On that same night, Diether was tested by Tristan in a mock battle.
It was actually very simple since Tristan had seen Diether's match with Art a while ago.
They just exchanged a couple of sword strikes before he announced that Diether passed.
"Eh? Is that it?"
"Yup… Anyway, you still need to rest… We'll pick you up after a month…"
It seems that he didn't want to trouble Diether too much since he just came from a battle with Art.
This made not just Diether but also Reiji dumbfounded. At the very least, they learned that Tristan was a genuine Knight… He gave off the same feeling when they first saw Graham Frost a few months ago…
"Before you join the Sun Fire Knights, We will polish one of your techniques…" Reiji calmly said to Diether after they returned to his room.
"Master…"
The young man felt nervous after hearing this. It feels like his master was trying to hint at something. He was unable to ask his master as Reiji continued.
"You have your mission with Art, you said?"
"Yes, master… I'm practicing my sword skills with him. He's really good and he has a different fighting style than me…"
Diether then told his master about his battle against Art… The hanging guard stance that he used and his proficiency in countering instead of attacking.
It was completely his opposite style that utilizes his Spiritual Energy to its maximum. In any case, he was still 10 years old and this may be the most effective style for him.
"Alright… We'll begin the training every morning before you practice with Art… It's also your chance to sharpen your techniques with him… Be sure that you're not stuck with a single style. Try to give him an element of surprise…"
"I see… I will be doing that, master."
Two more weeks had passed and Diether managed to perfect one of his techniques through the help of his master.
It was his Mu No Kamae or No Stance…
His Jodan No Kamae was indeed powerful and could defeat most of his opponents so far. However, it was extremely taxing and his Spiritual Energy may not be enough in an extended battle.
Learning the former stance that he naturally discovered before would be extremely beneficial to Diether whenever he tries to recover his Energy.
Haah… Haah… Haah~
Diether was heavily breathing after his continuous training. He was trying to drain his Energy by hitting a dummy with his full force.
He's currently wearing the Hakama and Keikogi specially tailored for him. It feels new to him but he felt that he can easily get used to it. It also gives him a different aura whenever he practices the sword while wearing the clothes…
After a few more breaths, he managed to control his breathing and focus.
He was obviously utilizing his Spiritual Energy excessively a while ago, but this is part of his training.
Once he almost emptied his Energy… He would drop his hands and point his wooden sword to the ground to form his stance… It was his Mu No Kamae…
In this stance, only his sword technique would matter… It was also this time that Diether learned an even more effective counter than his daring Men-Kiriotoshi-Men.
Haa!
Diether suddenly moved… He took three quick steps forward and thrust his sword to the dummy…
Pah!
It was a clean strike and the dummy's body caved in… One could just imagine the force behind that powerful strike.
"Very good…"
Reiji was satisfied at the result of Diether's training and the young man only has to repeatedly practice this until his body got used to it.
"Haa… I still like the Fire Stance…"
Diether commented after getting his deserved rest…
"Well, I have the same thought… That stance only needed one downward swing to hit your opponent. Unlike other stance that requires you to pull your sword to gain momentum before swinging…"
Reiji paused before continuing…
"However, you will meet many types of opponents, they could be human, someone from a different race, or even Evil Beasts…"
"That's right…" Diether muttered softly as he realized what his master was trying to say. Everything was for his own sake.
On the same day that he learned the kamae, Reiji received the reward in one of his missions.
[ Congratulations! You have completed the Teacher II mission! ]
[ You have received 80 Skill Points. ]
[ New Mission Created ]
[ Hunt ]
[ Defeat any strong beast alone. You are allowed to use any skills or use your own ability.
Reward: 75 SP ]
"Oh… This is new…" Reiji commented after seeing the newly created mission.
He then glanced at his total Skill Points and felt satisfied… He now has 290 SP! It was a huge amount and he was getting near to his targeted points.
"Alright… I'll complete all the other missions once I've settled the kid…"
For the rest of the remaining weeks, Reiji taught many things to Diether…
It wasn't just about the sword techniques but also about life.
That's right, Diether was still so young so he wanted to make sure that he would still grow up into a fine and dignified sword practitioner someday.
"Master, I won't disappoint you… I will become one of the finest swordsmen within the Knights Order!"
"Heh… You don't have to… Didn't you say that you wish to help your sister restore your family's name? Although you're living like a commoner… You're still a son of a baron family… You are still a noble. Establish your nobility and it would also make your mother proud… Who knows, maybe your father would return someday…"
Reiji was already aware of Diether's situation since he heard his conversation with Aria before. Diether also didn't feel the need to hide it from his master.
Anyway, Reiji knows that Diether still cares a lot about his mother and he admires that…
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The noise of a luxurious horse carriage caught the attention of the villagers. It was completely different from the carriage made here in the village.
As they ponder about the identity of the people riding it, two gentlemen alighted. It was Tristan and Selani. They have returned to the village to pick up Diether. This time, they brought two more kids who had about the same age as Diether…