Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 36: Mock Battle
Three more matches followed, but it seemed that Sheila had completely read Velvet’s movements after the first match. She won all three decisively.
I could tell that Velvet wasn’t weak at all—but Sheila was just far too strong.
“Ugh, no way! No matter how I attack, I just can’t see a path to victory. Sheila, you’re ridiculously strong. Why have you been stuck doing odd jobs until now?”
“Thank you for your kind words. There were various circumstances behind it… Regardless, Velvet-sama, you are quite skilled yourself.”
“You call that skilled after beating me to a pulp…? Hey, Sato, let’s have a match. Let me blow off some steam.”
“Huh? Please don’t use me for stress relief.”
“I’m joking. Think of it as a change of pace—I’ll give you some guidance.”
“In that case… I appreciate it. But let me say this first: I’m a middle-aged man who, up until now, had never even held a sword—let alone done any real exercise.”
“I understand.”
Velvet grinned at me, and I started to feel unsure whether she really did understand.
I doubted she’d go all out, but I should still brace myself to some extent.
I stepped forward to replace Sheila and took the wooden sword I was handed, assuming a stance.
Now that I was facing Velvet directly, I could tell even more clearly—there wasn’t a single opening in her posture.
Her stance was so steady and composed that it even looked beautiful, as if a single unbroken line ran through her body.
So this is what someone who’s trained with a sword since childhood looks like.
“Alright, let’s start. Ready?”
“Y-yes. Anytime.”
The moment I said that, Velvet lunged forward.
She wasn’t just fast—before I could react, she was already in range and gave me a light tap on the head.
“What are you doing? Just standing there won’t even count as practice.”
“I-I just… couldn’t react… What am I supposed to do?”
“Follow my movements and swing your sword accordingly. And when I attack, you guard. Got it?”
“O-okay, got it.”
I said I understood, but actually putting it into practice was a different story—I was completely overwhelmed.
She was holding back, so the hits didn’t hurt, but my body kept tensing up too much. Even though I wasn’t moving much, my muscles were already aching.
“Heh, you’re even worse than I expected. You should probably start by relaxing.”
“Velvet-sama, let me take over next.”
Now, Sheila stepped in front of me.
Velvet’s stance had been a picture-perfect, textbook example of form. But Sheila’s posture felt intimidating, as if she could attack from anywhere.
“I won’t attack, so go ahead and make the first move, Sato-san. Let’s say… if you land even one hit, you win.”
“Wait, so you won’t strike back, and all I have to do is land a single hit to win? Are you sure about such an easy rule?”
“Yes. I believe this will be the most effective training for you.”
“In that case, I won’t hold back.”
The rule almost felt like an insult.
I had been so tense, my body stiff and my stance unsteady. But if I knew she wouldn’t attack, then surely, I could land at least one hit.
I adjusted my grip on the wooden sword, took a deep breath, and loosened my body before swinging at Sheila.
It felt unnatural to attack another human, especially a woman—but this was just a form of sport.
I convinced myself and swung with full force, apologizing in my head as I unleashed my best strike.
However—Sheila effortlessly blocked my sword.
I followed up with more attacks, but none landed.
Sheila was far beyond my expectations.
It was as if she knew exactly where I would strike before I even moved.
On top of that, my strikes had no impact.
When Velvet and Sheila fought, their swords clashed with resounding force. But my attacks made no sound.
It wasn’t because I was holding back—Sheila was perfectly absorbing the impact.
And the most shocking part?
She hadn’t moved a single step.
I tried striking from every angle—high, middle, low—but I couldn’t make her budge.
Before long, I was completely exhausted.
I had swung my sword many times, so at least it was good practice…
But the most important lesson I learned?
Fighting really isn’t for me.