Chapter 17: After five days of training

“Ren-dono, please take this.”

Edgar had prepared something for today.

He reached into his pocket and quickly pulled out a small vial. The vial was an ordinary one with a cork lid and a round crystal ball inside.

When Ren was handed the vial, he rolled the crystal ball with a clang.

“What is this?”

“A vial that can be found anywhere, and a special crystal ball that reacts to magic power. I’m going to ask you to break the crystal ball in your daily training.”

“……I’m asking just to be sure, but I’m not supposed to open the lid and break it, am I?”

“Of course not. You must destroy it by holding it in the palm of your hand, without using any magic from the outside. And don’t break the vial either.”

Ren has no idea what he’s being asked to do with that kind of magic.

But Edgar told him that this was an efficient exercise.

“You can manipulate sharpened magic power at will, and through the palm of your hand, you can pierce the vial and destroy the crystal ball. It’s very similar to the way magic power is handled in the hard sword technique. I’m referring to the talent of the hard sword technique I mentioned earlier.”

“Can anyone use magic power in such a way?”

“No. Magic alone has no such power. This particular crystal ball is specially processed to measure the skill level of the magic power inside. This will also be good training for you, Ren-dono.”

“If I can’t destroy the crystal inside, it means I don’t have the talent for the hard sword technique.”

Ren holds the vial in the palm of his hand.

Magic power, magic power…… he tried to be aware of it without saying it out loud, but there’s no sign of the crystal ball breaking inside the vial.

Perhaps a little concerned that no change had come to the crystal ball, Ren looked at Edgar.

“Don’t worry, It’s normal for it to take time. I had a hard time breaking the crystal ball myself.”

In Edgar’s case, he had barely been able to float a scratch on the surface of the crystal ball as a young man.

This training is not the kind that immediately pays off; it is the kind that results from daily effort.

(So it’s the same with everyone)

Ren understood this, but had a thought.

So, what are we going to do today?

What about tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow? Since he had come all the way to the imperial capital, Ren wanted to learn more.

Ren put the vial in the pocket of his jacket, which he had taken off to swing his sword.

“We will finish today’s classroom lecture and demonstrate the strength of our hard swordsmanship in another training area.”

“Thank you very much!”

If he could actually see the hard sword technique in action, it shouldn’t be a no-brainer.

Anyway, today is only the first day, so maybe there’s no need to rush. But it’s no surprise that Ren was delighted.

“The essence of the hard sword technique is its destructive power. Let’s move to the training area where there is something to be used as a target.”

(Oh, he’s going to show me by using a target.)

“……Ren-dono?”

“Uh—- sorry. I was just thinking.”

Suddenly, Ren thought of a rather aggressive proposal.

Perhaps it might cause trouble for Edgar. With this in mind, Ren was hoping to get as much as possible out of it.

Unusually for him, he expressed his wish strongly.

“I also want to know what it feels like to actually face off against the hard sword technique. If you don’t mind, can you use the hard sword technique on me?”

“…… hmmm.”

Edgar was unsure.

After all, Ren is a great benefactor to the family he serves and cannot afford to have him injured.

“Please can you do it?”

Of course, Edgar had heard about Ren’s personality, and in this short time, he was beginning to understand a little more about what kind of person he was.

But despite this, Ren was stubborn in his request, and Edgar had his own thoughts on the matter.

Ren is a benefactor.

What is a butler of a marquis’s house if he cannot respond to his benefactor’s wishes?

“—-Alright.”

Edgar gave in to Ren, who was stubborn and unbreakable, and nodded with a wry smile on his face.

“I think I understand why you are so strong, Ren-dono. Now, if I may be so bold as to presume, let me show you some of my swordsmanship.”

“Thank you! I was wondering if I could ask you something about your grade in hard swordsmanship?”

“Hmm…… I’m ashamed to say that, as you can see, I am an old man. Unlike my younger days, I’m now a butler by profession, so I cannot be equated with my working days—-“

Edgar took the swords he carried at his waist and placed it in his right and left hand.

“—- I’m a sword saint.”

A moment later, Ren’s cheeks relaxed with happiness.

He didn’t think Edgar was that good of a swordsman.

(I could learn a lot from him.)

Ren eventually smiled fearlessly.

“Do you mind if I receive attacks this time, like you did earlier, Edgar-san?”

“No problem. Then, I will deal with you in an ordinary sword fight which can be called the foundation of the hard sword technique.”

It means that he won’t use battle techniques, but only the power specific to hard swordsmanship.

However, he will experience firsthand the power of the ordinary sword fighting techniques used by sword saints—-

“Here I come.”

For a moment, Ren almost lost sight of Edgar as he took a sharp step forward.

The old gentleman, who found himself in front of Ren, flashed his own sword sideways at the training case that Ren was holding up.

Ren’s arm gushes a sensation he has never experienced before as he receives it.

“——!”

Is this the power of the hard sword technique that catches on?

The arm that was supposed to parry the sword didn’t stay, but a powerful numbness went from the arm to the chest, and then to the legs.

In just a few moments, it rushed through his entire body, robbing Ren’s body of its strength. A sense of weariness, as if after tens of minutes of physical exertion, quickly overtook his entire body.

(He’s definitely taking it pretty easy, but this is ……)

This exhaustion is caused by a single blow.

It wasn’t fatigue from the physical exertion of his muscles. Ren somehow managed to endure the sensation of losing strength from deep within his body.

“I hope you don’t strain yourself too hard!”

“Yes! But I can still do it!”

“Fufu…… How persistent you are.”

Edgar’s barrage of blows struck Ren.

Each time he parries it, strength is lost from all over his body.

The walls and floors of the training ground were shaking with the sensation of being glared at by a lion and having all his energy taken away.

It was as if the space itself was screaming.

A metallic sound similar to a screech echoed every time their swords clashed with each other.

Unlike Edgar earlier, Ren couldn’t parry the opposing sword without moving slightly.

(Kuh! this is……!)

He was quickly approaching the wall.

Edgar’s sword has that much power.

But it wasn’t only strong, it was also refined.

Soon, Edgar was ready to unleash an attack with the intention of bringing Ren to his knees.

He intended to put more force into the sword than he had before.

Ren realized this and clenched his teeth and put all his strength into his hands.

(Don’t give up! For once, let’s get it right,—- Ren!)

Edgar was making adjustments in order not to injure Ren, but to meet Ren’s expectations.

“I’m surprised, even though it’s your first time, you’re able to withstand this much—-“

But then, Edgar’s eyes widened.

“W–what—-?”

It was astonishing that the depleted Ren could even parry that one swing, and yet Edgar’s hand was mysteriously numb as well.

But Ren never pushed back.

He was just struggling to parry it, as he always had.

When Edgar saw Ren’s face, his cheeks flushed with amazement, he shuddered slightly. It’s powerful ……or hegemony.

The first time he looked into Ren’s eyes, Edgar felt a strong pressure covering his entire body.

“…… Brilliant! As expected of one they call the hero.”

On the surface, Edgar praised Ren and smiled as he sat on the floor, looking exhausted.

But he couldn’t forget. The face of Ren, who had just received a swing, was especially pressured by his powerful eyes, and before he knew it, he was surprised by the numbness in his hand.

“I’d be embarrassed if I didn’t show a little bit of willpower……”

Ren said and sat down on the ground.

He looked exhausted, large beads of sweat on his face and neck, and his breathing was ragged.

There wasn’t a bit of the intensity Edgar had seen earlier left in him.

“Perhaps Ren-dono has even more terrifying power than I thought.”

“Huh? Did you say something?”

“No, don’t worry about it. —-It’s your first day, so let’s leave it at that. I will take you back to your lodgings after taking a hot bath.”

“Thank you. So, where do you get the hot water….?

“There’s a place where you can take a bath just to the left of the training hall. I’ll show you there after you have had some more rest.”

However, Ren stood up as soon as he heard what was said.

His footing was a bit wobbly and he felt unreliable. Nevertheless, after a short break, Ren began to walk on his own without any help.

“R–Ren-dono!”

Edgar, who was about to lend a hand, was quite surprised.

“It’s still a little hard, but I can walk now, so I’ll be fine.”

Ren then opened the huge stone door with his own hands.

Edgar, who should have been in a position to follow him and lend a hand, was too surprised to move and stood there with a stunned expression on his face.

When the stone door closes, Edgar’s cheeks naturally break into a smile.

“Lord…. it seems that Ren-dono hasn’t been dragged out to the front.”

After a mutter, he pulls on his jacket.

“He was shown up to be on the front stage—- and that’s it.”

Once again, he thought back to the powerful eyes that Ren had just shown him.

Edgar laughed quietly.

“The way he looked just now was like—-“

Outside the lion sanctuary, a bell rings to signal three o’clock in the afternoon.

Edgar’s mutterings were drowned out by the sound of the bell.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The second and third day passed in the blink of an eye.

Finally, the morning of the fifth day, the last day of Ren’s stay in the imperial capital, arrived. Since he had to prepare for his return to Clausel on this day, his instruction in hard swordsmanship was limited to the morning.

After the instruction, the two discussed their future plans.

“From now on, please don’t forget to learn how to knead and use the magic power specific to the hard sword technique. It won’t be long before the crystal in that vial will undergo a change.”

“I hope so…….”

“Fufu, Believe me, Ren, you definitely have the qualities to do so.”

Ren laughs as he’s glad to hear these words on his last day at the training center he has become accustomed to.

“I’ll be your instructor again this time, if you’ll let me. And at the far end of the lion sanctuary, there’s the largest training hall with a wide atrium. With the Lord’s permission, you may join the knights in their training there.”

“Is that all right?”

“Of course. I’m certain you have many plans for the future, and you can contact me at any time.”

Aren’t you usually at Eupheim, Edgar-san? If so, I’m sorry to call on you.”

“I’m half and half these days. I’ve been traveling back and forth between the Imperial Capital and Eupheim since Fiona is at the Imperial Cadet Academy’s dormitory.”

“It’s a hard job, isn’t it?”

“No it’s not. I just ride the magic ship and magic train.”

Edgar smiled smugly and graciously.

In fact, since Eupheim is also the second largest city after the imperial capital, there’s a magic ship station in one corner of the town. Compared to Ren, who lives in Clausel, the distance to travel was completely different.

After they finished that conversation.

“Up to today, I’ve been giving technical instruction as well as practical instruction in the presence of others. Since we are running out of time today, let me show you one last demonstration of the sword fighting technique.”

“I—is that so? I’ll be glad!”

“I am honored that you are pleased. What shall I show you then? ……”

Edgar, after some hesitation, looked satisfied and said, “Please wait a moment,” and walked out of the training hall.

When he returned within a few minutes, he was accompanied by one of the Knights of the sanctuary of the Holy Lion.

“He has wind magic, so I thought he could use a little help.”

“My pleasure……Ren-dono, right? We have high hopes for your future.”

The knight was the one who had been guarding the lion sanctuary for the past few days.

Thinking that it was a compliment, Ren obediently thanked him.

The knight then did as Edgar asked and went to the back of the training hall and drew his sword. Edgar then turned to Ren.

“In the legend, the Lion King was undefeated on many battlefields, and he never backed down in the face of wizards.”

In a battle against magic, this was obviously a bad move.

But the Lion King made it possible.

He was able to do so because he had developed a sword technique that made it possible.

“Please.”

Edgar said to the knight, and the knight, hearing his voice, raised his sword in the air.

As soon as the knight, who roared majestically, brought his sword down, a powerful wind turned into a blade and approached Ren and Edgar.

In response, Edgar cleaved his sword horizontally.

The wind was cut down by the cleave and became just a strong wind that stroked Ren’s hair.

(That was —-.)

Ren had seen this scene before.

“It’s common for magic to be offset by an equal degree of impact. But the hard sword technique doesn’t cancel out the magic. It also has the ability to slay magic.”

Although it depends on the level of skill, a wielder of the Hard sword-technique can inflict slashing damage even to magic, drown out magic, or even nullify it, as is the case now if the wielder is proficient.

The difference in ability between the two is also a major factor, but even so, it is a destructive martial technique.

The name of this technique is now.

“—- Star Slaying.”

The name comes from the fact that the Lion King described magic as stars.

At that time, it was believed that stars in the night sky were also caused by some kind of magic. In connection with this, it was so named because it cut down magic.

“I’m surprised that you even knew the name of the battle technique.”

“I had been studying it for a long time.”

In fact, it was because he had witnessed it so many times in games that it made him cry over and over again.

“I’m sure that soon you will be able to use the Star slaying technique to your full advantage, Ren-dono.”

(…… Star slaying is, as I recall, the proof of a great swordsman’s level in hard swordsmanship.)

Anyway, It’s treated as a sword saint level in the other schools.

However, considering the fact that in the Legend of the Seven Heroes, the saint Licia was a sword saint in the holy sword technique, it may not be that far off.

However, even if we don’t equate her with the game, Licia is undeniably a genius, so it’s not so easy to say for sure.

But we should aim high.

Ren said with a wry smile, “I’ll do my best,” and finished the fifth day of instruction.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

The day after that, Edgar returned to Marquis Ignat’s residence in Eupheim.

Ulysses, who had been waiting for him to return, greeted him and took him to his prized garden and began to ask him about Ren.

“How was Ren Ashton?”

A number of words of praise popped into Edgar’s head.

But none of them seemed to fit. He wonders what words of praise would be appropriate for Ren.

Then he remembered with a startled expression.

He remembered the shock he felt on the first day when he taught Ren the hard sword technique and Ren caught the last blow.

“It was as if he was a lion.”

If you take it as it is written, you may get the impression that he is a hero.

But not for those who handle the hard sword technique. The word “lion” has a strong meaning that can be called an unspoken agreement among those who use the hard sword.

It should never be used to evaluate others.

It is the strength of the Lion King, the founder of the hard sword technique.

“Are you saying he’s a lion cause he’s a swordsman as strong as you, Edgar?”

“He was a lion. The strength in Ren-dono’s eyes that he turned towards me was definitely that of a lion. I don’t know how to describe that strength without describing it as a lion.”

Edgar’s voice sounded serious.

Ulysses shuddered with admiration, though he had no intention of doubting it from the start.

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