The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 84

Chapter 84: At the Training Grounds (5)

I glanced to the side. Diolia’s sword had whooshed past my head, and my own startled face reflected in the polished steel.

I turned back to Diolia.

“Hmm.”

She seemed intrigued. Intrigued by my reaction speed, by the fact that I’d managed to deflect her attack, which had been aimed directly at my throat.

I gritted my teeth.

Based on her reputation and my observations during our journey to the Feiosha Marquisate, I'd thought Diolia was a trustworthy knight with a strong sense of justice.

But I'd been wrong.

A truly righteous knight wouldn’t try to skewer a man, someone weaker than a woman, without a second thought.

I suppressed my rising anger and said,

“That was dangerous.”

“Of course, I intended to stop before hitting you. However—”

Diolia sheathed her sword.

“—I didn't expect you to deflect it so easily.”

Easily?

That wasn’t quite accurate.

Diolia had no idea how much effort I'd put into deflecting her attack just in time.

“Perhaps it’s because you’ve awakened your mana…your reflexes are far superior to those of ordinary men.”

She nodded to herself, as if satisfied with her own explanation.

I asked, my voice carefully neutral,

“Was there a reason you aimed for my throat?”

“Of course.”

Just what was her reason for this heart-stopping attack?

I took a deep breath, waiting for her explanation.

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

“…”

“Assume your stance. There’s much more I need to show you.”

Diolia placed the tip of her sword on the ground and waited for me to regain my composure.

Her relaxed demeanor irritated me, but…

I took a deep breath, calming my racing heart, and assumed a middle guard stance.

“Let’s begin again.”

–Whoosh!

Diolia’s long sword sliced through the air, aimed at my head.

“Hup!”

–Clang!

–Screech.

This time, I parried her attack with ease, deflecting her blade without using mana.

Diolia’s sword slid along mine, her strength pressing against my blade.

‘Don’t even think about it…!’

She twisted her sword, trying to change the trajectory of the blade and strike my throat. I braced myself, putting more force into my legs and tightening my grip on my sword, but…

–Screech!

Instead of forcing her blade towards my throat,

Diolia pulled her sword back.

“Your guard is open.”

Diolia darted forward, closing the distance between us.

–Thump.

She bumped my shoulder lightly, disrupting my balance, then,

–Shing.

Pressed her attack, taking advantage of my momentary lapse in concentration.

‘Look at this…’

Her movements were clean and precise, exploiting every opening. I couldn't afford to be careless. I channeled mana, enhancing my strength and speed.

“Your aura has changed. Shall we continue?”

“Please.”

We locked swords, our gazes meeting in a silent battle of wills.

This spar wasn’t about flashy displays of mana-enhanced strength or aura-infused blades. It was a pure test of swordsmanship. We weren't exchanging powerful blows or trying to control the recoil from mana clashes, but…

It was still mentally taxing.

“The Sianella family’s swordsmanship is like that of a demon, relentlessly exploiting every opening. Like this…!”

“Lady Siabel often incorporates hand-to-hand combat into her spars, so it’s best to be prepared for that.”

“Sometimes she retreats, but if she sees an opening, she will relentlessly pursue her attack. Be mindful of your guard.”

Diolia’s words echoed in my ears, but…

I couldn’t focus on them.

I focused on the sword, pushing my weakened body to its limits. I twisted and dodged, exploiting every opening in her defense, parrying her attacks and counterattacking whenever possible.

Diolia also fell silent, her attention fully focused on our spar.

Her movements were vicious, sometimes cunning and underhanded, sometimes explosively aggressive. She shifted her tactics constantly, keeping me on edge. The moment I lost focus, she would seize the opportunity and overwhelm me.

But I wouldn't surrender so easily.

Our swords disengaged, and we stepped back, creating some distance between us. I was starting to feel the strain, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

I decided to end the spar with one final attack. I focused all my attention on Diolia, my senses honed.

–Whoosh!

Diolia’s sword descended vertically, a powerful downward strike.

I raised my sword above my head, intending to end this in a single blow.

“…Hup!”

I brought my sword down diagonally, from right to left, blocking her attack.

–Clang!!

A sharp, metallic ring echoed through the air, the vibrations traveling up my arm. My wrist throbbed. It would be best to avoid any further powerful clashes.

I sidestepped her deflected blade and closed the distance, moving swiftly and aggressively.

I lowered my sword to middle guard, and…

The blunted tip of my blade now rested against Diolia’s throat.

It had all happened in an instant. Or so it felt to me.

“Whew…”

My body ached, every muscle screaming in protest.

It wasn’t easy for someone whose primary role was providing ranged support to engage in close-quarters combat.

“Thank you for the spar.”

I couldn't continue. I lowered my sword, conceding defeat.

I could feel the stares of those around us, but…

I was already known as the “male knight” who’d single-handedly killed an arachne. A little display of swordsmanship wouldn't hurt.

–Whoosh.

A cool breeze blew through the training grounds.

“…That’s better.”

The cool air against my skin was a welcome relief.

And it wasn't just me.

The breeze ruffled Diolia’s hair, loosening the ribbon that had held it in place. Her long, dark hair, the color of a clear night sky, swayed gently in the wind.

“Impressive. You’ve earned your nickname.”

Diolia nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face.

“Then I’ll see you again tomorrow, at this time.”

“Tomorrow?”

“It would be best to continue practicing until the day before your spar with Lady Siabel. And since she mentioned she won’t be available for the next week…I’m happy to continue training with you.”

“Ah…”

“I look forward to it.”

I shook Diolia’s outstretched hand, a silent promise to meet again tomorrow.

Though I am holding a sword right now…

I mustn't forget.

I am an archer.

***

“Ray, you look pale…”

“I’m fine, Lady Sione. Just a bit tired from my rather intense training with Lady Diolia.”

“Hmm…”

Sione stared at me with concern, her blue eyes filled with worry.

She took my hand and pulled me towards a chair.

“Wait here!”

She patted my head gently and hurried out of the room.

I closed my eyes, waiting for her return.

How long did I wait?

–Creak.

The door opened, and Sione reappeared.

“Where did you go?”

“To the kitchen! They say sweets are good for restoring energy.”

She held out a plate piled high with cookies. She placed the plate on the table before me.

“…Isn’t that a bit too much?”

“We’ll finish them eventually. Don’t worry, I’ll eat whatever’s left.”

“Ah, yes…”

Sione smiled brightly.

She picked up a small, round cookie and offered it to me.

“…Here you go, big brother…”

She blushed and lowered her head, embarrassed by her own words.

I chuckled and took the cookie, popping it into my mouth.

It was surprisingly sweet. Almost overwhelmingly so.

I briefly considered asking Sione for some tea to balance out the sweetness, but…

“…How is it?”

It had been a while since I’d indulged in something so sweet. I smiled faintly.

“It’s sweet. Delicious.”

Sione, finally smiling brightly, began eating the cookies as well.

And eventually…

Sione, who’d been devouring the cookies with gusto, finished the entire plate.

“….”

I’d only managed to eat four.

Some things never changed. She still ate like a bottomless pit.

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