"Oil, you say?"
The next morning, I approached Sylpha as she came out to hang the sheets. I wanted a large supply of oil, first and foremost, as it was the primary raw material for Magic Marrow Fluid.
"Yes, I need a whole jug’s worth. I want to use it for a magic experiment..."
"I wouldn't mind, but... hmmm, I see. I have a condition."
A smirk played across Sylpha’s lips.
"If you can land a single hit on me during our swordplay, I shall give it to you."
I figured she would say something like that. Whenever I asked for a favor, Sylpha usually deflected it with a challenge. In the past, I had simply backed down, but I couldn't afford to do that this time.
"All right. Let's do it, Sylpha."
When I nodded, Sylpha’s eyes widened in surprise.
"A-Are you truly serious, Master Lloyd? My ears did not deceive me?"
"Yeah, I really need it. I'm going to the courtyard to prepare, so don't be late."
"Ah..."
Leaving Sylpha standing there dazed, I headed for the courtyard. A short while later, she appeared, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Sniff... To think Master Lloyd would show such initiative... I am truly overjoyed...!"
For some reason, she was moved to tears of gratitude. To be honest, such a dramatic display of emotion was a little awkward.
"Just so you know, Sylpha, I’m going to use magic."
"Yes, of course. Even for you, Master Lloyd, it would be difficult to land a hit on me with swordsmanship alone."
I had already been using it without her knowledge, of course... but this provided a convenient excuse. If I fought while incorporating offensive spells, I would have a justification even if I somehow managed to beat her.
"Now then, please come at me whenever you are ready."
"—All right."
I gripped the wooden sword in one hand and manifested a Fireball in the other. I restricted myself to Lower Magic and kept the output at the absolute minimum. At this level, it wouldn't look unnatural for a child who liked magic. Naturally, I had already copied Sylpha’s sword techniques.
"Here I come!"
I fired the Fireball to seize the initiative and charged right behind it. I kept the projectile speed slow. There was no point in firing it quickly; she would just dodge it anyway. It was better to use it as a moving shield.
"Useless!"
With a single swing of Sylpha’s wooden sword, the Fireball was snuffed out.
That was within expectations—the Fireball was merely a distraction. While running, I had already begun casting an Earthball. Behind the dissipated flames, a wall of earth had formed.
"?! E-Earth—!?"
Sylpha’s wooden sword buried itself in the earthen wall and wouldn't budge. While she struggled to pull it free, I circled around to her back.
—Got her.
I swung my wooden sword toward her, intending to stop the blade at her neck. Or so I thought.
The woman who should have been right in front of me had vanished, leaving only her wooden sword behind.
No way! I scanned left and right, but Sylpha was gone. In that case, was she behind me?! I spun around, but she wasn't there either. Which meant... above!
I immediately visualized another Fireball and fired it into the air.
"Regrettable. I am below you."
Hearing a voice from between my legs, I looked down to find Sylpha crouching directly beneath me, smiling. Before I could even register my surprise, she grabbed both my legs and tripped me. I hit the ground, and she straddled me instantly, pinning me in a mount position.
I looked up at the beaming Sylpha and closed my eyes.
"I... I lost."
"Yes, it is my victory."
■■■
"There we go. Is this sufficient, Master Lloyd?"
Sylpha set a jug filled to the brim with oil in the corner of my room. The liquid gave a heavy slosh as it settled.
"Thanks. But are you sure? I didn't actually land a hit."
"Even if only for a moment, I reflexively got serious. It was practically the same as you landing a hit. ...Besides, to think that a serious Master Lloyd could become this strong. I am most pleased... sniff."
She was tearing up again. I wished she would stop; it was embarrassing. She seemed genuinely happy that I had fought her "seriously." Even though I was only serious within very specific constraints... well, if she was happy, I suppose I would let it be.
"After your utterly spineless performance the other day, I feared something had gone wrong... I am relieved to see you have regained your form. Heh."
As Sylpha smiled, my right hand began to tremble violently. Grimo must have been terrified; he had stayed hidden all day. It seemed the beating he took during our previous "swordplay" had left him deeply traumatized.
"Ahaha... I was just feeling a bit under the weather then..."
"Yes, yes, a 'slump,' as they say. Everyone goes through them. And the only way out is through training, training, and more training! In truth, Master Lloyd, your movements after breaking through that slump were magnificent. The fusion of magic and swordsmanship... I was most impressed."
Sylpha gave a respectful bow.
"Your swordsmanship and magic are both still unrefined, but you are still developing, Master Lloyd. And you are improving at a terrifying rate...! There are very few swordsmen who can use magic at all, and yet your skill with a blade is unthinkable for a ten-year-old. Furthermore, even Master Albert respects your magical intuition. Oh, how wonderful. The titles of Knight Commander or Sword Saint may not even be enough for the man you will become... I am honored to serve as the instructor for such a talent."
...What was she muttering about?
The way she was looking at me was starting to get a little creepy. Come to think of it, Sylpha had once told Charles di Saloom that she had high expectations for my swordsmanship.
I had only used magic this time, so her evaluation shouldn't have changed that much. At least, I hoped not.