Archive for chapter 89.2
Chapter 89.2. The First Year at the Academy - End of the Year (2)
Chapter 89.2. The First Year at the Academy - End of the Year (2)
The rules of the mock battle are similar to those of a martial arts tournament. Attacks to the head and vital areas are allowed, magic is prohibited, and if a participant receives an attack that could be fatal or surrenders, they're considered defeated.
However, the academy had a limited supply of bladed weapons, and since I was a 1st-year student, Harvis suggested that we use wooden weapons. We had healing potions and Elphimia's holy magic for recovery, so we had sufficient means to heal, but I agreed to Harvis's proposal because I had a vague feeling that this would be a tough battle.
I looked at the wooden weapons lined up on the shelf. When I picked up a two-handed sword, Harvis tilted his head.
"Isn't that a one-handed sword?"
"I'm currently practicing with this one. Might as well."
Unfortunately, there wasn't a wooden replica of Shamshir.
It was too obscure.
When I swung the wooden two-handed sword, I felt the weight in my wrists and elbows, but compared to Shamshir and lightweight two-handed swords, it was much lighter.
Through real combat experience, I had acquired the skill [Curved Sword 1], and while my [Two-handed Sword] rank hadn't gone up, I could feel an improvement in my technique.
I thought I could hold my own.
"In that case, I'll go with a spear."
After a brief hesitation, Harvis reached for a spear.
We checked our weapons and faced each other in the center.
Harvis is the strongest student at the academy.
Probably, there were no swordsmen better than him in our age group.
He was not lacking in any aspect.
The referee, Lambert, confirmed the rules and took a few steps back.
"From now on, Harvis Rafezal and Alter Les Reedwald will engage in a mock battle. Are both of you ready?"
We nodded, and Lambert took a deep breath.
"Begin!"
The first move was made by Harvis.
He approached with light steps and thrust his spear slowly.
I deflected the probing attack with my two-handed sword.
Harvis didn't falter and continued to assault me with the withdrawn spear.
I swung my two-handed sword to defend myself.
Fast.
He had grown since the earlier outdoor exercises in the 1st semester.
I managed to deflect the accelerating thrusts and evade them.
"Kuh..."
I was still testing the waters, but it seemed challenging.
I couldn't keep up with his attacks, and I felt an impact on my arm as I failed to defend in time.
Harvis didn't pursue me as I retreated but instead withdrew his spear.
Did he plan something? I had hoped I could do better.
As I readied my two-handed sword again, Harvis stepped forward, launching a spear skill, [Senkou].
I tried to forcefully parry it with my two-handed sword, but unexpectedly, the [Thrust] changed its trajectory.
A straight-line trajectory?
I stumbled as I was struck by the redirected thrust.
Then, a horizontal sweep.
I twisted my upper body and managed to avoid it, but the spear unexpectedly completed a half-turn.
I received a blow to my elbow, and my two-handed sword shattered from the base.
It broke so easily...
I held only the hilt as Harvis distanced himself.
"I thought you were trying to bait me. You were practicing, huh?"
"I wouldn't play such a mean trick in a mock battle."
I chuckled and returned the broken two-handed sword to the shelf.
Now, which weapon should I choose next?
"Aren't you warmed up yet?"
With that remark, Harvis encouraged me to continue.
Should I give it my all, then?
I decided to pick a wooden sword, and Harvis happily chose a wooden sword and a shield too.
Once again, we faced each other.
"Alright, let's go for real this time."
I swung my sword once, and Harvis's demeanor changed.
He held his shield forward and assumed a steady stance.
Unlike before, he didn't approach carelessly.
He had sensed something, just as I had.
I focused on his wooden sword in his right hand.
Before, I had been thrown off balance by the length and weight of the weapons.
But now, it was different.
My agility was at 20, the human limit.
With a one-handed sword in hand, there was nothing to hinder me.
I lowered my sword, took a step forward, and stopped just in time.
Still, Harvis didn't move. It wouldn't be polite to attack first when he had a shield. I exhaled softly and leaned back.
At that moment, I suddenly reversed my movement.
I had barely stopped in time. Still, Harvis didn't flinch.
He blocked my slash with his shield.
When I followed up with a low strike, he defended it too.
As expected.
I shifted my center of gravity and executed a sweeping leg cut.
For a moment, panic flashed across Harvis's face.
"Ugh!"
Harvis grunted, and there was an impact on the sole of my foot.
Well done. He managed to block with his elbow on impulse.
Without giving him a chance to counterattack, I evaded and retreated. Harvis also stepped back.
"I thought so. I believed you could fight seriously."
"Radikel certainly does. By the way, he mentioned something interesting before the match."
His words were drowned out by the cheers, and I had been curious about it.
It seemed he had been thinking about what the questions meant, but suddenly, Harvis grinned.
"Oh, that. He said something interesting. That he'd defeat me and win 3 times in a row."
"That's quite something."
"That's why I replied to him. That was impossible. And in 2 years, he'll lose again."
"Haha..."
There was no response other than laughter.
Radikel had angered him unknowingly.
Well, Radikel didn't know anything about us, and he would return home immediately after the tournament ended.
Let's leave him alone for two years.
"By the way, don't you want to know the Goblin Leader's ultimate form?"
Did he mean the Goblin Leader?
What was its ultimate form?
"I'll show you. My skill, [Flowing Circular Sword Dance]."
With those words, Harvis lowered his shield, shifting to an attack-focused stance.
I had been saving my curiosity for later and hadn't used [Appraisal].
But Harvis had revealed it willingly.
I had a bad feeling about this.
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