Chapter 59
59. Swordsmanship
After listening closely to Lizmel's explanation, it was clear that my method had been close to a cheat.
A way of winning by finding loopholes in the rules, rather than by finding a way to win within them.
But that can't be helped as long as I'm a solo player.
I can't exactly follow a standard strategy, so I have to find and use whatever I can.
With my basic mindset being what it is, the result of this "test" had been inevitable.
"Normally, you'd find the path an attack should take and correct the motion, but you really are... is it because you're human?"
"Probably not."
"Haa, fine. The humans I know were a race that was smart and quick to learn. I guess you're just a bit unusual."
Lizmel let out a sigh and pressed a hand to the brow. After thinking for a moment, Lizmel spoke again.
"For now, yeah, good job. I think I should know how to use that kind of method too."
Patting my shoulder, Lizmel continued.
"But finesse is something you resort to when your skill isn't enough. Your fundamentals are way too lacking."
Fair enough. In the end, if my basics had been solid enough, I wouldn't have needed to fight in such a flashy way.
The same went for my fight with that elf knight last time. If I'd been better than him at swordsmanship, I could've won cleanly.
I'm only patching over my lack of fundamentals, including swordsmanship, with tricks that are practically a strongman act.
I was thinking that this was exactly why I needed to learn swordsmanship here, because I knew this approach had its limits.
"Your way of swinging a sword is crude to begin with. You're using it like an axe or a cleaver, so of course the weapon gets damaged."
Watching Lizmel explain it like that, I couldn't help thinking I'd really made the right choice joining the Dark Elf faction.
It looked like it would be hard to find a teacher this good anywhere else.
**
Lizmel seemed to have decided that, based on my fighting style, it would be better to teach me from the very beginning all over again.
Apparently, Lizmel skipped the conditioning drills like swinging a sword in place a hundred times and put me through the same course taught to young Dark Elves.
Sure enough, Lizmel's teaching was not only on an extremely high level, but also very kind.
In the theory parts, Lizmel rephrased any terms that would have been hard for me to understand.
When it came time to practice the motions, Lizmel even stood behind me and physically guided my arms and hands.
Naturally, while getting movement coaching, two huge, very noticeable mounds were pressed against my back.
And yet Lizmel's lecture had enough pull to keep me focused.
Of course, it wasn't like I wasn't aware of it at all.
Honestly, that can't be helped.
Right?
Anyway, Lizmel's swordsmanship lesson went on for almost half a day.
Even though I was basically starting from scratch, Lizmel praised me for picking things up incredibly fast.
Maybe the slapdash swordsmanship tricks I'd built up over time helped form the base that let me understand it so quickly.
After class was over, we repeated the match against the shadow dolls that we'd done at the beginning.
-Swish!
Even though I'd only mixed Dark Elf-style swordsmanship into my own, the result was completely different.
Most of the five shadow dolls were dealt with in one hit, or at most two.
[Passive Skill : Intermediate Swordsmanship Level 2 has been acquired.]
The swordsmanship skill that had been at beginner level evolved into intermediate and jumped straight to level 2.
I ended up reaching the intermediate level that had been my goal when I first started learning swordsmanship, in less than a day.
Wow, so this is the power of a top-tier swordsmanship instructor.
Back when I was a student, I never understood why people paid so much for online lectures, but real premium lessons really are different.
They're on a whole different level from the idiots on open forums spouting bullshit as "pro tips" while claiming to be swordsmanship masters.
"Wow... so this is real swordsmanship."
"Heh, that's right. You get it now?"
As I was marveling at my suddenly improved skill, Lizmel shrugged.
That's usually the kind of thing a deadbeat like me would nitpick just because someone got smug, but not this time.
The exhilarating thrill of growth, something I hadn't felt in a long time.
Honestly, shouldn't I be bowing deeply to my master at this point?
I don't actually plan to do that, but anyway, that's how good I feel.
1. Complete Lizmel's basic training, stage 3 (Completed).
When I opened the quest window, the first objective was already marked complete.
I hadn't really felt the distinction between stages while learning, but either way, that meant the basic training stage was over.
If what I just learned was only the basic level, then just how insanely good is the advanced training going to be?
I hear most weapon-skill abilities even among top rankers only hover around intermediate, so could I really leave here having reached advanced?
Unfortunately, today's swordsmanship lesson ended there.
"Then that's it for today. Since I lost, I can't keep holding onto a greenhorn any longer."
"Why? I'm fine with that."
"Rest is training too. Don't backtalk and just rest when I say rest!"
I didn't want to needlessly wear Lizmel out and chip away at her goodwill, so I just agreed.
Of course I had no intention of actually resting. Just reviewing what I'd learned would carry me through until dawn in no time.
Night deepened.
**
After finishing my swordsmanship practice with Lizmel, I returned to the room I was using as lodging.
Rather than wandering around outside, I figured it would be better to devote myself to training alone in the room.
And waiting inside when I came in was Eleanor.
"Welcome back, my dear."
In thin loungewear, Eleanor was sprawled seductively on the bed.
Good heavens, what am I looking at right now?
I'd seen Eleanor naked in the bath once, but this was incredible in a completely different way.
Though I had no idea what sort of situation this was, my fingers were instinctively reaching for the interface's capture function.
"I hear you made quite a splash with the scouts? They say you and Lizmel took down a terrifying monster together, just the two of you."
"Uh, well, yeah."
"Thanks to that, my spirits are up too. It looks like I can move the plan along faster."
The plan Eleanor was talking about was probably breaking off her engagement to the High Elf prince using me as the excuse.
That meant the epic quest was moving forward quickly, which was good news for me too.
"So I thought I'd give you a reward. Weren't you two head over heels for each other at first sight? A little bed-sharing should be fine, right?"
Eleanor smiled seductively and beckoned me closer with a soft wave.
For most challengers, or really any red-blooded man, it was a temptation impossible to resist.
But after talking with Lizmel and the others, I'd learned how Dark Elves see humans.
Thinking about that while looking at Eleanor made the whole thing feel kind of weird.
Like I was looking at a completely deranged pervert.
Because of the age gap created by their long lifespans, Dark Elves treat humans like complete children.
Not just children, either, but very cute ones.
Erwen, the blacksmith, who counts as middle-aged by Dark Elf standards, looks at me like I'm a grandchild.
Lizmel and the scouts, who are on the younger side, treat me like a little sibling or a small animal.
Eleanor may be one of the youngest Dark Elves, but fundamentally, she probably isn't any different.
Basically, this is like a high school girl or college girl hitting on an elementary school boy.
And if you add in the fact that we're different races too, isn't that kind of a horrifying hybrid?
"Ahaha, that was a joke, a joke! I never get tired of your reactions, dear!"
What am I supposed to do about this beast of a woman, even when she calls it a joke and keeps that predatory gaze on me?
I just wanted her to leave already.
I need to practice my swordsmanship.
**
Fortunately, Eleanor didn't suddenly try to throw herself at me.
Apparently, she had business besides teasing me. I pulled over a chair and sat down.
"You're learning swordsmanship from Lizmel, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"Good idea. There was something a little dangerous about your sword."
Come to think of it, Eleanor had seen me fight before. She might know my skill better than Lizmel did.
Now that I'd newly grasped the basics of swordsmanship, looking back, I really had fought a bit crudely back then.
The inventory-based switching strategy, the combat style that handled several weapons at once.
Setting aside the fact that I was able to beat the High Elf knight, it had definitely been closer to a strongman act than a proper fight.
It must have looked extremely dangerous to Eleanor.
"Yeah, it looked like the sword and you were thinking different things. That doesn't necessarily mean it was bad, though."
"It'll be different from now on. My skill is improving by leaps and bounds."
"I hope so. If you get stronger, my plan will go more smoothly too. I'm looking forward to it."
After saying that, Eleanor added that if there was anything she could help with, I should call her anytime.
She also said that although it was still early, before long she could teach me something good.
"Something good?"
Maybe because of her outfit and her eyes, it sounded like a very indecent topic.
Right after that, Eleanor disappeared instantly into the shadows, saying it was still a secret. What was that about?
Well, in any case, I was alone again.
I spent the night practicing the swordsmanship Lizmel had taught me.