Episode 4

The tutor had been chosen, and their first meeting took place. Brink Hartmann, a former knight of this kingdom, would serve as Zeke’s (Hiroto’s) private instructor.

He was said to be in his late thirties, but he had the vigor of someone younger—a true “nice middle-aged” type.

Given that, in company terms, he would be in management by age, Hiroto wondered why he had left the order of knights—but since it suited him, he decided not to think too hard about it.

“Once again, my name is Brink Hartmann. You may have heard, but I once served as a knight. I look forward to working with you.”

“I am Zeke Lagias. —Spare me the needless preface and get started already.”

(Quite a different attitude from when his parents are around.)

A year after resigning from the order, Brink had returned to his family home in the Rent Domain. Even if he had to be away, being at his parents’ house—where they could look after his son—gave him peace of mind.

Adjacent to the Rent Domain lay the Lagias Domain. Even though it was another lord’s land, the Lagias family’s bad reputation thundered this far.

They imposed heavy taxes on their subjects, squeezed them to line their own pockets, and punished without argument those who could not pay. They did whatever they pleased—but as long as they were lords appointed by the crown, that was the reality that was allowed to stand.

(Like parent, like child, it seems.)

Working for the infamously ill-reputed Lagias house would normally be out of the question, but it was only about an hour by carriage, the hours were fewer than in the order, and above all, the pay was good.

Thinking of his son, he needed money; ties with nobility might lead to a clue for treatment.

All for the sake of family. He focused on keeping his feelings down and carrying out his duties matter-of-factly.

“Let me confirm first—have you ever used a sword?”

“A foolish question. Just watch.”

Hiroto meant to say, “I have. Would you take a look?” but the automatic “translation” filter was still in effect.

He took his stance, brought the blade down from above, swept horizontally, and cut while pivoting on his foot.

He swung as he pleased, gauging the reaction.

Drawing on knowledge from the original, he had recalled how Zeke fought and practiced on his own, but he had been just a high-schooler and had never held a sword.

If things matched the original, he should have talent—but he didn’t think he could make full use of it, hence the early course correction to hiring a tutor.

Because he was an original character with high potential, he figured once he grasped the basics, things would work out one way or another—and so the first day of instruction arrived.

(What is this…? He already has form.)

Hiroto was only swinging with the original’s combos in mind, but to an outside eye, it was a bizarre sight.

A boy swinging a practice sword around wasn’t rare; those who admired knights often mimicked what they saw and tried swinging as best they could.

But Zeke was nothing like the others. Each cut was complete. His flowing, unhesitating blade-work was like the elegant strains of a prestigious orchestra.

That he could grasp Zeke’s level so quickly was thanks to his own understanding of the sword as a former knight. Even so, it didn’t change the fact that Zeke was abnormal.

“Zeke-sama, have you studied swordsmanship under someone?”

“Are you an idiot? Why do you think I hired you?”

He was right in a sense, but it was hard to believe someone could acquire such swordsmanship entirely self-taught.

Instruction from relatives was possible, but he had never heard that the Lagias family excelled in the martial arts. Why had he learned it in the first place?

At first he had planned to keep his distance and just work for his pay, but before he knew it, his head was full of ideas about how to train Zeke.

His personality had its issues, but purely as a teacher he felt his heart leap—despite his age—wondering how high this gifted boy could climb.

At the same time, he felt a pang of sorrow, thinking that if his son were in good health, there might have been a future where the two boys spurred each other on.