Chapter 33: [[Aftermath and Sword Practice.]]

The one pulling the strings behind the kidnapping had been the butler, Thomas. He was the person with connections to a perverted noble that the hoodlums had referred to.

Eris had apparently caught that noble's eye a while ago, and he wanted to beat her fierce and unyielding spirit out of her. Thomas, seduced by the money, added the two men the perverted noble had selected into Rudeus's plan.

The bys were ordered to give all the credit to Ghislaine, even after they told them what transpired. It seemed they didn't want others in the Greyrat family to know of their existence 'yet' for Arthur and 'never' for Rudeus.

The plan is to announce the engagement of Eris and Arthur when she turns 10 years old.

As for Rudeus, Phillip is secretly planning to overthrow Philemon(Younger Brother of Paul) and made Rudeus the Head of Notos house after graduating the University of Magic.

Phillip: "And that's how it is. Understood?"

Arthur/Rudeus: "Yes…understood."

Phillip took a sip of the tea that the new butler 'Alphonse' served.

Rudeus: "You seem pretty relaxed for someone whose daughter was kidnapped."

Phillip: "I am now. I would be panicking if she were still missing."

Rudeus: "Certainly."

Phillip: "Now, about you working as Eris's tutor…"

Rudeus and Phillip is about to have a discussion when Sauros entered the room with a 'Bang!'.

Sauros: "I heard it all, I heard you saved Eris!"

As he gripped the shoulders of the brothers he said.

Rudeus: "Wh-wh-what are you talking about? Ghislaine is the one who did it. I didn't do anything!"

Arthur: "Yes!"

On the contrary Arthur spoke the truth opposite to Rudeus.

Sauros: "You! You think you can lie to me!"

Rudeus: "N-no! But Lord Philip told me to say—"

Sauros: "Philip!"

He rounded on his son and without a moment of hesitation, swung his fist. It landed with a vicious crack.

Phillip: "Ugh!"

Arthur: 'Hey isn't that dangerous? I just heard a Crack right? Or am I wrong?'

Sauros: "Bastard! This to the boys who saved your daughter! How dare you not offer even a word of gratitude! Just so you can partake in your foolish theater between nobles?!"

Philip, still splayed on the floor, responded without moving.

Phillip: "Father, Paul may have been disowned by our family, but he is still a Greyrat. That means his son Rudeus, who also carries our blood, is a part of our family as well. So rather than outwardly praise and reward him, I thought the best way to thank him was to treat him with kindness as a part of our family."

Sauros: "Very well! Then go ahead and keep up that farce with the nobles!"

He said as he sat on the empty sofa.

Sauros: "Arthur!"

Arthur: "Yes!"

Sauros: "In the reward for saving Eris I will hire someone to teach you Water God Style from the Capital!"

He said in a loud voice that Arthur feel his ears ringing.

Arthur: "Y-yes!! Thank you very much Lord Sauros(-sama)!!"

Arthur: 'Now Sword God Style then Water God Style. I hope there's going to teach me North God Style.'

Sauros: "Good! Its important that you are strong to protect Eris!"

After that Sauros glared at Rudeus.

Sauros: "I have a request!"

Rudeus: "Why, might I ask?"

Sauros: "She came to me to request it. She said your magic was so seared into her mind she couldn't get it out of her head."

Rudeus: "Of cour..."

After that Rudeus said that Eris should come and ask Rudeus to teach her by herself so he could grow. Sauros agreed and slammed his fists on his knees.

Sauros: "Eriiiiis! Come to the reception room right now!"

Arthur: 'These savages... Well if I call them that Its like the pot calling the kettle black. I just killed thousands yesterday after all.'

Eris: "Okaaaay!"

With the sounds of footsteps Eris came.

Eris: "Here I am, just as you asked!"

Eris caught the sight of Rudeus, she lifted her chin at him and glared.

Eris: "Grandfather, did you tell him what we talked about?!"

He stood suddenly and folded his arms, glaring at her. It was the exact same pose.

Sauros: "Eris! If you want to ask something of someone, you need to bow your own head and ask!"

Eris: "But you said you would ask him for me..."

Sauros: "Enough! If you won't ask him yourself, then we won't hire him!"

Arthur: "Hey Rudy, you sure love to dig your own grave."

Rudeus: "Ughhh..."

Eris: "P-please…"

Sauros: "Is that the kind of attitude to take when you're asking someone for something?!"

Sauros bellowed.

Rudeus: 'Like you have any room to talk.'

Eeis: "Grr…"

Eris took a fistful of her long, red hair into each hand. She made a tail on either side of her temples; instant twin tails. Then, just like that, she winked at Rudeus.

Eris: "Please teach me magic, nya~ ✩"

Arthur/Rudeus: "Guhoo!!" (DOUBLE KILL)

Arthur and Rudeus vomitted blood at the same time with their noses spurting out blood.

Arthur: 'Mayday mayday... This is Alpha team is down! I repeat Alpha team is down! I request permission to retreat! Do you copy?'

Eris: "Don't worry about teaching me reading or writing, nya~ ✩"

???: 'This is HQ you are ordered to standby and wait for 600 seconds for reinforcement."

Eris: "I don't need arithmetic either, mew ✩"

Arthur: 'Roger that.'

Eris: "Magic is all I need, nya~✩"

Arthur is dead. He didn't even survive for half a minute. Eris is wielding a Nuclear Bomb whil Arthur is on his pistol.

Sauros: "O-ooh~ Our Eri is so cute. Rudeus, of course you're going to teach her, right?"

After that reinforcements have arrived.

Phillip: "Eris."

Phillip stepped forward.

Phillip: "Stick your hips out a bit more to look more appealing."

Arthur: 'Whew I forgot I have revives. And finally the reinforcements"

Rudeus: "Um, Lord…Sauros. Could I ask you just one thing…?"

Sauros: "Speak!"

Rudeus: "D-do men also ask for favors like that?"

Sauros: "Fool! A man should ask like a man!"

Rudeus pondered for a while then inhaled then released in a loud voice.

Rudeus: "Is that the kind of attitude you have when asking someone for a favor?!"

Arthur: 'Damn savages!'

-*-*-

Its a month since after the kidnapping. Arthur slept early and woke up 4 am in the morning. He stretched his body then changed into his training clothes and get the wooden sword for practice.

Arthur: "Yawn~... A good nights rest really is good."

He clasped his hands together as he prayed silently for the new day. Its his daily routine praying after waking up. Of course that only happens if he only sleep at night.

Arthur: "I pray for your guidance in this holy day as well. Dear Lord in Heaven."

Feeling motivated, he hummed as he proceed to his training schedule.

Arthur: "Huhummm~🎤"

-*-*-*-

Arthur: "YOUTH!!"

He's practicing right now is the basics. Advanced level Swordsman should be able at the level that they mastered the basics.

Its his own theory of Swordplay, his original style. Polishing and honing the basics beyond the limits is for making your foundations unshakable and strong.

Arthur: 'No matter how fast and strong the Sword God Style is, if its blocked your disadvantaged, a slight disadvantage can cost your life. No matter how Strong the defenses of the Water God style is, there's no perfect defense. No matter how unpredictable and tricky the North God style is, if you knew the trick you can always have a counter. Well... Its still a theory for me.'

After that I go to outside the manor where Ghislaine told me where to practice. Training my Footwork, Grip, Stance, Techniques for 2 hours finally I worked on the practice swings.

Arthur: "..."

Practice swings where you had unnecessary thoughts were useless practice swings. Practice swings where you simply imitated someone else had no meaning at all.

As long as you continued to swing your sword single-mindedly, without a single other thought, with each swing you could sharpen yourself.

-Raise it up, swing it down.-

Arthur: "It has to be faster."

*Wooooossshhh*

Arthur: "Stronger."

*Wooooooosshhh*

Every swing I made will make the wind blow due to how fast it is.

Its already 6 am as the maids are already starting their work early in the morning. Ghislaine who just woke up sensed someone training. She saw Arthur doing his practice swings

A silhouette of Paul can be faintly seen on Arthur's figure. His serious expression can be seen as his swing is filled with nothing but intent. Every swing made the sword came to life.

Ghislaine: 'He's really Paul's son.'

For Ghislaine she still remembers her adventurer days with the old party with Paul and Zenith. Paul's charisma is deeply inherited on Arthur when he held his sword. As for everyday life, his happy go lucky attitude is a mixture of both Zenith's and Paul's.

After watching him for a few minutes she's getting ready for work.

(7:00 am)

Arthur: "Phew~ Good work for today."

After his training Arthur is filled with sweat. His clothes are drenched and his skin felt sticky.

Arthur: "Now let's take a bath."

Arthur is getting ready to go back when he saw Eris with a wooden sword in hand.

Arthur: "Good morning Eris! Don't you have class with Rudeus later?"

Eris didn't respond but dashed straight to him with a downward slash to him.

Arthur didn't look surprised as he already expected this. He parried it easily as Eris was blown away. His stance is very stable and strong as the basics are applied perfectly.

Eris didn't stop as she relentlessly strike him everywhere but to no avail.

Eris: "Grrr!!"

Like a wild beast she thrown her sword to him. With practiced delinquent fighting style she would have been able to beat down even adults.

Instead of parrying it Arthur just sidestepped out if the way.

Eris readied her fist to catch Arthur on the way but Arthur already expected this. After Arthur sidestepped, Eris punched to Arthur but was caught by his palm.

Arthur: "Nice going Eris. But let's eat some breakfast first or Phillip-sama will get angry."

Eris grabbed successfully Arthur's with one hand and pulled him to punch his face with her other hand.

Arthur: "Yare yare."

Arthur didn't move but just tilted his head slightly grazing his cheek by her punch. After dodging the right cross he wrapped his left palm with [Ryou Haki](Advanced Armament Haki).

Its a type of haki that moves according to the user's will. Even the sharpest sword can't cut paper if the swordsman willed it, and even the rusted sword can cut through steel if the swordsman willed it. In the end it depends on the user's will.

As for Athur he's still at the beginning stage.

Arthur: "Hah!"

With a grunt Arthur sent a palm strike on Eris's abdomen.

Arthur: 'As soft as possible but enough to blow her away.'

After recieving the palm strike Eris was blown away for the second time, but surprisingly its not painful as expected. Its like he just push her a little, but the physical force to repel her 10 meters away.

She also beautifully landed on her feet.

Eris: "Hmph! I'll get you next time."

She walked away as she stomped her feet going back. But slowly but surely she's finally acknowledge him as a person.

As for Rudeus well... In her eyes he's still a punching bag.

Arthur: 'What a pain in the butt. I hope Rudy can handle her.'

Its been a month but she still doesn't stop attacking Athur despite her futile attempts.

-*-*-*-

Rudeus started the lessons with Eris. But as expected Eris didn't even listen and is always trying to escape.

Rudeus: "Eris ojou-sama!"

Eris: "Get away from me or I'll beat you!"

Rudeus sighed in her stubbornness. She's been like this since yesterday and he's been chasing her all around the house.

Rudeus: 'Wait, what if I made a small scale veraion of that magic.'

Rudeus directed his hands on Eris ahead of him from the hallway near the room that they are studying. Losing all his patience on not having a productive day, he'll surely be fired if this continues.

Rudeus: "[Bansho Tenin]"

His hands moved as in grabbing something in the air. Magically Eris's body stopped as it slowly started to move towards Rudeus.

Rudeus: 'Why haven't I thought of this?'

Eris is back to her seat with her fierce glare at Rudeus.

Eris: "Grr."

So seeing that Rudeus asked Ghislaine for help. Ghislaine didn't want to at first but with Rudeus's fake tears using water magic she finally agreed.

Gislaine: "A long time ago, I thought I was fine as long as I had a sword… When I was an adventurer the others did everything for me. The buying and selling of arms and armor, food, supplies, and daily necessities. As well as reading contracts, maps, and signs. After we parted I learned the importance of many things: the weight of a filled canteen, the necessity of getting coals to build a fire, and the inconvenience of being unable to use your left hand when you're carrying a torch."

After for a while Eris sut back and looked at her workbook.

Eris: "So Rudeus how can you do this?"

After that Eris is slightly getting serious after hearing the stories.

Rudeus: 'Phew... In any case, things had turned out well.'

She's quite the history of burning the curtains with magic before and that's why Rudeus had been so anxious.

-*-*-*-

(Arthur's POV)

Sword Practice

Ghislaine made for an excellent teacher. She pointed out each of my faults in explicit detail and gave me advice. Paul would tell you which parts you had messed up on, but he wouldn't tell you how to improve.

Eris and I are in sparring session right now. Ghislaine told us the principles of the Sword God Style.

The Sword God style focuses on all out attack, the objective being to cut down their opponent before being cut down. Such is the theory.

Ghislaine: "Start!"

Without delay I unleashed the hidden technique that can only be learnt when reaching Saint-ranked.

Sword God Style Hidden Technique: [Longsword of Light]

The heart of the Sword God Style is the Longsword of Light. It is basically an immensely powerful and quick move that is highly lethal, and is achieved when one becomes saint class. This is achieved by everyday training by swinging down the sword with all they had until the tip of the sword reaches the speed of light itself.

But of course since thus technique is very lethal especially to people not wearing Touki, I used [Ryou Haki] to minimize the damage to the fullest.

*Whoosh*

Midway through the strike on slow motion, I saw Ghislaine draw her sword blocking my attack.

Arthur: 'Light Reversal?'

Light Reversal is another hidden technique in the Sword God Style specifically made to counter the Longsword of Light. But it needs certain factors to counter it.

*Clank!*

She appeared in front clearly she's trying to protect Eris from the lethal technique I unleashed.

Arthur: 'Crap... It should be overkill using this technique here.'

Ghislaine was shocked as she felt something wierd from my strike.

Ghislaine: 'I'm surprised using that technique at such young age but, Its too light... How can such a lethal technique is that light as feather?'

But right now I can see that she can't stop the technique midway and she's starting to get worried if I get hurt. I can see that she's already on her breaks to atleast lessen the damage on me.

*Wiiish!*

Different from the sounds that my strike made. Her slash is much more swift and uses the muscles very optimized. Unlike mine I still felt my strength being wasted.

Seeing the future just a few seconds ago, calculating the best way to safety is to jump back several meters as her reach on the sword is longer.

Arthur: "Ooof."

I landed approximately 6 meters away from my original position.

Ghislaine showed a stupified expression on me dodging her [Light Reversal]. Athough midway she stomped the breaks so that the damage can't be lethal, Its still not something an average swordsman can escape unscathed.

Ghuslaine: 'This talent... Can only be seen in a hundred years.'

The exchange is too fast as I see Rudeus and Eris standing like a statue cannot comprehend what just happened. It took only for less than a 3rd of the second on that bout.

AN-> Not edited... Im lazy sorry for that