I Learned It from You (2)
'This is a lie!'
Lionel couldn't believe what he was seeing. Something completely absurd was happening.
He briefly wondered if their techniques had been leaked, but that was impossible. That kind of knowledge wasn't something a wandering mercenary mage could pick up so easily.
Besides, the technique the opponent was using looked even more refined. As if the flaws had been corrected, and it had reached a higher level altogether.
"Y-You, where did you learn that?!"
Lionel's shocked expression only made Ghislain chuckle.
'I learned it from you.'
He had already seen Lionel use those advanced techniques in his dreams. And after conquering the Lutania Kingdom, he had mastered both the mana training method and combat techniques of House Ladran.
So the shield technique Ghislain was showing now could be said to be one Lionel would master in the future.
Ghislain said nothing and just kept smiling, which only made Lionel's rage boil over.
'Black magic? Is it some kind of illusion spell? But how? Am I hallucinating?'
It was a ridiculous assumption, but that was how confused Lionel was.
"Grrraaagh!"
Gritting his teeth, Lionel launched another attack.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
No matter how many times he tried, Lionel couldn't break through Ghislain's defense.
As his attacks were repeatedly blocked, Lionel grew more and more frustrated, swinging his sword and shield in desperation.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
His stance began to fall apart, and more openings became apparent. Seeing that, Ghislain clicked his tongue.
"Pathetic. If you're just going to recklessly charge in like that, why bother using a shield at all?"
"What did you say?"
"The foundation of your family's swordsmanship is patience. It's not about pushing the enemy—it's about drawing them in and wearing them down. Maintaining an ironclad formation so the enemy doesn't even think to challenge you."
"You, you think you can talk like that just because you know a little?!"
Lionel's face flushed red. Who didn't know that? He knew it better than anyone.
Gradually inflicting damage and forcing the enemy to surrender in the end because they couldn't withstand it anymore.
That was the ultimate goal of their family's sword style.
But what do you do if no attack works? Just sit and wait?
Clang!
Once more, Lionel's sword clashed with Ghislain's shield.
Ghislain smiled as he spoke.
"Yeah, everyone knows the theory. But do you know why it doesn't work in actual combat?"
"...You bastard."
"Because you don't have confidence. Because you haven't trained until your body moves on its own. I'll show you now—try blocking this."
BOOM!
Ghislain shoved forward with his shield. Already worn out from his overexerted attacks, Lionel lost his balance instantly.
Even when he tried to regain his stance and focus on defense, it wasn't easy. Ghislain had closed the gap before he knew it and was swinging his cudgel at an odd angle.
Clang!
Lionel barely raised his shield to block it, but Ghislain again used his own shield to push Lionel back.
THUD!
"Urgh!"
This time, Lionel was knocked over. It was a strike with perfect timing.
"W-What... What is this…?"
Lionel sat on the ground, stunned.
It was perfect.
Ghislain, with his shield raised just below his eyes and his stance lowered, looked like an impregnable fortress—utterly untouchable.
'N-No way. There's no way that... that dark mage could be more skilled than me!'
Lionel sprang to his feet.
Had this been a real fight, he might already be dead. He knew that deep down, but he couldn't bring himself to accept it. Roaring, he charged again.
"Raaaaghhhh!"
BOOM!
Ghislain raised his shield again. This time, unlike usual, he fully demonstrated what it meant to fight using a shield.
Now all that remained was to make his opponent understand.
Wearing a wicked grin, Ghislain raised his cudgel.
"Don't forget—you must block the attack first, then counter to subdue your opponent. Like this."
THWACK!
The well-measured strike slammed into Lionel's head. A flash of light burst before his eyes, and his vision blurred.
'Huh? What was that?'
He felt the ground rushing up toward him. In his dazed state, he thought:
'Ah, so this is what it feels like to lose consciousness. Wow, that's kinda cool.'
Even in his haze, Ghislain's voice came through clearly.
"A frustrated opponent who fails to land attacks grows impatient and loses composure. Once they're worn out and off-balance, press them like a mountain bearing down."
THWACK!
Lionel suddenly felt a jolt like lightning in his ribs. His mind snapped back to clarity.
"GRAAAAAH!"
It felt like his ribs had shattered. The pain was overwhelming. But it didn't stop there.
Ghislain's voice came again.
"That's when it really begins. But don't rush. Slowly find the openings and break them down one by one."
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
Ghislain's cudgel rained down without mercy. When Lionel looked like he was about to fall, another swing from the other side would smack him upright again.
"GAHHHH! What the hell?!"
Lionel couldn't even fall over if he wanted to. He was amazed that a person could be beaten like this.
Yet every word Ghislain spoke lodged itself deep in his mind.
"When your opponent is utterly broken, that's when victory is truly yours. No need to be flashy. No need to aim for a one-hit kill. Just keep going—steadily, stubbornly. That's your sword."
THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!
"Guhhh…"
Ghislain's beatdown went on for quite a while. The mercenaries watching yawned.
They had all seen this before—this bizarre "training" was what Ghislain used whenever he wanted to quickly boost someone's skills.
"S-Stop..."
At some point, Lionel had dropped both his sword and shield. He was now whimpering, voice trembling. He felt utterly defeated.
He had lost not only his holy power but even a pure physical contest to a mage.
Then a terrible thought crossed Lionel's mind.
'Wait… Was I just a frog in a well all this time?'
Now that he thought about it, everyone had only ever praised him. They said he was talented, excellent.
So he really believed he was strong. But out here in the real world, he was getting smacked around by lowly mercenaries.
And not just by that weird guy with two names. Even Yulian and Kyle were just as strong as him.
What about Iraliel, the high elf chieftain? Or Lahamod from the Salvation Church, who fought her?
They were all on a level he couldn't even dream of reaching.
At last, Lionel understood the truth of the world.
'I… I was just a chump.'
Thud.
Having completely misunderstood his place in the world, Lionel sat down and began to cry.
"Bwaaaaah… What the hell… All that effort I put in until now… Bwaaaaah…"
"..."
Ghislain stopped his "training." Honestly, he hadn't expected Lionel to cry like that.
"...You okay?"
"I-I thought I was strong… But even a mage beats me up and lectures me… Buhohohoho…"
"......"
It wasn't every day you saw a grown man cry that pitifully. So no one said a word as they watched Lionel sob.
They all realized Lionel was misunderstanding something.
'It's not that you're weak.'
'That guy is just too strong.'
'The comparison was flawed from the beginning.'
Back when he had holy power, Lionel had been close to the level of a high-level knight.
He couldn't display that same strength now that his holy power was gone, but with diligent training in mana cultivation, he could reach that level again soon.
Ghislain knew this, which is why he tried to help Lionel rebuild his fundamentals. He planned to teach him everything, even techniques from the future that were already complete.
The plan had been to knock Lionel down a peg and correct his mindset.
He just hadn't expected him to crumble so easily. Even the other mercenaries hadn't broken down that fast.
'Hmm, guess the shock was too much.'
For someone with a strong sense of pride, recovery is hard once they've collapsed. He would need to adjust accordingly.
"That's enough for today."
There was no point in continuing the fight. Lionel now clearly understood the difference in their skill levels.
It was time to comfort him. And someone here was very good at that role.
"Are you alright?"
Deneb ran over and released holy power on Lionel. Since the injuries weren't serious, the bruises on his body faded quickly.
"Sniff... Sniff…"
"Please don't be too discouraged. Ghislain is just really strong—it's not that you're weak. See? No one here is surprised. Ghislain is actually better at fighting with his body than with magic. Magic is just like a hobby for him, something he uses because it's convenient."
"Sniff…"
Deneb's kind words warmed Lionel's heart. It felt like she was the only one taking his side in this place.
He felt a bit sorry for having treated such a kind priest so harshly.
Magic as a hobby, huh? That bastard really was a monster among monsters.
'I was acting all smug without even realizing that…'
Lionel was embarrassed. He was ashamed of showing off without real skill, ashamed for getting beat up, and even more ashamed for bawling like a child.
So he wiped his tears and said gruffly,
"It's nothing. Just got something in my eye. I wasn't crying. There seems to be a lot of fine dust around here."
"...Ah, yes."
Lionel staggered to his feet, then glared at Ghislain.
"I admit defeat. But one day, I will surpass you."
"That's the right attitude. From now on, give it your all in the training I lead."
"That's what I want. I'll do anything if it means getting stronger."
Lionel decided to let go of his lingering attachment to holy power.
He resolved to learn everything he could, surpass his limits, and become something greater than human.
As much as it stung, everything that guy had said had been true.
Seeing that, Ghislain smiled in satisfaction.
"That attitude's good enough to start learning. Also, you're now a member of our mercenary band. Don't forget—you're the rookie."
"Grrr…"
Lionel gritted his teeth. That was a very troublesome condition.
If the papacy found out later, he'd definitely be reprimanded. He was in a completely different league than low-ranking priests like Deneb.
But he had already made a vow. He had also lost his holy power. Rejecting it now would only make him look worse.
"Fine. I'm now a member of the Yulian Mercenary Corps. Since I joined late, I'll accept being treated as the rookie. But I do think it's a bit unfair if I'm the only one treated that way."
"What do you mean?"
Lionel pointed to Erenes, who was sitting atop the cart.
"That elf joined later than me. Shouldn't she also be considered a rookie? She's living way too comfortably."
"...Hmm."
Ghislain crossed his arms and thought. To be honest, Erenes's position in the mercenary group was a bit vague.
Just look at her. She was lounging on the cart with her legs crossed, being waited on by the other mercenaries.
"Miss, please try this fruit."
"Miss, this is a jerky I was saving for a special day."
"Miss, this wine is absolutely divine."
She was being treated like a noblewoman. Erenes accepted the offerings with a haughty look, as if it were only natural.
The simple-minded mercenaries had started revering the elf with great respect. Her elven mystique and proud demeanor created that atmosphere.
Of course, the fact that she was incredibly strong also played a big role.
Erenes enjoyed that treatment in the most human way possible.
But for someone like Lionel, who was rigid and by-the-book, that didn't fly. He was determined to make her a junior member too.
Noticing this, Erenes smirked and said,
"Human, I'm not the rookie in the mercenary group. If anything, I'm more of a guest."
"What? A guest? Didn't you also join the mercenary band?"
"I just came along to protect the Blessing Stone. So... you could say I'm participating as a guest member. In a way, that makes me sort of a guest."
She was saying she didn't want to be the rookie—in a very elegant, roundabout way.
Lionel's lips twitched. He looked like he was trying to think of a rebuttal.
"......"
"What's wrong? Can't accept that?"
"...Don't be ridiculous."
"Don't be so nitpicky. You're just a kid."
"......"
He had nothing to say once age was brought up. No matter how young she looked, Erenes was definitely older.
Erenes lifted her chin proudly with the expression of someone who had won. She was using her age to her advantage in the most human way possible.
Ghislain still found her behavior both strange and amusing.
'Geez... No one would believe this story if I told them.'
In any case, the other mercenaries all nodded in agreement at her words. They supported her without a second thought.
"Yeah, yeah. No way someone like Miss Elf should be the rookie in the group."
"Of course. If someone like Erenes started doing grunt work, people would criticize us."
"Besides, even if she looks young, she's probably way older than us, right? She could be grandma-tier!"
BOOM!
"GAHH!"
The mercenary who mentioned "grandma" went flying, blasted away by a spirit explosion.
With public opinion firmly against him, Lionel had no choice. He would have to be the youngest alone.
"...I'll be in your care."
With Lionel's declaration of defeat, the internal hierarchy was settled.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had been walking on eggshells around uptight Lionel for too long.
They were still scared to treat him completely like a rookie, but at least the journey wouldn't be so tense anymore.
As they traveled, Ghislain, as usual, helped the mercenaries with their training. He especially began properly teaching Lionel the swordsmanship and mana cultivation method of House Ladran.
After a few days of that, Ghislain fell into thought.
"Hmm... This is going to take longer than I thought."
The next destination was still quite far. With their current numbers, they couldn't move as fast as Ghislain wanted.
It would be better to divide the group and proceed with a smaller team.
Just as he made up his mind and was about to gather the others, he spotted a group of people approaching in the distance.
At first, he thought nothing of it. But after getting a good look at them, Ghislain furrowed his brow.
'Refugees?'
Everyone was carrying belongings, their faces stricken with fear. There were many children and elderly among them.
As Ghislain approached on horseback, the people fell to the ground and cried out.
"Please save us!"
"Are you soldiers sent by the lord?"
"Please evacuate us to somewhere safe!"
Everyone shouted in confusion. Ghislain raised his hand to calm them and asked,
"...What happened? We're mercenaries."
Only then did the people begin to stammer out an explanation.
"M-Monsters suddenly appeared and destroyed our village! They're killing everyone!"
"It's dark mages! Dark mages showed up and released a bunch of chimeras!"
"They appeared in our village too! It's chaos everywhere!"
Hearing their desperate cries, Ghislain clicked his tongue.
He could already guess what was going on.
The Salvation Church bastards must be getting desperate now.
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