Hari-Hari Penuh Pelajaran: Antara Buku dan Pedang - 04

Hari-Hari Penuh Pelajaran: Antara Buku dan Pedang

Kayaknya gue berbakat di ilmu pedang. Mungkin karena gue bisa imbangan lawan prajurit bocah, tapi gosipnya udah nyampe ke telinga para ksatria keluarga.

"Van-sama, boleh saya tanya sesuatu?"

Seorang pria berjenggot tegas melepas baju zirahnya dan bertanya. Pria paruh baya dengan pakaian sederhana yang basah oleh keringat ini adalah salah satu anggota terkuat keluarga Marquis! Namanya Dee, Wakil Komandan Ordo Ksatria Keluarga Ferto.

Bisa dilihat otot-ototnya terbentuk dengan baik bahkan melalui pakaian kain hitam. Yah, sebagian karena pakaiannya menyerap keringat dan menempel erat ke tubuhnya. Agak ganggu sih, bajunya yang tadinya abu-abu sekarang berubah warna karena keringat.

"Ada apa?"

Gue balas nanya sambil minum air, dan Dee mengulurkan tangannya dengan ekspresi super serius.

"Saya ingin lihat tangan Anda."

"Oke? Mau ngapain?"

Gue ulurkan satu tangan, agak gugup, dan Dee dengan hormat menggenggam tangan gue dengan kedua tangannya. Lalu dia memperhatikan telapak tangan gue dengan saksama.

"……..Tidak ada kapalan. Kulitnya masih lembut. Hmm, kukumu tumbuh normal."

"Aduh, maaf. Nanti kalau udah gede saya bakal latihan keras kok."

Dee mendengus dengan ekspresi sulit sambil menarik tangannya.

"Saya kira Anda kalah dari para calon prajurit dan berlatih diam-diam di malam hari, tapi tidak ada tanda-tanda itu sama sekali."

"Saya memang kesulitan latihan. Saya akan latihan lebih keras nanti kalau sudah mampu. Yang jelas, saya masih suka pedang."

Saat gue membuat alasan, berpikir dia marah, Dee menyipitkan matanya dan menatap ke arah kastil.

"……..Kabar yang beredar, Lord Espada memberi Van-sama pelajaran tiga kali lipat dari biasanya. Saya akan selalu terbuka untuk Anda. Jika Anda ingin belajar lebih banyak tentang pedang, saya akan mengajukan permohonan langsung sekarang juga."

"Apa? Saya pikir aneh kalau saya sendiri yang belajar sebanyak itu dari pagi sampai malam, jadi itu sebabnya."

Dee mengangguk dalam setelah menerima konfirmasi berita mengejutkan itu.

"Orang keras kepala itu terlalu fokus pada pelajaran kelas. Bagi saya, yang bisa menilai orang tanpa prasangka, saya percaya Tuan Van seharusnya menekuni jalan pedang. Tuan Van punya bakat. Pertama, Anda harus belajar bentuk dan melatih otot. Lalu berlatih setiap hari. Saya akan menjadikan Anda pendekar pedang terbaik di kerajaan," katanya.

Mata Dee serius saat dia berbicara dengan penuh semangat. Dia serius, tapi keras kepala. Atau lebih tepatnya, Dee munafik saat menyebut Espada keras kepala. Dia sendiri jelas berat sebelah ke jalan pedang, hanya karena bidang keahliannya juga pedang.

"Saya suka pedang, tapi saya juga suka belajar. Saya akan berusaha di kedua bidang."

Saat gue menjawab begitu, mulut Dee merosot ke bawah dengan ekspresi kecewa banget.

"……..Muguugu, mau gimana lagi. Paling tidak, saya akan melatih Anda langsung selama latihan pedang. Boleh?"

Bahkan Dee, wakil komandan, mengambil inisiatif sendiri untuk mengajar, mengikuti jejak Espada. Dee, yang wajahnya sudah sangat dekat dengan wajahku, menunggu jawabanku, dan aku menjawab dengan setengah senyum lelah.

"Ah, haha… ajar saya dengan lembut ya?"

"Hahaha! Tentu saja! Saya paham Tuan Van masih anak-anak."

Dee jelas-jelas senang setelah mendengar jawaban positif.

Tapi dia benar-benar bohong.

"Sekarang, ayo, seratus push-up, seratus sit-up, seratus lompat bintang, dan seratus tusukan! Ayo!"

"Tidak, tolong, saya perlu istirahat……..kita baru saja lari…….."

"Apa maksudnya, Tuan Van! Istirahat nanti! Sekarang, bersama!"

Dia kayak ogre.

Gue duduk di kursi, istirahat setelah menyelesaikan latihan, saat Dee bicara, dengan ekspresi kayak baru nemu ide bagus.

"Ya, ya. Tuan Van," katanya, dengan wajah berseri, "Saya tahu! Sambil istirahat, Anda tidak sibuk! Anda pasti cemas kalau hanya bersantai saat istirahat. Jangan khawatir, singkirkan kursi kayu membosankan itu dan ganti dengan kursi udara! Latih perut!"

Kayaknya dia idiot, bukan ogre. Istirahat aja pakai kursi udara, dasar idiot. Idiot banget.

Gue nggak punya tenaga buat protes, tapi air mata netes pas mikirin itu.

Dan seperti itu, satu tahun berlalu.

Sekarang gue enam tahun, dan prajurit bocah udah bukan tantangan lagi. Fisik anak enam tahun dan dua belas atau tiga belas tahun beda. Jangkauan juga beda. Perbedaan fisik ini berarti mereka punya massa otot lebih besar. Artinya kecepatan dan kekuatan mereka melebihi gue.

Tapi penglihatan dinamis, refleks, dan pengetahuan mereka kurang berkembang. Para prajurit bocah mulai meniru teknik gue, tapi masih kasar.

Para ksatria juga kurang menekankan konsep tipuan, pertarungan pedang mereka kayaknya fokus ke kecepatan atau kekuatan. Ide bagus sih—pendekar cepat bertahan di tubuh atas dan serang samping lawan, sementara yang fokus kekuatan bertahan buat serangan terus-menerus. Gaya bertarung mereka super tertebak dan kaku.

Jadi gue mundur atau pakai gerakan kaki menghindar saat dia mau nyerang, berusaha bikin celah di lawan.

Kalau dia menyerang, itu kesempatan bagus. Anak-anak nggak sabaran, jadi kesabaran itu kunci lawan mereka.

Lawan yang pakai serangan cepat sering tanpa sadar menghitung pantulan dari benturan pedang. Hindari pedang mereka satu atau dua tebasan aja bakal bikin ritme mereka kacau.

Yang paling penting buat tebasan efektif adalah timing dan kejutan. Kalau kasih lawan celah, mereka bakal serang habis-habisan dengan jalur tertebak, gampang dihindarin.

Ada tiga tipe serangan kejutan. Serangan rendah menyapu kaki, jarang dipake. Serangan naik dari kaki ke tubuh. Dan serangan sederhana dari belakang.

Gue kecil dan lincah, jadi lawan susah niru serangan kejutan gue. Aturan satu pukulan juga menguntungkan gue.

Di tengah hari yang neraka ini, Till buka mulut, tersenyum kayak biasa.

"Untung Van-sama akhir-akhir ini tumbuh kuat. Dengan kejeniusan dan pemahaman pedang Anda… mungkin Anda bahkan bisa mengamankan posisi pewaris."

Gue tersentak dalam hati dengar ucapan Till yang tiba-tiba dan absurd itu.

Seperti yang gue dengar di kelas Espada, dunia bangsawan adalah dunia yang kuat memangsa yang lemah. Mengerikannya, beberapa keluarga kabarnya tidak terkecuali, bahkan di antara saudara sedarah.

Menjadi kepala keluarga atau tidak. Pilihan di sini sangat mempengaruhi sisa hidup.

Uang, status, kehormatan, kekuasaan—semua itu milik kepala keluarga yang baru diangkat. Tidak ada nomor dua. Kalau adik-adik rukun dengan kepala baru, mereka mungkin dukung sebagai bawahan, tapi seringnya mereka pergi.

Ini terutama saat adik mengalahkan kakak jadi kepala keluarga. Kakak yang tersingkir bakal dendam. Makanya banyak yang bunuh kakak buat jalan aman ke kekuasaan.

Sayangnya, gue jarang ngobrol sama saudara-saudara. Lagipula, kakak kedua dan ketiga selalu hindari gue. Nggak bisa dibilang dekat.

Kakak sulung sering muncul di pelatihan prajurit, jadi setidaknya kami saling sapa, tapi masa depan hubungan kami nggak jelas.

Intinya, mau gue jadi kepala keluarga atau nggak, kalau menonjol, kemungkinan dibunuh naik.

Ini bahaya. Gue jelas kebangetan menonjol, kayak gambar target di punggung.

Akhir-akhir ini pas jalan di kastil, gue disambut hangat sama pelayan, butler, bahkan penjaga. Gue yakin saudara-saudara bakal berpikir gue jadi favorit di antara bawahan keluarga.

Gue harus lakuin sesuatu…….!

"…Till…"

Gue panggil, dan Till jawab sambil senyum.

"Ya, ada yang bisa dibantu?"

"Gue harus keluar."

"Hah?"

Jadi playboy. Ayo main sampai level 20.

Gue udah bulatkan tekad buat gitu.

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Daily Grind: Books, Swords, and Survival

Turns out I'm kinda talented at swordsmanship. Maybe 'cause I held my own against those boy soldiers, but word's gotten around to the house knights.

"Van-sama, can I ask you something?"

This stern, bearded dude took off his armor and asked me that. Middle-aged guy, simple clothes soaked in sweat—he's one of the strongest in the Marquis family! Name's Dee, Deputy Commander of the Ferto Family's Knightly Order.

You can totally see his muscles through that black cloth. Well, partly 'cause his clothes are sticking to him from all the sweat. Kinda gross, honestly—his shirt was gray but now it's changing color.

"What's up?"

I asked back while drinking water, and Dee held out his hands with this super serious face.

"I'd like to see your hands."

"Okay? What for?"

I held out one hand, kinda nervous, and Dee respectfully grabbed it with both of his. Then he carefully examined my palm.

"……..No calluses. Skin's still soft. Hmm, nails are growing fine."

"Uh, sorry? I'll work out when I'm older, I guess."

Dee snorted with this complicated look as he let go.

"I thought you were losing to our apprentices and training secretly at night, but there's no sign of that at all."

"I'm struggling with training. I'll train harder when I can afford it. I still like the sword, promise."

When I made that excuse, thinking he was mad, Dee narrowed his eyes and looked up at the castle.

"……..Rumor has it Lord Espada's making you study three times more than usual. I'm always open to you, you know. If you wanna learn more about the sword, I'll put in a request right now."

"What? I thought it was weird I'm the only one studying that much from morning till night. So that's why."

Dee nodded deeply after hearing that shocking confirmation.

"That stubborn old man's too into book learning. But me? I can judge people without bias. I think Young Master Van should follow the sword path. You've got talent. First, you learn the forms, build muscle. Then practice every day. I'll make you the best swordsman in the kingdom," he said.

Dee's eyes were dead serious as he spoke passionately. Dude's seriously stubborn. Actually, he's a hypocrite calling Espada stubborn—he's totally biased toward the sword, probably 'cause that's his thing.

"I like swords, but I like studying too. I'll do my best at both."

When I answered that, Dee's mouth drooped like he was super disappointed.

"……..Muguugu, can't be helped. At least let me train you directly during sword practice. Deal?"

Even Dee, the deputy commander, took it upon himself to teach me, just like Espada. His face was really close to mine, waiting for my response. I answered with a tired half-smile.

"Ah, haha… go easy on me, okay?"

"Hahaha! Of course! I know Young Master Van's still just a kid."

Dee was obviously happy after hearing yes.

But he was totally lying through his teeth.

"Alright, let's go! Hundred push-ups, hundred sit-ups, hundred jumping jacks, hundred thrusts! Let's do this!"

"No, please, I need rest……..we just ran…….."

"What do you mean, Young Master! Rest later! Come on, together!"

He's like an ogre.

I was sitting on a chair, resting after finishing the workout, when Dee spoke up with this face like he'd just had a brilliant idea.

"Yes, yes. Young Master Van," he said, all excited, "I know! While resting, you're not busy! You must be anxious just lazing around during breaks. Don't worry, ditch that boring wooden chair and use an air chair! Work those abs!"

Guess he's an idiot, not an ogre. You rest on the air chair yourself, idiot. Complete moron.

I didn't have energy to complain, but tears leaked from my eyes just thinking about it.

And like that, a year passed.

I'm six now, and the boy soldiers aren't a challenge anymore. A six-year-old's body versus twelve or thirteen-year-olds—huge difference. Reach too. They've got more muscle mass, which means more speed and power than me.

But their dynamic vision, reflexes, and knowledge? Underdeveloped. The boy soldiers started copying my techniques, but they're still rough.

The knights don't really do feints either—their sword fights are all about speed or power. Which works, I guess—fast guys defend high and attack the side, power guys just tank and go relentless. Their fighting styles are super predictable and rigid.

So I pull back or use footwork when they're about to attack, trying to create openings.

If they strike out, that's my chance. Kids aren't patient, so patience is key against them.

Opponents using rapid attacks often subconsciously calculate the recoil from clashing swords. Avoid their sword once or twice and their rhythm completely falls apart.

The most important thing for an effective strike? Timing and surprise. Show 'em an opening, they'll attack full force in a predictable arc—easy to dodge.

Three main surprise attacks. Low sweep at the feet—not many use that. Rising strike from feet to torso. And simple strike from behind.

I'm small and quick, so it's hard for opponents to copy my surprise attacks. The one-hit rule works in my favor too.

In the middle of this hellish daily routine, Till opens her mouth, smiling like always.

"It's good that Van-sama's grown so strong lately. With your genius and swordsmanship understanding… maybe you could even secure the heir position."

I gasped inside at Till's sudden, crazy comment.

Like I learned in Espada's class, the noble world is survival of the fittest. Scarily enough, some families aren't an exception even among blood brothers.

Become family head or not. That choice hugely affects your whole life.

Money, status, honor, power—all belong to the new family head. No number two. If younger brothers get along with the new head, they might support him as subordinates, but mostly they leave.

Especially if a younger brother surpasses the older one for headship. The ousted older brother holds a grudge. So lots of upstarts kill the older brother for a safer path to power.

Unfortunately, I don't talk much with my brothers. Plus, the second and third brothers always avoid me. Not exactly close.

The eldest shows up at soldier training sometimes, so we at least greet each other, but who knows how that'll go.

Basically, whether I become family head or not, if I stand out too much, my chances of getting killed go way up.

This is bad. I'm definitely showing off too much—practically painting a target on my back.

Lately when I walk around the castle, maids, butlers, even guards greet me warmly. I'm sure my brothers think I'm becoming the favorite among the house's subordinates.

I've gotta do something about this…….!

"…Till…"

I called out, and Till smiled back.

"Yes, what is it?"

"I need to go outside."

"Huh?"

Time to be a playboy. Let's play 'til level 20.

I've made up my mind.

Original author's note: If you're even a little curious about the rest, hit the stars below to rate it! It keeps me motivated to write!

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