Chapter 27: Each One's Night

"Yes, just like that... Raise your arm slightly higher and hold your wrist a bit looser."

After the sparring session, Irene spent a long time correcting my overall technique and posture.

Indeed, experiencing real combat reveals even the smallest details that were previously unnoticed.

In martial arts novels, the protagonist would gain enlightenment after fighting a strong opponent—was I experiencing the same?

"Is this how it should be done?"

"Yes, that's the correct posture. When facing an opponent with a larger build than you, just spread your feet a bit wider."

Irene was not only skilled but also exceptionally talented at teaching.

She explained things at my level of understanding, without using unnecessarily difficult terms.

With this level of improvement, I could apply it directly in real combat.

Conveniently, there's a one-on-one sparring session tomorrow. I should put this newfound knowledge to use immediately.

"Thank you, Irene. You're truly an amazing teacher."

I expressed my gratitude wholeheartedly. Irene's face turned slightly red as she spoke.

"No, Theo, you're the one who's outstanding. You learned so quickly last time too. What happened to you? Did you suddenly awaken some power?"Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

"It's not an awakening, but I did develop a new trait."

"Oh, what kind of trait?"

"It's a trait that improves my observation skills. Ever since I got it, it's been easier to read my opponents' movements."

I didn't explicitly mention that the trait I gained was Observer's Eye.

I'll keep gaining new traits in the future, so I can't always disclose them.

The additional traits I've obtained are Magic Nullification and Observer's Eye, two in total.

Up to this point, people could understand, but with three or more, anyone would become suspicious of me.

They might even say I made a deal with a demon.

Also, before receiving a trait appraisal, even the person themselves can't specifically know what it is.

Stats and traits appraisal services aren't all-powerful. There are many that deliver inaccurate results.

However, Elinia Academy's appraisal service is the most accurate on the continent.

It's almost on par with a status screen. Of course, it can only be used once per semester.

Well, I can check my status screen anytime.

While having these thoughts, Irene nodded and said,

"It seems like a very useful trait. If your observation skills are good, there are countless ways to apply them, not just in swordsmanship. Anyway, let's wrap up for today. It's better to master what I taught you today and move on to the next lesson."

"Yes, that seems right. Understood."

"Ah, and it's not good to keep sparring with the same opponent right now. Your sword will adapt to that person. For now, try sparring with a variety of people."

"I'll do that, thank you."

It's better to skip strength training for now. As Irene said, I should stop here.

Starting tomorrow, there's a practical evaluation, so managing my condition would be a better choice.

It's already 8 PM. I arrived at the training field around 4 PM, so I've been here for about four hours.

Time flew by. If I eat, wash up, and do other things, it'll be 10 PM.

First, I need to eat dinner. I glanced at Irene.

"...Irene."

As our eyes met, her face flushed slightly, and she smiled bashfully. It was a smile I'd never seen before.

"Yes?"

Irene, with her smile, looked different somehow. Maybe a smiling face really is the best makeup for girls.

I continued speaking.

'Of course, anything would be great if it's with him...'

Anyway, he said he'd visit the Knight Department sometime next week. For now,

Irene convinced herself that this was enough and fell asleep.

***

Dormitory of the 1st Hero Department, where only the top 10 students in the grade are allowed to reside.

Inside the room of Piel, who was ranked second in her grade.

Time had passed, and it was now past 11 o'clock.

Usually, Piel would be asleep by now, but she couldn't fall asleep. It was because of the one-on-one duel scheduled for the next day.

Piel was planning to challenge Theo to a duel.

During one-on-one dueling time, students freely paired up and dueled each other.

Memories of the first semester came to mind. After the sixth week of the first semester, Piel could not find a dueling opponent other than Neike.

This was because, after dueling her once, all the opponents felt overwhelmed and lost their fighting spirit.

In the first one-on-one duel of the semester, Piel defeated more than ten classmates.

Of course, there were some classmates who challenged her out of competitive spirit, but after the sixth week, there were no more of those students.

They simply felt a sense of awe and paired up with classmates of similar skill.

So, Piel had no choice but to duel only with Neike.

Unlike back then, Piel didn't blame those who had backed down. It was for knowing their limits and protecting their mental state.

She could only hope that, as Theo said, they would accept their defeat.

Piel muttered to herself.

"Will he accept it?"

She felt like it would be sad if he refused.

Piel wanted to clearly define her feelings.

Ever since she was scolded last Friday, she had been constantly bothered.

Initially, she intended to ask him naturally at the training grounds, but he never showed up.

He didn't seem to be in pain.

So she tried to start a conversation asking why he didn't show up, but he went to club activities.

Surprisingly, he joined the foodie exploration club instead of a fighting-related club.

"I want to compete with that idiot, no, with Theo."

She thought that if they had a proper duel, she could feel something special about his convictions.

That thought had turned from speculation to certainty.

She had never felt anything special from those she had defeated so far.

She had only felt the emotion of "I can't surpass him" from Neike, whom she couldn't defeat.

"How annoying."

It was suffocating to be thinking about him in the middle of the night without sleeping.

Of course, she wouldn't be angry if Theo refused the duel. This was, after all, good-natured competitive spirit.

Unlike Theo, who also had a noble lineage, Piel didn't have the Twisted Noble's Dignity trait.

"Let's sleep for now. Whether he accepts or not is up to him."

***

Piel counted her five hundred and seventh sheep before finally falling asleep.

***

4/4! pheww im tired. Can't wait for the chapter re-edits to be done... 3 bonus chaps sometime sunday!

Enjoy the chappy!