The more I thought about it, the more incomprehensible it became.
Dodging, parrying… It all just feels off, doesn’t it?
Even though we’re somehow managing to hold on with that, if someone starts nitpicking, I’ve got nothing to say. But still, I can’t help but question it.
Of course, that feeling was short-lived. It’s not like I could find an answer anyway, and as long as it works, isn’t that good enough? So, I never really bothered to analyze it deeply.
“Deflecting attacks is a basic defensive skill in combat, but delivering enough force to send your opponent flying? That’s on another level. From my analysis, that technique…”
Maybe that’s why. The Crown Prince was rambling on about something, but I couldn’t really make sense of it. All I could do was nod along with the classic “Uh-huh, yeah, sure.”
After a long monologue, the Crown Prince finally reached a conclusion.
“So, while it’s impossible to perfectly replicate, just mastering the basics… No, even just mimicking it would significantly improve my combat skills.”
To him, my technique seemed like some kind of transcendent ability.
It’s just a cheat skill I got by chance, but seeing him so passionately trying to learn it makes me feel a bit guilty.
Feeling awkward, I decided to ask a question.
“Is there a reason you’re training so hard?”
Honestly, the Crown Prince wasn’t a major character. The Emperor’s death routes were rare, and even if he did die, the game usually ended before the Crown Prince could properly take the throne.
Still, I know the basics, but since I’m not familiar with the details, it feels like meeting an awkward friend—I have to tread carefully.
One thing’s for sure, though: he wasn’t exactly the most combat-driven person.
I might not know much about him, but I’m well-versed in Seria’s family history. By the final chapter, the Crown Prince was the weakest among Seria’s family.
It wasn’t a matter of talent—he was just more focused on his studies as the future Emperor.
So, why is he so desperate to learn from me? I couldn’t help but wonder.
“The reason for training…”
The Crown Prince hesitated for a moment but didn’t seem too troubled. There must’ve been a clear reason, so I waited, and soon enough, he answered.
“Yesterday, Seria said something. If I want to share meat with her, I should at least be on par with Sir Velorix.”
I had to hold back a laugh at that.
Velorix. That name belonged to the Knight Commander.
He’s often portrayed as a strong figure in the world, but is he really that important?
That’s a person in a rather ambiguous position.
In the game, he was often referred to as the “Knight Commander” rather than by his name, so there’s no need to say more.
But his combat prowess was real.
When he swung his sword in earnest, rocks would split, and even the mountain behind it would crack in half.
No exaggeration—it actually appeared as a cutscene.
Though he was drawing on some kind of power… no ordinary human could split a mountain just by drawing on power.
And you’re telling me to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with someone like that?
Seria clearly expressed her reluctance in a roundabout way.
But this guy took it to heart.
“Seria, I thought you considered me equal to Duke Velorix… no, even above him.”
Whether he didn’t realize it or not, the Crown Prince spouted nonsense like that.
No way, that can’t be. I can’t even scratch a rock, let alone split a mountain.
First, I decided to discuss how absurd the goal Seria had set was.
“You know that’s impossible, right?”
“I know. Even though I can’t hold a candle to Duke Lux now… I’ll do what I can.”
That’s why he somehow arranged this situation, right?
The Crown Prince’s expression was as serious as it could be.
…This is ridiculous.
Do you really go this far just to get a piece of meat from your little sister?
I had a lot to say, but suddenly felt so tired that I decided not to say anything.
“Then, I’ll ask for your guidance.”
The Crown Prince drew his sword.
I was late to realize it, but the place the Crown Prince brought me to was the Royal Palace’s grand banquet hall.
A spacious, empty place when not in use. It was the perfect location for the current situation.
“It’s been months since I’ve been here. The last banquet was for Seria’s enrollment celebration.”
That was the first thing the Crown Prince said as we entered.
Even banquets revolve around Seria. Truly fitting for the Royal Palace.
Of course, I didn’t expect to be doing *this* in the banquet hall.
There’s something here that needs to be dealt with too… but let’s skip that for now.
The Crown Prince and I stood facing each other on the dance floor.
Sword dances are still dances, so it’s a fitting position, right?
Thinking such silly thoughts, I drew the sword at my waist.
“I have no intention of seriously teaching you anything. I’m not capable of that… Just figure it out and learn on your own.”
I added a bit of insurance while saying that.
There was no other way. Teaching a power that’s essentially a game-breaking force was impossible.
Let alone explaining it to someone else.
I told him to figure it out and learn, but honestly, is that even possible?
I didn’t think of it that way.
“Since it’s following my stubbornness, what could I possibly complain about?”
But the Crown Prince’s reaction was more obedient than I expected.
Did he really think that highly of my abilities? I’m confused whether to take this as a good thing or not.
“Alright. Then let’s start right away… Oh, right.”
Thinking about it, it seemed like we couldn’t just spar, so I assigned him a few attack stances.
What he wanted now was my parrying, so I showed him the motions for possible parries.
“You said you weren’t planning to teach me seriously, but you’re giving quite detailed instructions.”
Taking even that as part of the teaching… This is really… The pressure is no joke.
Anyway, the Crown Prince followed my instructions and came at me with straightforward and honest attacks, and for the first time, I held the short sword with both hands.
It was to perform a blade parry possible with all types of swords.
Until now, I had only parried with the hilt of the short sword… But doing a hilt parry here would seem too showy.
At least, I thought I should make a show of countering, so I made that decision.
Clang!
A slightly sharper and more stimulating sound than a hilt parry erupted.
At the same time, the Crown Prince’s body was pushed back a few steps.
“…Indeed, it’s miraculous…”
He stepped back quite a bit, checked his sword and body condition, and then muttered quietly.
And then he asked.
“How long can you keep this up?”
“All day if needed.”
“Right. Duke Lux didn’t show any signs of fatigue when sparring with me either. It was a pointless question for my level.”
No, it’s not that I don’t get tired because of infinite stamina.
Anyway, after that, we repeated the same actions for a while.
The Crown Prince swings his sword, and I parry, parry, parry.
After repeating this dozens of times… Just before reaching triple digits, the Crown Prince stopped.
“Phew… I really don’t understand. It’s not swinging to knock it away, nor is it using the effect of magic… What principle causes enough recoil to send a person flying?”
It’s game mechanics. Please don’t try to understand it with common sense.
But even though I said that, it wasn’t completely without results.
From the middle, he started to act in response to being bounced off by the parry.
Even if he didn’t know the technique to deflect, he seemed to quickly master one counterattack technique.
“Still, I should try. Will you swing your sword at me?”
Of course, he didn’t go this far just to learn that, so he didn’t seem satisfied.
There was no reason to refuse, so I swung my sword as he asked.
He brought his sword against my swinging sword… and was immediately countered.
Clang!
Of course, there was no bouncing off. It was just the appearance of blocking a sword with a sword.
It just became that way.
“All I did was stop a sword swung so lightly…”
I tried hard to analyze it, but with no leads to grasp, I felt a bit disheartened.
Ah, don’t be too upset. It’s normal not to be able to do it.
Just as I thought about offering some comfort, the banquet hall doors burst open with a loud bang.
Bam!
Both the crown prince and I turned our heads in surprise towards the opened door, where Seria stood quietly.
“What are you doing here?”
At her question, the crown prince quickly sheathed the sword he had been facing me with.
I followed suit, sheathing my sword at my waist, though it was a rather pointless action since she had probably already seen everything.
In the awkward situation, Seria slowly approached us and then suddenly levitated the crown prince with magic.
“Se, Seria?!”
The flustered crown prince urgently called her name, but Seria, as if she didn’t hear, calmly muttered.
“Honestly, why is everyone so obsessed with bothering Rudion?”
And then she sent the crown prince flying out the window.
“If you come chasing back in, you’ll be eating dinner alone tonight.”
With that threat, he was banished, so he probably won’t be coming back here.
…Now alone with Seria, she sighed and glanced at my arm.
It was covered by my long sleeve, but knowing about the wound, it seemed to bother her.
“Is your arm okay?”
“It’s a bit uncomfortable, but it’s manageable.”
As long as it wasn’t pressed directly, the pain was bearable.
But it wasn’t a shallow wound that would heal quickly either.
I’ll have to ask Professor Reina to treat it when we get back to Akadeumi.
Thinking that, I suddenly remembered something I had overlooked earlier.
I called out to Seria, who was still looking at my arm with a worried expression.
“Seria.”
“Yes?”
“Can I destroy that floating magic stone over there?”
“…Why?”
Because if we leave it, it could cause a disaster at the upcoming victory party.
It’s not urgent enough to deal with right now, but now that I’ve noticed it, I want to get rid of it quickly.
But Seria, unaware of this, probably wouldn’t allow it.
Too bad, but I’ll have to deal with it next time…
“Do as you please.”
“…Really?”
“I know you’re not the type to destroy things without a reason. Or should I do it? It might be easier to clean up afterward.”
Saying that, she cast a spell without hesitation.
I’m always grateful that she trusts me, but it’s starting to get a bit scary.
I thought to myself that I should never lie to her in the future.
