Garin waved his wooden sword sending a blow that connected with my head.
Bang!
"Ouch!"
He exclaimed spot he hit him on.
*Fine then…*
He straightened his wooden sword, taking on his stance with determination.
Garin riased an eyebrow as he looked at him in surprise, his face shifting expression as he noticed the way he held his weapon.
*That stance…. It's similar to mine but not quite. Where did he learn it from?*
"Be careful Taylor,"
Lalia called out her voice filled with concern.
"Don't worry, Lalia I won't hurt him…."
He paused for a moment, letting a small grin escape his face and whispered.
"….Much!"
*I heard you.*
Taylor jumped back.
He briefly scanned his surroundings, he's eyes landing on a nearby rock. He wasted no time grabbing it.
"Garin,watch out!"
He shouted, throwing the rock with all his strength.
The moment was exhilarating, but Garin was quick; with a flick of his wooden sword he deflected the rock effortlessly.
"Nice try."
He said with a grin, but his expression quickly shifted as his eyes locked onto his.
Taylor was close, about to swing his blade Garin beat him to it. And swing his blade at immense speed aiming for him. But Taylor got down barely dodging the attack.
*Now he's wide open.*
He flashed the wooden sword preparing for a devastating attack, aiming for his eye.
Garin noticed the danger and sup with immense speed parrying the attack along with himself, the attack sent him flying.
Thud!
Taylor dropped down, on his back.
*Damn it, he's just fast… and this tiny boy is weak, If I was in my old masculine body I would've dogged that… no that's an excuse, I lost through and through!*
He got up and with a almost tired expression, and raised both his hand in defeat.
"I forfeit."
"Wait… what? Why…?"
Garin protested, looking genuinely surprised.
"I lost, it was a nice match against village's number one hunter."
"Well, if you put it like that…"
Garin brushed his nose in confidence, grinning widely.
Before he could respond, Lalia rushed to his side, her expression reflecting concern and relief that the match was over.
"Are you hurt, Taylor."
*This feels a bit familiar!*
"No, I'm fine."
He reassured her trying to wash her worries away.
He's thoughts drifted to his past life.
*That's right I had a mother too in my past life. A well renowned woman who inherited a big company from her parents. she had an impressive legacy, that attracted admiration and scrutiny alike. And a father too unlike my mother he had built he's company from scratch, and I was destined both their companies. I would be lying if I said the pressure wasn't immense. The wait of expectation fell on me from a very a young age. By the age of seven, I had mastered the piano and various skills, by the age of thirteen teen I had a neck in both martial art and fencing mixing different arts. I was called a genius. But that wasn't enough for them. I've never had a proper talk with mother, I never got to feel the warmth of my parents. At fifteen I decided to change my last name and move in with grandparents. I was called the fallen genius of the Rowse family, but…*
"Are you sure you're not hurt at all Taylor."
She asked, to make sure he was fine.
*Right now, this woman whom I haven't known for much long, Is really worried. I wonder if this what it feels to truly care for someone…, I know I'm not the real Taylor, just an imposter who inhabited a body that never belonged to him in the first place. But…?*
"Hmm…"
*It's not a bad feeling at all.*
He stared at the woman standing besides him, who truly cared for him.
"Come on Lalia, you can't keep babying him all his life!
Garin added with a warm smile.
"B-but—."
Lalia stuttered, her protective instincts kicking in, stealing a glance at Taylor.
He gave a small reassuring nod.
She took a deep breath, finally relenting.
"Alright, alright…"
She said, still her worry evident.
With a resigned nod, she got up and went inside, as if casting occasional glances back at him. Garin followed, turning to me with a smirk.
"Every defeat is a step to victory. I learned that the hard way, just keep those words in mind."
"I know that, probably more than anyone even but…"
*I'm not a fool, for someone who's worked so hard trying to impress people. I know that there's still room for improvement.*
"Next time I'll definitely win!"
With a glint of determination scorching in his eyes.
Garin was a bit taken aback, a smile curling its way on his lips, the said.
"I'll be waiting!"
Taylor did nothing but smile at the reply.
Moments later, the radiated a warm glow over the village.Taylor was sitting in the yard taking shelter at an apple tree, holding what seemed to be a knife.
The tree stood tall, its branches heavy with ripe, red fruit. Leaves gently rustled in the warm breeze, providing a cool respite from the sun. Sunlight dappled below, making it a perfect a perfect spot for reading or daydreaming.
Setting the knife down beside a stack of three books, wearing an unreadable expression.
"I did it, I made a slingshot!"
*It's finished it took a while but I did it, though it's not perfect badly carved but still. I'm not much of a sword guy though don't get me wrong, winning all those fencing matches having the crowd shouting in joy for was great. But wielding a gun felt much more comfortable, I used to go hunting with my grandfather, back then he thought me the true essence of wielding a gun…*
"Hey, Taylor!"
Suddenly a voice called out snapping, him out of his thoughts.
"Huh! Oh, it's you Liam.
He exclaimed turning to him.
*Liam's the one who'd been supplying me with books ever since I arrived in this world, he is my official book dealer and he's far more useful than he probably realises.*