However, even though she’s a student of the royal capital, she has not been selected as a member of this magical exchange meeting. I wondered if her sword’s ability was high, but her arms and palms were soft, it wasn’t the hands of someone who swung a sword before.
Sorry Noire, but I don’t think she’s strong enough.
“I don’t think you can be Noire’s bodyguard, as someone that was not chosen for the magical exchange and hands that had never even held a sword before.” (Cereille)
When I said so, she retorted.
She pointed out that I, a noblewoman, was walking alone.
This city was safe. However, I have to escort Noire just in case. After all, I can handle swords and magic to some extent. I was also chosen for this magical exchange.
When I told her this, she said that we should have a match, and if she beat me, she would like to be recognized as Noire’s escort.
Theoretically, she’s correct.
I couldn’t withdraw, so I accepted the challenge.
Her magical powers were such that she was not chosen for the magical exchange, and her hand did not seem to have held a sword before. A little bit of company may satisfy her.
And now I have a match with her.
I thought that if I struck a little harder from the front, the wooden sword in her hand would fly away from her hand, and the match would be over. But she easily parried my strike.
I was surprised at that. When a sword collides with another sword, there would be an impact. It’s the same with a wooden stick. But she took it lightly with that soft hand of hers.
I moved closer a little and tried to hit her with a right and left swing this time. But she easily blocks it. I increased my power and speed.
But she blocked even that.
Amazing.
Regarding the offensive and the defensive side, the attacker has the advantage, and the defender would be at a disadvantage.
It’s not as easy as swinging your sword down where you want and catching your opponent’s sword knowing where it will hit unless you have a difference in ability.
Furthermore, the defender would often be afraid of being attacked, and her body would not move as it should. But she’s looking straight at me with her beautiful eyes, not even blinking nor panicking. It’s as if she can see through everything.
The first time Sensei struck me, I was so afraid that I could hardly prevent his strikes. But on the contrary, Sensei blocked all of my attacks.
To successfully block an attack, you must watch your opponent’s movements in detail. Of course, not only the sword but also the arm, the hand, and even the opponent’s line of sight. Moreover, you have to look not only up but also down. Where they step and how heavy the step was.
When sensei taught me that, I immediately told him that it was “impossible”. But Sensei said was, “you have to look at every movement of the opponent”. That’s impossible, you know. I can’t help but focus on the sword that was slashing at me.
Even so, with practice, I gradually became able to do it.
However, she’s performing what sensei once said right in front of me. She can see everything. She has such eyes.
Still, I kept launching attacks. Yet, she easily deflects them.
Interesting. It’s making me smile.
There are no girls among the students who can compete with me. Not even the boys.
Normally, she would have panicked after that big strike, but she handled my sword calmly and swiftly.
I can see that she was holding back. She would have performed a counter when I attacked her if she were serious. But she didn’t. She seems to be thinking about something. I don’t know why. She was just deflecting my attacks.
Then how about this one?
I swing down as a feint. She blocked it. However, when she did, my sword moved to the right. I tried to strike her unguarded torso, but she quickly recovered her sword stance and blocked my attempt.
Amazing.
I paused, inhaled a bit, then exhaled.
Noire is right, she is strong. She is definitely stronger than me. With hands so small and seemingly untrained.
The word “talent” comes to my mind.
There is an insurmountable barrier in front of me called “talent”.
But that doesn’t mean I’ll easily lose.
“I’m sorry. It may hurt a little. But we have an infirmary, so don’t worry.” (Cereille)
Thrusts are forbidden in practice. The only way to deal with a thrust is to avoid it. It is difficult to catch a thrust with a sword. Even if you manage to deflect it a little, it will still hit you somewhere in your body.
I’m not going to make an assumption. If she’s really that good, she’ll avoid it. She will avoid it to the left if I strike a little to the right. That’s where I’ll have a chance.
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-Yuna’s POV-
Of course, she’s not stronger than the Knight Commander (I forgot his name and face) that I fought during that school festival. So it’s easy to deflect Cereille’s attacks.
I blocked the wooden sword that Cereille was swinging down at me.
From the outsider’s perspective, I must be seen as being cornered, unable to do anything against Cereille’s attacks.
It’s about time to launch an attack and make it a seemingly lucky win.
I was just trying to make it look like she was slightly stronger than I am.
When I thought so, Cereille paused for a moment and opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry. It may hurt a little. But we have an infirmary, so don’t worry.” (Cereille)
It looks like she’s going to do something.
Then just let it loose and be done with it.
Cereille thrusts out a wooden sword. But it was slower compared to the thrust of Jubei-san from the Land of Harmony. I ducked her thrust. However, knowing that she was probably going to lose, Cereille spun her body with the same momentum.
Oh, was the thrust just now a decoy?
By rotating her body, her wooden sword attacks from the opposite direction.
I extended my bear puppet, grabbed Cereille’s right arm, used the momentum of her spinning body, hooked her leg, and made her fall. Then I placed the wooden sword on Cereille’s neck as she fell.
“It’s my victory, isn’t it?” (Yuna)
“Yes, I’ve lost.” (Cereille)
Cereille easily conceded defeat.
=====
Author’s Note:
As expected, Yuna won.
[Notice] Due to the bookwork volume 11.5 for a while (I will mainly write new books), I will be late in posting and may not be able to reply to your comments.
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