"Renato, I know you have your own swordsmanship style, so I'll only offer my personal opinions. You can judge for yourself whether they're right."
The half-elf removed her metal helmet. Her green hair was damp with sweat and clung to her cheeks.
"Your footwork isn't nimble enough, and you use too few feints. A lot of the time, I can see through your attacks at a glance."
"A greatsword isn't easy to change course with, Lailas." Renato handed the half-elf a bottle of water. "Which of my moves did you find most threatening?"
"That sliding diagonal cut just now, and the reverse thrust... but Renato, I think your attacks from a high guard are the most aggressive."
"You're tall and strong, after all. Keeping your sword in a high guard lets you make better use of those advantages."
Renato had arranged to meet Lailas in the public gardens for intensive sword training-the half-elf was the finest swordswoman he could currently find.
Coincidentally, his opponent in tomorrow's fifth round also wielded two swords. His name seemed to be Worit... Renato couldn't quite remember.
"Renato, are you sure this is all right?" The steel sword in Lailas's hand had bent slightly, and she tried to straighten it. "We really don't have to pay for damaging government equipment?"
These specially made gambesons and steel training swords belonged to the Security Department and were used for the City Guard's daily training. In theory, they couldn't be lent out.
But he had put in a word as a constable, and these weren't essential supplies. The storekeeper had been happy to do him a favor.
"Don't worry, Lailas." He took a fresh pair of training swords from his Bag of Holding. "Here. If I win the swordsmanship championship, never mind a few steel swords-even the Speaker