[9]

As soon as he woke up, Ethan headed to the training ground. However, he didn't start with intense exercises right away. He began with light cardio to break a sweat.

His body felt significantly lighter; the rapid changes over a short period were quite noticeable. His weight was dropping rapidly. At this pace, his body should have been feeling a considerable strain. Yet, thanks to his potential, his body seemed to be sculpting itself more precisely.

The sensation wasn't unpleasant. Despite the shortness of breath and the ache that permeated his body, Ethan found solace in the pain. It was a reminder of his progress, a tangible sign of growth that he savored. This pleasure had been absent for far too long, but since inhabiting this new body, it had become a daily occurrence. Training no longer felt like a chore; instead, it became a source of fulfillment, and pain became a transient companion, easily endured on his journey toward self-improvement.

Naid watched him silently. Enjoying training? It was astonishing to see. Even knights would grimace while running. It was the basic foundation of fitness, but basics were always the hardest. Yet, since Ethan started training, he hadn't skipped a single morning run.

Ethan placed his fingers on his left wrist.

'Heartbeat… steady.'

It wasn't racing uncontrollably like before. His heart was gradually performing its function properly.

Hoo, hoo—

His breathing was also steady. His body was undoubtedly growing.

After finishing his run, Ethan lightly washed up and had a meal.

Nutrient intake was essential before the main training. Now, he also included a moderate amount of carbohydrates in his diet. Carbohydrates played a vital role in enhancing strength and explosive power.

'The diet is excellent; I'm satisfied.'

He was indeed a noble. Moreover, being from a family renowned for swordsmanship, the quality of the food was impressive. Meat, vegetables, and grains were all top-notch. Although the cooking methods were somewhat old-fashioned, they were not crude. Ethan had no complaints. In fact, he preferred this natural food.

After eating, he stretched to maximize his body's functionality. Increasing the range of motion and flexibility of his muscles and joints reduced the damage his body took and allowed for more precise control.

'Hmm, still not used to this.'

Stretching was most effective when you endured as much pain as possible. Ethan grimaced and continued his stretching.

"Is it fun watching me like that?"

Ethan looked at Naid, who was following him like a shadow.

"You're diligent."

"...Are you mocking me?"

"No way. I'm just impressed."

"Doesn't look like it."

As Naid gave a small smile, Ethan sighed and finished his stretching.

An hour passed, and Ethan headed back to the training ground. Upon arrival, he grabbed a wooden sword.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and come over."

Naid, who had been watching silently, approached Ethan.

"What do you need?"

"What do you think? Teach me the sword."

"...The sword?"

"Do you think this is for decoration?"

Ethan asked, swinging the wooden sword in his hand. The sound of the wooden sword slicing through the air was quite fierce.

Naid sighed softly as he looked at Ethan.

"Last time, I had no choice but to be your opponent… but I'm just a mere butler."

'A sly old man.'

Ethan chuckled at Naid's words.

"Yes, I know that, but I have no other choice. I'd like to keep that pretense too, but I have no one on my side. I can't ask a passing servant to be my opponent, can I?"

"...Haha."

Naid was momentarily at a loss for words at Ethan's response.

'Since when did he start talking like this?'

It wasn't the reckless, tyrannical behavior he used to exhibit. His frankness remained, but now it was paired with a rationality he didn't have before.

"...I don't have much to teach you."

"I don't intend to learn much either."

Ethan was aware that the sword was not something to be taken lightly. What he wanted was the basics.

'I need to understand the sword first.'

Distance, attack patterns, and variables—all crucial elements in a fight. Although it was masked as a spar, both Ethan and Karon would be fighting with weapons. The outcome would be decided in a split second. It was only wise to prepare as much as possible. He didn't want to be caught off guard by an unexpected variable.

"Then I'll show you the basics."

Naid grabbed a wooden sword. His gaze at the sword in his hand was complex.

Shaking off his thoughts, Naid spoke to Ethan.

"Just so you know, I'm not talented at teaching."

"That's fine. I'll learn on my own."

"..."

At Ethan's arrogant response, Naid was silent for a moment before swinging his sword.

Whoosh.

The sword swung vertically. It looked simple and unremarkable, but there was no unnecessary movement in Naid's actions. His wooden sword swung vertically without any preparatory movement.

"This is a vertical slash."

Ethan closed his eyes. He recalled Naid's movements slowly and thoroughly.

After a moment, Ethan opened his eyes and assumed a stance.

'Was the stride this wide?'

It was a narrower stance compared to his usual fighting stance.

Holding the sword, he did not raise it too high and cut straight down. Ethan had already visualized everything in his mind. It was as if an illusion before his eyes was showing him the future. Ethan slowly, yet not sluggishly, brought the sword down.

Shhh—

A sharp sound, completely different from the previous fierce whistling of Ethan's swings, echoed as the sword sliced through the air.

Naid's eyes widened at the movement he had just witnessed.

'...What did he just do?'

He couldn't believe what he had seen. To the untrained eye, it might have seemed like a simple vertical slash. But Naid could tell that it was far from ordinary. It was a flawless slash, devoid of any unnecessary movements. His breathing, posture, and motions were all perfect.

"Hmm, something like this?" Ethan muttered, gazing at the wooden sword. A peculiar sensation washed over him. It was a different feeling compared to when he fought barehanded.

"...Are you sure you haven't learned swordsmanship before?" Naid asked.

"You've been with me all this time, and now you're asking weird questions? I told you I'd learn on my own. Keep going."

Ethan's words weren't wrong. Naid had served him since infancy, knowing his every move. It was nearly impossible for Ethan to do something without Naid noticing. Though Naid wasn't always by Ethan's side since his duties as a butler often took him away, during which time Ethan would often get into trouble.

Hence, Naid's shock was even greater.

"Let's continue," Ethan urged.

"...Understood."

Naid put aside his doubts and swung the wooden sword again.

The following strikes weren't much different: downward slashes, horizontal slashes, thrusts. These were the basics anyone would learn when first picking up a sword. They weren't unique techniques of the family or flashy combinations. They were straightforward sword strikes without any feints.

However, Ethan repeated these movements slowly and meticulously.

He practiced each minor action, the preliminary moves, the direction of the sword's tip, and the sense of distance, absorbing them thoroughly.

Naid watched silently as Ethan performed the actions.

"Naid."

"Yes, Young Master?"

"Swing the sword at me."

"...Are you serious?"

"Yes."

Ethan's response was firm. Naid, seeing no alternative, approached Ethan.

Whoosh—

Naid's sword cut through the air. It was a vertical slash from top to bottom. No matter how sturdy Ethan's body was, a direct hit from this strike would leave him injured.

In that split second, Ethan decided how to react. Normally, he would have evaded with light steps, but that wouldn't suffice here. The fundamental issue was the difference in distance. Even if he dodged one attack, his opponent still had the advantage.

Ethan lacked a weapon he could use effectively. His physical abilities were still inadequate. Even though his stamina had improved significantly, he was no match for a mana user. To win, he needed a different approach.

Ethan stepped closer to Naid's swinging wooden sword. Naid looked puzzled but didn't halt his strike.

Thwack!

The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed. Ethan had blocked Naid's sword with his own and took two more steps forward. The two were close, but Naid pulled back, widening the distance again.

"Hmm, is it like this?" Ethan swung his sword in the air, trying to get a feel for it. On the other hand, Naid was quite shocked.

'Is this… talent?'

Such a response wasn't something a novice could perform without guidance. Moreover, Ethan hadn't been shown this yet.

"Shall we get serious now?" Ethan asked. Having grasped the basics, it was time to put them into action.

He approached Naid, sword in hand.

"Focus," Ethan grinned, while Naid sighed deeply and raised his wooden sword.

"You're making an old man work hard."

***

Time passed, and the day of the duel arrived.

The venue was the grand training ground in the main estate of the Blante family. It was the largest training ground in the Blante household, typically used for regiment-level training. However, today, it was reserved for just two people.

Though only two would be fighting, a significant crowd had gathered. Knights of the Blante family and their attendants filled the area.

This spar had become a major topic within the household. The hype was partly due to the involvement of Karon and Morun, who had amplified the event.

Karon sought to reclaim his lost honor.

Morun aimed to utterly disgrace Ethan.

Their combined intentions had escalated the situation. Additionally, there were no restrictions on spectators, attracting a large audience and necessitating a spacious venue.

"I thought you'd be too scared to show up," Karon taunted, to which Ethan casually replied while picking his ear, "Your head must still be hurting from the last beating."

Karon's face twisted with anger at Ethan's indifferent retort.

'Still just a kid,' Ethan thought, noting how Karon's emotions were plainly visible on his face.

'I'm not worried about the outcome,' he mused. He had never doubted his victory. The real question was, 'How will I win and strengthen my position?'

That was the main goal of this spar.