The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: At the Training Grounds (3)

Two days had passed since our return to the County.

My schedule had been simple.

True to her word, Sione had spent most of her time at the archery range.

She practiced tirelessly, taking short breaks only when exhaustion forced her to, then returning to her training with renewed vigor, as if driven by some unseen force.

Even when I suggested she rest, she stubbornly refused. All I could do was correct her posture occasionally and offer feedback on her technique.

And today, as usual,

“Ray, Ray.”

Sione, who’d been lounging on her bed after her morning jog, suddenly sat up and called my name.

“The sun is up, and I’ve rested enough. Let’s go to the archery range.”

It was hard to believe this energetic young woman was the same Sione Sianella from a year ago. The past Sione, who’d loathed leaving the comfort of her room…

It was remarkable how much she’d changed.

Though I was pleased with her progress, I was also slightly concerned.

Even in the capital, aside from the banquet and the coming-of-age ceremony, she'd spent most of her time lazing about in her room. Now, she was suddenly the most enthusiastic person I knew.

There was a saying that a sudden change in personality was a sign of impending doom…

“Perhaps you should rest a little longer? I’m worried you’re pushing yourself too hard.”

“It’s fine. After all—”

Sione stood up, her voice brimming with confidence.

“—I’ve reached the realm of Sword User. A little archery practice isn’t going to hurt me.”

It was true.

Sione, though lacking in swordsmanship, was a Sword User. She might not be able to imbue her blade with mana effectively, but she could channel it through her body without difficulty.

Her body, now accustomed to the flow of mana, wouldn't break down from two days of archery practice.

But it would take a toll. Fatigue would accumulate.

Seeing her disregard for the importance of rest, I said,

“But you must promise to take breaks. While consistent effort is important, you also need time to recover.”

“Hmm…if you insist…”

Sione’s voice trailed off as she looked at me, her eyes glinting mischievously.

“Hee hee.”

She giggled, a rather forced-sounding giggle, then…

Clasped her hands behind her back and walked towards me, her steps light and playful.

She stopped right in front of me, leaning forward slightly as she looked up at me and asked,

“Ray, are you worried about me?”

It was obvious what kind of answer she wanted. I could have brushed her question aside, but…

I decided to play along.

“Of course.”

I leaned forward, our foreheads almost touching.

“How could I not be?”

Sione’s eyes fluttered, as if surprised by my boldness. Her ears flushed crimson.

She was clearly flustered, but…

Sione had started this little game, and…

‘I’m going to see it through to the end.’

There were no awkward formalities between Sione and me anymore. A little playful teasing was harmless.

I smiled faintly, enjoying her flustered reaction.

I reached out and, before she could react, grabbed her hands, intertwining our fingers.

“If your delicate hands develop blisters, you won’t be able to draw a bow, let alone hold my hand like this.”

“Eep…”

Sione finally surrendered, lowering her head.

I chuckled and, ignoring her embarrassed fidgeting, retrieved her bow from the corner of the room where she’d carefully placed it.

“You said you wanted to go to the archery range, so…here.”

“Ooh…”

Sione looked from the bow in my hand to my face, then…

Snatched the bow and hurried out of the room.

I chuckled at her childish reaction.

***

Despite her hasty exit, Sione waited for me outside her room.

We walked towards the training grounds in silence, then…

“Ahem. Ray, I have something to tell you.”

Sione cleared her throat.

“Something to tell me?”

“Yes. I’ve decided to schedule your spar with Siabel for ten days from now.”

“Ten days? That’s quite a while.”

“It’s partly out of consideration for you, since we just returned from a long journey…and Mother said she has a lot to discuss with you regarding recent events in the territory. Apparently—”

Sione crossed her arms and paused, as if choosing her words carefully.

Then she uncrossed her arms and continued,

“—there’s been an unusual increase in monster activity lately.”

“Monsters?”

“Yes.”

Sione nodded seriously.

“Small, insignificant creatures like goblins and kobolds wouldn’t be a problem, but…apparently, there have been sightings of orcs near the territory.”

“…That’s not good.”

“Right? Siabel told me that a group of orcs entered the territory shortly before our return, and the knights had to drive them out.”

I murmured in agreement, my mind racing.

Goblins and kobolds were weak creatures, barely a threat unless they attacked in overwhelming numbers. Even a farmer could easily deal with them, their scythes as effective as any sword.

But orcs were a different matter. It usually took several trained soldiers or mercenaries to take down a single orc. Their presence near the territory was a cause for concern.

I hoped this wasn’t a sign of more trouble to come.

***

Sione and I arrived at the archery range.

When Sione had first appeared at the range, the instructor had been flustered, desperately trying to please the Count’s daughter, but…

Now, he treated her like any other archer.

The other archers had also adjusted. They knew that Sione, despite being a newcomer, possessed remarkable accuracy when shooting at stationary targets.

They were getting used to her presence.

Sione retrieved a quiver filled with arrows and took her usual spot.

Before she began practicing, I handed her a piece of protective gear.

“Lady Sione, you forgot your glove.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Sione smiled and took the leather archery glove, putting it on.

With the increased draw weight of her new bow, not only her fingers, but also the joints in her drawing hand were at risk of strain.

Even for someone with mana-enhanced strength, protective gear was essential. She’d been wearing the glove for the past two days.

She assumed the Mediterranean draw, holding the string with three fingers, then switched to a dead release, her posture steady. She channeled mana into the arrow, trying to condense it at the tip.

“…Hup!”

–Whoosh!

Though her mana control was still imperfect, the first arrow flew straight and true, striking the center of the target.

I walked over to her.

“You seem to have mastered the Mediterranean draw. Would you like to try a different technique?”

“Really?”

I nodded.

‘Well, the new technique…’

Was just a slight variation of the Mediterranean draw, so it wasn't particularly new or special.

The Mediterranean draw involved holding the string with the index, middle, and ring fingers, the arrow nocked between the index and middle fingers. The Flemish draw was the same, but without using the ring finger.

It would require more strength to draw the string with only two fingers, but…

It would also reduce interference with the arrow's flight, improving accuracy.

“It’s similar to the Mediterranean draw, but you draw the string with only your index and middle fingers.”

“Like this?”

Sione tried the Flemish draw. The arrow flew straight and true, striking the center of the target.

“Hmm, just removing one finger makes a difference. It feels different, both when drawing and aiming.”

“It requires more strength, but since there’s less interference with the arrow, it reduces the impact of hand tremors, improving accuracy.”

Sione nodded.

I stood beside her.

“Now, assume your stance again. I’ll show you another technique.”

The next technique I taught her was the three-under draw.

Instead of nocking the arrow above the arrow rest, the arrow was placed below the nocking point. The string was then drawn with the index, middle and ring fingers below the arrow. Since the arrow and the eyes were roughly level, it allowed for easier aiming. And as it also reduces the fingers' impact on the arrow, the accuracy was boosted.

I stood close behind her, guiding her through the movements. Sione initially tensed at our close proximity, but quickly relaxed and followed my instructions.

“…How peculiar. To think I could shoot an arrow without holding it.”

Sione, intrigued by the new technique, practiced for a few minutes, then switched back to her usual Mediterranean draw. It was more comfortable for her, she said.

After demonstrating the new technique, I watched her practice in silence.

As the sounds of soldiers and knights training in the courtyard grew louder,

I spoke to Sione, who was taking a short break.

“Lady Sione, would you mind if I spoke with one of the knights outside?”

“Speak with a knight? About what?”

Sione tilted her head, her expression curious.

“I have a spar with Lady Siabel Sianella in ten days…I’d like to ask for some advice—”

I glanced out the window at the knights training under the bright sun.

“—I’m going to ask Lady Diolia about Lady Siabel’s swordsmanship.”

Next Chapter

Index

Previous Chapter