The Spar

'What could he possibly want with me now?' Ed was wondering what his father wanted with him. He knew his father was a strict man but he still cared for his family.

"What is it, father?"

"I heard from Bella that you were practicing some sword skills earlier." A hint of surprise was found in Arthur's voice.

'Huh, why would that be surprising shouldn't everyone be able to do that?' Ed found it normal to be able to practice swords in this world.

[Reminding host that this body was at the bottom of the world just 5 days ago, Host being able to practice now for more than 2 hours would shock anyone in the world]

'So that's why!! I completely forgot about that...' Ed couldn't help but feel stupid for forgetting something so important. His father Arthur then continued to speak.

"Are you feeling alright, any discomfort or anything?"

"No father I'm feeling alright, I'm guessing the pills you got me healed me and now I'm able to practice sword skills." Feeling nervous he couldn't help but shift the blame to the pills his father had gotten him before.

'Those pills shouldn't have helped him with anything, but whatever it is a good coincidence indeed' Understanding that his son was hiding some sort of secret he couldn't help but feel sad. However, happiness soon took over as he thought his son would soon climb up in the ladder of the world.

"Then how about we spar a little but tomorrow hahaha"

Ed suddenly got stiff and afraid. 'Spar with you?! Who would want to do that?! Who in this country even dares to stand before you other than General Leonard?!!! '

Ed couldn't help but feel despair take over. This was his retribution for not thinking thing thoroughly. He knew his father was at Heavenly establishment; and although he didn't know what level; his father was very close to breaking through to the next grade. This alone made his father among the top 10 people in the world, a spar with such a person was like courting death.

Ed left the bath and went straight to his room. He had a lot to think about and a lot more to prepare.

"System what are my chances at putting up a good fight tomorrow?" Ed didn't bother to ask for his chances of winning since even he knew it was impossible.

[If host uses all of his powers, then host might be able to get close to his father]

"All of my powers just to get close...this Is not good at all"

[Reminding host that he is still level 1, although your stats have increased, you are still nowhere near your father. Being able to get close is already an achievement]

Listening to the system, Ed acknowledged and quietly went to sleep; there was nothing he could do.

Next morning there was a knock on the door and the maid Becky entered.

"Young master, his highness requests that you get up and join him for the spar that was scheduled."

Ed got up, although reluctantly, summoned both Murasame and Murata-tou and made his way to his father.

His father was waiting for him in his casual clothes; he looked more like a commoner rather than a king with his pants and long shirt. It looked like the perfect thing to wear for a spar as it was easy for movement.

"You're here Ed. Humm..." suddenly Arthur's eyes were like hawks checking out the swords that Ed was carrying.

"Where did you get those swords, Edward?"

"I bought them from a blacksmith shop when I went out yesterday"

"I see." His voice had a bit of caution in it as if he didn't believe what Ed was saying."Let us begin anyway" Saying that he brought out a wooden sword that was laying next to him.

Ed was slightly relieved he wasn't using his saber, but he knew that it was the same to his father.

No one else was present in the training area; Ed guessed his father forbade anyone from coming.

Arthur made the first move which looked very casual but was actually a very serious step in that covered most of the distance between him and Ed. He then swung his wooden sword at Ed from above.

Ed was surprised but was able to barely dodge the coming attack thank to his movement skill. But then a side attack was coming from his father which he could do nothing about but block with Murasame. Even though he was blocking it still felt extremely painful, It was the first Ed felt such pain since the Truck incident that caused to come to this world.

"What's wrong Ed? That can't be all you got right?" Arthur said turning towards Ed who was still in shock from his pain.

"I can still go on" Ed didn't want to end his spar with his father so fast as it a very good combat experience.

"Good then!" Arthur said and charged in the same way as before. But since Ed knew it was already coming he decided to step in as well while thrusting Murata-tou towards his father's throat.

Arthur was very surprised that his son could do such a thing but still managed to dodge by sidestepping.

Ed, however, foresaw his movement and suddenly swung Murasame to the right where his father was. Yet, even so, his father still blocked it and retreated back.

"Your skill is very good Ed. I wonder how you learned such movements." His father was clearly surprised.

"I was always watching your training from afar father" Ed didn't lie; the prince did actually watch his father's training all the time. However, this didn't explain how Ed could do perform all of this since in his training yesterday he could only mimic the movement that came to his mind.

[The Two-sword style skill combined with the Spectral Shadow Steps allows the host to have a great grasp of his surroundings as well as perform skills to a great degree]

[On top of that host's father is greatly suppressing his power for you to keep up. As for the difference between training and sparring, the Two-sword style skill was created with fighting in mind so its performance improves during actual combat]

As Ed was trying to understand what his system had told his father's voice interrupted his concentration.

"I will be getting a bit serious now Ed. Don't disappoint me!"