Chapter 7. The Benesse Knights Captain (2)

“Sir Asher? Yeah, we know him…

Tsk…

That guy has no skills or talents. No one knows why the Captain lets that loafer stay in the guard.”

***

My body was still for a second, but my mind was calculating. The fiery red hair of the Duke swayed in a breeze, as he raised his sword again. 

Swoosh. We were both running towards each other once more. With my strike parried, his blade pressured my own. But I held on. A second later, the clangs of our exchanging blows rang in the air. Though no sparks flew. 

I was neither as skilled nor as talented. 

Even so, I didn't feel like giving up. 

'You're persistent.' Lucien remarked as we came face-to-face, our blades clinking as they were pressed together. I didn't know what to make of his words, so it was fortunate that we both kicked back and placed distance between ourselves. I was becoming more and more out of breath. In my own daze, I couldn't tell how Lucien was faring. But I'll guess he hasn't even broken a sweat. 

Planting my feet once again, I gripped the leather-bound hilt tighter. Something inside me settled. A deep feeling I couldn't decipher. 

I'll try it. 

Laying my sword to my right, raising my left arm ahead of me, I prepared for a rush. Step. Step. Step. Step. I ran towards Lucien. Recognition seemed to flicker across his eyes. Clang! He blocked my first blow. It didn't matter. My next attack came from below. Blocked again. From the right. Blocked. Top left, striking down. 

Blocked. 

Who's the persistent one? I thought, grumbling inwardly. I jumped back, narrowly avoiding another kick. Lucien was someone who used his legs a lot. To attack and kick, or to break someone's arms. Or to jump towards me, his blade glinting with serious intent. 

Haa.. should I just give up after all?

BANG! His sword came down on mine, rattling as I supported my blade on my arm. My feet shifted slowly back, grinding on the earth. Looking up, I met Lucien's gaze. His shimmering gold orbs watched me closely, almost narrowing. I didn't enjoy the sense of uncertainty. 

For once, I can't read him. 

KICK! Distracted, I failed to notice Lucien's iconic foot slamming into my stomach. I flew back, my vision juddering, spittle leaving my mouth with a cough. With a crash, I landed on the ground on my back, arms splayed out. My sword had slipped out of my hold at some point, my fingers clasping at thin air. Well, it didn't matter. This fight was over. 

Through black strands of scuffled hair, I stared up at the cloudless and blue sky above me. The sun in the corner was bright, searing. It wasn't even a week ago that I could stare at the gliding birds, and remain unnoticed. That my every move was as silent as the clouds, my presence faded. 

And yet, Lucien's face now appeared above me, indifferent, as he extended a large hand to me. 

Right. Maybe that was it. Like a kick to the gut, the realisation hit me again. 

This world was no longer a novel. 

I took Lucien's hand hesitantly. Instantly he hauled me up. Then his grip tightened. He drew closer, gold glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. 

'What you did at the end.' He started in a low voice. I froze on the spot, eyes widening subtly. The foreboding feeling from earlier entered my chest again.

'That was Javier's move.' Lucien stated. I swallowed inwardly, discomfited. 

Silver Lining. It was a move iconic of the Storm Knight, mentioned only twice in the novel. Like lighting cutting through dark and heavy clouds, Sir Javier would blast through enemies, relentlessly striking. A rain of blows, one after the other. 

A silver lining of hope for the heroes, a terrible omen for villains. 

Though it was a move that was impossible without the use of mana. Literally manifested as lightning. Not only that, mana poured into his legs allowed Sir Javier to advance at an incredible speed, as well as bolster his attacks. 

Someone without mana like myself could never achieve it. 

So he noticed that I was trying it.

'... I apologise for my brazen behaviour.' I dropped my head in an awkward semblance of a bow. Lucien said nothing for a moment. Then he released his grip, whacking me lightly on my arm with the back of his hand. A small smile curled his lips. 

'Nonsense. It almost surprised me. Though someone like you, Sir Asher,'

'...Yes?'

'An attack based on strength would be more suitable. Compared to Javier, you're taller and wider. Focus on strength rather than speed, since you have the build for it.'

'I see...' I responded absently. 

'But... if you want to learn Silver Lining in your own way, ask Sir Javier properly.' He gave me another indiscernible look for a moment too long, before turning away, calling to the other knights about continuing their training.

I looked down at my hand, bare of a sword. Ever since I woke up three years ago, the knight's life was all I had known. But I had never taken it seriously. In a romance novel with few instances of danger that were eventually handled by the male lead, I didn't work any harder than I needed to. 

'I thought he was a man who relied on brute force alone, but to think he would give me advice like that. He's more level-headed than I thought.' I muttered to myself. Somehow, I had inadvertently received advice from Lucien. 

Wham! A sharp pain at the back of my head came along with a dull, green-eyed scowl.

'Ow—!'

'You dare speak about the Captain like that? Watch your tongue, Asher.' Javier reproached, coming to stand beside me. I mentally shrunk back, uneasy.

'I apologise, Vice Captain.' I acknowledged him, saying nothing more. If Lucien had noticed that I attempted Silver Lining, there was no doubt it hadn't slipped past Javier. Though it didn't seem he intended to make any mention of it.

'I think I understand why His Grace did that.' Javier folded his arms, staring into the training grounds. There were multiple clashes sounding at once, every knight there training with a partner. While I had fought with Lucien, they were all watching silently. The mouse fighting the lion. Now, they sparred with each other with uncomfortable and awkward faces. 

'He chose you because I told him once you were more exceptional than you let on. Your fight was quite intense, at least for a knight like you. Do you get it, Asher?' Javier said. 'Even a loafer like you stood his ground for longer than ten minutes against the Captain of the Benesse Guard.'

'No, well- do you have to say loafer...?' I couldn't tell if it was a compliment, but praises usually didn't sting.

Still, I understood. 

The mouse who fought the lion survived. 

I'd go so far as to say Lucien seemed impressed. 

'I see.' I replied to Javier quietly. A breeze washed through the air, warm on my neck under my hair. 

'That's why, Asher,' Javier started forward, punching my shoulder lightly, his knuckles pushing for a brief second.

'From now on, you can live up to your potential.' 

I stared at Javier for a second. His eyes like pond water, swirled with a murky shadow. It was an indiscernible expression. It was unsettling. My skin prickled with goosebumps, a chill running through me despite the summer air. 

... Was it disappointment, I wondered. That I had been lazing around and holding back? Instead of trying to be the main character, I stayed quiet. Perhaps Javier had expected more from me. 

And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that his words were laced with regret.

'I told him once you were more exceptional than you let on.'

When did he say that? Why? 

Did Javier feel bad that I had gone unrecognised this whole time? I thought deeply. 

After all this time, why was he making a face like that?

Javier broke away his gaze, turning. 

'Go and dress into uniform. The afternoon patrols will start soon.' With the final command, he walked away.