This stance..."

Bang!

Shinika's figure instantly disappeared from my sight..

A chill ran down my spine. Without hesitation, I swung my wooden sword toward the left side instinctively.

Clang—!.

Shinika had somehow appeared beside me and her sword was already pressing against mine.

The nearby students gasped loudly.

"So fast!"

"As expected of lady Shinika?!"

"But how did a guy like Robert manage to keep up with her."

"Hehe..."

Shinika smiled happily after seeing me block her attack again.

"As expected, Robert, you really are strong."

"...You're overthinking it."

"Then why can your reactions keep up with mine?"

With more 12 times the dynamic vision and reaction speed of ordinary people, if I couldn't keep up with you, it would be hell.

"Robert, are you a practitioner of Defensive Swordsmanship?"

"Hm, that's right!"

I wasn't surprised that Shinika could see through my sword style. After all, I didn't try to hide it from her.

I have never taken the initiative to attack her from the start and only occasionally counter attacked. It's no wonder she can see through it.

"I see..."

Shinika's smile deepened slightly then she disappeared again and a strong gust of wind blew up the ground, causing the students to subconsciously close their eyes.

"Hm..."

Is it the final moment?

My eyes narrowed because with Shinika's physical strength, using such high speed movement, would consume a lot of stamina, even if she had reached Second Order.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Every collision between our swords released a burst of wind pressure that spread across the training field.

Shinika's speed continued increasing while my defensive burden also rose sharply.

Teacher Klaus silently observed everything with narrowed eyes. Unlike the students, he could clearly see the situation. Robert's defensive swordsmanship was extremely mature for his age.

Even though his technique was inferior to Shinika's, his battle sense allowed him to forcefully keep up.

However...

Defensive Swordsmanship always had a limit.

Especially when facing a genius whose attacks continuously evolved during battle.

Bang!

Shinika suddenly appeared directly before me and unleashed a powerful downward slash.

Clang—!

I blocked it, but the tremendous force pushed me backward several steps. At the same time, Shinika's breathing also became heavier.

As I expected, continuously using such explosive movement consumed enormous stamina.

Our eyes met for an instant and we both understood the same thing.

The next exchange would decide the duel.

Bang!

The ground beneath Shinika cracked slightly as she rushed toward me one final time.

Meanwhile, I tightened my grip on the wooden sword and concentrated all my focus into a single counterattack.

Clang!!!

A loud collision echoed throughout the entire practice field and a powerful gust of wind swept outward

Crack! Crack!

Both wooden swords broke simultaneously.

"...".

Shinika blinked blankly before suddenly laughing happily.

"Hehe... it's a draw."

Teacher Klaus looked at the broken wooden swords for a moment before nodding.

"...Indeed. This duel ends in a draw."

Instantly, the students erupted into noise.

"A draw?!"

"Robert actually tied with Lady Shinika?!"

"How is that possible?"

Clearly, many students who watched the duel, couldn't believe I could draw with Shinika. After all, my reputation wasn't good.