Sparring Match [1]

Carl maintained his posture well and persistently interrogated Bilford.

In Carl's opinion, it seemed like Bilford was having a hard time with him and was trying to coax him out of the situation.

'There's no way I have any talent for swordsmanship!'

'Fourth Prince Carl' spent his entire life lying in bed, and Lucas had a mysterious talent that sent balls hitting his body flying in random directions, so he lived his entire life away from sports.

When he was forced to participate in soccer during a sports festival due to a lack of players and became a defender, he was told to kick the ball away. He kicked the ball with all his might, but the ground ball bounced right in front of the opposing attacker's feet and he became the opposing team's MVP.

It was so accurate that the opposing attacker thought his team had passed and ran towards Lucas.

So, Carl was caught up in doubts that could not be tolerated even if he said it kindly, and could not hear Bilford's praise as a compliment.

'This guy! 'He's criticizing me!'

In the end, Carl thought that Bilford, who was dissatisfied with him, was using a go-go-level backlash technique.

It's a compliment, but the young guy is quite sneaky and skilled. It's hard to believe that a guy like this would grow up to be such a loyal knight.

"Oh, well, move your body forward a little…."

"You mean like this?"

"Yes, but just a little more…Yes, that's it. And when I hold the sword..."

"Don't do that, just hold me."

"How can I touch Lord Carl's body?"

"Are you saying you don't even want to touch me now?"

"No!"

Bilford's mouth went dry at Carl's sensitive reaction.

Indeed, it was hysterical, befitting a sickly prince who spent his entire life lying in bed.

The fact that this man is the lord who will now take the lives of Bilford and Catherine is truly terrifying.

'Well, you're teaching well.'

Catherine turned around at the loud sound, nodded in satisfaction when she saw Carl's posture, and then turned her head again.

Bilford is a boy full of talent. However, thanks to studying under the steadfast Catherine, he is a complete warrior who is faithful to the basics and values both offense and defense.

He would teach Carl very well.

"Why aren't you taught properly? Do you really hate teaching me that much?"

"Because you're doing great! please! Lady Catherine!"

It was only after Bilford was tearing out his head in agony and screaming for help that Catherine was able to understand the situation.

"For your first time holding a sword, you are doing very well."

" If that's the case..."

Seeing Carl immediately agreeing to Catherine's words, Bilford secretly patted his chest, feeling helpless and saddened.

He feel like he want to punch Carl in the face.

If I hit him, it's an assault on the royal family, just this one time... No, anyway, I'll just bear with it and move on. And if I really hit him, sickly Prince could die.

Catherine hesitated and then patted Bilford's shoulder once.

"You did well."

"Thank you lady Catherine."

Catherine's compliments are priceless. Billford smiled broadly and nodded at her.

It might not be a bad idea to teach Carl.

***

Tomorrow is the departure. Of course, there won't be time tomorrow, and it will be difficult to get proper training along the way.

"I was so discouraged yesterday. Let's try to be more proactive today."

"Whoa, whoa…" ."

Carl tried to catch his breath and straighten his posture in response to Bilford's words.

However, even though he said he felt intimidated, Carl didn't know how much more aggressive he should be here. Carl think he's already being aggressive enough.

"Having good posture is good, but if you hesitate while paying attention to your posture, it is meaningless."

Bilford treated Carl more harshly than necessary because he was strangely suspicious of his praise, and he sparred with Carl, who had only been holding the sword for two days, and pushed him roughly.

"I will never hurt you, Lord Carl. Don't worry, just do it boldly."

Bilford cannot yet handle mana, but his swordsmanship has already reached a level where he cannot be compared to noble swordsmen of his age.

No matter how hard Carl struggles, he cannot even graze a single hair of Bilford, and under any circumstances, Bilford will never lose control and hurt Carl.

Nevertheless, Carl did not go on the offensive properly. He spars lightly so that he can feel the overall flow of the battle, to the point where Billford's plan to point out the mistakes Carl is making is completely useless.

Carl hesitated at Bilford's words and slowly put his foot out, but soon became intimidated by Bilford's posture and pulled it slightly, then gritted his teeth and stepped down, digging in as he had been taught.

Perfect!

Bilford easily blocked Carl's attack. With his hands raised close to the cross guard, he took the attack lightly with his ricasso part.

Originally, he could attack by stabbing like this or wrapping his sword around his opponent, but Bilford only tried to defend.

"… … ."

However, instead of ignoring defense and attacking fiercely like most beginners do, Carl changed his stance the moment the attack was blocked and quickly walked away with his sword between the middle and upper ends.

"Bilford, step back."

"yes?"

Catherine, who was watching, steps forward, and stands in front of Carl holding a wooden sword.

Carl was a little shocked. Since she had decided to leave it to Billford, Carl thought she would just watch quietly, but it was unexpected.

"Lord Carl. Watch what I do and follow along."

Then, Carl shows the basic movements he learned.

Aiming the sword at the middle point, he quickly digs forward and cuts down with a sharp trajectory. She did it slowly so Carl could see it, but it was still so creepy that it gave her goosebumps.

Carl watched Catherine's movements intently. His narrowed eyes obsessively examine Catherine's slightest movements.

If you look at her posture, she is not much different from Bilford.

Crack!

But then Catherine bounced her body to the left side, raised both hands high, turned her wrist, and quickly cut the middle part with her back blade.

"Try it."

Catherine stands in front of Carol.

"… Lady?"

"Yes."

At Catherine's firm words, Carl purses his lips, pulls his chin, and glares at Catherine.

Carl could not move for a long time. He hesitantly lunges at Billford, but when he stands in front of Catherine, he cannot swing his sword.

"Lord Carl, this is a sparring match. I have no intention of killing Lord Carl."

"…!"

Only after hearing those words did Carl realize that he was considering this a battle, not a sparring match.

And Carl also knew why he hurriedly retreated after attacking once. After the attack was blocked, he chose to retreat to defend himself, as he had not learned how to defend himself and attack his opponent.