Ch.44Chapter 44: Unexpected Test (3)

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“If you can either counter my attack at a level that impresses me, or launch an attack that I find difficult to block, I’ll give you a gift.”

The test proposed by the entity who introduced itself as the sword spirit residing in the dragon sword during our second meeting sounded both appealing and simple in words, but the reality was quite different.

After our second encounter in the mist ended in defeat when his headbutt struck my solar plexus.

And then three days later, at the special training ground reserved for awakened special forces in the afternoon.

It was enough to drive me to engage in even more rigorous sword training despite my mental exhaustion.

As you can probably tell from what I’ve said so far, to cut to the chase, after my second defeat, I lost to the spirit in two additional tests that took place up until yesterday.

With each of the four tests, I felt like my movements and everything else were gradually improving, but my attacks still weren’t acknowledged by the spirit, and I couldn’t properly counter the powerful strikes he used, resulting in my expulsion from the mist-filled space.

Coincidentally, except for our first encounter, the attacks that drove me to defeat each time all used different methods, but they all targeted the same destination.

The solar plexus, right at the pit of my stomach.

As in the second test, he seemed to prefer delivering a blow to the solar plexus when executing the finishing strike that expelled me from the space.

The second time with his head, the third time with a back kick, and if that wasn’t enough, a straight punch for the fourth time.

Except for the first time’s shoulder throw, the methods were all different, but the point of impact was invariably my solar plexus.

Though I was hit directly in this vital point where muscles are extremely difficult to train.

Thanks to my super-regeneration ability and the nature of the space he summoned me to, it ended with my expulsion from the space before I could even feel the pain.

‘It felt strangely like there was some personal grudge behind those strikes.’

It was hard to dismiss my suspicions about the spirit’s intentions when he delivered those test-failing attacks.

Just like the sharp emotions he displayed when openly mentioning my ancestor, Lord Lumen Ranos, without directly naming him.

When I realized that these attacks might be an extension of his attitude, seemingly disliking me for inheriting that person’s blood, my solar plexus—which hadn’t even been hit—started to throb with a rising heat inside me.

‘Even if I can’t win, I should at least break that arrogance of his.’

I felt unreasonably angry.

Considering that the entity presumed to be him had died at the hands of my ancestor in the past, it seemed like a karmic end, yet he appeared to be taking out his frustrations on me, a descendant.

But getting angry where he couldn’t see would only disturb my own mind.

“Haaah…”

After calming my heat with a soft sigh, I resolved to pass his test tonight, gripped my raised sword firmly, and then—

Whoosh

Without hesitation, I swung the sword straight down from above.

Though it had been a short period, the results of my meaningful training should have shown in my movements—either with a refreshing sound of cutting air or a trajectory so elegant that not even that sound could be heard. But perhaps due to my spirit being slightly broken by repeated defeats…

Whoosh

“…This isn’t right.”

The trajectory drawn by my arm and hand, and the sound it produced, were of a quality that couldn’t be called good even as a polite lie.

Something was off. No matter how I thought about it, something was strange.

Unlike last week when I trained with a weight-enhancing spell on my sword, I had adjusted the weight to match actual combat with him, so my swings should have felt light and agile rather than heavy.

Strangely, there was no refreshing sound of cutting air when I swung the sword down from the upper stance.

The sword in my hands even felt heavier than when I had the weight-enhancing spell on it.

“Hmm…”

Realizing that my training wasn’t going as intended, I twisted my lips and let out a groan.

“It’s not working well.”

Until yesterday, my sword training had always been going well, regardless of the results of the tests with the spirit.

During the nearly ten days of relentless practice, I could easily feel my skills improving with each repetition of the cutting motion, but today, no matter how many times I repeated it, I couldn’t feel that satisfaction.

No, forget satisfaction—

Tremble tremble

My arms holding the sword were subtly shaking.

Was this trembling due to fear of an overwhelmingly skilled opponent?

Or was it frustration from suddenly hitting a wall after returning with determination to build strength and skill for a better future?

Neither was a particularly good thought.

“Haaah…”

As negative thoughts continued, another hot sigh escaped my lips, but I forcibly cut off those thoughts by shaking my head vigorously.

“What’s the point of thinking about it? I should use that time to swing my sword more and improve my skills.”

Skip one day of practice and you’ll know it; skip two days and others will notice—that’s the way of martial arts.

If I become intimidated by the pressure of facing a powerful opponent and lose confidence in my sword, that would only take me further from passing the test he set.

After steeling my resolve, I was about to get back into position and prepare to swing my sword again, but—

“…Cal?”

I had to stop because Shizu had somehow slipped into my range and placed her small hand on my forehead.

‘Pleasantly cool.’

The coolness of her touch, slightly chilled from handling cold weapons, spread across my forehead.

Even though I had only been distracted for a moment, I couldn’t help but admire how she had seized that brief instant to slip into my space.

‘Compared to that guy, she’s not just keeping up—she’s overwhelming.’

I couldn’t help comparing her to the spirit who consistently denied me the range to deliver a killing blow during the tests, yet effortlessly entered my range whenever he chose.

Shizu, who had nearly reached her full potential as a hero despite rarely showing her true abilities to many, and the suspicious sword spirit who pulled me into a strange world and toyed with me.

Which one was stronger?

I tried to ponder this briefly, but—

“Cal, are you sick somewhere?”

The concerned question in Shizu’s voice that reached my ears prevented me from continuing that train of thought.

Though her words were brief, the warm concern for me contained within them gradually untangled the complicated feelings about the unsuccessful training and the tests I had to face every evening.

Perhaps because I was too captivated by the warmth she conveyed to respond appropriately to her question.

Shizu’s hand, placed in the center of my forehead, moved around checking my condition across my not-so-wide forehead.

Her worried expression gradually relaxed as she quickly examined my forehead with her nimble hands.

“No fever.”

She seemed relieved that my body temperature, the most direct indicator of physical condition, was normal, but—

“But you look tired.”

She stiffened her expression of relief and spoke with concern.

I had been maintaining my usual calmness while training, not revealing the pressure I felt from the unsuccessful practice in my expression.

Perhaps because she had been watching my training closely from the closest position?

I was very grateful for her consideration in noticing that my movements were slightly heavier than usual and asking about my condition, but—

“Maybe I’m just tired from training non-stop since gaining my ability.”

I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that the mental fatigue from the tests with the sword spirit and the vague fear I felt from him had dulled my movements.

Instead, I answered her question with a plausible excuse.

But perhaps she wasn’t satisfied with my explanation for my poor condition.

“Forcing yourself when you’re not feeling well will only backfire. Don’t overdo it, take a rest.”

After hearing my answer, Shizu spoke with even more concern than before, then moved her hand from my forehead to the top of my head and gently stroked it downward.

Contrary to the soft, delicate appearance of her hands, befitting someone at the age just before crossing from girlhood to womanhood, the calluses formed from handling swords since childhood conveyed her kindness and concern for me with each stroke through my hair.

“You used to always say things like this to me and worry about me, but now look at you overdoing it.”

…Her determined tone, tinged with slight annoyance, came through as well.

From her voice, I could sense that if I insisted on stubbornly continuing my sword training here, she would grab my hand and force me out of the training ground to make me rest in my room, so I immediately took action.

First, I moved away from her hand that was stroking my head.

Click

Quickly sheathing my training sword.

“I guess I should follow your advice and take a break from sword training today.”

I yielded to Shizu’s earnestness, as she looked at me with eyes that seemed to beg me not to overexert myself.

Simple, indeed. Upon hearing my words, Shizu’s expression immediately brightened.

Though I felt a bit regretful about the reduced training time, when I faced Shizu’s smile—

‘…A profitable trade.’

The complicated thoughts about the unsuccessful training and the tests I had to face every evening instantly vanished, naturally giving way to satisfaction.

‘That’s right. I wanted to protect that smile.’

I had let my mind become troubled over the spirit’s difficult test for no good reason.

In my previous life, even though I failed to awaken and lived at rock bottom, I had once given my life to protect Shizu.

“Hehehe…”

When I realized that I had shrunk back in frustration after just taking a few hits and beatings, despite now possessing power and abilities incomparable to that time, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“…Cal?”

As Shizu called my name with a slightly startled expression at my low laughter and gradually approached me.

I carefully extended my hand toward her head.

“Hmm?”

Though she showed a slightly puzzled expression, Shizu didn’t reject my touch.

Just as she had stroked my head earlier, I caressed the top of her head with much more gentleness in my touch and quietly said, just loud enough for her to hear:

“…I’ll give it to you.”

“What?”

“I’ll definitely protect you.”

“…!!”

Shizu’s expression turned as red as a ripe apple when she understood my words.

In terms of strength, I was actually the one who should be protected by her.

Yet her embarrassed reaction to my promise to protect her showed tenderness rather than the dignity and strength expected of a future great hero.

I wanted to express my sincerity more directly, but knowing she would be overwhelmed with embarrassment if I did—

“Help me with my meditation.”

I asked Shizu to help me with breathing practice through meditation as an alternative to sword training.

“Y-Yes!”

Shizu, barely regaining her composure, took my hand and guided me to the spot with the highest mana density in her private training ground.

Whether this attempt to find answers in areas other than technique, where I’m outmatched by him, will succeed remains to be seen this evening.

“Let’s work hard!”

For now, it’s time to fill the emptiness in my heart while strengthening my inner self, watching her happy just to have me by her side.

The feeling of energy overflowing in my body whenever I continued my commitment to protect her happiness, made right after my regression, persisted even now.