c10 (1/2)

Chapter 10 - Barracks (end)

Situated at the western end of the town, of a substantial area was the barracks. It could hold up to 500 people. However, presently, there was only 50 army troops, a few family dependants, as well as a few scattered military personnel.

As Rumont arrived, in accordance to his agreement with Richard, he first reported in at the entrance. He was then lead in after a momentary wait.

Located within the barrack’s own enclosure, was a defence tower and storehouse. At the current moment, in a relatively secluded location, were 10 or so soldiers off duty, practising combat drills. Among them, included the Lieutenant Richard.

“Lieutenant Richard, I’m here. “ Rumont smiled, and greeted intimately.

“Mmm, the soldiers’ informed me, have a seat. “ Richard was currently practicing his swordsmans.h.i.+p. He was breathing hard slightly, as he came to a halt, he then took a deep breath in, subsiding from his fierce actions, “What do you think you should learn? “

“I want to learn everything, however, that’s because I don’t understand the important points. “ Rumont scratched his head. He presented himself as willing to listen an expert’s opinions, spreading his arms out.

“Then we’ll first spar a bit, let me evaluate you. “ Richard slowly nodded his head, when suddenly he thought of something: “Right, your short sword is still at the blacksmith, you should be able to go collect it tomorrow. I’ll go get a wooden sword for you, and then when I come back we’ll start. “

“Right, you shouldn’t use a real sword during training. “ Rumont carelessly responded. He was feeling a touch excited as he cracked his knuckles.

Richard did not express an opinion as he went and collected 2 wooden swords used for practice. He handed one over to Rumont. “Also, here’s your 25 silver coins, inside also contains your adventurers proof! “

He threw over a cloth pouch making jingling noises as Rumont observed.

Rumont received the wooden sword and the bag of money. With ease, he weighed the bag in his hand, however, he was unable to tell the exact amount. As he wanted to open it up for a look, he suddenly felt a sensation coming down on his neck. Lifting his head up, he saw Richard wielding his own wooden sword, straight against his throat. He was immediately gaping and speechless, unable to utter a sound.

“You’ve already lost! “ Richard was not feeling the slightest bit embarra.s.sed, his manner of expression was normal.

“You…..” Rumont was 100 percent resentful, his face was blus.h.i.+ng a deep red. He spat the words within his mind, out one by one, “you haven’t said start yet! “

“No, it’s already started, “ as Richard retracted the sword back, creating a beautiful after image. Placing the sword on standby, he indifferently said, “I just said before, I’ll go get a wooden sword for you, and then when I come back we’ll start. You agreed to it with with your response of, right. “

Rumont was stumped stupid by his opponent’s sophistry. “What is this supposed to team me? “

“The first point, learn to use your wits well during a battle. “ Richard answered, “power and prestige is impressive and you could certainly rely on you body to earn a meal, however……” a pa sound, the two wooden swords mutually clashed against each other, Richard resisted with his arm. He pushed aside Rumont’s cunning offensive, which resulted in a crash onto the ground.

Rumont’s face was buried in the ground. The bag of silver coins had knocked into the pit of his stomach. He had an uncomfortable expression, he almost spewed out the mushroom soup he had for breakfast.

Richard laughed out a he he, his attention was fixed on Rumont lying on the ground: “why did you try a sneak attack just then? “

Rumont pushed himself up with one arm and bounced back, retreating a few steps, while pulling himself up. One arm was over his chest, the other pointed the sword at his opponent. He wasn’t feeling too good, however he still kept up his vigilance. His vision focused on Richard. Confirming that his opponent had no intention of attacking, said, “you didn’t even say stop, which means it was still in the middle of combat, if it’s still the middle of combat, how is it considered a sneak attack, huh? “

“Oh, not bad, your mind is quite flexible. “ Richard calmly laughed: “I did not think it through enough this time. “

Richard continued on, quickly advancing while beginning his offensive. A flurry of attacks, sharp. Within a few seconds, a pa echoed out, the wooden sword had struck against Rumont’s sword arm.

Rumont felt his arm was numb, shortly, his forearm felt weak, unable to wield any strength.

However, Rumont endured the pain in his right arm, tenaciously gritting his teeth, he at once, extended his left arm towards the falling wooden sword. Yet another pa sounded, his left arm had also gone limp from Richard’s attack.

The wooden sword had fallen on the training grounds with a clatter.

“We’ll temporarily stop here. “ Richard laughed.

“Good! “ Rumont’s stomach was churning without stop, laboured breathing, his faced showed a complicated expression. Lying on the ground, breathing deeply, he suppressed his gloomy emotions. Having no alternatives, he shook, and nodded his head “okay, if we have to stop, we’ll stop. “

“Hey hey, you’ll just sit there as we chat. “ Richard calmly smiled, “right, do you want to hear my evaluations of you. “

“Yeah, I’ll listen. “ Rumont sat on the ground, both arms devoid of strength, limp on the ground.

“Your physique is normal, no matter if it’s your strength or your explosive strength, nothing worthwhile, but your body’s responses and coordination is worth training. “ Richard laughed a hehe: “besides this, the only thing worth praising, is that your mind is quite agile. “

Even within the soldiers, only a few would have intelligence to such a degree. This was due to him, back on Earth, having earned a second-grade undergraduate university degree.

“All in all, within a short time, it’s hard to train the physique out, we can only try our utmost. “ Richard sighed a big breath out. A touch of reluctance: “In regards to you, your coordination is a direction worth pursuing. However, in theory, your battle wits is where we can rapidly advance. “

Rumont silently listened, his two arms slowly recovered.

“However, your mind is originally agile, this can’t be taught. “ as Richard proceeded in saying, it seemed as he was reminiscing past events. Appearing a touch lonely. “I’ve experienced through a few life and death situations, seen a few pa.s.s on in life and death situations, naturally, I’ll view this plainly. “

Rumont silently awaited.

“Come, get up. You should be able to move you arms by now. “ Richard finished reminiscing, and said: “the way you hold your sword is full of errors and negligence, I’ll help you correct that. “