Elven Swordsmanship

No matter what the others thought, Fran attacked while keeping an eye on the notifications on her Panel.

[You tried to use Elven Swordsmanship in battle, even though you don't know it. Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +2]

[You attacked with Elven Swordsmanship, but achieved little. Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +1]

Fran figured she couldn't let the trip go to waste. Since they were sparring anyway, she might as well grind her Elven Swordsmanship proficiency first.

Judging by the few attacks she'd landed, Aboyue's Iron Wall Swordsmanship truly lived up to its name. Her blows had barely fazed him.

She thought she could easily finish him off with Wind Blade, but using only swordsmanship would take some effort. So she figured she'd practice her new skill first.

When Aboyue saw Fran suddenly leap into the air, he was baffled. He couldn't quite figure out what sort of move she was trying.

Almost all the sword styles humans excelled at focused on attacking from the ground. Since childhood, he'd been taught to defend against attacks from the ground.

It had always been that way for him. He'd never had reason to break the habit.

He quickly blocked her first attack, then parried several more. Only then did he, like the spectators below, realize what Fran was doing.

Elven Swordsmanship? What is she doing?

Aboyue could easily see that Fran's moves were full of flaws and openings. He just hadn't noticed at first.

Was she deliberately provoking him by using something she'd just learned?

But he wasn't like the spectators below, who could be easily riled up.

His family's Breathing Technique could suppress other emotions, leaving only fighting spirit and reason. Generations of his family had painstakingly developed it.

Since his family specialized in defensive tactics, this ability was extremely useful in battle.

As Fran leapt again and brought her sword down from above, Aboyue decided to defend and counterattack this time.

He easily blocked her downward slash. When Fran tried to dart away as before, pushing off with her toes, Aboyue suddenly struck.

He used [Triple Strike], his arm swinging rapidly as he unleashed three attacks in an instant.

It was also a secret technique of his family. Countless opponents had fallen to its swift three-hit counterattack after he'd defended against them.

But all he heard in response were three thunks. Aboyue's pupils contracted. Few could block the Triple Strike he was so proud of, and he hadn't expected Fran to be one of them.

He quickly assumed a stance, giving Fran no chance to attack.

Gasps rose from the apprentices below. Many had experienced Aboyue's defensive Triple Strike firsthand. Few had escaped unscathed, let alone blocked all three attacks.

Burnett was also astonished by how quickly Fran had blocked the Triple Strike. Unlike the apprentices below, however, he understood what had happened.

"How can an apprentice who hasn't joined a school have such outstanding physical abilities?" he murmured, unheard by anyone else.

He could tell that Fran's sudden display of physical prowess far surpassed Aboyue's. If Aboyue hadn't specialized in counterattacks, Fran might have spotted an opening and landed a solid blow.

Burnett knew Aboyue's defensive tactics were among the best ways to minimize the gap in physical ability. But based on that exchange, Fran was far stronger than Aboyue.

Aboyue still had another way to win, though: the Sword Chant School's unique art, Sword Dance.

The view shifted to Fran, who backed away from Aboyue, her expression tinged with alarm.

He's good at counterattacking, Fran thought.

She'd reacted quickly. The moment the Triple Strike came at her, she'd activated her Breathing Technique and [Mental Power], allowing her to block every attack.

Let's finish this. Fran glanced at her Panel, where a notification had appeared.

[You nearly made a mistake while using Elven Swordsmanship, but fortunately your quick reflexes turned danger into safety. Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +3]

[Elven Swordsmanship proficiency is full. Elven Swordsmanship level increased.]

She'd also gained a new trait.

[Elven Combat Style: Though you are human, you have truly learned how elves leap as they fight.]

She felt a new sensation in her body, as if she'd grown an extra organ that could sense something beyond the ordinary. But she couldn't explain what it was.

Aboyue also realized that Fran was far stronger than he'd expected. He would have to give it everything he had.

He began adjusting his Breathing Technique, synchronizing its rhythm with his Mental Power. Finally, he opened his eyes. Instead of taking a stance, he let his sword hang loosely at his side.

This was the Sword Chant School's foundation. It greatly enhanced one's concentration, which would rise and then fall as time passed.

With that level of concentration, wielding a sword was as easy as moving an arm.

When he saw Fran charge at him as before, the activation of Sword Dance weakened the Breathing Technique's ability to suppress his emotions.

Fran's posture hadn't changed, and he felt a trace of disdain.

How would someone who hasn't even joined a school know that combining a school's spells and swordsmanship is far superior to what landless nobles can manage?

That was one of the reasons he'd given up his inheritance and come to the City of Apprentices. The bigger reason, of course, was that he might not have been able to outcompete his brothers.

As Aboyue prepared to block the attack and use Triple Strike again, he saw Fran's figure veer to the side as she charged toward him.

This was how elves fought: changing direction in midair. It cost them some speed, but could you imagine how startling it would be if an enemy leaping at you suddenly veered to the right or left?

Aboyue was just as startled. This way of fighting clearly defied the laws of motion, and his instinctive block missed.

Fran veered to Aboyue's side and struck him again, this time at his other hip.

Unlike her earlier sneak attacks, this blow had far more force. Aboyue nearly lost his grip on his sword and dropped into a half crouch, his body tilting toward the spot where he'd been hit.

Before he could recover, Fran brought her sword down again, smashing his hand and making it impossible to keep hold of the sword. His hands fell open.

The wooden sword hit the ground with a clatter. Only after a moment did the spectators below react to the end of the sparring match, erupting in gasps.

Aboyue knew his sword had been knocked away and that he'd lost.

That can't be. What was that just now?

Aboyue recalled Fran flying toward him, then changing direction in midair.

How can someone change direction in midair, and at such high speed?

Burnett's exclamation answered his question.

"That was Elven Swordsmanship. You really learned it!"