It was an instructional spar after all… thank you.
Realizing that the Kingdom’s strongest had sparred with him, Climb was grateful as he resumed his stance.
He had to be careful so this precious moment did not end abruptly.
Climb once again raised his shield and slowly edged towards Gazef. Gazef wordlessly stared at him as he approached. If this continues, it would only be a repeat of what just happened. Climb had to devise a new plan as he approached.
Gazef waited, exuding an overwhelming calm. There just was no way to make him fight seriously.
It would be arrogant to even feel angry.
Climb’s limit was already visible. Despite waking up early like this to train in swordsmanship, his progress was slower than a snail. Compared to when he first started training, it was too slow.
Going forward, even if he could train his body and raise the speed and weight of his sword, skills like martial arts would be out of his reach.
Someone like Climb, to feel angry over the fact that the man who is the embodiment of talent did not fight him seriously would be disrespectful. He, who was unable to draw out the man's full strength, could only blame his own lack of ability.
His words from before that told him to not treat this as training and attack in earnest was a warning. It meant “attack with the intent to kill or you do not even stand a chance.” A warning that came from a man who stood in a place that was far above him.
Climb clenched his teeth.
He hated his own weakness. If only he was stronger, then he could be of more use. He could become her weapon and fight directly against those who would dirty the Kingdom and harm its people.
The fact that her only sword was so weak that she had to be careful of where to point it filled Climb with guilt.
However, he immediately tossed aside such thoughts. What he had to do now was not to lose himself in negativity. It was to throw everything he had at the man who stood in the world of the strong so he himself could grow stronger, no matter how small.
Only one thought filled his heart.
To be of help to the princess—.
Oh?
Gazef let out a sigh and slightly changed his expression.
It was because the face of the one who stood before him, who was both a boy and a man, had changed. If he were to compare, up until now, he was like a child who met a celebrity and could not contain his excitement. That restlessness had vanished after the kick and was replaced with the face of a warrior.
Gazef raised his level of alertness by a notch.
More so then Climb himself realized, Gazef had a high opinion of him. In particular, his single-minded, avaricious pursuit of strength, his loyalty that bordered on religious fervor, and his swordsmanship.
Climb’s swordplay was not something he had been taught. He obtained it by sneaking peeks at others who were in the midst of their training. It was unsightly and full of excessive movements.
But unlike those who trained mindlessly, each motion of his blade was meticulously thought out and developed for practical use. To put it badly, it became a sword to kill.
Gazef thought it was very splendid.
A sword was ultimately a tool for murder. One that was trained casually will not be able to display its effectiveness in a real fight. It will not be able to protect those who must be protected.
It will not be able to save those who must be saved.
But Climb was different. He will cut down his enemy and protect the one important to him.
However—
“—Even if you steeled your resolve, the difference in skill with your opponent is still grave. Now, what will you do?”
Assuredly, Climb had no talent. Even if he worked harder than anyone else— no matter how hard he pushes his body, without talent, he will not be able to become strong. He will not be able to reach men like Gazef or Brain Unglaus.
Even if Climb wanted to be stronger than anyone else, it could only happen in dreams and fantasies.
Then why was he giving Climb a spar? Would it not be more useful to spend his time on someone with more talent?
The answer was simple. Gazef just could not stand by and watch Climb endlessly repeat his useless effort. If talent was the wall decided the limits of humans, he took pity on the boy and his unending, reckless charge against that wall.
That was why he wished to teach him a different method.
He believed that although there was a limit on talent, there was no limit on experience.
And because of the anger he felt at the pitiful figure of his once greatest rival.
But even so, trying to get satisfaction from elsewhere… I owe Climb an apology…. But facing me should be useful for this guy as well.
“— Attack me, Climb.”
At the words he spoke to himself, a powerful shout came back in response.
“Yes!”
Climb ran as soon as he answered.
Gazef, with a serious expression that was different from before, slowly raised his sword over his shoulder.
It was a stance for a vertical attack above the waist.
Blocking it with the shield will completely restrict his own movements and parrying it with the sword will blow him back. It was an attack that rendered the act of defending meaningless.
Blocking it was foolish. But Climb’s broadsword was shorter than his bastard sword.
The only option was to run forward. Knowing this, Gazef was waiting to counterattack.
It was the same as jumping into the mouth of the tiger— but his hesitation only lasted an instant.
Climb launched himself into the range of Gazef’s sword.
As if he was waiting for this moment, Gazef’s sword was brought down and crashed into Climb’s shield. The tremendous impact was even stronger than before. Climb twisted his face at the pain that was transmitted to his arm.
“A pity. The same outcome as before.”
With a slight hint of disappointment, Gazef’s foot reached Climb’s abdomen and—
“「Fortress」!”
With Climb’s shout, Gazef wore a slightly surprised expression.
The activation of the martial art, ‘Fortress’ was not limited only to the sword or shield. It’s possible to use it on any part of the body. The reason that one would normally activate it when blocking with their weapons was simply because it was very difficult to find the correct timing for anything else. Using it on armor carried the risk of receiving your opponent’s attack without any defenses. Reserving the skill for blocking with the sword or shield was simple common sense.
However, the problem was solved if one could predict their opponent’s next move like Climb did with Gazef’s kick.
“Were you aiming for this?!”
“Yes!”
The power behind Gazef’s kick disappeared as if it was absorbed by something soft. Unable to channel strength into his extended leg, Gazef gave up on the attempt and tried to bring his foot back down to the ground. Catching him in a disadvantageous position, Climb struck.
“「Slash」!”
A martial art, high slash.
Just one, have a single skill that you can use with confidence.
Taking the words that he heard from a certain warrior to heart, this was the attack that the talentless Climb practiced day in and day out.
Climb’s body was not wrapped by an armor of muscles. From the start, his constitution was never one for that type of figure. Also, even if he did build up muscle, he could not keep his agility.
Because of this, his body was forged into a specialization through endless repetition.