I unsummoned Felix. I leapt into the air and landed on the branch of one of the trees. Then I quickly jumped from branch to branch, returning to the teleportation platform.
***
Morning
"Step one: your opening strike must be sharp and committed. Target the neck, shoulder, or dominant hand. You should aim to cripple your opponent and not clash with them."
Fredric’s voice reverberated across the stage.
Sotis we were taught the sa lesson for an entire week; other tis, a few days. The lessons were simple and easy to understand.
Considering that the majority of students were noble descendants or were sponsored by one, they had various sacred arts which they practised privately.
The lessons were ant to reveal a student’s sword skills, making it easy for a novice to grasp. Polish. Insights were provided by the instructors regarding their swordsmanship and ours.
And to make it easy to be implented into various respected techniques.
At the sa ti, those who had never trained in a sword could build a solid foundation. And they could further polish their skills and gradually bridge the gap between themselves and their peers.
For soone like who used brute strength to make up for my lack of swordsmanship, I couldn’t afford to miss classes.
Fortunately, I had managed to grasp the sword styles taught in the last class before it ended, thanks to the proficiency points I had earned.
These styles, which I previously spent several days learning, I could now fully grasp within several hours of training.
In so way, I had sowhat beco a genius.
"Step two: Don’t stop moving after the strike. Let your blade guide you into the next motion. Flow with the enemy’s movent. If they block, redirect. If they dodge, adjust. Your sword is dancing, and you’re rely following its rhythm."
"Never lock your elbows. Never plant both feet on the ground. Your movent is your greatest strength."
I listened to Fredric’s words and mirrored his movents as I swung my sword.
However, it was difficult to concentrate with all the attention directed towards from the sides and behind.
Fredric had demanded that I move to the front of the class so he could easily study my progress and guide on how to improve my swordsmanship.
He had stated loudly, ’I don’t want to bury the new rising star of the Class Three. The faster you improve your skills before this term’s ranking exams, the better for the entire class.’
With that, I drew the attention of everyone in the class.
Anger. Disgust. Curiosity. They were displayed on their faces of the noble descendants and commoners alike.
It was as though they had tasted rubbish at a five-star restaurant and didn’t know what to write in their review.
Fredric pretended as if he hadn’t noticed and started the class.
He guided my swordsmanship as he had stated previously.
Although I was still annoyed as I knew that I was already entangled in one of his sches, I couldn’t care less about it at the mont as long as I improved my skills.
"Step three: Reposition imdiately. Make yourself unreadable. Return to a low or wide stance depending on the counterattack. If you strike ends in front of the enemy’s blade, you’ve already lost."
I quickly spread my feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and my body low. My sword tilted slightly close to the ground beside my right hip.
Then, I swung my blade forward for a low slice.
Swiishh!!
And another one.
Swisshh!!
I returned to my previous stance.
"That’s enough," Fredric said.
He stopped his movents and sheathed his wooden sword.
"Now pair up with each other and practice these forms. I will be watching," he instructed.
I took the opportunity to look at the system alert I had received during class.
[ You have obtained a 1% Increase in Weapon Mastery - Sword ] x2
I gained two proficiency points within an hour.
I pondered if there were other ways for to increase the number the proficiency points I obtained in an hour.
I dismissed the system alert and looked around for a partner.
It was certain that I would have difficulty finding a partner, but I wasn’t disappointed that no one had stepped up because I didn’t need a sparring partner to gauge the improvents in my skills.
I noticed Delilah-in-training staring at from the corner of her eye.
Just like , she probably couldn’t pair up with any of the top rankers close to her.
Does she want to pair up with ?
Well... I didn’t mind as long as I had the chance to admit her to the hospital again.
Perhaps I could use it to initiate a conversation and gather information on the Zahara Clan’s descendants ’ sches.
When our eyes locked with each other, she snorted at , turned around and walked towards a boy whose face imdiately lit up, noticing that she had approached him.
He wasn’t among the top rankers.
I stopped paying attention to her.
"Ezekiel, it appears that you are having trouble finding a partner again?"
Not again.
I concealed my frown as I turned to look at Fredric, who stood beside .
"I’ll help you get a proper partner this ti around, so what happened yesterday doesn’t repeat itself," Fredric said.
Suddenly, I noticed Jaran approaching us.
Fredric noticed this and furrowed his brows for a mont, before his expression beca calm.
Jaran halted in front of us.
He nodded at Fredric before turning to .
"I would like to apologise for what happened yesterday," Jaran apologised. "It was my fault for taking the training too far."
Gasps resonated from the students around us.
Why was he apologising to ?
Another sche? Was he in this with Fredric?
No. Fredric’s expression suggested that he hadn’t expected this to happen, but seed to be looking forward to it unfolding.
"I would like to partner with you. After that, I hope that you can accept one request from ," Jaran said.
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