Becoming a Swordmaster by Reading Chapter 9

Chevalier also felt the same way.

He was convinced of his own victory even before the spar began.

No matter how much he was of the bloodline of the Glockner family, where only swordsmanship geniuses were said to be born.

Because Ernst was nothing more than a failure whose skills were stuck at a mere 1-star.

He thought it wasn't for nothing that he had been abandoned by the Glockner family.

Besides, Ernst had been soaked in alcohol with his sword untouched for too long.

In other words, it meant that even if his original skills had been decent, it was impossible for him to be a match for Chevalier, who swung his sword every day.

On top of that, he suddenly declared he would use the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship, which he had never shown any interest in.

The result was as clear as day.

That was why Chevalier had rationally suspected that Ernst might be mocking him.

It was as if Ernst's actions were saying, I can easily learn something like the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship even without practicing like this,

and what's more, I can easily defeat you, who have learned the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship properly.

For that reason, he had decided to firmly crush Ernst on this occasion.

Because a knight's groundless confidence was usually cured only when they were miserably defeated and fell to the ground.

At the same time, it was also a good opportunity to blow away all the stress he had received from Ernst in one go.

But,

‘Why?’

Contrary to his expectations, Chevalier could not defeat Ernst.

Ernst's skills had far surpassed Chevalier's expectations.

It wasn't just that his skills were at a decent level.

The Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship that Ernst performed was too perfect.

It felt as if he were someone who had practiced and used only this his entire life.

What's more, not only were his movements precise, but they were also extremely light and fast.

If one were to judge by the proficiency of the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship itself, it

seemed he would not be pushed back at all even when compared to himself.

Rather, in some parts, he was better than him.

‘Impossible.’

Chevalier had a considerable amount of confidence in his proficiency with the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship.

In fact, Chevalier's proficiency was the most outstanding among the graduates of the Mediale Knight Academy.

As this was the only swordsmanship Chevalier could learn, he had no choice but to cling to it.

But for his proficiency in the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship to be so high as to not be pushed back by him.

He couldn't believe it.

It felt as if all his efforts up to now were being completely negated.

‘Is it because he's of the bloodline of a renowned swordsmanship family?’

Chevalier felt the strength drain from the hand that was holding the sword in a sense of futility.

At this, Ernst, who had been swinging his sword with gusto, seemed to sense something strange and took a step back, asking Chevalier.

“Shall we stop now?”

“……”

“I wanted to go a little longer, what a shame. I haven't broken a full sweat yet.”

“……”

“So what do you think, Deputy Platoon Leader? My proficiency in the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship?”

“……”

“Not bad, right? Huh?”

“……!”

In an instant, the look in Chevalier's eyes changed.

Watching Ernst, who was smiling broadly and throwing out questions one after another, a memory from the past suddenly came to mind.

[It's useless no matter how hard you try. Because in the end, even if you graduate from this school, you will not be able to succeed as a knight. That is the limit of the talent your lowly bloodline possesses. Ordained by the heavens. Do you still not understand that?]

In fact, other opportunities could have opened up for Chevalier.

Opportunities to learn a higher-level swordsmanship than the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship.

Certainly, the level of the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship was not that great.

It was because it was a swordsmanship polished into a standard-issue form to train ordinary soldiers.

Of course, Nico Alcantara, the creator of the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship, had emphasized that this swordsmanship was no less than any decent Superior Swordsmanship.

But no one believed his words at face value.

After all, compared to other Superior Swordsmanships, the attainment of Aura was extremely slow with this style.

The reason why Chevalier's Aura remained at 1-star even after graduating from the Mediale Knight Academy was also for this reason.

However, as mentioned before, Chevalier could have learned another swordsmanship.

In fact, many students at the Mediale Knight Academy were taught a decent one among the Superior Swordsmanships by their supervising professors as they advanced to the upper grades.

And for Chevalier, who had consistently maintained top-tier grades even among his high-flying noble-born classmates, it was more than reasonable to expect to be taught a Superior Swordsmanship.

However, Chevalier ultimately did not get this opportunity.

The reason was none other than this.

His supervising professor, Philip Glockner, had not taught him a Superior Swordsmanship for the reason that Chevalier was a commoner.

Chevalier had of course protested against this, but Philip Glockner was firm.

He never taught Chevalier a Superior Swordsmanship.

Rather, all Chevalier got back from his protests was contempt and insult.

The reason why Chevalier was almost expelled right before graduation and had built up enough notoriety to become the deputy platoon leader of the 3rd Infantry Platoon was because he had held a grudge at that time and tried to harm Philip Glockner.

In conclusion, this incident ended as an unsuccessful attempt, so Chevalier was also able to graduate safely, but the resentment remained as it was in Chevalier's heart.

And now.

Facing Ernst, Chevalier was captivated by these memories of the past.

The wall of bloodline.

It was because he felt as if that wall was blocking his way.

Certainly, for Chevalier, who did not know of the existence of the strange phenomenon, there was no other reason he could find besides bloodline.

The reason why Ernst, who was usually soaked in alcohol and never swung a sword, could use the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship so freely.

And so, in Chevalier's eyes, Ernst's figure began to overlap with Philip Glockner's,

and at the same time, the great feeling of anger that had been hidden deep inside was awakened.

Perhaps the fact that Ernst used the surname 'Glockner', just like his supervising professor, had some effect on this.

Chevalier, engulfed in anger, gripped his sword tightly again and spoke.

“The Platoon Leader's proficiency in the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship is beyond my expectations. To the point where it is no less than mine, who has only practiced that.”

“Oh? Really?”

“But… the spar is not over yet. From now on, I will show you what happens when one practices the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship for a lifetime. Even if it was something I did not want.”

Having finished his words, Chevalier took an unusual stance.

Ernst, who instinctively sensed something, hurriedly opened his mouth.

“Wa, wait a moment. We're just sparring right now….”

But he could not finish his words.

Because Aura gathered at the tip of Chevalier's sword.

And at the same time, a high thrust of terrifying speed rushed towards Ernst.

“Uh oh.”

“Shouldn't we stop this?”

While the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon, who were watching this from afar, were surprised.

Swoosh!

Chevalier's sword continued to move, aiming for Ernst's neck at an incredible speed.

A speed that felt absolutely impossible to block.

But,

Whoosh!

Unexpectedly, Ernst, who should have been scrambling to defend, suddenly pushed his body towards the path of the high thrust.

Thanks to that, Ernst was able to narrowly avoid the high thrust before its path could draw a complete straight line.

What's more, that was not all.

Hoo-wook!

The high slash Ernst swung with a disciplined motion as he pushed his body forward aimed for Chevalier's neck with ferocious momentum.

At this rate, Chevalier's neck was bound to be cut.

Tap.

Fortunately, Ernst's sword stopped precariously right before Chevalier's neck.

“Hup.”

“Ha.”

The soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon belatedly let out the breaths they had been holding without realizing it.

Ernst also lowered the sword that had stopped in front of the neck and spoke to Chevalier, whose posture was awkward from the failed high thrust.

“That was too dangerous, Deputy Platoon Leader.”

Chevalier looked at the tip of Ernst's sword, which was pointing towards the floor with a dark face, then slowly raised his head.

Then he belatedly noticed the Aura that had gathered and then disappeared near his wrist.

Chevalier muttered in a voice that was a mix of frustration and admiration.

“…In that short time, you boldly advanced to break the sword's path and concentrated Aura on your wrist.”

“The Mediale Kingdom Swordsmanship Manual said to do so. Prioritize defense, but when the opponent's breathing changes, aim for the opening. At that time, your breathing also needs to change.”

“!”

Chevalier's eyes widened.

It was because that was a passage that Chevalier, who had delved deeply only into the Mediale Kingdom swordsmanship, also remembered.

In fact, if one had read the swordsmanship manual properly even once, this passage was worth remembering.

It was because it was one of the few passages in the swordsmanship manual, where everything was explained clearly, that had a vague explanation.

So, those who read this passage made one of two choices.

To erase this passage from their memory, or to engrave this passage deeply in their memory.

Usually, they chose the former, but not Chevalier, who had read the swordsmanship manual until it was worn out.

Thinking that there must be a deep meaning.

No, earnestly hoping that there was a deep meaning, he had memorized this passage without a single letter's error and had pondered it over and over again.

But he had failed to grasp its meaning.

But,

‘You can interpret this passage like that? And you moved according to that interpretation just now?’

He had unexpectedly heard a surprising interpretation of that passage from Ernst.

At the same time,

‘Is this really the correct interpretation?’

he also had such a thought.

It was when Chevalier was unable to come to his senses due to the various thoughts rushing in.

“I think it's about time for the lunch break to end. Shall we wrap up the spar then?”

Ernst sheathed his sword and spoke with a cheerful laugh.

At this, Chevalier came to his senses and hurriedly knelt on one knee.

“I apologize, Platoon Leader. I momentarily forgot that this was a spar and used excessive force. It is my fault, so please punish me according to military law.”

Certainly, using Aura in a spar without prior consent could be called a great discourtesy.

One wrong move, and you could inflict a serious injury on your opponent.

Especially in the military, where the hierarchy was clear, this part had to be dealt with even more strictly.

The reason Chevalier had admitted his fault first was also for this reason.

It was a situation where it would not be a problem if Ernst decided to be harsh and take a finger.

Tension appeared on the faces of not only Chevalier but also the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon who were watching.

But,

“Huh? What are you talking about? Didn't we agree to use Aura before the spar? That's what

I remember.”

“…Ah.”

“It's fine, it's fine. When you spar with real swords, big and small accidents are bound to happen. However, Deputy Platoon Leader, please make sure that such things do not happen among the soldiers.”

Having said what he had to say, Ernst strode over to where his horse was tied.

Chevalier and the soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Platoon watched his back with surprised eyes for a long time.