Chereads / the smudged man / Chapter 3 - ch03

Chapter 3 - ch03

Miura Ember\

We didn't say anything to one other at all. The sound of our feet treading on the paved road was all that could be heard. Despite having the same classes and me working as his personal maid next to my mother, my master and I were not at all close. I don't believe we have had a single conversation together in the past eight years. The previous years had been nothing more than commands from him; yesterday's talk was the first.

 

Wearing my combat uniform, with my personal training sword at my waist, I walked confidently in front, while my master, who was still yawning, walked with heavy, lazy steps a few steps behind me, a waterproof jacket and overalls, long black boots that made funny noises with every step, a hat to protect his head from the sun, in his right hand a long fishing rod that dangled with every step, and in the other hand his fishing gear.

 

It does not seem that my master took my request seriously, since he asked for permission yesterday. He was planning to spend the whole day fishing. I wanted to turn around and remind him of what he promised me, but I decided to keep the matter in my chest until we reached the lake.

 

The lake was only a few minutes away. when we arrived. My master passed me and went to the boat without paying any attention to me. I should not let him enter the lake.

 

 "Master, could you please hold on for a short while??"

 

"Yes?"

 

"Master, do you still recall what I asked for yesterday?"

 

"Well, that... Miura, are you sure about that? You will obtain better results if you ask someone else".

 

Thank God, he remembers.

 

"Yes, I have no doubts about it. You are the best fighting companion there is, master."

 

My master sighed and set down his fishing gear on the ground, still holding his fishing rod in his right hand and leaning on it. He gestured for me with his left hand to hurry. My master never considered me an opponent in the first place. His eyes were already gazing at the lake. 

I was furious beyond measure. Yes, I know that there is a huge difference between us. My master classified as one of the kingdom's weapons the moment he was born, but for him to not even look at me was an insult to all my hard training. I unsheathed my sword and launched myself toward my opponent, who began yawning.

 

silhouette... My sword passed through the silhouette left by my master.

 

"Ouch." It was definitely not my master who made that sound.

 

"What was that? Do you want to wake everyone up in the forest with your steps?" Behind me, he hit me on the head with his fishing rod.

 

So fast, I didn't even hear his steps, and then he was behind me, staring at me mockingly. This is the difference between a human and a monster.

 

"Can you see the big difference between us now? You must become a sorcerer first." With steady steps, he headed towards the lake. Once again, I rushed toward him. It is true that I was not a sorcerer, but I will definitely become one day.

 

He didn't vanish this time. I saw him twist to sidestep my sword swing and then turn again, doing a complete circle, to stand behind me. my sword swing went into the air as I swung it behind me. my master swooped down to stay out of my swing. This time, instead of swinging, I stabbed the blade directly at him; he tilted his throat, allowing the stab to bypass him.

 

This was the closest I had ever, swung my sword to his naked neck, but my master's fall to the earth was too swift for my swing to catch, and her blade hardly touched his hat.

 

Lying on the ground and looking at the sky in the middle of the fight—this is the difference in skill between us. However, I raised my sword high, and with force, I stabbed it towards my master, who rolled away before my sword hit the ground. He continued to roll until he rolled through a patch of mud as if it were dry land, and then he stopped. He stood with clothes and hair stained with mud. My master smiled confidently, but I could see it was just a front. He confirmed my claim by quickly passing me and jumping into the lake.

 

My master emerged from the lake, completely submerged up to his ankles. He grabbed the fishing gear and pushed the boat into the lake without even looking at me. I exhaled. This scene signaled the end of my training, I put away my wooden sword and moved over to the side of the boat where I could sit with him.

 

"Master, I apologize for sullying your clothes."

 

He set the bait on the hook and replied, "There is no need to apologize; I agreed to fight you in a duel."

 

"I don't think it can be called a duel." I laughed.

 

"You're too slow.".

 

"That's why I asked you to train me." Indeed, my attacks are awkward, and I move slowly, but that's only if you compare me to a monster like you, master. Master Nemo additionally indicated that I'm becoming better.

 

"Why me, though? Aren't you training under Master Nemo?" 

 

"Yes, this is true, but for the past six months, I feel like I am stuck at a certain point and cannot move forward..."

 

He interrupted me, saying, "If you want to ask about sorcery, I am the last person in this world who can give you an answer. If you want guidance, you can ask my father."

 

"You misunderstood me, master. I did not want to ask you about that. The reason I asked you and not anyone else is..."

"Shhh," he said, putting his finger on my lips and holding his fishing rod tightly. There was movement in the water.

 

With his eyes on the lake, my master remained in his place. I sat in silence, waiting for him to allow me to speak. The sound of leaves was the only thing that could be heard in this oppressive silence.

 

The line moved again. My master did not move an inch, nor did the rod, which was like an extension of his arm. The fish's whereabouts could be ascertained from the water's waves, but my master remained fixed in his place like a boulder, He shifted his hand just a little bit, just when I thought the fish would survive to see another day. A fountain materialized, akin to a bomb dropping into water. I saw a lot of dark creatures in the air. He tossed the fishing pole to the boat's bottom. He knelt, then leaped to the fountain he had created.

 

I stumbled back, my heart racing as the boat rocked violently, nearly tipping over. I desperately tried to keep my balance, my clothes drenched in the cold water of the lake. I glanced up to see my Master standing on the shore, seemingly unfazed by the commotion he had caused.

 

There was something black and very active in his arms. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a fish. My master was dripping, much like the fish he was carrying. The fish attempted to break free and go back to its home, but its master's firm hold prevented it from doing so.

 

My master used to go to the lake occasionally. I had never gone with him on one of his trips. This was the first. It was also the first time I had seen this method of fishing. that's If it's called fishing at all, monsters really think differently than us humans.

 

"Are you ok?"

My master asked me as if he were not the one who got my clothes wet. If it were not for me holding on to the boat and my balance—thank you, Master Nemo—I would be with the family of that poor fish in the depths right now.

 

"Yes, master, I'm all right. Thanks for your concern." I must respect him regardless of his actions since he is still my master and the son of a good family. Therefore, I must keep all of my rage inside of me.