It's still early in the morning but I already wake up.
This is because, it has become a daily routine for me to train with father early in the morning.
Well, with the situation I'm currently in. I just can't do anything. I don't even know where my sword is.
I sigh.
"I guess I just refined my footwork for today."
When I come out from the room, I spotted Regis on the sofa in the living room with paper on the table in front of him.
"Oya, you wake up early huh brat?"
Why is this guy speaking like a thug
"I usually do practice with my sword in the morning; it has become a habit."
With those words, Regis eyes sparkled.
"Oya, a little brat like you have been learning swordsmanship?"
"So what? "Is there a problem with a kid learning swordsmanship?"
Regis mouth curved into a smile.
"I left your sword in the place I found you but I have a wooden sword for you to use. but I want you to let me observe your training. Is that okay?"
Just what this old man has on his mind. Well, I think it's okay to let him observe me since he will become bored eventually.
"Fine I guess, but you better not disturb me."
His eyes still sparkled when he gives me the wooden sword. I really just can't tell what this guy has on his head.
After some times past, I had finished my sword practice. Regis still on the sideline watching me.
"Huh? Are you done with training already?"
Regis asked, blinking.
"Yes, I've gone through everything."
I said, watching Regis somewhat dubiously. Is this guy not bored watching me doing my training?
"…Interesting," Regis muttered, his golden eyes gleaming.
Then—
"Let's have a spar, brat."
I raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Regis grinned. "Your swordsmanship caught my interest. I want to measure your strength."
I crossed my arms. "And what do you get out of this?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He cracked his knuckles. "I just want to fight."
(…This guy.)
Let's just get along with what this old man wants. I think it a great opportunity to measure how much has I improve.
"I hope you won't regret asking for it, old man."
"Your mouth really needs to been re-educated."
A vein popped out on Regis's forehead.
"it's the same for you" I shot back.
Regis chuckled. "Then let's begin."
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I ready my stance while Regis was rooted on the spot, without moving an inch. his wooden sword resting at his side, a feral grin on his face.
(He doesn't plan on closing the distance?)
A ferocious smile appeared on Regis's face.
"Here I come brat, ready yourself." Then—
Regis vanished.
My eyes widened.
in a moment, without any pre-movement, without taking a second, Regis entered my range.
He uses the momentum of his movement; Regis swung his wooden sword…
CLANG!
I raised my sword just in time, deflecting the strike. The force rattled my arms, but I absorbed the impact, using the momentum to shift my position.
Regis pulled back, eyes glinting. "Not bad. You reacted instantly, even without seeing my movements."
(What kind of speed was that…?!)
His attack had no pre-movement—no shifting of weight, no sign of attack. Just pure instinctive speed.
"With this kind of skill at this age. It gives me a chill just thinking that it's not even your golden age, with muscles and experience has yet to mature."
I readjusted my stance. "I'm not done yet."
Regis smirked. "Good."
This time, I took the initiative.
I dashed forward, aiming for his blind spot. A sharp diagonal slash—
CLANG!
Regis parried, but I had already shifted my blade's trajectory—striking under his arm, a weak point in most defences.
Regis barely blocked it in time. "Tch—! That was close."
I stepped back, assessing him.
(He's fast, but he leaves small openings.)
A flicker of amusement crossed Regis's face. "You're not bad at all, brat."
His grip tightened.
"Then—how about this?"
THREE rapid thrusts—too fast for a normal person to react to.
I barely managed to deflect them, but Regis didn't stop. His next two stabs were even faster.
CLANG! CLANG!
I aimed directly at his hilt, redirecting his attack.
In that split-second opening—
I kicked him.
Regis blocked with his left arm, but the force still sent him backward.
Using the momentum, he widened the distance.
Then—he chuckled.
"Alright, let's stop here." He stabbed his wooden sword into the ground.
I lowered my weapon, still catching my breath.
Regis shook his head, laughing. "Damn brat… You're stronger than I thought."
"Is that so? That mean it's my win, isn't"
Regis frowned
"Tch… I guess so. You might even win if your opponent is a knight."
My eyes blinked, surprise hearing Regis's word.
"Why your reaction like that huh?"
"I'm just shock learning that even you know how to praise."
Regis give me an icy stare.
"You brat, let me hit you at least once!"
"Come hit me if you can."
I mocking Regis
"Pfft… HAHAHA"
"HAHAHA"
For a moment, we locked eyes—then, we both burst into laughter.
Somehow, after this spar, we had grown closer.
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Later, we sat at the dining table.
Regis tapped his fingers against the wood. (That brat's a monster… His swordsmanship is beyond his age.)
(And his mana… It's absurd. But he can't control it properly.)
Then—a grin formed on Regis's face.
(Heh. I just got a great idea.)
"Why are you grin like that, its so creepy."
I came out from the kitchen holding our breakfast. I feel like I need to help with the house chores since I'm going to stay at this house for a while.
"What do you mean creepy, anyways what is that, it smells delicious."
Regis sniffed the food. It was a bacon and eggs since that's the only ingredient that I can found.
"Fufu, I hope you like the dish. It been so long since I cook."
I have smug on his face. Regis try to take a bite.
Regis eyes widened and start scream.
"Whoa!! What the heck is this?! It's way more delicious than anything I've ever cooked before!"
My mouth curved into a smile.
"You brat. How can you be good at everything? Damn it to be beaten by a kid not only in sword fight but in cooking too…"
Regis shout while chewing the bacon.
"Swallow the food before you talk old man. Is there a problem if I am good with cooking?"
A vein popped on my forehead. He should eat slowly.
"Tch, since you good at this you will be in charge with our food from now on."
"That's good then, since you cooking skill is so low."
"What!!"
Regis glare at me.
"You better finish your food before it become cold."
Regis surprised and start to eat the food. We finish the breakfast with silence.
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In the room with a dim light coming from window. There is a beautiful woman sipping on a tea while reading a letter that her receive a while ago.
"Ara… That boy found someone interesting?" she murmured.
She placed the letter down, her lips curling into a smile.
"Fufu~ The lone wolf himself found someone intriguing?"
She turned toward the maid behind her.
"Pandora, I will be leaving for a while."
The maid nodded.
The noblewoman's eyes gleamed with excitement.
"I simply must meet this person."