I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble, Nothing More Than the Hero’s Foil: Since the Hero Can Only Bring Misery to My Favorite Heroine, I’ll Use My Game Knowledge and Over-the-Top Effort to Rewrite the Scenario and Make Her Happy. - Chapter 9

Lancelot’s Perspective

“Master Cain, I have mastered a skill. As promised, will you teach me swordsmanship?”
“Truly? But it has only been a single day!”

I couldn’t hide my surprise at Master Cain’s declaration. I am Lancelot, the butler serving the Schwarz family.

Over two decades ago, I was a member of the Royal Knights, once hailed as the strongest knight in the kingdom. Now retired, I serve this household to repay my debt of gratitude to the late Lord Schwarz, who took me in as an orphan and taught me the way of the sword.

“Of course, it’s true. Lancelot, you possess the unique skill Insight, which allows you to discern others’ skills and halve their effectiveness, don’t you? Use it to verify my skill.”
“…Very well. Excuse me, Master Cain.”

Activating my unique skill, Insight, I saw Master Cain’s abilities appear before me as glowing text.

Cain Schwarz’s Skills

• • • • Unique Skill:
        Blade of the Black Moon – Grants dark attribute power to sword techniques.

• • • • Skill:
        Projectile Deflection – Increases the success rate of deflecting projectiles by 50%.

“Projectile Deflection?! This is an advanced defensive skill, one that even the Royal Knights rarely master!”

I almost lost my balance from the shock.

The method to acquire Projectile Deflection is a closely guarded secret of the Royal Knights, practically considered national treasure-level knowledge.

Even knowing the method, deflecting thirty consecutive arrows requires unparalleled mastery of the sword. How had Master Cain achieved this? Could he have worn full armor and ordered soldiers to fire at him? If so, it would have taken extraordinary resolve.

“Master Cain, your goal of winning the martial arts tournament to protect Lady Selvia—is that truly serious?”

Truthfully, I had once looked down on Master Cain.

This young lord had previously spread word, with a laugh, that everyone in the estate should mistreat Lady Selvia to gain Prince Leon’s favor, calling her a false saint who deserved no mercy.

But then, Master Cain suddenly changed. He convinced the lord to accept Lady Selvia as family, defying Prince Leon. If he truly intended to protect her, his actions would indeed be admirable.

Yet, his drastic change left me uncertain about his true intentions.

“Of course, I’m serious,” Cain replied, his eyes blazing with determination.

There was no doubt. This was no idle boast.

“Then I will first teach you the basic sword forms. Practice 1,000 strikes per day for one month.”

For beginners, 100 strikes a day is standard. At first, the physical toll makes 1,000 strikes nearly impossible.

But without pushing such limits, victory at the martial arts tournament in a year would remain a distant dream.

“1,000 strikes a day? Just to clarify, that alone won’t get me to skill level 5 in swordsmanship within a year, right?”
“Level 5?!”

I was utterly stunned.

The Swordsmanship skill progresses through use, starting at level 1, which grants a 10% boost to accuracy and attack power.

At level 5, sword techniques achieve a 50% boost in accuracy and power, a level only captains of the Royal Knights attain—a pinnacle of mastery.

“…Indeed, without exceptional talent, it would be impossible within a year.”
“Then I’ll do 3,000 strikes a day. Would that make it achievable?”
“Th-three thousand?! Swordsmanship requires more than repetition. You must absorb the techniques I teach and gain considerable combat experience as well. Even then, within a year… it’s unlikely.”
“Understood. I’ll aim for 3,000 strikes a day. Please teach me the forms.”

His determination was overwhelming. Could his devotion to Lady Selvia truly have transformed him this much?

Still, words are cheap. When he begins, he will likely falter quickly. Master Cain’s indulgent lifestyle up until now makes that clear.

With that thought, I demonstrated the most basic sword form: a downward slash aimed at the opponent’s head.

“Thank you, Lancelot. I’ll give it a try. Let me know if there’s anything I’m doing wrong.”

…Did he just thank me?

I never thought I’d hear words of gratitude from Master Cain, who had previously considered me insignificant.

Then, Master Cain mimicked my movement.

His swing was… beautiful?!

When sword forms are perfected, they exhibit a certain elegance. Yet Master Cain’s swing, though his first, had a fluidity unthinkable for a beginner.

There were no flaws for me to correct.

“Master Cain, have you practiced swordsmanship before?”
“No, I haven’t.”

The answer was obvious, but I had to ask. To replicate a form this perfectly after seeing it once was beyond belief, no matter how sharp one’s observation skills.

Normally, even mastering the basics of a form takes years of repetitive practice. Hearing that someone accomplished this on their first attempt would make seasoned swordsmen faint.

“Ah, I’ve gained a lot of proficiency. I just unlocked Swordsmanship Level 1!”

His next words left me speechless. Master Cain had unlocked Swordsmanship Level 1 with a single swing.

Could this be attributed to his unique skill, Blade of the Black Moon?

Unique skills are rare blessings bestowed by the gods. Perhaps Master Cain was born under the favor of the god of war.

“Each swing feels more refined than the last. Swordsmanship is fascinating! I can feel myself growing stronger with every motion!”

His progress was visible with every swing. His growth defied logic—it was monstrous.

What am I witnessing? This is no ordinary human.

“Pant… pant… I did it, Lancelot… I finished all 3,000 strikes…”
“Magnificent work, Master Cain!”

To my amazement, Master Cain completed all 3,000 strikes. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the ground in a spread-eagle position.

I was overcome with emotion.

Such innate talent combined with this unrelenting passion for swordsmanship—it was extraordinary.

That night, I knelt before the lord and begged to dedicate myself to teaching Master Cain swordsmanship.

“I had already planned for you to prioritize that over your duties as a butler,” the lord said, smiling with satisfaction. “The current Cain is no longer the Cain we once knew. His latent potential has awakened. I will support him in every way possible.”

To be given the opportunity to train someone of such unparalleled promise—I could hardly contain my excitement.

Master Cain, blessed with the unique skill Blade of the Black Moon, has the potential to become the strongest swordsman.

To my astonishment, the next day—and every day after—he continued his 3,000 daily strikes.

Even drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted, and with blistered hands, he never ceased.

“Master Cain, why? Why do you push yourself so hard?”
“Huff… huff… It’s obvious—so I can find happiness with Selvia, my favorite heroine. That’s my dream.”

Master Cain’s response included unfamiliar terms. Favorite heroine? What could that mean?

“Besides, Selvia is training hard in fire magic right now. I can’t let her see me slacking.”

He grinned as he answered.

“Also, swordsmanship is even more enjoyable than I thought. Hearing the sharp whistle of the blade as it cuts through the air—it’s exhilarating. Feeling my own growth with every swing is amazing!”