Evan D. Sherden, An encounter (1)

Early in the morning after Louise joined Astray, Evan called her to the underground training facility.

Even though she was dressed in a monochromatic training suit, which was fitted especially for her, there was no way to hide her feminine dignity. It was really beautiful to see her tying her abundant hair into a ponytail so as to not disturb her movements.

“Oh, it’s starting now.”

“Is the Master going to train her himself?”

“That’s what he promised her. I envy her so much right now.”

As the other members were staring at Louise with envious eyes, saying she was taking Evan’s one-on-one lessons, Louise was able to figure out what position Evan had in the squad slowly.

Evan was both a leader and an idol for the knights! Everyone was a big fan of Evan, whether they were a man or woman!

“What kind of martial arts have you learned so far?”

Evan asked. Louise answered her new teacher, ignoring the eyes of other members, “My aptitude is in the one-handed sword. I can handle most swords, but among them, I use the one-handed sword, long sword, and broadsword most skillfully.”

“I see.”

Fortunately, Evan thought she was well aware of her aptitude. Luden in the game was also dealing with the one-handed sword. However, there was a part that still needed to be modified.

“The level of aptitude will be different among the swords. I’ve prepared some swords for you, so let’s take a look at each one.”

“Yes, teacher!”

Evan was a renowned instructor who understood the trainees’ aptitude and taught them how to use them best.

Although Louise had been aware of her aptitude, she could not help but be surprised at what he said because she had never imagined that there would be any further improvement in her technique.

‘But since that’s what teacher said…’

Louise, who had been looking alternately at the various types of swords in front of her, soon reached out and held the weapons one by one.

At first, she felt that everything she held was attached to her hands, but as she got nervous under Evan’s gaze, her senses gradually became sensitive. As a result, she found the weapon that suited her the most. But the result was a little disappointing for her.

“Shortsword….”

“Hmm.”

A shortsword was lighter than a short-edged sword. It was easy to swing as it was light, but its power was somewhat weaker. It was not a weapon suitable for nobles or aristocrats.

On seeing Louise disappointed by her aptitude, Evan laughed quietly.

“Now, let’s lift the shield.”

“…What?”

“Why are you surprised? One-handed weapon aptitude. Then shouldn’t we consider the possibility of holding something else in the other hand?”

“No, but it’s… big. Okay, let me try holding it.”

Louise had never held a shield. She was determined that only soldiers and knights would carry a shield.

However, it was just a stereotype that she had as a nobleman, and Louise herself was now part of the Dungeon Knights. Therefore, there was nothing to lose.

“Oh, my God….”

And as soon as Evan took the shield he had prepared, Louise wondered how she had ever been unaware of it.

The natural instinct she felt with the shield was undoubtedly proof of aptitude. She had an excellent aptitude for both a sword and a shield!

“You’re lucky. People with one-handed weapons tend to carry shields even if they don’t have a talent for it, but you have both… That’s probably your highest level of aptitude, isn’t it?”

“Yes, teacher. Did you already know about this…?”

“No, not about the shield.”

It made him feel uncomfortable to keep hearing the word ‘teacher’ from a girl his age. Evan answered with a deep sigh.

“I was going to teach you even if you didn’t have the aptitude, but you already had it.”

“Well, I see.”

“Now that we’ve decided on the martial arts, let’s start training properly. First, the shortsword.”

“Yeah, yeah!”

Finally, the training that Louise had been waiting for had begun. Evan’s special training methods helped everyone master their aptitude at quite an exorbitant speed!

“Then….”

Evan posed for the shortsword he received from Louise. He moved his body without hesitation, even though he felt Louise’s eyes staring at him.

First, he went forward and stabbed the sword in the front, took some steps back, held the sword in reverse, and pushed it backward.

In that position, one had to take one step forward and hold the sword reciprocally and raise it.

“With that momentum, bend your knees and jump straight. Repeat that in the air! Get into the air!”

“And landing. That’s it. This series of movements is called ‘Ji-ryong-seung-cheon’.”

“You’ve finished? That’s all?”

“Yes.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Evan had a really refreshing look on his face, but Louise couldn’t understand what had started and what had ended. It looked quite plausible, but to be honest, it appeared like a random dance!

“Um… teacher? What am I supposed to do?”

“Did you see what I did?”

“I’ve seen it all…”

“Okay, then copy what I just did.”

“…What?”

Louise, who did not know the situation, asked back. There were some who added to her confusion, and as soon as Evan’s demonstration was over, other members applauded and cheered.

“You’re so cool!”

“Show me one more time, Master!”

“Oh, that’s how the one-handed sword works. Is this a shortsword training method? It reminds me of when I first learned double-sword.”

“What the hell is going on….?”

Perhaps this was a promised ritual of the Knights? Louise was puzzled and didn’t speak a word anymore. Even if she couldn’t comprehend what he showed her, she had to follow his orders.

“Like this… hap! hap!”

“Oh, you’re very talented.”

She swung the sword in the same position Evan did without difficulty. The talent of the Marquis of Merdin, who boasted the strongest charisma of the Yo-Ma Great War 3, had never gone away.

“What do you think?”

Evan asked Louise, who completed the demonstration perfectly. She had to think for a moment about how to answer the question.

“I don’t think it’s a practical move.”

“It doesn’t really matter. The important thing is how much your swordsmanship has grown.”

“Huh… what?”

‘You still lack faith.’ Evan laughed quietly and spoke, “Keep repeating it all morning. If you’re tired, I’ll use a recovery spell on you.”

“Repeat this move… kkkkh! I got it!”

Louise was stunned by the words for a moment, but soon nodded with a firm look. Perhaps she misunderstood that Evan was trying to test her athletic tenacity.

“Hap! Hap!”

Evan thought about telling Louise, who was making a determined look, about the fact that she was now practicing the ‘Ji-ryong-seung-cheon’, but decided not to.

She would soon realize it herself anyway. The fact that her swordsmanship was growing at an outrageous rate.

“…Hm? No way. Again.”

There was no doubt about her talent! Evan watched it with a satisfactory smile.

Just as he was about to train her about slimes, Evan felt someone approaching him and looked up, and there was the high elf Mirole in front of him.

“Dear leader, is there anything you can teach me?”

“…Mirole?”

“I’m an apprentice, too. I don’t want to ask too much, but I want to be treated the same as her. So please teach me.”

When Mirole requested the training, Evan felt dumbfounded.

“What can I teach you? Whether it’s an archer or a spirit, you know more about your own armament.”

“But you might have a different way of training than I do. Come on, please.”

“…I see. Then.”

No one knew she was already at her best, but she had the nerve to say that.

Evan sighed and grabbed hold of her bow. At the next moment, he tilted his head.

“I don’t need an arrow for this drill.”

“Is this a drill that doesn’t need an arrow?”

“Oh, yeah. Well, you don’t carry an arrow because you usually handle arrows of the wind.”

Evan held the bow and posed. Mirole looked straight at him with sparkling eyes. Somehow, even the second-best person to know about this training was coming up and watching.

“I really don’t know what I’m doing in front of archers… it’s no good.”

Evan bowled and threw it into the air. Then, lightly punched the floor and held the bow!

Then, he threw the bow back to the ground and landed before it touched the ground to retrieve the bow. Then he turned around and swung the bow loudly.

This didn’t feel like archery at all.

“Well, that’s one move. The ‘Tiger Hunt’.”

“It’s a great demonstration, sir!”

Jhin was sincerely thrilled and clapped. Evan thought he had to solve her faith as soon as possible, but Mirole was also clapping with a smiling face next to him.

“That’s great.”

“They said that high elves couldn’t lie.”

“I’m not lying. It’s really cool.”

Her transparently nonchalant eyes stared straight at Evan. She seemed to really think Evan’s demonstration was cool just now. Evan was embarrassed and couldn’t say anything more, but he gave her his bow.

“It’s hard to believe, but it’s a quick move to practice archery …Would you like to give it a try?”

“Yes, please keep an eye on me.”

Mirole, who received the bow as if she had been waiting, did not hesitate to follow the ‘Tiger Hunt’ on the spot.

There was a graceful movement from throwing the bow, jumping up and holding it, throwing it to the floor again, catching it, turning, and then hitting a target with the bow.

“What do you think?”

“What do you mean? You can be the archery instructor instead of me. It was unbelievably perfect for the first time.”

“Oh, I see.”

At Evan’s compliment, Mirole nodded with an expression of pride. Evan was embarrassed by her innocent and delightful reaction.

“Do you know about spirits and their Unique Armor?”

“I know a certain amount, but compared to you…”

“Teach me, please. Please.”

At Mirole’s request, Evan gently taught her how to practice tricks that she would have mastered to the end.

In the meantime, he looked at her expression and tried to read a little bit of what the high elf had to say, but of course, there was nothing he could find out.

It was just that she seemed really happy to see her body moving the way Evan taught her.

“That woman….”

“I knew it. What do you think about Louise, though?”

“For now, their relationship is sincerely of a master and student. But our problem is, Evan doesn’t know the limits of his charm.”

“Why don’t we have someone seduce her?”

“Like our knights are going to seduce a girl.”

The girls were in their gossip.

Accepting the two apprenticeships, Astray began more aggressive training.

A day went by, two days went by, and a week went by. The Dungeon Festival was getting closer and closer.