Sudden Request

A Few Hours Later.

"Is he still at it?"

"He’s certainly diligent."

"Makes sense if he could give Ragna a run for his money like that." Within the training field, many of the soldiers couldn’t help but whisper amongst themselves.

The reason?

Well, shortly after Sparrow had briefed them on their duties, Xander had gone straight to the training field and began training with his sword, and since he began, he had not stopped moving.

Many people found the way he swung odd. Even now that he was simply training, they couldn’t wrap their heads around it.

His teammates, however, were used to it. After his fight with Mia, Xander would more often than not spend hours upon hours on end just swinging his blade, the thing resembling a hypnotic, unending dance.

Sometimes, his sword would let out strange sounds, other times, it would cut through the air so seamlessly that you wouldn’t even be able to hear it. And more often than not, he’d close his eyes as he moved, his concentration incredible.

If Xander was being honest, such a thing was new to him. Back on earth, he’d keep at it until he finally made a breakthrough. Only then did he choose to take a break.

But now, even after making staggering progress in his already absurd swordsmanship, he wouldn’t stop swinging his sword. Not even when his hands started to bleed, or when he had long surpassed his ability to withstand the strain of mana breathing.

As a result, his progress spiked.

But that’s for another day.

’Milord, what do you want to do?’ As he practiced, Mary, who had taken position on one shoulder, asked him telepathically.

’You recorded the map right?’ He asked back.

’Yes.’

’Good. I initially wanted to go and find the captain and relay my worries to him. But as things stand, I lack both influence and authority to even make him consider anything I say. But most importantly, proof. It will just look like an arrogant, albeit talented kid speaking like he knows what he’s saying.’ He performed a series of rapid swings so fast his sword seemed to overlap into a single point.

’As such, I intend to leave this place in the dead of night and investigate and see if my guess is correct. And I’ll bring Aubrey with me.’ At that, Mary’s was silent for a moment, then she asked.

’If I may ask, Milord, what caused you to be so interested in ants specifically that you know so much about them and their habits?’ Her tone was curious, and Xander smiled inwardly.

’Well, before I decided to commit to swordplay, I frequented the main house’s library. There were more than a few books on various creatures. Ants included. Granted, they weren’t easy to find. No one really cares enough to do much research on them. But it was just enough.’ That... was technically not a lie.

Indeed, the previous Xander frequented the library, but that was quite a bit of time before his death, so he had a lot of knowledge most would deem useless. As such, Xander wasn’t technically lying.

Granted, the books on ants weren’t as advanced as what was widespread on earth, but it served as a good enough cover.

’I see.’ Mary said simply. ’So how exactly do you plan on doing this investigation? I can’t imagine that you can easily leave this place.’ At that, Xander opened his eyes and glanced at her.

’Maybe, but I just happen to have an especially powerful Elemental Spirit maid. Such things shouldn’t be too difficult for you.’ Xander smirked.

’That would be an accurate assessment.’ She didn’t disagree. ’When do you plan on doing this?’

’When everyone is asleep, pretty much. I’ll give Aubrey the relevant info beforehand.’ He explained.

’Understood.’ After that, she didn’t ask any more questions. Just then...

"Hey, kid." Xander performed an upward slash, then he finally exhaled and he turned to see Bodhi standing some distance away from him, hand on his sword.

"Yes?" He raised a brow.

"Your swordplay. Who taught you that?" He asked, his gaze burning.

Xander suppressed a smirk.

"I’m self-taught. Why?" Bodhi nodded slowly, then he said bluntly.

"I want you to teach me." Xander blinked.

’Damn, just like that?’ Upon sensing his surprise, the older man scratched his head.

"Pretty sudden, I know. But, well, I really like swords. And it sucks that their potential seems so fixed. Well, I used to think so." He looked at Xander. "But the way you wield it, it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. And clearly far more effective." He drew his sword.

"So I want you to teach me." Hearing just how straightforward he was, Xander was silent for a moment, then he smiled slightly.

’You really just like swords, huh?’ He chuckled inwardly, sharing the sentiment absolutely.

"Alright. We have some time before dinner. So how about you show me what you can do? A light spar. No magic, just pure sword skill." Hearing this, Bodhi’s eyes lit up.

"Perfect." He gripped his sword with both hands, and Xander noted that it was a broad sword, and judging by Bodhi’s pronounced muscles, he was clearly a strength type.

In response, Xander simply entered a simple stance and waited.

There was no referee of the sort, so it depended on who attacked first.

That person was Bodhi.

With a large overhead chop, his swung his sword at Xander. However, contrary to his expectations, Xander didn’t evade or parry. Instead, he shifted his stance slightly and shifted his sword up. This made Bodhi frown.

’I likely have more raw strength than him, what is he doing? And why is he standing like that...?!’ Just as Bodhi was getting confused, his sword slid along Xander’s blade and slammed into his sword guard. But rather than his arms getting shoved back, Bodhi almost felt like he’d struck an immovable object, and his eyes went wide.

’Huh?’ However, before he could dwell on it, Xander moved.

He twisted his hands, hooking Bodhi’s blade between his hilt and blade, then he threw it to the side before swinging, and his blade stopped a few inches from his neck.

Bodhi stared in absolute shock.

He liked to think that he was better than most when it came to using a sword. But in just two moves, Xander had won that bout cleanly.

"How... did you...?" At his unspoken question, Xander backed away and shrugged.

"Realistically, I could have ended the fight on that first swing of yours. Raising your sword so high above your head? Bad idea, leaves your center of mass open entirely." Bodhi blinked, and Xander went on.

"You’re also wondering how I blocked your strike so cleanly was because I structured my block." Bodhi, who had already come to terms with his swift defeat, tilted his head.

"Structured... block?" The two words sitting side by side sounded odd to him.

"Mhm, but I prefer parries if I’m being honest with myself. Observe my body." Xander took the same stance as he did before, allowing Bodhi to observe him clearly.

"This position? From my arms to my feet, my bones are essentially stacked. Hence the term ’structure’. Think of it like a building. Pillars are placed in certain positions to allow them to bear the massive weight of the things above them. Same principle here. That’s why I was able to block your strike so effortlessly." When he heard this, Bodhi was enlightened.

’Viewing my body like a building when blocking? I’d... never thought about it like that.’ He nodded, looking like a child who had just been given an answer sheet.

Xander smirked.

"Well, there’s more to it than that. Also considering that you’re gonna be fighting large beasts more, that whole example was just a teaser. Come on, let’s have a few more bouts. I’ll guide you and see what style suits you the best."

Following this was a strange scene where a boy who seemed barely out of his adolescence with a winged lizard and green bird on his shoulders started teaching an older man the way of the sword.

***

"Aubrey, what’s Curtis doing? I’m almost done cooking." In the tent Falael came inside wearing an apron. As it turned out, the half-elf was surprisingly good at cooking.

Aubrey—who had been practicing how long she could hold her bow drawn—inspected them briefly, looking at how grease and sauce stained their apron, and she found the scene oddly endearing, but she didn’t voice her opinion.

"He said he was going to meditate for a bit. Should I call him?" She asked.

"Eh, I’m sure he’ll come out on his own when Xander gets back. I swear he’s like a puppy around him sometimes." They shook their head.

’You’re one to talk.’ Aubrey’s mouth twitched, but Falael had already stepped out.

’Still, he’s been meditating a lot recently. Even before we were set to leave. It started a few days before the new month. I wonder if everything is okay...’ She pursed her lips, suddenky temped to peak into his room with her perception, then she shook her head. He’d tell them if there was an issue, or if it was something he couldn’t handle on his own.

Meanwhile. In the room as that conversation just ended...

"Haaah... Haaah..." Stifled pants left Curtis’s mouth as he pressed his head to the floor, his upper body bare and covered in sweat, his veins bulging almost unnaturally.

Around him, ice was slowly creeping outward, and forming a thin layer on various things in the room.

After nearly a minute of this, his breathing eased, and his expression relaxed, then he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling blankly for a moment, his sweat also freezing and falling to the ground.

Eventually, he took a deep breath and sat up with a grimace.

’Just... a while longer.’ He thought as he waved his hand, the ice and frozen sweat dispersing into mana.

He then put on his shirt, fixed his expression, and walked out.

Meanwhile, in Xander’s room, Mia, who had been sleeping, suddenly opened her eyes and looked at the tent wall in the direction of Curtis’s room. After a few seconds, she hummed.

"I see."

Then she went back to sleep.