The 'spar' I had with the Young Miss really is broadening my horizons little by little. The thought of going offensive didn't cross my mind as the weapons I held moved to form a solid defence.

Holding a sword and a knife, I used my new Combat Body 'Universal' Art to keep up with the storm of Aura Swords swarming around my body. There was not even the faintest glow of energy underneath my skin even though the multiple enhancements made by my new Secret Art were easy to see.

Although I couldn't fight on even terms with the Young Miss considering how she was exploiting my weakness of ranged-combat, my mastery over the new technique I made increased as I learnt how to smoothen the circulation of the various powers within me.

As time passed, my fighting style became more stable and focused. Each sword movement become more fluid as it connected to my next move elegantly.

This wasn't due to any enlightenment I got in the midst of battle but had more to do with how I was slowly getting used to my Combat Body Universal Art. 

I had already discarded the Aura Manifestation technique in order to concentrate on the intricacies of my new Secret Art, allowing me to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of my new Art without having to go into ACTUAL combat with someone else.

With that being said, the only flaw I could find in my new Combat Body Universal Art was my lack of defences against techniques that used a lot of Mana like the Young Miss' Infinite Swords and it's lack of ranged abilities that could be used at long distance... It's almost like I've met the bane of my existence.

I may have greater amount of magical energy now that my Mana Flame isn't the only reserve for Light Mana, but that doesn't change the fact that my innate limitations still remain...

Unfortunately I've come to the realisation that having more Mana doesn't mean being able to increase my output of Mana. For example: Although I now have a wealth of Mana, the amount that I can spend on Spells or Arts is no different than it was before.

Meaning I'm going to have to make due with thumb-sized Spells from now on...

It's a good thing I've been secretly preparing a countermeasure for this sort of situation in my room. A mere lack of magical firepower won't have the power to keep me down for long!

With a swing of the Young Miss' index finger, the spine of many of her Aura Swords smashed me into the ground as I was lost in thought. However, the damage done was ineffective as I had properly defended myself using my weapons from the frontal attack.

How was it that I was still able to fight normally despite the extra damage that came with smashing into the floor? It's quite simple actually~ All I did was use my 'Kinetic Muscles' to absorb the force of the physical impact that came with hitting headfirst into the ground!

I know, I know: This new ability that I got from my Secret Art is practically cheating~

Not that it mattered to me.

Well... It's not like I was using the full strength of Combat Body anyway.

The condensed Light Mana refined into my bones still hadn't been released into Spells or Arts of Time Specialists whilst the Dark Mana within my blood also hadn't been used to manipulate Space.

Although it's farfetched to think I could become some sort of 'Space Specialist' with the help of true Dark Mana but I'm definitely capable of displacing myself and manipulating my physique if I properly trained to use that Mana.

This is not even mentioning the fact that my Ether Skin is capable of blocking and absorbing natural phenomenons created by Mages. I'm sure that if I was to go up against a Mage instead of a Swordsman like the Swordwick Household's Duke, then...

In truth, I am actually a little disappointed that I've lost my ability to make unpredictable attacks after discarding Aura Manifestation.

If my swordsmanship was unpredictable before due to the constant changes in my Elemental Aura then my current sword style looked more 'normal'.

There were no longer any tricks in my new sword style, only displaying true swordsmanship that was created to defend even the Young Miss' attacks.

"Nice work~ It seems your personal swordsmanship is improving... You will definitely be able to reach a greater level of Sword Mastery if you keep this effort up!" I didn't even bother to be distracted by her sudden praise because I already knew of her intentions to break my concentration anyway. Her venomous words were quite lacking in my point of view.

While I'm trying defend myself from the technique that was the bane of all Swordsmen, she just casually relaxed with her personal maid and was having her lunch while manipulating swords!

I might have been embarrassed by how disinterested she was in taking the spar seriously if I had the noble dignity of a Swordsman... Good thing I don't~

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Even as I nimbly jumped about the Training Grounds, I was able to secretly peek at what those two little girls were doing from time to time.

A frown was on the personal maid's face as she gestured her hands at me.

"I'm not bullying him for my own enjoyment... He's just weaker than what I expected. You can also 'spar' with me instead if you feel like taking his place." The Young Miss said lazily.

The doll-like girl briefly paused before letting out a silent sigh, deciding to let the matter go. I felt as if a huge stone had been lifted off my back when the Young Miss got bored of attacking.

I really didn't expect that the Young Miss would shamelessly lie without blinking to her maid. No, even before that: Why did she seem nervous?

"Give me a chance to rest first." I said before sweatily falling to the ground.

Of course I wasn't feigning weakness at this moment. Although I may be able to use Mana to enhance my stamina, that doesn't entirely change the fact that my body needs rest from time to time.

"I'll give you half an hour." The Young Miss informed before opening the book that young girl called Sylphy had brought. The maid walked towards me curiously and handed over a towel.

"Thank you." I gratefully thanked the expressionless girl who was looking at me as if I was some kind of rare breed of an Animalistic Beast that had never been discovered before on Sphera.

"Why is she just silently standing here and staring at me? Am I some sort of rare species?" I couldn't help but ask the Young Miss, who was busy reading.

"She's mute... I think it's best that you ignore her unless she really wants to inform you of something. Plus, you ARE a rare species." The Young Miss said without bothering to lift her head.

"You probably haven't noticed since you've lived here for so long, but every part of our household is monstrous to the point that just displaying the fact that you originate from our household is enough for you to be labelled as a freak." She continued with a tone of helplessness concealed in her voice.

At her words, I couldn't help but lift my head and look towards her. I never expected that those of the Swordwick Household would have such a strange reputation in the Drakeyol Kingdom.

As for the doll-like girl who was expressionlessly staring me down, I'll consider ignoring her a form of mental training since I don't really have the heart to say anything bad towards the benefactor that allowed me to rest. I'm sure the Young Miss only stopped attacking on account of her opinion.

"The Swordwick Household is the only household that has so many Martial Artists and Magic Swordsman working for them as servants. Not only that but the ridiculous requirements our household has for its successors are so insane that they cause a regular person's spine to freeze." The Young Miss complained. The book in her hands was slapped shut as her face darkened, I was unable to make out what the Younger Miss was thinking.

I didn't respond to her words since there was nothing I could do or say to lighten the mood. I calmed my mind and looked towards Sylphy who was still trying to glare a hole in my body.

You know... I'm actually starting to get annoyed. Is she romantically interested in me? No, it's feels more like she's trying to figure out my current condition through sight alone...

What a strange girl...

I looked back towards the Young Miss who was dispiritedly staring off into space and suddenly got an idea. I hid the smile on my face and tried to make the greatest poker face I could muster.

"Hey, girl, you look fine~ Go out with me~!" I expressionlessly confessed to the maid who was looking like she was trying to glare holes into my flesh.

Sylphy, who was still looking like she was trying to find something interesting on me, suddenly stared at me with blank stare. It looked like her mind short-circuited from shock!

"Hahahaha!" The Young Miss laughed uproariously after hearing what I said. 

Now look at that~ Even an old man like me can be make jokes sometimes! After praising myself a little for my great social skills, my eyes couldn't help but peek at Sylphy, who had finally reacted.

A blush was on her face as she seemed to be unable to look at me in the eyes after hearing such an embarrassing confession. My heart suddenly felt like it was struck by lightning, hit by a truck, and blown up as I suddenly found her to be quite... cute~!

Ah... I wish she would talk to me. I really want to understand this girl more. Actually, this joke of a confession  I gave still counts right? I don't care how embarrassing it sounds, it still counts! I'll have to focus and watch out for her answer to my boldness.

"..." She shook her head, then she gave me a respectful bow before running away in embarrassment! My heart felt pained as I watched her swiftly leave.

"I seem to have underestimated you. To think that you'd actually give her such a roguish confession! Were dropped on your head as a child?" The Young Miss viciously commented with a newfound interest in her eyes, but I didn't care. A foreign feeling of depression spread across my heart as I stared foolishly at the exist of her Training Grounds.

Hah... Why do I have to be such a dense guy? I hope we can still be friends in the future, if not lovers. She is the only one who has ever caused my heart to sweeten with such a warmth.

"I think I've fallen in love." I said as a hint of red appeared on my cheeks.

"You sure you didn't just 'fall' for her pretty face?" The Young Miss asked with an unconvinced expression on her face, looking as if she was disgusted by how I was able to say that so seriously.

I didn't feel angered by her venomous words since only the opinion of a select number of people actually mattered to me. The rest were unable to even dream of moving my heart at all!

Actually, I have to praise her lack of delicacy. Wait... now that I about it, my confession wasn't delicate at all! When did I suddenly become so foolish?

"You are the one who has a prettier face, right? I would have confessed to you if I merely wanted to pursue a beautiful girl. So don't belittle my heart!" I retorted thoughtlessly.

A smile curved onto my face as I closed my eyes, planning out how I would try to get closer to her. She's so mysterious that my instinct has been going mad from the very moment I met her...

When the Young Miss tried to get closer to me, my instincts yelled that getting intimate with her equalled getting further from a quiet life, but the feeling I got from Sylphy was different.

I could somehow feel that getting any closer to her meant getting closer to death! I didn't know what horrors she would go through in the future but I knew that the current me would be unable to protect her! I have to become a Skill Holder as soon as possible!

"You're as narcissistic as Jack if you think you're worthy of me. However, if you're able to win your bet, there might be some hope." The Young Miss shook her head before leaving as well.

"Also, thank you, you can come back here anytime." She continued, a pure smile appeared on her face as she waved a goodbye. It seems that this girl really is hard to understand. I wonder why she talks so venomously when her smile seems to display such goodwill...