The Sparring Battle

A lot of things happened during past several days ever since I asked Ruijerd to teach me how to use a spear.

First of all, I scheduled the spear training and magic training in the morning and afternoon, respectively.

In the spear training, Ruijerd taught me all about spear proficiency, as well as proper footwork and fighting stances. Not only that, he also told me how to use touki and bloodlust to boost my combat capabilities.

On the other hand, I continued my magic training with Rudeus and I learn more intermediate attack magics. We also learn other things other than magic, such as reading, writing and arithmetic, which is troublesome but it is fun since Rudeus is the one teaching me.

Second thing that happened was the time mother found out about my spear training and she got upset again. She knew about this when I went home after the first training.

I apologized to her profusely and she confiscated the spear I created. Fortunately, she replaced it with a spear with a wooden paddled spearhead on the next day. Perhaps she was just being cautious about my safety during training.

Lastly, Eris and the two beast girls also found out about my spear training and they were envious that I haven't told them about it.

So, to compensate for my mistake, I joined in their training session and we decided to test out each other's combat capabilities.

And the best way to find out is through sparring.

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Right now, I am currently fighting Eris on a vacant deck. We both were trading blows and parrying each other's attacks using our own weapon. Eris wields a wooden sword while I wield my paddled spear.

*clang* *clang*

Thanks to all of Ruijerd's lessons, I can manage to keep up with Eris's swordsmanship. However, I recently found out that she is a sword saint, which made me a little nervous about fighting her.

*clang* *clang*

Against Eris's aggressive and powerful attacks, I used my spear's long reach to my advantage. I kept my distance in parrying her sword swings while thrusting my weapon at her general direction.

She eventually notices my strategy, so she begins to focus on chasing me and closing the gap between us. Seeing her gaining on me, I decided to reposition myself by side stepping around her rear.

"Take this! MUDA!!"

"I don't think so! ORA!!"

I tried to attack from behind but she reacts immediately. Then we kept striking each other and parrying attacks while standing menacingly.

"MUDADADADADA!"

"ORARARARARARA!"

We both loudly scream our battle cries while continuously trading blows. So much so, that we create shockwaves for each time our weapons collide.

Me and Eris then both steps back and prepared our weapon for the one final attack.

"Time to end this, Eris!"

"Yeah, this ends here, Ceobe!"

We both yell as we dash towards each other. With vigor in our eyes, we swing our weapons with a shout.

""AAAAAAARRRRRGGHHHH!""

*CRACK*

As our weapons collide for the last time, it both break upon impact.

""Ah...""

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[Third POV]

While the two fighters were battling each other, Ruijerd and the two beast girls were watching them.

Minitona and Tersena were both amazed and terrified of Eris and Ceobe. Not just because they are almost equal in strength, but rather because of the smell of intense bloodlust they are releasing.

"[Unya, their bloodlust is hurting my nose]"

"[Yeah, me too. The smell is so intense, it stinks]"

The two beast girls complained while they covered their nose.

On the other hand, Ruijerd is enjoying the whole match. He seems to be proud of Ceobe for following all of his lessons and applying it in this sparring battle.

The three people kept watching until the moment the two fighters swing their final strike. Not only they saw their weapon breaking, they also saw the two fighters both flops the ground.

"[Oh uh, we better check on them]"

"[Yeah, I hope both of them were fine]"

Minitona and Tersena both run towards the fallen fighters, followed by Ruijerd who also sense something was wrong.

Once they arrived, they all look down to see the two were tiredly breathing. It seems that they overexerted their bodies to their limit and they were basically exhausted.

"Ceobe, Eris, are you two alright?" Ruijerd asked, wanting to know about their conditions.

The two girls look at the bald spearman and they gave him a thumbs up.

"Yup, we're fine. we're just tired"

"Damn, I can't even feel my legs right now"

Hearing the two girls' answers, Ruijerd nodded understandingly and he proceeds to carry both of them on his shoulders.

"Hey! Ruijerd! Let me down!"

"Holy shiitake mushroom, what is happening?"

While Eris and Ceobe were angry and confused respectively, Ruijerd brings them towards Rudeus's place while Minitona and Tersena follow him from behind.

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Meanwhile, in the cottage, Rudeus is currently finishing the stone figure of Ruijerd that he is working on. He is adding the final touches to the details and then...

"Tada! It's is finally done" he proudly said as he raises the figure.

"Woof~"

The Holy Beast happily barks at Rudeus as if he is congratulating his accomplishment.

"Aww~ Thank you"

The boy casually pets the huge dog while refraining himself from caressing it. He still remembers the advice he got from Ceobe when he was in the prison cage.

"{Rudeus, there is a fine line between caressing and petting. So, please control yourself next time}"

He took that advice to heart and he seems to like her words of wisdom. Not only that, he seems to enjoy her companionship in the cottage while practicing magic and chatting together.

However, he soon realized these good times were about to end as he knows that the three months of raining season is almost over and they will leave the village soon.

Sadden by this realization, he was hoping if Ceobe is allowed to come with them. However, he was not sure if her mother and the village will agree on that idea.

*Thud*

While Rudeus is contemplating, a loud thud snaps him back to reality and he turns around. He was shock to see Eris and Ceobe lying on the ground while Ruijerd is standing in front of them.

"Rudeus, they need healing"

"What happened to them?"

"They were overfatigued themselves"

After hearing Ruijerd's explanation, Rudeus complies and he puts down the stone figure he was holding. He then went towards the two girls and used healing magic on them.

Feeling rejuvenated by the healing they received, Eris and Ceobe both get up on their feet and stretch their bodies.

"Phew, that feels refreshing. Thanks, Rudeus"

"Yeah, my body feels great again. Hey Eris, let's spar again sometimes"

When she heard Ceobe's words, Eris frowns. Then she went towards the beast girl, and spoke.

"Sorry, Ceobe. This is my last spar with you"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Eris then looks at Rudeus and nods at him. He nods back and talks to Ceobe.

"The raining season is almost over. We will leave the village soon"

"Oh...."