Lord Balkan's Teaching (4)
Lord Vulcan's Teaching (4)
"...Huh?"
A dazed sound leaked from my mouth.
I was still in a state of drooling, with my forehead pressed against the pillow.
But I could immediately tell that I had briefly lost consciousness without even realizing it.
"Hm? Awake already? Your recovery is faster than I expected."
When I lifted my head, Councilor Verduci was buttoning his clothes.
Seeing that he hadn't left yet, it seemed I had only been unconscious for a few minutes, thankfully.
"...Councilor-nim. Let me help you finish up."
I crawled sluggishly across the bed and took his penis into my mouth.
It, which had been semi-erect, began to grow rapidly inside my mouth in an instant.
"Oh, a cleaning blowjob? You must be quite tired, but your professionalism is truly remarkable."
As he said, the heat in my entire body hadn't yet subsided.
Not only my battered uterus, but also my anus and clitoris were burning hot and throbbing from the aftermath of the climax.
My mind had been so violently torn apart by intense pleasure that I felt somewhat tired.
Nevertheless, I couldn't forget my duty.
This client was a task Madam had personally requested and entrusted to me.
I couldn't let a VIP guest leave feeling uncomfortable.
At the very least, I had to clean his lower body so he could depart comfortably.
"Hoo... You suck incredibly well. Miss Rene, I'd like to cum one more time, is that alright?"
Instead of answering, I increased the pressure inside my mouth.
Although I usually held back, if I used my mouth seriously, I could make him ejaculate in less than 30 seconds.
With my intensified suction, his member soon began to pulsate.
Another thick, sticky load of semen pouring into my throat.
Since it was the fourth ejaculation, the amount wasn't too large, thankfully.
I swallowed all the sperm and moved my tongue and lips one last time.
I meticulously licked the glans with my tongue and used my lips to scrape off the remnants along the shaft.
Except for a bit of my saliva, there should be almost no foreign matter left now.
When I finally pulled the genital out of my mouth, a clean appearance was indeed revealed.
The previous state, soiled with semen and love juice, was completely gone.
"Heh. Your mouth skills are truly miraculous. At this level, I'd say you're exceptional even among the flying and crawling 3rd Floor ladies."
"...I'm glad you're satisfied."
It wasn't exactly something to boast about, but it was true that it was a useful ability as a prostitute.
While there were often women who were good at tightening below, those who were also skilled with their mouths were rare.
"It's been a while since my balls have been this drained, so I should show some sincerity. Here, take this."
Councilor Verduci, who had been rummaging through his purse, flicked a single silver coin to me.
Just one silver coin. But it wasn't a 1-Arshen coin; it was a whopping 20-Arshen silver coin.
"Thank you...!"
An amount nearly three times the original service fee.
I clutched the 20-Arshen coin tightly in my hand and bowed respectfully to him.
Truly fitting for a VIP, his pockets were deep.
"Ah, right. I glanced at the catalog earlier, and you sell your backside too, don't you? The price was 50 Arshen, wasn't it?"
"...Yes, that's correct."
I hesitated for a moment but readily affirmed.
'Backside' literally meant anal intercourse, and 50 Arshen was its price.
"Well, isn't that interesting? A high-and-mighty 3rd Floor lady selling her backdoor. Of course, there probably aren't many people willing to pay half a gold coin."
Anal intercourse was an item I added to the menu of my own volition, though Madam didn't particularly recommend it.
However, due to its price equivalent to half a gold coin, it was practically a non-sale item.
I had listed it as a gamble for potential demand, but I never expected him to mention it.
He even stuck his finger in my anus and probed around—could it be that he had that kind of preference?
"Put your buttocks over here."
Having received 20 Arshen, I couldn't refuse the order. I immediately turned around and obediently presented my buttocks to him.
"What a plump pair of buttocks, no matter how many times I see them. I guess all the fat went to your breasts and here, huh?"
He then grabbed both of my buttocks and forcibly spread them apart.
My anus split open horizontally, and I could feel air seeping in slightly through the gap.
"It's a waste of the century not to use such a delicate and pretty asshole, hmm."
"C-Councilor-nim. I'm embarrassed..."
No matter how much a prostitute and a client have seen everything, shame is still shame.
I timidly showed my dislike, and he finally released his hands and stepped back.
"I'll make another reservation soon, so wait for me. I'm already looking forward to what Miss Rene's backside tastes like."
"Th-that means..."
"What are you asking? Next time, I'll fuck you from behind, so make sure to wash well inside your buttocks. I have every intention of paying half a gold coin."
"...!"
At his shocking declaration, my body stiffened and my anus twitched.
Of course, earning 50 Arshen was a happy thing.
But at the same time, a chilling fear also washed over me.
Just today, I foolishly sprayed my love juice and passed out.
While it might happen when dealing with multiple clients, it was almost unprecedented one-on-one.
What would happen if that experienced, thick cock were shoved inside my rectum?
Just the thought made my spine crawl with goosebumps.
I might become a complete mess and even end up urinating.
"Don't be so scared. If you're really afraid, just think of the gold coin. Do you really think this Verduci would just hand over only 50 Arshen?"
He said with a chuckle, perhaps finding my serious expression amusing.
I did just receive 20 Arshen from him.
If I could properly satisfy him, next time I might receive a whole gold coin instead of just 50 Arshen.
It seemed better to think positively like that.
"Well then, see you later, Miss Rene."
"...Yes. Please take care, Councilor-nim."
Councilor Verduci, now fully dressed, soon departed outside.
Left alone in the room, I sat on the dampened bed sheets and spaced out for a moment.
It felt as if a storm had just passed.
"Ah, I need to show Sir Balkan my progress..."
Because the sex had been so intense, I had completely forgotten.
I pulled myself together, got up, hastily put on my clothes, and grabbed my sword.
Heading straight towards the backyard, I saw Sir Balkan quietly basking in the sunlight.
It seemed like I shouldn't disturb him, so I was loitering when he spoke to me first.
"You've come."
"Yes. I have mastered what you taught me the other day."
"Show me."
At Sir Balkan's instruction, I moved my feet without hesitation.
Footwork consisting of two steps each in four directions—front, back, left, right—eight consecutive steps in total.
My comical stumbling was no more.
The steps unfolded cleanly and swiftly.
Except for a little dust kicked up, the execution was nearly perfect.
"Now, eight times diagonally. Do it right away."
I was flustered by the unexpected change but calmly composed my stance.
Eight consecutive steps in an X pattern, not a cross.
I hadn't specifically practiced it, but I had a feel for how to do it.
I adjusted the angle and stride, moving my feet diagonally.
The Short Step, firmly supporting the body, followed by the Long Step, stretching out to close the distance with the opponent.
After eight consecutive X-pattern footwork, I returned to the starting point.
I didn't know if it was textbook, but at least the movement wasn't forced.
"You've outgrown your baby steps. Well done."
"It's thanks to your teachings, Sir Balkan."
I bowed my head respectfully to express my gratitude.
Footwork utilizing Short Step and Long Step.
Although I couldn't feel it immediately, it would surely be a great help in actual combat.
"Good. Now it's time to learn the sword. Are you prepared?"
"Yes. I am always prepared."
"Good. Draw your sword and assume a stance."
I drew my bastard sword and pointed it forward.
I assumed what I thought was a standard offensive stance, but Sir Balkan didn't seem very satisfied.
"Your lower body has developed a decent foundation. However, your upper body is still lost."
"...How should I correct it?"
"First, swing vertically once."
"Yes."
After a short breath, I swung the sword vertically.
With a *whoosh* sound of displaced air, the steel cleaved through the void.
It was a sword strike with enough power to easily smash a person's skull.
"Wrong. Don't bend your waist recklessly. Again."
I must have unconsciously bent my upper body.
Conscious of my waist, I brought the sword down again.
It was a more stable and precise vertical slash, though its range and power were reduced compared to before.
"Too much tension in your shoulders. Again."
Focusing on my waist and shoulders, I swung the sword once more.
A faster slash, though the power wasn't much different.
Correcting as instructed, I definitely felt like I was improving, even if just a little.
"You twisted your wrist too much. Again."
After the waist and shoulders, now the wrist.
Silently concentrating, I slashed vertically through the air.
But the response I got back was still the same.
"Again."
I was repeatedly criticized and corrected in that manner.
After dozens of vertical slashes, a change finally occurred.
*Sswaek-!*
Not the heavy, club-like *whoosh*, but a sound literally of cutting the wind with a blade at high speed.
That clear, sharp sound pierced my ears.
The sensation transmitted to my hand was also different from before.
If my previous sword simply crushed the enemy with brute force, this was a sword that sharply sliced through the enemy.
I looked at Sir Balkan with wide eyes, and he finally nodded.
"Good. Remember that sensation. Again."
It was too early to rejoice over a single success.
I repeatedly swung my sword to recreate the slash from moments ago.
But it wasn't as easy as I thought.
I succeeded roughly once every twenty swings.
A vague sensation kept lingering in my hand, seemingly within grasp yet elusive.
"The foundation of swordsmanship is coordination. First, the sword and the hand. Next, the sword and the arm. Further, the sword and the upper body. Finally, unifying the sword and the body. Only then can you swing the sword with all your might."
Sir Balkan, who had been watching, offered me advice.
Coordination between the sword and the body. In other words, Integration.
A moment of realization brushed through my foggy mind.
"By learning footwork, you have, albeit clumsily, acquired coordination in your lower body. The problem is your upper body. For this part, you have no choice but to accumulate experience through repetition. You will need to swing your sword thousands, if not tens of thousands of times."
"...I understand what you mean."
I didn't need grand techniques.
It was about understanding the principles of body movement, like joints and muscles, and grafting movements suited to my body onto the sword.
The result of that was the perfect strike.
"You seem to have grasped the vertical slash. Next is the horizontal slash. Show me."
The same process as the previous vertical slash continued.
Sir Balkan's constant critiques and ongoing posture corrections.
As I gradually grew accustomed and succeeded a couple of times, his teaching session concluded.
"We'll stop here. Return when what you've learned has become ingrained in your body."
"Yes. I will strive diligently."
I bowed to Sir Balkan as he turned to leave.
Although it was just a fragment, I had finally learned what true swordsmanship was.
At the same time, I could clearly see how pathetic my skills had been until now.
For Rubyia's revenge, I needed to become dozens of times stronger than I am now.
There was no time to waste. I steeled my resolve and composed my stance.
It would be best to master the vertical slash first and then move on to the horizontal slash.
Recollecting the memory of practicing with Sir Balkan, I began to swing my sword.
The first target was a thousand times.
Obviously, a thousand times based on perfect vertical slashes.
Since I succeeded once every twenty times, I would need to swing my sword roughly twenty thousand times.
No problem. This level of resolve and perseverance is necessary to handle a knight's teachings.
Even as the sun set and the moon rose, I stood like a stone statue, practicing vertical slashes without stopping.
The first set of a thousand slashes, completed after a full day and night.
I didn't count exactly, but it seemed to take about 30 hours.
After collapsing onto the bed for a short nap, I resumed my training.
The second thousand slashes took a perceived 21 hours. The third took 12 hours.
By the fourth and fifth, it was reduced to just 3 hours.
A remarkable achievement. Yet, I wasn't satisfied.
To use it fluidly in real combat, I needed to be able to perform a perfect slash even unconsciously.
I raised the target from a thousand to ten thousand.
Another all-nighter, and ten thousand slashes achieved in 25 hours.
I continued practicing, gradually reducing the time.
Finally, on the seventh day of training, I completed mastering the vertical slash.
A smoothly executed sword strike, whether with two hands or one, eyes open or closed.
Even when clearing my mind or thinking of other things, the vertical slash was performed perfectly. It was true mastery.
I then began training the horizontal slash.
Perhaps because my body had become accustomed after a week of practice, the horizontal slash only took five days.
Thus, the training spanning 12 days came to an end.
Now it was time to have my results inspected.
I neatly arranged my attire and went to find Sir Balkan.
"I have mastered the vertical and horizontal slashes..."
"I know. You're doing quite well."
Since I had been swinging my sword day and night in the backyard, Sir Balkan must have seen me often coming and going.
He must have passed me without needing to see again.
I wondered what the next lesson would be.
As I waited quietly, he said something somewhat unexpected.
"Frankly, it's surprising. I thought you were talentless, but it seems you are at least a slow learner."
A slow learner, not a genius or an average talent.
But I wasn't upset by that evaluation.
Lacking talent could be compensated for with effort.
Moreover, I had the Equivalent Exchange of the Seven Deadly Sins, which twisted and manipulated the principles of the world.
It wouldn't be impossible to become Knight Rank strong in the distant future.
"...A slow learner. Was my learning that slow?"
Separate from that, however, a sense of unease began to sprout.
If my learning was slow, he would discard me. That was the condition Sir Balkan had set from the very beginning.
"Well. It is on the slow side. In the case of footwork, a genius masters it in a day, an average talent in two days, you see."
A genius in a day, an average talent in two days. It took me a full five days.
And that was the result of devoting myself, sleeping less, and immersing myself for 20 hours a day.
If the difference was this big in footwork, it went without saying for swordsmanship.
So this is the gap in talent.
Hearing it directly, the painful reality sank in.
Perhaps seeing my gloomy face, Sir Balkan belatedly added words of comfort.
"Ahem. Don't worry. I value your tenacity highly, so as long as you keep up, I will continue the teachings."
"...Thank you. No matter what happens, I will not disappoint you."
I vowed resolutely and bowed my head.
I couldn't let this hard-won opportunity be thrown away due to my own shortcomings.
I was prepared to follow his teachings, even if it meant burning my body out.
"Your enthusiasm is good. However, I have nothing more to teach you for now. What you need currently is to apply your realizations to actual combat."
I could understand Sir Balkan's intention.
Even if I could perform perfect slashes now, one's mindset inevitably changes when actual combat begins.
Swinging a sword in the air a hundred times is useless if you can't use it in real fights.
"Aren't those bandit scum littered all over the place outside the city walls? Go chop off their limbs or something and acquire real combat sense for a while."
"Yes. I will kill them all and return."
I answered without hesitation.
Executing criminals was a enjoyable and beneficial task in many ways.
Not only did it contribute to the local security, but I could also earn Pain Points and amply collect loot.
"...Good. Go on."
I bowed deeply once more and withdrew from the spot.
Rather than randomly searching for bandits outside the walls, it would be better to go through the mercenary guild.
I needed to stop by the guild soon anyway.
Having been absorbed in training, over two weeks had already passed.
I was curious about the recent developments regarding the Subjugation Force incident.
Moreover, there was more than one or two pending settlements.
From the sale proceeds of the Dire Wolf materials, to the bounty for the bandit leader Archibald, to the loot I entrusted to the guild for sale.
Combined, I should easily be able to earn at least 40 Denar.
It was time to be properly rewarded for my efforts.
With expectant steps, I entered the guild building.