Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 19

Chapter 19 “Do you believe?” (4) Meanwhile. Roden was satisfied as he swung his sword. Because he could execute all the basics of the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship without difficulty. It was a matter of course, but the basics were different for every swordsmanship style. Even for the same cut, the starting position of the attack, the path of the sword, and the way the sword was sheathed were all varied. This was also true when comparing the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship and the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. If the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship was like a model student's swordsmanship, the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship was like that of a delinquent student. It couldn't be helped, as the very purpose of swinging the sword was different. A difference arose. ‘The purpose of the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship is to swing the sword honestly and steadfastly to maintain defensive stability and induce the enemy's carelessness to penetrate it in one go.’ On the other hand, the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship was all about offense, aiming for openings. It was meant to provoke the opponent's panic and ultimately thrust the sword home. As a result, there was bound to be a difference in their basics as well. It was to a level that could be called completely opposite. Yet, to be able to perfectly execute such a swordsmanship after reading a single book. Roden could once again see just how amazing the strange phenomenon happening to him was. However, ‘This isn't enough.’ Just being able to execute all the basics was not enough to know. Whether he had truly mastered the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. ‘To confirm this, a spar would be best, right?’ With that thought, Roden finished his basic training and looked at Chevalier, who was taking a short break. And unexpectedly, he could see Chevalier's impressed expression. Seeing this, Roden asked. “Hmm…. You noticed, didn't you?” Chevalier slowly nodded his head. “I didn't know at first. Then I realized you were using a different swordsmanship, and I recognized it as the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. Did you learn all of that in just one day yesterday?” Roden reflexively tried to say no, but then changed his mind. Because there was no reason to lie to Chevalier. The fact that they were out here doing personal training together on a weekend was proof of that. The promise was being kept well. However, that didn't mean he needed to provide too much information. In other words, there was no reason to say that he was a mage who had lived 100 years ago and had suddenly possessed this body one day. And about the strange phenomenon as well. “Ahem.” Roden cleared his throat once. Then, he spoke as honestly as he could within the limits of what he could say. “Well, I tried to imitate what I read in the book yesterday, but it's hard to say I've completely mastered it yet. I haven't even had a spar, let alone a real battle. So, that's why I'm asking, will you help me out?” After their one-on-one duel last time. Roden and Chevalier had not had a one-on-one duel since. They had almost only crossed swords in mock battles. It was only natural, as one-on-one situations didn't often occur on the battlefield. But when it came to checking the proficiency of a swordsmanship style, there was nothing as fast and certain as a one-on-one duel. That's why Roden had asked, and Chevalier nodded his head. “Yes. I will help you.” In truth, Chevalier was also curious. Whether Roden had really mastered the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship in just one day. However, he still didn't rate the possibility very highly. Honestly, just being able to perform all the basics in one day was an amazing feat. Moreover, just a moment ago, when repeating the same move 500 times, he hadn't felt any wavering at all. It was a part that showed how solid Roden's basics of the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship were. But executing the basics and mastering a swordsmanship style were two completely different stories. It was that difficult to link the basics into connected movements. This was even more so in a situation like a duel where swords were crossed. Above all, ‘Even a pretty skilled knight will train in only one superior swordsmanship style their entire life. No matter how much of a mass-produced style the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship is, it's impossible to master it in one day.’ But this was the ordinary story. If it was the bloodline of the Glockner family, which was teeming with geniuses beyond the norm, then perhaps it was a different story. Moreover, ‘The Platoon Leader seemed to have perfected the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship in a short time last time, too.’ Because of this precedent, Chevalier couldn't completely rule out the possibility. If Roden had known that he had also mastered the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship in a single day, he would have rated the possibility higher now. That he had also mastered the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. That this possibility was higher. But Chevalier did not know this fact. For that reason, he had no choice but to rate the possibility of mastery as low. *** A moment later. Roden and Chevalier, who had risen from their spots, stood facing each other for the duel. In the brief silence, the tension of the duel slithered over their bodies like a snake. The first to move was Roden. “Here I come! Ha-hap!” The reason Roden took the first move was none other than. The Ingens Empire Swordsmanship was precisely this kind of swordsmanship. And, Chaeng! Chevalier easily blocked Roden's attack. He had faced the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship several times before, so this was nothing special. But Roden's attack did not end there. The moment his sword was blocked, he followed up with the next attack. Chaeng! Cha-aeng! Cha-ae-aeng! Chaeng! And so, Roden continued to aggressively push Chevalier. His attacks were so fast and strong that Chevalier didn't even have a chance to counterattack. Chevalier watched intently for a chance to counterattack, but not a single opening was visible. Which meant, ‘This is the real Ingens Empire Swordsmanship.’ It meant that Roden hadn't just learned the basics of the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. If that wasn't the case, if it was nothing more than just swinging the sword quickly, and so the connecting movements were unnatural, an opening would surely have to be seen. But nothing of the sort could be seen in Roden's attacks. ‘Hah…. Did he really master the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship in a day? Just because he's a Glockner?’ Chevalier thought, a bitter expression on his face. At the same time, the face of Philip Glockner once again surfaced in Chevalier's mind. At this point, he had no choice but to admit it. That being a fellow Glockner was constantly stimulating Chevalier's trauma. Stimulated by the trauma, Chevalier gripped his sword tightly. But he wasn't completely captivated by the trauma like last time. Chevalier just wanted to show it. That his efforts so far were not wrong. That his talent was also not something to be trifled with. And so, Hwiik! Chevalier swung his sword towards Roden. It was not an attack that aimed for an opening. He forced out his strength and attacked half a beat faster. And so, Roden had no choice but to falter and block Chevalier's attack. Chaeng! Then, an opening naturally appeared in Roden's defense. Not missing this, Chevalier continued his attack. Chaeng! Cha-aeng! Cha-ae-aeng! Chaeng! This time, it was Chevalier who aggressively pushed Roden. His form was reminiscent of a beast that had been crouching before letting out a ferocious roar. ‘How about this?’ Chevalier asked Roden in his mind. In fact, it wasn't just Roden who had gained something from their last duel. Chevalier was also able to once again recall a passage from the that he had been unable to solve for a long time. [Think of defense first, but if the opponent's breathing changes, aim for an opening. At that time, your breathing will also need to change.] And for a while, he had held onto that and practiced his swordsmanship. Thanks to that, he was able to realize. That the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship was not simply for defense. That the essence of the Mediale Swordsmanship was to induce the enemy's carelessness and then reveal its sharp claws. The reason Chevalier could push Roden now was precisely thanks to this realization. That was right. Although his skill was stuck at 1-star because he had not received a superior swordsmanship manual, Chevalier's talent was enough to get him admitted to the Mediale Knight Academy as a commoner and consistently maintain a high rank. It was by no means something to be ignored. And so, Chevalier pushed Roden hard for a long time. His attacks were so fierce that it seemed Roden would fall at any moment. In reality, the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship was quite vulnerable to the opponent's counterattack. It was a swordsmanship style where if you didn't end the battle quickly by pushing hard at the beginning, you were almost guaranteed to lose. But for some reason, Roden barely endured Chevalier's attacks and did not fall. Chevalier, who had been swinging his sword while mindlessly anticipating the end of the duel, soon realized the reason. ‘He switched his swordsmanship back to the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship!’ To change swordsmanship styles in the middle of a battle, even if it was just a duel. Moreover, it was so natural that Chevalier hadn't noticed for a while. While Chevalier was shocked by the unheard-of attack method, Hwiiik! Roden did not miss the opening and dug into Chevalier's body. Tak. And Roden's sword stopped near Chevalier's Adam's apple. Looking down at the cold blade, Chevalier parted his lips. “I have lost.” It was the moment Roden won the second duel against Chevalier. *** That night. After finishing his personal training and returning from a cold water compress, Roden thought. ‘So the strange phenomenon was that after all. It lets me perfectly master a swordsmanship style just by reading its manual once.’ It was a strange phenomenon with this effect. However, at present, this ability did not feel incredibly useful. Because all he had done was master two mass-produced swordsmanship styles. He was once again disappointed that Ernst could not completely remember the Glockner family's swordsmanship. If Ernst's memory had been perfect, he could have transcribed it and made it into a swordsmanship manual. ‘Tsk.’ However, this was a thought with a flawed premise from the start. Because the only person in this world who could perfectly remember a book without a single letter being wrong was Roden. ‘Still, this ability isn't completely useless.’ His victory in the duel with Chevalier this morning was all thanks to this ability. Originally, the fight between the two should have ended in a draw. Since both of them had mastered the defense-oriented Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship. ‘From what I saw today, Chevalier seemed to have realized the essence of the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship. In that case, it would be hard to guarantee my victory.’ The reason Roden had easily won against Chevalier with only the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship last time was due to the difference in understanding. But this time, since there was no such difference, the possibility of a draw was high. Rather, it was a fight where Chevalier, with his greater combat experience, might have had the upper hand. ‘But as I became able to use the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship, a variable was introduced into this fight.’ The reason Chevalier was defeated today was because Roden had used the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. The fixed idea that he wouldn't be able to use the Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship again in the middle of it all. This itself was created because Roden had used the Ingens Empire Swordsmanship. In this way, this ability was, albeit slightly, definitely helping Roden. But this was not the way to utilize this ability to 200%. To properly utilize this ability…. ‘I'll have to find a superior swordsmanship manual somehow, right?’ And so, as he returned to his barracks, Roden pondered ways to obtain a superior swordsmanship manual. *** And a short while later. An opportunity arrived.