Episode 14.9-10 (2/2)

The slash was supposed to cut him in half, but thanks to his nice equipment, and a Grace item <Drop of Life>, he managed to barely hang onto life, after which Eda's <Recovery> healed him.

As it turns out, Arios is not a retainer of Goncourt House, he's a guest who just happened to be staying in the mansion that day.

What has Lecan done that moved this man anyway?

”Your valor of marching into enemy's territory for the sake of saving your comrade. Your integrity in settling the matter right, doesn't matter if the opponent is a noble house's family head.”

Now that he's taken a closer look at Arios sitting in front of him, Lecan is surprised at his youthfulness. At their previous face off, his presence felt like that of a veteran martial artist that could have killed Lecan had he slipped off even a bit. Hence, he thought he was a bit older.

”I was truly self-conceited. Believing I had some skill in swordsmanship. However, my sword was nothing more than a mere child's play before you.”

Even in this state, Arios leaves no opening. He's a true first-rate swordsman.

”After my defeat, you had taken hold of my sword as a war trophy. And yet you would return it to me once I was resuscitated. You know very well about a swordsman's pride.”

Lecan frowned like it was a pain.

It was in fact, a pain.

”And above all, your skills in handling a sword, the way you fight. Truly drives in how arrogant I was. The lesson you taught me has opened my eyes.”

”It was Eda who saved your life. Tell that to her.”

Arios turned toward Eda.

”You would be Eda-dono then. I have heard of your feat from others that were present there. How miraculous that <Recovery> was. I offer you my gratitudes.”

Arios bowed down deeply.

”Uh, erm. Oh you.”

Eda blushed and wriggled around for some reason. Did a bug bite her or something, thought Lecan.

”However, it was Lecan-dono who moved me. You are the very master I've been searching for.”

”You've learned proper swordsmanship, haven't you.”

”Yes.”

”Your skills with swords is most likely above me. There's nothing for me to teach you.”

”Didn't you come out on top in a match against me?”

”I just couldn't be bothered to fight you head-on cause you seemed strong. Hence why I used magic to deal a serious blow, stopping you in your track before cutting you down. That was no sword match.”

”Precisely that. You saw through my skill at a glance and overwhelmed me in a way beyond my wildest expectations. Your fighting styles are so much more flexible than mine. By studying under you, I would like to break out of my shell.”

Arios stood up and went around the table before stopping in front of Lecan.

He knelt down with his right knee on the floor, held up his sheathed sword on both his hands presenting it to Lecan with his head down.

(What a pain.)

(Is this a formal sword-presenting ceremony?)

(Guessing this is how you ask for apprenticeship in this country.)

(Thoughtlessly taking this sword off him would probably establish his apprenticeship.)

And yet, just letting him on his own might also end up establishing his enrollment. Asking Eda what to do here is probably pointless, she's most likely clueless about this either.

Lecan did something that wouldn't be misinterpreted as him accepting the sword.

He kicked away the sword Arios presented.

The sword hit the wall before dropping down the floor noisily.

Arios was left dumbfounded.

”Ah hey! Lecan, what are you doing!”

With Eda's angry voice behind him. Lecan left the house.