Chapter 46 – In the Underground Training Ground

He cut straight to the point without any preamble.

“I’ve heard some rumors,” I said.

“What kind of rumors?”

“That the Dragon Knight squad is feeling threatened about the future development of Flight Technique. Sir Chester—while the Dragon Knight squad is fine as it is, do you have something to say to me about that? Or is this Sir Greg’s policy?”

As I spoke, Chester’s brow furrowed slightly. It was only for a moment before a placating smile appeared.

“Now, I wonder what you’re talking about.”

“After all, there’s no one else here, and I know you don’t have a favorable impression of me. I’d like to hear your true thoughts.”

“My true thoughts, huh?”

Chester closed his eyes briefly and shrugged his shoulders.

“Very well. Indeed, I dislike you. A filthy Magician is trying to intrude into our domain as if he owns the place. His Majesty has taken an interest in you. The Commander seems to think parties can’t be held without inviting you. Do you think I should like that?”

I’d heard that Magicians and the Knight Order don’t get along. But I don’t really understand that part.

“Why do you hate Magicians so much?”

“Why? I’ve heard about your fighting style. When you fought the Demon, you first launched a large-scale Magic Surprise Attack, then pretended you couldn’t fly and made moves akin to a cheap shot, didn’t you? Magicians are always like that. It’s not the way honorable people fight. You should correct yourself while you still can.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Of course I am. If you had stayed in the Adventurer Guild or the Labyrinth, it would have been fine. But I don’t like someone like you getting involved with our glorious kingdom. This isn’t just my opinion—Sir Greg agrees as well.”

…Is this what they call chivalry? I feel like there’s no place for chivalry when fighting Demons.

Even his way of provoking me is strangely mild, which probably has more to do with his personality than any instructions from Greg. In short, Chester genuinely believes what he just said—things that would normally be considered formalities.

Because the Labyrinth exists, strong individuals are valued, but the kingdom hasn’t had any large-scale wars for a long time. For the Knight Order, which protects the Royal Castle and capital without direct involvement with the Labyrinth… it might be inevitable that they developed in a direction that emphasizes honor. The Royal Castle’s direct Knight Order probably has an elite consciousness too… I can understand why they’re like oil and water with Magicians.

And then the Knight Order failed to notice the kidnapping incident and the Demon’s infiltration, couldn’t complete the Subjugation in time, and were left out of the resolution—that’s definitely a black mark, and it must be frustrating.

“If you fight Demons with that mindset, you’ll die, you know?”

“Oh? You’ve got some nerve. Unfortunately, I’ve never fought a Demon before.”

“…I’m not joking or trying to mock you.”

“Demons can simply be crushed head-on. For Dragon Knights with protection, Miasma isn’t even a problem.”

They do have countermeasures against Miasma. That’s true.

The Knight Order would probably be able to receive that kind of rear support. I imagine Dragon Knights could compensate for disadvantages in aerial combat too.

“Or—if you’re saying that’s arrogance, are you suggesting you’ll teach me a lesson?”

Chester spoke in an irritated tone, but… if he could overwhelm me in close combat, who had crossed Staff Martial Arts with Linette, then defeating a Demon head-on should be easy too… at least in theory.

“I don’t mind at all. It would be quicker to prove it through our respective skills. If a single mock battle here and now can settle this discussion, I’ll oblige.”

“Right now, dressed like that? You don’t even have a Weapon, do you?”

…That’s exactly it.

I’m telling you that’s a misunderstanding.

There were practice spears without tips leaning against the wall in the underground training ground. Spears with iron shafts. For a mock battle… if I’m not going to fight primarily with Magic, this would be more than enough as a substitute for my Staff. Picking up a suitable practice spear, I told Chester:

“Do you think Demons will hold back because of your clothing or Weapon condition?”

“…Interesting. If I win, you’ll swear not to get involved with the Royal Castle anymore?”

That probably includes the matter of Flight Technique. At least, if things continue as they are, no one who can rival the Dragon Knights will appear for a while… but if I get involved to promote myself, who knows what might happen.

“Fine. I never intended to quit my adventurer work at this point anyway. If I win, I’d appreciate it if you stopped bothering me with this and that.”

“Very well.”

Chester also picked up a practice spear—and we faced each other. Chester is a Dragon Knight, so I knew he’d use a polearm even in ground combat.

Well then. Chester seems to dislike underhanded tactics using Magic, and seems to think his skills would work if he could handle the Demon’s flight and Miasma.

“Then—here I come?”

“Come at me.”

Having received his consent—I kicked off the training ground floor and closed the distance in one breath. Chester’s eyes widened as he intercepted with his spear, but his reaction was slow. While batting it aside, I slammed my body against him, using the shaft as a Shield, supporting with my knee as I charged. Since it wasn’t a wooden spear, it probably wouldn’t break even if I handled it somewhat roughly without channeling Magical Power.

“Wh-what!?”

Chester who received this staggered and widened his eyes. He hadn’t expected to be pushed back by a child through sheer pressure alone.

That was—both a warm-up and a reveal of my hand. Since it’s a mock battle, I can’t use lethal Magic or channel Magical Power through my Weapon, but I am allowed to use circulation for physical Enhancement. Because that forms the foundation of my Combat Arts.

I stepped in and grabbed the middle of the spear, then launched attacks from left and right as if rowing an oar. Our iron spears clashed, ringing with metallic sounds. The distance was in my favor. Even though we both held the same Weapon, my way of using it was fundamentally different from the start. I caught Chester’s thrust and swept it aside. Our positions swapped rapidly as if dancing a waltz.

Once I’d sufficiently accustomed him to side attacks, I suddenly changed trajectory—from the side downward. Transforming it into an upward-scooping strike.

“Kuh!”

Unable to fully parry it, Chester blocked with his left gauntlet, then swung his remaining right-hand spear in a wide sweep. I jumped back to avoid that strike.

“I no longer think of you as a child!”

With distance between us, Chester held his spear at his hip, and both his body and spear became enveloped in blue Fighting Spirit.

Combat Skill, Meteor Thrust—. As Chester made a thrusting motion, his entire body charged forward with tremendous force.

“Naive.”

He probably grew impatient and went for the decisive move, thinking he’d be forced on the defensive if I closed in.

Meteor Thrust certainly has speed, but the theory for such large Techniques is to use them after breaking the opponent’s posture. Otherwise—you’ll suffer badly.

I responded to a Combat Skill with a Combat Skill. Staff Martial Arts Combat Skill, Haze Sweep.

The moment our spear tips touched, I deflected and swept aside the force’s direction. It felt like making it slide along a rail created by mixing Fighting Spirit and Magical Power. Simultaneously, I shifted my stance and turned around.

“What!?”

Chester’s body, along with his Charge’s direction, was redirected, leaving him charging toward the training ground wall.

“Guh!”

He barely managed to stop just before crashing into the wall. I casually approached and swept my spear from the front of Chester’s body.

He barely managed to block the spear, but Chester’s posture was badly broken. I took a half-crouched Stance, straightening up. Then launched a twisting strike toward his flank.

Receiving this strike concentrated with spiral force, Chester’s body flowed in the direction of the added twist. I momentarily pulled back my spear, swept his feet, and as he rolled, released a thrust at neck height.

“——”

With my spear tip pressed against Chester’s throat—I asked.

“Do you admit defeat?”

“…Yeah.”

Though he wore a frustrated expression, Chester nodded.

“To be handled this thoroughly… it’s been since receiving guidance from the Commander or Sir Oswald…”

Of course. To put it bluntly, our field experience differs.

Even though my training was honed through BFO’s PvP—it’s built upon an enormous amount of trial and error.

Normally, you can’t go that far in training—we could clash beyond our limits. And we could do it day and night, as much as we wanted. What Techniques to use where, and how to handle them. What’s the next move, the best move for both sides.

Combat Skills, Magic, items—anything goes. We fought battles where everything was permitted, and racked our brains over how to break through and counter trap moves and checkmate situations.

With that vast experience and knowledge, and with my body catching up to that information through circulation, there’s no way I’d lose so easily.

“I—have indeed lost. But I don’t think I was wrong. If you can do all that without using a single spell… then even against a Demon, there would be no need for petty tricks, right? For someone like you.”

If that’s what you think, you’re overestimating me. My Magic demonstrates its power at close range, and Miasma Bullets aren’t something you can take with your bare body. If you take a direct hit, you’ll still die, so I need to create situations where that can’t happen while closing in.

“…I think it’s admirable that you uphold your chivalry, Sir Chester. But I have my own way of fighting and my own philosophy toward combat. Please don’t force yours on me.”

“…And that is?”

“If I move like this, the opponent will want to do that. Reading their position and thoughts to crush them is what I consider actual combat. So unless it’s this kind of match or mock battle, whether I’m fundamentally superior or inferior to my opponent, I don’t intend to change that. Especially against Demons. Those guys are much more—vicious.”

“You… what did the Demons do to you?”

Seeing my expression, Chester furrowed his brow as if something occurred to him.

“…It’s a common story. There were no witnesses, but I trust that promises will be kept.”

Leaving those words behind, I exited the underground training ground, leaving a stunned-looking Chester behind.