Chapter 79.4 - The First Year at the Academy - Second Semester Field Exercise 2 (4)
Chapter 79.4 - The First Year at the Academy - Second Semester Field Exercise 2 (4)
Early in the chilly forest morning, as I was quietly working on my fur, Reesw came to me after washing my face.
She stood next to me and looked down at me as if she didn't care so much about the skins.
"Are you doing it again?"
"Good morning. I've got some meat and fat left over. I'll have to do it when it's light."
Today was homecoming day.
It was almost time for the students to get up, but they were sparsely leaving their tents.
They were tired from the past few days, but last night's night raid must have taken its toll.
At midnight, the campsite was attacked by Nudlok.
It seems that the students were not on high alert, and they panic.
Then Lambert gave them a warning.
Somehow, they regain their composure and could push through and successfully repel the attackers, letting their numbers do the work for them. The fact that they were fighting in a campground with few trees seemed to have worked to their advantage.
By the way, what was I doing? I was on duty.
After some processing, I rolled up the dokol pelts and put them in a bag.
The rest would have to wait until we got back to Selene. I'll have to look up how to do that.
So far, we've skinned them but sold them, and that's it.
Nerio is a hunter.
He's not a leatherworker, and even in the village of Verene, I've only asked him to do a minimal amount of prep work. The only person who seemed to know how to do it was Aunt Lime, or maybe the Adventurers' Guild. If that doesn't work, then the Adventurers' Guild.
After a while, the students get up, wash their faces, and prepare breakfast.
Our breakfast is the same as the day before, only residual
soup and bread.
As I was leisurely enjoying General tea since I didn't need much preparation, Sickle came from the forest.
"Good morning. Alter-sama."
"Good morning. You've been working hard all morning."
"As is my custom."
He smiles shyly.
Sickles was up before me, training in the forest.
"Alter-sama. Are you busy now?"
"Hmm? I'd say I'm free, but…"
"If you don't mind, I'd like you to train me."
Saying that Sickle lowered its head.
He still wants to do it? He's an enthusiastic guy.
"I don't mind, but we don't have much time before we leave. Is it okay if we have a mock battle?"
"Thank you very much!
Thus, I enter the forest with Sickle, who has been in high spirits since this morning.
I didn't bring my wooden sword, so I had to fight with the sheath of my sword fixed in place.
"Whenever you're ready."
"Then I'll take your word for it–"
Sickle stepped forward in a single breath.
I parried it and lightly matched it to my torso.
Somehow, he jumped back, and Sickle readjusted its stance.
After that, he slashed several times, but he couldn't break my [One-Handed Sword 7] with his ability.
Sickle seemed to know this and was having a hard time attacking.
Then, suddenly, Sickle regained his grip on the sword and changed the atmosphere.
He's going to do something, isn't he?
As I was on alert, Sickles let out a sharp exhalation.
What he unleashed was a [Double Strike].
When I ducked the first blow, something unexpected happened.
"Oh, it flew away."
Sickle's sword flew in the air.
His face turned red, "Excuse me!" and went to pick it up.
He hadn't mastered it when he went to it the exam.
Had he learned it in the past few months? Lambert and the others are hard workers, but he was here too.
But the direction is…
And even though the mock battle resumes, it ends without a highlight on the scythe.
I asked him, thinking it was none of my business.
"Are you so particular about swords because you're aiming to become a knight?"
"Do you understand?"
"You're not very good with a sword, are you?"
"Yes. I don't seem to have any talent."
Saying this, Sickle dropped his gaze.
At least with [Strike] I can get into shape. However, Sickle cannot …… shake off the impression that it is a farming tool. As a knight's weapon, it might be the worst.
"Even a knight is different for each person. You just have to contribute something other than your sword skills."
"You're right. However, even with my sword skills – I want to be."
Forcing a smile, Sickle began to swing his sword.
If you keep trying, I think you can learn at least [One-handed Sword 1].
Conversely, no matter how hard you try, it's hard to get any better than that.
He must have tried other [Two-handed Sword] and [Dagger]. The comparatively better one was the [One-handed Sword]–or perhaps it doesn't matter. It is meaningful to him that it is a sword. For him.
Just as I was about to turn my back on this hardworking boy and go back, I was stopped.
"Alter-sama. My name is Kartle Orth."
He was smiling at me with his sword lowered.
"What's up with you all of a sudden?"
"You never called me once."
"How could I forget the names of my friends? Keep your training in moderation.."
With these words, I returned to the campsite.
But I'm not Helena. I can at least remember your name.
You think I'm stupid, Kamar.