Chapter 19: How to Use a Sword 3

Back at the guild, I joined the line for Reina’s counter.

She processed each visitor efficiently, and soon it was my turn. When I handed her the report, she glanced at my new pouch.

“You seem to be the kind of adventurer clients quickly grow fond of.”

“Ha ha… They gave me something again.”

“Receiving so many additional rewards in succession is extremely unusual. It proves that you consistently exceed your clients’ expectations.”

Reina smiled and processed the request, then gave me the payment.

Even after renewing my stay, I’d be able to save some of it. Smiling happily, I placed the coins in the wallet inside my new pouch.

“By the way, are you going outside the city afterward?” she asked.

“That’s the plan. Is something wrong?”

“…The combat training scheduled for the day after tomorrow has been canceled because the guild master has another obligation. Since you’re currently the only applicant, he suggested giving you a special lesson this afternoon. Naturally, the class fee will be returned because the official session was canceled, but you may still receive the lesson.”

I would recover my silver coin and be taught valuable skills.

I’d planned to level up that day, but instruction was more important, so I accepted the offer.

“Oh, you’re here, kid.”

The guild had a training yard behind its building. Guild Master Ryan was waiting there.

“It’s good to see you again, Guild Master.”

“Hmm. That’s a mouthful. Call me by my name. Almost everyone uses my title, and I’m tired of it.”

“Really? Then may I call you Ryan?”

“Of course! That feels much better. Now, what do you want to learn from combat training?”

I listed everything that came to mind: how to handle weapons, how to move my body, how to travel through forests, precautions every adventurer should take, and what to do when encountering a dangerous monster.

One by one, I added still more questions.

“Right! Teaching you all of that is impossible. Some of it I do entirely by instinct. I can teach you how to handle a weapon and use your body, though.”

“…You can’t teach the precautions an adventurer should take?”

“Erik, do I look like someone who notices small details? When I was active, I picked fights constantly and the guild master at the time knocked me flat over and over.”

“I don’t think that’s something to declare proudly.”

Ryan certainly didn’t look like a man concerned with details. I decided to learn the other subjects from someone else later.

“We’ll start with your sword. Do you use a one-handed blade?”

“For now. Eventually I’d like to try daggers and other weapons, but at present I want to focus on the sword.”

“If you asked for a bow or throwing weapons, I couldn’t help you, but I know one-handed swords. First, show me how you currently use yours.”

I picked up a wooden sword and demonstrated my movements for about five minutes.

“That’s enough. I understand. You have talent for the one-handed sword, but because you’re entirely self-taught, the weapon controls you instead of the other way around. You have potential. With proper instruction, you should develop into a swordsman.”

“R-Really?”

“Why would I lie? Reina said you’re a hard worker. Keep up with my instruction, all right?”

“Yes! Thank you for teaching me, Ryan!”

I bowed.

Ryan began by telling me to watch how he used the sword.

“This is a vertical strike. This is horizontal, and this is diagonal.”

He didn’t explain the theory. His technique demonstrated everything.

I watched closely, comparing his movements with mine.

“The position of your feet and the force of each step remain consistent. Mine were scattered. You kept your center firm and swung without losing your balance.”

“…Kid, you’re remarkable. Few people understand that after only three swings. Are you certain no one has ever taught you?”

“No one. This is the first time I’ve even watched from so close.”

“…Someone extraordinary has come to the capital!”

Ryan laughed heartily.

He placed the sword in my hands and began teaching the movements directly to my body.

“In practice, you can always plant your feet perfectly, but real combat won’t cooperate. That’s why you should strengthen your legs and hips every day. With a strong lower body, you can still swing reasonably well even after your balance is disrupted.”

“What exercises do you recommend?”

“Squats and running. Running on stairs will improve both your endurance and your lower-body strength.”

I wrote his advice on the notepaper I’d prepared. I probably wouldn’t forget, but I wanted a record I could review.

He spent a long time teaching me foot placement, how to grip the sword, and how to use my body.

Whenever I didn’t understand, I asked immediately. Ryan did some things by instinct and struggled to express them in words, but he tried. I interpreted his explanations, confirmed my understanding with him, and wrote each answer in my notes.