THRUST AND CUT

"Guess there's such women in every world," I mused to myself, recovering from the encounter with Aria.

The palace was a labyrinth of grandeur and elegance, and as I roamed its endless corridors, I found myself easily lost in its beauty. It was during one of these wanderings that I stumbled upon the palace garden, a tranquil oasis of nature amidst the regal architecture.

My heart skipped a beat as I spotted my mother sitting there, her familiar presence a comforting sight. Rushing over, I was enveloped in her warm embrace.

There was another woman present, dressed in an elegant royal blue and white gown, her black hair cascading around her shoulders. Her eyes, the same shade of blue as Aria's, held a wisdom that belied her youthful appearance. For someone with a child, she exuded a stunning grace that seemed impossible to ignore.

As I approached, my inner thoughts couldn't help but run wild.

"What is it with the people of this world marrying and having kids at such a young age? I'm so jealous.

Back in my previous world, if you had money, then you could get any girls you wanted. Guess that's not the case here."

Before long, I learned that the woman was none other than Queen Eleanor.

"Figures, she looks just like Aria," I thought inwardly, noting the resemblance between mother and daughter. Courteously, I greeted her with a nod and a friendly smile, charmed by her presence.

Queen Eleanor chuckled, her laughter a melodic sound. "Crystal, you have such a handsome son. High charisma and confidence, any girl would fall for him."

I couldn't help but feel a flush of embarrassment at her compliment. "Thank you, Queen Eleanor. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Crystal informed me that my father was at the practice field with King Deryl, spurring me to head in that direction. Following the directions given, I found myself in a vast open area where the sounds of clashing swords echoed through the air. My father and Deryl engaged in combat, their movements swift and precise.

"Hey, can I join?" I called out, eager to be a part of the action.

Deryl gave me a nod of approval, and a small wooden sword was tossed my way. Catching it with ease, I smirked, realizing that I wouldn't be needing it. I tossed it back to my father, who looked at me with raised eyebrows, curiosity flickering in his eyes. And then, I channeled the earth beneath me, molding it into a makeshift sword, a testament to my alchemical skills.

Deryl's eyes widened in amazement as he took in my creation.

"I see those Alchemy classes paid off," my father quipped.

"I had thought this through at the workshop back home," I muttered to myself, "I actually didn't use iron for this sword. If I did, I would have toppled over and wouldn't be able to lift the sword. Instead, I used the lightest metal, Lithium, which also has the lowest atomic weight."

As Deryl and I faced off, it was evident that his expertise in swordsmanship surpassed my fledgling skills.

"I can't believe he switched his sword to a lesser-looking one just 'cause I'm five. Such insolence," I thought, my frustration mounting as our swords clashed.

In an instant, Deryl closed the gap between us, appearing before me with an impossible swiftness. Instinct kicked in, and I charged my magic, flames enveloping my body. However, I misjudged the intensity, and the flames consumed my shoes, forcing me to use pyrokinesis to propel myself into the air to avoid the scorching ground.

But Deryl was quick to adapt, launching himself into the air as well. Our swords met in a dazzling display, the clash of steel ringing in my ears. A lock of my hair met his blade, resulting in a cut that mirrored the surprise etched on my face. My cheek bore a matching scratch, a testament to his skill.

Anxiety coursed through me as I continued to spar with Deryl. Every strike I made was parried with ease, and I found myself being thrown back by the sheer force of our clashing weapons. "Is he trying to kill me?" I wondered, my thoughts racing as I tried to keep up with his expert maneuvers.

As Deryl closed in on me, the ground beneath his feet turned to muck, causing him to sink. Thinking quickly, I hardened the mud, transforming it into solid rock.

"I got you," I muttered to myself, a smug grin forming on my lips.

Using my pyrokinesis, I propelled myself high into the air, brandishing my blade as I prepared to strike. However, Deryl managed to break free from the muddy trap while I was midair. In a swift motion, he kicked the dirt-covered sword from his feet, sending it hurtling toward me.

The sword struck my shirt, ripping it from my body and carrying it with the blade. Momentum carried me toward a nearby tree, where the sword embedded itself, suspending me in midair by my tattered clothes. Before I could react, Deryl snatched up another sword and charged toward me.

Panicking, I pressed my hand against the tree's bark. Heat radiated from my touch, causing the wood to smolder and crackle. Then, in a burst of fiery brilliance, the tree exploded in flames.

The fiery explosion echoed through the air, reverberating a mile away. The commotion attracted maids, servants, and knight guards, along with Queen Eleanor and my mother, who rushed to the scene.

As the smoke cleared, I managed to free myself from the tangled remains of my shirt. Confusion clouded the aftermath, and Deryl had seemingly vanished.

"Magic is useful, but in close combat, it can lead to a dead end. That's why swordsmanship is important," a voice chimed in, drawing my attention.

I turned to see Deryl crouched nearby, a sword held at the ready. The tip of the blade hovered just inches from my skin. Considering my burnt shirt and tattered shorts, I couldn't help but think how fast this man was.

"If he had deemed me a threat, I'd likely be defeated long before I had a chance to react."

As the bout came to an end, Deryl's smile and words of praise were a relief. "You've done well, Jay."

"That's my boy!" my father chimed in, pride evident in his voice.

Amidst the laughter, the grandeur of the palace became a backdrop to the spectacle. Queen Eleanor, Crystal, and an assortment of maids and guards had gathered at the scene, their presence a reminder that our sparring match had echoed throughout the palace.

I approached my father, curiosity and excitement in my eyes. "Can you teach me swordsmanship, Dad?"

My father's response was laced with humility. "I'd love to, Jay, but Deryl is a master swordsman. Besides, my sword style is a bit outdated."

"He used to be quite the attention back in the day," said Michael.

"And I had just made it more difficult for myself," I mused with a chuckle, scratching my head. As I glanced at Deryl, his eyes held a challenge that piqued my interest.

Deryl agreed to be my instructor, emphasizing that combining magic and swordsmanship would make me exceptional. With my abundant mana pool, the possibilities were endless.

Before we could delve into the training, Deryl set a plan.

For the next two months, he would teach me the TARRAGON SWORD STYLE, a formidable technique that I was eager to master.

In the meantime, I would immerse myself in the history and knowledge housed within the Royal Library. From time to time, Deryl would guide me through the basics in the practice field.

As the sun began to set, bathing the palace in a warm golden glow, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. This was a unique opportunity to hone my skills and become a true force to be reckoned with. The path ahead was paved with challenges, but I was ready to embrace them, driven by a newfound purpose and a hunger for excellence.

It occurred to me that I might actually achieve recognition and become somebody.

"A non-worthy bastard, a piece of shit,

Go die in a ditch somewhere or rather kill yourself for all I care," I remained in place as these words from my previous existence came flooding back.

//// NEXT CHAPTER: THE ROYAL LIBRARY /////

Edited by: JJ