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Chapter 73: A Failed Demonstration
Chapter 73: A Failed Demonstration
Ren was slightly shorter than him, only reaching up to his eyebrows.
But after not seeing each other for half a month, Ren had grown almost as tall as him!
George was surprised and grabbed Ren's arm, exclaiming, "Ren, what have you been eating? How did you grow so fast!"
But the next moment, George froze, lowering his head to look at Ren's arm that he was holding.
It was too thick to grip!
Instinctively, George pinched it with his fingers, feeling the solid and elastic sensation through his fingertips.
George was stunned.
"Ren! You've changed so much!" George exclaimed, his eyes wide and mouth agape.
Not only had Ren grown taller, but his entire physique had expanded, though it still appeared proportionate, making it less noticeable at first glance.
Fortunately, George had touched Ren's arm; if he had touched Ren's chest or back, he would have felt the rigid metal strips of the 'plate armor' underneath.
"Slap!"
"You two, stop pulling and tugging!" Ren pretended to be angry.
In truth, Ren was trying to avoid George's probing touches and prevent him from discovering the cotton plate armor he was wearing.
It wasn't that he was worried George would reveal it; it was just better if fewer people knew about it.
"Oh, Ren, you've changed so much!" George seemed quite dejected.
"I've been eating well, so I've grown taller!" Ren gestured to the eggs, milk, and meat he had just purchased.
George was taken aback but quickly understood, "No wonder!"
"By the way, what did you want to see me about today?" Ren changed the subject to divert George's attention from the issue.
"The manor just notified me that the servant training will resume this afternoon," George slapped his forehead, remembering the important matter.
Oh! He had originally planned to visit the Haabsburg Estate later to settle the issue of the Linyi puppy, but he didn't expect it to resume in the afternoon.
After a moment's thought, Ren decided to attend the servant training first and then go to the manor's kennel to choose a Linyi dog after it ended.
Ren naturally carried his cotton plate armor and dagger, but he decided against bringing the dual-bladed sword, as it was too eye-catching.
In the afternoon, the outer courtyard of the Haabsburg Estate, the servant training resumed.
Today's training focused on basic swordsmanship.
"Previously, we learned the basics of swordsmanship, which consists of only three moves: the step-thrust, downward slash, and upward slash. However, these are all offensive moves, and there are no defensive techniques."
"Therefore, today, we will learn how to use the longsword in our hands for defense!" Instructor Henbert shouted.
"Ren, come up here and demonstrate with me."
"Yes, Instructor!" Ren was taken aback but quickly agreed and stepped forward.
"Are you ready?"
"I'm ready, Instructor."
"Okay, everyone, pay attention to my demonstration." Henbert nodded and turned to address the group of servants.
Instructor Henbert held his ironwood sword horizontally, aiming at Ren's chest, and executed a swift step-thrust.
Facing Henbert, Ren found it strange that the instructor's thrust was so slow, even though it was just a demonstration.
"I suppose the instructor must have something up his sleeve?"
So, Ren naturally took a step back, easily dodging Henbert's thrust.
Just as Ren thought Henbert would pursue with another attack, he noticed that Henbert was staring at him.
The scene before him was slightly different from what Henbert had anticipated.
Although he was aware of Ren's sword talent, having sparred with him multiple times, Henbert was also familiar with Ren's overall strength.
But with the previous thrust, Henbert had exerted seventy percent of his strength, which should have left Ren with insufficient time to react, resulting in the sword tip pointing directly at his chest.
Then, Henbert could use this as a correct demonstration to teach the servants about the importance of defense and how to defend themselves.
Humbert was completely caught off guard by Rain's effortless dodge.
Clearly, this was a failed demonstration!
"Rain, that was an excellent defense. Let's try again," Humbert said.
This time, Humbert's eyes were noticeably more focused, and he intended to use ninety percent of his strength.
After all, if he failed to demonstrate twice, how could he possibly explain the following content?
Should he ask someone else to redo the demonstration?
What would become of his reputation as the senior guard and servant swordmaster of the manor?
Rain, unaware of Swordmaster Humbert's thoughts, nodded and said, "Yes, Master Humbert!"
This time, Humbert didn't ask if Rain was ready. Instead, he saw Rain take a stance and suddenly lunged forward, thrusting his sword.
"Swish!"
The speed of this strike far surpassed the previous one, so fast that it slightly pierced the air, emitting a faint sword cry.
Rain's eyes narrowed, and his heart sighed in admiration. Finally, Swordmaster Humbert was taking this seriously!
The previous strike was too perfunctory; this one was clearly much stronger. But Rain couldn't tell how much of his true strength Humbert had used—fifty percent? Or sixty percent?
As Rain pondered, his body didn't hesitate. Instinctively, he took a quick step back and swiftly swung his sword, using the 'Strong Sword Hilt' near the hilt to block Humbert's thrust.
Perhaps due to the significant increase in his attributes, especially his spirit, Rain could accurately track the trajectory of Humbert's longsword.
Additionally, being accustomed to wielding the heavier dual-bladed sword, Rain now swung the practice sword with ease, as if it were a piece of straw, making the block smooth and effortless.
"Bang!"
The two practice wooden swords clashed and quickly separated.
Humbert's wooden sword was shaken off, while Rain's sword tip pointed directly at Humbert's chest, motionless.
Humbert, unable to contain his surprise, let out a soft "Oh?" and his mind was in turmoil.
"If the first time was due to my underestimation, allowing Rain to dodge easily, this time, I deliberately caught him off guard."
"Also, my thrusting speed was obviously much faster than the previous attempt."
"Yet, even under these circumstances, Rain effortlessly blocked my attack."
"This..."
Humbert couldn't fathom what had happened to Rain in the past half a month that his skills had advanced so rapidly.
The surrounding servants watching had various reactions; some were enraptured, while others were bewildered.
Most of the servants only saw Swordmaster Humbert and Rain exchange moves at an incredibly fast pace, followed by a 'Bang' sound, and it was over.
They didn't quite catch how Rain managed to defend himself.
Humbert paused, and a flash of inspiration struck him. He immediately thought of a way to cover up this failed demonstration.
"Ahem, Rain just gave a great demonstration!"
Humbert coughed and continued, "Just now, I attacked Rain with a step-thrust, and Rain sidestepped and quickly blocked my thrust with the 'Strong Sword Hilt' and then countered with a thrust of his own. It was a very good response."
"Everyone should learn from Rain's counter technique; it's very standard and practical!"
Rain was visibly taken aback by Humbert's praise, which seemed to deviate from his expectations of the demonstration. Shouldn't he have been the one to attack with a thrust, and Swordmaster Humbert calmly blocks it?
But as the master explained it, it made perfect sense!
The servants looked on with a mix of shock and envy.
Among them, the bushy-browed servant, the second-best swordsman among the group, knew full well how challenging it was to practice the swift defensive counterattack Rain had just executed.
(End of Chapter)
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