"Tch.", I said, quickly scanning my surroundings. Phillip suddenly entered a flurry, appearing right in front of me. Tink! Tink! Tink! My rapier acted like it was moving on its own, managing to deflect a flurry of pierces by Phillip's rapier, still keeping my defensive stance. I managed to block each one!
Even though we've practiced these movements several times, it still surprises me how easily Phillip can move around like this. I saw him let out another yell, and he poured strength into his arm that held his rapier. Next, he spun around, and lashed out. CLANG!
This time, the impact was much louder, letting him finish his Flying Swallow. I blocked it, but I was pushed back. He parted from my block, but didn't back away. Instead he continued his motions, doing a full circle, and swung down hard. It was as if he had become a swallow himself.
He was aiming straight for Glistening Moonlight in my hands. I used this momentum to spin counterclockwise, then quickly retreated even further to create a gap between us. I didn't stop moving either. Putting strength into my own arm, I let my Mana flourish.
All of a sudden, my Glistening Moonlight ignites into flames. It was engulfed into a blazing fire. I did a frontal slash of my own, mimicking another swallow. Phillip smiled seeing this. He did not back away, which is what I wanted.
"So this is what you can do, Young Master. Bring it on!", Phillip exclaimed, releasing more strength this time.
"Crimson Swallow!", I exclaimed back at Phillip, slashing down hard. He felt the intensity of the flames, and went on the defensive. WOOOSH!
Thanks to the flames bursting around us, gusts of wind blew back at those who were watching. Phillip easily blocked it of course. He can move around like a swallow, and mine isn't as fast as he is. It's as simple as that. I wanted to show this Craft off. It was something I gained some what you call 'enlightenment' on, courtesy of the Gamer System. Those Crafts given to me as upgrades were temporary, but thanks to these couple of years spent with Roselia and the rest of the group, I learned how to utilize my Mana. Enough that allowed me to clad my sword in flames like this.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has successfully upgraded Flying Swallow (C) into Crimson Swallow (A). Its details are now available for viewing.]
'Perfect.', I thought, happy to see the result of what I learned over these couple of years. It wasn't just that either, I'll go into details later.
I just smiled back at Phillip. We were locked in a deadlock. Both sides are not backing down.
"Good. So you've improved on your own already, Young Master. Just remember. If you do decide to clash heads on with a sword larger than yours, you need enough force to do so. Even with this intense flame, I can still push you back. "Hah!"
All of a sudden, Phillip responded with one more slash, swinging quite hard this time. I could only block. TING!
"Ah...", I uttered, taking a moment to respond. Once I saw his shadow, I knew it was over. I felt my whole arm go numb. It was a weird sensation since I still felt the heat from the flames I ignited earlier. Because of those flames, the layer of snow surrounding us melted, which revealed the grass underneath. As my arm went numb, Glistening Moonlight fell out of my hand, and landed onto the grass. So this is the spontaneous force Phillip is referring to. My knees gave out next, and I collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
Next, I saw Phillip slowly approach me, and raised his rapier. His blade reached my neck, and tilted my head up slightly with it.
"And if this was the battlefield Young Master, you would now be lying in a pool of your own blood.", Phillip said. I saw Phillip pull his blade back, and sheathed it in one clean motion. "The victor has been decided."
Thanks to those words, I was brought back to reality. I couldn't help but laugh. My arm is still numb.
"Haha, I really am no match for the famous Sword Fox.", I said, smiling. "I'm going to be feeling this later..."
I could see my arm muscles spasming every so often. Thump. Thump. Thump. Still, I saw Phillip smile back at me, and extended his arm out. I latched onto it, and tried standing back up.
"You've been improving a lot lately, Young Master. You even created your own technique. I couldn't be happier to see your growth. I'm just a rusty old man with a little bit of skill.", Phillip said, making himself humble.
"As if.", I replied. "If you're just an old man with a little bit of skill, then what does that make Uncle Cassius? He'd feel ashamed if he heard you say that, Teacher. After all, he practically took your spot after you retired from the Royal Army.", I continued, grinning this time.
"That he did, along with that other stern fellow. It is a shame I submitted my servitude to His Excellency. If you had come earlier to Liberl, I wouldn't have minded becoming your personal butler, Young Master.", Phillip said. So he really could if he was in the position to do so, eh? Too bad I was born in the same year as Estelle. If I was born much earlier, like around Cassius's time, then things would be completely different.
"Unfortunate indeed. I hate to say, but this might be one of our last sparring sessions.", I said, sighing.
"I am afraid my time is fast approaching. I have to head back to Liberl soon. There are few key items I want you to remember, Young Master. Precision. Accuracy. Impact, and Striking Force. Master those, and you will be able to support your blade and overpower swordsmen much larger than your own. And above all, trust yourself. Let the blade be the one to guide you.", Phillip said, giving me his last instruction that I will take dear to my heart.
"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher.", I said. I was now standing upright again. I managed to catch my breath. The feeling in my arm was already returning but it was quite sore. I am going to be feeling it for a while even after Phillip departs. "But must you depart, Phillip? You know Father will welcome you in our villa. Always."
"I am grateful, but I have to return to His Excellency's side. Coming to Erebonia on and off has already started to take a toll on him. I fear if I leave him alone for too long, something unfortunate might happen. And with things escalating, I cannot fathom what that could lead into.", Phillip said, shaking his head in disagreement.
"Then so be it. Please send Her Majesty my regards. Thank you for taking the time as your already busy schedule to come here for the last couple of years, Sword Fox. I appreciate it. I really do.", I said, taking a moment to walk up to Phillip and offer him a handshake. He shook it, and smiled back.
"Send Her Majesty my regards as well, Sword Fox. Thank you for coming all the way out here to teach my son.", Giliath's voice said, which drew our eyes to the crowd beside us. Father stepped out. I saw that he was dressed in his General's attire, meaning that he was still on duty. Seeing Giliath arrive, Phillip nodded.
"Has the Imperial Army found the cause for this escalating uncertainty, General?", Phillip decided to ask on a whim. Giliath simply shook his head the other way.
"We cannot be certain. Some nefarious pro-war nobles do not like how His Imperial Majesty handled the enthronement. They're stating it should have taken more time. If they cause internal strife, this could very well lead to another war.", Giliath said, sighing.
"True. His Imperial Majesty did take the throne ahead of time. I can only pray to Aidios that things will be alright.", Phillip responded, also sighing. "It has not been long since Liberl has entered a state of peace. I would hate for that to be ruined. Young Master, I will pray for your well-being, as well as your relatives, should our two countries be swept in the tides of war. After all, you are a rightful heir to Liberl's throne. You may very well sit on it one day. Do not let others take advantage of you.", Phillip continued, smiling.
"Thank you. I will take your kind words to heart, Teacher.", I happily nodded back at him. After that, I reached into my robe, and pulled out a sealed letter. It had my own personal insignia on it, the Phoenix. "As you depart, can you pass this letter onto Miss Klaudia? We've become pen pals as of late. She's expecting another letter from me."
"With pleasure, Young Master. I will need to make haste to Heimdallr. I fear I will miss my flight if I don't.", Phillip said, and took the letter.
Kasia arrived next to Giliath.
"Are you sure you have to leave so soon, Mister Phillip? You can at least stay for lunch, can't you? I'm whipping up quite the meal. It isn't often we have everyone gathered around like this. You'll miss out on spending some quality time with us!", Kasia said, urging Phillip to join us for lunch. Hearing that, Phillip checked his orbal watch he liked to carry around on his wrist, and checked the time.