After visiting the medic and having Maria's special saliva heal my wound, I returned to the field to find most knights all standing at attention.
It seemed because I came, the Knight Commander was going to make an effort today.
"At ease, men! Today, we have a new squire who dares to face our entry test!" The voice of Anduin, the man who held the title of Knight Commander, filled the air. His dishevelled beard, stained with spit and crumbs, was a stark contrast to the noble image one would expect from a leader of his stature.
This was the man who would lead us?
What a mockery the current state of humanity is. Unaware, they are that the Demon Queen is already amassing her forces, preparing for a war that could shatter our world.
"Now then, Lord Valerius Noctis, here, your noble title and past achievements are meaningless! Step forward and choose your weapon. Our ace Claire Ravenscroft will test your capabilities!"
It seems these higher-level knights know her true identity, while the squires and cannon fodder are clueless, thinking she is a commoner.
To think she would be my enemy, the woman who taught me how to fight, would become my testing post?
"Milady, Claire. I would be honoured if you fought me with all you have. I shall never go easy on a fellow knight."
[Crusader Hero - Claire Ravenscroft Affection Points +2]
[Crusader Hero - Claire Ravenscroft felt delighted you treated her like a knight and didn't treat her especially!]
[Current Affection Points: 8]
[Affection Level: Neutral]
This girl is going to be in my bed before she even realises what's happening...
Honestly, I believe being reborn as this race changed my thoughts to become more vulgar and increased my lust.
Though I don't think it matters, I am not a human anymore but a demon. Why limit myself? Isn't that just doing the same as the heroes did in my last life? Except I am doing it to myself like a fool.
Use anything, no matter how dirty or underhanded... I want a slow and easy life with these powerful women taking care of my troubles.
"Sir Noctis! Please choose your weapon, though I do not know if you have practised before. I hope they are to your liking."
There is only one weapon to choose to impress her. I know the reason she uses an oversized sword and what it means to her when someone uses it with respect.
I am underhanded and vile, bite me.
"Then I will choose this weapon, Milady." My hands grasped the only greatsword, slowly sliding my hand over the black grip. This sword didn't have any special features, a simple blunted blade made with poor quality iron materials.
However, I slid my palm along the flat of the blade and swung the blade with a howl of wind, testing it with a serious look on my face. I noticed many knights looking at me in shock—however, once holding the heavy sword, I revealed my muscles.
Imagine a half-elf known for being dainty and pretty, holding an enormous sword and flexing their amazing biceps. Hahaha, you poor guys!
My eyes lifted, looking at Claire with me, trying to narrow them to create a fierce impression. Though I could see Maria in the background, swooning and blowing me kisses, making my lips twitch.
"Engarde, beautiful knight, I shall fight you with my best abilities!" With those words, spoken with my most charming and deep voice, I stood using the same stance as Claire.
Her father's Ox Stance with the blade pommel hovering over my right shoulder and the blade pointing forward towards her chest.
"That stance!?" Her beautiful eyes widened as she copied my stance but with the opposite hand leading. Claire, unlike her father, was left-handed. A secret gripe she felt even after becoming a hero, though she soon changed during our journey and became closer to the hero.
"My hero used this style. I only managed to learn thanks to my father's help. Though I haven't reached mastery, let me use this style to take my first step as a knight."
I could see the moment her affection changed, my demon eyes able to see the tiny smirk on her face, the way her nose lifted and flared with her eyebrows.
This girl was proud of her father.
**
[Crusader Hero - Claire Ravenscroft Affection Points +5]
[You already understood the heroine's desire! Good work, lover boy]
[Current Affection Points: 12]
[Affection Level: Interest]
[Congratulations on reaching a new affection rating with a Heroine!]
[You have gained two rewards!]
[Reward 1: Mastery of the Ravenscroft Greatsword Style]
[Reward 2: Increased Dynamic vision and reaction speed]
**
Immediately after, the seductive voice whispered in my mind, likely the goddess blessing me having some fun. My muscles tingled—the position of the sword pommel lowered, hooked in the groove of my shoulder, while the blade pointed towards Claire's abdomen with a more diagonal stance.
I had so many errors in just the basic stance!?
"Are you both prepared? This match is the usual rule. The first to strike their opponent three times or drop their opponent's weapon wins." Anduin's voice resounded before he pulled back a shortbow with a noisemaking arrow.
"Match commence!"
Claire immediately charged forward, lifting her sword in front of her to read my movement. The tip of her blade glimmered as it approached my chin. Her eyes couldn't hide her shock upon seeing my changed stance.
I found my body light. In fact, it felt so light I wasn't sure if I held such a massive sword; also my eyes saw her movements in such pristine definition, even the beads of sweat and her pores were in clear sight.
To respond to her movements, I stepped forward, my right hand pushing outwards to block her blow. I realised I was stronger, while she felt shocked by my counter. My other hand shifted the weight of my sword, my hands changing positions to allow me to parry her with one hand, using my pommel to strike her blade and alter the balance as my other hand dropped to swing at her thigh.
The blade was blunt and covered in leather for safety, so when my blade struck her, it didn't harm her armour—even if it had pierced the leather, her leg would have bruised at most, which she could heal.
Claire wasn't an amateur—she tried to flick her blade and strike me on the retreat, only for my right arm to lift my blade to deflect her weak strike.
"One point!"
Claire stumbled back. The moment her eyes locked with mine, she shivered. It was a new feeling for me, but I understand.
"Lord Valerius, are you an experienced swordsman?"
"I love the sword."
[Crusader Hero - Claire Ravenscroft Affection Points +2]
"Then let's keep going!"
The sound of iron clashing filled the training field. A beautiful woman danced before me with her golden hair tied up and her lovely eyes watching nothing but me.
It felt romantic, a nostalgic feeling from my past now reversed. In the past, I was the one chasing her, unable to keep up.
I cannot believe I can beat her in this life... I feel a lot of my hatred fading seeing her frustrated and lovely face!
Sorry, hero, I am going to make this woman mine!
Her eyes widened as the tip of my blade pressed against her throat; during the battle, many things changed, and she looked at me with eyes of wonder.
"Sir Noctis... haa.....haa..."
"That's three strikes!" Anduin's voice resounded behind us both as my sword struck Claire's neck. Her eyes observed me, the two of us moving closer and whispering for a moment.
"Can you teach me that stance, Sir Noctis?" Her eyes seemed to glisten as she asked me, her eyes not the same as her personality.
"Of course. If you don't mind, I could use a sparring partner. You can repay me by joining me for a drink at the local tavern."
Those were the only words we exchanged before going our separate ways; after that, I didn't really focus. The Knight Commander seemed excited. I noticed Claire watching me for the next three hours.
I still had a long way to go, but the Crusader Hero was curious about me!