I Was Reborn as the Female Antagonist's Servant-Chapter 51 - 48 – Continuation of the Sparring Match
Our swords still clashed powerfully.
I clicked my tongue, seeing Big Brother smile contentedly. I saw an opportunity. I swung my sword aside, knocking his large sword away. Big Brother’s sword was momentarily halted. As he tried to lift it, I tried to use that opportunity to attack his neck.
However, before the attack landed, Big Brother ducked. I attacked the air. My gaze immediately saw him below. He was ready to attack. Both his hands were already gripping the sword’s hilt. He tried to attack me from below.
As the attack came, I used the flat of my sword as a shield. Big Brother continued to press his sword down forcefully. I lifted my body. My legs were above, while my head was below. I tried to use the pressure of Big Brother’s sword to push my body sideways, away from him.
Big Brother was slightly taken aback. His gaze turned serious. The distance between us became clear again.
I smiled faintly. His gaze seemed dissatisfied that he couldn’t defeat me quickly.
Impressive!
Big Brother advanced quickly, trying to attack. This time, he initiated the attack, not me.
His sword was raised to the side of his shoulder, ready to strike. I responded to the situation seriously. My sword returned to my side. My left hand pressed firmly on the flat of my katana. I tried to add power to my attack from there.
Big Brother began to swing his sword towards me. I dodged to the side, trying to attack him again. My attack once again targeted his neck. However, he was still able to dodge it downwards, retreating slightly.
I smiled broadly. Big Brother dodged my attack. That was a significant improvement compared to the last four years.
Big Brother’s breath came in hurried gasps as he exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself. He looked at me quickly, smiling broadly.
We returned each other’s broad smiles, just like when this sparring match began.
Each of us prepared our stances firmly again. A breeze passed through the window, cooling the already heated arena. This time, without any commands, only with our high intuition, we pressed our feet firmly, attacking simultaneously again.
***
"Little Brother has really developed, hasn’t he...." Someone stood with his arms crossed, watching the ongoing battle calmly. His brown hair was slanted to the left, covering part of his eye—Risshun.
The person next to him could only nod, hearing his Brother’s words. His eyes narrowed as he watched the battle in the arena. His hair was not like his brother’s, which was still uneven. He seemed to be trying to find differences by cutting his bangs evenly above his eyebrows. He was Risshu.
Risshun looked gently at his younger brother beside him. He smiled faintly. His gaze returned to the arena.
"We seem to have changed a lot, haven’t we...."
His younger brother looked over.
"Usually, I would be angry if I saw Big Brother too close to another Little Brother... including you. I was always jealous all the time. At least before Little Brother Touji came to this training room." He looked at his younger brother beside him. "And so did you, my foolish Brother. You seem the most different compared to four years ago. You seem to always try to be the best, even though you didn’t care about it before. You used to be lazy in training until I scolded you. Even though you were much better than me back then. You developed faster than any other Little Brother."
Risshun looked back at the arena. A fierce battle was still taking place. Touji, who sometimes dodged, slightly dominated the arena space. And Big Brother, who always succeeded in pressing that space.
"...When Little Brother Touji came, it felt like you were more motivated. You tried to be the best compared to the others." He chuckled softly. "So much so that I have fallen behind you, my foolish younger brother. You are already in the middle stage of the Half-Sword Master realm. While I am still in the early stage of the Half-Sword Master realm. How sad is that?" Risshun laughed, hiding his feelings.
Risshun’s gaze caught on Touji. He smiled faintly.
"But compared to him, we are still far behind. He is already in the final stage of the Half-Sword Master realm. Soon he will become a Sword Master...." Risshun looked at the ceiling. His gaze was wistful. "...Can we catch up to him? It feels like the distance between us and him is getting further and further." He reached for the ceiling. "...It feels like, when I try to reach him, he always flies higher. Is this what it means for a small fish in the sea, trying to jump high to become a bird?"
Risshu heard his brother’s words. He looked down deeply.
"...Indeed, a fish cannot become a bird even if it jumps a thousand times." He looked at his older brother beside him. "But a fish can still chase a bird in the sky, using the vast ocean."
Risshun looked at his younger brother beside him. His younger brother’s eyes sparkled.
Risshun’s gaze fell downwards. His hands clenched tightly. His younger brother’s words really touched his once small heart.
Risshun smiled faintly. "...Thank you, my foolish younger brother. You really helped me," he said. His voice sounded soft.
Risshu snorted softly. His gaze shifted sideways, looking at the arena. Touji was still holding on until now. He nodded slowly, responding to his brother’s words.
***
A great battle was still taking place.
My breathing grew heavy. Our attacks continued to clash. From the many attacks, I was the one who dodged the most. This time too, I was busy doing it. Big Brother attacked me, I dodged and attacked back. And there were some moments when I could corner Big Brother to the edge of the arena. Even though every attempt failed.
My attack fell from above him. He blocked my attack with his large sword.
...This Big Brother, doesn’t he run out of breath? He’s like a tireless monster!
Big Brother immediately swung his sword forward, not allowing me to jump behind him. He had adapted to my attack.
I clicked my tongue, annoyed.
Big Brother attacked me again with his broad smile.
I was almost exhausted, but he could still attack me repeatedly. The battle continued. Several minutes passed by. I was getting more and more tired. My vision blurred, and I could barely tell what was real anymore. This familiar feeling returned, especially in the same situation.
Damn it! If it keeps going like this, I’ll go back to the time four years ago!
I looked around quickly. I have to find something!
I kept analyzing every place in the arena. I did it while dodging and blocking Big Brother’s attacks. There were no gaps. But I could create them. My eyes mapped the arena. The plan was complete.
Even if I don’t know if I can do it or not, at least try.
I smiled faintly. Alright!
I looked straight at Big Brother. I took a quick breath through my mouth. Big Brother’s attack came again, diagonally. I dodged quickly to the side. I pressed his sword, which was still below, with my right foot. Big Brother looked surprised.
I pulled my sword from the side, the target was the same—his neck. Seconds before my attack landed, Big Brother smiled. It felt strange. And it was real, when he gripped my wooden katana. He pressed hard until it shattered, split in two. The tip of the sword fell to the ground. I still held the lower half with my hand on the hilt.
I pulled my sword to try to attack again. However, before all that happened, from Big Brother’s smile directed at me—made me lower my weapon. I had lost since my sword was destroyed. Even if I managed to land an attack, maybe Big Brother would dodge and instead I would collapse on the ground.
I retreated backwards, creating distance for him to stand. He placed his large wooden sword beside his shoulder. Slightly tucked to his neck.
He smiled faintly. "This sparring match, the fifth one, ends with your defeat again, My Little Brother Touji. And from all the sparring matches today, you almost won the fight. Just like before," he revealed.
I looked down, continuing to listen to him.
His fingers touched his sharp chin. "For some reason, I’m starting to doubt that you can enter the ’Sword Master’ realm in the near future. Your progress feels slow. Not like before you entered the ’intermediate’ level."
My gaze looked even deeper. My hands clenched tightly. What he said was true. It felt like I was developing more slowly, compared to the last time he mentioned.
...What’s wrong with me?
I didn’t understand. Really.
Big Brother looked at me, who looked gloomy. He also felt my feelings. He touched my shoulder, smiling broadly.
"But, even though your development is slow now. You still have the potential to become a Sword Master, My Little Brother Touji! Even if not in the near future, you are still an extraordinary person! Maybe in two or three years you can reach the ’Sword Master’ realm!" he said.
The words Big Brother said really calmed my heart. However, my heart seemed unable to accept what he said.
I want to become strong soon.... My hands clenched tightly. But what can I do? I don’t know what’s causing all of this to feel held back. But...
I looked at Big Brother in front of me. He, who was still trying to comfort me, stopped immediately when he looked into my eyes.
"...It seems, there is something you have to do again, right? Is she calling you?" he asked.
I nodded, acknowledging it.
He smiled faintly. "...ALRIGHT, MY LITTLE BROTHER TOUJI! TODAY’S TRAINING IS ENOUGH FOR HERE!" He looked at his Little Brothers who were below the arena. "AND FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO COME FORWARD AFTER TOUJI, PLEASE PREPARE YOURSELVES!" he shouted.
I smiled faintly. My body immediately bowed, thanking him for the training he had given today.
Big Brother looked at me for a moment. Smiling again. His gaze returned to his Little Brothers below.
I caught his gaze. My body turned around, starting to descend the arena. From the five-level stairs, I could already see the one who was advancing next—Risshu. He stared sharply at me beside him.
I only glanced at him, then focused on my path again. While in the middle of my steps, I saw Risshun waving his hand at me. He said something about chasing me. Even though I didn’t understand why he said that. Even though I was the same as them.
I finally arrived in front of the large door. In the past, I had some difficulty opening it. But this time, when I touched the handle and pulled it. It didn’t feel as difficult as it always did. Those behind me, who used to think that I was great when I pulled it, no longer said that. Because they could already do it.
I left the room with a faint smile. And when my steps touched the red carpet, my smile widened.
"Time to go to the garden!"
