Mending the Danjeon (2)
"That's all for today, my lady."
"Ah, no! I can keep going. Miss Iris! I'm still bursting with energy!"
"No. Any more would be pushing yourself too far, my lady. Let's end here for today and rest."
"Ugh..."
Sara's swordsmanship tutor, Iris, gazed at the girl with pity as she set down her wooden sword. Sara was a complete mess after their sparring match.
It had already been three months since Iris was chosen as the private instructor for the Brace Duchy's young lady. In all that time, she had taught Sara the blade, yet she could never quite shake the pity that rose in her chest with every lesson.
"We'll rest and resume again tonight. Continuing now would only strain your body."
"Instructor! ...Please. Just one more round. Truly, only once...!"
"Lady Sara."
Iris spoke her name in a tone that was expressionless yet carried unshakable resolve. Sara fell silent and simply stared at her. She already knew the words that would follow.
"That is all for today."
The moment she heard them, Sara bit her lip in frustration and hung her head. After a long pause, she answered in a voice thick with suppressed resentment.
"...Understood."
Iris turned away from Sara, who remained bowed in self-reproach. As she left the training grounds, a quiet sigh escaped her.
"...Haah."
The talent of the girl she was teaching was painfully slight. That was precisely why watching her struggle so desperately filled Iris with unavoidable pity.
She must be desperate to catch up to her mother, the Sword Master.
Bella Brace, the late mistress of the Brace Duchy, had been a Sword Master praised across the nation. Even compared to Iris herself, another Sword Master of the same rank, Bella had possessed far superior qualities. With her own graceful, original sword style and a Danjeon far larger than that of ordinary people, she had claimed the rank of Sword Master in the blink of an eye. She was a true genius of the blade, a master without equal.
Had she not died giving birth to her son, she would likely be wandering the world even now, protecting unfortunate citizens from magical beasts.
Yet her daughter has no talent to speak of.
When Iris was first selected as tutor, she had been thrilled at the prospect of teaching Bella Brace's daughter. But it had not taken long for her to realize the girl lacked any real gift. Seeing her strive so hard to follow in her mother's footsteps despite that absence of talent left Iris with nothing but pity.
At best, her talent might reach the level of a Sword Expert.
"Haah."
Releasing another sigh heavy with concern, Iris headed for the bath in the guest quarters to wash the sweat from her body. As she walked, she considered how best to guide Sara more efficiently once evening came.
That was when she heard it.
"Haaap!"
A powerful shout rang out from somewhere nearby. It came from the backyard, a place rarely visited by the maids or butler.
What could that be...?
Curiosity stirred. Iris quietly pressed herself against the wall and peeked beyond it.
"Haaap!"
A heavyset young man was practicing swordsmanship in the rear garden.
Cian Brace, the second son...?
With visible effort, he controlled his bulky frame and repeatedly executed vertical slashes, the most basic form of the Three Talents sword technique.
I was told he was a good-for-nothing with no interest in swords or magic...
Seeing him train alone in such a secluded spot ignited her interest.
Maybe I'll watch for just a moment...
Though it pricked her conscience, Iris was already caught in the grip of curiosity.
"Haaap!"
Cian widened his eyes and swung the blade with sharp precision.
Whooong!
Each shout was followed by a fierce strike driven solely by correct core strength and the bare minimum of arm muscle. The sound was crisp and powerful.
Oh...?
Iris rested a hand beneath her chin, impressed.
So the rumors of him having no interest in swordsmanship were nonsense.
His movements were clearly those of someone who had swung a sword with consistency. These were not actions that would appear if he had neglected training at the academy. His level was comparable to Sara's current skill, perhaps even a touch more refined.
"Haap!"
Cian unleashed a second strike. It was excellent. She could see the clear intent to eliminate unnecessary motion compared to the previous swing. Yet it was not completely free of excess. There was still too much power behind it. Even if he meant to reduce his strength, his arm should flow after the blade more naturally, like water.
I can't watch this any longer.
Ever the meddlesome sort, Iris stepped out and approached him. At that moment, Cian had just finished his set. He sat panting, clearly exhausted.
Iris came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Would you mind if I observed your sword work?"
"Uwaaak!"
Cian leaped up in shock, tumbling backward in a heap.
A soft chuckle escaped Iris. Startling people like this was one of her less admirable hobbies.
"W-who are you...?"
Cian stared at her with wide eyes.
"Ah, forgive my late introduction. I am Iris, the swordsmanship instructor recently appointed as Lady Sara's tutor."
"Iris...?"
Cian's eyes grew even larger. He must have heard the name. She was one of the mere three Sword Masters in the Brace Duchy. Iris was well-known for blending active mana manipulation with sword techniques.
Cian spoke with obvious excitement, as though confirming a legend.
"Iris! The actual Iris. Wow... seeing you in person for the first time... Well, of course it's the first time."
His reaction seemed a little too exaggerated, but she decided it didn't matter.
"Out of curiosity, I rudely spied on your training, Young Master. I apologize."
"Ah, no, please don't apologize. More importantly, did you really mean it when you offered to look at my swordsmanship...?"
"Yes. Lady Sara's lesson has just ended, and I have time to spare."
"That would be wonderful. Truly wonderful for me."
"Then I'll examine it right away. Which technique are you most confident with?"
"Um..."
Cian hesitated, looking troubled. Was he naturally shy?
After a brief silence, he finally spoke.
"The truth is... I don't know any sword techniques."
"...Pardon?"
What was this? If he had trained steadily at the academy, he should at least be able to perform basic first-form techniques. Was this his roundabout way of saying he didn't want to learn?
"If you're embarrassed, there's no need to force yourself. It seems I've interrupted your practice."
"No, that's not it! I really, truly haven't learned any forms at all."
"You haven't learned any forms...? Not even the first one?"
"That's correct."
"......"
Iris found it incomprehensible. How could he execute such foundational swordsmanship so skillfully while claiming he had never learned a single form?
"By any chance... how long have you been practicing with a sword?"
"...I just picked one up."
"......"
Was he joking? The vertical slashes she had secretly watched were the movements of a trained swordsman. It made no sense unless he was inflating his experience to earn praise.
"...Very well. In that case, I shall teach you the first form."
Iris gave a soft, inward snort, then picked up the wooden sword Cian had left on the ground. She demonstrated the most basic technique: the first form of the Thunder Sword Art.
Without relying on the Danjeon, using only the body, it was a foundational thrust as swift as lightning, meant to cripple an opponent.
Iris's body moved with supple grace. She drew the sword back for an instant, then closed the distance with agile footwork, spun, and thrust using the momentum.
Paang!
A fierce wave of sword energy split the air with a sharp crack.
"Ooh...!"
Cian clapped from behind, watching in awe.
"That was the basic first form of the Thunder Sword Art. Now that you've seen the example, please try to replicate it."
"Uh..."
He would probably copy it perfectly on the first try and boast about it. People seeking praise usually behaved that way. It was a common tactic to appear talented in front of high-ranking experts like Sword Masters and beg to become their disciple.
Unfortunately, Iris was not the sort to act without some benefit. She would never have taught Sara if not for the payment.
Just as that thought crossed her mind...
This is impossible!
Something that should not be happening was unfolding before her eyes.
His footwork was a clumsy mess, left and right feet tangling together. His rotation, though attempted, looked like his heavy body was simply flailing him around in an unsightly spin. And the final thrust could hardly be called an imitation at all.
Even an untrained observer could tell. This young master genuinely did not know how to perform the form.
What is going on...? Is he an incredibly skilled actor? But that wouldn't benefit him in any way.
Could the excellent vertical slashes from earlier have been pure luck?
No... She had watched him repeat the exact same vertical slash multiple times with her own eyes. That could not possibly be dismissed as mere luck.
"Um... Even I can tell this isn't right. Could you demonstrate it once more?"
...Had Cian truly picked up a sword for the very first time just moments ago?