Radiance glanced at the figure who was hitting the training dummy which was as hard as B rank metal with her bare fist.
Her hair was tied to a bun. She was wearing typical t-shirts with pair of jeans over which she wore battle armour made of leather which prevents one from seeing her dress that is attached to her skin.
She looked quite eloquent like a beautiful flower growing in the wild which tempts one to pluck the flower and keep it stored in a cage.
Seeing her, Lucas was finding it hard to keep his composure. He shook his head and slapped his cheek to get out of it and took a deep heavy breath to resist the temptation.
While Lucas was engrossed in his inner turmoil. Julian stopped in her punching practice and walked towards Lucas.
Lucas greeted Julian giving a bow, unlike the first time where he bend down on his knees.
After giving the bow and greeting her, Lucas asked"Her royal highness, What work do I have to do as your butler.?"
"We will talk about it later." She spoke.
"...." Lucas
"First we will go through with your training session as promised. Since I have already decided to take you under my wing, I will have to train you to raise your proficiency so that at the least you can keep up with your work." She explained and asked him to follow her.
Standing before the training dummy, she asked Lucas about his primary weapon and asked him to pick the swords from the stand.
Lucas hurriedly ran towards the weapons stand and picked up two swords and came back near the dummy and handed one sword to Julian.
Julian took the sword and spoke, "Watch me carefully."
Julian pointed her swords towards the dummy and glared at the dummy like a beast. Drawing a light breath, she instantly changed her stance to the charging position.
Before Lucas could barely see anything, the dummy was flying in an instant and while it was in midair she quickly disappeared from there spot she was standing and appeared before the dummy and quickly stabbed at its thigh, waist, heart and throat which were all executed in a single sequence which looked like perfect textbook examples of accurate stabbing.
"Lucas, did you see clearly? This is a classic attack of the knights who defended the borders. You first break through the enemy defence by the charge attack and when you found the opening, you finish them quickly by striking at thier vital spots. Every part of these movements can be refined to be used as you fit. Your role is to execute this type of attack without giving a chance to counter the enemy." Julian spoke coldly as he looked at the dummy.
"A properly trained Knight can execute all these movements like it is in thier instincts. What you need to do is to practice as much as possible so that each move and strike of your sword is engraved deep in both your heart and mind. So that even when you are asleep, you can strike with your sword subconsciously on being attacked." Julian looked straight into Lucas's eyes as she spoke.
Lucas was stunned to see her skills. Lucas had been somewhat proud after defeating the 3-Star back then. But now only did he know that he had been too conceited on his achievements.
Except hearing the hitting sounds, he wasn't able to see a single princess movement.
The enemies he fought before were nothing but mad beasts who fought without any proper techniques and charged with thier sword like a bull. If he had met a properly trained 3-Star warrior, his life would surely be in a perilous situation.
He could be smart and may use his tricks to bring down his opponent but in front of absolute strength, all tricks are useless.
Fortunately like a wake-up call, Princess's display of strength waked me up from my arrogant thoughts.
She looked at the shocked expression on Lucas's face and nodded her head in satisfaction.
If this move of her shocked Lucas this much, then the next move that will move she was going to teach would surely blow his mind.
Putting away the dull metal sword, she took out a sword from her storage ring and stood near the dummy.
Lucas looked at her curiously with anticipation. He had a premonition that Julian will pull out an amazing stunt.
Taking a deep breath, gripping the hilt of the sword covered in the sheath she moved.
Clinkkkk~~~
A small metal sound was heard while Julian was still standing in his original stance without any movement.
Then with a small thud, the hands of the dummy fell on the ground which was cut cleanly near the shoulder joints.
Lucas's jaw dropped seeing the scene before.No..in truth he was not able to see a single thing. He only heard a metallic clink and saw a faint spark of metal. clashing near the shoulder of the dummy but he was not able to see any movement from Julian's side.
His vision turned blind seeing the moves Julian was pulling. He was feeling inferior seeing the gap between him and Julian's strength.
If the difference between him and Fredrick is that of a wide lake then the gap between him and Julian is as wide as the ocean.
Still, it didn't deter him rather made him more determined to achieve this type of strength.
Lucas seeing her strike could tell the name of the sword strike. It was named as one slash one kill by the principal who teaches it to her himself. For the principal, Julian is like a lovely granddaughter whom he can give anything she asks.
It was not anything special. What made him extraordinary was the speed of drawing and slashing.
"Were you able to take a glimpse of the move," Julian asked as he put back the sword in his ring.
Lucas shook his head to say no but he was too shocked by her moves to speak anything.
"There two types of sword user. One which requires strength which can be used mainly for defence and the other I show you now, fast precise and accurate which are perfect for the offence. Before your enemy can react his head will be rolling down but it had many disadvantages as if by any chance your opponent can react and would able to counter, you will be put in a very tough situation if you rely heavily on offence."
Julian looked at Lucas and asked, "What type of swordsman do you want to be. One who protects or one who kills. Before you lift your sword, you should have a clear understanding of your desire. Your moves are the depiction of your inner thoughts. You may think I am speaking rubbish as none of the instructors has said you anything like this but believes me the question I asked is from one of the greatest teachers in this era. I still remembered the day when that mighty figure stood before me and said. A warrior should have a clear understanding of his goal and a strong will to follow the path they chose. Even if you kill, you should have a clear conscience in your doing. Cause once you chose your path, there shouldn't come a day when your blade hesitates to strike when you follow your path cause if it does then that will be the day when your road to glory will decline."
Gulp.
Swallowing his saliva, Lucas looked straight into the unwavering eyes of Julian that is filled with a resolution of her goals. The words Julian spoke were quite heavy.
He hadn't ever given a thought about this, the moment he started living his life here, his only goal was to survive, endure the hardship and overcome them to live a good fulfilling life.
He never thought of going to war. He had always thought as long he is strong enough to protect himself he is safe.
But after going through his life here, he knew he can't stay neutral, since he had been reborn he has to do his part for the national cause he can't ignore the things about to come. His heart is not frozen not made of stone that he can ignore another suffering.
Lucas didn't think of himself as a saint nor he was the bad guy. He is just a guy, a normal guy like many others having his parent waiting for him in thier home. Friends to take care of. A small boy whom he treats like his brother.
He can just escape alone and hide somewhere. But he knew, His heart will not allow this as he has certain values to follow.
Closing his eyes, Lucas thought about his path.
'My sword should be as sharp as a razor that will cut my enemies and my defence should be as hard as a wall that will shield my loved ones. Who decided that one can learn either offence or defence style swordsmanship? Why set the rules that a swordsman should follow one type of notiom? I will be as flexible as water who will mould himself to whatever the situation requires. I, Lucas Brightt will never back down from a fight.'
Lucas opened his eyes which looked as dazzling as sunlight. The eyes that filled with confusion is now brimming with hopes and determination.
Julian was slightly stunned seeing the radiance in Lucas's eyes.. She could feel his entire aura being changed as if the person before him had been reborn.
