Chapter 128
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Speak with the Sword -1-
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The reason why the proud scions of noble families, who rarely bowed their pride, moved in perfect unison at Roman's command wasn't just the fear deeply ingrained over time.
Unlike the Swordsmanship Department, the cadets in the Knight Department, who aimed solely to become knights, were willing to swallow their pride and seek lessons from an adventurer standing at the opposite end of the spectrum.
This once-a-week session was invaluable time. No matter how reluctant they were to admit it, they had come to feel it over the course of a semester that was neither too long nor too short.
Today's practical combat lesson covered everything from weapon types to styles without discrimination.
Between Roman and the academy cadets, there was such a vast skill gap that even if they wielded something they found tricky—bare hands or a rotten tree branch—he could still demonstrate its characteristics flawlessly.
Seria had developed a habit of blocking with her shield rather than dodging, so she constantly received pointed feedback on her flaws and desperately needed improvement. Her eyes sparkled especially brightly during this lesson.
Of course, attacks too fast to block with just a shield were a given.
She particularly struggled against opponents whose weight and strength overwhelmed her light frame, sending her flying.
"Cadet Seria Electra."
"Yes!"
Seria, standing at rigid attention in parade rest, responded with a thunderous voice that belied her size. Roman raised a standard-issue shield just like hers.
"Are you aware that there's a clear difference between techniques for handling a shield against humans and against monsters?"
"Yes, I am!"
"If you have a shield crafted by a master blacksmith or defensive gear infused with the alien power from dungeons or monsters, you won't need special techniques to block attacks up to a certain level. But that's only up to a point."
"..."
She looked like a puppy waiting eagerly for a toy... Seria stood motionless, hanging on his every word, already seeming unable to contain herself.
"When you face an enemy using aura or a monster that can crush a person like paper, relying on standard shield use will hit its limit. At that point, if you combine proper mana usage with shield-handling sense, even this simple standard-issue shield can block aura-infused weapons and create openings."
In a world where monsters could rival explosives using pure muscle power or that strange energy called mana, shield techniques were entirely different from his previous life.
"The first method requires bone-grinding amounts of practice, so it's hard to reach in today's lesson... But it'll help you in the future if you ponder it then. Let me show you an example."
"Thank you!"
"Swing your sword at the instructor."
Shring-!
There was no hesitation or 'Why?'. The moment he finished speaking, Seria swiftly drew her waist-mounted shortsword and slashed at Roman as fast as she could.
At the same instant, Roman's massive frame, impassively blocking her sword with his shield, filled Seria's green eyes.
Clang!
A jarring strike, as if her blade had failed to sever a stick bound in midair and instead sent it flying far away.
Roman's bulk smoothly rotated a full turn in the direction of her swing before settling back.
"Wha...?!"
Her face twisted in confusion at the unfamiliar feedback from her hand, so different from her usual sensations.
"To sum it up: I absorbed the cadet's force and redirected it with rotation. But spinning your body every time leaves openings against quick opponents and drains stamina like crazy. Swing again."
"Understood!"
Seria refocused her grip and swung. This time, even though he blocked standing in place, she felt the same empty sensation as before.
Thud-!
It was clearly the same standard-issue shield, yet it slipped away at the moment of impact—or so it felt. She understood her sword hadn't landed a proper hit.
"The big initial rotation was just an exaggerated demo to make it clear for the cadet. It might come in handy against large monsters someday..."
Instead of simply blocking with the shield, he deflected.
It could be done with a sword or spear too, but considering the blocking surface and shape, using a shield was undoubtedly lower difficulty and more efficient.
Mastering deflection and using it freely in combat required insane training volume, but persistent practice would get you there eventually.
"You said you dream of becoming an adventurer, right?"
"...Yes!"
"If you want to survive as one, prepare your defense more thoroughly than your offense from now on. If you just use a shield plainly against monsters with strength that rips human bodies like paper, you won't last long."
Roman thumped the shield in his hand with his fist, continuing his eye-level explanation.
"When facing trolls or ogres with beast-like intellect under attack. If you spot their strikes with your eyes and blindly block with your shield, your arm will shatter."
"Understood!"
Seria, whose eye level was much lower, listened with shining eyes. Seeing this, Roman was reminded of her sister Liliane and suppressed a chuckle as he continued his advice.
"Even adventurers or knights specialized in close combat who survive and earn their keep all know how to deflect with mana, whether instinctively or through training. Skill levels vary, of course."
Roman briefly taught her solo training methods and partner-assisted deflection drills, then offered a stopgap she could use right away.
"Until you master mana-infused hand techniques to redirect inhuman forces, when facing destructive power beyond your limits, time your defense and leap back simultaneously. Mastery of tumbling and soft landings is crucial."
Anticipating being sent flying by overwhelming force, he lifted Seria with one hand, tossed her a few times, and smacked her shield with his palm to send her airborne.
Seria's small body tumbled across the ground repeatedly, but she sprang back up tirelessly like a roly-poly toy.
Kudangtang-!
"If you can't gauge the distance or terrain with your dynamic vision, don't tuck your chin to protect your head. Just cover the back of your skull with the hand holding the shield."
She had the basics down—focusing on her navel when falling backward to protect her head—but he pointed out flaws in her clumsy mana use and landing posture.
"Adventurers can look ragged; surviving comes first. If you can't scan around midair, prioritize covering your head."
"One more time... please!"
Roman couldn't hold back a grin at Seria, who bounced up like a flopping fish, eager for another go.
'She's nothing like Liliane... but somehow similar.'
Seria and Liliane. The Electra sisters evoked the Dreitna sisters in some ways too.
Chloe confirmed it was her turn, sheathed the longsword she'd been swinging, and dashed forward to Roman.
Gone was the soft vibe from their private moments; she exuded a solemn discipline indistinguishable from the other cadets.
"Cadet Chloe Dreitna."
"Y-yes!"
"Any tricky styles or weapons giving you trouble? Or parts where you're stuck in training."
This made it even harder to recall the passionate night he'd glimpsed.
Contrary to expectations that she'd struggle to focus, his brotherly stern and serious tone steeled her resolve to perform properly.
'My weaknesses or stuck points...'
Thinking about it, she had tons of issues, but what came to mind for her current block was specific.
The Dreitna swordsmanship was more defensive than aggressive.
Her sister said constant practice would transcend that trait and reveal her own sword, but Chloe was overwhelmed just properly executing Dreitna techniques.
Especially since awakening aura hadn't led to the rapid growth curve she'd anticipated; she felt stuck in place.
"Lately... after using 'that' in outdoor class, I've drifted away from standard swordsmanship, feeling like my sword-handling skills are going in circles..."
He'd surely guessed 'that' meant aura.
No other cadets seemed to be watching closely, absorbed in their own training, but she worried anyway.
His advice rang in her ears: don't casually reveal your alert status unless it's someone you truly trust.
"Hmm—got a great tool, started relying on it, and now your swordsmanship feels stagnant?"
"Y-yes!"
Shing-!
The longsword in his hand sang crisply as it was drawn.
Even knowing he wouldn't harm her, the intimidation made her swallow dryly, breath catching.
"Draw your sword now. Swing at the instructor."
