chapter 4
004 Tues – Qualities(1)
The wild boar that Tigris and Beowulf caught themselves was grilled on the lawn five hours before the dinner by exclusive chef Dale.
As the savory smell of wild boar oil dripping onto the charcoal spread, the users urged the sun to fall slowly.
The supper began when the sluggish tortoise sun finally fell and the streetlights were turned on.
Relatives and vassals of the Norbert family sat down at a table set aside and enjoyed wild boar meat.
Other users and members of the Black Wolf Knights enjoyed the meat as they came and went freely.
Dale not only caught wild boar meat, but also slaughtered his favorite pigs and chickens, and prepared them in abundance.
“Mr Tigris. Congratulations on getting three stars.”
“thank you. Sir Horn.”
The three stars meant the same thing as making three Auror rings.
When a knight is signed, a surname (星) is attached to each number of rings, and although Tigris was not yet a knight, it was a customary expression.
“Now, all that remains is to become a knight. In fact, you can become a knight even now, right?”
In the past, knights once served their master and had a permanent master-slave relationship that lasted for the rest of their lives, but now it has become a lighter contractual relationship.
When I was appointed as a knight, I used to work as a knight in the territory for as long as 10 years or as short as 3 years.
At the end of the contract period, you will become a wandering knight, and if your skills are good, your contract will be extended or you will be scouted.
Because of this free spirit, as many as 6 or 7 knights change their masters, it has become a kind of certification.
“There are cases when you are appointed as a knight in your teens, so your Excellency will be appointed as a knight.”
Knights can only be appointed by nobles or royalty. However, the criteria for eligibility to receive articles have not been set.
There is an implicit condition that one or more rings must be made, but it doesn’t matter whether you make a commoner a knight or a child less than 10 years old if you just like the nobility.
Therefore, in some cases the father gave his son, and in the case of the second or third son who was pushed out of the competition for the eldest son or successor, he entered another family and was ordained a knight.
The vassals and knights all saw Beowulf.
“Tigris has no shortage of being a knight. Because he knows the honor of being a knight and his swordsmanship is excellent.”
Beowulf wanted to make Tigris a knight in his heart.
But Beowulf knew.
Tigris was too big for Norbert to contain.
“But I think Tigris can be a bigger person.”
“The word is . . .”
“I would like the Emperor to receive Tigris’ first appointment as a knight.”
At the word of His Majesty, the vassals and knights murmured.
The prestige of the Norberd family and the title of martyr were by no means small.
However, it was worse than receiving it directly from His Majesty the Emperor.
In an aristocratic society where people live for honor and die for honor, it would be of great help in the future to gain the honor of being the first knight ordained by His Majesty the Emperor.
“Next year, I will go to the Imperial University, so I suggest that you play an active role there, see His Majesty the Emperor, and become a knight. It is not too late to broaden my knowledge there for a few years and take over Norbert.”
“no.”
Tigris said looking at Beowulf.
“I will be ordained my first knight by my father. The person I respect the most is Sir Beowulf di Norbert. It would be the greatest honor of my life to be ordained a knight by Your Excellency.”
Gasols were all surprised, yet drenched in a wave of emotion.
Beowulf asked astonished.
“Tigris, didn’t you wish to be ordained a knight by His Majesty the Emperor before?”
“I have changed my mind while practicing swords. I have come to realize that a knight cannot become a knight simply because he can handle the sword well, but must have the character and dignity that match it. Since I learned the sword, humanity, and dignity all from you, it is right that you should be appointed as a knight from Sir Beowulf.”
“I never taught you the sword, nor did I teach you dignity and character. You have learned it yourself.”
“There is a way to learn by looking closely. So, please accept my knighthood.”
One of the regrets Tigris regretted in the past was not being appointed as a knight by Beowulf.
It was because Beowulf died when his contract with His Majesty was over and he was ordained a knight by Beowulf.
Beowulf was moved to hold back tears and opened his mouth.
“When you say that, my father is ashamed, yet he is so happy. When would be a good time for the ordination ceremony?”
“Tell me when you are ready. I am ready to receive any time.”
“good night. Then, on the day the year passes, I will serve as a knight. This is the covenant that all our ancestors heard before the sacred Mount of Gaul, and it will surely be kept.”
– Whoa, whoa!
A thunderous applause rang out so that the whole night fled in surprise.
A full glass of wine circulated, and Beowulf said with a red face.
“Then why don’t you go to Imperial University?”
“no. I will go to Imperial University. I would like to give you a knighthood, but I would like a free status without a title.”
“cancer! Can’t that be enough?”
The reason Tigris wanted to go to the Imperial University was simple. Imperial University is a place where countless talented people gather.
Irene of the Welf family, Princess Rain Rover, the mysterious magic swordsman Rakan who sent Tigris back to the past, and Charlotte of the Friharden family.
In the past, Tigris considered their talents inferior to those of Tigris and ignored them.
But now that I let go of my arrogance, I know.
Without them, we would not have been able to kill Lota and Arfem.
Once again, given the opportunity, they will fill in the gaps they lack and grow together.
And he will slash Arphem and Rota with them, and eventually kill Uno, the queen of pollution and erosion.
However, there was one thing that Tigris could not tolerate.
“I have something to tell you about the Imperial University.”
“What else do you have?”
“I will support swordsmanship instructors, not students.”
Beowulf and Gasol were all surprised by the bombshell statement that he would become a swordsmanship instructor at the Imperial University.
“Swordsmanship instructor? Are you saying that you, not a student, will become a swordsmanship instructor at the Imperial University?”
“yes. That’s right. There is nothing I can learn as a student at the Imperial University.”
I know because I went to Imperial University.
For Tigris, the rigid education system of the Imperial University did not fit.
He had already mastered the Imperial Swordsmanship he learned in his first year, and even when the instructors tried to teach other swordsmanship, he could not keep up with Tigris’ growth.
Rather, the teaching method of the Imperial University hindered the growth of Tigris.
“You say you have three rings, but there are infinite things you can learn from them.
Starting with various engineering fields, you will learn many things such as sociology, economics, politics, diplomacy, and more. Those knowledge will be useful when you take over Norberd.”
Tchrist knew.
The fact that the knowledge taught at the Imperial University is very useful.
But Tigris had already graduated, so it was all he had learned.
Hearing it twice doesn’t make any sense.
“These knowledge can be learned separately if you go to the center. But swordsmanship is
Pick up. The most important thing to me is only swordsmanship, not sociology or economics.
The rigid system of the Imperial University will hinder my swordsmanship development.”
Beowulf’s eyebrows furrowed.
“The educational system of the Imperial University is more flexible than any other school. You can graduate early, and you can choose a class that suits you and learn from it. I heard that there were also 5 star knights among the swordsmanship instructors. Is there really nothing to learn from that instructor?”
Tchrist acknowledged it.
But going as a student was a waste of time.
There are times when I have to put in unnecessary classes because I have to fill the set credits, and because of the assignments, I have only morning and night time for personal training, and the opportunity to learn from a 5-star knight was only possible when I was in 3rd or 4th grade.
There were even times when he was educated by an instructor worse than Tigris.
That’s why I’m going to become a swordsmanship instructor.
If you go to the instructor, you can control the time as you like, and you will also have the opportunity and legitimate authority to teach talented people.
Crucially, Tigris has experience making 8 rings.
Being able to learn a sword from a 5-star knight had no merit at all.
“Then can I prove that I am qualified to be an instructor?”
“Are you going to prove yourself? What do you mean?”
“I will be the temporary swordsmanship instructor of the Black Wolf Knights tomorrow afternoon. If you don’t understand what I’m teaching, I’ll give up my swordsmanship instructor and go to college as a student.”
“Are you saying you have the confidence to convince me?”
“yes. That’s right. If your father was not satisfied, you would not be qualified to become a swordsmanship instructor at the Imperial University.”
Beowulf looked into Tigris’ eyes filled with determination.
Beowulf recognized Tigris’ genius early on.
When Tigris showed the swordsmanship once, he was able to imitate it, and when he showed the swordsmanship twice, he realized the secrets of the swordsmanship.
What Tigris lacked were only two things: experience and the number of rings.
So, Tigris took utmost care so that Beowulf could do individual training without any involvement.
Beowulf was convinced that this decision now was a crossroads that would determine the future of Tigris.
I thought about it seriously, throwing away my hot drinking spirit.
It’s a vague statement, but it must have been the son’s deep contemplation.
So think carefully and make a decision.
Beowulf, for some reason, remembered the words of the best swordsman, Bergang, he thought.
– Geniuses have their own way. It is impossible to try to understand a genius. Because it is the realm of intuition, not the realm of logic.
– Your son is a genius. Maybe even better than me.
– Your son has to be slaughtered by bumping into countless geniuses in the center. It is too wasteful to rot in that corner.
Berggan von Einwolf, the current Black Meister, was a classmate of Beowulf’s Imperial University.
Berggan, who is currently a 7-star knight, saw the world from a very different point of view and often performed bizarre acts.
In particular, he liked to skip classes and explore the land of extinction and mystery by himself.
I once asked him why he missed class so much.
– Exploration and travel are the best ways to train your sword.
His comrades who treated him like a madman stayed at three-star, at best, four-star knights, and he and the Count Friharden, who recognized him, became six-star knights.
Beowulf thought that the difference in perspective was a measure of the distinction between criminals, geniuses, and geniuses.
Beowulf nodded after deep contemplation.
“good night. I will appoint you as the daily swordsmanship instructor of the Black Wolf Knights for just one day tomorrow. I have three rings, so other knights will agree.”
“thank you.”
Tigris honestly thought Beowulf wouldn’t allow it.
However, Beowulf’s bowl was larger than expected.
The black wolf knight leader Horn nodded with a trembling expression on his face.
“I don’t know if it’s the White Wolf Knights, but the Black Wolf Knights have 5 or more knights with three or more rings, so most of them will understand.”
That said, Horn was honestly offended.
The black wolf swordsmanship of the Knights of Black Wolf was different from the Norberd style that Tigris had been honing in the past.
It is true that it is a swordsmanship derived from the Norbert style, but the Aurors’ maneuvers and swords differed because they were specialized in group warfare.
He thought that no matter how genius he was, he would not be able to teach black wolf swordsmanship if he had not been properly trained.
So, I thought that the reason Beowulf accepted Tigris’s offer was for Tigris’ education.
Because once I’ve been properly humiliated, I’ll let go of my arrogance and quietly go to Imperial University.
‘I hope you can learn a lot from this opportunity.’
You have to experience failure to grow.
Horn thought as he drank the cold beer.
* * *
The next morning, Tigris went out to the gym.
Linia was waiting in a tense state in the gymnasium.
“Are your hands okay?”
“Oh, yes. My hands are all right.”
“Give me your hand.”
“Yes?!”
“hurry.”
Linia was still unadapted to the mild Tigris.
Linia’s face turned red and she held out her hand.
The wound was definitely healed.
Ointment mixed with potions has a short shelf life, but has the advantage of being able to heal wounds quickly.
“Isn’t there any inconvenience in using the sword?”
“yes···. That’s right.”
“good night. Then start right away.”
Tigris fell a certain distance.
Linia took a deep breath and exhaled to relax.
My heart was beating so fast that I could feel the pulse in both hands holding the sword.
‘Let’s focus.’
I’m going to show you everything I’ve trained so far.
Linia has never been lazy since she was severely scolded by her older brother Tigris.
So it will definitely be better than last time.
Linia believed so.
Linia began to show Norberd-style swordsmanship one by one.
Type 1 waterfall splitting.
It looks like a horizontal slash that simply cuts the sword horizontally with one hand, but it was the most basic offensive and defensive technique of the Norberd style.
The key was to cut it heavily as if it were cutting through a huge waterfall.
Hung-!
Linia’s waterfall slicing cut through the air heavily.
Although it cuts through the air, I can definitely feel the resistance as if it were cutting through a huge waterfall.
‘It’s a success.’
Linia shouted ‘Come on!’ to herself, and then cast Type 2 Strong Waterfall.
Hung-!
Success.
Next is the third type of giant tree splitting, then the fourth type of rock cutting, then the fifth type of snatching…
Linia concentrated on swordsmanship so much that she forgot that she was demonstrating.
When all the herbivores were introduced, it moved to a continuous motion from 3 meals to 1 meal.
After swinging the sword for 10 minutes, Linia stopped the sword.
“Whoa….”
It was only 10 minutes, but as I swung the sword with all my might, sweat was dripping down my cheeks.
Linia put the sword into the sheath and finished.
‘…why didn’t you say anything?’
Tigris looked at Linia’s sword, but said nothing.
However, Linia did not dare see Tigris.
Looking at Linia with a look of disappointment, it seemed that she could no longer raise her sword because she was embarrassed.
‘You’re disappointed.’
Linia thought so as she looked at Tigris, who was silent for a while.
It was because he said, ‘Your swordsmanship is garbage.’
Therefore, the words that came out of Tigris’ mouth were unexpected.
“excellent.”
“I’m sorry… yes?”
“He said it was great.”
For a moment, Linia thought she had heard it wrong.
But the second time I heard it, I was sure.
‘Heard that your brother is great!’
Linia was so happy that she couldn’t hide her expression.
“Is that true? Is my… my swordsmanship okay?”
“It was more than good, he said. I felt the skill level was inappropriate for your age. You practiced a lot.”
Linia wanted to run all over the place right away.
But Tigris was barely holding on because his sister and sister told him that nobles should not lose their dignity.
“But it is not without its shortcomings.”
“yes?”
Linia’s sky-high confidence suddenly plunged to the floor.
“What do you think are the strengths of Norbert style?”
Linia answered calmly, as she had learned from her father.
“I said it was in the cut. I learned that it is heavier than the swordsmanship of other families, so it can easily cut even hard and tough ones.”
“Then what do you think is the purpose of Norberd-style swordsmanship?”
“uh···.”
Linia pondered, but could not come up with an answer.
“I do not know.”
“It’s good to be honest. The purpose of Norberdian-style swordsmanship is on the ogres.”
At the sudden appearance of the ogre, Linia tilted her head.
“Are you talking about ogres…?”
“The ogres who live in the mountains of Gaul have been greatly influenced by the bizarre magical powers emanating from the extinct land. That’s why they have tougher skin and stronger muscles than other ogres. So, it is very difficult to cut down an ogre from Gaul with a sword other than the Norbert style.”
All swordsmanship has a purpose and a reason.
In the Gaul Mountains, where monsters with tough skin and hard muscles are mainly located, swordsmanship has developed to fight against them.
So instead of stabbing, a heavy slash was developed.
“It is difficult to cut through the tough skin of an ogre with the swordsmanship of the Sorian family or the swordsmanship of the Tienny family, which is characterized by light and light slashes. Does that mean that the swordsmanship of the two families is not enough? It is not. The swordsmanship of the two families was born for the purpose of hunting fast and small monsters such as saber tigers and mankeys. Conversely, it is very difficult to catch a saber tiger, a mankey, or an imp with a Norberdian-style swordsmanship. This is because, rather than mixing footwork, Norberd-style swordsmanship is a static swordsmanship that blocks or deflects orc attacks and cuts.”
It was the first time I heard about Linia, but it was very easy to understand.
“Every technology has a purpose. At first glance, Norberd-style swordsmanship seems to be about strength, but sophistication is much more important. No matter how sharp a sword may be, it cannot cut through the skin of a Gaul-born ogre by force.”
Tigris drew his sword.
And cast waterfall splitting.
–!
The sword was clearly drawn horizontally, but no sound was heard.
Linia trembled at that creepy sharpness.
“The first is sophistication and the second is sophistication. You have to control the fine muscles to put all the power on the sword and cut it while feeling the texture. That is the alpha and omega of the Norbert style of swordsmanship.”
Linia immediately realized what was wrong with her.
Until now, I thought that the strength of all the Norberde style slashes was the heavyness, but it was sophistication.
“ah···.”
Linia drew her sword,
And then I did the waterfall split again.
Uh-!
The sword flew smoothly with the wind.
It was because the wind was riding, not breaking.
Tigris looked at Linia’s sword and smiled slightly.
“Better.”
“thank you.”
Linia was even more happy that Tigris gave her a smile than that her swordsmanship had improved.