Chapter 10 – Martial Arts
“Mr. Reed, what’s that peculiar movement you’re doing?”
“Huh…? It’s just warm-up exercises. Don’t you and the others warm up before training?”
“Well, we do some running and such, but we’ve never done any unusual movements like that.”
Reubens, looking perplexed, observed Reed as he performed the radio calisthenics. Reed wondered if the concept of exercise didn’t exist in this world. Today, Reubens would teach Reed various martial arts, including swordsmanship, at the training ground. The Valdia territory was situated near the border with a neighboring country. Reed’s father, the Margrave, held the second-highest rank in the Magnolia Empire, just below the imperial family and on par with a duke.
The Margrave was authorized to maintain his own knight order as a defense against potential attacks from neighboring countries. Reubens belonged to the Valdia Knight Order and was reputed to possess considerable strength.
“Well then, let’s begin. To assess your stamina, Mr. Reed, we’ll start with some running,” Reubens announced.
“…Please take it easy on me,” Reed replied.
In his previous life, I hadn’t engaged in any physical exercise. I lacked physical coordination and had little confidence in martial arts training. But considering my future, I couldn’t avoid it, so I started running as instructed.
“Hmm… I thought I would quickly run out of breath, but surprisingly, I’m doing fine,”
“That’s enough for now,”
Then Reubens handed me a wooden sword and began teaching him various swings and forms.
“Mr. Reed, you have good muscle tone. Bloodline truly matters,” Reubens commented.
“Is that so? Thank you.”
The mention of bloodline referred to Reed’s father, Reiner Valdia, who was said to possess the highest ability among the numerous nobles in the empire. It was hard to imagine based on his usual appearance, as he was often preoccupied with administrative work.
“Now, let’s try some strikes. You can strike from any position you like,” Reubens suggested.
“Understood.”
Facing Reubens, our wooden swords at the ready, I could see the relaxed expression on his face as he said, “Go ahead.” It was my first time engaging in such a practice, and I decided to aim for Reubens’ chest. Raising my wooden sword, I assumed the upper guard position in kendo. I adjusted my breathing, kicked off the ground, and swiftly swung the wooden sword downward, letting out a loud “Kohn!”
The sound reverberated through the air, and as expected, Reubens defended against it. I quickly withdrew and shifted the guard position, moving through upper, middle, lower, and various other stances, fluidly swinging the wooden sword. There was an inexplicable lightness and joy in the act of swinging the sword. It felt natural, as if it was ingrained within me. Perhaps it was my innate high-spec physical abilities that allowed me to excel. Both academically and physically, I was considered a prodigy.
…In the main game, I may not play an active role, but in the bonus mode, if I train, I become a very useful character. Considering that, it’s possible that my exceptional basic abilities are the reason behind my skills.
“Mr. Reed, let’s take a break,” Reubens suggested.
“Okay, understood.”
“However, your swordsmanship is amazing. It seems like you’ll surpass Lord Reiner in the future.”
“Thank you. I’ll do my best within my limits.”
While Reubens wore a surprised expression during our training session, clearly impressed by my physical abilities, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated that I couldn’t score a single point against him. It was undoubtedly a challenge to defeat an adult in our current situation, but my mischievous nature sparked an idea.
“…By the way, Reubens, you and Diana, the girl we escorted together the other day, are childhood friends, right?”
“Uh, yes. That’s correct. We used to play with wooden swords since our houses were close when we were young.”
“Hmm, so… do you have feelings for her?”
“…Huh!? W-Why are you suddenly asking that?”
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Caught off guard by my unexpected question, Reubens blushed, his face turning red. Seizing the opportunity to vent my frustration at not being able to score a point with the wooden sword, I wore an innocent yet mischievous smile on my face.
“Huh? Isn’t it true? The maids and knights have been saying that you’re too timid to confess your feelings to Diana, which is why your relationship never progresses.”
“…C-Coward.”
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Reuben turned completely pale, shocked beyond belief by my teasing. Perhaps I had gone too far with my teasing. He muttered to himself, tracing the character ‘の’ repeatedly with his fingertips, lost in thought. Realizing that I had crossed a line, panic set in. Just as I was contemplating what to do, I noticed Diana walking by the training ground. I waved my hand to catch her attention, and she hurriedly approached me.
“Phew… What’s the matter, Lord Reed?” Diana asked, slightly out of breath, having rushed over after my gesture.
By the way, Diana was also a knight belonging to the Valdia Knights Order. She donned the Knights Order uniform, her hair neatly tied at the back. Her demeanor exuded a sense of dignity, surpassing her appearance when she accompanied me to the town. “Well, actually…” I pointed my finger towards the pale and sulking Reuben.
Observing his gloomy state, Diana let out a sigh, her hand resting on her forehead.
“Ah… Lord Reed, Reuben has a peculiar sensitivity, which sometimes leads to such reactions.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Scene Transition
I never expected calling Diana a “spineless” person would turn into such a grave taboo. I must be more careful in the future.
“So, Lord Reed, what exactly did you say to Reuben?”
“Huh? I mentioned that Reuben is spineless when it comes to Diana…”
The atmosphere suddenly turned chillingly silent, as if time had frozen. I cautiously glanced at Diana’s expression and realized that I had made a grave, irreversible mistake—something I should never have uttered. Panic washed over me, and my face turned pale. Diana maintained a smile on her face, but behind that smile, there was a demon. No, a fierce warrior.
“I will need to hear the full story from you later, Lord Reed…”
“…Yes.”
She maintained her smile, concealing the indomitable spirit and fierceness that lay within her, as she guided Reuben back to his senses.
“…!? Diana!! Why are you here!?”
Reuben, brought back from his trance-like state, wore a perplexed expression on his face.
“Reuben, has Lord Reed finished his training for today?”
“Huh…? Ah, I’ve completed everything for today…?”
“I see. In that case, Lord Reed and I have something to discuss. We’ll take our leave here. Is that alright, Lord Reed?”
“…Uh, yes,” I replied, somewhat taken aback by the sudden turn of events.
Reuben watched as Diana led me away, a question mark hovering over his head, until we were out of sight.
From that moment on, Diana swiftly climbed to the top of my list of people I should never provoke.
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