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Deflecting the incoming sword. I parried it sideways and tried to make a safe distance between me and my father. But he quickly rushed in and begin to pressure me more and more by applying heavy sword strikes. Those sword strikes looked random at first but as the one dealing with them, I know they carry far more accuracy and power than you can see on a surface level.

But the most infuriating thing to me was that he was only using one hand and he was not even using any enchantment or mana in his strikes but still these strikes were far more powerful and refined. The accuracy and the power of the sword did not waver even if he was using a single hand.

As the sword strikes gain more momentum they became more and more powerful. I couldn't be on the receiving end for a long time. But I still held on I was just waiting for the right moment to counter.

I parried or at least tried to parry every strike but the toll on me kept on increasing. My hand became more and more numb and I couldn't even counter yet I have to wait, wait for the right moment. As I will become more and more exhausted. Father will surely make an opening for his final vertical slash to end the duel.

I have lost too many times that I am sure of his habit. He always tries to taunt me this way.

And here it comes. As my hands were already quite numb he quickly deflected my sword and threw me off balance and got ready to do his final strike.

I was waiting for it. Being off balance and full of openings was not too good for me. But this was my chance. I quickly gained my balance, I did not try to cover my openings as I couldn't parry or withstand that slash.

So as a last bet, I tried to use my footwork to go toward his blind spot. Applying the footwork, I mustered all my strength in my legs and maneuvered my legs in a pattern allowing me to use all my strength and the momentum I have been building from the start for a boost in speed.

I have been practicing this footwork for a long time now and building it just to defeat father. I still can't use all the strength and momentum properly. This footwork is too sophisticated and of a much higher level to perform from my body right now.

Its success rate was pretty low. But what is the point of a duel if I can't even take such risks and test myself?

A duel with a predetermined course or without any risk is too boring. It's not like there was no risk in our duels but it was too rigid. Having lost all the time I knew all the outcomes so it became boring.

Also my powerlessness was too much to bear. My father does go easy on me but he always beats my every strategy.

How do I put it, It was like he was taunting me. He was limiting his strength but was also crushing me in every aspect swordsmanship, power, speed, battle Iq he was destroying m in it all.

He was giving me opportunities just to take them away in such a manner that it showed my powerlessness as clearly as a day. I was many times on the verge of giving up but I couldn't.

First, it was my regret from my previous life of giving up things just because they seem difficult without even adding in the effort. It wasn't like I wasn't adding effort but I felt it wasn't enough. I wanted to see it to end. I wanted to not give up.

It was clear my dad also had high expectations of him. I don't know why dad has so high expectations of me but I can't disappoint him .As soon as I told him I want to learn how to wield a sword. He has been pushing me ever since. So I can't quit right now.

Controlling all my momentum and strength I was able to reach his blind spot and perform my footwork technique successfully.

The essence of this footwork was to control momentum and strength and how to build it. My father was clearly surprised but I knew all too well to not be too cocky cause he always found a way to beat me.

Know there is only one thing for me to do. It was to attack. My arms had been too numb to do a proper attack with full power but still its an opportunity I cant miss. My legs are already on the verge of giving up. I can't even stand properly now. If I stop I will lose. I can't lose again so I have to strike.

But as always things weren't that easy as dad was making his vertical slash. He was instantly able to see and register my course toward his blind spot. But what if he can see it isn't like he can do much I was already behind his bare back so now I only need to hit him.

I was at a distance that he can't even maneuver his slash back at me. Those weights around his body can't allow him to do that. he can only win if he uses mana and if he uses mana it's already my win.

Or so I thought so but he did what I deemed impossible. He changed the course of his vertical slash to a horizontal slash from that tough spot displaying strength, flexibility and control at an insane level.

It wasn't tough to change a course of a sword but changing the course of such a heavy strike in which he put all his strength from this corner of our house. I had also lured him into a corner to ensure my victory.

But I underestimated him and did not account that he will use his signature swordsmanship to defeat me. Not a single ounce of strength was lost when he converted his vertical slash to a horizontal slash. I have only heard about it but I was completely sure that this was his signature swordsmanship Lion's Fang a 5-star swordsmanship manual.

But as the sword was coming to me. I thought maybe I should quit now. Being able to push father so far to show his signature swordsmanship was already enough.

But quitting would be so predictable. It was really infuriating me that the footwork and my sword slashes couldn't do anything. so quitting in the face of an adversary that was just new or stronger wasn't a thing I enjoyed.

I mean it's so uncool to give up now. So I again tried to use my footwork but this time I tried to combine my swordsmanship with it. Using my footwork simply was too much to ask. My legs couldn't even stand properly so I tried to take some toll of it by combining it with my sword and only using it partially to build momentum in my sword slashes.

My purpose was just to use that momentum to deflect the sword downward and make it so that I can have an opening for another attack.

As The swing from my father and me clashed it became clear to me that its power was too much for me. My hand couldn't even hold the sword but I still managed to make it deflect. But instead of directing it downward, it was directed directly to my face.

Shit now I am done for. I also maneuvered my slash toward his face as a lost resort to inflict some kind of injury and betted all my chance on it.

••••••••••••••

Seeing the sword coming toward me. I knew I had to dodge it but there wasn't any space to back down as I was already in the corner.

This brat. He always amazes me. To not give up even in this situation. He really makes me proud.

So as a good father, I can't just lose to him can I? The essence of my swordsmanship is its domain. I can make any domain advantageous for me but the area where I shine the most in it is defense.

A defense that I can hold without even losing any ounce of offense is one of the aspects of my signature swordsmanship

Moving my upper body downwards I was able to evade him but keeping my balance and using the power of my core. I was easily able to keep my attack going.

Ash was quite surprised to see me evade his attack this easily.

Ha ha, what did he even think? Did he really think he will be able to win?

As I felt the impact of hitting my sword on ash's shoulder I knew I am fucked.

As soon as Ash registered the impact he fell down. Even if the sword was wooden it still was enough to do serious damage to a fourteen years old. I knew from the impact that his shoulder was dislocated.

As Ash fell he stared into my eyes for quite a long time and then screamed.

"Moommm, Dad has again hit me."

As soon as he spoke those words. I sensed an impending doom coming towards me.

It wasn't helping me that ash was also crying now.

"Ash you know it's a duel, right? So these types of situations happen right and a man always embraces his wounds so please keep quiet."

As Ash quiet down and stared at me I already know he will not stop but the world relies on hope. So I hoped that I can come to terms with my son.

"You have hit me five times on the same place in all the five duels. You always bully me too much. Father, you are a sadist."

Fuck! I knew I was doomed from the start as I saw my dear wife running at me with a ladle. I already knew my fate was sealed

"Samantha my dear it was all for training. Please listen to me dear. "

•••••••••••••

As the sword slash was coming to me. I knew I had to dodge it I tried to copy my father and tried to bend but I was too late.

I was hit again on the same spot and my shoulder dislocated.

I could see my father's triumphant smile from a mile away. So I knew I can't lose to my father again and started my secret technique.

"Moommm, Dad has again hit me."

Father's triumphant smile vanished and only the worry was remaining there.

"Ash you know it's a duel, right? So these types of situations happen right and a man always embraces his wounds so please keep quiet."

His technique to make me quiet was useless now.

"You have hit me five times on the same place in all the five duels. You always bully me too much. Father, you are a sadist."

As mom gave my father a quick beating. I couldn't help but laugh.

Mom listening to me also calmed down.

" Dear the sin you have committed is unforgivable but looks like my little prince is merciful enough to forgive you."

My father was more than happy to take an opportunity when given.

" Of course, our ash is the most kind of all"

" Hahaha.....Ouch!"

As I was laughing my shoulder jerked and I couldn't help but wince.

My mother quickly came and started to apply <Heal> on my shoulder. You see my mother used to be a priestess in the Holy Temple. So it always amazes me to see her cast <Heal> on me.

Its felling is kinda warm and fluffy like the sunlight of a crisp sun. The power and the authority of the divine energy never cease to amaze me.

After some time my shoulder was fully healed and father came towards me and said

"Today's duels were interesting, to say the least. Your understanding of basic swordsmanship has increased and so has your judgment. But the most amazing thing is always your spirit to go on and find a path."

" Ha! what spirit are you talking about I always lose and you make me look so uncool. I just wanna be cool so please let me win once please."

" Hahaha, I knew you would say this cheeky brat. But do you think you can win this easily against an A-rank adventurer? In your dreams brat Hahaha"

" Mom see he always bullies me like this. Please tell him to let me win. "

" Ha! You both are out of my control. Ash, you always make your body wear down like this. I know you want to learn swordsmanship and pursue your dream but please do it so you don't harm yourself. You always put me in so much worry. "

Ah, I really didn't want to make mom worry.

" Sorry mom"

" Ha! it is okay. I know my ash won't do it again, Now don't make such a face and give me a hug."

As I got into my mother's embrace I saw a man trying to escape from the corner of my eye.

"And you, don't even think of going anywhere cant you let him win even once he is just a child."

" Sorry miss"

"Hmph, now come and both of you wash yourself up and eat some food."

Moving toward our house my father asked me.

" When did you learn that footwork technique by the way? It was shabby but still, it holds great potential."

Seeing my father talk about the footwork technique I myself created made me really excited

" Really father, I created it as a counter to your footwork and swordsmanship. I couldn't make a swordsmanship technique but I tried to make a footwork technique and I made one to counter you."

" Whaaat! you made it. Ha! "

" wh...what is it really that big of a deal? "

"My son it is a heck of a deal. Making a footwork technique at this age. You really are amazing, It is surely lacking but keep trying to improve it. It really has some great potential. It will surely accompany you for a long time as it is tailor made for you by yourself. "

" Thanks, dad. "

I didn't know it then but in the future, it was a technique that I was able to hone at a level that it could even rival the best techniques in the continent or even beat them.