Engaged to Chesa Utland?
Who?
This pig Aiden?
Meaning, me?
No such setting in the original?
Shocked, I gaped blankly. Linia asked worriedly.
“Young master, did you forget about the lady too?”
“………Uh.”
“Good heavens.”
She covered her mouth with both hands.
Linia knows my memory is incomplete.
As closer than family, she’d eventually sense I’m fundamentally different from original Aiden, so I preempted: told grand duke memory flawed after head injury.
So far, patched lack of Aiden memories with abundant original knowledge. Linia never dreamed I’d forget even this crucial fact.
“Circumstances cut contact for nearly 5 years, but as children, the lady often visited Stroke mansion, playing happily with you.”
“…Did we.”
Aiden’s age: 14 as of Dragon God Year 982 February… Chesa Utland similar age. Childhood friends, then.
My mistake. Neighboring territory, should have considered interactions. Don’t know Chesa-Aiden relationship details. Awkward how to act upon meeting.
Headache.
Worry when recruitment chance comes. At least childhood friends—no plan harm.
“Well, meeting might jog memory?”
“Definitely eyes wide open! Rumors say lady grew into stunning beauty.”
Chesa Utland’s beauty emphasized several times in novel—know well. Honestly, looking forward to meeting.
Changed topic.
“So, progress on what I assigned separately?”
Not talent recruitment, but equally important to Linia: finding someone via informants. Per my chronology, original character in Stroke capital now.
“Found one matching your description. Staying at Golden Apple Inn in downtown since about a week ago.”
Bag of needles—Linia with Espionage (B) trait naturally gifted at info gathering despite maid.
I grinned.
Great news.
[A-grade Trait/Skill Arbitrary Selection Ticket x1]
Meeting ‘that character’ decides its use.
***
“Hiuuuu”
Energy breathed.
Striking Urgency energy circulated. Finished circulation, performed Stroke Swordsmanship forms practiced until calluses.
[Stroke Swordsmanship (B) at ‘Entry’ stage. Effects increase.]
Indeed B-grade.
Depth worlds apart from Northern Basic grasped at glance. Days of forms only, barely entry.
Linfred, strictly correcting posture, soon drew wooden sword for guidance spars.
“Hup!”
Thrust with shout. But Linfred effortlessly parried, lightly swung tapping my shoulder.
“Kuh!”
Heavy blow loosened arm. Dropped wooden sword.
Linfred barked.
“In real fight, dropping sword means death. Young master immature not just in swordsmanship but mindset!”
Looked pitiful. Intentional provocation, but irritating anyway.
Gritted teeth, trained harder.
[Muscular Overweight (-) trait removed. Agility growth slowdown from trait gone.]
[Agility +1.]
Time passed; day before banquet, my swordsmanship advanced to exchange 20+ blows with Linfred. Even considering mercy, steep growth.
Encouraged by daily improvement, immersed more in Stroke Swordsmanship.
Then one moment, unusual rigidity in my drawn path.
“…!”
Linfred failed proper response to scattered sword, instinctively stepped back. First time pushed in guidance.
“…Excellent.”
“Huu, huu…”
Not luck.
[Stroke Swordsmanship (B) at ‘Skilled’ stage. Effects increase.]
Translucent message proved. Tripper System objective growth indicator.
Opened character sheet.
<Aiden Stroke>
[Level: 5/35]
[Stamina: 04][Strength: 04][Agility: 03]
[Mana: 09][Mind: 05][Senses: 06]
[Divinity: 00]
[Traits: Swordsmanship Genius (A), Magic Prodigy (B), Spirit Affinity·Weak (C)]
[Skills: Stroke Swordsmanship (B), Stroke Heart Method (B), Northern Basic Swordsmanship (D), Brandish Harmony Heart Method (C)]
[Description: 14 years old, human. Infamous second son of grand duke’s family, notorious principality-wide.]
“Haha…”
Smile spread.
Long way, but human-shaped now. Compared to vermin-level two months ago, astonishing improvement.
Sum stats except mana: mid among family apprentices. Far from official knights, but means to close gap in a month prepared.
If plan goes, regular knight duel soon: piece of cake.
***
Next day at yard, proposal from Linfred.
“From what I see, young master grasped one-on-one duel basics. From now, parallel many-vs-one spars for varied experience.”
“Face multiple?”
“Current you can handle two apprentices, though strained.”
Makes sense.
Current stats equal one apprentice, but skill grades/proficiency levels above.
Focused on numbers, briefly fixed-minded.
“Fine.”
“…Considering reputation, select calm apprentices as opponents.”
Moment heard, fun idea sparked.
Aiden infamous wastrel. Turn built karma into growth fuel?
“…Wait. One condition for selecting opponents.”
“Condition?”
“Investigate apprentices; prioritize those with grudges against me. They’ll fight desperately—near-real practice.”
“Dangerous.”
“No issue.”
Linfred pondered, but my insistence won.
Thus, filtered two apprentices stepped forward.
<Jimmy Gardner>
[Level: 2/16]
[Stamina: 05][Strength: 07][Agility: 03]
[Mana: 02][Mind: 03][Senses: 04]
[Divinity: 00]
[Traits: Swordsmanship Talent (C)]
[Skills: Northern Basic Swordsmanship (D), Northern Basic Heart Method (D)]
[Description: 15 years old, human. Stroke family apprentice knight.]
<Victoria Phyllis>
[Level: 3/14]
[Stamina: 04][Strength: 03][Agility: 07]
[Mana: 03][Mind: 01][Senses: 06]
[Divinity: 00]
[Traits: Brawler (C), Swordsmanship Aptitude (D)]
[Skills: Northern Basic Swordsmanship (D), Mercenary Basic Footwork (D), Northern Basic Heart Method (D)]
[Description: 17 years old, human. Stroke family apprentice knight.]
Pair glared fiercely. If not grand duke’s son, stab-ready.
Whispered to Linfred.
“What did I do to them for those glares?”
“Jimmy Gardner and Victoria Phyllis engaged. Report: unaware, you flirted with Victoria.”
Come to think, female apprentice quite pretty. But just flirting for murder glares?
“That’s all?”
“…Victoria politely refused citing fiancé. You started ‘Low nobles’ kids suit well,’ insulted families/parents. Jimmy stepped up; you beat him, spat on face, left.”
Linfred looked incredulous reading report. You really did this crazy shit?
Shrugged.
“Sorry, no memory.”
Grind!
Jimmy gnashed. If not high status, punch-ready. Reactions suggest anecdote true, no exaggeration.
To them:
“Grievances? Speak with wooden swords. Legal chance to beat me, right?”
Faces hardened. Soon took stances.
“…Stroke 2nd Knight Order apprentice, Jimmy Gardner. Heard from Sir Milner you want real-like training. Forgive heavy hands!”
“Stroke 2nd Knight Order apprentice, Victoria Phyllis. Same.”
Bad expressions not just Aiden grudge. Pride hurt: ordered gang up on newbie by respected elite.
Linfred alternated gazes, declared.
“Begin!”
“Haaap!”
Jimmy charged as awaited. I calmly half-stepped. His sword barely missed air.
Heavy strong but slow.
Child’s play vs Linfred’s flash.
Aimed Jimmy’s rebound gap, but next changed path, parried quiet side strike.
Clang!
Opposite: fast but light.
Victoria eyes wide. Didn’t expect reaction to ambush. I punched her solar plexus left fist.
Thud!
“Kuh…!”
“Victoria!”
Jimmy bull-charged sensing crisis. I pushed Victoria his way; charge stopped futilely.
Pathetic.
“Many-vs-one in name; just playing separate. Coordinate properly?”
“………”
Shocked my skill surpasses.
Soon eyes cold. Switched from punchbag to worthy opponent.
Brief eye contact; then perfectly synced, pressed me.
Tap!
Clang!
Three wooden swords tangled midair.
Parried Victoria’s chain, endured with sword talent, but clearly disadvantaged.
Jimmy’s heavy strike flew. Superior tech—
But ace left.
“Hiuuuu-“
Calmly breathed amid fierce joint attacks. Hot energy from chest spread body.
“S-Stroke Heart Method!”
“Impossible! Second prince secret energy breathing!?”
Onlookers’ gasps echoed.
They started talking like caveman