“…Rumors really can’t be trusted.”
Linfred murmured as he watched the second son of the grand duke’s family, infamous as a wastrel.
“Huff, huff…”
Aiden, currently panting while running the training yard, had lost so much weight in nearly two months that he was unrecognizable.
His body still couldn’t be called slim even with empty words, but it felt like he’d transformed from a lump of fat pig to a muscular pig.
Such dramatic change in a short time was all thanks to Linfred pushing Aiden based on the kingdom’s latest training theories.
No. Strictly speaking, it’s all the result of the second prince’s own efforts.
No matter how excellent the education, without the student’s will, it’s meaningless. In that sense, Aiden was a student more exemplary than anyone.
A boy with such perseverance is the notorious wastrel across the principality? Maybe there was some mistake.
Of course, the foundation for Linfred thinking this was that he’d been away from the principality for a long time due to the grand duke’s mission.
Having only heard of Aiden through rumors, he figured they were exaggerated.
But Linfred wasn’t the only one reevaluating Aiden.
“Could it be… that wastrel is really trying to reform?”
The knights under the Stroke family, who had watched Aiden’s efforts in the yard, began thinking that at some point.
Linfred was famous among apprentice knights for strict training policies.
Continuing under such a teacher’s guidance proved Aiden’s perseverance was considerable.
Of course, those with goodwill were few.
“Aiden Stroke reforming? That’s less plausible than our kitchen knife being the demonic sword ‘Plebelziam’.”
“Rumors say he whined and threw tantrums to cancel being sent to the Shpiol front.”
“Really? That explains the different behavior. Probably holding back in fear His Excellency changes his mind.”
Such reactions were natural.
The infamy Aiden built as a wastrel couldn’t be erased with just over two months of effort.
But even the mockers vaguely felt it. Hard to express clearly, but Aiden Stroke had fundamentally changed.
As usual, ran the yard until near collapse. Then received a water bottle with Yin-Yang tea from Linia.
[Processed Yin-Yang Tea (A)]
- Temporarily increases mana control.
- Promotes stat growth except divinity.
- Potential level increase with continuous consumption.
- ??? (Requires additional combination for function activation)
Enjoying the luxury of drinking such premium elixir like water, no wonder the hopeless pig’s body normalized quickly.
By the way, this was one of the Tripper System’s functions: ‘Appraisal’. Staring intently textualizes info on valuable items.
About to gulp the tea, Linfred approached.
“Basic stamina seems built up. From today, I’ll teach the young master Northern Basic Swordsmanship.”
“Finally just basic? When can I learn the family’s secret Stroke Swordsmanship and Heart Method?”
“Advanced swordsmanship requires complete mastery of basics. Rushing leads to heart demons—always beware. Above all, remember sincerity and consistency are key.”
Linfred scolded strictly. He valued solid fundamentals above all.
“I’ll demonstrate first.”
He began basic forms in the yard center. As elite of Stroke knights, no superfluous in movements or paths.
“As expected of Sir Milner!”
“That’s elite knight skill…”
Apprentice knights glancing our way exclaimed.
I felt the same. After only watching regular knights’ spars, Linfred’s swordsmanship felt like eye-opening. His basic forms were near perfection.
Soon, every subtlety and tip absorbed into my mind.
[Northern Basic Swordsmanship (D) understanding reached ‘Mastery’ stage. Easier grasp of Northern martial arts overall.]
Smirked at the message.
Come to think, I’m a talent monster with A-grade trait now. For swordsmanship, can strip opponent’s foundation just by glancing.
After demo, Linfred said.
“Try imitating what I showed. It’s training sword without heart method—easy to learn.”
Words say that, but eyes don’t expect much. Probably planning to gauge roughly.
I gripped wooden sword, stood in yard.
First, raise sword straight with both hands slightly up. Common starting stance for Northern swordsmanship. Surprisingly disciplined, Linfred looked surprised.
Whoosh!
“…!”
His pupils shook seeing me thrust.
I entered no-mind state, performing Northern Basic Swordsmanship forms.
Image training done madly, but first actual execution. Yet movements mature beyond self-surprise.
Two months ago, pig-like body rolling possible, following ideal paths in mind was pipe dream. So this moment body moving as intended was more enjoyable than usual.
Five forms composing Northern Basic. Successfully performed all, asked Linfred.
“How was it?”
“………Well done.”
Answering, eyes dazed like soul escaped. Quite shocked.
“…What was that just now?”
“From what I saw, the wast… no, second prince’s forms were perfect, rivaling Sir Milner.”
Some apprentices watching murmured. Most concluded luck, but discerning Linfred different.
“Young master, follow me a moment.”
Snapping to, he dragged me to quiet mansion garden, asked.
“Sword stance sharper than expected—surprised. Have you learned a heart method separately?”
He noticed; harmony energy leaked unconsciously during basics.
I answered honestly.
“Learned one out of boredom.”
“Reckless. Learning random heart methods without plan harms the body.”
“Did it knowingly.”
Answered calmly. Strangely composed me calmed Linfred’s excitement.
“At a glance, not Stroke family’s secret. What heart method?”
“Brandish Harmony Heart Method. Happened to get circulating introductory book.”
“You mean… self-taught heart method?”
“Yes.”
Linfred’s eyes widened.
Truthfully, self-learning heart method like headbutting ground is hard even for prodigies.
Without Yin-Yang doping, hard for me to create harmony energy alone.
“Whew… Stable energy-building method, fortunately. Shouldn’t affect learning Stroke family secret heart method and swordsmanship.”
Of course.
That’s what harmony method is.
“But next time, consult me, your personal instructor, first.”
“Will remember.”
Nodded obediently.
From experience, Linfred excellent educator. No harm building friendly relations.
“By the way, your basic swordsmanship just now was very mature. When did you practice separately?”
“Body too tired to swing sword extra; lying in bed, recalled knights’ spars. Just drew paths in mind referencing movements.”
“In your… head?”
Linfred dumbfounded. Told truth, but whether believed unknown.
“Anyway, with your achievement, just basics inefficient. From tomorrow, can enter Stroke family heart method and swordsmanship.”
Hearing Linfred, smile naturally formed. Finally learning proper skills.
The ‘Church of Struggle’ governing all wars and fights selects 12 continental representatives every 10 years.
Called ‘Continent’s Twelve Heroes’.
Reason small Stroke Principality has international influence: produced one current Twelve.
Even a direct kin of grand duke’s family.
Heavy Sword’s Ebel Stroke.
This warrior famous continent-wide was late previous grand duke’s brother, current grand duke’s uncle.
Young master Aiden’s talent is immense. Perhaps comparable to Sir Ebel.
Linfred saw fragment of divine might in 14-year-old freely handling sword, only from absolute masters. Recalling Ebel Stroke natural flow.
The story of drawing paths in mind is clearly true.
Aiden under Linfred’s lead trained stamina desperately daily. He knows best no energy left for separate basic practice. Second prince possesses continent-top talent never taught before.
Pondering how to polish this gem heading to quarters, someone approached Linfred.
“Sir Linfred Milner.”
“Hm? If it isn’t Prince Litton.”
“Nice to meet you. Heard much about you. Long mission, great merits after long time.”
“Just knight’s duty. Prince has fully matured in 8 years.”
Heir to grand duke and family elite knight on solid path exchanged warm greetings.
“Heard Father appointed you as Aiden’s sword instructor. Must be tough.”
“Not at all.”
“Haha! No need to mind. Everyone in mansion knows Aiden’s spirit is rotten.”
Linfred’s expression slightly hardened. But Litton continued unaware of odd air.
“Heard reason for starting sword training is a sight. Hated remote Shpiol front service, so spouted nonsense to Father proving value, etc.”
“I’m poor at etiquette or rhetoric. Sorry, but want to hear why Prince sought me.”
At direct words, Litton smirked, to point.
“Want to check if incompetent brother truly trains diligently. In about 3 weeks, want to observe with some siblings and acquaintances.”
“Need to tell me separately for observation?”
“Father… His Excellency seems to favor Aiden maximally. Even minor observation needs your permission as personal instructor.”
Friendly tone, but eyes cold as frost. Warning: don’t want out of heir’s favor, behave.
Logically, Aiden just entering knight path can’t show proper in training. Obvious Litton plans public humiliation.
Linfred pondered, answered.
“Observation no big issue.”
“As expected, Sir Milner, reasonable. See you at yard soon.”
Grinning Litton passed. Linfred murmured watching eldest’s back.
“With young master’s talent, can quickly learn Stroke swordsmanship forms. In 3 weeks, develop to demonstrable publicly. Knowing observation might good motivation.”
Litton thought elite knight Linfred yielded to heir’s authority, but this stubborn knight had zero political sense.
He simply trusted teaching second prince’s talent, permitted observation.
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