Chapter 87
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 87
Chapter Title: When I Returned Home, There Was a Lady Knight. (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thwack! Crack!
The wooden swords clashed, echoing loudly through the air.
I blocked Father's horizontal swing and seized the opening to drive my shoulder hard into his.
That strike hit its mark. Father stumbled from the impact on his shoulder, creating an even bigger gap in his defense.
He might have let his guard down. It had been a full ten years since we last crossed swords, so he probably never imagined I'd grown this much in the meantime.
In any case, it was an undeniable golden opportunity.
With my center of gravity already shifted forward from the shoulder push, I swung my sword using that momentum.
Regrettably, the outcome wasn't what I'd expected.
Thwack!
Father regained his balance in an instant and parried my blade. Without hesitation, he spun his body and lashed out with a kick toward my side.
It all flowed together seamlessly, like a single motion. It was like watching a well-oiled rifle fresh from maintenance—perfectly smooth.
Spotting Father's attack, I hurriedly guarded my side with my arm...
Thud!
Thanks to that, my side avoided a direct hit, but my arm took the full brunt of the shock. A throbbing pain shot through it.
'Well, that's to be expected, isn't it...'
The foundation of my swordsmanship was built by Father, and Chrome had framed its structure. I'd been learning from Instructor Shabel lately, but that was still recent.
In short, my style was close to the survival-oriented swordsmanship honed by knights on the Northern frontlines. That rumor about my "brutal sword" probably stemmed from exactly that.
Father, however, was a legendary figure who had never once lost to those so-called barbarians.
He could predict my every move, and even if I did something unexpected, he'd adapt on the fly.
Thinking I'd caught him off guard was my mistake from the start.
Whoosh.
I exhaled deeply and created some distance.
No words passed between Father and me. We simply watched each other's movements.
It had been ten years since we last saw each other, yet here we were...
A bit deflating, but it also sparked my fighting spirit. I wanted to land at least one solid hit.
I might not win, but that much should be doable.
With that thought, I grinned and charged forward, kicking off the ground.
What followed was simple. I dodged Father's attacks and countered with my own.
There was no holding back, of course. Against an opponent I couldn't beat even at full strength, half-measures weren't an option—or I'd just get pummeled.
Thwack! Crack!
Even as we fiercely clashed swords, I strained my eyes to imprint Father's movements into my mind.
And I realized something. Father had no habits in his actions.
Yubel and Walter from before, even Instructor Shabel—they all had tells when swinging their swords. The direction they deflected, the way they blocked, things like that.
Father had none of it. Like some wild animal, he reacted differently every time, even to the same attack.
And that made him the hardest opponent for me. As Shabel had once said, my talent lay in reading and exploiting an enemy's patterns.
Fathers are supposed to be the biggest wall for their sons, but this was ridiculously high. It was downright unfair. Couldn't he let me win just once?
Still, I had no intention of giving up.
Crack!
I smacked Father's sword away hard and thrust mine straight ahead.
It was an all-in attack, holding nothing back—like staking my life on the battlefield.
As that strike hurtled toward Father's chest and seemed about to connect...
A chill prickled the back of my neck. I knew exactly what it was without looking, so I halted my motion.
My sword hovered just shy of Father's clothes.
I let out a short sigh and parted my tightly shut lips.
"I yield."
"You've grown a lot, Luke."
With those words, Father withdrew his training wooden sword, and I did the same.
As was customary after a bout, I bowed to him in respect.
Father was mercilessly strict about such formalities—no exceptions, even for father and son.
"I heard from Lady Douglas that you're top of the Academy, but I never imagined you'd be this good. Honestly, you surprised me."
"I'm still sorely lacking."
"Humility is good, but don't lose your confidence. At your level, you'd survive just fine in the North."
No, that's...
I'd just heard that nonsense from Elena about joining the knights. My body twitched involuntarily at the thought. I really didn't want to join any knight order, even if it killed me.
Ignoring my reaction, Father continued proudly.
"I'm proud to see how hard you've worked these past ten years. Keep at it and protect Her Ladyship well."
"Yes, Father."
I answered calmly, though inwardly I seethed. Not a single swing of mine had touched him.
Of course, I couldn't show it, so I kept my usual blank expression.
That concluded our talk. Father greeted Elena and Evie before leaving promptly.
He didn't seem busy, so he was probably giving us a private space to chat. Or maybe he just felt awkward around highborn ladies.
If it were me, it'd be the latter.
That's when Elena and Evie, who had been watching from afar, approached.
"Luke, I saw your spar. I don't know much about swordsmanship, but you're definitely stronger than when you fought Sir Walter."
Elena spoke first, a faint, proud smile on her lips.
"You're too kind, Your Ladyship."
"Just stating facts. I'm proud to have you as my attendant."
She emphasized my attendant.
The intent was clear—Evie's brow furrowed slightly.
"Luke, I watched too."
"Glad if it helped..."
"Of course it did. I learned a ton about my own weaknesses."
"That's fortunate."
Truth be told, I'd been skeptical. Whether she could glean insights from watching me spar Father was entirely up to her.
Fortunately, Evie had sharp eyes. If she worked on those flaws, she'd be even stronger by the end of break.
I just hoped my self-proclaimed student's spot wasn't in jeopardy...
Well, that'd be a good problem. Friends getting stronger is great. Ideally, stronger than me, so she could snag some medals.
"I'm gonna get way stronger. Strong enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you."
"Yes, I'm sure you will, Miss Evie."
"When that day comes, I'll challenge you to a proper rematch. Give me a chance to make up for how foolish I was back then?"
She meant the day she first challenged me—the day she'd sworn off the sword.
I hadn't realized she still dwelled on it, but no reason to refuse.
"Of course, anytime."
"Thanks!"
Evie beamed and threw her arms around my neck.
"Miss Evie! What are you doing?! Get off my attendant!"
Elena, witnessing it right beside us, widened her eyes and tried prying her off—but overpowering Evie physically was near impossible.
I was just thoroughly embarrassed.
Just let it go already. I got beat up by Father; it hurts.
I left the Nineheart Barony a bit later.
With a faint jolt, the carriage started moving, and the barony manor gradually shrank in the distance.
Gazing out the window at it, I soon turned to Elena.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship."
"For what?"
"For the gifts to my parents."
Exactly that. She'd given presents to Father and Mother. I didn't know what they were, but it didn't matter—the gesture was enough.
"One thing, if I may ask...?"
"What?"
"Is something bothering you...?"
Elena's lips were pursed, her brow deeply furrowed. She was definitely upset about something.
"I don't know."
"I won't pry then."
As if. She just didn't want to talk about it.
I knew better than to push, so I shut my mouth.
Then Elena's foot climbed onto my knee. She'd slipped off her shoe sometime, revealing a pure white stocking.
"Standing all day made my legs ache."
"How may I assist, Your Ladyship?"
"Massage them."
What? Why would I massage your feet?
Despite my thoughts, my hands were already kneading her legs. I had no expertise, so I hoped it was okay.
"Have you ever massaged Miss Evie's legs?"
"Of course not."
"Good. Now work harder."
Her triumphant expression was like a commander fresh from victory.
I had no idea what battle she'd won, but her pout vanishing was satisfaction enough for me.
A little more time passed, and we arrived at Frozenheart Ducal Residence.
The duke, who had come to the annex, said,
"Elena, Luke, letters for you both."
He handed us each one.
They bore large golden seals—the Imperial Family. It seemed Erze had sent them.