Andre is a low-classed knight, there's no denying that. For his low-skills with the sword, and his lack-luster aura reserved, he had been appointed with the infamous young heir of the baron. He tried to change his path, and he still does, but the shenanigans of the Bastard Son have hindered his ability to strive for more.
How can one properly train when you have to deal with someone in the likes of Aphelios? Andreas is always following the troublemaker, like his tail, that will clean his messes once committed. Make a commotion in the local pub? Andreas will be the one that dragged him out. Harass the whores in the Brothels? Andreas is the one who pays for damages, because god-forbid an Aristocratic family hand their money on the establishments of Harlots.
Long story-short, Andre has been holding his growing anger. His frustration is so much that it is blinding his string of the sword. He wishes to vent it out, to lash and release the bloating waters of contempt within. But, what can a lowly knight do to a Noble? No lest, his master. Even if he believes it is only by name.
Until today, however.
When the young-lord offered him his hand on a spar, though by arrogance or naiveness, the Half-blood brandished a blade instead of a blunt one. Signifying that he allows the wounding of himself, and of course, Andre. However, the knight is not worried about that.
Aphelios stood apart from him, possessing an awkward stance. With his sword on a tail-guard, the dunce looks like he's trying to remember that proper footwork of swordsmanship. Andre didn't find this amusing.
"Young Lord, I'll ask this again to be proper, are you sure about this?"
The half-blood merely smiled at his words, adjusting his long hair, "Do you see me as frail, Sir Andre? I may have neglected my swordsmanship for decades now, but that knowledge will not easily be forgotten."
"I'm not questioning your capabilities, Lord Aphelios, " Andre does, "I'm more concerned over our usage of a live edge, instead of a training one. I'm both worried about you, and of course myself, I cannot train if either of us get cut."
Again, the lord shows no fear, the arrogance Andre has been used to is tempered by something. Now that he thinks about it, the bastard this morning is lax… or dare he say gentler than the previous. He didn't berate Hugo for his clear-display of incompetence, he didn't lust over Esmeralda, and his tone is more… Authoritative in a different kind.
Least of an arrogant fraud, feeding off his family name, but more refined… the same as his father.
"What better way to get the heart pumping than the stakes of laceration?" The man tilted his head, and Andre grows uneasy.
Is this really the Aphelios Lyndon?
"Cease the words, my knight. Time is running, and I have duties to attend also, "Andre's eyebrow twitched, what duties? Being intoxicated all day?
Andre has no choice but to nod, and seeing this Aphelios was the one to take the initial offence. Surprising the Low-classed Knight, the young-lord dashed with surprising speed, closing in the distance between both of them.
The cane-sword swing upward, targeting his liver-side.
Even with the young Lord's speed, Andre is still a knight, a man who fought battles against Demonic beast – no matter how low-level. So this painfully telegraphed attack was easily parried. Andre struck the sword itself with force, sending it back to where it came, Apehilos' eyes widened as his body had been displaced – open for countless counter-attacks.
Chest, abdomen, hip, and stomach. All opened to be cut.
Andre chose the chest. He shifted his handle, now pointing the butt-end of his sword, thrusting at Apehlios exposed area.
The young-lord clicked his tongue, before wearing a smile. Just before the sword hit his chest, the scabbard suddenly deflected the incoming strike. Andre sweats with the bold move, however he senses the overhead attack of Apehlios, and easily adjusts his guard.
Both of the swords met, igniting sparks in the clash. Andre is unrelenting, as he slide down the cane sword away from him, and followed with a knee strike to Aphelios side.
The Bastard limped back, his chest contorting as air escaped him, pronounced veins bulge out of his forehead. Apehlios is in pain, and Andre is not blind to this, he was about to lower his long-sword when suddenly the Lord regained his footing.
The Lord pointed his sword's tip on the ground, and smiled wider, " Come. We're not done yet!"
Andreas shook his head, and took a heavy breath. He needs to end this to prevent further injuries, he doesn't want to carry the title of Noble killer. Andre rushed, intending to intimidate the young-lord.
His speed is faster than Apehlios, yet the Lord didn't show any fear. His smile remains, as Andre gets close enough. He simply raised his sword towards Andre's head, intending to skewer him.
A fool's guard.
However,
Andre side-stepped, and using his scabbard swatted the infamous stance. Apehlios looked surprised, but smiled nonetheless.
"Using my own against me, how amusing~"
"My lord, a fool's guard is similar to the Fool's mate. It'll only works if your foe doesn't know what he's doing."
Andre might be a low-classed knight, but that's only an arbitrary title. How can you call a man who honed the basics to their limit a low-classed Knight? If only he could use his aura the same as the Sword's foundation, then he'll grow out of that classification.
"Really?" Andre's eyes widened when Aphelios suddenly let go of his sword. However, sensing a trick, he didn't lower his guard as he dashed once again, intending to end this spar for good.
Andre slashed on Apehlios' covered thigh.
The lord smiled, and he spun out of the Sword's trajectory. Before Andre could react, an elbow met his temples, sending a wave of pain that stuns him. Apehlios used the time to hold his sword, and pointed it at Andre's neck.
The lord smiled through panting. His eyes tiredly expressing triumph.
Andre looked at him, unsure as to what just happened. The pain on his head is rippling, as barely feels the warm blood leaking out of the wound, from the attack.
"I-I win…" His smile is pyrrhic.
"H-how, where did you learn that?"
"I told you, didn't I? I'm not frail."
[QUEST COMPLETED!]
[RWARDS!
Swordsmanship Regained!]
…
…
..
.
"Lord Apehlios," Andre, with a bondage on his forehead, stood in front of me.
"Speak your business."
"Our theory of a Monster-Rodent is proven, My lord," The man said, making me raise my head in interest, "When Hugo was tending to the coop, he heard skittering on the tall grass. By your orders, he called for me, and we searched for the perpetrator. What we found was a fledgling Demonic Rat, which I slew with my sword, we believe this is the suspect of the attack."
"Really, " The man nodded, "And you killed yet? Are you sure it is the only one in the area?"
"Not wholly, my Lord. But, it is the only one seen and killed."
"I see… Good job, My Knight. I'll think of a reward, I will call for you once I have decided."My voice is particularly tired today, still recovering for that knee-strike he did, "You are dismissed."
The man bowed, and left without much noise.
"Hmmm, " seeing as there's no one to hear me, I begin to mutter to myself, "I've regained my swordsmanship, the knowledge and memories are coming back gradually. Though, I didn't gain mastery over it…" If I do, I'll be able to use Aura.
This would make dealing with troublesome servants an ease, however that worry is unfounded, as Andreas is growing in patience. No, the worrisome thing is the Black Thorn forest itself. It's closing winter, and with it crops slowly done, animals hide – and in conjunction, food becomes scarce. And when food becomes low, Animal and Demonic-Beast in the forest will search for prey.
Meaning, they will set out everywhere, searching for a meal.
I need to increase defenses in my Manor, and asking for help from my family is out the window. They would not help me if that charlatan hag is there. Assuming I have enough funds, maybe I could ignore my family, and hire a band of mercenaries. But these groups are usually volatile, you don't know what type of characters you'll get. The risk is too high to bet, when the outcome is mundane.
And my money ain't exactly that big, it's in the triple-digits… A gross amount compared to my family's wealth. The best thing I could do, right now, is use Andre and Belaf – and also get capable servants to form a make-shift militia. Of course, I'll not send them to the forest in the hopes of subjugating all the Demonic Beast.
I'm using them as basically an extension of the guards, teaching them how to deal with lower-classed monsters – which can wander inside the Manor. And Andre, me, Belaf with the Demonic Beast on the shore of forest.
This will hopefully give me enough time to amass skills and increase my strength with the system's help.
I tapped my finger on my table.
"I'm betting my life on you."
The golden-interface didn't respond.
…
Aphelios Lyndon.
Lvl. 10
Bastard Son of the Baron.
Attribute:
Const - 10
Str - 6-1
Dex - 10
Insight - 1
Skills and Perks:
Swordsmanship - re-discovered (Intermediate)
N/A
….