The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 85

Chapter 85: At the Training Grounds (6)

I didn't show it, but I was impressed.

Anyone who witnessed this would feel the same.

The only men who wielded swords and spears were soldiers serving the kingdom or mercenaries who lived by the blade.

How could a mere attendant, born a commoner and lacking any formal training, possess such skill?

He was a natural.

And not just skilled, but resilient. He possessed a remarkable tenacity and an unwavering spirit.

Like someone born to wield a weapon.

–Clang!

Even now, as my blade descended towards him, he didn't flinch or close his eyes in fear. Instead, his gaze was fixed on my sword, his eyes wide with concentration.

As we exchanged blows, I thought back to our previous training sessions.

On the first day, his final attack had been aimed at my throat.

On the third day, he'd focused on deflecting my attacks with minimal movement. It was remarkable how easily he could redirect my blade, sending it slicing through empty air. He had a deep understanding of swordsmanship.

On the fifth day, he’d even managed to exploit my openings and launch his own attacks. I could have blocked them, but there was a chilling precision to his movements, a venomous grace that reminded me of Siabel.

He was exceptional.

Our training sessions were short, barely an hour each day, with frequent breaks. Yet…

He was improving at an alarming rate.

No, “improving” wasn't the right word.

It felt more like…

“He’s…”

…reawakening a dormant skill.

Knights were supposed to learn about each other through the exchange of blows, but…

The more I sparred with him, the more enigmatic he became. I was burning with curiosity about his true identity.

And I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

‘If only Ray were a woman…’

…He could have reached even greater heights, instead of being limited by his birth.

Ray smoothly spun his sword as the spar ended, sheathing it with a fluid, practiced movement.

“Thank you for the spar.”

“You too. Your spar with Lady Siabel is tomorrow, isn’t it? I’ll be cheering you on.”

He’d requested this training to prepare for his spar with Siabel.

Having learned her movements, he would not only meet her expectations…

But likely exceed them, surprising her with his skill.

***

Ten days had passed.

I stood in the training grounds, checking my gear. I wore every piece of protective equipment I could without hindering my movements. I double-checked the practice sword at my waist.

Sione, her eyes shining with excitement, watched me intently.

She’d insisted on witnessing my spar with Siabel, postponing her own archery practice to accompany me.

“Ray, Ray. What do you think?”

“What do I think…?”

“You’ve been practicing with Diolia every day. Do you think you can beat Siabel?”

“Of course—”

I paused, drawing out my answer, and Sione nudged me impatiently.

“—I can’t. How could I possibly defeat a Sword Expert?”

“…You were making it sound like you had a chance. That’s disappointing.”

The anticipation in Sione’s eyes faded.

I chuckled at her reaction.

“Just cheer me on. I’ll do my best.”

Sione nodded.

As we chatted,

“There she is.”

Siabel Sianella, whom we hadn’t seen much of lately, finally appeared.

Instead of her usual elegant attire, she wore loose-fitting training clothes, suitable for sword practice.

The various pieces of protective gear she wore suggested our spar would be rather intense.

“Ray, I’ll be cheering you on.”

Sione exchanged a brief greeting with Siabel, then stepped back. Siabel took her place, her practice sword in hand.

“It’s been almost a week. How are you feeling? Recovered from your journey?”

“Thanks to your consideration, I’ve had plenty of time to rest and prepare for our spar.”

“Hmm, prepare? How so?”

“I’ve been sparring with Lady Diolia for the past few days.”

Siabel’s initially impassive expression softened.

“That’s good to hear.”

She looked me over, her gaze lingering on the practice sword at my waist, the chest protector, and the guards on my joints. She seemed pleased with my protective gear.

“I heard from Mother about your exploits in the capital.”

She held up two fingers.

“You protected the Princess and Sione, and even killed two demon worshippers with your sword?”

I could sense the anticipation in her voice.

It seemed Siabel’s expectations were higher than I’d anticipated.

It was understandable, given the circumstances. To have killed two demonically empowered humans, even if they were relatively weak…it was an impressive feat.

And since Siabel had been seriously injured by a demon worshipper herself…

She was naturally intrigued by my abilities.

“It will be difficult to gauge your true skill with so many onlookers—”

“…”

“—but I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I hope it won’t be a disappointment. Can I trust you to give it your all?”

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”

Siabel smiled and nodded.

We stepped back, creating some distance between us, preparing for our spar.

As I calmed my mind and gently placed my hand on the hilt of my sword, a crowd began to gather around the training grounds.

It was understandable. Who would want to miss such an interesting spectacle? Siabel Sianella, a promising knight of House Sianella, sparring with me, a mere attendant with suspiciously high combat skills.

If I were among the spectators, I would have placed a bet on the outcome.

“Ray, are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Then let’s begin.”

–Click.

I flicked the crossguard of my sword. And at that moment,

‘Lady Siabel often begins her spars with a swift thrust, aiming for the throat.’

Just as Diolia had said,

Siabel lunged forward, her sword thrust towards me.

The difference was, unlike Diolia, who’d aimed directly for my throat, Siabel aimed for my chest protector. A small mercy.

‘She’s not holding back at all.’

But the force behind her attack was undeniable.

Even with the protective gear, I knew that a direct hit would wind me.

“Hah!”

I drew my sword and parried her attack.

–Clang!

–Ooh…

The sound of clashing steel and the gasps of the onlookers filled the training grounds.

Siabel’s sword rebounded from the impact, and I seized the opportunity, closing the distance between us and sliding my blade along hers.

“Huh.”

Siabel’s eyes widened in surprise, then a wide grin spread across her face.

“…Interesting. Did Diolia teach you that?”

I didn't have time to answer.

My hand had already reached the hilt of Siabel’s sword, and—

–Whoosh!—

I pushed her blade aside and lowered my stance, intending to strike her abdomen with the pommel of my sword, but…

I saw Siabel’s foot rising towards me and quickly dodged.

“Kicking a frail man…how very ungracious of you, Lady Siabel.”

“You were aiming for my solar plexus. You can hardly complain.”

Siabel chuckled.

–Clang!

We locked swords again, engaging in a test of strength. A purely physical contest, without the use of mana.

Since women were inherently stronger than men in this world, prolonging this struggle would be foolish.

I subtly stepped back, creating some distance.

For a while, our swords danced around each other, probing for openings, like two venomous snakes.

Then, Siabel's eyes narrowed.

“Ha!”

A short, sharp cry, and a tremor ran through my sword as it met hers.

My instincts screamed. I had to meet this attack head-on.

The onlookers watched intently as Siabel lunged forward, her thrust swift and powerful, her feet firmly planted, ready to shift her weight and follow up with another attack.

Most of them were impressed by her flawless form, but…

A few gasped.

“Ray…!”

Sione’s voice was among them.

No one expected me to block Siabel's attack, which was aimed directly at my collarbone.

But I tightened my grip on my sword, determined not to disappoint those who’d expressed their concern.

‘…This is troublesome.’

At this rate, her sword would pierce my chest.

I widened my eyes, focusing on the tip of Siabel’s blade.

I twisted my body and swung my sword, the practice blade flashing in the sunlight.

–Chang!

A heavy impact.

–Scrape!

Siabel’s sword grazed my chest protector, sliding harmlessly across the reinforced leather.

Siabel’s red lips parted slightly, her expression momentarily blank with surprise. Then a sly smile spread across her face.

That smug look…I wanted to wipe it off her face. I pressed my attack, channeling the memories of my past life.

Like the Sianella swordsmanship Diolia had demonstrated, Siabel’s swordsmanship was purely offensive, designed to kill. A brutal, efficient style meant for tearing through monsters and demons.

The fragments of Sianella swordsmanship I’d seen Diolia use were surprisingly similar to my own style. I too had wielded a blade with ruthless efficiency, ensuring the monsters I couldn't kill with my arrows were truly dead.

Using those memories as a foundation, I mimicked Siabel’s movements, my swordsmanship surprisingly effective.

“You, that’s—”

I parried and deflected her attacks, steadily advancing.

We were face to face again, our swords locked in a struggle of strength.

My breath hitched. My body wasn't accustomed to this level of exertion.

But there was one consolation.

“You really are—”

While I was struggling,

Siabel was clearly enjoying herself, a genuine smile on her face.

“—always exceeding my expectations.”

[Siabel Sianella is deeply amused by your abilities.]

[Your mana efficiency has improved significantly due to her interest.]

I was growing stronger.

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