Not long after, Theo's duel with Irene came to an end.
Of course, Theo had lost.
Theo gripped his thighs with both hands, supporting his nearly collapsing body as he took in ragged breaths.
'What a hopeless case.'
Just ten minutes ago, he thought he had a chance, but that was only his own delusion.
His wooden sword didn't even graze Irene's clothing. More despairing was the fact that she only went on the defense.
"Huuu..."
Irene probably didn't use even 10% of her true strength.
Stats and traits are important, but they're not everything. Irene's swordsmanship was that outstanding.
While it didn't feel as explosively forceful as Noctar wielding an axe, she easily deflected all of his critical attacks.
He truly felt the presence of an insurmountable wall.
Irene sneaked a peek at Theo.
Drenched in sweat, he hung his head, catching his breath.
His soaked training clothes clung to his body, revealing his lean and toned physique.
'Ah, ugh...'
Irene felt her face heat up and quickly looked at the ground.
'But apart from his naivety, he's actually quite decent.'
Though she didn't show it on the surface, Irene was quite surprised. Theo was stronger than she had imagined.
If someone were to name the two most important aspects of close combat, most would choose physicality and technique.
Theo's physicality was exceptional. The force he conveyed with his wooden sword was not to be underestimated.
At that level, he would definitely be in the upper ranks of the knight department. In the hero department, filled with geniuses, he would at least be in the middle.
'His momentum was impressive, and he knew how to use a few techniques.'
Although crude, he knew how to execute the techniques.
Irene's family, the Aslans, was a prestigious knight family. She had grown up watching and learning from renowned knights.
She knew there were many people at Elinia Academy stronger than herself, but in terms of swordsmanship alone, she was confident she wouldn't lose to anyone.
After all, she was the top of her class. Not only was she skilled in practical combat, but she also excelled in theory, so it didn't take long for her to identify Theo's weaknesses.
'Then what he needs now is...'
To increase the proficiency of the few techniques he could currently use, albeit crudely. If he could improve in this area, his skills would rapidly rise.
Expanding his repertoire of techniques would also be important, but that could come later.
Theo was not a genius. He needed to take things step by step, starting with what he could do and what was easy.
With her thoughts organized, Irene spoke.
"I'll be honest."
"I appreciate that."
"To be frank, you're better than I expected. Your body is almost fully trained. You just need to keep learning and practicing techniques. Of course, it would be more efficient to master the techniques you can already use."
She rarely praised others. He knew this as well.
For her, this was high praise.
"…Is that so?"
But Theo looked dissatisfied.
Irene was taken aback.
She thought he would be pleased.
'Could it be.'
Unsatisfied?
"You don't seem satisfied. But considering your past self, this is an incredible improvement. There's no one else who has improved as much as you have in such a short time. You should be proud."
Praise flowed from Irene's mouth.
Still, Theo's expression remained dissatisfied.
'What could it be...'
Curiosity grew inside Irene.
Theo had changed completely from his past self.
Compared to his appearance during the first semester's public duel evaluation, one could believe he was an entirely different person with the same appearance.
To grow this much, it couldn't have happened within a month or two.
It would take at least a few years of consistent effort.
Irene's thoughts raced.
'But during the last public evaluation in the first semester, he ran away for a ridiculous reason. And I've never heard that he was particularly training.'
...So, could it be?
Had he been pretending to be foolish and incompetent all this time?
Irene felt dizzy just thinking about it.
The body doesn't lie.
His physical prowess was real.
'But why? For what reason?'
She couldn't find a clear answer to why he had done so.
In a way, he was pitiful.
Who knew how long he had been struggling alone without anyone knowing?
What reason could there be for having to act while receiving scorn and contempt from everyone?
Irene felt the limits of her imagination.
'Could it be... related to that incident seven months ago?'
The incident that made her remaining feelings for him vanish instantly.
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't accept it.
Recalling that incident, disgust rose in a corner of her heart.
Irene's calm face was covered in repulsion.
At that moment.
"...I want to win."
Theo's words broke Irene's train of thought.
Irene looked at Theo with a bewildered expression.
It was an unexpected, pure response.
With hazy eyes, Theo looked at Irene and spoke slowly.
"Help me."
"...!"
Irene hesitated.
The resonance of his words was so pleasing.
It was enough to scatter the repulsion that covered her face in an instant.
That resonance moved her heart.
However, her mind blocked her heart.
Theo, that guy is unforgivable.
"...Why should I?"
Irene spat out the harshest words she could muster.
Then she looked at Theo.
His head hung low, his eyes were complicated.
A wounded, sad expression like that of a proud cat.
'Ah.'
-Creak, creak.
She clenched her teeth, as if telling herself, 'I must not give in.'
That kind of gaze was cheating. She would usually ignore it, but now she was too confused.
At that moment, Theo looked at her and spoke.
"Irene."
"Why, what?"
Irene managed to meet his gaze and continuously gave herself the same reminder not to give in.
But then,
"I have no one but you. Please help me."
Her self-hypnosis crumbled in an instant.
***
After receiving swordsmanship guidance from Irene and witnessing a few of her techniques, I had a late dinner by myself at a nearby restaurant.
I asked Irene to join me, but she declined, saying she didn't feel well. Her face was flushed the entire time she was instructing me, and she seemed genuinely ill.
"Phew."
I hoped she wasn't really sick. If not for her, I wouldn't have anyone to learn from.
And with that, I was confronted with the reality I had been trying to avoid.
I have no talent. Absolutely none.
I couldn't understand any of the techniques Irene taught me. Even though I had seen them dozens of times in the game, I couldn't grasp them in reality.
When I watched, I thought, 'So that's how it's done,' but when I had to do it myself, I couldn't. That's exactly how it felt.
There was no other way.
I returned to my room, washed up, and immediately opened the shop window.
I wanted to avoid relying on probability, but this was the only way to significantly increase my chances of winning on Friday.
"Ugh, it's such a waste."
I bought the [Observer's Eye].
[Purchase completed.]
[Remaining currency: 1 gold coin, 10 silver coins]
Just like when I bought [Magic Nullification], nothing happened except for the appearance of the message window.
Exhausted, I immediately laid down on my bed. It was still early to sleep, but I felt drowsy as soon as I lay down.
Irene said she would help me again tomorrow. I would pay close attention to every moment.
I would ask her to show me every skill she had.
I fell asleep right away.
***
Four days later, Friday, 7 am.
Elinia Academy's Hero Department exclusive practice area.
I was in one of the many rooms attached to the practice area, in the middle of a mock practice.
As expected of the Hero Department, the room was incredibly spacious.
And in front of me stood a magical doll in human form. The doll, similar in size to Ralph Viole, held a club in each hand.
The Hero Department's training facility supports various types of mock practices, such as magic duels and melee combat. It's unimaginable over-technology in a world without guns.
It was created by Odius, a friend and colleague of Ryuk, the first chairman, and the last 9th Circle Mage on the continent.
[Settings have been completed. Please respond with 'yes' when you are ready.]
The magical voice echoed.
"Yes."
The magical puppet began to move.
Despite being a puppet, its movements closely resembled those of a human. I could even set its stats roughly the same as Ralph's, so I did.
Of course, there were clear limitations, such as the inability to apply personal traits or skills and the lack of emotions, but it was still quite useful.
Feeling the wonders of magic in this world anew, I muttered,
"Come."
As if understanding my words, the massive magical puppet charged at me.
***
After about two hours of mock practice, I washed my sweat-drenched body in the shower room attached to the training ground. Naturally, I also brought along cosmetics and perfume.
I was trembling. Although I had prepared as thoroughly as possible, I couldn't help but tremble.
From Tuesday until now, I had received guidance from Irene after the academy's classes ended and woke up early in the morning to train alone.
Although limited to the magical puppet, the techniques I learned from Irene worked well.
The duel could last up to 5 minutes. I was scheduled for the 39th duel, so it would begin after lunchtime at the earliest.
While I wanted to train more, watching the techniques of other students beforehand would also be of great help.
"I will, win."
Muttering softly to myself, I thumped my chest and headed to the classroom.
***
This is regular release 3/4!
Enjoy the chappy!
