A Talent for Learning, Part 4

My sparring match with Oliver was so one-sided it was almost anticlimactic. His stats, which surpassed Isaac's in every conceivable way, ensured that not a single one of my attacks could even graze his clothes.

"Whew... pant... I didn't realize the gap would be this wide."

"Haha! Honestly, I'm the one who's surprised. You don't look like someone who's only been training for a few days."

He said that to be nice, but anyone could see it was my utter defeat. Strength, speed, and combat instincts—I was outclassed in everything. As I knelt on the ground, gasping for breath, Oliver spoke up.

"I understand how frustrating it must feel. But don't worry too much. Just as Sir Isaac said, I think you'll improve in no time."

It was the exact same consolation Isaac had given me. A gentle reminder that I was doing well enough and shouldn't lose heart. Yet, his words did nothing to ease the knot in my chest.

I didn't have the luxury of taking things slow. The impending Total Lunar Eclipse Mercury had warned me about was one thing, but right now, the gap ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠between me and the members of Rosemary weighed heavier on my mind. At this rate, they would be the ones giving me a beatdown, not the other way around.

I can't let that happen. Not in a million years.

Revenge had to be mine, no matter what. I couldn't afford to be helpless when we crossed paths again. That was why I needed a skill.

"Brother, you mentioned earlier that you've acquired a skill, right?"

"Huh? Yeah, I did."

"If you don't mind... could you show it to me?"

Before I began refining the skill I had in mind, I wanted to see his in action first.

"Hmm. Normally, I wouldn't show it off so easily, but since my little brother is asking, of course I'll help."

"Thank you!"

Oliver picked up the wooden sword lying on the grass and stepped back to create some distance. Was he going to attack again? I pushed myself up, bracing a hand on my knee.

"Don't worry, just watch closely."

Seeing my tense expression, Oliver let out a soft chuckle. What was he about to show me?

The blue moonlight filtering through the clouds illuminated his face. His smile vanished, replaced by a razor-sharp gaze. I couldn't help but focus all my attention on him.

"Here I come,"

Oliver muttered quietly. He raised the wooden sword above his head. At the same time, his right foot lifted off the ground. And then—

BOOM!

An ear-splitting roar erupted. It was the sound of Oliver's foot stomping the ground. Immediately after, the earth trembled, and a shockwave washed over me.

A chill crept over my skin, sending goosebumps down both of my arms. The sheer pressure radiating from Oliver crushed down on my entire body. I couldn't move, nor could I make a sound.

By the time my hair, whipped up by the sudden gust of wind, finally settled, Oliver was grinning broadly.

"Whew. Well, how was it?"

"...Wh-what?"

"Haha, are you alright?"

Before I, standing there like a mute who had eaten honey, could reply, a window on the second floor of the mansion swung open.

"Oliver! I told you not to do that here, you rascal! What in the world are you doing in the middle of the night?!"

"Eek! I'm sorry, Father!"

At Liam's booming scolding, Oliver quickly hid the wooden sword behind his back. The lecture continued for quite a while, leaving Oliver's face flushed with embarrassment.

"Ugh, I was too hasty. I could have just shown you tomorrow morning."

"I-I'm sorry. It's my fault for asking..."

"No, no. I wanted to show you anyway, so don't worry about it."

Relieved to see him back to his usual self, I let out a soft sigh.

"Brother, what exactly was that just now?"

"Haha, it's just a simple Roar."

"A roar?"

"Yes. In my case, I use this technique to suppress the opponent's spirit right at the start. Did it seem to work on you?"

"...Yes, very much so."

The surprise was even greater because it was a technique I hadn't expected at all. I opened Oliver's status window to check the skill I had just witnessed.

Indeed, I had seen similar skills in the games I used to play. The skill Oliver demonstrated was one that inflicted psychological damage.

"Skills are quite diverse, aren't they?"

"Indeed. You will learn them one by one in the future as well."

Seeing my interest in skills, Oliver began to explain various things. He said that the time it takes to learn a skill and the types of skills vary greatly from person to person. In other words, the skill I had in mind was within the realm of possibility.

Seeing my eagerness to acquire a skill, Oliver expressed the same concern Isaac had.

"I understand you want to learn quickly, but wouldn't it be better to invest in the basics rather than a skill for now?"

"I have no intention of neglecting the basics. It's just that there's a technique I absolutely need."

"Oh? What is it?"

I grinned and said to him,

"Brother, do you know anything about quick-draw swordplay?"

The next morning.

Having woken up early at dawn, I was practicing while recalling the quick-draw technique Oliver had shown me.

It was definitely closer to a straight line.

With my left foot pulled far back, I positioned the wooden sword at my waist. An efficient path to shave off even a fraction of a second. I had swung the sword hundreds of times since last night, trying to find that perfect sensation.

Whoosh—

Still not enough. Faster!

Whoosh—

I was still nowhere near Oliver's speed. Should I lower my upper body more? Put more weight on my left foot? I was caught up in these thoughts when—

"Young master, what are you doing?"

"Ah. Good morning, Master."

"Are you not going down to the village today?"

"I should have told you in advance, I'm sorry. If it's alright, I'd like to do some personal training today."

For a split second, I thought I saw a smile flicker across Isaac's face.

"Is that so? What brings this on today?"

"I wanted to try learning the custom skill you mentioned yesterday."

"Excuse me?"

Isaac's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me you're practicing that right now...?"

"That's right."

"Young master! I think you misunderstood me. While skills are indeed important, I meant for you to take your time learning them. It's not something that happens overnight..."

"I know. Just one day is all I need."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"What? What do you mean by that?"

It was the reaction I had expected. A look of concern, just like Oliver's. A guy who had only been learning swordsmanship for a week was already planning to acquire a skill. Naturally, it would look absurd to him.

But even so, I had to be stubborn. The skill I had in mind wasn't something I could explain with words.

"I can learn it in a day. Please let me practice on my own just for today."

"...It looks like you're practicing a quick-draw, but that is not a technique you can pick up so quickly."

"Then you can check for yourself tomorrow. You won't be able to block it."

Faced with my firm resolve, Isaac looked flustered. Realizing I wouldn't back down, he was the first to give in.

"Very well. Since you insist... However, I have a condition."

"Yes?"

"If I block your skill tomorrow, you must follow my instruction without question from then on."

"Of course."

I didn't plan on spending a long time training this skill anyway. I intended to continue Isaac's basic training afterward, so the condition posed no problem.

In the end, as Isaac walked away after agreeing to meet tomorrow, his steps seemed somewhat light. I thought I heard whistling in the distance, but surely I was imagining things.

I turned back and immersed myself in training once more.

The deadline was tomorrow, just as promised.

I had to complete the skill by then, no matter what.

There was only one reason I was so obsessed with this skill.

"You girls are dead meat. Seriously."

My goal wasn't just set on tomorrow. I was looking much further ahead, targeting the subjects of my revenge.

Once again, I took the quick-draw stance. I lowered my upper body and looked straight ahead. I imagined a virtual enemy before me.

You pathetic pig.

I gripped the wooden sword with all my might.

I'm going to beat you to a pulp.

Whoosh!

The power was different from before. Rapid speed, a straight path. Cutting through the wind like an arrow, the thrust wooden sword flew toward her head.

The promised day dawned. Right on time for the morning walk, Isaac arrived at the mansion's front yard as usual.

"Young master, are you well-prepared?"

"Of course. You'd better be careful."

I replied to Isaac's greeting with a voice full of confidence.

"Haha, at this point, even I am curious. What on earth have you prepared?"

"See for yourself. Heheh."

Liam, Oliver, and Albert had also come out to the yard to watch the duel.

"Oh...! Son, I am looking forward to this."

"I'm expecting a great quick-draw, Yeong-sik!"

"Please show us the fruits of your hard work, young master."

Because I had blabbed to Oliver, I ended up drawing everyone else's attention. It wasn't that I lacked confidence, but it wasn't exactly a proud skill to display in front of everyone.

After all...

What I prepared isn't actually a quick-draw.

Unaware of the sweat trickling down my neck, Isaac looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.

"As you said, you only need to land a single successful attack on me. If you do, I will recognize ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that you have acquired the skill."

"I'll keep that in mind."

We gripped our wooden swords at our respective positions. Following Albert's signal to start, I placed my hand on the hilt.

I took the quick-draw stance once again. A posture lowered as much as possible for a straight-line attack, just as I had practiced. I raised my head and looked at Isaac.

"Is it a quick-draw after all? Just how much did you improve in a single day..."

"I'll show you right now."

Isaac, who usually held his sword with one hand, gripped the wooden sword tightly with both hands this time, preparing for the attack. There was not a shred of carelessness in his posture.

The opponent was by no means easy.

How could I overcome Isaac, whose stats were nearly double mine in almost every category?

The answer I came up with was simple.

Naturally, it's impossible.

I broke my stance and stood up straight. Then, holding the wooden sword pointing toward the ground, I walked toward him.

"What are you...?"

"Don't be so tense. I just wanted to get a bit closer."

"I don't know what you're plotting, but I won't let my guard down just because of this."

As expected of a former knight commander.

I stopped just outside Isaac's attack range. Now, all the preparations were complete.

Let's see you block this.

"What? Stop the match, Father?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

In that instant, Isaac's head turned backward. Isaac, Liam, and I were standing in a straight line. I had deliberately arranged our ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠positions for this very moment.

The split second Isaac looked away to check on Liam.

I had been waiting solely for this moment.

0.5 seconds.

I quickly took the quick-draw stance. Wooden sword at my waist, left foot pulled back, right hand resting gently on the hilt. Everything was exactly as practiced.

Another 0.5 seconds.

I channeled instantaneous power into both legs. My body lunged forward as the wooden sword was drawn. No deviation in the sword's path was allowed. The sword extended straight and true.

Whoosh!

Isaac snapped his head back to look at me. But it was already too late.

"Hieek!"

Freeze.

My wooden sword stopped precisely in front of his Adam's apple. Isaac swallowed hard, trying to process the situation. The yard fell dead silent. Me, Isaac, and the spectators—everyone was lost for words.

"Well? You couldn't block it, could you?"

"...Wh-what in the world..."

Isaac blinked in disbelief as he stared at me.

"You can know ten fathoms of water, but not one fathom of a person's heart."

"Pardon?"

"In short, it's a technique called Yeolmulhansok."

"..."

Isaac stood there with his mouth agape. Well, it made sense. He was probably marveling at my naming sense, which was infinitely cooler than his Double Sword Art.

I shrugged my shoulders, feeling a deep sense of pride.