Swordsmanship Fundamentals
Rizmel's detailed explanation made it clear: the method I'd used was little more than a cheap trick. Not finding victory within the rules, but exploiting their loopholes to win. But as a solo player, I had no choice. I couldn't tackle things by the textbook. I had to find and use anything I could. With my mindset wired this way, the outcome of this 'test' was inevitable.
"Normally, you'd identify the sword path where the attack comes in and correct your movements accordingly, but you... are you like that because you're human?"
"Doubt it."
"Haa, fine. The humans I know are smart and quick learners. You must just be the weird one."
Rizmel sighed, rubbing her forehead. She pondered for a moment, then spoke again.
"Anyway, yeah, you did well. I think I need to learn to use that kind of approach too."
She patted my shoulder and continued.
"But tricks are for when your skills aren't enough yet. Your fundamentals are way too lacking."
Spot on. If my basic swordsmanship had been solid, I wouldn't have needed to make such a spectacle of the fight. Same with that elf knight last time. If I'd been superior in swordsmanship, I could've won cleanly. I was just patching up my weak basics with flashy gimmicks that bordered on circus acts. That's why I knew this approach had limits—and why I'd decided to learn proper swordsmanship here.
"For starters, the way you swing the sword is crude. You're treating it like an axe or a cleaver. No wonder the weapon gets damaged."
Watching Rizmel explain like this, I was even more convinced I'd made the right call joining the dark elves. Finding a teacher this good anywhere else would be impossible.
Rizmel took one look at my fighting style and decided to start from the absolute basics. Skipping just the pure stamina drills like swinging the sword a hundred times in place, she ran me through the exact course she taught young dark elves. Her instruction wasn't just top-tier—it was incredibly patient too. For theory, she'd swap out any confusing terms to make them easier for me to grasp. For practice, she'd grab my arms and hands from behind, guiding my movements directly.
Of course, during those guidance sessions, two massive presences pressed firmly against my back, radiating an overwhelming aura. But her lessons were so captivating that it barely registered. Well, not barely—I noticed, okay? Can't help it, right?
Anyway, Rizmel's swordsmanship class dragged on for nearly half a day. Even though I was starting from scratch, she praised how quickly I picked it up. Probably because all my makeshift sword tricks from before gave me a solid base to build on.
After the lesson, we redid the shadow puppet duel from the beginning.
-Slash!
I'd only blended dark elf techniques into my original style, but the results were night and day. The five shadow puppets were mostly taken down in one or two strikes.
Intermediate Swordsmanship Level 2
My beginner swordsmanship skill had evolved straight to intermediate, hitting level 2 in one go. I'd achieved my goal of reaching intermediate in less than a day. Damn, this is what a master sword instructor brings to the table. Back when I was a student, I never got why anyone paid premium for online lectures. But real high-end teaching? It's on another level. Nothing like those idiots on open forums spewing bullshit as 'pro tips' while claiming to be sword masters.
"Whoa... so this is real swordsmanship."
"Heh, told you. Getting it now?"
I was marveling at my rapid improvement when Rizmel shrugged smugly. Normally, her cockiness would make me want to nitpick just to knock her down a peg—classic student move—but not this time. That electric thrill of real growth after so long? Honestly, maybe I should bow and call her master. Nah, not really, but you get how good it felt.
I pulled up the quest window. The first objective was marked complete.
1. Complete Rizmel's Basic Training Stage 3(COMPLETE)
I hadn't noticed the stage divisions while learning, but this meant I'd cleared the basics. If what I just learned was only foundational, how insane would the advanced stuff be? Most top rankers topped out at intermediate for non-magical skills—would I hit advanced here? Unfortunately, today's sword lesson ended there.
"Alright, that's it for today. Can't keep a newbie out past sunset."
"I'm fine with more."
"Rest is training. Quit arguing and just rest!"
I didn't want to wear Rizmel out and tank her affinity, so I nodded. No intention of actually resting, though. Reviewing what I'd learned would burn through till dawn easy.
Night deepened.
After sword training with Rizmel, I returned to the room I'd been using as lodging. Better to grind solo inside than wander outside. And waiting in the room was Elenoir.
"Welcome back, my dear."
She lounged seductively on the bed in thin loungewear.
What the hell was I looking at? I'd glimpsed her naked in the bath once, but this hit different. No clue what was going on, but my fingers instinctively hunted for the interface capture button.
"Heard you shone in the scouting party. Took down a monstrous beast, just you and Rizmel."
"Uh, yeah, something like that."
"It's got my spirits up. We can accelerate the plan now."
Her 'plan' meant using me as an excuse to break off her engagement to the high elf prince. Epic quest progressing faster? Good news for me too.
"So, I figured I'd reward you. We clicked at first sight, right? Sharing a bed should be fine?"
Elenoir smiled alluringly, beckoning me closer with a teasing wave. Any challenger—or any guy with a working lower half—would fold. But after chatting with Rizmel, I knew how dark elves viewed humans.
Staring at Elenoir with that in mind... yeah, it felt off. Like eyeing a crazy pervert. Dark elves, with their long lifespans, treated humans like total kids. Not just any kids—adorable ones. Elder blacksmith Erwen, middle-aged by their standards, doted on me like grandkid. Younger ones like Rizmel and the scouts treated me like a little brother or a cute pet. Elenoir was among the youngest dark elves, but probably no different at core.
This setup? High school or college girl teasing an elementary boy. Factor in the species gap—
Kinda creepy hybrid vibe.
"Ahaha, kidding! Your reactions never get old!"
Even calling it a joke, she kept that predator gleam. What to do with this beast? Hope she'd leave soon. I had sword practice.
Luckily—or whatever—Elenoir didn't pounce right away. Seemed she had business beyond teasing. I grabbed a chair and sat.
"You're learning swordsmanship from Rizmel, right?"
"Yeah."
"Smart move. Your swordplay had this precarious edge."
Come to think of it, Elenoir had seen me fight. Might know my skills better than Rizmel. Looking back now, with my freshly rebuilt fundamentals, yeah—it was sloppy. Inventory switching tactics, juggling weapons mid-fight. Beating the high elf knight aside, it was more circus than combat. Must've looked shaky to her eyes.
"Yeah, it was like your sword and you weren't on the same page. Not necessarily bad."
"Won't be an issue anymore. My skills are shooting up."
"Hope so. The stronger you get, the smoother my plan goes. Looking forward to it."
Elenoir added that if there was anything she could help with, just call. Not yet, but soon she'd teach me something good.
"Something good?"
Her outfit and gaze made it sound super shady. Right after, she vanished into the shadows with a 'secret for now.'
What the hell? Whatever—alone again. I spent the night practicing Rizmel's techniques.