Volume 2 Chapter 11 (2/2)

[I’m coming as well. I would like to watch Luna’s training as well as your mock battle.] (Selene)

[I don’t mind.] (Youya)

[Luna too.] (Luna)

With this, I headed over to the courtyard for a second time today.

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For Luna’s training, we had to select another type of slash for her to practice as she had just recently mastered both the thrust and the Yokonagi. In addition to her repetition training, we had just added another slash, the Kesagiri. It was a slash that began from the person’s upper body, heading downwards. Since it was assisted by gravity, it was a powerful blow that was easy to learn with high power.

On the other hand, it required different muscles from the thrust and the yokonagi, so it should take some time before Luna completely masters the slash.

Even so, she is a natural with the blade. She improves tremendously day by day. She will most likely take three more days to master the kesagiri slash. To help her training progress even by a second, I performed several demonstrations and explanations until she got the hang of it.

Selene watched this scene from the start to the end.

[Youya, the lesson finally ended! Time for the match!] (Luna)

Luna said with a energetic voice as she loved our simulated battles. It is definitely much more fun to train when you are able to feel yourself improving everyday.

[As usual, today you’ll be trying to land one hit.] (Youya)

[Will try my best!] (Luna)

Luna quickly got into her stance. Just by looking at her stance, I could see her growth. There wasn’t any openings however it was easy for her to transition into an attack. It was the stance that she came up with in order to defeat me in an actual battle. I flipped a coin into the air.

It was our bell as the battle starts the moment the coin lands on the ground. Now then, I wonder how will Luna fare today.

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With this, the second match has ended. Luna who gave her all for both matches was exhausted and fell to the ground.

[Ug.. Luna didn’t land a single hit today and got hit so many times too.] (Luna)

[You were close to landing a hit today. Out of your twenty chances you nearly got me in ten of them.] (Youya)

Whenever Luna showed an opening, I would immediately counterattack with an attack of my own. It was to prevent Luna from launching reckless attacks and think about defending herself in the midst of her attacks. This would eventually resulting in nullifying her opponent’s’ attacks as she will be able to react even when an opening is shown.

[It’s frustrating that Luna’s attacks can’t reach. Youya has no openings. Luna tries to open an opening by attacking but that opens an opening for Luna.] (Luna)

[That is the correct train of thought, but it’s much harder to execute than it is to come up with it. Learn to come up with the combinations of attacks required mid battle and you will improve.] (Youya)

Recently, Luna has begun to mix in feints with her attacks. However, I made sure to counterattack when she made several naive feints lest they become a habit.

[Tomorrow Luna will do her best!] (Luna)

Luna had the sixth sense of a genius, however her greatest strength came from being a graceful loser. She doesn’t just try to apply what she learnt during her training, but think of the next step on her own and try to improve on her own. There are very little people in the world who would be willing to do this on their own. I have trained many people up to now, and once a swordsman becomes afraid of advancing on their own, they will become passive. As a result, their growth halts to a standstill and repeat the same mistakes without improving or learning from them.

A mind that is critical of failure while active in learning from them. That was the secret to Luna’s growth.

[Selene you’ve been watching Luna’s training the entire time. Did anything come to mind?] (Youya)

Selene had watched Luna’s training with serious eyes, especially glued onto Luna.

[… I feel ashamed of myself. Even though a young girl such as her is trying her best, I’m sitting over here cowering in fear. I was naive and overconfident and I won’t become any stronger like this. Furthermore I’ve understood what her words meant. It is strange for me to trust uncle Youya but not in a sparring match. Even with a wooden sword, uncle Youya’s attacks were sharp and powerful. However, it didn’t matter how many times she got hit. It was as if she was absorbing your techniques and making them her own. Even if she is still a small girl, she is strong.] (Selene)

Looking over at Luna, her face became reddish as she was weak to praises.

[Uncle Youya, once more I hope you will continue to train me. Of course with mock battles included. It’s confirmed after watching this girl’s battle. Uncle Youya will definitely be able to make me become stronger.And I have made another resolution. I will definitely pick up the battle princess Renoir’s style with the shield, and become stronger as a crusader.] (Selene)

[Is that really alright? You’ll be throwing away everything you learnt your entire life.] (Youya)

[I won’t throw them away. The sword will always be a part of my battles. Even if the technique changes, the foundation is still the same. I am sure that I will cower once more, but at that time I will definitely overcome it so please be sure to guide me then.] (Selene)

I let out a slight smile as Luna’s hard work seem to have resonated with Selene. That will be a precious experience for Selene.

[I understand. I’ll properly beat the hidden power of Renoir’s shield into you. Tomorrow we will have another mock battle. Can you do it?] (Youya)

[I can. I’ll be sure to prepare a change of underwear for tomorrow.] (Selene)

I was surprised to see Selene crack a joke and smiled wryly. That was how Selene’s special training began. Today we will focus on her training for tomorrow’s mock battle. As long as there is the courage to stand up, the fear will one day be overcomed.

[Ughh. Luna and Youya’s time will be reduced, but Luna will endure it as a senior.] (Luna)

Luna said some interesting things in a strange manner. Me and Selene started to laugh.

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The next day, we entered the dungeon of God Trees. The monsters and treasures have respawned and the number of adventurers were higher than ever.

Yesterday, Selene had devoted her training to using the spikes as well as the foundations of being the front line of the party. She will be showing the results of her training in our adventure today. Our party’s overall strength will definitely increase with a tank as well as a healer if we fully utilize her power.

Let’s try our best to wield the power of our four-men party together.