Just one day left before my duel with Mark. I'd been training non-stop, making sure my body was fully recovered. Yesterday, I resumed practicing my swordsmanship, and luckily, my body was holding up well. I'm thankful that I was able to recover this quickly, because it would be dire if my body didn't recover when I fought Mark in the duel tomorrow.
Curious about how the evolved Blackmore Swordsmanship felt as the Blackmore Katana Style, I headed to the forest behind the mansion to try it out on some trees.
I readied my katana and took a stance. Time to test the first skill.
<Blackmore Katana Style: Kazekiri>
Unexpectedly, the air slash was stronger, and its range was farther than ever.
"Wow! That was amazing...try the other skills!" Envi cheered excitedly.
This time, I felt I could execute the move a full second faster than before, and the force behind the slash was definitely stronger.
I also wanted to try out
I couldn't stop thinking about the skill that defeated the Berserker Troll King. I hoped to activate
"<Resonance: Karyuu no Issen!>"
...
Nothing happened. I must've looked like an idiot, standing there, puzzled.
"HAHAHA, you fool! You need magic or a magic source to use that skill. *Resonance* combines magic and swordsmanship, remember?" Envi lectured, sounding surprisingly smart this time.
"Ugh, that hurt, but you're right. Maybe I should boost my INT stat when I level up and start learning magic," I considered.
"That's not possible. The Blackmore family specializes in swordsmanship—no one uses magic. Only the family founder could wield dark magic," Envi reminded me of this important fact.
"Maybe, but I feel like Naoki's body here could handle mana well. Plus, his MP is pretty high," I defended.
"Fine, suit yourself. It's pointless, though. Naoki's just the family's useless leftover," Envi muttered dismissively.
"Even the trash might have hidden talents. Just watch and see!" I shot back with a grin.
...
I needed a training partner. I considered who might be available nearby, and only one person came to mind—Milly.
I went looking for Milly. Walking through the hallway, I glanced toward the Blackmore family training grounds and, to my surprise, saw Mark training hard. He was accompanied by Lilia, the maids, and his sword instructor, an A-Rank Knight. Milly had mentioned yesterday that Mark sometimes trained directly with the Patriarch and William.
Standing there, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider in my own family. I decided I'd keep training until Saturday to bring my body back to its best condition.
"All right, Envi! Let's give it everything we've got! We'll prove our worth in this messed-up family!" I shouted to Envi, full of enthusiasm.
"I'm too lazy. Besides, aren't you the only one training? Hahaha. Don't worry; when you're about to lose, I'll step in for you," Envi replied casually.
"Dammit, you're supposed to train with me, system!"
No matter how hard I tried, though, I couldn't seem to master the other Blackmore Swordsmanship moves. "What do you think, Envi?"
"Hmm...maybe you need direct training from the Patriarch. I think Mark already mastered all the Blackmore Swordsmanship techniques, thanks to his lessons with the Patriarch and William."
"Such blatant favoritism!" I thought to myself, frustrated but determined to stay strong.
...
I strolled to the Blackmore family's garden, where I spotted Milly lounging peacefully, sipping her tea. It seemed both Milly and Lilia shared the same fondness for tea and scenic relaxation. I approached Milly and greeted her.
"Hey Milly, looks like you're free. Could you help me out? I need a training partner," I asked, hopeful.
"Can't you see I'm busy? Try asking later," Milly huffed, turning away.
"Busy? You're clearly relaxing...ugh, alright, I'll treat you to some street snacks in the city after my duel with Mark." I dangled the offer as bait.
"You said snacks?! Hmm, fine. But don't get the wrong idea...I'm only helping you train, not rooting for you to win tomorrow!" she replied with a classic tsundere flair.
"I got it, I got it...come on, let's go."
We headed to the forest behind the mansion, where I'd been training earlier. Milly brought her weapon—a rapier, perfectly suited to someone like her.
"Why do we have to train in a place like this?" she grumbled.
"No choice; Mark's hogging the Blackmore family's main training grounds," I replied with a sigh.
"Fine, we're here now, but go easy on your sweet little sister, okay?" Milly lifted her rapier, prepared to strike.
"I'm just testing my skills, that's all..." I readied myself to counter her moves.
Milly lunged forward, thrusting her rapier at me swiftly. I managed to parry her strikes, but to my surprise, her speed was impressive. Despite her weaker attacks, her hands moved faster than I though. I checked her status. Milly had reached Level 20, which explained her newfound strength. She must have been secretly training on her own.
She suddenly sped up, moving to my blind spot and unleashed a skill.
A gust slashed through the air from her rapier. I reflexively dodged—she was stronger than I'd thought.
"Not bad dodging that from here...let's see if you can handle my next move!" Milly challenged.
"<Blackmore Swordsmanship, Second Form: Nisshou Giri (Eclipse Cut)!>" Milly attacked in a vertical crescent motion, the second form of Blackmore Swordsmanship. I'd never seen this one before.
I softly redirected her strike, feeling my vision and reflexes heighten. Perhaps this was a new effect of my evolving skill. I counterattacked, forcing Milly back a few meters as she prepared her next move.
"I'll get even faster! Can you keep up, big brother?" Milly taunted confidently.
"<Blackmore Swordsmanship, Third Form: Kasoseki (Acceleration)!>" Her speed doubled as she unleashed the third form. Her rapier strikes came at me in rapid succession, but I managed to deflect each one with Yanagi Uke.
I'd seen enough. I'd observed two new forms of Blackmore Swordsmanship and understood my own progress with
As she continued attacking, I moved quickly, grabbing her by the collar from behind.
"That's enough, Milly—I'm exhausted."
"What?? I wasn't done!" Milly pouted.
"I've got a good sense of my abilities now. Thanks for helping, Milly. You're strong—I'm proud of you," I said, attempting to soothe her.
"...Th-thanks, big brother. But you're amazing too, dodging everything! Did losing your memory make you sharper?" she asked innocently.
"Haha, that's a secret," I replied, patting her head.
"By the way, can you use the next form of Blackmore Swordsmanship?"
"Unfortunately, no. I've only mastered the first three forms. To learn more, I'd need direct training from the Patriarch, but I haven't had the chance...maybe because I'm a girl?" Milly said with a hint of sadness.
"That's not true. Girls are strong—you just proved it. Keep at it, and you'll get even stronger," I encouraged her.
"Hehe, thank you, big brother," Milly smiled sweetly.
...
With our training complete, I headed back to my room to rest up for tomorrow's duel. But on the way, I ran into Lilia in the dimly lit hallway. Her eyes narrowed as she looked me over, and a cold smirk curled on her lips.
"I see you're working hard, Naoki, even stooping to spar with Milly," she sneered. "But remember your place. You're nothing more than a failed hero—weak and disgraceful. Just accept it. Relax here and let Mark take over as the true Blackmore heir and Hero Candidate. Do that, and I promise you'll live a peaceful life, forgotten in the shadows."
Her words stung, but I refused to let her see it. Gritting my teeth, I shot back, "You've got to be kidding. I'll never yield to your precious Mark. I'll defeat him tomorrow—just watch!"
Lilia's gaze hardened, and she leaned closer, her voice a cold whisper. "You'll regret this, Naoki. You don't know what you're up against." She turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing down the hallway, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
"Ugh, that old hag!" I muttered.
"This just makes me more determined. Let's show them what we're made of tomorrow, Nao!" Envi growled, his voice buzzing with fierce energy.
"That's exactly what I intend to do," I replied, feeling my own resolve strengthening.
...
Finally, the day of the duel arrived. The morning sun cast an ominous light over the Blackmore Mansion, turning the training grounds into an arena of tension and anticipation. Servants and family members gathered, their gazes cold and calculating as they waited for the duel to begin.
I took a deep breath, gripping my katana tightly as I surveyed the field. Across from me, Mark stood with an arrogant grin, his eyes gleaming with confidence.
The pressure was immense, but I wouldn't let it crush me. I look at Envi, who, for once, this system seemed just as serious as I was.
"Are you ready, Nao?" he asked quietly.
"More than ever," I replied, my resolve solidified.
..
..
--Continued to the next chapter--