We stopped in front of what seemed like a barrack. Soldiers going in and out, weapons at the display, some savoring smoke meat near the fireplace while some training at a distance it was quite a display.
I wonder why Clair brought me here though.
"You have to choose a sword. My lady wishes to examine your swordsmanship"
"What!? Of all the things a sword I have zero familiarity with these things"
"Yes I expected as such but lady wishes to see you fight nonetheless"
Wait a second. Aren't most people who get brought to another world, use a sword? Then maybe... just maybe if I touch a certain weapon I might get skills related to that weapon.
'Figures... I haven't got a cheat yet cause I haven't touched a single weapon'. But now things are gonna change.
Seeing staring blankly at the weapon seemingly in a daze Clair went ahead and scavenged among the pile and ended up with a basic sword. She extended her arms in a gesture to pass it onto me.
This is the moment! This is the moment when I will get my skill.
Probably a notification or something will pop-up showing 'you have obtained an iron sword' or maybe 'You have acquired Sword Skill Lvl1' etc So, without further delay I took hold of the sword and waited for the notification. But ALAS nothing happened.
'What the hell? Do I need to spout some magic words or something?'
"Arise my holy sword. Huh?" nothing happened "Arise my holy sword, Excalibur" nothing happened... "Abra- Ka- Darbra"... "I shall beseech thee on thy name, answer to thy call"..."Firebolt"...
"Have you lost your mind?" Clair said with an annoyed expression. At this point, my head was red in shame. No matter what I tried nothing worked. "I am sorry, it was the first time I had seen a sword so I was a bit excited."
"Hmm I can see that" she puffed, "Now follow me"
I complied. As I followed her two people entered my sight. One was the stranger and the other was Lapis.
"You have to fight him. He is Sir Neil who has recently been recruited as a knight under my lady. He is proficient with the sword and is trained to be among the cavalry."
There was a man in his late 20s standing in front of me.
Standing short and diminutive with fair skin, this man had a rebellious feel about him.
He has alert dark green eyes and his very short, thick, brown hair is styled with a military cut.
He was wearing ambiguous clothes that were loose and flowing.
As for Lapis she sat crossed leg under the umbrella sipping the red drink kept beside her from time to time.
What is that drink? Don't tell me it's blood. I have my doubts. After all, she likely wants to force me into a life-death struggle while she is enjoying watching my suffering.
Don't tell me she wants to kill me? Is she being a yandere? Oh God please save me from this hungry woman.
I took a glance at my sword, an iron one at that. It's heavy, a bit too heavy. All I have swung before are bamboo swords. And when I swing this, I feel my hands are going to fall off.
My eyes drifted to the burly man in front of me with a wooden sword in his hand. Are different materials to give me a handicap? That's not going to help me. I am just a normal guy who just used to fool around on earth. How do you expect me to fight when I haven't even yet awakened my cheats? This isn't fair! This isn't fair at all!!
Wait, let's be positive. What if I am to awaken my power or cheat in this fight?
Yes, that's it! This is one of those events where the protagonist awakens a hidden power just after being on the verge of losing the fight. So, I just have to lose this fight and then… Ulala.
After receiving the thumps up the sign from Lapis, Clair voiced out, "There are no specific rules for this match, however, both of you should avoid causing the other heavy injuries if possible."
At that, the knight in front of me nodded and I followed suit.
Normally I will be cautious but since I have to lose this match anyway, what's the use of going to such lengths. After awakening my cheat, I will turn the nearly lost match into an overwhelming victory. The plan is full proof! I am amazed at how much of a genius I am to make such a marvelous plan.
"The match will begin at the count of three. 3.. 2… 1… Start!!"
The knight-san didn't even bat an eye and came at me at full speed to score the first hit.
I should at least make sure to protect my vitals.
The knight sidestepped to the right while he ran towards me. Reaching he ducked maintaining his momentum and went for an uppercut.
'Holy cow! He is aiming for my balls!'
This is worse than a life and death situation. I don't want to live the rest of my life as a eunuch.
The danger was too much, my body somehow reacted accordingly and blocked his onslaught with a downward slash. The sound of the sword slicing the wind entered my ears.
*swish*
And then came to the clash of the swords.
A pain crept through my hands, and my sword went sailing and got stuck in the ground. Shit! I knew the sword was too heavy, these people are here to just mock me. My girlfriend must be behind all of this!.
"Since Steve is no longer able to fight Mr. Neil is the victor" Clair interrupted the match with her speech.
To which I rebuked, "Foul play! This is foul play! My sword was purposely made heavy!"
There is no other explanation than this, after all, when people reincarnate in another world they can wield the sword and can swing it like its child play. Those certainly couldn't have been so heavy.
"Pft" it seemed like Lapis was trying hard to hold back her laughter. Of course, you will laugh, your prank was successful after all.
Clair however seemed visibly disappointed, "I can testify that the sword wasn't doped. You have already have been given a handicap as it is, don't make yourself into more of a clown"
The knight grinned, clearly looking down on me he sheathed his sword. Why does a shitty wooden sword now have a scabbard all of a sudden?
Temper rose to my head. 'You know what, f*ck cheat, I will unlock it later, let me end this match now'
"What are you sheathing your sword for? I haven't given up have I? So, I haven't lost the match either"
The knight grinned, "I commend you on your grit young boy but it was a one-sided match. Furthermore, I will never attack an unarmed foe. You lost the match as soon as you let go of your sword…"
He couldn't complete his sentence as his face got distorted.
I punched him really hard after all. "I commend you on your chivalry young knight but if you can't wield your weapons in front of me, then fight me unarmed."
I stood at my place when I spouted all that to make myself look a bit op. But as soon as I finished, I immediately jumped towards the knight.
Grabbing his head with both of my hands I swung my leg and planted my knee on his face. Retracting my hands, I took my stance preparing for any possible counter-attack however there was no need for that as I saw blood spouting from his nose as laid on his back.
I bent over and checked his pulse. My kick wasn't enough to kill him since I avoided his vitals on purpose but I was afraid that the impact he received as he crumpled might not have left his head unscathed.
It could have been fatal.
Luckily though his pulse was fine.
"It seems that you can defend yourself at least," said Clair "Can I something random?"
"Yes, I don't see why not? You are my friend, are you not?"
Avoiding my question she continued, "Unlike me, I have never seen you holding any reverence for my lady. That being the case, why didn't you defend yourself when my lady lashed at you?"
Ouch, that hurt my feelings, just because I accepted the thrashing doesn't mean I am a weakling.
"Why you ask? It's cause I love her" I spoke my heart out.
Clair was taken aback by the response. But I don't understand the reason behind her reaction. What I said was true, I just can't get angry at my girl for acting a bit spoiled, can I?
I don't know what caused that reaction but it's surely not the sneeze from before. I am sure there must be a misunderstanding and I will make up with her when the right time comes.