Adaptation (4)
I thought the first hit was just carelessness on my part. I'd yielded the initiative, and he'd seized the opening to land a blow at an unexpected moment. That's why it counted as a valid strike. In the world of swordsmanship, there are no eternal victors or vanquished. The strong sometimes fall to the weak due to circumstance and luck, and this was just one such case.
That was Alpendir de Croa's conclusion.
Cowardly bastard. He cursed me inwardly, but deep down, he had to admit it. I'd struck with the perfect move at the perfect time to win.
His one miscalculation? He'd missed his perfect window.
"Guess I need to teach you a lesson too."
"Hm?"
"Never let a seized opportunity slip away. That's the lesson."
Alpendir drew his sword. The first form of the empire's greatest swordsmanship unfolded from his blade. A dazzling sword dance dazzled the eyes, its trajectory splitting beautifully, afterimages layering upon one another. Like wind slipping through blooming petals—
But hidden within was a single intent. Amid the flurry of feints, one thread of killing intent aimed straight for my nape...
Clang!
It didn't pierce.
Alpendir's eyes bulged wide. My wooden sword had perfectly blocked the path of his charging blade.
Something streaked past the smirking face of Leon, whose lips curled in mockery.
Thwack!
"Gaaahhh!"
He clutched his face and rolled on the ground. The side of his face throbbed like it'd been smashed by a hammer.
"Again."
"...Urk."
Alpendir scrambled to his feet. The pain lingered, but his body wasn't frail enough to crumble from this much. With the sensation sharp as ever, he launched his next attack without pause.
His wooden sword thrust long. In that split-second charge into my guard, he shifted his blade's path, targeting my waist.
Whoosh!
Alpendir's face lit up—then darkened. The sword sliced empty air. The recoil tilted his body left, where my knee awaited.
His vision flashed white, and suddenly the sky filled it. Alpendir realized he'd blacked out for a brief instant. His brain throbbed like it might split. His mind went blank, then pain flooded in.
"Again."
"Ugh... Aaaargh!"
Alpendir screamed as he rose. The moment he took a step, the world exploded in light. Something had perfectly kicked up his chin—he registered the sensation before his vision flipped.
The sky. The vast blue expanse felt strangely distant.
"Again."
Breath caught in his throat. He hadn't even seen the hit coming, and now the ground met him again. Lips trembling, Alpendir pushed himself up. His legs wobbled, balance shattered. But he couldn't fall. Forcing his center steady, he took a step.
And—thud.
Vision cut again. This time, he hadn't even glimpsed what struck.
"Again."
"Again."
"Again."
His chest tightened like it might burst. No air came in. His mouth gaped, but no sound emerged.
Yet his innate physique held firm. But the pain didn't fade. Each new impact overlaid the memory of the last before it even ended.
"What a fascinating body you have."
"..."
"After getting pummeled like this, anyone else would've had bones snap or blood spewing somewhere."
Alpendir looked up, trembling. I wasn't even breathing hard, no sweat on me. How? The question had long lost meaning. There was no other reason. I simply overwhelmed him.
"...H-How... how did you get so strong?"
In total disbelief, Alpendir asked.
"There's a misunderstanding."
"M-Misunderstanding?"
"I didn't get stronger. You just got that much weaker."
His hollow eyes stared down at him.
"Remember the last time you came to the training ground?"
"Th-That..."
Alpendir's eyes darted. When was it? Not yesterday, not the day before... A week? No. He'd been diligent at the start of freshman year... Normally, the answer would've come instantly, but now, nothing surfaced.
"No idea, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Figured. I could tell just by looking at your sword. Stance all sloppy, power not following through. No speed, obviously. It's all plain to me—where your force goes, where it's empty, even your next trajectory."
I exhaled lightly and chuckled.
"Dodging was easy. No need to even block."
My gaze settled slowly.
"Again."
That single word dropped like a sentence of punishment.
Alpendir exhaled shakily.
*
Thud. A stack of papers slammed onto the desk.
Swordsmanship professor Valteria glared down at me, her lower lip quivering faintly.
"I've told you how many times? Student spars require a supervisor present."
"...Yes."
I murmured softly, unable to meet her eyes.
"So, explain yourself."
Her tone was calm. But the emotion beneath was anything but.
Valteria's lips twisted upward.
"No matter how I spin it positively..."
Her fingers drummed the desk. Tap, tap.
"Sparring alone with the prince in the dead of night... It's like you wanted to flip off the professors. Or maybe some grudge against the academy. Otherwise, impossible."
Her gaze pinned me slowly.
"Is that it? Wanted to force every prof here into honorary retirement?"
"No, ma'am."
"Then what the hell!"
Valteria shuddered.
"Why the prince, of all people? Huh? If that precious body gets scratched, what do we do? They'll nail us for negligence or whatever, find any excuse to screw us over!"
"That won't happen. I have an agreement with His Highness."
"That's your business."
I pressed my lips shut. She was right, really. From a professor's view, this was a career-ending disaster. Especially for her, on night duty that dawn—it must've felt like the sky falling.
...Assuming it got out.
"...Haa."
A short sigh escaped her. She pinched her temple and shook her head.
"Let's call it nothing."
"..."
"You said I'm the only witness? So if I keep my mouth shut, we're good?"
"Yes. Pretty much."
"And you two won't breathe a word? Right?"
"Would we?"
No way I'd let it slip that I thrashed the prince in a duel—wouldn't end well for me either.
She grimaced, then nodded desperately.
"You have to keep it quiet. Promise?"
"Of course."
"Fine... Get out."
Valteria waved me off. I turned without another word.
Even as my hand touched the doorknob, her stare bored into my back. It felt like my life hung on her lips—unsettling.
"...What is it?"
Outside the office, Serphina waited.
"Nothing much."
"The usual indecency charge?"
"...No."
Serphina's face darkened further. Gave me a rough idea of how I'd been living back then.
I couldn't spill details due to our pact, but this much was fine.
"Don't worry too much."
"Yes... Understood."
She didn't buy it. Not even my sole vassal trusted me—pathetic.
Then.
"Ah..."
Familiar faces at the hall's end. Ellie and her ragtag suitors.
Ellie spotted me, her face brightening as she raised a hand—then lowered it. Why? My expression screamed unwelcome.
Her eyes went vacant; she stepped back, then approached hesitantly. Finally mustering courage, her lips parted.
"L-Le... Leon. Did you read my letter..."
"Enough. Let's go."
Alpendir cut her off. Not just words—he grabbed her wrist outright.
"Wh-what?"
Her startled gasp leaked out, but he ignored it. No hesitation, no glance back—he dragged her away.
The other guys trailed belatedly, shooting me puzzled looks before hurrying after.
Their distance grew swiftly. Alpendir never once looked back.
As if no one had been there from the start.
I liked that, oddly.