Chapter 102. The ability to give up (5)
From noble mtl dot com
If it’s the person who falls short of the trio, it’s inevitable that Tarragon will be picked.
It’s the difference between talent and hard work. He was less talented and less effortful than Anis and Luke. It was natural to fall behind them.
However, he succeeded in wounding Gyro before they did.
Tarragon, who was thirsty for praise, would be happy, but there was no smile on his face. Rather, he seemed depressed.
“Why is that, Tarragon? It’s not a fatal wound, but you weren’t the first.”
Anise comforted Tarragon, but Tarragon shook his head.
“older brother. It’s like I committed a foul. It’s not something to brag about.”
“Foul play? In my eyes, all I could see was the excellent double enchantment and the bold approach to Gyro and stabbing an arrow.”
“no. My double endowment is far less than my brother’s or Sir Luke’s. How could I have given Gyro a shot? that’s all… It’s because I analyzed the gyro for a week.”
“Why is it against the law to analyze the gyro?”
“Because it has nothing to do with archery and martial arts. In southern sword tournaments, there’s probably no time to relax and observe your opponents. Besides, it took me a week to notice Gyro’s attacking habits. The only reason I was able to put an arrow through my shoulder was by aiming for a loophole in that habit. It won’t work in the competition as well as in real life… It is a foul.”
“… Hmm.”
Anise stroked her chin. There was a point in Tarragon’s words. Luke, who was listening next to him, was also silent, not knowing what to say.
At that time, Keter, who had also been listening to the conversation, stepped out.
“number 3. I misunderstood you.”
Tarragon, who interpreted it as ‘You’re a despicable scum!’, became teary-eyed.
“This teaching assistant thought you were a criminal with no talent.”
“I’m sorry, assistant… . I was so desperate to beat Gyro that I committed a foul. I will miss training like this… … .”
“Listen to the teaching assistant until the end. you have talent The ability to know when to give up.”
“… … ?!”
No matter how many kinds of talent there are, the talent of giving up. It was a talent that neither Luke nor Anis had ever heard of.
“You said you observed the gyro for a week. That’s because you gave up saying you couldn’t defeat Gyro from the start. He was convinced that he couldn’t pull off the double and overlapping grants I told him about.”
No matter how much I hear it, it doesn’t seem like a compliment. Not only Tarragon, but also Luke and Anis had puzzled expressions.
“number 3. You can see yourself objectively. Not enough, not too much, just your own level. So when you have to give up, you know how to give up.”
If you don’t see yourself objectively, you don’t know whether to continue or give up.
They don’t give up because the time they’ve spent so far is a waste, or they don’t want to admit their incompetence. That is why there are many reckless people who do not give up even after experiencing failure.
Of course, there are those who do not succumb to multiple failures and eventually succeed.
But even if they fail, very few people can try again. There are people who fail once is the end of their lives. Opportunities are not equally distributed to all.
If you are a blood relative of a prestigious family, you have a chance to try again despite numerous failures. That is undeniably true. However, there is no guarantee that it will always succeed.
There is no tree that cannot be felled by taking a hundred shots. But a challenge is not to shoot the same tree 100 times. With each challenge, you hit a new tree with an axe.
Even if you try a hundred times a thousand times, the tree will not fall unless the quality of the ax changes. It’s not the goal that needs to change, it’s the human being who wants to achieve the goal.
Tarragon was that type of person.
If I can’t cut down a tree with an axe, if I don’t have any talent for throwing an axe no matter how many times I try, why should I stick with an axe?
Take your time and slowly cut down the tree with the saw. If that doesn’t work, replace the ax blade with something much better.
That was Tarragon’s special talent, different from others. It means not sticking to one way to solve a problem.
“As you said, there is no time to leisurely analyze the opponent in real battles. You have to predict what kind of attack your opponent will attack by just looking at the angle of your arm, the shape of your weapon, and the length of your foot in real time. But you’re not that kind of genius. However, fighting blindly with an opponent is not a good thing. If you are at a disadvantage, make an advantageous board. Don’t fight where and when your opponent wants. Choose a place and time that is advantageous to you and fight. It is better to live even if you are cowardly and ignorant than to die bravely.”
Keter glanced at Luke and Anis.
“But it’s not that Numbers 1 and 3 were idiots and didn’t analyze like you did. I did some analysis, but not in depth. I just used that time to polish myself more. the difference is the way To become strong in a way that suits each one. this is not a foul it’s the right way All three are doing well. I am doing well.”
The atmosphere in Keter changed in an instant. He raised his fist with a contorted face.
“Slow. That the growth rate is too slow. Are you going to wait until Gyro dies of old age? From now on, I will reduce my break time from 30 minutes to 20 minutes.”
“Hey… … !”
It was Tarragon who laughed at Keter’s praise and then wept at the grim notice.
The time of the trio going through hardships was relatively fast. As the day progressed, they became noticeably thinner. Every day, he exhausts his physical strength to the extreme, and it was only natural that he ate poor meals.
However, their attacks became sharper and faster. It was all Keter’s intention.
‘Because I try to control my movements only with muscle strength, I can only move at a level that is common sense. So, get rid of the muscle. Instead of lacking strength, I have no choice but to use an aura.’
In addition, ‘starvation’ is an unfamiliar pain for them who were born into noble families. Being patient doesn’t mean being patient.
Kether promised them. If you defeat the gyro, I’ll prepare you a delicacy. By setting a reward, I greatly increased my motivation.
In front of the three people, I threatened that my growth was slow, but in fact, it wasn’t slow. It’s fast. But not at the speed Keter wanted.
‘It’s been two weeks already. Now it’s on par with Gyro, but it’s still a long way from overpowering it. If we continue like this, it will take three more weeks.’
one week ahead.
It was the last given time Kether could think of.
‘It’s impossible to squeeze more physical strength and mental strength. However, if you restore it with an elixir, the miasma that has been so far will disappear. The buds of complacency will sprout again. Any other way to grow them… … .’
right!
Keter snapped her fingers.
I came up with a way to grow the trio at once. With a technique they have never experienced before.
“Has it been a month? Seeing him.”
Keter headed to prison.
* * *
A prison where the Knights of Vident are confined.
There were originally seven of them, but six were released after the Vident family paid a ransom.
The last person left was Zordyk, the blue dragon. It was because the ransom price was not coordinated.
Negotiations ended smoothly with 20,000 gold for normal members and 90,000 gold for vice-captain Arbol, but the ransom of Zordic was deadlocked.
No, Vident was angry again. It was because the ransom that Basil demanded was 500,000 gold.
“500,000 gold, your greed is too much, Lord Sephira. Please compromise with 200,000 gold.”
Basil firmly drew a line at the words of Volos, the head of the Vident family who was leading the negotiations.
“400,000 gold. Less than that, I will not release Zordic.”
Basil, who had been told that he could receive tenfold from Keter, but having prisoners was quite a force-consuming task, and he needed money for the Southern Sword Tournament right away, so he compromised a lot.
However, he had no intention of releasing it as easily and at a reasonable price as Zordyk. I’m sorry.
Right now, they release the knights for money, but they also threaten to eradicate them as soon as they are discovered.
“… It takes time to cash out 400,000 gold. I will replace it with an IOU.”
“I’ll take it in cash only.”
“Whoa, that’s good. See you in a week.”
The Vident family also participates in the Southern Sword Tournament, and Zordyk is the hope of the Vident family. He had to prepare for the Southern Sword Tournament as soon as possible.
It was three days ago that these negotiations took place. A guest came to Jordic, who could return to Vident in two days.
Zordyk, who was meditating against the wall, pricked up his ears.
“It’s not mealtime, is it finally release?”
With a click, the prison door opened. The person who walked along tumbled hit Zoldik on the back of the head.
“Sounds like release. You will rot here for the rest of your life.”
Feeling the pain first, Zordyk jumped to his feet when he heard Keter’s voice.
“You guys! You have finally appeared before my eyes!”
Zordyk, who had vowed a thousand times to tear Keter apart, charged.
However, his powers and aura were sealed. There was no way he could do anything about Keter with movements that were slightly better than normal people.
Keter pushed him down with her foot and laughed.
“It’s not Zordyk, the Blue Dragon, it’s Zordyk the Earthworm.”
“Big… . Just try to get me out of this prison. You are dead.”
“It just went well. I’m here to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”
“Do you want to hear a secret? Then you have to pay the price. Are you willing to hear my secret now empty-handed?”
A little bit of saliva was forming on the corners of Zordyk’s mouth, who had screamed that he would tear him to death just a moment ago. It was the result of being accustomed to the torture methods of Keter.
“Let’s risk that secret and compete with me. If you lose, tell me a secret. Conversely, if you win, you are released right now.”
“what?! release?! You’re not trying to deceive me, are you?”
“I’ll promise you Sephira.”
However, Zordyk did not believe it immediately.
“What kind of fight is it? It must be an intention to bring a sport that I can never win.”
“You said it was an offer you couldn’t refuse. it’s sparring If you win in Dalian, I will release you.”
“You mean to fight with your strength and aura sealed?”
“I will release everything. I will also give you the spear you used.”
“… … .”
Zordyk’s eyes narrowed. The condition that Keter said was too generous.
“Is it one-on-one?”
“okay.”
“Where do we fight?”
“gymnasium.”
“You’re not trying to put another restriction on me, are you?”
“no.”
“Ugh. Finally, who is my opponent?”
Zoldik is confident that he will win against anyone in Sephira. However, he did not have the confidence to defeat the leader of the Galactic Division or the head of Sephira.
“Retired Knight.”
“A retired knight… … .”
Retirement in this world has two meanings. Retire when you die, or retire when you’re old. If it’s the latter, it’s a 2-star knight or a 3-star knight. It was unlikely to be more than 4 stars.
When the aura reaches a certain level, aging slows down. Aging is suppressed when you reach the 4-star level, and you can maintain your middle-aged appearance even at the age of 80.
So if you’re a retired knight, it’s definitely a 2-star or 3-star. Of course, those who have not died and retired by this time will have a high level of skill and skill, but–
‘Anyway, he’s a knight from an archery family.’
Zordic was confident that he had no chance of losing.
But don’t you know it’s Keter? It was clear that he had other ulterior motives.
‘Ah, that’s right. I’m trying to find out about my family’s arcane spearmanship, moonlight spearmanship!’
No matter how great a technology is, there are always weaknesses. It’s just that it’s not revealed very well, but there was definitely a weakness in moonlight spearmanship.
‘Keuk-kuk-kuk, that’s what it was. Is it his intention to analyze and respond to our family’s moonlight spearmanship? If that’s the case, I’ll accept this match.’
Zordyk laughed heartily and said with a serious expression.
“It’s very embarrassing, but I’ll believe in you and accept the match.”
“Isn’t that an offer you can’t refuse? Follow me. I brought your weapon to the training ground in advance. I’ll release the seal there too.”
Keter thought that Zordyk would definitely accept the offer, so all the preparations were finished.
Zordyk checked the plan in his head as he headed to the gymnasium.
‘Stupid boy. Do you think I’ll play to your tune? A retired archery knight, there was no need to use moonlight spearmanship. I’ll defeat you with just Rannachal.’
Rannachal, the fundamental basic technique of spearmanship.
Ran, turn the window and push it out-
I, pull the window inward and press-
Chal, stabs the window and counterattacks.
Although it looked simple, this basic technique could be said to be the basis and everything of spearmanship.
Keter took Zordyk and arrived at the deserted 4th gymnasium.
The trio of Luke, Tarragon, and Anise were the first to greet Keter. Then they looked at Zordyk next to them and widened their eyes.
Zordyk did not recognize the triumvirate and only frowned.
‘What are those beggars? I can smell the rot from here. Chet.’
He looked around. Where is the retired knight to fight him?
At that time, Keter held out a cross spear from the side. He released the seal of his strength, and also released the bracelet that suppressed his aura.
“If you want to live, you’ll have to do everything you could to suck it up.”
“That won’t happen… … .”
It’s so-so, so-so… … !
The sound of dragging the ground came from afar.
Everyone’s eyes were focused on it.
There was a man entering the entrance of the gymnasium. The face of the man who came in dragging his sword on the floor had a face of savagery.
From noble mtl dot com
“… … ?!”
At Gyro’s appearance, Zordyk was taken aback. Even just by looking at him, the aura I felt from him was unusual.
“Now, wait a minute. A retired knight!”
“You are a retired knight.”
“You’re not Sephira’s retired knight!”
“I never said you were a retired knight of Sephira?”
“Again, you tricked me again, Keter!”
Zordic grabbed Keter by the collar. Keter laughed and said.
“I didn’t lie. You were tricked.”
“This bird… … !”
“Is it you?”
Wow!
Gyro, who was 10 meters away, closed the distance in an instant and slashed his sword at Zordic.
Zordyk rolled on the floor to live.
Kwagwagwang!
The ground sinks in the sincerity of the gyro’s downward strike.
Gyro, who was full of anger, gritted his teeth at Zordic.
“I asked if it was you. The one who said that you can beat an old man like me by warming up.”
Sensing Gyro’s wrath, Zordyk reluctantly raised his spear.
Not to win, but to live.