Fundamentals of Sword Combat

As time passed, only a few people entered the training hall. Some stepped in, took one look at the instructor, and immediately walked out.

In the end, only twelve remained.

'These numbers are just pathetic.'

Merlin glanced around. Of course, Nathan was here. Dorian as well. And the rest? Not even worth calling extras.

"Pick any sword, dagger, or weapon you like. But choose carefully because whatever you pick now, you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your training."

Reinhardt's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. He opened his eyes—unnatural golden orbs that almost seemed to glow. His gaze swept over the students before locking onto one in particular.

Merlin.

'This one… might be interesting.'

Reinhardt's thoughts were clear, as always. He never dwelled on unnecessary things.

Hearing Reinhardt's words, Merlin got up from the floor and walked toward the weapons rack. The other students began choosing their respective weapons. Some picked immediately—like Nathan.

'Of course he'd pick those.'

Nathan held two short daggers in his hands, looking like a proper assassin.

Dorian, on the other hand, picked a longsword, just like the one he used in the novel.

'I'll just stick with what I used during training.'

Merlin grabbed a rapier, its weight fitting perfectly in his hands.

'Just like before.'

He gave it a few light swings, testing the balance.

"A rapier, huh?"

Nathan strolled over with a grin after noticing the medium-length blade in Merlin's hand.

"Exactly."

Merlin's response was short and firm. He had no intention of making conversation, and it showed in his voice. Nathan just chuckled dryly.

"Line up."

Reinhardt's voice boomed across the training hall like a cannon blast.

Nathan and Merlin exchanged a look before stepping into formation. The twelve students stood still, side by side, just as instructed.

Reinhardt's eyes passed over each of them, analyzing their choices.

'The boy with the daggers… and the one with the rapier. They stand out.'

His mind worked quickly, assessing every student's potential.

"Now, I'll demonstrate a simple slash."

A sword materialized in Reinhardt's hand out of nowhere. No flash, no theatrics—just the overwhelming feeling that it had always been there, as if it was an extension of his very being.

Some students whispered in awe, but the sharper ones—Merlin, Nathan, and Dorian—remained silent, their eyes locked onto Reinhardt.

'Party tricks during a lesson. How classy.'

Merlin thought as he watched Reinhardt move.

A swift, precise motion. His blade cut through the air with terrifying ease, and a shockwave surged through the room as the slash ended.

'It's like he just cut through space itself.'

Merlin's brows furrowed. The image of Reinhardt's movement replayed in his mind, over and over, as if he were dissecting it frame by frame.

'Got it.'

"Now, you'll each demonstrate it in order. You first, kid."

Reinhardt's voice snapped through the silence, pointing straight at Nathan.

Nathan smirked and stepped forward.

'I have no idea how he'll do, but I doubt it'll be bad.'

Merlin kept his eyes on him, analyzing every movement.

Nathan's slash wasn't a perfect replica of Reinhardt's, but it was solid.

'Not bad.'

Like a beginner swordsman, Merlin instinctively evaluated Nathan's form.

"Not bad."

Reinhardt nodded and waved him back into line.

Nathan sighed, as if shaking off a heavy burden, before grinning and returning to his place.

'Guess it's my turn.'

Merlin's hand was already on his rapier's hilt, ready.

"You, step forward."

Reinhardt's commanding voice rang out. Merlin gave a slight nod and moved up without a word.

'I can do this. I analyzed every detail of his slash.'

Taking a deep breath, Merlin positioned himself flawlessly.

Some students shot him odd glances, but Reinhardt's expression was different.

It was… excited.

'Alright, kid… show me what you've got.'

Reinhardt watched him closely.

Then—

For a split second, reality itself seemed uncertain of its own existence.

Merlin's rapier moved. A silent, nearly imperceptible slash forward. Precision beyond reason, as if the universe had allowed this one perfect motion to exist.

A seamless, invisible line tore through the air—neither too fast nor too slow. Simply perfect.

'Unbelievable.'

Reinhardt and Nathan both widened their eyes as they watched Merlin's flawless execution.

To the other students, it looked more like an elegant dance than an attack…

Then—BOOM.

The air burst, not as violently as Reinhardt's slash, but still noticeable.

'Not entirely perfect.'

Merlin withdrew his blade casually, as if nothing had happened.

All eyes turned to Reinhardt, waiting for his reaction. Even Merlin observed him carefully.

But Reinhardt…

He just stood there. Processing.

'How… is that possible?'

The boy in front of him had replicated the technique after seeing it once. It wasn't flawless, but it came disturbingly close to the pinnacle of perfection.

"What's your name?"

No evaluation. No comments on his form. Just a simple question.

"Merlin. Merlin Everhart."

'Why does he care about my name all of a sudden?'

Merlin's voice echoed in the now-silent hall.

Reinhardt didn't respond right away. He just nodded, still processing.

"…Alright. Next."

'???'

Everyone blinked in confusion.

That's it? Nothing else?

Nathan and Merlin exchanged glances, equally bewildered.

Merlin shrugged. Nathan shook his head.

'Whatever. I know I did well.'

The next student, a girl, stepped forward—only to nearly drop her sword in sheer incompetence.

Not even worth mentioning.

The line moved quickly. Dorian was the last, and based on Reinhardt's reaction, he had performed similarly to Nathan.

"Pair up."

Reinhardt clapped his hands like a gunshot, signaling the next phase.

Nathan and Merlin turned to each other immediately.

'This is gonna be fun.'

Reinhardt murmured under his breath, eyes locked on the two.

The first and second-ranked students stood face to face.

"What's your name, boy?"

Reinhardt asked Nathan directly.

"Nathaniel Varen, sir."

Nathan responded, standing firm.

Reinhardt nodded.

"This will be a spar. One by one, each pair will fight. Nathaniel and Merlin, you're up first. The rest, sit down and watch. There's a lot you can learn."

His voice was strong, absolute.

Both boys immediately placed their hands on their weapons.

Merlin traced his fingers along his rapier's hilt, his grip relaxed yet firm.

Nathan clenched his daggers tightly.

A duel between the top two contenders was about to begin.

Both boys locked eyes, grinning as they awaited Reinhardt's signal.

"No affinities allowed."

Reinhardt's voice carried absolute authority, leaving no room for debate. Both fighters nodded, accepting the condition.

Merlin shifted his stance slightly, his grip tightening around the hilt of his rapier.

Nathan leaned forward, gripping a dagger in each hand.

'Let's see what you've got.'

The same thought crossed both their minds.

Silence followed. The air grew tense, thick with anticipation. The other students watched with bated breath, eyes wide in expectation.

Then, like a lightning bolt splitting the sky, Reinhardt's voice shattered the stillness.

"Begin."

Nathan lunged forward like a striking viper. His movements were quick—dangerously so—but Merlin followed each step with calculated precision, smoothly stepping back to maintain distance.

His daggers are short. If I control the spacing, he won't stand a chance.

This spar was a contest of intellect and technique rather than brute force. On paper, Merlin had the upper hand, but Nathan had a system too. That alone made the outcome unpredictable.

Nathan dashed forward again, closing the gap before swinging at Merlin's head.

[Trickster's Reflex]

The skill activated in Merlin's mind, and with a swift sidestep, he avoided the blow. Seizing the opening, he slashed toward Nathan's exposed side with pinpoint accuracy.

Nathan barely managed to block, but the force sent him skidding back two meters.

'Better than I expected.'

Reinhardt's sharp eyes flickered with interest as he observed the fight, ready to intervene if necessary.

Nathan quickly recovered, launching another attack—this time aiming for Merlin's ribs.

'Too predictable.'

Merlin dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid as a dancer's. Then, with sudden speed, he lashed out with a kick, striking Nathan's left hand.

The dagger slipped from his grip.

Forced to retreat, Nathan clenched his teeth.

'Is that all, Nathan?'

Merlin advanced slowly, knocking the fallen dagger further away with his foot.

Nathan refused to surrender.

'How the hell is Merlin this strong?'

His mind raced for a plan. He couldn't afford to lose—not like this.

He lunged again, this time pouring every ounce of strength into his charge.

'Fast.'

Time seemed to slow for Merlin as he met Nathan's assault head-on, their weapons clashing at lightning speed. Sparks flew as steel met steel, their blades moving in a blur. The scent of metal filled the air.

'Time to end this.'

Merlin spun, and Nathan rushed forward to meet him.

[Trickster's Reflex]

'What?!'

Nathan's eyes widened as Merlin twisted mid-air, avoiding the attack with unnatural grace. Before he could react, Merlin's elbow struck his chin.

The impact sent Nathan stumbling. His last dagger slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground as he collapsed.

'Victory is mine.'

Merlin stood over him, rapier poised at Nathan's throat.

A slow smile spread across Nathan's face as he raised his hands in surrender.

"The winner is Merlin Everhart."

Reinhardt's announcement echoed through the hall like a thunderclap.

The students were left speechless, their mouths hanging open in shock.

"Good match."

Both boys spoke at the same time.

Merlin extended a hand, pulling Nathan to his feet.

'Another win for me.'

He thought to himself as they rejoined the group.

Yet as they did, he felt the weight of Reinhardt's gaze on him.

'This kid…'

The instructor's golden eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

'A frightening talent.'