Who Asked Who Has the Greatest Talent?
At that moment, Cael was chatting idly with Isabel in his residence.
From Earth to the martial world, having a blood-related family was a novel experience for Cael, so his conversation with Isabel proved more engaging than expected. Moreover, he could naturally sense how much the original owner of this body had cherished the sister before him.
"By the way, Brother, are you really okay? I heard you went through something huge in Vollex Territory!"
Isabel began scrutinizing Cael's face closely. He stared straight into her eyes. In that gaze, he could detect nothing but pure worry.
"As you can see, I'm fine. Vollex was pretty entertaining, actually."
"Really?"
As Cael looked at Isabel, a vague sense of displeasure crept over him.
What is this...? There's no reason for me to feel annoyed.
Then Cael realized the cause. It was Isabel's outfit that rubbed him the wrong way.
Is this my feeling, or the original Cael's...? Not sure.
"By the way, that outfit is far too unseemly. As a duke's lady, mind your propriety a bit."
At Cael's remark, Isabel's eyes widened as she looked down at her clothes.
"This is the latest fashion, didn't you know? It's light and easy to move in, so everyone wears stuff like this when sweating it out in training."
"...Even the men?"
"Yep! The knights say it shows their muscle movement better, so they all dress like this!"
Cael's brow furrowed deeply. It was the greatest source of discomfort he'd felt since arriving in this romance fantasy world. Just imagining it made his eyesight feel like it was deteriorating.
"I'd sooner die and come back to life than ever wear something like that."
"Tch, I'm not suggesting you do. Ah! It's just so nice chatting with you after so long!"
Isabel burst into giggles and clung to Cael's arm. As he gazed at her, he suddenly sensed a faint flow of energy within her body and narrowed his eyes.
"Hm. What sort of training have you been doing?"
"What's with that speech...? You sound like Grandpa...."
"Lying in bed too long does that to you."
At Cael's question, Isabel pouted and sighed.
"I don't really know. No teacher to guide me... Even sneaking peeks at the knight order's sword manuals, they're all too complicated and tough... I just sweat it out endlessly."
"Let me see your wrist?"
"My wrist? H-Here...?"
Isabel blushed slightly and extended her wrist. Cael took her pulse and slowly traced her meridians.
Hm, no mistake then... Why is there anti-demon energy flowing here?
Anti-demon energy. The pure, righteous qi that shattered evil and filthy demons. It was the hallmark of Shaolin, the martial world's Mount Tai and Big Dipper.
The temperament of emitting unyielding, straight qi that rejected all corruption, rooted in Buddhist enlightenment. And it was emanating from the frail lady of a duke's house.
Teaching Shaolin monk martial arts to a noble duke's daughter...?
Just picturing it was absurdly mismatched. Silver hair whipping as she unleashed Shaolin's Luohan Fist or Vajra Indestructible Body to pummel villains—it flashed through his mind. A thick smile spread across Cael's lips.
This could be fun....
"Want me to take a look at your swordsmanship?"
Isabel's eyes widened like saucers at Cael's sudden offer.
"You, Brother? Really? Do you know swordsmanship?"
"Of course. Didn't you see my subordinates? I trained them all personally. They'd hold their own anywhere."
Isabel nodded vigorously.
"I heard! One of your guards smashed the entire guard unit, right?!"
"Yeah, something like that happened."
"Must be someone with insane talent!"
"Talent... If we're talking talent, the others outshine Weger."
"For real? Who's the most talented? Include me!!"
Cael chuckled at Isabel's pure curiosity and glanced out the window.
"Hm, talent..."
Where his gaze lingered: a doghouse with a wooden sign reading Oliver, standing empty and waiting for its owner.
Shing—!
Clang!
Kaaang—!
Kwa-gaga-gak—!
With a thunderous clash of metal, Gilbert's form skidded backward.
"N-No way! M-Me, pushed back by a mere pup?!"
A scream of shock burst from Gilbert's mouth.
"Urgh!! I won't lose!!"
His sword charged again, spewing blue aura, but it sliced only empty air.
Tzzt—!
Once more, Oliver's form vanished like a mirage before Gilbert's eyes. The golden retriever, man-sized, bounded across the training ground with light footwork, soaring through the air.
All that remained was the golden afterimage Oliver left behind. It was the footwork Cael had adapted for a beast's four paws.
The explosive power from four paws kicking the ground far surpassed the speed two human legs could produce.
"There!!"
Gilbert swung horizontally with all his might at the presence behind him.
Kaang—!
The deafening clang shook the training ground. Gilbert's eyes bulged.
Blocking his sword was Oliver's front paw, thick with aura. Aura-clad blade met beast's pad, sparking and ringing like metal on metal.
"Guh!! What nonsense is this!!"
Gilbert's wrist went numb, his body shoved back hard. Oliver landed lightly and tilted its head at him.
Its bright eyes gleamed. Clear emotion shone in those pupils.
Oh? Blocked that, huh? Not bad.
That relaxed gaze, like a master appraising an amateur's skills! Gilbert was too dumbfounded for anger.
No illusion. The dog was definitely toying with him—testing his swordsmanship's basics without full power, playing around.
A dog giving pointers to a knight captain. Insanity.
"This can't be real! Me, a knight captain, toyed with by a beast!!"
As Gilbert roared in fury, Weger, arms crossed in the corner, guffawed.
"Kuhahaha!! How's that!! The overwhelming might of Oliver, weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings!!"
At Weger's taunt, Oliver whipped its head toward him and barked fiercely.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!!"
Weger flinched and shrugged. Watching, Ella called out.
"What? Oliver? Next up is Weger!?"
Weger shuddered.
"Wha!? N-No! I misspoke! Oliver, strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings! I-I'm rooting for you, sir!"
As Weger waved frantically, Oliver snorted and started turning away—
Gilbert seized the opening, charging Oliver's blind spot with rage-fueled fury.
"Daring to look away mid-spar!? Don't underestimate me, you mutt!!"
Aura lanced straight for Oliver's side. Perfect speed and power—Gilbert's lifelong masterpiece strike.
But.
Shu-shuk—
Oliver's four paws irregularly propelled off the ground. Dodging right, then snapping left, plunging forward. Zigzag maneuvers impossible for human joints.
Gilbert's all-out strike cleaved only golden afterimage, scattering into the air.
Then.
Gilbert realized his miss. A deep shadow fell over his face.
"Huh...?"
Flash—!
Above his head, Oliver descended with the sun at its back, front paw swirling golden inner energy.
Paak—!
"Gahk!!!"
Oliver's hefty paw slammed dead-center into Gilbert's face. A dull crunch like a collapsing nose, and Gilbert spun through the air before crashing into the sand.
Kwa-dang-tang—!
A perfect dog paw print stamped on his face's center, Gilbert lay spread-eagled, staring at the sky. Through stars swirling in his vision, Oliver spun gracefully, landing and howling victory.
"Woofwoooo!! Pant pant pant!!"
Tail wagging, howling skyward—the triumphant victor. Seeing that majestic pose, Gilbert muttered hollowly.
"D-Damn... I-I lost...."
Total defeat. An overwhelming gap in martial prowess, no excuses.
Silence blanketed the Blue Wolf Knights' training ground.
"Hey... Rachel... Am I dreaming right now?"
"Same here, so don't make me talk."
Not just the sprawled Gilbert found it unbelievable. Vice-Captain Simon and adjutant Rachel behind him stood frozen, mouths agape.
Their captain slacked on training and spouted nonsense habitually, sure—but his swordsmanship was never weak.
The beastman knight captain's seat demanded clawing through brutal power struggles. For such an Expert powerhouse to get floored by a golden dog's paw? Bards singing it would get called lies and cursed.
Ella stepped forward with a gentle smile toward the dazed Gilbert.
"Hard to believe, I know, but just months ago, we were ordinary folk clueless about anything. I was a maid doing cooking and sweeping, Weger a annex guard."
Ella stroked Oliver's fluffy head, continuing.
"Oh, Oliver too. Just a big ol' dog back then."
Gilbert propped himself up, stammering.
"Wh-What? From maid and guard? How's that possible! How'd you gain such absurd skills...!"
"All thanks to Young Master's teachings."
Pride for Cael colored Ella's voice.
"R-Really? Young Master taught you swordsmanship himself?"
"Of course. Why would we lie to you, Captain? Young Master said swordsmanship, like clothes, must fit each person. And he opened the perfect path for each of our natures and talents."
As Ella finished, Oden, arms crossed, nodded and stepped up.
"Mm, Ella's right. Same for me. Felt like forcing ill-fitting clothes—stuck at growth's wall, frustrated. Obsessed with speed, trapped in swift sword limits."
Oden gripped his sword hilt, meeting Gilbert's eyes squarely.
"But after Young Master's guidance and one demonstration, enlightenment struck. Saw the true path for my sword. Captain, didn't you feel something sparring Oliver?"
Even Vollex's top knight Oden spoke with such conviction—Gilbert couldn't deny it anymore.
Oden's "ill-fitting clothes" metaphor matched perfectly the stifling limit Gilbert had felt for years at Expert level.
It was the breakthrough opportunity he'd thirsted for, a step higher.
Flames ignited in Gilbert's eyes. Shame of losing to a dog? Forgotten.
His mind filled with the true sword path worth a lifetime—and the one who could reveal it.
Gilbert shook off the dirt and sprang up. Turning to stunned Simon and Rachel, he bellowed.
"Vice-Captain! Adjutant!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Simon and Rachel jumped, responding.
Ridiculous with a dog print smack in his face's center, but Gilbert bellowed with captainly dignity.
"Our knight order's liege has finally appeared!! From this moment, the entire Blue Wolf Knights follow Young Master!!!"
Bleeding from the nose via beast paw, yet beaming the world's brightest smile—the knight captain.
The moment the Blue Wolf Knights fully defected to Cael.