Rogelio lowered his stance and dashed toward Arthur, performing a vertical slash.
Arthur raised his sword with one hand and blocked Rogelio's attack.
"Damn, he's like a boulder," Rogelio said.
Arthur then swung his sword, pushing Rogelio back. Rogelio dashed again, but this time, he performed a thrust.
Arthur used his sword to redirect Rogelio's attack.
Rogelio kept attacking, but Arthur redirected every attack without moving from his position.
Arthur said, "So, Jay, have you mastered the basic attack patterns and footwork? Your speed is lacking, but your strength is around B-rank, so reaching B-rank isn't far off for you now."
Rogelio smiled, but Arthur added, "Don't smile yet, because I'm going to attack you now. Defend yourself, and let's see your defensive skills."
Arthur dashed at Rogelio so quickly that it shocked him.
Rogelio blocked the attack, but it was so strong it sent him backward. Arthur dashed again, closing the gap instantly, and stabbed at Rogelio.
Rogelio attempted to redirect the attack, but Arthur's sword was so solid that it couldn't be redirected.
The blade stopped just an inch away from stabbing Rogelio.
Shaking and breathing heavily, Rogelio sat down, looked at Arthur, and said, "That almost killed me."
Arthur smiled. "But it didn't. Your defensive skill is average. You've leveled it up from basic defense. I guess you're suited to be a firm swordsmanship specialist."
Rogelio asked, "Firm swordsmanship?"
"There are four types of swordsmanship," Arthur explained:
Swift Swordsmanship: An attack-focused style that uses speed and flexibility to close distances instantly, attacking with precision while dodging enemy attacks.
Firm Swordsmanship: A defensive style that uses the sword to redirect and deflect attacks while having the strength to block them.
Guardian Swordsmanship: A balanced style using both sword and shield, equally emphasizing attack and defense.
Heavy Swordsmanship: A style that uses a greatsword for powerful strikes. While slow, the wide blade provides strong defense and devastating attacks."
"So, which one are you, teacher?" Rogelio asked.
"I use both Swift and Firm Swordsmanship, but I'm a Firm specialist. For now, you'll learn both Swift and Firm styles, but we'll focus on Firm Swordsmanship as your specialty."
Rogelio nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir!"
Arthur continued, "But before that, you're not taking any quests until your training is complete. You'll focus entirely on getting stronger and stay here in North wall to train."
Arthur added, "For now, you're not allowed to swing or even hold a sword. If I catch you doing it, I'll stop training you. Understood?"
Rogelio nodded again. "Yes, sir! But… what am I supposed to do now?"
A warrior arrived, carrying a weighted suit.
Arthur said, "Here, wear this."
Rogelio put it on and could barely stand.
Arthur instructed, "I want you to run around the training grounds. Afterward, the warrior will guide your physical training, increasing the weights as you adapt."
Rogelio asked, "How long will I be doing this?"
Arthur replied, "Five months, so keep up the good work."
Arthur left, and Rogelio began his grueling training.
Meanwhile, at Agnus City:
A warrior reported, "Duke Agnus, Knight Arthur is here to see you."
The Duke responded, "Let him in."
Arthur entered and faced the Duke.
The Duke said, "Thea has told me everything, so I'll go straight to the point. When can I have my item?"
Arthur replied, "Your item, huh?"
The Duke clarified, "I bought it on the black market fair and square. Clearly, it's my item, is it not?"
Arthur said firmly, "That item originally belonged to the King. It was found in Cedar Forest and stolen by bandits during its transport. You only bought it from the black market. Therefore, it's not your item, Duke. It's the King's property. By secretly purchasing it without reporting it to the King—despite knowing it belongs to him—you're walking the line of treason."
Arthur stood and added, "However, the King will be thankful for your 'service' in recovering the lost item. He will provide compensation and turn a blind eye to this matter—for now."
With that, Arthur left the Agnus estate.
The Duke's advisor entered the room and remarked, "The King must not want you to gain more power. What do you want me to do?"
The Duke sighed, "For now, we'll take a step back. We can't recover the item—it's surely locked inside the royal treasury by now."
Back at North wall:
Rogelio endured hellish training day and night, pushing himself to extend the usability of his ring's power. For five grueling months, he became stronger than ever.
Arthur and Drake observed Rogelio's progress and smiled.
"For five months of intense weight training, to progress this much… this kid is a monster. His speed and strength could rival a low-rank A-level fighter," Arthur remarked.
As Rogelio grew accustomed to the weighted suit, Arthur approached him.
Rogelio asked, "Are you going to add more weights?"
Arthur replied, "No, we'll start focusing on your swordsmanship now—but you're keeping the weighted suit."
Arthur handed Rogelio a wooden sword. "Attack me."
Rogelio smiled eagerly. "Let's go!"
He dashed at Arthur, much faster than before. Drake, watching from the sidelines, was amazed by Rogelio's speed.
Rogelio thrust forward, and Arthur redirected the attack in slow motion for Rogelio to observe.
"That's how you properly redirect a sword attack. Watch closely and never forget it," Arthur instructed.
The training continued, with Rogelio learning every movement Arthur demonstrated. Arthur then attacked Rogelio, showing him how Swift Swordsmanship was performed. Rogelio carefully memorized each action.
"From now on," Arthur said, "you'll repeat these swordsmanship techniques a thousand times daily. We'll also duel every night to evaluate your progress."
Rogelio replied gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance!"
Drake, witnessing Rogelio's determination, walked away with a newfound sense of motivation. "If I don't train harder, he's going to surpass me," Drake muttered with a smile. Arthur, noticing Drake's resolve, felt pleased.
Five months later, Rogelio had mastered both Swift and Firm Swordsmanship, becoming a true swordsman under Arthur's guidance. The ring's ability, which accelerated its wearer's learning, boosted Rogelio's progress significantly. With his newfound strength, the ring's power also grew, though Rogelio was unaware of it.
Rogelio's Status:
Rank: C-Rank Adventurer
Strength: Low A-Rank
Speed: Low A-Rank
Swordsmanship Level: Master
Sixth Sense Level: None
Aura Level: None
Arthur said, "You can remove your weighted suit now and grab a wooden sword."
Rogelio complied.
Drake stepped forward with his wooden sword raised.
Arthur commanded, "Fight him, Rogelio. Let's see your improvement."
Drake's Status:
Rank: A-Rank Apprentice Knight
Strength: Mid A-Rank
Speed: Mid A-Rank
Swordsmanship Level: Master
Sixth Sense: Veteran
Aura: None
Rogelio dashed forward with speed, launching a barrage of thrusts. Drake deflected all the attacks and closed the gap, making a horizontal slash. Rogelio blocked with strength and redirected it. The two exchanged blows fiercely.
Drake remarked, "Your swordsmanship is undeniably masterful, but it's time to get serious."
Drake, who hadn't been using his Sixth Sense, made a serious face. Rogelio calmed himself, preparing to defend.
Drake dashed forward, closing the gap instantly and shocking Rogelio.
Rogelio thought, "I've gained strength, but I'm still no match for Drake. He's stronger than me."
Drake swung horizontally. Rogelio attempted to block vertically, but Drake feinted, spinning to Rogelio's side and punching him in the face, sending him flying backward.
"That fake… it hurts," Rogelio muttered.
Drake explained, "A beginner's Sixth Sense allows you to detect enemies from afar. But at the veteran level, you can sense even the slightest movements in battle to predict attacks. Even with A-rank strength, you can't match someone with trained senses."
Rogelio thought about using the ring's power to gain an advantage but remembered Arthur's advice not to rely on it. He dismissed the idea.
Arthur intervened with a devious smile. "Drake is right. Now, let's move to your next training."
Rogelio groaned, "I don't like that smile."
Arthur and Drake blindfolded Rogelio and took him to a dense forest teeming with B-rank and A-rank monsters.
Removing the blindfold, Drake explained, "This forest is full of monsters that will ambush and sneak attack you. This will help train your senses quickly."
Rogelio asked, "So, you're just going to watch me?"
Arthur smirked. "No, we're leaving you here. Stay alive—we'll be back."
Arthur grabbed Drake, and the two disappeared, leaving Rogelio stunned.
"What?! That's why they blindfolded me—so I wouldn't know the way back!" Rogelio exclaimed.
And so, Rogelio's harsh training continued.