Ch.109109. The Exchange Meeting is a Bundle of Experience

# Spring Shield

Unlike other seasonal weapon arts that were all passed down as weapons such as swords, spears, and bows, Spring Shield was uniquely classified as a defensive weapon art centered around shields.

Shields were commonly known as defensive weapons. The concept of a shield was fundamentally a weapon meant to block an opponent’s attacks, and thus it was classified as defensive equipment.

Of course, this was a classification based on a one-dimensional concept. Depending on the raw materials used to make a shield, it could be utilized as a lethal offensive weapon, potentially more deadly than other weapons.

A prime example was the buckler, a small shield about 30cm in diameter primarily used in duels. Due to its small size, it was nearly impossible to block projectiles with it.

The buckler, which could at best protect vital areas, was mainly used for active shield techniques that focused on securing greater mobility than the opponent and deflecting their weapons, rather than simply blocking attacks.

Buckler swordsmanship primarily consisted of techniques that used the shield to disrupt the opponent’s vision and, when necessary, strike the opponent as a substitute weapon, rather than deploying defensive tactics with the shield.

The Spring Shield of Tactical Combat was a weapon art conceived from this same principle.

A shield technique that began with the question: could shields be used more offensively?

That was the essence of Spring Shield.

Spring Shield was a shield technique that utilized a targe shield worn strapped to the forearm, rather than the duel-specialized buckler.

Created by warriors commonly referred to as sword-and-shield fighters, it was a weapon art that began with the concept of not merely blocking attacks with a shield, but actively intercepting the opponent’s attacks.

Starting from the principle that the best defense is always offense, Spring Shield became more sophisticated over generations.

The stubborn insistence on using shields only for offense disappeared, and the technique was refined to respond flexibly to opponents’ attacks.

And so, with the passage of time, Spring Shield came to occupy one of the four seats among the seasonal weapon arts.

***

Gilbert sighed as he looked at the next successor of Spring Shield, who wore a targe shield on his left forearm and an arming sword at his waist.

Just one more.

He could have achieved the “Defeating 100 Opponents” achievement with just one more victory, but a formidable opponent had appeared at the last moment.

Maiyum Yar, the next successor of Spring Shield.

Yar was the only variable Gilbert couldn’t eliminate among those he had anticipated, and unfortunately, his prediction had come true.

When planning this “Defeating 100 Opponents” achievement, Gilbert had tried his best to reduce variables.

Telling Edel, the next successor of Summer Spear, in a cringeworthy manner that there was a separate dueling stage was done with this moment in mind.

It was a cheap price to pay—enduring one moment of disgust in exchange for eliminating a variable.

And although not present here, the next successor of Autumn Bow was considered irrelevant from the start. Gilbert was confident that given their personality of disliking crowded places, they wouldn’t voluntarily step forward when he gathered a crowd with this promotional activity.

Indeed, the next successor of Autumn Bow was not present.

But with Maiyum Yar, Gilbert had no choice but to leave it to chance. Currently, there was no connection between them, and if one were to form, Yar would likely show a strange competitive spirit and charge right in.

So he had simply prayed to the heavens, but as expected, what he feared came to pass.

Perhaps it was foolish to pray in the first place, having fallen into a fantasy world based on a game.

Realizing that the one-minute timer between duels was almost up, Gilbert cleanly accepted his duel request.

“I am Gilbert Lion Heart, one of the next successors of Winter Sword.”

“To think you’d organize something like this—you’re more interesting than you look.”

Maiyum, who had a robust physique similar to Gilbert’s, grinned widely. It was Maiyum’s characteristic habit when meeting an opponent he liked.

“Gathering all these people for duels—are you planning to defeat a hundred opponents?”

“As it happens, this is the hundredth duel.”

Brynhild, who had been quietly observing the situation, interjected.

When Gilbert glanced at her, he saw a face full of unmistakable pride.

He could guess the reason without asking.

She seemed to want to boast about her man’s accomplishments.

It was exasperating for Gilbert, but when had she ever cared about his opinion?

He decided to just let it go.

“Well, coming to Demeia Academy wasn’t particularly pleasant, but it seems things are about to get better.”

Maiyum’s eyes widened slightly when he saw Brynhild, then began to gleam with enthusiasm.

That gaze resembled that of a predator who had found its prey.

Brynhild, noticing his stare, frowned slightly.

“That gaze is extremely disrespectful and I don’t like it.”

“Not at all. I’ve simply found one more thing to my liking.”

At his smirking expression, Brynhild kicked up a wooden sword lying nearby and caught it.

Though she was now quietly staying by her husband’s side after finding him, she was a proud great warrior of the Sigurd clan.

Becoming someone’s prey was unacceptable.

“This is my fight.”

“…If that’s the case.”

Brynhild looked at Gilbert, who raised his hand to stop her from entering the dueling ground. His expression was indifferent, but it contained a strong will telling her not to interfere.

He knows how to protect his woman, I see.

Brynhild’s mood improved instantly, and she lowered the wooden sword.

Normally, hiding behind a man didn’t suit her, but it was different when that man was her destined husband.

Moreover, if it was about protecting his woman, there was no reason to stop him.

“So that’s how it is. Interesting.”

Maiyum looked back and forth between Gilbert and Brynhild, then nodded as if he had reached some conclusion.

Gilbert found that conclusion deeply concerning.

“That’s irritating.”

“Ha. I apologize, but once I set my sights on something, I must have it to be satisfied.”

So what exactly?

Gilbert had that question on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t ask it.

With so many eyes on them, saying unnecessary things would only cause gossip.

“Then let’s decide with this duel. Who is the more suitable man.”

No, why with me?

Another question formed in his mind, but again he suppressed it.

Thinking about it would only give him a headache.

Perhaps it was his own doing anyway.

Gilbert focused only on the fact that achieving the “Defeating 100 Opponents” achievement was within reach.

Since completing the achievement was his top priority, he pushed everything else aside.

Maiyum picked up a prepared wooden sword and wooden shield with more enthusiasm than ever before.

True to being the next successor of Spring Shield, he meticulously checked the balance of the shield.

After swinging the shield in the air several times, he seemed satisfied and tapped it with his wooden sword.

“Let’s play, next successor of Winter Sword.”

And so began the final duel of the Hundred Defeats.

***

Seraphina headed straight to the location as soon as she received the report that Gilbert was up to something. She was quite curious about what her cute disciple was doing this time.

The impression that Ian had made on her had long since faded. Though she had put his name back on her recruitment list, Gilbert always remained at the very top.

To Seraphina, who had grown up in the cold imperial palace, Gilbert was a remarkably different kind of person. He was unlike the sycophantic nobles who always tried to curry favor with her, and different from the vassals who swore loyalty to her.

If she had to compare, perhaps the Blue-Blooded Count who guarded the distant borderlands might be similar?

But Gilbert gave off a different feeling even from his father, the Iron-Blooded Margrave of the borderlands.

He was a new type of person, different from the countless people she had met in her life.

Moreover, he was always at the center of turmoil.

It was the same recently.

Hadn’t he unexpectedly arranged a peace treaty with the Sigurd clan, and then shortly after requested special admission to Demeia Academy for a great warrior of the Sigurd clan?

Seraphina, who immediately understood Gilbert’s hidden intentions, judged that his request would benefit her after weighing various pros and cons, and gladly accepted.

Indeed, in the current intensifying struggle for imperial succession, the peace with the Sigurd clan was providing her with great strength.

It was called a peace treaty, but it was essentially the same as the Sigurd clan bowing their heads and submitting.

This meant that the pacification of the Sigurd clan, which no war lord had ever achieved, had been accomplished under her name.

It was an achievement worthy of being called such, and her position as successor became even more secure.

All of this was a side effect of what her disciple Gilbert had done. Whether he had this in mind when he acted or not, the fact that she had greatly benefited from the result remained unchanged.

And today, she heard that Gilbert was up to something again.

Seraphina was unbearably curious about both the result of the duel and why he had organized such an event.

Feeling that she wouldn’t be satisfied unless she saw it with her own eyes, Seraphina hurriedly led the student who had reported to her.

Her steps naturally quickened in her eagerness to see what Gilbert was doing.

All the student council executives followed behind their president. They aimed to restrain Gilbert, who had suddenly organized an event without any permission.

Guided by the student who first reported the incident, Seraphina and the student council members arrived at a dueling ground surrounded by a wall-like formation of people.

Looking closely, all the academy students participating in the exchange program were mixed together.

In a sense, isn’t this in line with the original purpose of the exchange program?

Seraphina couldn’t help but smile.

Before the meaning of the exchange program had faded—what had now become the superficial reason—the harmony between academies was being achieved right now.

Students from different academies, mixed together as they watched the dueling ground, showed no signs of rejecting each other.

They were simply enthralled by the two men heating up the dueling ground.

Seraphina, moved by the palpable energy, slowly walked toward the dueling ground.

The students glared at the student council members who were making space for Seraphina to pass, but as soon as they recognized her, they hastily stepped aside.

Seraphina pushed through the wall of students and finally reached the dueling ground.

The duel was already reaching its climax.

Wooden swords clashed, and a shield cut through the air.

The two next successors of the seasonal weapon arts were engaged in a decisive battle, giving no quarter, solely focused on defeating their opponent.

But it was clear who had the upper hand.

“Kuk!”

Finally, a sound of suppressed pain rang out in the dueling ground where only the clash of weapons had been heard.

The source of the sound was the next successor of Spring Shield who was dueling with Gilbert.

He had been employing both iron-wall defensive shield techniques and lightning-fast offensive shield techniques, but he was gradually being pushed back by Gilbert’s Winter Sword, which swung without wavering from beginning to end.

The difference in basic physical strength, weapon art fundamentals, and experience honed through countless battles was clearly widening the gap.

Seraphina silently watched this and felt the most intense emotion of her life.

She wanted to possess such a brilliantly shining talent.

To not give him to anyone else, but to own him completely and solely for herself.

In her short life, it was the first time she had desired just one thing so strongly.

Seraphina’s desire for talent exploded like a blooming flower as she watched Gilbert claim victory in the dueling ground.

It was a possessiveness she would never feel again.

***

[The “Defeating 100 Opponents” achievement is in progress. (100/100)]

[You have completed the achievement “Defeating 100 Opponents.”]

[You have acquired the title “Master of Duels.”]

[You have acquired the title “Sword Tiger.”]

[Sub-scenario “Twisted Possessiveness” has been unlocked and forcibly accepted.]