Chương 32: Chapter 31 A Worthy Opponent

Perhaps Karath's improvement had been nothing more than a coincidence. With that thought in mind, Roberto decided to increase the pace slightly. In truth, what Roberto had shown Karath until now could hardly be called swordsmanship. He had merely swung the branch around at a playful level. Roberto might have been unable to use one leg properly, but even if the leg had been completely missing, an adult orc would still have been no match for him if he fought seriously.

The moment Roberto increased his speed, his branch struck Karath's body once more. Thwack!

"Ghk." Karath had believed he was finally beginning to understand Roberto's movements, but the unexpected blow forced a quiet groan from him. His eyes remained focused. After some time, he once again began reading Roberto's attacks well enough to block them. Their branches continued crossing for a while.

"Hah!" With a sudden shout, Roberto struck the side of Karath's branch and sent it flying from his hand.

"That is enough for today." Roberto smiled at Karath's devastated expression. He looked refreshed, as though exercising after so long had finally cleared his head.

"Tch. I was almost able to hit you once." Karath muttered regretfully after spending the entire spar being beaten. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"Challenge me again tomorrow if you are disappointed. It is almost time for you to return, is it not?"

"Just wait until tomorrow, Roberto!" Karath delivered the threat like a third-rate villain from a cheap novel, then departed.

"Heh. What an amusing child." Roberto laughed as he watched Karath's retreating back. He did not even realize that he had just described a monster as amusing. After that first spar with Roberto, Karath challenged him every day. Thwack! Every day, he was beaten. Even so, he never stopped challenging him. Part of the reason was his unwillingness to lose, but more importantly, Karath enjoyed sparring with Roberto.

Every evening, he returned to the settlement covered in bruises and replayed the paths of Roberto's attacks inside his head. He imagined different ways to counter them, then returned the following day to test his solutions. Thwack! Roberto would usually turn Karath's counter against him with the skill of an experienced swordsman. However, as that process repeated, countless tactical exchanges naturally became engraved in Karath's mind. The lengths of their arms and branches.

The slightest twist of the wrist, shoulder, or waist. From those small details, Karath learned to read an opponent's intent and predict the next movement. The experience felt like playing a fighting game. The only problem was that Karath was using his actual body instead of controlling a character on a screen. That made it even more enjoyable. On Earth, Arnold had been so physically clumsy that he avoided sports whenever possible. Here, everything was different.

Karath's body moved exactly as he imagined, making combat even more satisfying than playing a game. He had fought the other orcs many times, but those battles possessed a different nature. The orcs enjoyed bold clashes built upon overwhelming physical power. Roberto was teaching Karath what technique and tactical exchanges truly meant. For Karath, who had used modern martial arts knowledge to defeat older and larger orcs, it was a refreshing shock.

Around a month after their first spar, their branches crossed again. Tap! Whoosh!

"Hahaha! What do you think of that, Roberto?" Karath had finally reached a level where he could fight Roberto on nearly equal terms. Of course, Roberto was still leaning his lower body against the enormous tree and fighting with only his upper body.

"You still have a long way to go." Roberto appeared to enjoy their increasingly even matches as much as Karath did. A pleased smile rested upon his lips as he swung the branch with renewed enthusiasm. They continued exchanging attacks for some time.

"I should probably return soon." Realizing it was time to go back to the settlement, Karath lowered his branch.

"Hmm. Is it already that late?" This time, Roberto was the one who looked disappointed.

"Hahaha. Do not worry. I will return tomorrow. You should be more concerned about finally taking a hit from me."

"You are still far too inexperienced, child." Roberto laughed openly at Karath's playful provocation. Leaving that laughter behind, Karath returned to the settlement.