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chapter15
Counterattack
MacTominie.
Seeing that he had no family name, he must be a commoner.
“His age is similar to mine, yet he’s ranked as a 2-star?”
His physique looked extraordinary. But having a certain build alone doesn’t earn you a star, as Mayur had already confirmed by observing other knights’ apprentices.
Morgan, said to be the most skilled among the Iron Bear Knights’ apprentices, didn’t even have a visible name tag.
“So that’s what stars mean… it’s about growth.”
MacTominie was probably around Mayur’s age. The fact that he already had stars implied that as he grew older and improved, he could earn more.
“Key grasp?”
A flash of greed crossed Mayur’s eyes as he observed MacTominie. How far he could grow was unknown, but the mere fact that he had stars meant he was better than those who didn’t.
“An exceptional apprentice. Unsuitable for Sir Isaac, really.”
To Isaac, a knight of the Beakless line, this apprentice seemed almost overqualified—as if a tiger had been placed under a wolf’s care.
“This is MacTominie, Sir Isaac Derun’s apprentice.”
MacTominie lowered his head toward Mayur while holding a seemingly heavy broadsword in one hand.
His large frame was matched by fierce, piercing eyes, and his voice was so booming it seemed to reverberate through the surroundings. Mayur gave a knowing smile and glanced briefly at Isaac before focusing on MacTominie.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Mayur Garden.”
“I request to learn from you, Prince Mayur.”
Unlike Morgan, who had charged like a raging boar, MacTominie showed remarkable courtesy. Isaac had never taught him that, so he must have been brought here specifically to defeat Mayur.
‘No reason to blame Isaac for bringing in a new apprentice.’
Isaac’s effort was clearly to ensure Mayur’s defeat.
“Has Sir Lando not come?”
Mayur scanned the surroundings. But neither Lando nor Viktor appeared. The Beakless Knights’ training grounds prohibited the entry of commoners like Viktor.
‘Cowardly.’
Mayur glared at Isaac. To behave so sneakily toward the heir of this family… He was already a lost cause when he picked fights with Viktor.
Mayur looked at MacTominie.
“Let’s do our best, then.”
Mayur and MacTominie faced each other. Then someone who had been silently observing stepped forward.
Donnie Wilson.
The captain of the Beakless Knights.
Mayur looked at him directly.
[Donnie Wilson: ★★☆☆☆]
A 2-star knight.
He had been recruited directly by the head of the household, Erigo, from outside and became the captain representing the Beakless Knights’ military power.
‘They said he works well with Kyle.’
Next to Auwis was Ordos, a harsh region where few humans could survive. It was less a living area than a buffer zone to stop invading foreign tribes.
Life there was harsh, and its people—men and women alike—were notoriously fierce. Naturally, many distinguished knights came from there.
Kyle, with a level of skill that impressed even Erigo at first sight, and Donnie Wilson, recruited as captain of the Beakless Knights, both hailed from this place.
This time, Donnie acted as the mediator.
“I shall ensure this duel is sacred. Mayur Prince and MacTominie, your battle’s outcome will be determined by the sanctity of this duel. The victor shall obtain what they desire.”
Both Mayur and MacTominie nodded simultaneously. Donnie cast Mayur a glance before stepping back.
“Then, begin.”
Donnie shook his head inwardly as he observed Mayur, who appeared frail and delicate.
‘Weak. His grip on the sword is sloppy.’
To Donnie, Mayur looked entirely fragile. Although he had heard rumors that Mayur trained with Viktor, it seemed to have little effect. Compared to muscular knights and apprentices, Mayur’s difference was glaring.
‘Viktor’s training couldn’t have much impact in such a short time.’
Donnie was one of those who underestimated Viktor, thinking that without Lando—the strongest in the territory—Viktor’s achievements would be impossible.
Furthermore, Mayur seeking Viktor rather than Iron Bear or Beakless wounded Donnie’s pride.
Thus, he subtly helped Isaac recruit the famous MacTominie as an apprentice.
‘Lando… I look forward to seeing your reaction.’
Donnie, knowing Lando had visited Mayur’s annex for the past few days, was convinced MacTominie would crush Mayur and felt a surge of superiority.
Then.
MacTominie charged at Mayur like an enraged bull, broadsword raised. Donnie watched the superior physique overpower Mayur and smiled inwardly.
‘Victory.’
“What are you doing!? Focus, everyone!”
Bam!
Crash!
Lando, enraged, shouted after having to fight through the gaps left by Viktor’s ten men while taking down half the enemy line himself.
Vector, one of the soldiers knocked down by Lando’s sword, groaned and stood.
“Apologies, Captain!”
“Such carelessness could cost your lives in reality!”
Lando’s anger erupted, and the Viktors all yelled simultaneously, “Sorry, Captain!”
Though often called stone-faced, Lando was one of the strictest during training.
Under his motto—“A single drop of sweat in training is a drop of blood in war”—his sessions were intense, sometimes causing injuries.
Seeing Viktor’s ranks sloppy, Lando erupted in anger. Vector handed him a water jug.
“Captain, you know why they’re like this.”
Lando glared at Vector. He knew exactly what Vector meant.
“Prince Mayur went alone into the enemy lines. Naturally, they worry—it’s Viktor, after all.”
Vector carefully gauged Lando’s reaction.
Viktor’s unity was stronger than family ties.
And Mayur had, knowingly or not, acknowledged them as comrades, making them part of Viktor’s unit.
Seeing their comrade go alone while they trained weakened their focus.
Lando glanced around. They all had the same expression. He sipped water and smiled wryly.
“They wouldn’t even get in if they went.”
The Beakless Knights’ choice of their training grounds was meant to bar the Viktors. Even if they tried, they’d be stopped at the gate.
“I’ll cheer from outside, then.”
One of the team leaders answered firmly, and the others nodded in agreement. Lando handed the water back to Vector.
“Our cheers outside will be louder than those of the pampered Beakless Knights, Captain!”
“Indeed. The young prince would be frightened alone.”
“Yes! We want to cheer, Captain!”
The Viktors’ enthusiasm grew, and Lando frowned.
“Viktor does not lose.”
He said this while looking at Vector.
“I told you so.”
“But Captain…”
Vector smiled faintly.
“They’ll cheer, and the young prince will appreciate it. He’s a lonely one.”
Lando had no choice but to give in. The Viktors raised their hands in unison.
“Let’s go!”
“For the young prince!”
“Yeahhh!”
Whoosh—!!!
The terrifying shockwave from MacTominie’s swing resonated, but Mayur calmly stepped back, keeping out of range.
‘His guard is compromised.’
Morgan had been careless, and his talent was average. Mayur could seize victory with a single precise strike using his Nan’gong Sword technique.
But MacTominie was trained and strong; recklessly attacking would only backfire. His 2-star rating reflected his physical conditioning. Mayur’s judgment was correct. MacTominie’s swings were powerful and precise.
“Hah!”
Slash—!!
Mayur evaded, controlled his breath, and advanced in perfect form.
Whoosh—!
Each swing kicked up dust, showing the sword’s tremendous force—strong enough that clashing with it was unthinkable.
Yet Mayur had rolled and trained under Lando’s guidance over the past three days, over 300 repetitions and counting.
‘Strong… but compared to Sir Lando?’
Gaps appeared. Mayur assessed MacTominie and leapt forward.
“Hah!”
MacTominie gripped his sword tightly, intending to neutralize the family heir in one blow. Any mistake could be fatal.
Swish.
Mayur lifted his sword to block. MacTominie angled his broad sword slightly to parry.
A broadsword is heavy, but MacTominie could wield it one-handed. Even a glancing strike could make the opponent lose grip.
‘He’s attacking!’
MacTominie swung.
Shhrrrk!
Clang—!!!
Mayur’s sword slid along MacTominie’s blade, sparks flying, and the pommel caught on MacTominie’s sword.
‘I’ll send him flying!’
Though not exactly airborne, the sword was caught. As MacTominie lifted it with force—
Spin!
Clang clang!
Mayur released his grip. The caught pommel rotated and landed in his other hand.
The blade went backward, the hilt forward.
MacTominie’s eyes widened as Mayur used the pommel to free himself. The attack with MacTominie’s power-laden sword shot upward, leaving Mayur free.
Nan’gong Sword.
A defensive style focusing on counterattacks, redirecting the enemy’s strike.
Having learned this from Lando, Mayur could now use it thanks to his training with Viktor.
MacTominie’s mistake was underestimating this.
Thwack—!!!!
Mayur swung with the reverse grip, hitting MacTominie’s waist with the pommel.
