GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Chapter 13: New Instance

The atmosphere shifted as Graham's attention fixed on Vel. From the corner of his eye, Vel caught Von and Lady Halen watching intently from their position at the courtyard's edge. Lady Halen's fingers tapped against her arm - she'd shown clear interest during Celia's display, but now her full attention bore down on him with calculating precision.

Vel's throat tightened. He'd been so focused on Celia's performance that he'd nearly forgotten his own stakes in this test. Even Celia, who regularly bested him in their practice matches, had struggled against Graham. The Vice Headmaster's casual stance betrayed years of combat experience that Vel couldn't hope to match with basic sword techniques alone.

His mind raced through possibilities. Raw skill wouldn't be enough - he needed every advantage he could scrape together. Strategy, technique, even misdirection might give him an edge. But what combination would work against someone of Graham's caliber?

"Pick a weapon," Graham's voice cut through Vel's thoughts.

Vel approached the weapon rack with measured steps. His fingers brushed past shorter blades until they found a wooden longsword - similar to the one he'd practiced with under Von's guidance. The familiar weight settled into his palms as he gripped it with both hands.

He glanced toward Von, seeking any hint of guidance. His father responded with a single, firm nod that carried all their hours of training within it.

Taking position across from Graham, Vel widened his stance and raised the practice sword. He held it high and angled outward, just as Von had drilled into him countless times. Each breath steadied his grip as he recalled every lesson, every correction, every piece of wisdom his father had shared.

Graham shifted his weight, assuming the same stance he'd used against Celia. His practice sword angled low behind his legs, grip loose yet purposeful. The casual posture masked the deadly precision Vel had witnessed minutes ago.

"Let's see if you have anything close to your friend over there." Graham's lips curved into a challenging smile. "Your move, boy."

Vel's mind churned through possibilities. Against someone of Graham's caliber, standard attacks would be pointless - the man had likely seen every basic combination imaginable. One wrong move, one moment of hesitation, and Graham would seize control. The fight would end before it began.

This wasn't just about crossing swords. It was a game of positioning, timing, and most importantly - control. Vel couldn't afford to let Graham dictate the pace. Unlike Celia who fought on instinct and raw talent, he needed calculated precision.

Thoughts crystallized into strategy as Vel analyzed Graham's stance. The Vice Headmaster's relaxed posture suggested confidence, perhaps even a hint of underestimation. That could be leveraged. The low sword position meant Graham would need to raise his guard before countering - a fraction of a second delay Vel might exploit.

But first, he had to control the engagement range. Too close would give Graham's experience the advantage. Too far would let him read and react to any approach. Vel needed to find that perfect distance where his youth and smaller frame might work in his favor.

His grip tightened on the practice sword as pieces of his strategy clicked into place. Like a chess match, he'd need to think several moves ahead while being ready to adapt when Graham inevitably disrupted his plans.

Vel inched forward, wooden sword held high. His muscles tensed as he closed the distance, watching Graham's every subtle movement. The practice blade whistled through the air in a deliberate overhead strike - not meant to hit, just to gauge Graham's reaction.

Graham didn't move. The Vice Headmaster's practice sword remained angled low, his posture unchanged. Only his eyes tracked Vel's movement with predatory focus.