Held by the shoulder by Elias, Leo stared blankly at Hans and Lucas.

He had gone to Bavaria as soon as class ended, but Elias had immediately grabbed him and brought him here, saying he’d show him a good spectacle.

Coincidentally, he had never seen Lucas spar with someone else. It didn’t seem like a bad idea to watch and find something to advise him on.

Of course, that was merely a secondary reason.

‘To think he’d try to claim the grading was wrong after seeing the movements *I* taught him. He needs to keep his denial of reality in check.’

Leo thought this as he looked at Hans’s face.

Hans was overly excited. But even amidst his excitement, his movements were quite precise.

Clang!

Lucas pushed Hans’s sword away and retreated.

Leo’s eyes dissected Lucas’s movements one by one.

His response method and speed, the precision with which he parried attacks—all were perfect.

Just then, Elias cast a soundproofing spell and snickered.

“Hey~ That’s totally you.”

“No. I deliberately taught him differently so our styles wouldn’t overlap.”

Leo rested his chin on his hand and muttered, his lip movements hidden.

[Are you just going to keep dodging like a rat?!]

[Weren’t you just talking about technique?]

“Like that changes easily? Looks like you’ll have to be the one to change your style now, huh?”

“Only you can tell because you’ve seen me since we were kids. Others wouldn’t know.”

[First, calm down. Is there any point in sparring in this state?]

[…You…]

“Oh, oh oh! That guy…!”

“Hey!”

At the surprised shouts from the surroundings, Elias stopped laughing and fixed his gaze on the two.

Kaaaang!

Even against the irregular move that showcased Hans’s skill, Lucas stably turned his sword and blocked Hans’s attack.

For a moment, deep bewilderment clouded Hans’s face.

Elias’s eyes widened in admiration.

“…Ooh~”

“……”

Leo tightened the grip of the hand supporting his chin.

The corners of his lips curled up involuntarily.

Honestly, he’d never found watching others spar interesting.

Most of the time, no matter how he looked at it, both sides were just mediocre.

But, this time….

‘Not bad.’

Both Lucas’s skills, which had improved like crazy over the past four months, and this spectacle.

Leo tried hard to maintain a blank expression as he fixed his gaze on the two.

* * *

What did I want him to do?

Obviously….

“…Come at me properly!”

Hans roared in a voice laced with anger.

To that, Askanian replied with a smile.

“Alright.”

Kwaang—!

The tip of Askanian’s sword turned upward, pushing Hans’s sword away. Simultaneously, both kicked off the ground and retreated. Without delay, Hans used the rebound to charge at Askanian.

Kaang!

Askanian didn’t deflect the sword but received it directly.

Hans’s eyes narrowed. He couldn’t sense any hesitation in blocking the sword coming at him. It was the kind of stability that suggested he had received attacks tens, no, thousands of times already.

“I have a question.”

Kkigik—

“Retreating is also a technique, so why do you think only charging forward counts as coming at me properly? Surely, *you* should know that.”

So you have the mental space to talk.

Hans put strength into his arm.

He intended to break Askanian’s sword, but the guy’s blade still showed no tremor.

‘A beginner would usually be so focused on blocking the sword that they’d adopt a stance straining their wrist.’

For a moment, a look of realization flickered across Askanian’s face.

Hans found that odd and suddenly channeled Magic Power into his arm.

Hwiik—

Only then did Askanian’s blade change direction and slip away.

If this is the trajectory, the next attack will strike down diagonally from the top right. As expected, Askanian’s sword swiftly moved upwards.

‘There’s no reason to follow along when the next move is so obvious.’

Hans channeled Magic Power and rushed towards Askanian’s side. Simultaneously, Hans’s sword extended far.

Chaeng!

“…!”

Having increased the distance, Askanian had somehow already twisted his body to block Hans’s sword.

Neither Askanian’s sword nor his eyes showed a single tremor; they were perfectly still.

Far from being flustered by the variable, it was as if he was granting the request to ‘come at him properly, don’t dodge’—he retreated just enough distance calculated for their swords to clash.

‘…….’

Hans scanned Askanian’s posture. He should have lost his balance after such a sharp turn, but the guy remained steady.

‘…Hadn’t he not learned this? I thought he’d be overwhelmed by now due to lack of skill.’

No. I can’t keep being surprised.

Despite the difference in our learning time, the fact that this guy is evenly matched with me means I’m too agitated and missing something important.

“You really are skilled.”

Just as Hans took a deep breath to steady himself, Askanian spoke slowly.

“But there are a few things I want to point out.”

Askanian lightly tapped his pommel two or three times. The white blade vanished, replaced by a pitch-black wooden sword the same color as his wand.

Hans momentarily let out a breath in disbelief.

‘Is he pulling out a wooden sword while facing me?’

Even if it’s a sword made of Magic Power, it’s true that the blade is relatively dull, and the very resolve to respond with a practice sword is problematic.

Askanian said nonchalantly.

“Because it would be dangerous if a Magic Power channel gets severed.”

“Hah….”

He might have learned swordsmanship for quite some time. The reactions the guy showed so far weren’t those of a beginner.

But, one way or another, it was a fact that he did nothing last year.

Skills get rusty even after just a week off, and someone who rested for a whole year is saying this to me?

“Why don’t you just say you won’t fight because you might get hit? Do it properly!”

“I *was* doing it properly, and I will continue to do so, Hans.”

Askanian casually flicked his hand, just like before.

“You first.”

If this is a strategy to provoke me, it’s a complete success.

Hans glared at Askanian and shook his head. At that, Askanian charged without hesitation.

‘First, clash swords.’

‘Since he’s holding a wooden sword, the guy will likely repeat entering and retreating rather than confronting head-on.’

‘His moves are obvious, so what does he mean by ‘doing it properly’? That attitude needs some correction.’

Hwoong—

Askanian’s sword cut through his vision. The sword path was different from before.

“…!”

Ppaak—!

An intense pain struck his left shoulder, forcing his mouth open.

‘W-w-wait…!’

“Ah, as expected.”

Askanian’s brief remark was heard.

‘…He’s aiming for my body, not the sword?!’

Hans straightened his crumbling posture and thrust his sword forward.

Askanian stepped back once or twice, then mimicked a simple thrusting motion. The moment Hans tried to slash, Askanian’s sword changed direction, dropped, and struck his thigh.

Kwaang!

“Kkuaaak…!”

“Shall we continue the spar another time?”

A faint smile tinged the question.

Hans suppressed the urge to clutch his thigh and gritted his teeth.

‘M-my muscle….’

It felt like it would tear. Only now did he begin to understand the words, ‘It’s bad if a Magic Power channel gets severed.’

Looking up at the guy while pressing down on his trembling thigh with the end of his pommel, Askanian spoke gently.

“I kept seeing openings from earlier. It took some effort to hold back.”

Hold back what? You mean holding back from beating the shit out of me? The words ‘Just keep holding back then!’ surged up to his throat.

But to think I was leaving openings large enough for him to strike directly like this. If this weren’t a spar but a real fight….

“I know very well that your skills are outstanding. But….”

I would already be dead.

Askanian’s sword struck down from above. Hans barely managed to lower his body and support his sword with both hands to block the attack.

The partially cut wooden sword quickly repaired itself, drew a semicircle in the air, and rose up again.

“…!”

Askanian fiercely pursued Hans, who had kicked off the ground and retreated. Even though Askanian’s sword started from the bottom left and made a large arc, Hans’s sword remained suspended in mid-air.

The instinct to flee clashed with the thought that he had to block the sword. It was already too late. Askanian’s pitch-black wooden sword struck his right thigh from below, swinging upward.

Ppaak!

“Kkeuk…!”

“Haha, you’re too agitated right now. So many openings.”

What’s so funny?

As if teaching him, Askanian patiently waited for Hans to regain his stance.

Hans pressed down on his wildly trembling leg with his left hand and gasped for breath.

As the sounds of slicing air ceased, the murmuring from the surroundings became clearly audible to Hans.

For some reason, the number of people seemed to have doubled compared to before.

‘…This isn’t the picture I wanted.’

I wanted the exact opposite situation. Considering the actual time spent learning, shouldn’t it have been that way?

Hans, who had his head bowed low, slowly opened his mouth.

“…Sword….”

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you changing the sword?! Are you my teacher?!”

“I’ll change it if you want, but….”

Askanian fixed his gaze on Hans’s trembling leg and said.

“In your current state, I think you might be pushing yourself too hard.”

Hans’s face contorted for a moment.

Kuung—

Hans forcefully pushed Magic Power into his legs. Green Magic Power flared around both legs. The sound of kicking off the ground and thrusting his sword followed.

As if waiting for it, Askanian’s sword turned pure white.

Chaeng—! Kkigik—

‘…Damn.’

The moment their swords clashed, Hans realized.

He had made a mistake.

Probably not just now, but continuously from earlier.

Because he had distributed most of his Magic Power to his legs, he had no strength left for his arms. Yet, if he tried to withdraw Magic Power to his upper body now, he would collapse.

Even though he could feel Askanian wasn’t particularly exerting force, Hans’s sword couldn’t maintain its weight and trembled.

Kkik, Geugeuk— Geuk—

After staring for a while at the clashing, trembling swords, Askanian glanced at Hans’s face and stepped back.

Chwaak— Kwaang!

Askanian stomped his foot hard.

He wasn’t ignorant of what that meant. Crimson Magic Power surged around, engulfing Hans’s arm and shoulder.

Normally, he could have avoided it, but now, with all his Magic Power concentrated in his legs, he couldn’t.

His arm caught, Hans was flung backward.

Kuung!

Snapping open his tightly shut eyes, something gleaming entered his vision below his chin.

“Good work.”

* * *

Favorability 150 Achieved (150/300)

Since it was already at 80 before we started, achieving 100 Favorability wasn’t difficult.

And about 10 minutes ago, I reached 150 points.

My concentration was scattered due to the white text constantly appearing during the spar, but it was a good sign nonetheless.

“Good work.”

Good work raising my Favorability.

I said, pressing the sword to the guy’s chin. At that moment, Hans, who had looked terrified, narrowed his eyes.

Tiring—!

Favorability +1

‘…….’

His Favorability went up?

Instinctively, goosebumps erupted all over me.

Well, when you get this kind of reaction from someone you just beat the hell out of, you can’t help but take a step back first.

‘Is his pride making his actions and inner thoughts move in complete opposition?’

It means his assessment of me has become more positive. Indeed, the world is wide and people are truly diverse.

Whatever the reason, for me, to whom every single point is precious, I’m just grateful.

I smiled and extended my hand.

“Are you okay?”

“……”

The guy just stared at my hand, then staggered to his feet alone.

His friends hurriedly came down the stairs and supported him.

“Luca!”

Elias, who must have come down at some point, slapped my back.

“Hey, nobody’s going to argue about your grades now~ Let’s spar soon too!”

“Sure.”

I answered casually, but I can’t carelessly set a date because I’m worried he might have the same style as Leo….

I ignored Elias and rotated my wrist.

‘I’ve definitely improved.’

Hans’s skill wasn’t objectively bad. In other words, it would have been difficult for me, having learned for only four months, to win.

Fortunately, the guy had an area that wasn’t yet perfected.

‘Emotion.’

An unshakable mind is also a skill.

Since there was nothing to get angry about during exams, Hans himself probably didn’t know, but the guy was easily swayed by his emotions.

Of course, even if I had grasped his weakness, I couldn’t have won without skill, but thanks to diligently building my fundamentals by getting beaten like crazy by Leo for four months, I had no problem seizing the opportunity.

After realizing Leo’s methods were anything but ordinary, I could only let out a hollow laugh, but it’s also true that I achieved this much improvement thanks to him.

“Let’s get going.”

I shook off Elias and turned around.

Just then, in the distance, I saw lemon-colored hair that reminded me of the Emperor.

‘Hm?’

Wondering if it was Adelbert, I tried to get a better look at his face, but he abruptly turned and left the area.

Just then, I lost the leeway to pay attention to that direction.

Because an unexpected person’s face caught the edge of my vision.

In front of the clumped-together Class 2 students, my homeroom professor stood silently watching me.

“……”

“Student.”

The homeroom professor said, looking directly at me.

A spar like this isn’t a big deal, but the professor’s expression was unnecessarily serious, making me feel like I should adopt a similar mood.

“…Greetings, sir.”

“Yes. More importantly, what is all this about?”

“I had a spar with Hans.”

The professor shook his head as if that wasn’t what he was asking.

“I understand you haven’t taken the magic swordsmanship course?”

“I’ve been studying it a bit personally.”

“Personally?”

“Yes.”

The professor didn’t ask further and just stared at me.

Tiring—!

Favorability +3

“……”

So… from the professor’s perspective, it seems he judged me as a student worth nurturing.

I briefly considered if I should bolt.

“Student.”

“Yes.”

“Follow me.”

* * *

The professor enthusiastically introduced national competitions and clubs.

Since I was already swamped with state affairs, I initially refused everything, but the professor didn’t lose his passion and said he could arrange 1-on-1 guidance from the magic swordsmanship professor if I wanted.

I said I’d think about that for now.

Coincidentally, wasn’t Traut the magic swordsmanship professor?

‘It’s about time I sent him that way too.’

As I closed the door to the professor’s office and stepped out, the Favorability window appeared.

Tiring—!

Favorability 200 Achieved (200/300)

200 points.

It made sense.

Elias had said that when he last counted, the number of students gathered there had already exceeded 100.

‘Thanks to Hans, I filled it up quickly.’

Satisfying.

Thinking this, I checked my watch.

Club time was approaching, so I needed to stop by the dormitory and then head to the drama club.

‘Before that, I need to wrap up the situation completely.’

I organized all sorts of handouts received from the professor into my bag and recited familiar coordinates.

Then, I went up to the floor with the room number I had checked beforehand and knocked on the hospital room door.

Knock knock—

“Hans.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep