Reynaud: “Come on, hit me. I’ll try my best to fight back too. Don’t worry, I’ll hold back.”

Ryu swung his sword at Reynaud in a normal motion.

Ryu wasn’t skilled with swords. In fact, he was a novice in swordsmanship and martial arts.

However, due to his high physical abilities, even a simple swing from him resulted in an incredibly fast strike, despite his lack of skill.

Thus, Ryu decided to hold back and lightly swing at Reynaud…

But as he stepped forward, Ryu stopped and halted his sword.

He had foreseen being hit the moment he swung. It was Ryu’s Danger Prediction ability.

Reynaud: “Oh? You read ahead. As rumored, you’re something else.”

Ryu and Reynaud swung their swords almost simultaneously. It looked like a clash was inevitable, but…

Through Ryu’s Danger Prediction, he saw his sword missing its target, and Reynaud’s sword piercing his forehead.

Intrigued, Ryu decided to not hold back this time. He’d just use his Dimensional Barrier if he got hit.

Ryu attacked again, and Reynaud swung his sword in response.

When their swords clashed, Ryu’s blade was deflected by Reynaud’s. It veered off course, striking Reynaud’s side, but the deflected sword continued its trajectory towards Ryu’s forehead.

Reynaud stopped his blade mere millimeters from Ryu’s forehead. It wouldn’t have been a problem for Ryu, thanks to his barrier.

To those around them, it might have just looked like Ryu swung his sword at Reynaud’s side, and Reynaud stopped his sword in front of Ryu’s forehead.

But in reality, Reynaud’s sword movement was a perfect arc, deflecting Ryu’s attack and simultaneously positioning his own blade to strike his opponent. It was one of Reynaud’s signature techniques, a subtle but masterful swordsmanship.

Ryu’s eyes shone with admiration.

Ryu: “…Amazing!”

But Reynaud seemed dissatisfied.

Reynaud: “You weren’t serious at all, were you?”

Ryu, despite being a novice with swords, had actually always wanted to learn swordsmanship seriously.

In his past life in Japan, he was interested in Kendo, but ultimately never had the opportunity.

Now, before him stood Reynaud, a former Sword Saint. This man surely possessed numerous other incredible techniques beyond what he had just shown.

Ryu could have easily killed his opponent with spatial magic, making it sufficient for him in terms of combat ability. But Ryu remembered his pure interest in the sword, a hobby he had long wished to pursue.

―　―　―　―　―　―　―　―

Later that evening, Ryu asked Reynaud to accompany him to the training ground.

He didn’t intend to become his apprentice. He just wanted to see more of Reynaud’s swordsmanship.

Of course, it was unlikely that Reynaud could move like he did in his prime, with his prosthetic leg and cane.

But, what if his leg was healed?

That was why Ryu had called Reynaud to the training ground where no one else was present.

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Ryu: “I’m sorry for summoning you like this.”

Reynaud: “No, it’s alright. I wanted to talk to you too.”

Ryu: “That was an amazing sword technique. Truly worthy of a Sword Saint.”

Reynaud: “That was back in the day. Now, I’m just a Scarecrow named Reynaud.”

Reynaud raised his prosthetic leg and chuckled wryly.

Ryu: “What if that leg was healed?”

Reynaud: “?!”

This world had high-quality potions and advanced healing magic that could even heal missing limbs.

Of course, Reynaud knew this. But such treatments cost a fortune, on the level of the national budget.

Even though he was once a renowned Sword Saint, Reynaud was now old and showing signs of decline. Plus, he was only an adventurer during his time off from his national duties. There was no way the country would provide him with such treatment.

Unfortunately, Reynaud couldn’t afford it either, leaving him with no choice but to retire.

Reynaud: “Can you use healing magic powerful enough to heal missing limbs?!”

Ryu: “If you’re okay with it.”

Reynaud: “If it’s true, I would be grateful… but…”

Hearing this, Ryu raised his hand and cast magic.

Reynaud’s body shimmered, and his prosthetic leg fell off.

After several seconds, Reynaud’s missing leg had regenerated.

Reynaud: “Amazing! This is?!”

It wasn’t just his leg. His entire body was revitalized. His face had also become younger.

Ryu’s healing magic wasn’t actually a healing spell. He had used temporal magic to rewind time back to when Reynaud was healthy. In other words, not only his leg, but his entire body had been rejuvenated to a time before he lost his leg.

Reynaud removed the shoes he was wearing with his prosthetic leg and put them on his newly restored feet. He stomped, walked, and ran, testing his body.

After confirming his condition, he ran towards Ryu and took his hand.

Reynaud: “Amazing, thank you, thank you!”

But a moment later, Reynaud calmed down and said in a composed voice:

Reynaud: “I’m grateful for your healing, but I can’t afford to pay for it.”

Ryu: “I don’t need money. I just wanted to see your full potential with the sword.”

Reynaud: “Oh, so that’s it. If you want to learn my swordsmanship, I’ll teach you everything!”

Ryu: “I’m not asking to become your apprentice. But, would you like to spar with me?”

Reynaud was taken aback by the offer for a moment, but then he quickly grinned ferociously and grabbed a wooden sword.

Reynaud: “I’d love to. I wanted to fight you too.”

―　―　―　―　―　―　―　―

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