Chapter 55: Learning

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Learning

「The next day.」

Inside a room on the third floor of the Personal Guard Bureau.

Vili sat at a desk laid with a quill, ink, and stationery. Before him stood an old man with snow-white hair, dressed in a magnificent long robe. Beside the old man was a small blackboard, on which he sketched and wrote as he explained things to Vili.

The old man’s name was Hudier, the academic tutor Olay had specially hired for Vili. He was the most renowned scholar in Diamond Town, possessing a rich foundation of knowledge in subjects like literature and history. Many of the great figures of Diamond Town and wealthy merchants from the nearby Baron Town had sent their children to study under him. As a young man favored by Baron Kels, Vili naturally had to receive the best education as well.

However, despite being a scholar of literature and history, Hudier was currently teaching Vili the most basic literacy—in layman’s terms, he was teaching Vili how to read. When Hudier had first received the invitation, he hadn’t been very pleased. It was beneath a scholar of his vast knowledge to personally teach someone to read and write. However, out of respect for the Lord Baron, he had come anyway.

Adhering to the principle of teaching to the best of his ability, the reluctant Hudier still tried to make the tedious literacy lesson as engaging as possible. He was then astonished to discover that this student from a farming family was surprisingly sharp. Vili’s memory was excellent, and his handwriting was neat and forceful. Had Hudier not known his background, he would have sworn Vili had undergone systematic training before.

"That’s all for this afternoon’s lesson."

Hudier smiled encouragingly at Vili. "Child, you have a fine talent. Your memory is astonishing. If you hadn’t already joined the Personal Guard Bureau and become Master Olay’s student, I would have certainly taken you on as my own personal disciple."

In the fields of literature and history, memory is the most important talent.

"You flatter me, Mr. Hudier."

Vili stood up and thanked Hudier.

The language Vili was learning was called the Wuya Language, the official language of the Lanton Duchy. It was very similar to the English he knew from before he transmigrated. English has a total vocabulary of about 170,000 words, with 3,000 to 5,000 in common use. The Wuya Language was comparable, with a common vocabulary of 2,000 to 3,000 words. According to the plan Hudier had made for him, Vili would need a month and a half to two months to recognize all the new words, after which he would reinforce his memory through subsequent lessons in literature and history.

"Remember to reinforce what you’ve learned after class, or all your effort during our lessons will be wasted."

Hudier reminded him again.

"I will, Mr. Hudier."

Vili replied.

Hudier nodded. He had other students to teach, so he left the Personal Guard Bureau without delay.

After Hudier left, Vili reviewed the characters from his lesson one more time, writing out the new words to commit them to memory.

Half an hour later, Vili slowly got to his feet.

He walked to a corner, put on the Armor waiting there, and picked up a brand-new Cross Sword.

After his literacy studies, Vili still had to go to the training grounds of the Personal Guard Bureau to learn Fencing from Olay.

"Teacher Olay."

When Vili arrived at the training grounds, he found Olay already waiting for him in the southeast corner. "Sorry, I’m late."

Olay shook his head. "You’re not late; I just arrived a bit early. How was it? Are you adjusting to your first day of class?"

"It’s going quite well. Mr. Hudier is an excellent teacher; I really enjoy his classes."

Vili replied.

Olay smiled at his words. "That’s great to hear you’re adapting well. You must cherish the opportunity to learn from Mr. Hudier. Even the Lord Baron himself studied history with him when he was young."

After their brief exchange, Olay got to the point. "I heard you’ve learned Fencing at the Basic Knight Squire Level before?"

"Yes, my older brother, Sopps, taught me before."

Vili answered truthfully.

Olay nodded. "According to Bamos, you displayed a high level of combat skill in Bole Forest."

When he killed Knight Jarvis’s men, Vili had used a Hunting Knife to show Bamos his practical application of Fencing.

"Those combat skills are just things I figured out by combining my Fencing with my hunting experience."

Vili began to fabricate a story.

Olay sighed with some admiration. "Such terrifying combat talent... However, I have yet to see you in action myself. So, before we begin your training, I need to assess your true strength and tailor a plan for you. Come, let’s have a match."

Olay drew his Cross Sword from his waist.

Seeing this, Vili took a few steps back, held his Cross Sword at the ready, and gave a nod.

"Begin."

Olay commanded.

The moment he heard the command, Vili shot forward without hesitation. He took a single, swift step, using the force from the ground to leap high into the air. He swung his Cross Sword from behind, bringing it up over his head and slashing down toward Olay’s shoulder.

A glint appeared in Olay’s eyes, and the hint of a smile touched his lips. ℴ

But his movements were faster. Olay took a small step back and flicked his Cross Sword upward, perfectly parrying Vili’s attack. He seemed to have calculated Vili’s precise attack range, striking at the very heart of his offensive from the outset.

Vili was horrified. ’Such incredible strength!’

That seemingly effortless parry from Olay had sent a numbing jolt through his arm. ’And that was just a defensive move. If our roles were reversed, and assuming our swords didn’t break, I’d probably be coughing up blood from internal injuries by now.’

"Again."

Olay’s voice rang out.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Vili steadied himself and charged at Olay again.

This time, Vili opted for an upward attack. As he closed in on Olay, he dipped low and thrust his Cross Sword straight at Olay’s abdomen. Olay remained perfectly composed, swinging his own sword down in a semi-circle to block the tip of Vili’s blade with the flat of his own.

Vili’s hands never stopped moving, his eyes searching for an opening while his mind rapidly devised a plan of attack.

Vili’s strikes were fierce, but against Olay’s airtight defense, he couldn’t land a single effective blow.

Olay remained on the defensive the entire time, never moving more than half a meter from his spot, even when dodging.

"That’s enough."

Olay said softly, giving Vili a slight nod.

He was now certain that Bamos’s description and assessment of Vili’s combat Ability had not been exaggerated in the slightest.

For this young man, combat skill was etched into his very bones.