Chapter 14: Schemes & Daggers Behind Smiles

Franswift and Bylun sat on the ground and took their breath. They had fought multiple times since the day they have met, and they now ended the fights when one had the opportunity to inflict a fatal injury. It was to avoid the need for precious healing resources. Also, they knew this was a spar and did not need to go to such extents.

“It is a tie this time,” Bylun said while gasping for breath. He starred at Franswift, who was sitting in front of him with a complicated look.

He felt it was worth it that he had come to spar with Franswift every day, but he also felt helpless when he saw the terrible rate at which Franswift learned. If Franswift was an amateur when they began, then now, he was versed in hand-to-hand combat. It wasn’t to the extent that he couldn’t defeat him, but it certainly took longer now.

If they got serious and Franswift was allowed to use weapons, he would still be able to defeat him, but he can’t ensure he wouldn’t be suffering injuries. What reassured him at the least was he also got to learn and improve on his flaws and weaknesses. The problem is I never know what that deceptive bastard is thinking, especially in fights.

Franswift furrowed his eyebrows but nodded without saying anything back. If Bylun said it, that meant it was the truth. Bylun was an expert when it came to hand-to-hand combat. He did know whether he knew force applications like the one Wilhelm showed him, but Bylun was always able to adjust to any move made against him and exploit its weakness.

Franswift had heard from Wilhelm after the first spar was that Bylun came from a past long-known family named the Igor family. That family, unfortunately, has waned down over time. The Igor family was renowned for its warriors who specialized in close combat especially barehanded ones.

Knowing Franswift was dissatisfied, Bylun explained. “Your fist did reach my heart before mine reached your throat. But, even if your hand were capable of piercing my heart, I would have still had enough time and power to crush your throat.”

Franswift gazed into the ground contemplating and murmuring.

After arranging his thoughts, he asked, “How would I strike your throat while you still had one hand guarding your face.”

“If I had your abilities, I would have baited myself into striking the head while placing my weight on the front leg and dodge my attack at the last second by stepping sideways. I would then have a huge opening to aim for the neck.” After answering Franswift question, Bylun asked his own. “By the way, how do you go on with baiting? No matter what I do, I fail to do so with you.”

“It is more of manipulating more than it is baiting. I would appear to hide my attack behind a simple readable façade which would trick you into moving. While in the end, a simple shift in my weight or a slight change in my stance would pave the way for the real attack.”

“That still does not explain why I can’t do it.”

“Because what you want to do would be written all over your face even if you try to hide it.”

“...”

Easier said than done. Bylun felt vexed

Franswift was simply saying he had no ability to do so, but he was certain in his capability of masking his emotions. He could only surrender to that somewhat ridiculous ability of Franswift to change his or read other people’s emotions.

“Then what would you do if you can’t read other people’s emotions?”

“I would...”

And as usual, they continued their conversation, which they did after every spar to improve and fix their flaws. It was better than being left as a weakness.

Just as they stood up to spar again.

“That will be it for today, Bylun. I will be continuing with Franswift.” Wilhelm intervened as he walked to the backyard. Bylun furrowed his eyebrows while Franswift tilted his head, both confused as to why Wilhelm ended their spars earlier than usual.

Still, none of them said a word, and Bylun turned to the room to leave, but before he left, he heard a sound from his back.

“Hey, Bylun, I will be waiting for you tomorrow.”

Without turning back, Bylun walked out as he smiled and raised his hand to wave.

It was a good decision to introduce Bylun to him. He is finally showing some actions befitting his age. One of the things that had worried Wilhelm was Franswift completely acting like a machine. It was normal for those who had lived for a long time, but Franswift was only 12. That meant either his mind was completely messed up, or he was repressing his actions due to his circumstances in the slums.

At least he is somewhat normal in peaceful times. All that is left to see what effects that his training here will do to him. Now in normal times, Franswift would appear somewhat childish, but he has proper self-discipline, and his rare childish acts never affect what is important.

However, what will happen when he encounters different situations like manipulation, deceit, life and death. Will he stay as he is, or will he change since he had broken his death perception, only time will tell.

Wilhelm walked to the backyard as he talked, “I will be starting the final phase of your training.”