episode_0004

“Today’s training ends here, Miss.”

“Oh, no! I can do more. Iris! I still have energy left!”

“No, it’s not possible. Pushing further would be unreasonable. Let’s stop here for today and rest.”

“Ugh…”

Iris, Sara’s swordsmanship tutor, set down her wooden sword, looking at Sara who was completely exhausted from the practice.

It had been three months since Iris was appointed as the swordsmanship tutor by the Brace Viscountess Yeong-ae.

During this time, she had been teaching Sara swordsmanship, but she couldn’t help feeling a sense of frustration every time she taught her.

“Rest now and resume practice tonight. Pushing yourself further will strain your body.”

“Master! …Please. Just watch me one more time. Just once, please…!”

“Miss Sara.”

Iris called out Sara’s name in a firm tone, despite her expressionless face.

Sara looked back at Iris in silence, knowing what would come next.

“We’re done for today.”

Upon hearing Iris’s words, Sara shook her head in frustration, lips pressed tightly together.

Reluctantly, she agreed, “I understand.”

Iris turned away from Sara, who was self-reproaching with bowed head.

As she left the training ground, Sara let out a quiet sigh.

“…Sigh.”

The talent Sara possessed in swordsmanship was modest.

Perhaps that was why, seeing her put in so much effort, Iris couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions, leaning towards frustration.

‘She must want to catch up to her late mother, the Sword Master.’

Bella Brace, Sara’s mother and the former Sword Master of the Brace Viscounty, was renowned nationally for her swordsmanship skills.

She surpassed even other Sword Masters in talent and skill, swiftly rising to the top with her graceful sword techniques and higher mastery level than ordinary individuals.

If she hadn’t passed away after giving birth to her son, she would likely have been traveling the world, protecting the less fortunate from bandits.

‘But her daughter lacks the talent.’

Initially excited when appointed as the tutor to Bella Brace’s daughter, the reality of Sara’s lack of talent became apparent quickly.

Seeing her struggle to follow in her mother’s footsteps despite her lack of talent only fueled Iris’s frustration.

At best, Sara had the talent of a Sword Expert.

Sighing with worry once again, Iris headed towards the guest room baths to wash off the sweat.

Walking, she pondered on how to teach Sara more effectively in the evening.

As she walked,

“Hah!”

A thunderous sound of ki erupted from somewhere.

It was coming from the backyard, an area rarely frequented by maids and servants.

‘What’s going on…?’

Curiosity piqued, Iris stealthily hid behind a wall, peeking over to observe the backyard.

“Hah!”

A burly man in the backyard was practicing swordsmanship energetically.

‘The second son of the Brace Viscount…?’

Struggling with his hefty frame, he repeatedly performed the basic Samjaegeom sword technique, executing vertical strikes.

‘I heard he has no interest in swordsmanship or magic…’

Seeing him practice swordsmanship alone in such a secluded place sparked Iris’s curiosity.

‘Should I watch a bit…?’

Despite her conscience pricking her, Iris was already engulfed in curiosity.

“Hah!”

The viscount’s son opened his eyes wide, wielding his sword sharply.

-Whoosh!

With each powerful swing, the sound of precise sword strikes echoed, driven by correct core strength and minimal arm muscle movement.

‘Impressive…’

Iris marveled, touching her chin with her hand.

‘Was the rumor about his lack of interest in swordsmanship false?’

Undoubtedly, the viscount’s son’s movements were those of a seasoned practitioner who had wielded a sword consistently.

If the swordsmanship training at the Academy had not been neglected, it would have been a movement that did not appear. At this level, it was similar to Sara now or slightly more sophisticated.

“Hap!”

Gongja swung his second sword strike.

It was excellent. The intention to reduce even more unnecessary movements than before was evident.

However, it was not without flaws.

There was too much force. Even if the intention was to reduce the force, the arm should follow the sword more naturally, like flowing water.

“I can’t stand it.”

Iris, with a broad-minded attitude, approached Gongja.

Gongja, seeming exhausted after training, was panting as he sat down hesitantly.

Iris went up behind Gongja and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“May I take a look at your sword?”

“Ah!”

Startled, Gongja jumped up in surprise and stumbled.

Chuckling.

Iris enjoyed Gongja’s reaction. It was one of her bad habits.

“W-Who are you…?”

Wide-eyed, Gongja looked at Iris.

“Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner. I am Iris, a swordsmanship instructor recently appointed as Sara’s governess.”

“Iris…?”

Gongja widened his eyes.

He must have heard of her.

One of the three sword masters of the scarce Brace Kingdom. Iris.

She was famous for integrating swordsmanship with active mana utilization.

With an air of recognition, Gongja spoke to her.

“Iris…! It’s really Iris. Wow… This is the first time seeing you in person… No, is it the first time seeing you in person?”

Although his reaction seemed somewhat exaggerated, it didn’t matter.

“I inadvertently peeked at Gongja’s sword practice out of curiosity. I apologize for that.”

“Oh, no. Rather, to have you watch my swordsmanship practice, is that really…?”

“Yes. Sara has just finished her training, and we have some time now.”

“Great. I’m really glad.”

“Then let me take a look right away. What swordsmanship are you most confident in?”

“Um…”

Gongja hesitated as if embarrassed.

What’s wrong? Is he naturally shy?

After a moment of silence, Gongja finally spoke up.

“Well… I actually don’t know any swordsmanship.”

“…What?”

What kind of statement is that?

If he has been consistently learning swordsmanship at the Academy, he should be able to demonstrate at least basic sword techniques.

Is he refusing to admit he doesn’t want to learn?

“If you’re embarrassed, it’s okay. It seems I’ve disturbed your swordsmanship practice.”

“Oh, no! It’s not that… It’s just that I really haven’t learned any basic techniques.”

“You haven’t learned any basic techniques…? Not even the basics?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Iris couldn’t understand.

Being proficient enough to perform such basic sword techniques but claiming not to have learned even one basic technique?

“By any chance… how long have you been holding a sword?”

“…Just now.”

“…”

Is he joking?

The vertical cut he was peeking at was the movement of a skilled swordsman.

Unless he’s trying to deceive to receive praise, it doesn’t make sense.

“Fine. Then let me teach you the basic technique.”

Iris inwardly smirked and picked up the wooden sword Gongja had left on the ground.

And she demonstrated the most basic sword technique, the Thunder Sword Method’s 1st form.

Using only her physical body without the aid of magic, it was a fundamental technique that swiftly pierced the opponent like lightning, rendering them defenseless.

Iris moved her body flexibly. Pulling the sword back for a moment, she closed the distance with agile footwork, rotated, and thrust forward with recoil.

-Clang!

A sharp sound of the sword cutting through the air echoed.

“Wow…!”

Gongja clapped from behind, watching.

“This is the basic Thunder Sword Method, 1st form. I’ve shown you an example, so why don’t you try it once?”

“Um…”

Surely, he will boast about doing it exactly the same way in one attempt.

Those seeking praise usually do.

To those at the level of Sword Masters, it’s a method to make oneself appear talented and ask to be taken on as a disciple.

Unfortunately, Iris was someone who wouldn’t move unless there was a benefit. Even showing Sara’s sword wasn’t something she would teach if it wasn’t for money.

As Iris was thinking this…

“Unbelievable!”

Something impossible was happening.

Awkward footwork with left and right feet tangled messily.

Trying to imitate but moving clumsily, like spinning awkwardly in a heavy body.

Lastly, a thrust that was unbelievably bad even if attempted to follow.

Even someone unfamiliar could tell.

This master really doesn’t know how to wield a sword properly.

“What…? Is he extremely good at acting? No, then it wouldn’t benefit him.”

Was the excellent vertical cut shown earlier just luck?

No… How many times have I already confirmed it with my own eyes?

The master repeated the same vertical cut multiple times.

It can’t be just luck.

“Um… Even I think this isn’t right, could you show it to me one more time?”

…Did this master really just pick up a sword for the first time?