Day of departure.
Early morning.
Before the sun rose, a person appeared.
It’s Ghyslaine.
Bringing three wooden swords with her, she came to the mansion.
What do you want? What do you plan to do?
I mean, even without the need to explain I somehow knew why she came.
Eris and I received a wooden sword in silence, and went out to the garden after changing our clothes.
The garden of the house is quite wide, but because of the various flowers that are planted here, I feel it’s a little cramped.
However, I think it’s enough for what we will do now.
Standing in the garden, before Ghyslaine, Eris and I raise our swords.
Sylphy with a sleepy face, sitting on a chair not far away from us.
A maid who had been working since early morning came to watch out of curiosity.
"Let’s start the lesson."
With Ghyslaine’s words, taking the swords on our waists, Eris and I bowed.
"Thank you."
Ghyslaine gave a small nod and she took up her sword.
Our training began.
"Let’s start like usual: 1, 2!"
Following Ghyslaine’s voice and movement, Eris and I swung our wooden swords.
In the quiet garden, sounds of the wooden swords being swung broke the silent atmosphere.
Compared to Ghyslaine and Eris's movements, my sword movements look dull.
But, Ghyslaine never gave her reproach.
When I learned the art of the sword from her, she would give me a pointer every time I swung my sword.
Today, she didn’t say anything.
"Rudeus! Don’t space out!"
"Yes!"
But I wasn’t!
Is there anything wrong with my stance?
It should be fine.
Because even I can do something like this.
"197! 198! 199! 200! Swinging practice, stop!"
200. With just this, Ghyslaine stopped her movement.
Eris and Ghyslaine had sweat enough to soak their clothes.
After only 200 swings.
This is because those 200 swings were performed to the utmost of their abilities.
It's not only about number.
However, their breath is not rough.
Well me too.
This kind of movement is only a warm-up.
"Then, let’s start with Gale Kata Style!"
"Yes!"
Eris and I swung our swords following Ghyslaine’s instruction while holding our wooden swords with fluid movement, cookie-cutter.
Never wavering.
It is a type of training that all swordmans know.
A type of basic Sword God Style, I had also taught this to Norn.
After, I did it every day with her.
"All right, stop!"
When all the exercises to be performed in the training were completed, Ghyslaine stopped us.
"Pair training!"
With her command, Eris and I faced each other.
It refers to paired practice with two people involved.
In most cases, it’s called hands on practice.
In kendo, the one who receives the attack is the senior.
But, now Eris is the one who’s attacking.
It was like that long ago, it’s still like that even after marriage.
Then, it’s still practiced even now.
"Start!"
"Raaaaaa!"
With Ghyslaine's words, Eris started attacking me.
Because it is only kata she isn’t so fast.
But I couldn't keep up with her attack speed, and it ended without me making a move.
Of course, there is no such thing as holding back in Sword God Style.
Eris in the past had no control.
Now she does.
"Switch!"
Now it’s my turn to attack, but my sword couldn't reach her at all.
There’s no need for me to hold back either.
Not only that, but there is a difference in the swordsmanship between Eris and me.
The condition will be somewhat better if I use Foresight Eye, but I don’t use it this time.
Because I didn’t have it when I was in Fedoa territory.
So I don’t use it now.
"All right, stop!"
In response to orders from Ghyslaine, Eris and I stop our swords.
If it is the usual, we would follow by practicing the basics.
My Foresight Eye and Eris neither of us need basic training, the result is obvious for whoever saw our match.
And, when I was thinking that, Ghyslaine looked at me then gestured to the sidelines.
"Rudeus! You're out!"
I fall back, Ghyslaine came to replace me.
I took about five steps back and sat on the lawn.
Ghyslaine facing Eris, she raised her sword to her hip.
"Eris this is the last."
".... Yes."
Eris nodded, setting up her stance.
She had not taken a proper upper body stance during her training with me.
Ghyslaine took an Iaido stance while Eris pointed her sword to the heavens.
Those two stances are in contrast.
Cold sweat sprouts on my back.
the atmosphere became heavy, time has stopped.
I somehow saw that they’re seriously going at each other.
That moment seemed to last forever.
There, a breeze could be felt.
.... There was no signal.
"...."
And Ko~o~o~on, only that sound rang.
My eyes couldn't keep up with their movement.
I was only able to see the result.
Both of their swords moved in a flash.
If there was any difference, Ghyslaine's sword seems to be deflected slightly.
While Eris's sword, if slightly moved, could have struck Ghyslaine.
"......"