Chapter 6: Townsperson A Learns the Sword

“Old man, teach me how to use a sword!”

One day, six months after I’d started cleaning the gutters, I finally broached the subject with him.

“What’s this, Allen-boy? Don't tell me you want to be an adventurer when you grow up?”

“I’m not sure yet, but I want to make life easier for my mother. To do that, I need to be as strong as possible. You were an adventurer, so you’re strong, right?”

“Well, yeah. It’s true that a man’s got to be strong, otherwise he can’t protect a single soul.”

The old man’s eyes drifted toward the distance. Was it just my imagination, or was there a hint of regret in his voice?

“Alright, fine. Once I’m done at the reception desk, I’ll give you some pointers.”

“Thank you!”

And just like that, I managed to get the old man to teach me swordsmanship.

This was the real reason I’d continued cleaning the gutters even after I’d started making decent money through reselling items. Originally, I’d planned this purely for self-defense, but my priorities shifted once I discovered that sword skills were a requirement for the Higher Academy’s entrance exam.

According to my research on the Higher Academy, the barriers to entry for a commoner were staggering. First, between the examination fee, the admission fee, and the mandatory donations, you needed about ten million Cent. On top of that, two years of tuition cost another ten million, and every single Cent had to be paid in advance.

Even if you had the money, you still had to pass the academic, magic, and—for the boys—swordsmanship exams. Naturally, if you failed, the school pocketed every bit of that money.

In short, the academy was designed to keep commoners out unless they were obscenely wealthy. However, I intended to walk right through those narrow gates.

It’s an absolute necessity if I'm going to crush the scenario destiny has written for us.

“Alright, Allen-boy. There’s something I need to tell you before we start.”

As soon as we reached the Guild’s training hall, the old man’s demeanor shifted. He lacked his usual cheer, and the change in atmosphere made me straighten my spine instinctively.

“Don't go thinking you’re tough just because you get your hands on a weapon. A weapon only grants power once you’ve mastered it. For example, if there were a legendary magic sword that could cut through anything, would simply holding it make you strong?”

I shook my head. He was absolutely right.

I’ve been so focused on using my 【Alchemy】 skill to cheat the system, but if I don't have any actual ability, I could still lose a duel. It was a sobering realization.

“Listen well. No matter how powerful a weapon you find, you’re the one wielding it. Don’t let the weapon swing you; you master the weapon. Never neglect your training. Only when you’ve mastered the blade can you truly call yourself strong. Got it?”

“Yes... I mean, yes, Master!”

I immediately corrected my tone to show proper respect.

“Good. Now, show me your practice swings.”

“Yes, Master!”

I gripped the wooden sword he gave me. It was a large thing, about a meter long, and simply wielding it was a struggle. It felt like it was going to fly out of my hands at any moment.

“Not like that! Grip it properly! Keep your core steady!”

His critiques were relentless. I fought to adjust based on his pointers, but I couldn't seem to get the wooden sword under control.

“Come on, firmer! Make it bigger, sharper! That’s still not it!”

“Y-Yes, Master!”

Only a few minutes had passed, but I was already drenched in sweat. My hands began to shake.

“Alright, next is the trunk strike. A hundred times!”

“Understood!”

I focused, trying to recall the dou strikes from the kendo classes I’d taken in my previous life. My arms were trembling violently by the time I finished the hundredth swing. I didn't think I could do another; my limbs felt like lead.

“Not bad. You’ve got spirit. Next, a downward swing from the upper right, followed by an upward swing from the lower left. A hundred times each.”

“Y-Yes, sir...”

It was grueling. He didn't give me a single second to rest. But since I was the one who had asked for this, I couldn't bring myself to whine like a coward. I emptied my mind and kept swinging.

Eventually, my arms felt like numb wooden poles. I lost track of the count.

“Good. That’s a hundred. Well done.”

Finally... it’s over.

“Next! Downward swing from the upper left, upward from the lower right. A hundred times each!”

“Eeegh...”

The man was a demon. I hadn't expected him to be this hardcore on the very first day.

“What’s the matter?! You can’t protect what you love with that attitude! Show me some backbone!”

His words jolted me awake. If I can't even get past this, I’ll never be able to save my mother or the villainess.

“Yes, Master!”

I whipped my trembling muscles into motion and swung the wooden sword with everything I had left. This was nothing. If I didn't push myself here, my mother and I would be crushed by the Imperial Army, and the villainess would be left to her tragic fate.

After that, I performed a hundred horizontal sweeps from each side, followed by one more full set of everything we’d done from the beginning. By the time we finished, I collapsed onto the floor of the training hall.

“If you’re this exhausted already, you’ve got a long way to go. You wouldn't even be able to take down a Horn Rabbit like this!”

“Y-Yes... sir...”

“Alright, that’s enough for today. Use the shower in the back and then head home. We’re doing this again tomorrow.”

“Th-Thank you very much!”

My first day of sword training had handed me a major setback, but it also gave me a wall to climb.

I won't let this beat me!