During our break, we also joined the female soldiers’ lecture, and as we listened, Seriana, Teresa, and Elena turned toward the entrance of the training grounds.

It had happened before, but had someone arrived?

If I were to guess who might be using this space today…

“Oh? I heard the training grounds were in use, but… have you already finished?”

Liesel entered, accompanied by a few soldiers as guards.

The female soldiers who had been seated and attentively listening to the lecture hurriedly stood up and snapped to attention with crisp salutes.

Well, he is the lord of this territory…

Liesel motioned for them to relax and then approached us.

He was dressed in a practical training outfit—a shirt and pants meant for easy movement. Was he planning to use the space as well?

While I was mulling it over, Seriana addressed him.

As expected of the lady of the house.

“Welcome, Liesel. We’re on break at the moment. Have you come to practice swordsmanship as well?”

“Indeed. I have no appointments today, and I haven’t had the chance to exercise recently. I thought I’d make use of this place.”

Liesel usually trained in the courtyard or at the knights’ training grounds outside.

Now that I think about it, I can’t recall seeing him use this space before… even though it’s so convenient.

“I see… Sera, why don’t you spar with him?”

“Huh!?”

He said he wanted to exercise, but… wouldn’t one of his guards be sufficient?

“You only ever spar with Teresa, right? It’ll be a good learning experience. Liesel, would that be alright?”

I understood her reasoning, but…

“Of course. Sera, I’d like to ask for your help.”

“Oh, um… okay.”

Ah, no… when he asks me so directly, I can’t refuse.

Well, it’s Liesel. He’ll surely hold back.

“Seriana, what kind of training has Sera been doing?”

“Drills for offense and defense in one-on-one combat.”

So, sparring practice, essentially.

Hearing this, Liesel smiled in acknowledgment.

He walked to a position, and I followed, stepping away from the wall and facing him.

“Sera, come at me whenever you’re ready.”

“…Alright.”

If this were a real fight, I’d bolt without hesitation… but since that’s not an option, I’ll do my best!

I let out a breath to focus and took the same stance I used when sparring with Seriana.

Facing me, Liesel held his sword in his right hand, his left slightly pulled back, but his body faced forward.

Was this a stance meant for wielding a shield as well? Teresa often adopted something similar.

August, on the other hand, fought more like an adventurer, likely to make the most of his blessings, rather than like a knight.

As Seriana once noted, this might be the standard stance for knights in this country.

“…Hmm.”

What should I do here?

Liesel… he must be about 180 cm tall, making the height difference between us over 40 cm.

The disparity in reach was disheartening.

He appeared slender, but I’d touched his back and waist during treatment before. Even through clothes, it was clear he was muscular. His strength must far surpass mine.

Even though he held his sword in one hand, he’d easily block any strike I made.

So, my best chance would be to thrust…

“Ugh…”

But… I can’t find an opening.

Is it that I can’t spot one, or does he not have any to begin with?

Probably both.

“Sera, move already!”

Seriana’s sharp voice cut through from the sidelines.

I had no choice. I’d just have to dive in and figure it out as I went!

“Haah!”

I stepped forward with all my might, aiming a thrust at Liesel’s chest. But he subtly moved his right hand, holding the sword, to intercept my blade’s path.

The hard resistance immediately told me he’d blocked it.

Alright, then I’ll back away and—

Before I could act, Liesel’s left hand was suddenly in front of my face, blocking my vision.

“Whoa!?”

Panicking at the unexpected loss of sight, I reflexively activated 【Wind Cloak】.

“Oh!”

Liesel reacted with a small exclamation, letting the force of the wind push him backward.

He spun twice in the air before landing gracefully.

…Impressive.

“Sera, seriously?”

Seriana’s voice was laced with exasperation, but Liesel was laughing in delight.

“Haha! So this is what August was talking about.”

He seemed genuinely amused.

Still, this guy was remarkable.

Blocking my thrust wasn’t extraordinary; most people could do that since I was slow and weak.

But reacting to an unexpected counterattack, letting himself be blown back, and landing without a hitch…

Even knowing I possessed this blessing, it wasn’t something just anyone could do.

At least no one got hurt. That’s what matters…

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Raiment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】・7 cards

Seriana・【Range Identification】・【】・28 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・3 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・7 cards