Resonance City’s Third Swordmaster

Geraint observed Alexander closely.

He heard from King Terravalle IX that Resonance City has three Swordmasters. Helena was surely a Swordmaster and yesterday, the city lord proved that he was a Swordmaster as well.

Thus, Geraint concluded that this guy who recently arrived was Resonance City's third Swordmaster.

After observing for a while, Geraint saw nothing special from Alexander.

Other than his serious facial expression which was a bit similar to his General "stone-faced" Gavin, there was nothing else that was attention-worthy.

He was just a bit taller than the ordinary elite soldier and his body was only a bit more defined than the other battalion commanders.

Geraint couldn't help but wonder how this guy managed to be a Swordmaster in addition to being Helena's right-hand man.

He glanced at his own right-hand man, General Shingen, and smiled confidently.

Geraint believed that the young Alexander who seemed to be a bit younger compared to Helena wouldn't be able to hold a candle against his General Shingen.

His basis for this was, that not only was General Shingen a true battlefield veteran, but he was also a fierce warrior with a balanced strategical IQ and combat IQ.

If not for Geraint being more talented than him in terms of swordsmanship, General Shingen would have probably been the Grand Marshal instead.

As for this young Swordmaster? What does he have to be able to contend against his best general?

Finally, after a few hours, the morning training session was done and it was time for the duels again.

The soldiers excitedly formed a circular space as the combatants, Battalion Commander Alexander and General Shingen slowly walked toward the middle of the empty space.

"You're late, Battalion Commander Alexander Lionheart I presume?"

"I apologize for my tardiness, General Radavahn Shingen. I shall do my best in our battle to make it up to you."

Geraint slightly smiled and rubbed his chin after seeing Alexander's composure and personality. 

"Acknowledging his mistakes with a tone that is not too arrogant nor too submissive…Not bad…"

Geraint thought to himself.

"Are both of you ready?" Helena asked the combatants.

"I'm ready" Alexander responded while General Shingen simply nodded.

"Begin!"

After Helena announced the start of the match, General Radavahn Shingen immediately charged toward Alexander.

The first thing that Alexander noticed was the weird-shaped blunt sword that General Shingen was using.

It was a bit shorter than a normal sword and it was slightly curved. It also seems to only have one sharp edge, but in this battle, that didn't matter because they were both using blunted swords crafted by Doran.

*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* 

The two of them immediately clashed for more than 10 moves and it seemed that it was General Shingen who had the advantage during the clashes.

His shorter sword gave him the attack speed advantage so Alexander had no choice but to be on the back foot to defend against his blows.

Fortunately, although Alexander was on the back foot, General Shingen hasn't managed to land a single clean blow yet.

*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* 

The two combatants continued exchanging blows and after clashing for more than thirty blows, Alexander wasn't able to get an advantage even once. 

Grand Marshal Geraint was an experienced veteran when it comes to duels and wars so he knows what General Shingen was trying to teach to the young Swordmaster.

Based on their experience, when a warrior was constantly on the back foot, it slowly chipped at their morale and confidence to win the duel.

This is precisely what General Shingen was going for when he decided to attack Alexander aggressively.

Geraint and General Shingen observed Alexander's facial expression in anticipation.

"It's about time…You should be getting uneasy by no– HMM?!"

The two middle-aged men's eyes widened in surprise, there was no reaction from Alexander. 

His face was still as focused as ever, there wasn't even a single trace of discomfort from repeatedly being on the losing end.

It was as if for him, this was just "a job" and it didn't matter whether he wins or loses.

"This young man…"

Grand Marshal Geraint's and General Shingen's faces turned serious after seeing Alexander's composure.

However, they decided to not jump the gun and test Alexander a bit more. 

They refused to believe that such a young man had already learned what they had to learn from the battlefield through numerous bloody experiences.

"HAAAAHHH!"

General Shingen charged at Alexander again, and due to his slightly superior swordsmanship and experience, Alexander was repeatedly pushed back.

*CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* *CLANG* 

"Haaaahh…Haaahhh…"

The two combatants clashed more than a hundred times already and they were both slightly tired.

Out of the more than one hundred clashes, Alexander wasn't able to get an advantage even a single time so General Shingen confidently looked at Alexander while they were both catching their breaths.

"HMMMM?!"