episode_0066

wake up in the morning It’s just before the sun rises. After changing into the gym clothes I received over the weekend, I go for a light jog and come back and take a shower.

At this point, it is time for the sun to rise. After returning to my room, I change into my school uniform and head to the academy with Sarah. After taking the class, eating lunch, and taking the afternoon class, that’s it.

After school, we always head to the training ground. And, upon arriving at the training ground――

Taaang–!!

“Ugh!!”

“Don’t try to throw the sword away. It’s still too much for you. Just look at how the opponent swings the sword and think of it by holding the shield at an angle.”

“Okay!”

Sparring, sparring, and sparring again.

Even though it’s snowing and the wind is blowing, when you and Charlotte cross swords, your whole body becomes covered in dirt and sweat.

By the time I was out of breath, my mouth was dry, and I couldn’t even lift my arm holding a shield, let alone swing a sword.

“Let’s stop here for today.”

Charlotte said that and put the sword on her shoulder, and I stood, supporting my completely exhausted body with only the sword.

And then I realize. Even today, there was not a single successful attack. Lying down on the dirt floor, I looked up at the sky and caught my breath.

“Ha… … . ha… … .”

When my will is shaken by fatigue, cold, and pain, countless negative thoughts invade my emotions.

Also, I’ve never been able to reach it. My arm hurts. it’s hard. I feel uncomfortable because of the sweat. cold. Why can’t I do something like that? I’m jealous. Why are you so strong and beautiful? I’m jealous of you for having what I don’t have.

I feel sorry for myself for not being able to do anything, and it is unfair that I am not rewarded for my efforts. Besides that, jealousy, irritation, anger and sadness are mixed together and running through my head.

But I wasn’t shaken. Because it’s all a familiar feeling.

‘When you get better, let’s go out and play together!’

Because I felt like this back then too.

‘huh!’

When I lie blankly like this, the old jealousy and negative emotions that I had been building up until now slowly raise their heads.

I feel like I’m back in time. My health got so bad that I was so weak that I couldn’t even ride in a wheelchair. I remembered the time when I was quietly lying in bed and waiting to die.

Lying here without being able to do anything made me think that this was actually all a dream and that if I opened my eyes, I would wake up in a hospital bed again.

“Se-eup, Paha… … .”

When that happens, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and then let it out all at once.

Cold air fills my lungs, and my hot breath disappears, leaving a pure white trace in the air.

Try to suppress negative thoughts and put them out of sight. I know full well that those feelings are also a part of me, so I slowly read them and accept them.

‘I’m jealous of Charlotte.’

Charlotte worked hard to become that strong. I can do it too.

‘Why am I so weak?’

At first, I wasn’t even good at blocking with my shield, but now I can even use my shield to block the opponent’s sword. It’s one step at a time, but we’re moving forward.

Once I face and accept my emotions one by one, I feel much more at ease. No, negative emotions turn into positive emotions and even make you laugh.

As I stretched out my arms and legs, relaxed my body, and raised my upper body, I made eye contact with Charlotte, who was quietly looking at me.

As I was about to open my mouth to wonder what was going on, Charlotte, who had been quietly watching me, spoke first.

“It’s a lot better than yesterday.”

“Huh?”

I made a dumb sound without even realizing it at the sudden praise that came my way.

What did I just hear? That was a compliment, right? It’s a compliment, right? Is this the first time that Charlotte, who always expressed disappointment, praised me?

A series of thoughts passed through my mind in an instant, and soon a feeling of joy bloomed like a flower.

I meant it. It was extremely sincere. Isn’t that why they say that praise can make even whales dance?

Moreover, if the other person is Charlotte, who is so stingy with compliments, you don’t have to tell me how much meaning that compliment has.

The corners of the mouth loosen and the corners of the eyes droop. As the strength in the corner of my mouth that I had been holding on to was loosened…

“Ugh, euhhihihi.”

A really stupid laugh came out.

Even though it came from my own mouth, I covered my face with both hands because of the goofy laughter that made my face get hot.

The smell of leather, metal, sweat, and dirt mixed together made my nose tingle.

As I was holding my breath and whimpering because I was embarrassed by my stupid laughter, I heard Charlotte’s voice at the bedside.

“What… … . No, why are you smiling so suddenly?”

When I slightly lowered my hand to cover the foolishly wandering mouth and looked up, I made eye contact with Charlotte, who was looking down at me with a confused face.

Ah, it’s black today――I didn’t even think about that for a moment before answering while trying to stop the corners of my mouth from dancing without notice.

“Huhihi… … . Oh, no, I just like hearing compliments! Hehehe.”

“Huh, indeed.”

Charlotte, who was looking down at me, smiled and shook her head, and I just laughed because I was happy.

23 days until the duel.

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.

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A little more time passed, Shield… … . No, one day I got somewhat used to handling the buckler.

During the usual after-school sparring, Charlotte, who was swinging a sword, knocked me away and stuck her sword in the ground.

My body, which had been heated by the sudden stop of the attack, cooled down, and my mind, which had been sharp to the limit, became dull. Soon I felt out of breath and my posture collapsed.

“Phew… … . Why does it suddenly stop?”

“You know very well that you have grown a lot in the past few days. The problem is that I close my eyes every time I block a sword with my shield, but this isn’t something that can be fixed right away, so I’ll skip it.”

“Yes. So?”

When I blinked and asked, Charlotte let go of her sword and crossed her arms.

“You’re so focused on your shield that you’re not attacking.”

“… … Huh?”

My brain seemed to stop at those words. Sleep–just wait… … ?

“Uh… … . Yes, yes?”

“Ha… … . Yes, it’s good to focus on just one thing. by the way. Even in real life, if you only focus on blocking, you will definitely lose in the endurance battle.”

I scratched my cheek at Charlotte’s words and asked the question that had been lingering in my head.

“Hmm, doesn’t the attacker usually use more stamina?”

“I don’t know if your shield is a large tower shield, but it’s a buckler. Who will get tired first, the one who simply swings or the one who has to accurately see the attack and hold the shield at an angle to deflect it?”

“Ah… … .”

“And you should also think about basic physical strength. Your opponent is a man who has trained for a year longer than you. From physique to basic physical strength, skills, and experience, there is nothing inferior to you. Keep that in mind.”

It was all true. The opponent is a second-year male senior. I already knew that I was at a disadvantage in many areas.

After nodding, Charlotte drew her sword once again and spoke.

“When you enter actual combat, what you need to do is catch the opponent off guard. Due to the nature of the nobles, you, a commoner, will probably let down your guard thinking you can handle them roughly. You have to stab that part.”

“How?”

“You have to take care of that. I’m just telling you the possibilities, I don’t know the future.”

Ah, that’s right. Scratching her head, Charlotte sighed and shook her head.

“Ah, yes. one more. Since you can use magic in a duel, it’s a good idea to think about ways to use it.”

“Uh, really? Can you use magic?”

“You saw me use magic when I was sparring with Hermel. It was the same during the entrance exam. There is no problem if you use it.”

As I was about to nod, I felt something strange and looked at Charlotte with my arms crossed.

“Why are you telling me that now?”

“I’m afraid you won’t spar and just practice magic.”

“Ah, that’s right… … . No, what do you think of me!?”

Thanks to Charlotte, I learned something new.

Oh, and that Charlotte has a bit of a mischievous side.

18 days until the duel.

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.

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You can now use the buckler and broadsword alternately.

15 days until the duel.

Instead of waiting for the opponent to show an opening, I learned how to induce the opponent to create an opening.

Of course, I was told not to use it because it was too obvious.

14 days until the duel.

I tried using the buckler like a knuckle. The skin between my thumb and index finger was pressed and it was very painful. If anything, let’s not use this… … .

Next 10 days.

“I’m going to work a little harder than usual today.”

“Yes!”

I was prepared to attack him, but I couldn’t even hit him and just got beaten up.

My heart hurt more than my body… … .

Next 6 days.

“Happy!!”

little bit more… … !

“Okay. That’s how you do it.”

I took a step forward, using my buckler to block the sword aimed at my head. Take two more steps, matching the steps of the opponent who is retreating.

Although I failed to control the distance, I moved my body without panicking like last time. As if knocking on a door, use the pommel to lift the other person’s philtrum… … !!

“Yes, swords are not only used for stabbing and cutting.”

Charlotte dodged the pommel blow by slightly twisting her body and spun her body around like she was doing ballet.

And then voila――!! Along with the sound, I felt an exhilarating pain in the center of my back.

“Kwaa… … !!”

My body trembled spontaneously due to the stinging, tingling pain that felt like someone had hit my back hard with the palm of my hand.

As I was trembling and unable to touch the exact area I couldn’t reach, Charlotte rubbed my back.

“It’s gotten a lot better.”

“Even if I try to avoid it easily and praise it, I’m not happy at all… … !”

Even though I said that, the corners of my mouth were already disarmed and I was smiling brightly at Charlotte’s compliment.

“Well, if you do that, it’ll be worth it.”

“Hehe, really?”

I smiled and looked up at the sky.

There really isn’t much left now.

Time left until the duel.

Next 3 days.