18 – Episode 2. How to Regain the Favor of the Evil Girl (8)
* @ *
“What… on earth…”
Lina couldn’t close her mouth.
When Abel told her to watch, she expected him to casually swing the sword in the air. At first, his swinging form seemed clumsy as if he couldn’t grasp the feeling.
But as time passed, Lina realized that Abel’s swinging trajectory and footwork were not meaningless.
Inexperienced, but neat.
Slow but precise.
There was no hesitation or hesitation in movements with a clear purpose.
‘Sharpness as if penetrating the vital point in an instant and a smooth footwork perfect for deflecting the opponent’s attack. Moreover, the precise shift of the center of gravity to prevent wasteful use of the entire body’s strength.’
Although the movements themselves were dull and slow, his swordsmanship was enough to shock her, who had been repeating the same sword technique until now.
Moreover, Abel’s appearance was a sight she had never seen before, so she couldn’t help but be particularly drawn to it.
That’s not the only thing; there was something else that really bothered her.
‘The basic form of this swordsmanship is very similar to Sponryu.’
Sponryu was the sword technique that Lina had repeated for more than ten years. There was no way she couldn’t recognize it.
‘How can such a smooth linking movement come out of Sponryu? The basic of Sponryu is to reverse the offense and defense through counterattacks. Therefore, the linking movement is bound to be somewhat interrupted. However…’
Before she knew it, Abel had finished his swordsmanship and was resting.
‘Abel’s swordsmanship didn’t have any interruptions in the linking movements. It felt like the attack and defense had become one. If you move like that, you’ll probably consume a lot of stamina, but you’ll be able to execute unconventional attacks and exert more strength.’
Watching Abel’s displayed swordsmanship, Lina felt confused.
Not only could Abel use such swordsmanship, but she also couldn’t understand why he told her to watch this.
Even in the midst of the confusion in her mind, she, who had something she needed to ask clearly, opened her mouth.
“You… where did you learn that sword technique?! Tell me right now!”
She couldn’t stand it, especially when it came to the reason why Abel could use Sponryu.
‘Even if I ask where he learned it… he can’t say he made it.’
Abel wiped away sweat with the back of his hand, thinking about an excuse.
“Just… it seemed better this way.”
“What?”
‘Just like that…? Are you saying you’ve improved the shortcomings based on seeing the Spornryu a few times?’
Rina could only be more surprised at his feeble excuse.
Due to inter-family exchanges since childhood, Abel had ample opportunities to observe the Spornryu. However, Abel had consistently shown disinterest in swordsmanship until now. Rina was well aware of this fact, making it certain that this was the first time he had genuinely paid attention.
Yet, pointing out the flaws of the Spornryu in one go left her speechless.
“Show me again. Just swinging it in the air won’t cut it.”
She said as she descended from the training ground, holding a wooden sword after putting down her real sword. Abel frowned with disdain.
“What? Is it difficult?”
“Hurry up!”
“…Fine, I got it.”
Unable to resist Rina’s pressure, Abel left the real sword where it was and picked up the wooden one.
“Ready?”
“Come at me with all you’ve got.”
“Don’t complain even if it’s slow, okay?”
“I get it.”
Abel gripped the wooden sword and charged at Rina.
Naturally, his slow attacks were all blocked by Rina’s single hand. However, the sharpness of the attacks, with a precise target, remained.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
As the number of clashes increased, the movements of the two subtly accelerated.
‘Indeed…! The smoothness of the connected movements makes the transition between offense and defense unbelievably fast. Moreover, he doesn’t try too hard to pierce through my sword or block it.’
Lina clashed her wooden sword against Abel’s, matching his speed, gaining a deeper understanding of swordsmanship.
As Abel widened the distance, Lina charged.
Thunk!
‘He intentionally widens the distance while evading, then counters when I come in. Depending on the user, it could be an effective attack.’
Grasped!
Casually exerting force, Lina swung at Abel’s wooden sword. Abel winced in pain, clutching his wrist.
“Ugh…! Ugh…!”
‘But how can Abel wield such swordsmanship? Could it be that he has a talent for it too? If not just laziness in training… maybe…’
Thunk!
“…Hey! Hey!”
Abel urgently called out to Lina, who was lost in thought.
“Huh, what?”
“Just… Huff… Is this enough? Feels like I’m about to die…”
“Oh… yeah. Seems about right.”
At Lina’s words, Abel dropped his wooden sword and sat down on the spot.
“Oh my. I’m going to die…”
Abel looked at his trembling forearm and anticipated the muscle pain he would suffer the next day.
“Abel, is the origin of this swordsmanship in Spornryu?”
“Yeah. That’s right. You figured it out quite easily.”
He felt proud as Abel acknowledged it instantly.
“Of course. It’s because the martial arts I use are from the Spawnryu. But why are you showing this to me?”
“…I’m concerned.”
“About what?”
He didn’t answer right away, hesitating for a moment.
It was an intentional pause. He didn’t want to say something that she might take sensitively.
“Come on. Spit it out,” urged Lina.
“You… seemed overwhelmed since the last semester’s competition with Princess Miné.”
“What…?”
“I saw it yesterday too, you seemed to be pushing yourself relentlessly without a break.”
While Abel’s concern pleased Lina, it also brought back memories of Abel’s past treatment of her, fueling her anger even more.
“…You don’t need to worry about that. It’s my business.”
“I do worry. Especially as your fiancé.”
“Since when have you cared about me? You…!”
Lina struggled to contain the emotions that were about to burst out.
‘As much as you come out like that, I don’t know how to treat you…’
“I know you’re still angry about my actions. Even if I apologize to you for the rest of my life, it won’t be enough. But… I mean it.”
He spoke sincerely, looking into her eyes despite his remorse. Despite the existence of a quest, Abel’s attitude towards Lina was undeniably sincere.
Knowing this, Lina found it even harder to face Abel.
“…It’s none of your business.”
“Right. But I hope it was helpful. I want you to defeat Princess Mine.”
“I’ll take care of that. If you’re tired, go back and wash up. I’ll call the knights. I think we need to use them properly.”
“Okay. Thanks for your hard work.”
Without waiting for Abel’s smiling response, Lina turned her body.
She felt like if she responded, she would somehow reopen Abel’s feelings for her.
* * *
Ugh… I feel like dying.
The excessive running and swordsmanship demonstration yesterday had caused tremendous muscle pain. I know I should eat breakfast, but my body just won’t cooperate.
Even blisters on my hands are killing me.
From Noble mtl dot com
Does Lina do this every day…?
“Abel!”
“Huh, what?”
Suddenly, the door opened and Lina walked in. I hastily got up, flustered.
“You’re still in bed. What are you doing? Skipping morning run?”
“What…?”
Lina, with her hand on her hip, was wearing comfortable running pants and had her hair tied up.
“Well, that’s you. New Year’s resolution, huh? Not a daily routine?”
“No…”
My forehead creased at her sarcasm. It’s unfair that I can’t move because of the muscle pain.
“…Fine. I’ll go.”
I never expected Lina to come find me in person.
Could it be that the advice I gave her helped to open her heart a little?
Regardless, her direct visit was a positive sign. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.
Struggling out of the room, I forced my muscles to stretch and collapsed on the floor, panting, after just five minutes of running.
“Marquis Houston will be furious when he finds out.”
I heard Dana’s warning.
“…That’s a helpful warning.”
“Are you worse off than yesterday?”
Lina, who had circled back to my side, asked as she crouched down.
“I feel like I’m dying from muscle pain.”
I couldn’t move properly due to the tingling pain in my arms and legs, even if stamina was a secondary concern.
“You should have exercised regularly.”
“Ah, I’m sorry.”
Lina chuckled and got up from her spot.
If I go to the Marquis’s estate, I should at least exercise. It wouldn’t do to lose face.
“If that’s the case, you should have rested, shouldn’t you?”
“How can I rest when I’m being pushed like this?”
“You can handle it because you’re worth it.”
I can’t deny that.
As I forced a smile, Lina began running again.
When I see Rina working hard, I realize that she’s not just climbing up to the position next to the protagonist.
Even today, after running, I handed her a letter. Now, she naturally accepts it.
“Why did you write this again?”
“Just because.”
It’s just because she wants to get her homework done ahead of time.
“You seem to really like doing these things.”
“It’s just good for avoiding eye contact.”
“If only I had done this earlier. If I had done this then…”
Muttering to herself, Rina turns and walks towards the mansion.
“Hurry up. Don’t we have to go for a meal?”
“…Okay.”
Maybe our relationship has gotten a little closer as I see her taking care of me one by one?
Her ears were turning red, but I decided it was just because of the cold. At least for now.
* * *
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Rina watched as the knights of the Sporn Ga engaged in a fierce duel.
The knights trying to withstand her momentum falter.
Currently, Rina’s prowess seems sufficient to match even the male knights.
Furthermore, as she follows my Qingcheng swordsmanship, the knights struggle to properly counterattack.
Indeed, she has talent that rivals the protagonist.
Despite showing a clumsy form, when she assumed a stance, it looked much neater and devoid of any clutter. Except for occasional hesitations, it seemed almost perfect.
“Haat—!”
Swish!
With a powerful strike, she deflected the opponent’s sword, precisely aiming the tip of her own sword at the knight’s throat. The opposing knight couldn’t block her sword and tilted his head slightly.
Lina, stopping her sword in front of the opponent, exhaled deeply. With that, the sparring came to an end.
“You’ve lost.”
I didn’t realize it when reading the novel, but she’s more powerful than I thought.
Indeed, Lina’s skills were not bad. However, there was still a regrettable aspect – the habit of relying on strength to overpower opponents.
While it might work against someone weaker, such a habit was not ideal when facing Mine.
“…Lady Lina, what kind of swordsmanship is that?”
Approaching Lina, who was wiping her face with a towel, the knights asked.
“I guess you could call it an improved version of Sponryu….”
Lina mumbled, glancing at me.
It’s something she developed, so she should be proud to explain it. But in situations like this, it was best to mumble about something that couldn’t be explained.
“Wow…! Have you finally gained a new insight?”
“You’re finally letting go. Haven’t you been clinging to your sword like something’s been chasing you since the vacation?”
“Like something’s been chasing me… I’ve been training in swordsmanship—”
“Come on. Who trains in swordsmanship all day long?”
“Exactly. No one spars all day long. And you, how do you take such good care of your body… We were really worried. Duke Gellus didn’t show it, but who knows how many times he asked us to watch over you.”
Lina, surrounded by knights, doesn’t know what to do.
Nevertheless, there was a subtle smile on her face, which clearly seemed to alleviate the burden in her heart.
[Lina Style “Clearwater Flow” Mastery 1/1]
Teaching her swordsmanship was as far as I could go. She should be able to handle the rest on her own.
Since I know more about sponsor styles than anyone else, I should be able to create a Lina style by applying sponsor style to the Clearwater Flow.
I got up from my seat and walked towards the mansion. It was to prepare the letter for tomorrow in advance.
And on the night when I delivered the last letter and the phrase “Improvement in the relationship with Lina as a reward for the quest” appeared, Lina came to my bedside.
She was even wearing thin schmooze and a cardigan.
“Are you busy? I came to ask something.”
No matter how close we were as childhood friends, she shouldn’t be so careless as an engaged woman…