Precise Power and Swift Deliveries
“Captain, I've always thought you were excellent, but this is truly impressive. For someone still in the early stages to have such insights—it's no easy feat.”
“I-Is that so?”
“If I could, I'd gather the entire company right now and make them hear what you just said.”
“They're all far more skilled than me. What good would my words do?”
“No, absolutely not. If you just maintain this form, I’m certain you’ll rise much higher. I guarantee it.”
What could he say to those expectant eyes?
I just want to get strong enough to protect my own body, that’s all.
Once I take over the trading company, I’ll be living a life of luxury. Why would I care about becoming a swordmaster?
If it’s not free, I wouldn’t lift a finger.
“I don’t have that kind of talent. Just enough for self-defense.”
“Haha! You’re even humble—it only makes you more appealing. What don’t you have?”
Damn mouth of mine, shut the hell up.
If the world conspired to screw me over, this is exactly the level it would aim for.
“For now, just throw yourself into the Special Forces... no, the Intelligence Command first.”
“Y-Yes...? Ah, yes. That’s the plan.”
“Anyway, since your stance is spot-on, I should teach you in earnest. What do you think is key to achieving uniformity in your sword strikes?”
“Composure, sir?”
“Right. But if composure alone sufficed, every old man would be doing it, wouldn’t they?”
“Uh... yes, sir.”
Now that he mentioned it, composure wasn’t enough.
“What else?”
“Strength, sir?”
“Correct. And that’s what you’re lacking right now.”
Garen’s lips curled into a satisfied smile as the answer he wanted emerged.
Lacking strength? Sip, maybe I need more potions.
But the “strength” Lieutenant Colonel Garen meant was on a higher level.
“Watch closely.”
Garen raised his sword overhead and held the stance.
“Come touch my shoulder.”
“Your shoulder, sir?”
I had no idea what he was getting at, but I placed my hand on his shoulder as instructed.
What is this, a rock?
Not even pressing hard made it budge. It was hard to believe this was a human body like mine.
“Step back now and focus on the motion.”
“Yes, sir!”
As I took a step back, Lieutenant Colonel Garen swiftly swung the sword downward.
Shwick.
The straw dummy split in two in the blink of an eye. The cut was flawless, as if it had always been in two pieces.
“Getting a feel for it?”
“Uh...”
Honestly, it was too fast to tell.
But since he’d asked expecting an answer, I had to give one.
Let’s think this through.
I replayed Garen’s motion in my head.
Swinging the sword down while leaning the body forward... that’s it.
Comparing it to my own swing, the biggest difference wasn’t the sword—it was the body movement. And the effect was clear.
“You used your center of gravity, sir.”
“Ho! Exactly. To spot that in one go—excellent.”
Lieutenant Colonel Garen looked genuinely surprised as he praised me.
Is today my birthday or something?
I’d probably received more praise today than in my entire second life so far.
“I’m embarrassed, sir.”
“You have plenty of strength, Captain, but you’re using it inefficiently. Take the stance again.”
“Yes, sir.”
I assumed the position right before swinging at the dummy. This time, Lieutenant Colonel Garen placed his hand on my shoulder.
Poke.
His finger sank right in with a light press. On second thought, it wasn’t that light—he’d applied some force, but it was still soft.
“Put a bit more strength here.”
“Uh... got it, sir.”
Focusing on my shoulder muscles made them tense, pushing his finger back a little.
“Swing like that.”
“Yes, sir!”
The stance felt a bit off, but I swung at the dummy anyway, concentrating as best I could.
Shwick.
Thanks to the sharp blade, the dummy split easily. Any kid could do that much.
The real test is the cut surface.
I had a feeling, but I checked anyway.
“Ah...”
It was jagged and uneven. A total mess.
“Expected result. You invested strength in your shoulder, but the rest collapsed.”
“Yes, sir.”
“To reach my level, you need to master controlling it freely. Not easy.”
“Is that basic training too, sir?”
“Well, you could call it basic.”
Strength control.
Just hearing it sounded like high-level stuff.
Damn, now I’ve got two homework assignments.
Peeling back one layer revealed another—like Russian nesting dolls.
“One more time.”
“Yes, sir!”
It was homework I had to solve, so I gripped the sword and took the stance again.
Strength in the shoulder, shift center of gravity forward on the swing.
Easy to think, harder to execute.
“Less strength in the shoulder than before. Focus!”
Every tiny flaw drew a sharp correction from Lieutenant Colonel Garen.
Shoulder, shoulder, focus on shoulder.
“Tensing your shoulder shouldn’t loosen your legs. Bring out everything you’ve got, Captain.”
Focusing on shoulders left gaps in my legs.
And like a demon, he spotted it instantly.
Damn, this is everything I’ve got. What more does he want?
It was enough to make me want to scream.
“Hoo!”
I took a deep breath, flooding my brain with fresh air.
Focus.
Shoulder, legs, sword, arms, stance...
Once I felt every part was in place, I swung without hesitation.
Shwick.
The dummy split again.
The cut surface?
Sip.
Still nowhere near as good as before I overthought it.
“Too many thoughts right now. That’s why the result suffers.”
You told me to focus on everything, so of course I’m thinking a lot.
Complaining about too many thoughts after ordering me to mind every detail—what kind of logic was that?
“It shouldn’t go through your head—it should flow naturally from your body. Understand?”
“Like breathing?”
“You’ve got it exactly.”
I understood.
But breathing comes naturally from birth; forcing yourself to learn it isn’t easy.
This is driving me crazy.
“Don’t overthink it. Repeat enough, and it’ll come.”
“Ha... haha.”
For reference, micromanaging everything like this tripled the fatigue compared to swinging normally.
“The real issue is I leave in a week. Hm, you improve faster with someone watching.”
I agreed with Lieutenant Colonel Garen.
Need corrections on the spot to avoid bad habits.
Otherwise, you revert to old ways.
“No helping it. Train till it clicks. Starting tomorrow, come two hours early. We’ll split morning and afternoon.”
“Won’t that exhaust you, sir...?”
“I live like that anyway—don’t worry. Besides, you and I are special. This much is nothing.”
The colonel slung an arm over my shoulder.
Doing this grueling training twice a day instead of once was a nightmare that brought tears to my eyes.
But knowing it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, I could only nod.
“Then... if you don’t mind, I’ll humbly accept your guidance.”
“Just follow me. One more time.”
The brief talk ended, and training resumed.
I endured hellish torture until evening.
* * *
“Ughhh, I feel like I’m dying.”
Back in my office to finish paperwork after training, my hands and feet trembled so badly I couldn’t hold the pen.
And I have to go out again tomorrow morning?
Thank god for the System—sleep and I’d recover.
Without it, I’d be dead.
Knock knock.
“It’s the deputy company commander.”
“Come in.”
I greeted Lieutenant Aisa Lintun with my face buried in the desk.
“Why do you look so... Are you ill, sir?”
“Just finished training. Ah, I really might die.”
“Now that you mention it, I heard from the soldiers. The intensity must’ve been high.”
“Yeah, brutal. Still want lessons from Lieutenant Colonel Garen?”
“Of course. No pain, no gain, right? Unless you say no?”
“No way. I already got approval, so just set it up. I did him a huge favor too.”
“A favor?”
Lieutenant Aisa Lintun tilted her head, puzzled.
“Long story. What brings you here?”
“Pennell, the Oclo Trading Company branch manager, just requested entry to see you.”
“Already?”
I’d sent an express letter last night, but factoring travel time, this was near-teleport speed.
Did he bolt the second he got it?
Looks like my influence in the company had grown.
“Grant entry?”
“Yeah, bring him to my office. What he’s carrying is your lesson fee.”
“Why would my fee go to you...? Understood, sir.”
Lieutenant Aisa Lintun left the company commander’s office and personally escorted Pennell in.
“Pleased to meet you! I’m Pennell, branch manager of the Bolliv branch!”
The middle-aged man bowed ninety degrees the moment he entered.
He had the slick friendliness and business smile of a born merchant.
“Good trip?”
“Not at all! Speed is a merchant’s lifeblood!”
“Uh... sure.”
Rocket delivery had its perks.
But what’s with the energy? Like he’s interviewing for a job.
A branch manager was high up, yet his posture screamed rookie.
“First, here’s the bag Young Master requested.”
Pennell handed over an elegantly wrapped box.
Looks fancy.
I carefully opened it. Inside was a small mini bag.
“This the trendy one?”
“Why even ask? It’s a mini bag from Ottique, one of the top three luxury brands women adore.”
“Ottique, huh. Nice.”
First I’d heard of it, but the name alone sounded premium.
Kinda Italian vibe?
Maybe it was luxury, but the stitching looked different—refined.