I Became the Butler of the Seventh Princess, Who’s Regressing Into a Child - Episode 21

Episode 21

Morning. I grip my sword tightly in the garden.

Today… is the second day of swordsmanship training with Klaus-san.

Time to see how much the dream training has paid off.

I’ve been practicing tirelessly to recreate the sensations from the dream in my real body.

…Though, in reality, I’ve been practicing alone.

This is my first time sparring with a partner in quite a while.

Like last time, we’ll be fighting in the backyard.

This time, Klaus-san is already waiting in the center of the garden.

He still looks as ragged as ever, but the intimidating aura he gives off is unmistakable.

His sharp gaze on me leaves no room for weakness.

“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” 

I say, hurrying over.

Klaus-san doesn’t respond. He simply watches as I take my stance.

The Klaus-san I faced countless times in the dream looks identical to the one in front of me now.

And yet… the pressure he emits is incomparable.

In my next dream, I’ll need to learn to replicate this intensity as well.

Just as this thought crosses my mind, Klaus-san steps forward. In an instant, he lunges at me with blinding speed.

But this time, it’s different. My experience battling Klaus-san in the dream moves my body instinctively. I raise my sword to intercept the thrust.

—Heavy.

However, my sword had firmly stopped Klaus-san’s attack. I deflected the blow.

If this were before, I’d have been knocked back without a doubt.

Thanks to the training in the dream, I can respond to him now.

I parry Klaus-san’s sword. This time, I’m returning the moves he used on me last time.

But… I’m giving it my all just to keep up.

Klaus-san continues attacking at a speed that pushes me to my limit.

His continuous attacks flow like water, but I hold my ground against him.

“Hmm…”

Klaus-san lets out a short sound and increases his speed even more.

He steps hard, shifts his body, and maneuvers into my blind spot.

But—this move, I’ve seen it countless times in the dream.

I twist my body, swinging my sword to meet his. My blade catches his, and the clash echoes with a loud metallic sound.

—I see it; I can follow his movements!

Last time, I couldn’t even react.

But now, I can predict Klaus-san’s next move. I read his intentions from his body’s subtle shifts.

As I grow used to this sense, Klaus-san further ramps up his speed.

The air is filled with the sound of his blade slicing through it, his attacks coming faster and more intensely than before.

Klaus-san’s swordwork engulfs me like a whirlwind.

—Too fast.

Each time I manage to block a blow, another follows immediately.

With no time to breathe, I focus every fiber of my being to stay in sync with his swordplay. I draw on everything I learned in the dream.

Incredible.

This is… the true skill of a swordsman.

Klaus-san studies me closely, then quickens his attacks with a slight grin on his face.

But within his flurry of attacks, I catch a familiar movement.

A move I’d seen countless times in the dream—the slight dip of his shoulder that precedes a sweeping slash.

I swing my sword, deflecting his strike.

For a split second, Klaus-san’s eyes register a hint of surprise. But his blade is already transitioning into the next attack.

—Fast. But I can read him.

I can see where his strength is focused, detect the subtle signs before he moves.

Klaus-san’s strikes accelerate, and I intercept each one at the last possible moment. Using my experience from the dream, I anticipate his next moves. I parry them with precision.

Finding a gap in his relentless attacks, I pour all my energy into a powerful counterstrike. Our swords clash, sending intense sparks flying.

As I try to repel Klaus-san’s blow, his sword unexpectedly loses strength.

I quickly attempt to withdraw. But in that instant, Klaus-san’s blade loops around mine.

The unexpected force disorients me, and I lose my grip, dropping my sword.

It lands with a thud, embedding itself in the ground.

“Hmm.”

Klaus-san steps back and sheathes his sword… signaling that our training is over.

“Thank you… very much.”

“That’s enough for today. In the next training session, we’ll switch roles. I’ll only defend, so make sure you can knock my sword away.”

“Understood.”

“If you can manage that, I’ll teach you the next step.”

“…Yes! Thank you very much!”

I bowed deeply, expressing my gratitude to Klaus-san. He gave a slight nod and then left the garden.

…Alright, next up is the dungeon.

Since it’s a day off, I’ll put what I’ve learned to the test in real combat.

I left the garden and began preparing to head to the dungeon.

(Note: Wow. I did NOT expect it to be this “good”. What I mean with that is, who the fuck can imagine “babubabu” can turn into this serious fighting shit.)