Lady Izolda doesn't give me much time to think about these revelations about the heraldry of nobles from the Dawn Empire. In fact she doesn't give me to think about much of anything at all. Nothing except the next set of lessons. Either because the subject I broached hit to close to home or because she wants to speed up the pace for her young ward too. I don't exactly get to ponder that question either though.

That woman really is a slave driver! She increases the pace to the point where I can barely keep up, calling out attacks and defenses at a breakneck speed. Her tone doesn't allow for discussions though. She barely gives us enough time to catch our breath every once in a while. And of course she herself doesn't seem to be out of breath at all. She isn't even sweaty!

I stumble more than once as a result. My only consolation is, that my sparring partner isn't faring any better. He, or rather she, is as out of breath as I am and they aren't any less sweaty either. It's only a small consolation. A very, very small consolation indeed.

The true reason why I put up with it is another. Other than the fact that I wouldn't dare disobey the woman. No, what really keeps me going are the gains of my skills. She makes me block and dodge a lot. Thus it's no big surprise that both my [Block] and my [Dodge] skill improve a little. I have to take a number of hits head on too though and as a result [Clothes] improves a little too. Even better though, my otherwise little used [Heavy Armor] skill levels up as well!

[*Ding!* Your skill Heavy Armor has leveled up to level 3!]

It's a notification I really treasure, as I suspect that it's only the heavier than usual armor I get to wear for these lessons that's the reason why I don't suffer any actual damage despite the repeated hits.

It's doesn't stay the only notification either. After that last hit lady Izolde calls for me to go on the offensive again. Not just with one strike either. No she dictates a whole flurry of quick thrusts that allow me to drive my opponent ahead of me. The poor girl barely manages to keep up with her defenses, parries, blocks and dodges. As I manage to actually land a good hit with the last blow of this relentless barrage I almost stumble, as I'm in turn bombarded by a whole cartload of notifications in turn.

[*Ding!* Your skill Melee Weapons has leveled up to level 8!]

[*Ding!* Your skill Blades has leveled up to level 8!]

[*Ding!* You have unlocked the Long Blades general skill at Level 1!]

It's enough to leave me open for a wild counter too. One that lady Izolda hasn't actually called for. It's only at the very last moment that I manage to bring up my buckler to deflect the blow. It's a good thing too, that I do. Otherwise that thrust might have cost me an eye. My heart almost jumps out of my chest as a result, but at least I'm rewarded with one more notification in exchange.

[*Ding!* Your skill Shields has leveled up to level 4!]

My opponents pale complexion gets even worse as they realize what almost happened.

"Oh, good gods and goddesses! I'm terribly …"

I'm quick to hold up a hand, to forestall the apology.

"It's alright. I'm not hurt. And besides, it was good thinking, to take advantage of that momentary lapse of attention. It's moments like this you have to take advantage off in any real battle. Sometimes it might just be the only chance you get."

Before either of us can say anything else, lady Izolda takes over.

"Correct. Still, maybe the two of you should take a little break. As much as I dislike wasting time, maybe it will be for the better if you cool off a little."

We put down our training blades and bucklers and accept the towels Justyna hands us, to wipe of some sweat. Once we are done with that she hands both of us mugs with watered down beer.

I grimace a little.

"Honestly? What's up with people watering down perfectly good beer? I mean it's not like we are drinking one mug after the other or anything."

Both the young lady pretending to be a young lord and Justyna chuckle weakly, but neither comment. Instead my sparring partner decides to talk about something else.

"Why did you slip up there? That's not like you at all."

I glance over at lady Izolda, who encourages me with a nod to answer. Either she knows the answer already and thinks it to be educational, or she wants to know too. Well, it's no use arguing.

"I received a whole slew of notifications in quick order. One of them about unlocking another weapon skill on top of everything else."

From lady Izolde I only receive a knowing smile in response. My sparring partner though looks at me with an open mouth.

"Oh! Congratulations! Wait … does that mean that you'll be hitting even harder now?"

I let out a chuckle.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

"Maybe? My strength and attack power might have increased a little due to all the other skills improving a little as well."

The pale noble scion groans, but only briefly, before they perk back up.

"Wait, you said, you unlocked another weapon skill? How many do you have?"

Justyna looks like she is curious too now, and a quick glance over at the head maid suggests that I should keep talking. Am I being made into an object lesson?

"Well, alright. I started out with only a basic melee weapons skill. Then I picked up a blades skill. And now I have a long blades skill as well. And as you seem to understand, they stack up pretty well."

It's now that the head maid, in her role as teacher, gets involved again. She claps as I finish listing my skills. It's not a sarcastic clap either.

"That's pretty impressive actually. In fact most guards, men at arms or even knight never get any more skills even for the weapon they are most familiar with. You can though. A skill for one specific kind of long blade, like the rapier or the long sword you seem to favor would still be an option. You will have to work hard for it though. And another would be to get a skill tied to one single very specific blade, usually a heavily enchanted, unique weapon."

I raise an eyebrow and a scratch the back of my neck, as if I were embarrassed.

"I'll think about the latter if I ever happen to come upon a weapon of legend or the like."

It may sound like a joke, but if that ever were to happen, I wouldn't hesitate a single moment. I finish my drink, as that is what my sparring partner does too. A moment later lady Izolda already claps her hands.

"Good, if you have recovered enough for chatter, however educational it may be, you might just as well get back to sparring. Resume your positions."

Justyna is quick to gather up the used towels and the empty mugs, while the lord's heir is just as quick to get into position again. Thus I don't dawdle either. And I'm not a moment too early either. As I raise buckler and blade, getting back into the usual guard position, lady Izolda starts to call out moves again, except this time around her ward is the one on the rapid offensive while I'm hard pressed to keep defending as thrusts, feints and quick cuts keep raining down on me.

Szymone's cheeks actually gain some color as she goes all out. The girl who has to pretend to be someone else all day everyday really enjoys this, no doubt about it. I guess it is, because there is something brutally honest about crossing blades, even if just for training, with someone else.

More than a few of the lightning fast attacks slip through. If it weren't for the armor I get to wear and all the defensive skills I already have, I'd be left bruised at the very last. As it is, I don't suffer any actual damage as my [Clothes] and [Heavy Armor] skills improve again. My [Shield] and [Block] skills benefit too, as I keep deflecting more blows with the buckler. And, of course, I make good use of [Dodge] as well, as I keep evading at least some of the incoming attacks.

That's not where it ends either. Of course I parry as well. In fact I parry more attacks than I block. It comes naturally with the weapons we are using. As a result it isn't long until the next level up notification comes in, whispered into the very back of my mind in a voice like that of Fox.

[*Ding!* Your skill Parry has leveled up to level 5!]

And that notification is promptly followed by more and the welcome clatter of dice in addition to the usual musical bells.

[*Ding!* Your class Masked Mediator leveled up to level 9!]

[*Clatter!* Your Health increased by 6!]

That is a pretty decent dice roll for a change. Even better, my Mana pool refills too, which is a very welcome, refreshing feeling. Judging by the raised eyebrow of lady Izolda, this doesn't go unnoticed. Not by her anyway, she certainly has noted the slight change in the way I carry myself. I'm not so sure about the others, but that's alright. It goes a long way to demonstrate the difference in between a dangerous veteran and some greenhorns.

This time around I don't allow myself to get distracted either, as the head maid keeps calling attacks at a crazy pace. Not so much as to test me, but to push her ward to their very limit, which the girl really doesn't seem to mind. No, if anything, it's the opposite. She relishes the chance to let go for a change.

I can relate. Especially as the level up notifications just keep coming.

[*Ding!* Your skill Long Blades has leveled up to level 2!]

My more general [Melee Weapons] and [Blades] skills keep improving little by little too. And of course my strength and my attack power improves indirectly too. Yes, this certainly justifies a certain feeling of elation.

If my opponent on the training floor is receiving even half as many notifications as I it certainly would explain why she enjoys this so much. Not that it's strictly necessary. She could just be enjoying fencing in general, which would be just as valid.

Like all good things this training session too eventually has to come to an end though. It's simply the way of things. As lady Izolda calls a stop for today I'm about as exhausted as I'm exhilarated. And the same is true for my sparring partner. It's very much like upon my first visit here.

Justyna helps the young heir of the city's lord out of their armor, while lady Izolda assists me. Once everything is put away again, the head maid addresses us again to organize the further proceedings.

"Justyna, please see our young lord to the bath. But first, you need to put your seal on the quest papers. They have been filed in your name after all. I'll see our guest out afterwards."

The young lady in waiting does as she is ordered. She puts her seal on the papers, confirming that I have fulfilled my papers and am due to receive my reward at the guild. Then she is off together with the other young woman without much further ado.

Once we are alone I decide to ask a question that is prominent on my mind.

"Lady Izolda, I know I'll get compensated at the guild, but could I ask for an additional boon. Maybe the next time I get to help out? I have more skills. Ones I couldn't in good conscience practice while sparring with your ward. Would you be willing to cross blades with me in a sparring match?"

Her brows furrow, but only slightly and briefly, as we make our way through the quiet and mostly empty halls of the keep.

"Viviona, you do realize that you are playing with fire? What skills do you mean?"

I reply without hesitation.

"I have a skill that would allow me to ignore armor and possibly even further improve damage when aiming for a weak spot."

For a moment we walk in silence. Finally she speaks up again.

"I'll think about it, but I can not make any promises."

Then she directs the conversation in an unexpected direction.

"Say, there was some commotion tonight and the city seems a little restless as a result. You wouldn't happen to know something about that?"

I arch an eyebrow. Is she just trying to make small talk? Or does she already know more than she admits and this is a subtle hint that she is keeping eyes on me? Well, in the end I answer anyway.

"Some decrepit hovel outside the wall seems to have come down in the middle of the night. I guess it was pretty loud and would account for a commotion. I'm pretty sure though that nothing of worth to the city was lost in the mishap. If anything the city will be better off in the end if people now take better care of their homes as a result."

Finally we reach the gate, walking in silence.

"Very well, Viviona. I'll look forward to seeing you again. I very much appreciate your help with our young lords education. It's a very valuable contribution."

I bow to her, under the watchful eyes of the guards still on duty at the gate.

"I'm honored, my lady."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.