Chapter 72

# 72

72. Trials (3)

Aaron didn’t say anything.

Edith said.

“Prosecutor and Changsu have different roles. It’s not about strength, it’s about formation.”

“It’s a formation issue. It could be.”

Belquist limped out of the arena.

And I drank the water that was placed on the display stand. Belquist’s crooked upper body straightened as if the paralysis was over. Belquist continued.

“I want to ask. Does the theory hold true even for Changsoo who can’t play his role?”

“What do you mean?”

Edith narrowed her eyes.

Belquist smiled coldly and continued.

“I also watched the seniors fight in the gap of time and space. It was very interesting. But there was one person who didn’t fit in. Do you really need Changsoo that much? Enough to put up with such a shortcoming? I think differently.”

Belquist’s gaze turned to Aaron.

“Don’t you feel the limit, senpai?”

no smile on face

Belquist was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

“...”

Aaron bit his lip and lowered his head.

Jenna frowned.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Aaron is doing great.”

“You don’t know because the young lady is so talented. Sometimes vague consolation is stronger.”

“What...”

“Quiet.”

At my words, the two of them fell silent. I looked at Aaron.

Aaron was looking at the floor with his eyes thinking about something. Aaron’s right hand, full of strength, was stained white.

“Yes, as you said, spears are not necessary. Other formations can be used if a skilled swordsman joins.”

“Brother...”

“But that’s when the swordsman is stronger than Changsoo. Do you think you’ll be more helpful than Aaron?”

“I didn’t even mention it if I wasn’t confident. Accept the challenge.”

Belquist pulled out his sword.

Then he stared at Aaron with burning eyes.

‘Has the time come soon?’

I noticed that Aaron was working harder than usual.

I knew that if I continued like this, it would end in a bad way. Whether it collapses on its own or collapses in the mission. In order to overcome this, a minimum opportunity was needed.

I told Belquist.

“Are you sure you’re confident enough? Aaron has been here much longer than you. If you’ve taken on the challenge with little self-confidence, I’ll have no choice but to revise my evaluation.”

“Don’t worry. If I lose, I’ll go to the 2nd party without saying a word. I won’t break my promise.”

Belquist touched the blade of the sword with his hand.

Blood flowed lightly on his index finger.

“You decide, Aaron. I won’t say anything if you refuse.”

In terms of efficiency, Aaron was better.

It is true that it is not necessary to have a window, but it is good to have one. Also, Aaron practiced formation in the 1st party for a long time and has been working with us.

Even if the gap is widening, it is not yet.

For the time being, he should be able to play an active role as a member of the 1st party.

But Aaron shook his head with a heavy expression and said to me.

“Could you give me five minutes?”

“Yes.”

Aaron closed his eyes.

short break time.

Nerissa left the training center without looking back after leaving the arena. Jenna convinced Aaron that there was no need to force a fight, and Iolka joined in. Aaron didn’t respond.

The second party, led by Edith, was having a serious talk.

Belquist sat down in the corner of the training ground and touched his sword.

and after 5 minutes.

“I’ve decided, brother.”

“What are you going to do?”

“...I’ll try.”

“If you lose, you won’t be able to return to the 1st party. You must be prepared to say that.”

“yes.”

Aaron straightened his spear and walked to the arena.

Belquist grinned.

“I waited for that answer.”

Belquist immediately rose from his seat.

Aaron’s technique is sophisticated but honest at the same time.

Once identified, it had the disadvantage of being easy to destroy.

Also, Belquist’s keen eye was exceptional. It was evident that she had strong observational skills, as she had been able to grasp Nerissa’s leveling attacks within a few minutes. I will soon learn my mind’s eye or similar skills.

But there are more problems than that.

Aaron’s spearmanship is obvious, but Belquist’s speed of adaptation is too fast. No matter how good your eyesight was, it shouldn’t have happened.

“That’s no fun.”

Belquist said in a subdued voice.

In the meantime, Aaron’s spear flew several times, but Belquist avoided or parried them all. From a certain moment, Aaron’s attack was not working.

“Are you kidding me?”

Anger flashed in Belquist’s eyes.

The blade swung and hit the window pole hard. Aaron said as he retrieved the spearhead.

“I have no intention of joking around.”

“Then why are you looking after me? Are you easy on me? I know that the first party fights with the mindset of killing the opponent in Dalian. But this time it’s different.”

Belquist pointed the tip of his sword at Aaron.

“Why don’t you attack the vitals?”

Aaron held the spear firmly without answering.

‘You’ve become weak.’

I sighed quietly.

The reason why Aaron’s offensive was quickly broken is simple. It was because Aaron did not attack the opponent’s head, neck and heart.

head and neck heart.

Combining these three areas creates a large safe zone covering the left side of the upper body. No matter how excellent Aaron’s spearmanship was and Belquist’s inability to adapt, there was no way he couldn’t defend himself if he figured it out.

“Aaron.”

“yes.”

“Since when did you start arguing about killing and saving. Are you strong enough to take care of your opponent?”

Aaron didn’t come out that way against me and Jenna.

Rather, he desperately wielded and stabbed his spear to target vital points. I also recommended it. It’s ridiculous to ban attacks on vital points while pursuing real-life training.

But now it was clearly different.

Belquist did not miss that unnaturalness.

“But...”

“Show all your skills. Don’t disappoint me.”

“You say so.”

Belquist grinned.

“All right.”

Aaron hardened his eyes as if he was determined.

I could see strength going into the hand holding the spear.

“Do not resent me even if I die.”

“Of course.”

A quick, heavy stab was fired.

The heart this time. It was the perfect dead end.

Belquist grinned and straightened his sword.

And 10 minutes later,

“I bleed and I’m a little dizzy.”

Belquist murmured.

His whole body was stabbed and full of cuts. A drop of blood ran down Belquist’s cheek.

“Anyway, I won.”

Belquist pointed his sword at Aaron’s throat.

Aaron was standing in the corner of the arena.

Compared to Belquist, there were few wounds, but the spear was thrown far away.

‘Aaron lost.’

The crowd was quiet.

Usher and Jenna, who had been cheering Aaron hard, were also looking at the two without words.

Until the second half, Aaron seemed to have an advantage. Aaron’s spearmanship, which attacked vital points freely, was much sharper than before. Belquist just stood there with his posture lowered. The wounds were increasing and it seemed that he would collapse at any moment.

However, as Aaron was about to finish, Belquist suddenly rushed at him.

Belquist, who avoided three stabs and two swings as if he knew, burrowed into Aaron’s arms and threw the spear out of his hand. And that was it.

“Nonsense. Obviously Aaron had the advantage!”

Usher, who came to his senses belatedly, glared at Belquist.

“What kind of trick did you do! Did you use a cowardly move?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That, that we can’t know...”

“It doesn’t look good.”

Roderick shook his head.

Usher gritted his teeth without answering.

At the same time, a message announcing the end of the duel surfaced.

[‘Belquist (★★)’ won the duel!]