Chapter 23 - Sword Training

Haruto could feel the pressure exuding from Ghislaine showing her experience as a Sword King. He is unsure how to rank her in Martial art ranking and since her style revolves around speed and would be useless if parried. Her technique, the longsword of light allowed her to reach near the speed of light but requires concentration and timing. Her strength places her at least Legendary Master or around Advanced Grand Master at her base.

Of course, skills, style, experience, and many other factors can determine the strength of an individual. Haruto knows he won't be able to reach Longsword of Light anytime soon but aims to at least reach Advanced Level. He can apply what he learns to other styles and make it his own.

Haruto wasn't going to limit himself in one and the [ formless ] helps him in this regard. He took deep breaths, taking his time and concentrating, willing to go far and test his skills.

'I need to spar against Ghislaine and impress her.'

[ Quest Created! ]

[ Task: Spar against Ghislaine and impress her ]

[ Reward: lv.1 Rapid Healing(E) ]

He is unsure how useful it will be when he naturally recovers rather quickly but can't complain. Haruto immediately uses [ Tachypsychia ] to slow everything then uses [ Zone ] but even with this wouldn't be able to keep up with her instinct and experience. In a flash, Ghislaine appeared in front of Haruto, shocking him and without hesitation parried her blading, pushing him back.

'Shit, she's not holding back.' Haruto started to feel a theme among his instructor and all of them don't hold back against him or rather use the amount where it can overwhelm him enough. This is the curse of a talent.

'He actually blocked it….' Ghislaine thought and immediately exchanged a slash with Haruto who parried and directed before doing a counter attack. The sound of their Bokken range throughout the park and clash where Haruto was overwhelmed by her speed alone. He is able to see it but moving is another thing entirely.

Haruto could only grit his teeth and stepped back using his [ Foresight ] to analyze and find her weak point using it for his own. He was adapting rather quickly and Ghislaine started to feel overwhelmed by his accelerated growth.

'It hasn't been half an hour yet and he's already growing faster than I anticipated.' Ghislaine saw that everytime she attacked he was able to quickly discern and anticipate them and exploit her Blindspot. Haruto even uses [ Concealed Presence ] to fight against her. They went back and forth slowly improving Haruto skill every passing moment learning her technique as she watched her.

'The way he moved is clearly not of a swordsman yet still kept up with me.' The sword king thought because his grip wasn't good and still had some flaws in them but overall a lot better than those that she had seen.

Haruto kept on going until Ghislaine slash that was far too much and made Haruto loosen his gripped forcing to let go making him wince in pain, then fall to the ground where Ghislaine place her sword on his neck.

"Our session ends here. You showed that you're quite capable and the way you're using your sword can be labeled as North God style." Ghislaine gave her analysis in his swordsmanship and Haruto, a bit surprised by the claimed then suddenly a panel screen pop up.

[ You have acquired "Lv.1 North God style(E)" ]

The main focus of this style is not on techniques or developing specialties, but rather a method on how to stay alive and approach a battle with the highest chance of winning. It relies heavily on the practitioner's adaptability and usage of one's surroundings. As a result, this style involves using a lot of tricks instead of refined techniques.

It is a utilitarian style of swordsmanship that includes non-sword fighting techniques such as first-aid and tracking, as well as the ability to fight while physically deficient. Owing to this, different learning institutions have different approaches to battle and practitioners have very disparate fighting styles. The practitioners could be dual-wielding swords, or using non-sword weapons like battleaxes and staves.

Due to their style that centers around adaptability of the situation and fighting using tricks, they are a hard counter for Water God Style because most of their peculiar tricks are hard to parry or counter. While at the same time, this style is weak against Sword God Style due to the latter being a straightforward style that intends to overwhelm opponents before being overwhelmed.

Haruto understands that he can improve this style by simply using his other style. He can see the use in the style when in a fight but feels like it would be some dirty trick. Then again, martial arts also need tactics in order to win a fight since real fight and sports fighting are two different things.

"Haaa…haaa..then how….is my….skills then?" Haruto struggled since he was hit several times before he could even evade. He even uses [ North God style ] alongside the [ Sword God style ].

"During our fight, your skill reached Intermediate close to Advanced while combining all of your style then you are at least close to a Saint rank but only your overall prowess and not just your technique." Ghislaine said making Haruto ponder if he added [ Ultra Instinct ] how would he rank then.

"In the end, I am impressed that you can keep up. You're talented, no, you might be a genius at this point. Not only are you able to copy the technique rather easily but also tenacious enough to keep standing back up." The sword King showed her acknowledgement and Haruto smiled, taking a moment to breath looking at his reward.

[ Rapid Healing ]

[ Description: The Rapid Healing skill increases the speed at which wounds heal. Though, it's limited to only healing superficial wounds, not regrowing severed limbs nor fixing bones with compound fractures. Using the skill does however improve the chances of a full recovery, if for instance the severed limbs are stitched back on and the broken bones are properly put back together. ]

Haruto could feel his body rapidly healing and a few seconds later stood up while Ghislaine was simply watching him.

"Yosh! By the end, are you planning on going back?" Haruto asked to stretch and cracked his body acting as if nothing had happened while Ghislaine surprised by her rapid healing.

"Cause my home is close by and we can have some breakfast, at least my way of thanking you." He said while Ghislaine wondered why he didn't show any reaction to her body from the beginning? Even those who are overwhelmed by her presence would have lust in them.

"If I'm not intruding then I would much appreciate that." Ghislaine said since she has time before going back and can explore around if possible but knowing herself could possibly be tricked like one time when she was adventuring.

Afterwards the two began walking their way home. Ghislaine was surprised how the homes and buildings look strange and unique. Though, her experience in adventuring didn't bother her that much since she often saw things that she normally doesn't see in any other replaces.

"How old are you, Haruto?" Ghislaine asked out of the blue and Haruto thought for a moment while he had his hand behind his head.

"15? What did you ask?" Haruto tilted his head while Ghislaine gave it some thought.

"No reason. You look older than your age." Ghislaine answered and he chuckled at this.

"Yeah, I often hear that. That's why those who are the same age I am often call me big brother." He grinned showing how much he appreciates being called the older.

"Hmmm, do you know anything about Math?" Ghislaine hoped that he could provide some education since she lacked knowledge in them.

"Oh, right, your world is set in medieval times. In this world, our education is free and only spent is often traveling and food along with some miscellaneous things." Haruto said a few things about his world while Ghislaine nodded.

"Then can you teach me?" She didn't feel the same as asking for help and Haruto was surprised but nodded.

"Sure, I'll teach you what I know like you do to me. Huh, here we are." Haruto arrived at his home and Ghislaine saw the home thinking how the stones were much sturdier than her worlds while also being quite pristine.

"My parents aren't around working. It's only me, my brother, Sister and Fiance, though the latter is quite a long story." Haruto wryly smiled while the sword king was curious what he meant. They went inside and Haruto took off his shoe.

"Sorry but can you take off your shoes? It's a courtesy in our country to do that." Haruto gave an apologetic expression and Ghislaine shook her head doing as instructed.

"It's fine, I'm the one intruding. You're quite polite despite how you fight." Ghislaine said, finishing taking off her shoes.

"Well, I have to set an example for my sibling. I can't be too nice nor too rough." Haruto said showing his back on Ghislaine leaving an impression. Soon, Mikan came to check and found her brother accompanied by a woman.

"Did something happen again, Nii-san?" Mikan sizing up on Haruto trying to make him answer, seeing the appearance of the woman, especially the way she dresses.

"Long story short, magic." Haruto said Mikan frowned at this and gave up since Lala is an alien and their life is already strange.

"Anyway, she's also become my swords instructor. I invited her for some breakfast, hope you don't mind. She likes Lala so she doesn't know much about our world." Haruto said.

"Like an Alien?" Mikan asked, seeing the animalistic features.

"More or less." Haruto said as Mikan walked over to Ghislaine.

"Sorry for the intrusion. I'm Ghislaine Dedoldia." The sword king said.

"I'm Mikan Yuuki, Haruto's sister. And you're not intruding if my brother invited you. Come follow me." Mikan said while Haruto was heading to his room.

"Well, I'll take a bath and be back in a minute." Haruto said trusting that there won't be an issue especially with Mikan. He went to his room where Lala was waking up and immediately hugged Haruto when she saw him.

"Wait, I'm sweaty and stink, Lala." Haruto said but Lala didn't let go and rubbed her body against his.

"No, I like Haruto's smell. Did you finish exercising?" She seemed to enjoy his musk and Haruto nodded.

"Yeah, I happen to meet someone who also can train me. By the way, I'll be heading to take a shower. Want to join?" Haruto said and Lala expression was enough as the two went to the bath.

Meanwhile, Ghislaine is captivated by the unique and pristine items around the house. She saw lights in the ceiling that didn't seem to be lamps nor was it made from magic. She heard about Technology from Haruto and was still fascinated by what she was seeing.

"Hope you don't mind me asking but what is that magic item?" Ghislaine pointed at the refrigerator while Mikan wondered what kind of place she came from.

"It's a refrigerator…uhm…it's something that cools food and keeps it fresh. Does your world don't have them?" Mikan said as she was making some breakfast.

"No, our world has magic items but they are expensive and only higher rank nobles can buy them." Ghislaine said as Mikan piece together that she belonged somewhere magic exists. She wondered why her brother suddenly encountered this strange thing.

"Hmmm, well, I guess it's also expensive here but every household has them. I also want to know but are those ears real?" Mikan saw her ear twitch and nodded.

"Do you want to touch it?" Ghislaine asked and Mikan shook her head.

"Ah no, I don't want to make you, Dedoldia-san—"

"Just call me Ghislaine, I don't mind." She quickly interrupted her and Mikan took aback but nodded.

"Okay, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, Ghislaine." She saw the sword king and shook her head.

"No, it's fine. Come." Ghislaine bickers with her and Mikan couldn't hold her temptation then touches her ears surprised by its texture.

"Woah, it's actually real. Thank you for letting me touch it." She said with a smile and Ghislaine nodded as Mikan continued to cook while the sword king asking trivial questions exchanged things about her world. Mikan learned about what she was teaching and worried about her brother.

"Will my brother be alright with that harsh training? He trains in another place in the evening." Mikan saw the damage last night and felt worried.

"Really? What is doing in that place?" Ghislaine is surprised that he is actually doing other training than hers. Learning to many wouldn't be good but seeing him able to copy and learn technique wouldn't have much problem.

"I don't know, Nii-san never told me." Mikan looked really worried but Ghislaine thought for a moment.

"I don't know much about your brother since I only train him early but I can. You shouldn't be worried. He is tenacious and trained without much complaining." Ghislaine said and Mikan didn't say much. Soon enough, Haruto and Lala came down wearing their uniform while Ghislaine glanced over, sensing that the pink haired girl was quite strong.