Chapter 119

Luke’s test progressed quickly.

Yes—very quickly, in fact.

The duel between Luke and the students.

This test, which was practically between an adult and a child, ended far too fast.

‘He’s holding back a little as he fights.’

Perhaps wanting to properly gauge the students’ growth, Luke carefully set the stage so that his opponent could exert their full power.

However, when the evaluation ended, he would bare his fangs and end the duel mercilessly in an instant.

‘As expected… he’s absurdly strong.’

A penalty—meaning he would only use the minimum level of aura.

That was indeed a considerable handicap for Luke, yet it didn’t seem to hinder him at all against students.

A small amount of aura and swordsmanship that had reached the realm of a master—

With just those two, Luke toyed with the students as if they were nothing.

‘The difference in level is visible to the eye.’

The students charged at Luke with all the power they could muster.

Yet Luke received every strike with swordsmanship alone, then overwhelmed them in return.

‘Well, it’s natural for commoners to be like that… but I wonder how the nobles will fare.’

Against the common-born students, Luke used only the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.

For someone like Luke, who could use all sorts of sword styles, that was clearly an act of leniency.

So I was curious to see what he would do once the noble students stepped forward.

‘Let’s see. The commoners are done, and now what’s left are… me, Dave, Jason, and Sara.’

First, Dave stepped into the center of the training hall.

As the duel began, Dave charged at Luke using graphite—just like during the midterm exam.

He swung his sword like a berserker, trying to pressure Luke.

Or rather, trying to.

Dave swung his sword threateningly, but Luke blocked his attacks with ease.

Clang— Clang— clangclangclang—!

‘…It’s not just swordsmanship. The difference in experience really shows.’

In raw power alone, Dave’s strikes were far heavier.

Normally, with this kind of disparity, Dave would have easily won.

But Luke compensated for that gap with sheer experience—with mastery.

“You’ve grown a lot, Dave.”

It seemed Dave’s evaluation was over, as Luke nodded and spoke.

“The wild, rough swordsmanship you had before… I can finally see some refinement in it. You’ve learned to control your emotions a little, too.”

“……”

“But your field of vision is still too narrow.”

“…Huh?”

Before Dave realized it, Luke’s blade was at his throat.

A fast, precise movement.

But not so fast that Dave couldn’t react—he simply failed to notice it.

Just as Luke had said, Dave’s vision was far too narrow.

So narrow that he couldn’t even read the sword’s trajectory, which should have been easy to follow.

“Don’t focus solely on your opponent’s weak points. You need to observe their reactions and counterattacks, and be ready to respond.”

“…Yes, understood.”

“Good. That’ll do. Go take a rest.”

“Thank you, Instructor.”

“Mm. You’ve worked hard this semester.”

After bowing to Luke, Dave returned to his spot.

I looked toward the training hall and thought to myself.

‘That was the Isrinbloom Family’s swordsmanship, wasn’t it?’

That swift technique where the blade instantly reached the opponent’s throat—

It was indeed the sword style of the Isrinbloom Family.

‘Every time I see it, I can’t help but wonder—how did he master so many sword styles?’

Even before I transmigrated into this world and began learning swordsmanship, Luke’s character had already seemed impressive.

But as I watched him wield various sword styles, he seemed even more incredible.

I’d come to understand just how difficult it was to master so many sword arts to perfection and use them appropriately in combat.

‘Anyway… looks like the next opponent is Jason.’

A green-haired male student stepped before Luke.

Soon, the Spirit of Wind, Monsoon, appeared, and the duel began immediately.

Jason dashed toward Luke at remarkable speed.

His movements were clearly faster than before.

Luke seemed to notice, blocking the attacks with a satisfied smile.

But… Luke’s swordsmanship looked strange.

That defensive sword technique that blocked Jason’s relentless flurry—

Keeping his sword close to his body, focusing entirely on defense—

‘…That’s my swordsmanship.’

It was unmistakably my defensive sword style.

While there were some rough edges, Luke was nearly replicating my technique perfectly.

‘When did he even learn it?’

I had demonstrated my defensive style several times in front of him—

We’d even sparred when I first learned to use aura.

But to perfectly replicate a sword style just from watching it…

‘Ah, well. It’s possible. I do it too, after all.’

Thinking about it rationally, it made sense.

Still, it was strange seeing someone else use my defensive swordsmanship.

‘Hmm… I think I understand how others must feel when I copy their sword styles.’

I let out a quiet laugh as I continued to watch the duel.

Jason kept attacking rapidly, but Luke blocked every single strike—

Maintaining his stance, minimizing his target area—

He mimicked my defensive sword perfectly.

After a few minutes—

“Huff, huff… Instructor, when did you learn Gideon’s swordsmanship?”

“I practiced it secretly whenever I could. And Jason, you really need to build up your stamina.”

“I did build it up! Our family’s sword style just burns stamina like crazy! If you target that weakness directly…”

“My role is to help you overcome your weaknesses.”

“Guh—!”

Luke tripped Jason with his foot, sending him tumbling.

Normally, Jason would have easily avoided it, but he was already too exhausted.

“Train your endurance over the break.”

“Our family sword style is meant for ambushes and short battles—”

“That’s odd. Your father handles prolonged battles just fine. Should I go ask him about it?”

“…I’ll train harder.”

“Good choice.”

Luke smiled as he sent Jason back.

Jason sat down beside me with a somewhat regretful expression.

“How does it feel?”

“…Pardon?”

“I mean, how did it feel seeing your instructor use your family’s swordsmanship?”

“…It was… a strange feeling.”

“Right? That’s exactly how I felt when you copied mine.”

Jason gave a wry smile, then turned back toward Luke.

By then, Sara stood before him.

“The test’s almost over. You’re the last one, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Finally, this semester’s ending. Now, let’s see how you fight, Sara.”

The duel between Luke and Sara began at once—

And it ended sooner than expected.

Whoosh—

From the start, Sara raised her rapier to eye level, its blade wreathed in flames.

Luke mirrored her stance—the opening form of the Isrinbloom Family’s swordsmanship.

Then, the two exchanged techniques using the same Isrinbloom sword style.

Sara’s swordplay blazed brilliantly, while Luke matched her with graceful precision.

Less than a minute later—

Clang—!

“…Ah.”

Luke sent Sara’s sword flying.

Though she fought fiercely with flames and flair, Luke’s mastery was one step ahead.

“Your swordsmanship has improved a lot. But you still rely too much on magic.”

“…So it has improved a little, then.”

“It has. But it’s still not enough. I’ve said it before, your fire magic is flawless. That’s why I suggest you focus on perfecting your swordsmanship.”

“I’ll have to practice more over the break, then.”

Sara let out a sigh and picked up her rapier.

Luke approached her and patted her shoulder.

“You’ve improved a lot, so you’re doing well. Let’s keep this pace.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Good. Then, Sara, you can head back now… Gideon, come out! It’s your turn!”

At Luke’s call, I stood up from my seat.

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

With Jason’s encouragement, I walked to the center of the training hall.

As I moved forward, I glanced up toward the second-floor spectator seats—where Lisa was.

She was smiling at me, and I nodded back with a smile of my own.

“Got your girlfriend’s encouragement, I see?”

“Loud and clear.”

I turned from Lisa to face Luke.

Luke was laughing heartily.

“In that case, I can expect a little more from you. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

I drew Mistcatcher.

“Shall we start right away?”

“Let’s start right away.”

At Luke’s words, I immediately raised my sword.

A defensive stance, keeping the blade close to my body—ready to block Luke’s attack…

“…Huh?”

The duel had begun, but no attack came from Luke.

Finding that odd, I looked at him—and couldn’t help but be taken aback.

Because…

“You’re not attacking?”

“Is that really something you should be saying?”

Luke laughed in disbelief.

He had taken the exact same stance as me.

In other words, he was holding his sword tightly to his body—the same defensive posture I’d shown earlier to Jason.

“Gideon, you can’t always respond passively. Sometimes, you need to take the initiative.”

“You’re right. In that case…”

I shifted my stance.

Planting my feet shoulder-width apart, I angled my sword.

It was the starting stance of the Imperial Standard Swordsmanship.

Keeping that form, I strode toward Luke and swung my sword down.

It was a far more aggressive variation of the standard Imperial technique.

Clang—! Clang—!

Blocking my sword, Luke smirked.

“You’re going to fight me using my swordsmanship?”

“Well, you’re using mine, so it’s only fair.”

“Interesting.”

Luke easily parried my attacks.

And soon, I began to understand what others meant when they described my swordsmanship.

‘It’s annoyingly solid.’

Being an extremely defensive style, there were almost no openings.

Luke showed no signs of taking the offensive, but at the same time, it didn’t seem like my attacks could break through his defense either.

“You’ve practiced my sword style quite a bit, haven’t you?”

“I’ve been putting in some work.”

“If I had to point something out—your strength is lacking. If you’re going to use my swordsmanship, I recommend building up your muscle power.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“And your stance—your legs are too wide. Narrow them a little.”

Luke calmly blocked my flurry of attacks.

He was mimicking my defensive swordsmanship almost perfectly.

Almost—but not completely.

“Thanks for the advice. In return, let me give you some.”

“What… huh?”

I suddenly changed my sword style.

From Luke’s modified Imperial swordsmanship—to Sara’s, the Isrinbloom Family’s sword style.

As I shifted my attack pattern with elegant movements, Luke’s eyes widened in surprise.

But even then, he managed to block my strikes.

And—just as I expected, he showed an opening.

I didn’t miss that moment and swung my elbow toward his chest.

“Guh—!”

“Be careful with your chest area. That’s where the biggest openings tend to appear.”

There were several points where my defensive sword style was relatively vulnerable.

I covered those weaknesses using my Attack Prediction Skill, but Luke didn’t have such a skill.

Anyway, after taking the hit, Luke stepped back a few paces, looking surprised.

“…It’s been a while since I’ve been struck by a student. As expected, you’re interesting, Gideon. Just as I hoped.”

“I’m glad I lived up to your expectations.”

I couldn’t help but grin—perhaps because it felt good to have landed a clean hit on Luke.

“That’s not all you’ve got, right, Instructor?”

I said playfully.

At that, Luke’s eyes glinted sharply.

“Oh? You want to see everything I’ve got?”

“Uh—what?”

“If you want, I can show you as much as you like.”

Luke grinned playfully, just as I had—

But his eyes were anything but playful.

Then I suddenly recalled something I’d read about Luke’s personality.

‘A man with an unexpectedly immense pride in his swordsmanship.’

I’d just teased him in excitement, without thinking.

Normally, Luke would’ve laughed it off—

But the problem was that my provocation had to do with swordsmanship.

‘No way… did I just hit a nerve?’

I hoped not.

But when his aura began to shine far brighter than before—

I realized I definitely had.

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