Holy Night: My Husband is Definitely a Paladin - Chapter 108
But this time, it was different.
Without hesitation, without calculating her words, she was speaking to him as naturally as if he were an old friend, pouring out her thoughts freely.
As she processed this new realization, she sat in a daze for a moment, until he smiled softly and added,
âNow that Iâve officially been ordained, if you ever feel burdened by something else, please feel free to tell me. If youâre comfortable with it, I will always be here to listen.â
His words were as polite and proper as always. In the past, she would have just acknowledged them and moved on, but for some reason, this time, they made her feel reassured.
Feeling a strange warmth in her chest, Irene, embarrassed by the sensation, hurriedly changed the subject.
âSo, what exactly are we going to do today?â
And why had he called her to the temple in the first place? She couldnât imagine what they would be doing for two hours here.
âIâll explain now. Follow me.â
He rose from his seat and opened a different door from the one they had entered through, gesturing for her to follow him.
A moment laterâŚ
âWhat is this?â
Irene stood, staring blankly at the short practice wooden sword now in her hand.
* * *
âYou need to bring it down faster.â
âFa, ster thâŚthan th, is?â
Irene, panting heavily, swung the wooden sword again.
Swinging the sword required more strength in her arms and legs than she had expected.
Before long, she was drenched in sweat and completely exhausted.
As if he had anticipated this, Michael handed her a dry towel and a bottle of cool water.
âI didnât expect you to be so well-preparedâŚâ
Irene muttered in a weak voice.
When he had told her to come to him for two hours every day, she had wondered what he had planned.
âWho wouldâve thought heâd be teaching me swordsmanship?â
But it wasnât just swordsmanship. He had also mentioned teaching her basic self-defense techniques.
âWill this even really help meâŚâ
Having never done anything so physically demanding in her life, just sitting still afterward made her groan in pain.
âItâs to prepare for any possible situation.â
âWhat kind of situation?â
âIn a dungeon, you never know what might happen. Itâs better to be fully prepared. Iâve also heard that purifiers are supposed to do basic physical training.â
âThatâs true, butâŚâ
While it was the knights who fought, purifiers still had to move alongside them, so basic physical fitness was important.
However, this was more relevant for pairs who had to work intensely together.
If the knight was overwhelmingly strong or the purifierâs abilities were exceptionally powerful, there wasnât much need for intense physical training.
âThatâs why Cynthia runs every morning, but Reyna doesnât do any of that.â
Naturally, Irene didnât feel the need to be physically capable since Michael was already so overwhelmingly strong. She could lie down in a corner of the dungeon and sleep, and she wouldnât be in danger as long as Michael was her pair.
So why was he suddenly having her do this?
âWhatever the reason, this feels like itâs going to kill me…â
And she had to do this for two hours every day under his guidance.
Though he usually respected her wishes, today was different.
âGet up. Thereâs still a lot for you to learn.â
âOkay, okay. Iâm getting up. Just⌠give me a momentâŚâ
Irene tried to use the wooden sword as a support to help herself up but stumbled and fell back down. It seemed that a short wooden sword wasnât exactly the best replacement for a staff.
âWhy are we practicing with a short sword and not a long sword?â
âWith your current strength, a long sword would be too much. Carrying it would just be a burden, and in the event that you actually need to use it, you wouldnât be able to handle it properly. Itâs quicker and more effective to learn how to use a weapon thatâs manageable for you.â
As he explained, he retrieved his own sword from where it had been resting and showed it to her.
âWould you like to try holding it?â
âCan I really?â
Irene had always heard that a knightâs sword was their most precious possession. They didnât let anyone touch itânot even family members or close comrades.
Was it really okay for her, an outsider, to hold it?
âOf course. Who else but you would be allowed to hold it?â
Michael unsheathed the sword and placed the hilt in Ireneâs hand.
âItâs heavy, so make sure to grip it firmly.â
He spoke like a strict instructor, covering her hand with his as he guided her in holding the sword properly.