Chapter 5
“S-sword? Did he really say that?”
“…Yes.”
Ornica responded briefly.
“A guy being interested in swords… I never thought I’d see the day.”
Erina scratched her cheek with a look of genuine surprise.
Since ancient times, swords and swordsmanship have been considered more of a woman’s domain.
There’s no rule stating only women can wield swords, but whether it’s a swordsman, knight, or even a mercenary, those who “live by the sword” are almost always women.
In knight orders, mercenary groups, and swordsmanship academies, men are so rare that it’s nearly impossible to find one.
So, a man interested in swords was treated like a mythical creature.
‘Damn it… That blind date was a disaster.’
‘Hahaha! You kept singing about blind dates every week, and now it’s over? What happened?’
‘He looked bored, so I started talking about the differences between northern and southern swordsmanship styles and the different types of swords. That’s all.’
‘Wow, you really don’t know men. The one thing men hate talking about the most is swordsmanship, you idiot!’
‘Haah… Is there really no man interested in swords?’
‘Dream on. Where in the world would you find such a guy?’
Calming herself down, Erina silently apologized to a former academy colleague.
‘Yuran, I’m sorry. Men who are interested in swords… Do exist!’
And on top of that, the cute, sweet, and totally “Marriage-Material” Alben wants to learn swordsmanship?
“C-Captain, does that class by any chance….”
“Alben’s swordsmanship training is something all members of the 3rd Squad should attend.”
“Yay!!”
“…?”
“Ahem… Cough. I mean, well. We’ve been eating the food Alben made for us. We should cooperate as much as possible.”
Although she tried to add a reasonable excuse afterward, her behaviour still seemed suspicious.
After briefly glaring at her, Ornica let out a small sigh and spoke.
“You’re mistaken. The reason I want you all there is to get Alben to give up on swordsmanship.”
“…Why?”
Surprisingly, the first one to question her was Galli.
Her sharp, fiery red hair swayed slightly as she spoke.
“Didn’t you say you’d teach him swordsmanship, Captain? Breaking your promise would disqualify you as a knight.”
“I know. That’s why I don’t plan to teach him half-heartedly. That’s also why I need your help to convince him.”
“But why… Ah.”
Galli seemed to realize something and closed her mouth.
“Captain… are you serious?”
Corinne, who was leaning against a tree, spoke up.
“If you teach him seriously, Alben might end up hating you.”
“It doesn’t matter if he ends up hating me. Swordsmanship is a dangerous and serious martial art. I won’t teach him carelessly.”
Memories of the past flashed through their minds.
Before Ornica became the Captain of the 3rd Squad, she was an instructor for trainees in the Guardian Knights.
She was exceptional at teaching and had great skills, but…
‘If you’re going to swing like that, just leave. You’re not qualified.’
‘Aren’t you even a little ashamed of wielding your sword like that?’
‘Your sword can’t even distinguish between friend and foe. Idiots like you are useless on the battlefield. Get out of my sight.’
She was a brutal, Demonic Instructor.
It’s undeniable that thanks to her, the trainees improved significantly, which eventually earned her the position of Captain of the 3rd Squad, but…
“Still, Alben is a man, Captain! If you’re just a little kinder….”
“It makes no difference that he’s a man.”
Very few people could endure her training.
Those who could handle her harsh words and extreme training were either:
—Possessing immense talent for swordsmanship, or—
—Incredibly tenacious and determined.
***
The next day at 6 a.m.
As the morning mist slowly rose, moistening the fresh sprouts—
“Ah! You’re here!”
Alben was already stretching in the open field in front of the camp, well before the promised time.
“You’re here early.”
“It’s the first day, so I was looking forward to it.”
Alben smiled brightly.
Even though he should be sleepy, he was up early and warming up his body.
That alone was admirable, but—
“Your outfit…”
“It’s easier to move in something like this.”
He had patched up old cloth to look like workout clothes, making him look adorably charming.
With his exposed arms and knees, and his deep neckline showing his collarbones, it was strangely alluring.
‘Oh no….’
If she smiled now, she wouldn’t be able to stay focused for the rest of the class.
“Gah!”
Ornica bit her cheek hard.
The faint metallic taste spread in her mouth as the rest of the team stepped out of the tent.
“Woah—! Alben, that outfit is too cute!”
Erina, of course, was the first to react.
“We’ve decided to attend today’s class. Is that alright?”
“Of course. It’s reassuring to have Corinne watching over me.”
“Ah… Um… It’s nothing. I can watch over you anytime if you want.”
Corinne tried to suppress her smile.
“Looks like I’ll have to put extra effort into today’s meal to show my gratitude.”
“Oh! Is it meat by any chance?!”
“Haha… Since Galli asked, I can’t not prepare some.”
Galli laughed out loud and boisterously.
‘…He’s incredible.’
Ornica quietly marvelled at Alben as she watched him casually converse with the other members.
She never imagined he would blend in with the others so well in just over a month.
Thud!
At that moment, Alben’s hand accidentally brushed against Erina’s shoulder.
“Oops…! Are you okay?”
“It’s fine. I just brushed against you.”
Twitch.
Seeing that, something deep inside Ornica shifted.
Something very dark, twisted, and sinister began to uncoil and slowly rise up.
“We should start the class soon. Erina, move back.”
“…Hmph. Got it, Captain.”
With a face full of regret, Erina stepped back from Alben.
“I’m sorry for making you start training this early in the morning.”
“No, it’s fine. I know that this is the only free time you have.”
The 3rd Squad’s daily schedule was more hectic than expected.
Since they were always on duty, they had to be prepared for emergencies at all times, which meant holding classes at odd hours like this was the only option.
“First, I’ll give you the sword you’ll need for training.”
Ornica handed Alben a wooden sword made of sturdy oak.
“Normally, I’d start with a real sword right away. But you lack the physical strength. If I train you with a real sword, you might get hurt. So, we’ll be using this wooden one.”
Even though it was a wooden sword, its size and shape resembled a real sword closely.
“Go ahead and grab it.”
Alben slowly reached for the hilt of the sword.
***
Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried.
I remember Ornica’s temperament as an instructor from the 78th playthrough when I followed the “Childhood Friend” route.
Not only that, but to obtain [Scarlet Moon Style], I have to endure her teaching.
She is very strict with those who are inexperienced.
If I show any sign of weakness in today’s swordsmanship class, she’ll undoubtedly kick me out without hesitation.
But there’s no way I’d give up [Scarlet Moon Style] just because I’m scared.
‘I trust you, my [Swordsmanship Genius] trait!’
I invested a whopping 100 points into the [Swordsmanship Genius] trait, and it must be dormant inside this body.
If not… damn it, I’ll go back to my family and claim my rights immediately.
‘Hmm….’
But now, anxiety crept in.
Even though it’s just a wooden sword, I feel no sense of connection as I stand in front of it.
Could it be that my [Swordsmanship Genius] trait didn’t activate for some reason?
‘…No. Don’t think like that.’
If you earnestly wish for something, the universe will conspire to help you achieve it, they say.
‘Clear your mind, and you’ll find happiness.’
That’s just a sword hilt, and I’m just going to grab it with my hand.
“Hoo.”
I took a small breath.
And then, I grabbed the wooden sword.
‘—————–!’
In that moment—
[The trait engraved in your body has been awakened as the conditions are met.]
[An astonishing talent!]
[You have acquired 「Basic Swordsmanship」.]
The world turned Gray and came to a halt.
Then, a Golden Message flashed before me.
‘This is… the interface of Valdeon Saga!’
That damned game that I poured countless hours into, to the point that it became a part of me.
The interface of Valdeon Saga dominated my field of vision.
But that wasn’t even the most surprising part.
‘Gaining a skill just by grabbing a sword?’
Even though it’s the lowest rank swordsmanship skill, 「Basic Swordsmanship」.
I didn’t even swing the sword—just holding it caused a skill to manifest.
‘Does Alben’s body have a high affinity for swordsmanship?’
This sort of phenomenon happens occasionally.
The 666th playthrough with the [Doomsday Grand Magician] is a prime example.
After optimizing everything from the family line to bodily modifications for magic, I could learn spells just by breathing.
‘Of course, I ended up dropping a giant meteor on the continent after going insane due to side effects from the body modifications.’
Anyway, Valdeon Saga was entertaining because of the unpredictable synergies between a character’s potential and their keywords.
Alben probably falls into a similar category.
To begin with, he already had a talent for swordsmanship, and on top of that, I added [Swordsmanship Genius].
For a while, he might even be able to grow stronger just by staring at a sword.
‘Hahaha… No way….’
[You witnessed an exhilarating swordsmanship. 「Basic Dual-Wielding Swordsmanship」 has been acquired.]
[You witnessed a defensive swordsmanship. 「Basic Sword-and-Shield Technique」 has been acquired.]
[You witnessed a destructive swordsmanship. 「Basic Greatsword Technique」 has been acquired.]
Uh.
What the hell?
—
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