Chương 366: Chapter 348. Warrick's Sparring Session

John Ericsson's Point Of View /CLANG! /" Ah!" /THUMP! / Thrust!" Phew!"" Again?" I questioned myself as I looked at my hands. My blunted training sword went flying from them and then stabbed its blade into the ground after being knocked out of my hands by Warrick. Despite the shaking of my hands, I wasn't really hurt, just dealing with the aftermath of a sword strike I put a lot of strength in being parried. Warrick on the other hand, seemed to be having fun." Hey, John... Have you been practicing with the sword?"

Warrick asked a legitimate question. Even I can tell that my movements and technique look stifled. I can thank Angel's Swordsmanship for that. I thought that it had finally settled, since I didn't have any issues during the battle with the God Of The Blackwoods, but now that I think about it, I cast a lot more Spells than attacking with my sword and when I did, I was just trying to kill him or his guardians with any attack I could, I guess Angel's Swordsmanship's intent and mine were one in the same?

Now that I'm sparring Warrick, I feel like I haven't improved at all since my last sword sparring session." Is it that Skill of yours? Angel's Swordsmanship? You mentioned you were having issues, right?" Of course I told Warrick and Aqua about my issue, since I thought "maybe another Job had such a weird requirement" like mine did, but they came back with nothing. It looks like the Paladin Job is even more "unique" than I originally thought.

All I could do was take a deep breath to steady my breathing and then answer Warrick's question." Yeah, it is. When it comes to using a sword for sparring, it's like I'm constantly forcing my body to do what "I" want, instead of what "it" wants to do. It's kind of like trying to control waves of water. Maybe if the movement is small, I'll have more success with it, but usually, it's giant impulses whenever I fight. So my attacks and defense becomes too stifled and easy to read and counter.""

John, You're sparring me with a blunt training sword, why are you trying to stop yourself from attacking me? It's not like you'll hurt me with a training sword."" I wouldn't be so sure..."" What? It's not like you'll be able to behead me?"

"..."" Oh come on, John."" it's a mild concern."" John, you do remember that it took 3 months and all of you to be able to land a scratch on me, right?" Warrick seemed to be in disbelief as I answered him honestly. I understand that it's a blunt sword, but the fact that Angel's Swordsmanship aims exclusively for killing strikes or crippling blows scares me. That lack of control over my own body is something I find particularly unsettling." John. Just give it a try. Worst comes to worst, you can heal me.

Just give it a try. You won't know what'll happen until it happens. It doesn't make sense to fear it like you do."" Warrick, I nearly hurt Sarah and Anna when we tried sparring after I unlocked the Skill. It's not some-"" You stopped before you hurt them, didn't you?" Warrick interrupted me with an obvious question. I answer him quickly. Maybe he was scared I actually hurt Sarah?" No, I stopped myself. Bu-"" Then it's fine. I trust you, John.

Just like I trusted you back when you weren't sure if you could use Holy Heal for the first time. This will be no different."" But, Warrick, this is going to be dangerous."" Every action a King takes is dangerous to someone or something, John. But as a King, I need to trust my decisions without a shadow of a doubt. And that's what you need to do as well. John, you need to believe that you can control it. Show both of us the worst that Angel's Swordsmanship has to offer. Just like when you healed me, John.

Once you see the worst it can do, you can overcome it. We'll get through it together, as Friends." If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"?" I was confused from Warrick's words. I mean. I understand that it's important to master it, but I still feel the best way to do so is to just hone Angel's Swordsmanship through hunting and actual battle, instead of sparring. That was until Warrick's final attempt to convince me." Wait, my mistake, not as "Friends". As Family. That is what we are now, right? So let's put some faith in that to overcome that fear!" Warrick had a serious expression on his face.

I don't know why he wants to die on this hill, but after all he's said, I can't just turn him down. Maybe it has to do with his spirit as a King or something? Either way, I guess it's time To try and see Angel's Swordsmanship's ugliest side?" Alright. Fine, you win!" To my words, Warrick smiled confidently. I went to retrieve my training sword as Warrick took his stance again. He simply bladed his stance slightly as he wielded the training sword in one hand.

After that, he got quiet and began to watch my movements closely. I followed suit as I stood 10 feet in front of him and took my own stance. It's actually changed slightly since Crest had taught me how to swing a sword. The influence of Angel's Swordsmanship had yet to encroach that far onto me as I figured out the kinks to this stance. I stood slightly bladed with my right side facing my opponent. My left hand, which held my sword, was slightly behind me.

The stance is perfect for someone using a sword and shield." John, do you want to use a shield as well?"" Huh? No. Just give me a second." I give into the desire of Angel's Swordsmanship and the stance shifts again into the form that Angel's Swordsmanship compelled me to do. This happens usually as I make the decision to fight to kill. My left side becomes the side closest to the opponent. My sword is slightly slanted as I stare at my opponent. Like a dancer holding a rose to his dance partner.

That's how I know Angel's Swordsmanship has entered full on attack mode." That's more like it! I can feel a difference in the pressure. It's like I'm staring down a dangerous figure."" Warrick."" Yes, John?"" Don't die!" Kick!

"!" /Thump! / I kick the ground with everything I have as I let the influence of my Skill take over. Swing! Twist! /Clang! SCREECH! / Stop! / Clang! /" Woah!" Our swords clash and just as they make contact, my wrist rotates and grinds against Warrick's blade, then slides down its edge like a drop of water. Warrick flicks his own wrist in order to cause the hand guard to block my sword. Grip!

A tightening of my hand is all it takes for my sword to flick itself away from the hand guard and send itself flying through the air like a falcon diving for pray. Clank! Shift! Slide! SPIN! Warrick blocks again. Just as he commits to defending the slash, I feel my feet slide and my vision blurs as I spin along with my sword. / Clang! /" I see what you mean. Sarah and Anna would definitely have an issue with this level of assault."" It's not over." Warrick took a minute to comment on my movements and strikes.

He didn't realize that the attack had only begun. Strikes against his neck, shoulders, wrists, thighs and feet continued for a while. Each attack willed itself out of me like an oath to take a life. Warrick, thankfully, continued to make that oath worthless. Eventually, I moved away. It looks like my Skill wants to try another method of attack." My turn!" / Thump! / Warrick launched himself at me with blinding speed. He's faster than when we won against him.

Obviously he was holding back during that sparring session, but this is ridiculo- Raise! /CLANG! / Pressure! The strength of the blow nearly shatters my wrist on impact. I have my Holy Mana to thank for enhancing my strength and durability." Not enough!" / Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! / Warrick flicks his blade back into his stance and begins an onslaught of sword strikes. It felt like dealing with a bundle of snakes, each one attempting to bite after the other.

There was no opening that I could see, but that's only what I thought. Angel's Swordsmanship had other ideas. Slide. Swing! My foot stealthily shifts itself to the side. Just as Warrick attempted another strike my body shifted to the side to slip the strike. Without even waiting, I felt my left hand swing itself under Warrick's blade." Too easy!" Warrick disappeared from my sight before the blade had a chance to even enter his range. / THUNK! / Pain!

"AH!" I felt a sharp pain across my back. I realized once I hit the ground that somehow, Warrick had gotten behind me and hit me with the training sword." See. Told ya it wouldn't be so bad. It looks like you have the same problem with giving into the Skill as you do when you resist it. Since you have no clue what the Skill wants you to do, it takes time to act out its intentions. That's how I was able to capitalize." Grip! Pull! Warrick offers me his hand as he explains how I got my ass handed to me.

I take his hand and he helps lift me up." Despite what it might seem like, John, your Skill at the end of the day, is just a "Skill". Yes, it can be scary to use it against someone who isn't at the appropriate level to handle it, but I'm sure there's people all around that can handle it. Give Sarah and Anna some time and they'll be able to. Right now, I think only Ruby, Alice and most likely that girl, Charlotte can also handle it."" Bu-"" John. Do you trust them?" Warrick stops me before I could respond to him.

I was confused for a moment. Then The answer came to me naturally." Yes... I do." Warrick's expression shifted to a softer look. Like he had when he was instructing me how to Govern." Then you need to prove it. You're allowed to let people in, John."" Okay." Press... With that, Warrick put his hand on my shoulder and nodded to me. With that, he declared that it was the end of the sparring for the day. We walked back to my house only to see Aqua hugging Charlotte like a little girl holds their stuffed animal...