Chapter 6

—The Form to Kill Rex When He Whiffs a Thrust.

An imaginary visual of Rex charges in, greatsword thrusting at full speed. I read the line of attack and glide my rapier along the spine of his blade.

Just deflecting won’t stop him. I don’t have the strength to completely shut down his force.

So my sword slides down his like a kid on a playground slide. Instead of resisting, I ride the recoil—leaping with it.

Good—he missed. But Rex recovers fast. A moment of stagger, then he’ll wrench his sword back and swing again with full momentum.

That’s why I have to turn this dodge into a counter.

Mid-air, I twist my torso. My blade arcs through the air, smooth and fast.

Now. As he pulls back—my spin-fueled strike drives straight into his chest—

"Impressive form. Didn’t know you could move like that."

"The hell are you staring at, bastard?!"

Too focused, I didn’t hear him come up.

I’d gotten up early to practice a move just for Rex—only for him to find me in the middle of it.

This was my ace. A guaranteed win. Our next duel was mine. Or so I thought—until he showed up and...

Damn it, damn it…

---

"Rex, weren’t you out earlier?"

"Huh? Oh, just a stroll. Errand or something."

"...Tch."

One day since my loss. A calm morning, birds chirping.

Losing streaks don’t suit me. Being under Rex? Can’t have that. I just want one win.

That’s why I was out here, sneaking in practice while he was gone. Pride. That’s it.

…And he ruined it. Worse than walking in on someone changing. I was gonna blindside him—make him regret underestimating me!

"Still training hard, huh, Flache? Admirable."

"Shut it. Meanwhile you’re just strolling around? Skipping drills like it’s nothing?"

"Well, I am stronger."

"Keep talking and I’ll slice that smug face."

He grins. Doesn’t even flinch.

Infuriating. Showing off again? Like being ripped makes you a god?

"Came to train you, actually. Let’s spar, Flache."

"'Train' me? Are you serious?! Last match was a fluke, and you know it!"

"Nah. Higher rank, remember? Sword Saint."

"I’LL KILL YOU!!"

I charge, rage boiling. I drilled other counters too.

I’ll prove it—we’re rivals, not mentor and student.

We’re equals!

---

Hours later.

"...Sniff… sniff..."

"Whew… great workout."

A mud-covered, tear-streaked mess lay on the ground.

Unforgivable…

"So Rex was in a good mood, huh? Nice, nice."

"Nice nothing. That smug jerk."

After the usual cry-recovery, I casually responed to Mei words as I storm inside ahead of Rex, still filthy. No way I’m sharing the outdoor well with him again.

I head to Sister Karin’s room.

"Housework’s my job, so just leave the laundry, ‘kay?"

"Th-thanks."

"No prob! I get paid extra from the party funds."

She smiles, casual and warm. Easy to talk to.

I’d asked her earlier for clothes—after yesterday’s mess, Mei banned me from the outdoor bath. Fair. Bathing outside with a whole mansion? Shameless.

"Rex’s been livelier since you sparred with him. We’re all grateful."

"He’s always loud."

"Oh, ya don’t know? He was pretty down for a while. Don’t need details—just keep sparring with him, ‘kay?"

She hands me a towel.

Rex, down? Since when?

…Must’ve been yesterday. Is it that big a deal?

I did tease him right after scolding him for mocking my chest. That was on me. I’ll apologize.

—

"Sorry for joking about your… size yesterday. Some people like that sort of thing. Don’t sweat it."

"The hell?! You’re here for revenge after I beat you, you spiteful witch?!"

"Uncalled for. Just like there are fans of small chests, your… modest gear might be popular too."

"Dammit, I’ll cry! I’ll really cry! You wanna see a grown man sob?!"

"You already are."

My attempt to be nice backfired. He’s super touchy about that.

Note to self: Never bring up Rex’s crotch again.

---

Next morning, he’s gone again.

Whatever. Not my business.

I train.

Visualize. The motion to deflect. Watch the timing.

With our strength gap, even blocking wrong means I lose.

I need him frozen—even I can beat a statue.

So I’ll create that moment. Read. Deflect. Evade.

My only way to win. My only hope to defeat heaven’s golden boy.

"At it again, I see."

"About time, Rex."

He walks into the yard, sword in hand.

Today, I’m sharper. Better than yesterday.

This is it. At my best, even Rex can’t keep up.

I raise my slim blade—Rex’s opposite—and declare battle once more.

"Bring it, tiny-dick."

"I’LL CRY, YOU BI—!!"

.

.

P.S.: That day, I got wrecked again.

…So unfair.

---

The Next Day

While I was swinging my sword in the garden as usual, I spotted Rex leaving the mansion again.

“…Where does that guy go every morning, anyway?”

“Huh? Lord Rex goes out every morning?”

Mei happened to be cleaning the garden, so I figured she might know something.

But it turned out she didn’t. Maybe Sister Karin would?

“He left around this time the day before yesterday too. And yesterday. Didn’t stay out long either time.”

“…Hmm. You think it’s secret training?”

“What!?”

That idea hadn’t even crossed my mind.

But now that I think about it—if I’ve been training in secret, maybe he’s doing the same. Hiding somewhere, pushing himself harder.

Actually… it makes total sense. A guy like Rex wouldn’t settle for regular training like everyone else. He’s probably doing something special. Some elite, top-secret regimen.

“Which way did he go just now?”

“Um… toward the road out of town, I think.”

“The outskirts, huh? Alright. I’ll follow him.”

Secret training, away from everyone… that's a little shameful, don’t you think? Doesn’t he feel embarrassed sneaking off like that?

Fine then. I’ll catch him red-handed. I may not look like it, but I’m great at tailing people. Back when I was a solo adventurer, sneaking up on sleeping bandits was second nature.

Keep enough distance and stay low-profile—even a master won’t notice.

“No one would guess I’m tailing him.”

“I want to come too.”

“…Mei-chan, you kinda have a stalker vibe, y’know?”

“How rude!?”

Mei looked oddly excited as she followed behind me.

Not that she’s any good at hiding. If we get caught, I’m blaming her and running.

—

Rex didn’t notice us.

It wasn’t like he saw us and ignored us—he just walked, completely absorbed, with a look I’d never seen on his face.

Serious. Silent. Not his usual self at all.

Even when we spar, he jokes around. But now… he looked like a different person.

Where’s he going? Is he meeting someone? Could he be sparring with another rival every morning?

That thought stung more than I expected.

I’m his rival. If he’s been sharing that title with someone else behind my back…

…That’s low. And yeah—I’m petty for thinking that.

Then, Rex stopped. He turned into a narrow, cluttered corner of the outskirts.

No room to train there. Just old junk and dirt.

He stepped into the space, drew his greatsword—and drove it into the ground.

—

A deep, broken cry echoed.

Rex knelt before a grave, shoulders trembling, his sword stabbed into the soil.

It was early morning. Quiet. In the middle of a forgotten cemetery outside town… the man known as the Sword Saint wept.

“…I see. Let’s go back, Fratche. We shouldn’t be watching Lord Rex like this.”

“…That’s a grave?”

“It belongs to a dear friend. Lord Rex’s closest.”

I felt sweat sliding down my back.

No, stop it. Don’t cry like that, Rex.

You’re always smug. Always joking. Always getting under my skin. But you're also proud. Strong.

Why are you breaking like this?

“Flatche… the cave where you were rescued…”

Mei tugged lightly at my sleeve, voice low.

“Lord Rex went into that cave looking for his friend. They’d vanished after entering it.”

I froze.

We both kept staring as Rex wept—raw, loud, and broken.

“After you passed out, he searched every inch of that cave. And then… he found it.”

And then I saw it.

Lying beside the grave were a broken sword and the shattered pieces of old, cheap armor.

It was mine.

The same sword and armor I’d worn in my previous life.

“Lord Rex lost him. His one and only lifelong friend—”

—

Her words passed right through me.

And I could only stand there, stunned… watching Rex cry like a lost child, sobbing into the dirt.