I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 143: Training with the Apprentices

Chapter 143: Training with the Apprentices

A week after the apprentices moved in. Preparations to defeat the Evil God were quietly underway, and the Third Knight Order’s grounds had become lively. The reason for this was, of course, the presence of the apprentices.

Currently, the training field was divided into three groups: one group consisting of knights and squires doing their own training, another group teaching the apprentices, and the last group at the stables to train the apprentices in horse handling.

“Look, you’re leaning to the right. It’s easier to put strength in your dominant hand, so you tend to lean. Be mindful of that. You don’t need to swing in a hurry, just swing carefully so that it follows the path you picture. Your elbows are flaring out, keep them closer.”

My unit was in charge of training at the moment, but we rotate with other units every hour. It would be too harsh to make the apprentices do a thousand swings, so we let them do a hundred while walking around and offering advice. Initially, my subordinates complained about babysitting the kids. But now they seem to be enjoying it, despite themselves.

“Captain, it’s time for the shift change.”

Ryuka, who had started addressing me as “Captain” during work, came to inform me of the switch.

“Got it. Alright, apprentices, take a ten-minute break! I’m counting on you.”

Relieved sighs escaped from the apprentices as I announced the break.

“Captain, let’s spar!”

Having been freed from the relatively easy task of instructing the apprentices, Simon eagerly handed me a practice sword with a blunted edge. After witnessing our sparring session on their first day of training, the apprentices had showered Simon with praise. So now he was eager to show off.

I didn’t mind since it was better than slacking off. But Simon had started requesting me as his sparring partner every time, claiming he could perform his best when fighting me. His skills had already been impressive. But now, after becoming an instructor himself, it seemed like he’d improved even more. Perhaps teaching others had made him aware of things he hadn’t noticed before.

As Simon and I faced off, I could feel the eyes of not only my subordinates but also the apprentices on us. For them, our sparring was like an event.

Compared to the Third Knight Order, the training at the Second Knight Order had likely been much easier. So our sessions were probably quite the spectacle. After watching us, the apprentices always seemed more motivated. It was similar to the feeling of watching an action movie and thinking you’ve become stronger afterward.

“Here I come!”

“Bring it.”

He charged straight at me, only to fake me out with a sidestep. However, it wasn’t enough to catch me off guard. The sound of our swords clashing filled the training grounds, ringing out several times in rapid succession.

With each particularly loud clash, cheers erupted from the onlookers. I couldn’t help but smile as I noticed how much Simon had grown, strategically thinking through his attacks—mixing in feints, attacking from blind spots, and using careful timing.

But…

“Too soft!”

As I spun around, I swung my sword horizontally. Simon, startled, tried to block, but—he wasn’t there. My sword cut through empty air.

Where did he go? Above!?

Simon, in an impossible leap, was coming at me from overhead with his sword raised. I dodged just in time. And before he could adjust his position midair, I delivered a spinning kick from the side, sending him flying about three meters. He skidded across the hard ground with a loud scraping sound.

The apprentices erupted in cheers once again. That jump was clearly aided by some kind of magic tool. Curious, I approached Simon to ask.

“Damn it! I went through all that trouble to have Basil make it for me!”

Still lying on the ground, Simon slammed his fist in frustration. Upon closer inspection, I noticed his sabatons—his iron boots—had been replaced with new ones.

“Where’d you get those boots?”

“These? Basil refused me at first, but I kept pestering him until he made them. If I tap the inside of the toe against the opposite heel, wind magic activates and lets me jump! I was finally getting used to them and thought I could use them in a real fight… but I guess they don’t work on you, Captain.”

“When did you even…? I didn’t hear anything about this.”

I glared down at Simon, still lying on the ground, and he glared back at me with a dissatisfied look.

“I paid for them myself! I even consulted with Vice Captain Orel. I asked him to keep it secret because I wanted to surprise you! I was sure I could get you with a sneak attack…”

As Simon rolled around, I stopped him with a firm step, halting his movement.

“Stop messing around. The apprentices are watching.”

“…Oh.”

Noticing it just now, Simon was embarrassed and began to get up. And at that moment, a tragedy—no, a comedy—unfolded.

As he moved his foot, the toe and heel of his iron boots touched. In other words, the wind magic activated.

“Whoaaaaaaa–!!”

Boom!

Fortunately, due to the friction with the ground, the impact of him crashing into the wall surrounding the training grounds didn’t seem life-threatening. Despite trembling, Simon managed to stand up on his own and check his body for injuries.

I walked over to the apprentices, who were staring in stunned silence at the scene.

“Listen up. As you just saw, using equipment that doesn’t match your abilities or nature won’t make you stronger; it will only cause accidents like that. Fortunately, you all will be given dwarf-made equipment in the future. When that time comes, make sure to take the advice of the craftsmen seriously!”

Simon had become a living lesson for the apprentices. And in exchange for some nasty scraps, he lost not only his training uniform, now with a big hole, but also the respect the apprentices once held for him. 

(Note: If you notice the switch between “Captain” and “Commander” all the time I’m deeply sorry. I just can’t decide which one to use. But I tend to lean to using “Captain” when it’s just their own members and “Commander” when it’s in formal settings.)