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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Dormant Dragon Now Stretches (4)
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The overseers couldn't comprehend the current situation at all.
It was clearly Theo's sword that had broken.
That meant there was a significant gap in skill and power.
And yet, Wellington was declaring defeat?
Perhaps because Theo was exhausted from the previous duels, this was just a gracious response—
"That's not it, you idiots."
The overseers' thoughts shattered at the sudden voice from behind them.
Their gazes whipped around in haste.
Step. Step.
"Manager Evelyn…?"
Those who recognized her jumped in surprise.
It wasn't the usual image they knew.
A white uniform that accentuated her figure.
The epaulets on her shoulders gleamed beautifully, and the dragon-embossed gold buttons seemed ready to spew flames at any moment.
With each step, the rapier at her waist clinked sharply and precisely.
Her empty left sleeve fluttered, but it only made her appear more elegant and refined.
The white ceremonial uniform issued only to senior members of the White Dragon Knights.
At that moment, the overseers were utterly overwhelmed by the aura Evelyn exuded.
The idol that every Ragnar swordsman aspired to was standing right there.
"If he'd infused that with mana? If he'd coated it in aura? What do you think would've happened?"
Regardless of the overseers' reactions, Evelyn's gaze remained fixed on the training ground.
"If you still don't get it, then forget about just placing it on your shoulder."
Evelyn walked past the overseers toward Theo and Wellington.
Only then did the overseers grasp her meaning, falling silent.
Theo and Wellington's clash had indeed been 'simultaneous.'
But the issue was the sword's reach.
Theo's zweihänder was far longer than Wellington's.
And Wellington had stepped within that range.
Considering the weight as well?
Drip!
Cold sweat suddenly trickled down their foreheads.
'He achieved that speed even with a zweihänder?'
'To the point of rivaling Narsio, famed for his swift sword?'
'If he could use mana too, how much faster would he get?'
Only then did the overseers start seeing Theo as a monster.
*The rumors weren't exaggerated. No, they fell short!*
The thought flashed through their minds simultaneously.
And then.
"What do you mean? My sword broke. I lost. It was an honor to have such a fine bout."
Theo bowed his head in a sword salute.
A display brimming with discipline and grace, utterly unlike his previous arrogance.
Thump thump!
The primal emotions of swordsmen made their hearts pound fiercely once more.
The heat from Theo and Wellington's competitive spirit,
The healthy attitude of cleanly acknowledging each other after the duel,
The intense glint in their eyes—
It all made them yearn to join in.
The chivalry of swordsmen they'd only dreamed of was right there.
* * *
"Wasn't the sword Sir Theo used already quite worn from multiple duels? And you were thoroughly exhausted besides, so this bout is my defeat."
"On a battlefield where blind blades and arrows fly, does anyone account for such excuses one by one? A swordsman who loses his sword is doomed to defeat."
As they went back and forth—not quite an argument, but a strange debate over who lost—
Theo reviewed the gains from his ten duels.
His [Luck] had risen by a whopping 10.
The other stats had increased modestly as well, marking overall growth.
*Still. I have a long way to go.*
On the other hand, a new worry emerged.
After clashing with Wellington, he'd clearly recognized his own weakness.
'I've more or less memorized the forms of those secret sword techniques. Linkages and variations too. But I can't go beyond that.'
Secret sword techniques generally divide into two broad categories.
The form containing stances or formulas.
And the intent contained within.
Form is, literally, shape.
Anyone not an idiot can memorize it.
With mastery, one can even alter its structure.
That's application.
But intent is different.
Like the yolk holding the most nutrients inside a hard eggshell.
Intent encompasses all the subtleties of the secret technique.
Without grasping it?
It's just superficial.
The secret techniques Theo had taken from the library were all exceptional enough to draw gasps from elders later on.
The problem was Theo's lack of keen insight into swordsmanship.
To unravel them, he needed something else.
*Master.*
Theo swallowed dryly.
*I need a master to guide me on the right path and teach me.*
But did he have anyone worthy to teach him?
No, absolutely not.
It was all because of the terrible image 'Theo Ragnar' had built up over the years.
Even if this opportunity had started changing that image, these were rejects cast out from the Ragnar family.
Defeating them alone wouldn't immediately sway public opinion.
This would take time, proceeding slowly.
And even if there was someone fit to be his master, the Awakening Ceremony meant they'd already aligned elsewhere.
*I'd love to see Master Newitz… but I can't leave Winterler until the ceremony ends. Besides, he's more a scholar versed in martial theory than practical combat.*
Above all, that man wouldn't fully emerge for another five years.
So, ruling out all those conditions left exactly one person.
*Julius…*
But Theo shook his head.
He still looked favorably on him, so he'd probably agree if asked.
But asking someone who'd already refused once? That wasn't right.
If he was going to ask, he'd need to seriously aim for the White Dragon Knights.
*Guess I have no choice but to awaken it myself.*
With five months until the Awakening Ceremony and ongoing spars, maybe he could grasp the 'intent' somehow. That's what he was thinking when—
"You're thinking wrong. What you lack isn't 'intent.'"
A voice as if peering into his mind.
Theo startled and whipped his head around.
Evelyn stood there in her unfamiliar uniform.
Before he could ask what the sudden attire was about, another thought burst out.
"How did you know what I was worrying about…?"
"It's the same dilemma everyone like you faces around this time."
"…"
Was that praise or a jab?
Snicker.
Evelyn let out a light chuckle at Theo staring at her with a dumbfounded look.
"If I've been rude, please forgive me."
"…N-no, it's fine. Explain more. What do you mean I'm wrong?"
"What do you think 'intent' is, Sir Theo?"
"The subtleties contained in the sword technique?"
"And what are those subtleties?"
"What the sword technique aims to achieve…?"
"And what is that aim?"
"The creator's goal?"
"And what is that goal?"
"…"
An endless chain of questions.
Theo suddenly felt at a loss for words.
"'Intent' is ultimately the core of the sword technique."
"The core…"
"But that core isn't anything grand when you break it down. Some dress it up, saying it captures the blue of the sky or mimics the ocean's grandeur, but in the end, it's just swinging, thrusting, blocking, slashing, cutting… simple combinations of what we know."
Only then did Theo grasp what Evelyn meant.
*Fundamentals.*
His understanding of basic movements—even those beginners drill—was lacking.
"You're amazing, Sir Theo. Somehow, despite imperfect fundamentals, you seem to know a ton of secret techniques I've never even seen."
"…"
"Ah, no, I'm not asking where they came from. Just that the order is wrong."
Evelyn's eyes were serene.
"Will teaching a child who can't walk how to run make them run properly? Will teaching a fledgling that can't control its body how to flap its wings let it fly right?"
"But—"
"Yes, I know. You want to say you've sparred well so far with no issues?"
Nod.
"But isn't that just because you're a 'Ragnar'?"
"…!"
"The Ragnar body is a blessed one that lets a child who can't walk fly and sink its teeth into a predator's throat even if it can't control itself. And you, Sir Theo, possess an even superior talent that lets you soar with the predator in your jaws."
He'd relied on talent so far.
More precisely, leaned heavily on the Dragon's Heart.
"So before leaning on that talent more, solidify your fundamentals. Build a firm foundation, and you won't worry about the base when reaching higher."
Theo fidgeted with his fingers.
Something itchy, almost graspable, danced at his fingertips.
How to seize it?
There was only one answer.
*Whether I stray or judge wrongly, I need someone beside me to correct me.*
A master.
Not a con artist like Renden, but a true one.
For instance—
"Evelyn."
"Yes."
"Will you be my swordsmanship master?"
-Gasp!
Gasps rose around them. From the overseers.
Even retired, receiving instruction from a White Dragon Knights member was an immense honor.
Wellington, standing a step away, now watched with a peculiar gaze.
But—
"Can you see my outfit, by any chance?"
Evelyn said something entirely different.
"Y-yeah? Oh, right. Are you returning to the White Dragon Knights?"
"Yes. I've been reinstated, at least temporarily."
In his past and present lives combined, he'd known many close to Evelyn.
But she'd never spoken of her past.
Now she was even rejoining her unit.
Butterfly effect?
He hadn't caused any major timeline shifts yet, though?
"But temporarily?"
"It's because of you, as I said. The captain set the condition."
"Condition?"
"Yes. He told me to become your swordsmanship master."
"…"
"Said it's what you need most right now."
"…!"
The surroundings grew noisy.
-W-what?
-A White Dragon Knight as sword master…?
-Not just any! Lady Evelyn! The captain's right-hand, that Evelyn!
-So it's basically a headhunt?
-Crazy… Is this real? The haughty White Dragon Knights sending love calls twice to the same guy.
-Even before the Awakening Ceremony, personal lessons? Wow!
-But he deserves it?
-Well, matching Wellington shoulder-to-shoulder…
Their gazes toward Theo now brimmed with envy.
…Their eyes seemed to sparkle a bit too much.
*Julius… He foresaw this from that brief meeting? Is a genius just a genius?*
"If this is some kind of condition…!"
"Oh, no need to worry. The captain said it's purely a 'favor.'"
"Favor?"
"Yes. An investment. For the future."
"…"
Theo scratched the back of his head vigorously.
At this point, Julius's intentions were impossible to fathom.
But no need to refuse this.
He'd wanted Evelyn as his master anyway.
"Thanks. Then, shamelessly, I'll accept."
"Very well. Then hand over your sword."
"…Huh?"
"The captain is the captain. I still need to test if you're worthy to be my disciple."
Not wrong, so Theo reflexively raised his zweihänder, then remembered it was broken.
"Then let me switch swords…!"
"Didn't you just say, Sir Theo, that such things are mere excuses in real combat?"
"…!"
"Block this first."
Screeech—
*Fast!*
Incredibly swift, like from someone whose body was fine, who hadn't set her sword aside for years.
Theo squeezed the Dragon's Heart for all it was worth to track Evelyn's motion.
As he twisted the zweihänder's angle to parry—
Clang!
Wellington's sword suddenly thrust between them.
"Since your sword's half-gone, shall we fill the rest? My blade seems just the right length to match."
Wellington glanced over with a grin.
Snicker!
Theo chuckled too, moving in sync with him.
Theo from the left, Wellington from the right.
Flash—
Swish swish!
Their synchronized steps were razor-sharp, as if by prior agreement.
"Both of you have good instincts."
Evelyn seemed unbothered by the sudden interloper, even praising them as she countered swiftly.
Clang clang clang—
In an instant, the three swords wove together in midair, ringing out deafening metal clashes.
"Woooaaah!"
The overseers—no, now full followers, enthralled beyond admiration by his fervor—cheered.
Their roars shook the training ground.
And with that—
Thump thump thump!
Everyone's hearts there pounded wildly in response.
[Congratulations! You have safely completed Tutorial Quest #8…]