Chapter 11 She'S Getting Training, You Know
"What do you think, Logan?"
At the Necronia Explorer Guild's underground training grounds.
Among the explorers gathered like onlookers, a woman said this while observing Aaron and Fiona's mock battle alongside them.
The woman was wrapped in a plain robe, her hood deep over her face, making it hard to see her features. However, the red lips peeking out from under the hood gave off a somewhat bewitching impression to those who saw her.
Moreover, despite wearing a loose robe, her impressive proportions, which accentuated her chest, were drawing the gazes of the surrounding explorers.
But no one dared to approach this woman.
That was because most of their attention was focused on the intense battle between the 2 swordsmen unfolding in the center of the training grounds ―― or rather, it wasn't.
"Well, well..."
The reason stood beside the woman ―― a large man.
Appearing to be in his mid-40s, he had a tall stature and a muscular build. His hair was short and neatly trimmed, revealing a rugged face that seemed to have been through countless battles.
Logan, the large man, was dressed in simple equipment that made him look like an ordinary explorer, but few explorers would mistake him for one.
If he was an active explorer, he was a bit too old, and he didn't give off the air of a mere explorer. His ordinary equipment and demeanor didn't match, making it clear he was disguising himself.
But what was strange was that he didn't seem to be trying to deceive anyone.
In any case, the only ones who could approach this man and talk to the woman would be acquaintances, those who could see through his facade, or overconfident fools.
"One thing I can say is that man is giving her training, you know."
While stroking his well-groomed beard, he fixed a sharp gaze on Aaron, observing his every move.
Eva Kirkee, the woman in the robe, slightly tilted her head in response.
"Oh? If the story about Fiona's master is true, wouldn't it be natural for him to give her training?"
"Ah, I'm sorry, lady. It's not like that, but rather, there's a huge gap in their abilities, you see."
"!? ...Is the difference really that big?"
Eva took a slight breath, but tilted her head.
Logan nodded in understanding at her reaction. Eva wasn't a close-range combat Job that fought with weapons. She was a magician-type Job, albeit an extremely special one.
And it wasn't like she had a lot of battle experience either, so it didn't seem like there was such a huge gap in their abilities at first glance.
The battle between the 2 started with a long-range skill exchange.
Fiona had an overwhelming number of skills, and Aaron seemed to be struggling to keep up, but since he wasn't counterattacking, it didn't seem like there was a huge difference in their abilities.
That was the same even when the battle shifted to close combat.
...No, it was even more apparent after it shifted to close combat.
Fiona was dancing around, swinging her swords left and right, while Aaron was using his 2 aura swords to somehow dodge and weave around her attacks.
Moreover, compared to Fiona's flashy and quick movements, Aaron's movements were slow. And on top of that, there were several instances where he was forced to defend with his sword and got blown back.
"Now it looks like Fiona is pushing him back... but her Master is getting blown back multiple times too."
Eva pointed that out as well. But Logan shook his head, saying, "No, take a good look at that guy's posture."
"Posture?"
"Yes. Normally, when someone gets blown back, their posture collapses and their body wobbles. But that guy's body is always steady, and even right after getting blown back, his posture doesn't waver."
"Now that you mention it... that's true."
"That means he's intentionally jumping back. From what I can see, it seems like the girl's physical abilities are overwhelmingly superior. So when he gets hit with a sword, he jumps back to escape the force before his posture collapses."
"But doesn't that mean he's just running away? He's being pushed back so hard he can't counterattack, right?"
"No way, that's not it. It feels like he's intentionally taking a distance."
Logan firmly denied Eva's question.
"Pay attention to the movements of the Aura Swords around that guy and the girl. Don't you think the timing of the guy's Aura Sword stopping and the little missy's sword receiving the attack and retreating is almost the same?"
"...Ah, that's true... It's not like he can't operate it to defend himself, right?"
"Yes. The guy's Aura Sword stops moving when the little missy's Aura Sword operation slows down. He's probably waiting for her to regain control."
"...What for?"
"That's to create an opening to attack her. If he attacks her when she's off guard, the mock battle will end right there."
"...So, if he wants to decide the winner, he can do it anytime?"
"There's that much of a difference. Plus, that guy is only using [Parry] and [Dancing Aura Sword]. The little missy, on the other hand, is using various skills."
"Ah..."
Up until then, Eva finally realized.
As they observed the battle between the 2, Fiona was constantly using various skills. [Sword Dance] and [Dancing Aura Sword]. Furthermore, her dual swords always had [Aura Blade] imbued in them, and sometimes a flash of light from the aura could be seen on the soles of her feet when she moved. It was probably a high-speed movement skill [Speed Step]. And when the distance opened up, she would often use long-range attack skills like [Flying Slash].
On the other hand, Aaron only used [Parry] to deflect Fiona's sword and skill attacks, aside from his 2 [Dancing Aura Swords].
Was his magical energy total low, making it impossible for him to use many skills?
Or was he unable to activate other skills due to Fiona's intense attacks?
As Eva thought about it, such possibilities came to mind—but it was hard to believe that he couldn't use other skills when he was intentionally stopping his Aura Sword.
"The little missy has been getting stronger lately, but... compared to that guy, there's a huge difference in basic swordsmanship skills, aside from Jobs and skills. If that weren't the case, he wouldn't be able to teach like that."
"Yeah... what do you mean?"
Eva, who has hardly practiced sword training, can't understand Logan's point.
She tilts her head and asks, and the answer comes back quickly.
"Don't you think little missy's movements look overwhelmingly fast at first glance?"
"Yeah, they do."
"That's because little missy's movements are completely readable. If that weren't the case, the difference in speed would have already overwhelmed her."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense."
She understands when it's explained to her.
If there's that much of a difference in physical abilities, it's usually meaningless to talk about differences in technique. The physical abilities granted by combat Jobs and the skills that support them can easily make up for differences in technique.
That's why Jobs are absolute talents.
Thinking about the enormous effort Eva, who isn't a warrior, put in to acquire that talent, she can't help but feel a slight sense of respect.
"Amazing~desuwa..."
Fiona is a Swordsman with a Unique Job talent.
She's also extremely greedy for strength and doesn't spare any effort.
Someone who's being "taught" by a Swordsman like that must be incredibly strong, and...
"Logan, is that person awakened to a Unique Job?"
"No... judging from his fighting style and the skills he has used... he's an extremely experienced Advanced Swordsman Jobs explorer. Right now, he's overwhelming little missy with his technique and experience, but if little missy grows normally, she'll be able to catch up... well, that's the minimum estimate, anyway."
In other words, he's underestimating her actual abilities. So, what's the reality? Right now, there's an incredibly powerful person standing next to them in Labyrinth City.
Suddenly, Eva had a question and looked up at Logan beside her, asking directly.
"Can you win... if you, the legendary Sword Saint, were to fight?"
In most countries, having organized military power is a privilege. In Necronia, the explorer guild is an exception, but others are only allowed to have it with the "Council" and the [Four Great Families of the Seals].
And each of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] has its own private knight order.
Logan is currently the leader of the 'Demon Hawk Knights', a private knight order of the Kirkee family, but 10 years ago, he was an explorer and was known as the top-ranked explorer with the nickname "Sword Saint".
His abilities haven't declined even now.
No, it's possible that he's even stronger now than 10 years ago.
Logan is also a person who is greedy for his own strength, just like Fiona.
"Well... as the leader of the 'Demon Hawk Knights', I can't say I won't win even if my mouth is torn apart..."
Logan showed a fierce, beast-like smile, different from his usual calm one.
"I'd love to have a match with him. If we don't fight, I can't see the bottom of his abilities."
Eva thought deeply at his response.
A man who doesn't show the bottom of his abilities, even to Fiona. Today, she brought Logan along as a bodyguard, but it might be good to have him see through it... Just as she thought that, she heard a voice.
"Lady, it seems like it's almost over."
When she looked up, Fiona's battle was nearing its end.
Anyone could see that Fiona's movements were lacking in precision. She was breathing heavily, and the glow of [Aura Blade] had disappeared from her twin swords.
"Is her magical energy depleted?"
"Yes, that's right. It's only natural, considering how many skills she used. And she's been using [Sword Dance] continuously, after all."
Fiona, now in a fluster, swung her sword, but Aaron dodged it with the same movement he had been using since the start of the battle. He swung his sword twice, and Fiona's dual swords were easily knocked out of her hands. At the same time, he controlled his aura sword to crush Fiona's aura sword.
With her weapons gone, Fiona's throat was threatened by Aaron's sword, and behind her, 2 aura swords floated, their tips pointed at her.
It was an undeniable victory.
Fiona's physical strength and magical energy seemed to be at their limits, and the mock battle was likely over. The surrounding crowd murmured in disappointment at Fiona's defeat, and those who had lost their bets let out loud, bitter cries.
As Eva watched the 2 people talking in the center of the training grounds, she said to Logan.
"Logan, I want you to confirm that person's abilities for me."
"If it's the lady's request, I cannot refuse. Well, it's good if he can take it."
Chuckling, Logan walked towards the 2, and Eva followed after him.
It seemed like it was going to be a more interesting find than expected, she thought.
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