Chapter 371 132

Chapter 371 132

Maxi shot daggers at Ursuline.

"Are you quite done?"

"Not quite," the knight replied dryly, bending to offer her his hand.

Maxi accepted his assistance with a surly expression.

Helping her up, Ursuline added sternly, "How many times have I told you not to look away from your enemy? Surely at least a hundred. You must keep your eyes on your opponent's shoulders and head, ready to fall back at any time. Your reckless charges cause you to lose your stance at the first countermove. At the very least, try not to trip on your own—"

"You have made your point, Sir Ursuline," Maxi said irritably, rubbing her aching buttocks. Th.ê most uptodate novels are published on n(0)velbj)n(.)co/m

Ursuline, however, seemed determined to continue his carping. Arching an eyebrow, his voice took on a domineering edge. "That is what you told me earlier before repeating the same mistake. If you had truly understood my instructions, you would not have tripped again."

"U-Understanding something and putting it into action are two different things!"

"Most would classify that as not understanding."

Picking up her practice sword from the snow, Maxi glowered at the knight in exasperation. While she could not deny her dreadful reflexes, Ursuline's incessant reminders were beginning to grate on her nerves.

Aiming her wooden sword at his infuriatingly emotionless face, she said sharply, "I-I merely lost my balance. I will not... do that again."

The knight opened his mouth as if to say something, then stopped, shaking his head. He raised his practice sword to begin the spar.

Maxi carefully gauged their distance, searching for an opening. In her mind, thrashing the knight seemed easy enough, but her body refused to cooperate. Her strikes were weak, and she faltered whenever she attacked. She also always ended up on her rear when she tried to back away from an incoming swing.

Moments later, Maxi found herself sprawled on the ground again like a snow-covered scarecrow.

Ursuline looked down at her grimly. "I shall be honest, my lady. You have absolutely no talent when it comes to swordsmanship."

"I-I am aware of that!" Maxi shouted.

The knight maintained a serious expression as if to emphasize that he was giving an objective assessment. "In fact, you struggle with any basic movement of the limbs. Simply put, you are not cut out for physical activity. Instead of wasting your time on such a hopeless endeavor, perhaps it would be better for you to learn offensive spells from the sorcerer."

"Y-You are giving up on me already?"

Though she was thoroughly exhausted by Ursuline Ricaydo's tenacity, his resignation sparked anxiety within her. She shot to her feet and positioned her practice sword as if to prove herself.

"I know I'm a terrible student, but... I will improve with time, I assure you. You taught me how to use a dagger, and I used that training to kill a goblin in the Pamela Plateau."

"H-How did the Council go? I hope they didn't have too many harsh words."

"Maxi... I'm hardly a child who fears being ostracized," Riftan replied with an incredulous snort.

Though he genuinely appeared to think her concern ludicrous, the warmth in his black eyes suggested that he enjoyed the attention. After lightly pecking her cheek, he removed his gauntlet to caress her icy-cold neck.

"I see you've been training."

"Yes, I've been practicing," Maxi replied like a child seeking praise.

A peculiar expression, neither smile nor frown, briefly flashed across Riftan's face. Tilting his head to prompt his grinning subordinates to leave, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and strode into the lodging. They made their way across the crowded dining hall and ascended the stairs.

"I apologize for being unable to train you myself," he said. "I can't seem to find the time."

"I-It's fine! I know you're busy," Maxi hastily reassured him.

While she felt a twinge of disappointment, she was also relieved that he would be spared the sight of her pathetic flailing.

Forcing a laugh, she added, "Sir Ursuline has been an excellent mentor... so you don't have to worry about my training. More importantly... how did the Council go today? I heard you're competing with Richard Breston for the title of supreme commander."

Entering their private room, Riftan responded flatly as he lit the fireplace, "The King of Livadon has chosen to endorse me, so I think the odds are in my favor. Your first dance partner proved to be helpful."

Maxi rolled her eyes at his snide remark. He evidently intended to hold that against her for a while.

Suppressing a sigh, she replied with deliberate nonchalance, "How kind of him. It seems we are both indebted to Sir Sejuleu."

Riftan glared at her, then snorted. He straightened himself. "I'd rather not discuss that bastard," he said, clearly displeased. "Here, see if you can carry this."

He unbuckled the sword at his belt and extended it to her.

"I-Is it mine?" she asked, her eyes glinting with anticipation.

"It is. This should be much lighter than the last."

As she grasped the hilt with both hands, Riftan removed the scabbard, revealing a slender, gleaming blade. Maxi could only stare at it in awe. The blade's edge was so sharp she feared that merely looking at it would pierce her eyes.

sharp she feared that merely looking at it would pierce her eyes.

"Is it not heavy?"

Maxi shook her head. "I-It is astonishingly light."

"Now, give it a try."