Capturing Heroines as a Fatso young Duke?!

Chapter 8: Spar Part II 

"Ready?" Garef called out, watching them both closely.

Sevi took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Ready."

"Begin!" Garef's voice echoed across the training grounds.

Cedric moved first, his strikes precise and controlled. The wooden swords clashed with a solid thud, the sound reverberating through the air. Sevi focused on his footwork, dodging and parrying.

Clangg...

Clangg...!

'Cedric's attacks are so heavy.' Sevi thought, feeling the weight of each blow as it reverberated through his wooden sword.

'It's like trying to block a boulder with a twig.'

Despite the onslaught, Sevi managed to hold his ground.

Clangg..!

He sidestepped a powerful swing and countered with a quick jab, catching Cedric off guard.

Cedric's eyes gleamed with approval as he momentarily faltered, but his expression quickly hardened into a stoic mask.

"Good, young master," Cedric grunted, increasing the intensity of his attacks.

Sevi felt the strain in his muscles, his breath coming in steady puffs as he pushed through the fatigue.

'I can't let up,' he thought.

'If I falter even for a second, Cedric will overwhelm me.'

He blocked a high strike and followed up with a low sweep, his wooden sword cutting through the air with a satisfying whoosh.

Clang..!

Cedric had to leap back to avoid the strike, the clash of their weapons creating a sharp clang.

The onlookers watched in attention, murmurs of admiration rippling through the crowd. The sounds of swords clashing together were accompanied by occasional cheers from the spectators.

Cedric pushed back against Sevi, the force of his strike nearly unseating him.

'Ughh...I can feel the power behind every swing,' Sevi thought, struggling to keep his balance.

'This is no easy fight.'

'There..!!'

In a moment of swift opportunity, Sevi saw an opening as Cedric's guard wavered. With a focused, precise movement, Sevi executed a counterattack that briefly caught Cedric off guard. The wooden sword connected with Cedric's weapon, and for an instant, Sevi felt the thrill of gaining an upper hand.

However, Cedric, a seasoned fighter with years of experience, was quick to respond. In a seamless transition, he sidestepped Sevi's attack and regained his balance with practiced ease.

With a swift move, he adjusted his stance, bringing his sword up in a decisive arc. In a display of technique, Cedric's wooden blade gently but firmly came to rest against Sevi's neck.

Sevi froze.

"...Hahh, I can't stop that," Sevi said aloud, using his sword as a support to steady himself. His voice carried a mixture of admiration and acceptance, acknowledging Cedric's superior skill.

Cedric stepped back, the intensity of the combat fading as he offered Sevi a respectful nod.

"You did well, Sevi," Cedric said with a smile, his tone warm and encouraging. "You almost got me."

Sevi, catching his breath, returned the smile with genuine gratitude.

[Beginner Swordsmanship has greatly increased!]

[Bgn Swordsmanship: B+ --> A-]

Sevi glanced at the screen that popped up in his vision.

'I guess fighting with opponents stronger than me will also greatly increase my swordsmanship,' he thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

'But I lost... why did I still gain proficiency?'

Suddenly, a new message appeared in his vision.

[Proficiency in skills is gained through experience and learning.]

[Successful attacks, defending against stronger opponents, and enduring challenging battles contribute to overall growth. Victory is not the only measure of progress.]

Sevi pondered this for a moment. 'So, it's about learning and improving, not just winning. That makes sense.'

As he absorbed this new understanding, the onlookers cheered and applauded, their support evident in their enthusiastic expressions.

"Woahh, that was an awesome fight, young master!"

"Way to go, Sir Cedric and young master!"

The crowd's enthusiasm reflected their respect for both Sevi's determination and Cedric's expertise.

Garef clapped from the sidelines, his pride in Sevi's performance clear.

"Excellent work, Sevi. This match showed just how far you've come."

Sevi turned to Garef, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration in his eyes.

"Thank you, Sir Garef. And thank you, Sir Cedric. I've learned a lot today."

Cedric nodded, his demeanor returning to its usual cheerfulness. "Keep up the hard work, and you'll continue to improve."

Garef stepped forward, placing a hand on Sevi's shoulder. "Take a moment to rest, Sevi."

Sevi protested. "But, Sir Garef, I can still—"

Before he could finish, a maid hurriedly approached him.

"Young master Sevi," she called, her voice urgent yet respectful. "Your father is calling for you in his study."

Sevi's eyes widened in surprise. "My father? He's back?"

The maid nodded. "Yes, young master. He returned just this morning."

Sevi felt a jolt of shock and a wave of nervousness wash over him. 

'My father... I have to meet the father of this body I possess. What if he notices something different?'

His thoughts raced as he tried to recall everything he knew about the man whose study he was about to enter.

He dug deep into the memories of the old Sevi, piecing together the fragmented images and emotions that lingered.

He remembered the stern face of his father, a man of few words but great expectations.

The old Sevi had always felt a mix of admiration and fear towards him, yearning for his approval but often feeling overwhelmed by his high standards. 

There were no comforting words or encouraging gestures. Instead, there were long hours of studying, harsh critiques, and an unyielding demand for perfection.

'How did he handle this kind of pressure every day?' Sevi wondered.

'I've always been surrounded by understanding and caring people. This is like a different world. I've heard people with strict parents, but living it is something else entirely.'

Sevi sighed inwardly. 'I can't let this overwhelm me. I have to adapt. To become the better version of the young master Sevi.'

Sevi took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. He knocked on the heavy wooden door, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet hallway.

"Enter," came his father's deep, commanding voice from within.

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