Volume 7 Chapter 21: Getting Lessons

"Hmm? You're going with such a big shield this time?" Tennol was surprised to see the boy had picked a large shield. They were going to spar today. But Keith would usually take a sword; from time to time, he would incorporate a small shield into the mix.

"Mmhmm." Keith nodded as he raised the shield, prepared for battle. His instincts were on high alert. That was because the person he was facing was Krystal. She wielded a rapier.

"Begin!" With that sound, Krystal made their first move!

The shield was quickly raised for the incoming attack. Bam! The rapier and shield made a resounding sound. Keith was sturdy, not moving from his position. Krystal, on the other hand, was pushed back from the force.

I have the advantage of sturdiness. But that thought didn't bring any assurance. Krystal was the faster of the two. There was only one thing he needed to do; corner her to limit her speed. Keith got ready as he inched toward her.

That was when Krystal made the unthinkable. She jumped forward at him, but she quickly disappeared! Right! Keith quickly shifted his shield, but he still got blasted!

"Woah!" The students who watched this were surprised! Keith was actually pushed back!

Keith didn't dwell on it as he quickly raised his shield again to block. Krystal was a hound; she wouldn't stop with only one attack. There were going to be multiple following right behind it!

He was right! Keith was sent flying again by the girl!

"Keith, you lost," Tennol stated as he called the two off. He turned to the others, "Next pair up." Two students got up and went up.

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"How are you feeling?" Jack questioned.

Keith shook his head, "It's difficult." This was the first time he decided to use the shield in combat. He had been practicing at home. But it was different when fighting against people. It was not a surprise he was not comfortable with it. While he talked with Jack,

"Keith."

"Do you need me to teach them again, Instructor Tennol?" This had become a usual thing with Keith. He would help out with the teaching whenever he could.

"No, I don't need your help teaching them today. But I think you need help with your shield movement."

"Haha, sorry about that today. I'm not used to using a large shield."

"I can see that. But I want to ask why you changed your weapons? A regular long sword is your go-to." Keith had been using a sword most of the time. To see him change was slightly weird.

"Ahh, that's because I will be a tank in my party."

"Party? You mean your dungeon exploration?" Every instructor knew about his party. That was how he got new ingredients for his cart.

"Mmhmm. I need to become a tank to make a stable team."

"I see." Tennol nodded when he heard, "But you won't be able to help your team if you move like that." He would become a liability.

"..."

"Come here."

Keith nodded as he followed. Tennol had a large shield and sword in his hand.

"One problem you had when you faced Krystal was that your stance was off. Such a heavy weapon would shift your center of gravity." That was why Krystal was making the boy dance. His stance was used with a sword, but a large shield was definitely heavier.

"Understood." Like that, Keith widened his stance as he moved his shield. But after some time, "If you're going to be your group's tank, you don't need to use a shield either."

"Eh?"

"There are other things you could use. Like you could use a large weapon. Use that as a weapon and shield at the same time. Test out what you want before deciding on something."

"I understand. Thank you for the lesson, Instructor Tennol."

Tennol coughed, "Naturally, my lessons don't come for free."

"Eh? What do you need?"

"How about this, for each personal lesson, you make a lunchbox."

"..." Keith was a little speechless for a second before he nodded, "...sure." That was a strange request. But it was something he could do.

"That's great. I can teach you all the basics with shields and heavy weaponry!" Tennol left with a happy smile on his face. Seeing that happy smile, the students were a little shocked by it.

Jack questioned, "What did you do?"

"Got some help." Keith grinned. He got someone to teach him how to use heavy weapons.