“The examiner calls me, and I step into the center of the first training field. Many students were looking at me.
“I am Knight Mors. I oversee the <Fencing Exam> this time. Show me your talent.”
“Yes. I’m counting on you.”
Knight Mors raised a wooden sword, so I also prepared myself in the same manner.
Both Mors and I took a middle-level stance. There are no openings in the attack or defense.
“The rules are a simulation of combat without magic. The resolution will come when the wooden sword is released, or when the participant surrenders. Please, all students of our academy, fight without shame as knights.”
The signal to start is given.
The knight takes the lead.
He slightly propels towards me with a certain delay for his level. He is probably treating me with quite some consideration.
However, I feel no intention of losing, even though it’s Mors. Even from the previous incident with Lorenalgo, I intended to win from the beginning in the exam.
Moreover, I have seen enough of knights’ movements in my past life to hate them. I also have a clear idea of the attack patterns they can use.
Mors swings his sword to the side as if to say “Let’s see your skill.”
His first attack prioritizes speed over power, but from the distance to the moment of the attack, everything was just as I saw on the LCD screen. Therefore, I instinctively remember the opponent’s attack range. Well, the wooden swords both of us have are the same.
By seeing the sword in contact, it is automatically understood.
Therefore, I take a big step back. With just that, Mors’ wooden sword passes right in front of my eyes and cuts through the air.
The lack of resistance causes Mors’ eyes to open slightly. However, as expected from an active-duty knight, he immediately advances and launches a sharp attack.
This time, I manage to dodge it by getting close to the opponent and crouching. The wooden sword grazes past my chest.
Up close, a cut. From a cut, a thrust.
A series of fluid strikes, but I have seen this type of movements many times in my past life. They can be dodged with minimal movements, and even counterattacked using the opponent’s attacks.
I extend my right hand forward. There’s no need to deliberately strike. If I place the sword there, the opponent will collide with it on their own.
“Gahh!”
As expected, the hilt of the sword hits Mors’ abdomen. Due to the weight applied by the thrust attack, I unexpectedly receive a strong counterattack.
Intense pain runs through my whole body, and even though I’m a knight, my movement becomes slow for a moment.
Then, an elegant leg sweep. Although this was originally an exam to evaluate fencing skills, the advantage is so great that I don’t even need to use the sword. I silently convey this to Mors and the surrounding audience.
Mors, with his balance disturbed, falls forward. His limbs awkwardly touch the ground.
I don’t like to fight in a way that belittles an opponent like this, but I must show overwhelming power to Lorenalgo. I am willing to do unpleasant things even if it means earning a bad reputation.
“Hey, is that boy defeating an active-duty knight?”
“Don’t talk nonsense! Isn’t it because the knight is showing consideration? And besides, it’s not even a fencing exam, right?”
“But mastering a knight without even using a sword… it’s astonishing.”
“Who is that boy? Do you know him?”
“The examiner mentioned the Lunaceria… could he be one of the geniuses from that illustrious family?”
The buzz of the crowd begins to increase. Ignoring their praises and envies, I focus on a particular point.
In the center of my gaze is Lorenalgo, famous for his fencing skills, watching me with a stern expression.
“Ah, so it’s you. This is the talent of the Ducal House of Lunaceria… it’s magnificent.”
Knight Mors stands up. He still holds the wooden sword in his hand, with a glint of determination in his eyes.
It seems that, despite knowing the difference in skills, his spirit doesn’t break.
Is he considering the previous exchange as luck, or is it simply his ambition to improve? Either way, for me, who has barely wielded the sword, it’s good news. Next time, he will have to use the sword properly.
“It is an honor to receive your praises, Lord Mors.”
“Well. I can’t afford to hold back with you, being such a talented student. You may get hurt, are you okay with that?”
“Of course. I appreciate the opportunity to face an active-duty knight. Besides… I still have things to do.”
“Good!”
Without any signal, Knight Mors steps on the ground again.
Both in games and the initial strategy of knights usually includes many running attacks.
It is common to shorten the distance and then carry out a series of strikes. This sequence of strikes also determines the combo based on the initial technique used. For example, if the first strike is a cut, the next could be a thrust.
I observe Mors’ fast and direct movement as he launches his thrust technique, which allows me to quickly predict his next cutting and overhead attack. If the opponent’s strategy is known, it is not difficult to dodge, no matter how fast it is.
First, I dodge the thrust, aimed at the right shoulder, by slightly leaning to the side. Mors immediately retracts the sword inward, with the arm slightly bent, and then slides the wooden sword from left to right.
I could have continued dodging at the reach limit, but then I wouldn’t have a chance to counterattack.
I decide to use my wooden sword as a shield to block the opponent’s attack. A satisfying sound is heard, “Ka-choon.”
Next, Mors takes a step back. Taking advantage of the distance, he lowers the sword that was prepared in a high position with all his strength.
Surely, he trusts his strength and speed with this simple and direct attack. A simple student not only couldn’t dodge it, couldn’t even block it.
But I block it. I tilt my wooden sword backward with both hands and move a few centimeters to the left. Mors’ powerful blow, which was trying to crush my shoulder, is simply deflected by my sword, making a sound of wood scraping against wood.
The wooden sword hits the ground. The accurate strike, executed with full force, sends a slight vibration to the grip, creating numbness and a crucial opportunity in an instant.
Then, with the opponent vulnerable, simply moving the sword slightly while remaining in a defensive position is enough. The opponent can’t dodge, the strike connects.
“Is it okay to conclude the exam at this point? I can’t risk causing serious injuries. After all, there are still other students who have to take the exam after me.”
After alternately looking at the wooden sword that hit his chest and my face, Knight Mors, with a frustrated expression, lowers his head and then nods slightly. Despite the tingling, he releases his own wooden sword.
“T-This marks the end of the exam! The exam of Hermes von Lunaceria has concluded! Please, withdraw from the center and return to the classroom!”
“Yes.”
Turning in place, I return the borrowed sword to the examiner and, after taking one last glance at Lorenalgo, I walk away from the place.
The expression on his face goes beyond anger and humiliation, he was surprised. Hopefully, this will make him behave a little better.
With a rather satisfying outcome, my chest is filled with a strong sense of achievement.
