Chapter 34: Training (2)

It's fair to say that Elnore and Elijah have both reached a profound level in the field of swordsmanship. 

On one side is the person who will destroy the world, while on the other is the person who will save it.

Hencewhy, I'm mulling over this. 

Their skills and teaching abilities are completely different.

"Why are you taking a step back! Use that brain in that thick skull of yours!"

"You call this swordsmanship? This more like flirting than fighting. Are you trying to seduce your enemy?"

"…"

Watching the two's fierce back and forth made my head throb.

To be exact, they are having a heated discussion about my 'curriculum'.

Their overwhelming passion has drawn the attention of everyone in the gym, probably wondering what on earth is happening over here.

'…At first, they started relatively amicable.'

But the debate that initially began with mutual respect and courtesy has now devolved to personal attacks.

'Come to think of it, was it always like this in the story?'

These two, well...

They're inherently incompatible.

Recently, I was hoping that they would at least become somewhat friendly through my mediation, but it seems like that's a too far-fetched idea.

The Tristan Duke Family and the Hero.

These two are destined against each other until the end of the scenario. That's just how the setting is defined.

"…"

So.

Unless I intervene, the story will continue as it is.

'The further I go, the more I'll need these two.'

Just looking at the Purifier boss battle, an item that shouldn't be here, appeared. 

Considering this variable, who knows what's waiting for me ahead. 

And the only people that can defeat the devil is the devil's vessel herself and the hero who has received the angel's blessing. 

These two are my most reliable allies. Their assistance is essential for the progression of the scenario.

'…Isn't this also in the game?'

Depending on the route you take, their relationship can improve to a fairly good level.

However, if I want to directly use the 'situation' to my benefit.

It would get dangerous.

Mainly. 

A playboy that's caught is as good as a cold corpse. 

How much more would the consequences be if the final boss and the main character is involved?

If exposed, I'll be ripped to shreds. Literally.

"…"

Even though I'm in a position where I have to create a harem to prevent the extinction of humanity, I don't really want to do that.

There's probably a branch option in the upcoming 'Class Observation' event.

'I'll never do it.'

Eung. I won't do it even if I die.

"…"

I've thought about this before and it always ends up strange. However, I won't do it under any circumstance.

Whilst I was pondering this, a voice suddenly came from the side.

"Ah, really! This isn't going to work, let's just do it separately! Mister!"

"…Eung?"

An angry Elijah suddenly placed a reverse blade sword in my hand.

It's a steel sword with a cutting edge on the inward curve. 

[T/N: a Japanese Sakabatou さかばとう: https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%97%AD%EB%82%A0%EA%B2%80 ] 

As I blankly stared at it, she took a step back and proudly puffed her chest out.

"Try following along!"

Then, she drew her sword and stomped the ground.

Her sword style is probably self-developed.

Free-spirited, practical, light and snappy. Whilst still having a fierce and solid attack.

At first glance, it just looks like a bunch of erratic movements, but her swift reflexes brought those movements together as one. Even the surrounding students from the Knights Department, who were devoted to self-discipline, looked at her with their eyes wide open.

"There! Did you see it?"

After finishing her demonstration, Elijah wiped off her sweat and grinned at me.

"Now give it a try!"

"…"

Are you kidding me? 

"…I thought you'd teach me?"

"…I learned this way."

"…"

"Anyone can do it, right…?"

Her voice gradually faded.

Probably because she sensed the bewildered looks from the Knights Department students staring at her.

I could feel a headache crashing straight into my brain.

Is she just bragging her genius? And didn't she just say she's experienced in teaching swordsmanship?

"…You, are you kidding me? You don't even have the basics of education."

Elnore, who was watching on the side, rebuked with a sigh. 

Shen then drew her sword in front of me and assumed a stance.

"I'll start with the basic, but most important, stance. Let's begin with a downward strike."

Having said that, Elnore demonstrated a few simple movements.

'Oh, ohoh…'

Starting with the footwork, shifting your center of gravity, precise gaze control, and the upper body's posture. With each step being accompanied with a detailed explanation. 

I thought that she would end up being the same with Elijah, but she's actually teaching standard.

"Give it a try."

"Yes, this much should be..."

Saying so, I grabbed my sword and attempted the downward strike.

But.

"…"

"…Um."

"…Uh…"

I failed miserably.

No, this is harder than I expected.

I thought it would be a simple downward motion, but in reality, it's a struggle just to avoid falling over while trying to maintain balance.

This is especially true for an untrained person like me. Without the Desperation skill, just holding on to the sword was an ordeal in itself. Not to mention swinging it.

The expressions of those who were watching around me were ambiguous. If it were obvious that I was simply a novice, they might have found it cute and cut me some slack. But with such an artistic h̶o̶r̶r̶e̶n̶d̶o̶u̶s̶ failure, the atmosphere was more like, "What was that?"

"…At this level, shouldn't you start by training your body before swordsmanship? Would it even make sense to receive instruction right now? No, didn't you handle monsters easily…?"

Even Elijah had a puzzled look on her face.

However.

"No, you did well."

When Elnore said that expressionlessly, everyone's looks became strange.

"…Yes? That was good?"

"That's right. You could use it in real combat."

"…"

Facing Elijah, whose face was saying, "What the hell are you talking about?" Elnore drew her sword with a sigh.

"Watch closely."

Standing in front of the training dummy, Elnore raised her sword.

"Heup!"

She slashed straight down.

However, it looked clumsy through and through just like the one I did earlier, not a hint of proper posture. 

Frankly, it's embarrassing to even call it a 'strike'. It's just trying to avoid falling over.

Normally, the sword strike would've done near zero damage and simply bounce off the dummy. But then... 

-!

-!!!

-!!!!!!!

It sounded as if there was a bomb exploding.

The dummy shattered into powder-like fragments, creating a crater on the ground as if it had been hit by a meteor, and the shockwave even reached the walls - leaving visible cracks.

"…"

"…" 

Everyone in the training room stared at the scene with their mouths wide open. 

"See?"

Elnore flatly said, as she retrieved her sword.

"There is nothing wrong with your stance."

"…"

She continued without batting an eye.

"So, starting today, this man will receive regular training from me. Do you understand?"

"…"

"Dowd Campbell did a splendid job. There is no problem with his learning capabilities."

"…Hey, Student Council President."

Elijah sighed.

"What?"

"Don't you just want to meet him every day?"

"No."

"…Is that right? What does even a lecture mean to a person of this level in the first place-"

"I said no. I only accept rebuttals in a duel."

"…"

While Elijah squinted in silence, my gaze remained glued on the wreckage that Elnore had left.

'…Is she stronger than before?'

I know that her exceptional physical ability was formidable, but it was unlikely that she could display this level of power at this point in time. 

There is only one hypothesis I could come up with. 

'Has she fused with the fragment to that extent already?'

If a devil's vessel is rapidly progressing in strength, there is no other possibility.

Completely fusing with the fragment would boost one's stats and would give rise to special abilities.

This is a fortunate development that could greatly help me in the scenario, but it's not entirely pleasant either.

Especially considering how events usually unfold within the game.

'Devil vessels are greatly influenced by each other's presence.'

If Elnore has fused with the fragment to this extent, it is highly likely that other vessels with devil fragments will also be affected, increasing the likelihood of awakening the devil within them.

In other words, this is a warning sign that another 'vessel' is about to emerge.

In addition, this is also a catalyst that accelerates progression of the main scenario.

'…This isn't the time to be relaxed.'

The devil vessels usually appear in accordance with the progression of the scenario.

Thus, it is almost inevitable that another vessel, other than Elnore, will appear over the course of Chapter 2.

In short.

I will soon meet a powerful and dangerous woman who will become obsessed with me.

Which basically means that I'll get caught up in several events that could cost me my literal life.

So as to not die, getting stronger faster is practically a requirement.

'Swordsmanship is important, but I also need to develop other areas.'

If it's urgent, then divinity-related things are necessary.

The amulet's growth will increase my overall survivability and adapting skills so I should put this on the list. 

And, one more thing.

"No, you're just taking advantage of the situation!"

"Hmm. Didn't I say I only accept rebuttals in a duel?"

"…Well, neither of you can teach, so please be quiet."

I sighed and stopped the two from wrangling again.

Even though I did say that they are my most reliable allies.

But I can't learn swordsmanship from these two.

●

There is only one remaining option.

Something that can train both swordsmanship and divinity.

"…You want a pass to the 'equipment room'?"

"Yes."

When I confidently made the request, Atallante's expression subtly changed.

"Do you know what's in there?"

"I've already met her once."

I ran into her when I was taking the Ultima.

A swordsman who cuts everything that comes three steps around her.

Yuria Greyhounder. The Final Boss of Chapter 2.

And, along with the Saintess, she is also a promising 'vessel' candidate. 

"…"

That's right. The Final Boss of Chapter 2 is not the Boy King, but her.

In more ways than one, the Boy King is not someone the player character can handle, so the actual final battle will take place with her.

"To be honest, she's not a good person to touch right now."

Atallante took out a key with a sigh.

Nonetheless, she seems to have accepted my request, like a noble who listens to anything I say. Still, she couldn't just do it without giving me a word of warning.

"Her existence itself is a risk factor that can trigger a war between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom. I didn't hide her out of sight in Elfante for nothing."

With a serious face, Atallante continued. 

"And, you know about the upcoming class observation, right?"

"Yes."

"During the event, members of the Holy Kingdom, including the Saintess, will be staying in Elfante. Yuria Greyhounder's existence must not get exposed during that time."

With a wry smile, I nodded in response to Atallante's words.

Certainly, if Yuria's existence rises to the surface, that itself would be a disaster.

'Precisely, the problem lies in the sword she's holding…'

The Holy Kingdom's national treasure, which creates a 'Curse of Severance' that prevents people from getting close to the wielder. Likewise, the wielder can't get close to other people. It's an item that Yuria stole and ran away with a long time ago.

As I've said before, this is the reason why she manically cuts down anything that comes three steps within her.

Quite literally, if Yuria is caught with the sword, there's a high possibility that things will go haywire between the two countries.

That's how important the Holy Kingdom regards it.

'…That being said.'

The closer the distance between herself and the other person, Yuria's fighting power also skyrockets.

Especially if the distance is within two steps. Even if Elnore and Elijah attack at the same time, they'll probably still lose. 

The reason why Elnore and Elijah's close combat skills are only 'top tier', and not the 'strongest', is because of Yuria's existence.

'…'

The problem is that the national treasure of the Holy Kingdom, in conjunction with the Boy King, inevitably stirs a major incident in the Academy.

It's also a key item in Chapter 2.

"So, I need to at least know what business you have with her. If I deem it too dangerous, I have no choice but to reject this request."

Atallante solemnly said.

"The curse itself is highly dangerous, and politically, its very existence is no different than a ticking time bomb. There are many reasons why important people like you shouldn't be in contact with someone like her. Your actions must be completely devoid of any risks."

"Ah, then you can be rest assured."

No matter how dangerous Yuria may be, it's not that risky for me to go there.

It's just a way for my divinity and swordsmanship to rapidly grow at the same time.

I answered with a smile. 

"It's nothing grand, I just want to have a little sword spar."

"…"

"I plan to do this every day for the next week or so."

Atallante's expression rapidly soured.