Today is the "special day" Master Obrone mentioned… though I still don't know why. Maybe he's planning to test if I've truly mastered swordsmanship with mana control.
Well, whatever. First things first: what will I cook today?
I thought about it as I wandered through the forest near Master Obrone's house. Every morning after my bath, I come here to gather ingredients while everyone's still asleep.
Who else would wake up at 5 a.m.? I do because I am a morning person . Bathing this early wasn't my thing, but habits change. Plus, it's awkward drying my hair in front of two guys, so I leave it down as I wander the forest and let it dry naturally. And then there's 'Rain'—who I know would start knocking if I stayed in the shower too long. He's exactly that type.
Anyway, fish for lunch and some veggies for dinner sounds good.
On my way back, basket in hand, a sharp wave of aura hit me.
Rein's aura. Or Rain's—honestly, the names sound the same.
But he never gets up this early. And this aura is intense. Is he training?
Maybe an injury healed and now he's back at it.
I stepped into Master Obrone's training ground. Just as I guessed, Rein was there. He glanced at me once before focusing back on his training.
I ignored him too and went inside to prepare breakfast. After cooking for everyone, I got prepared for training and returned to the grounds.
I chose the far side, opposite from Rein. The last thing I wanted was to meet his gaze.
I started my drills, slicing through several trees at once. Strangely, I didn't feel as exhausted as yesterday. Maybe I'm improving.
Suddenly, a wooden sword whizzed through the air from behind me and cut the tree I'd been about to strike.
"Is cutting down trees all you can do?" Rein smirked.
That snarky comment lit a fire in my chest.
"You want me to cut your head instead?"
"If you can, newbie."
"Challenging me, huh? You'll regret it."
Actually… maybe I should regret this. He's senior and more experienced. No, this time I'll shut his cheeky mouth.
I lunged at him, swinging. He dodged like it was nothing and countered so fast I barely escaped his strike.
I targeted his legs next—he jumped easily.
"Cheap tricks, huh?"
His smugness made my blood boil. I swung harder; our swords clashed, sparks flying. He pressed so much force into his block that my arms trembled.
I backed up, then darted forward again, aiming for his arms, channeling everything I'd learned in training. My strike landed—just a small cut, but it was something.
I barely had time to feel proud before he sliced my arm in return.
"Don't get distracted mid-fight, idiot," he scolded.
We stepped back. This next exchange would decide it.
I rushed in at full speed, but Rein blurred. I couldn't even track his movement before his sword knocked mine out of my grip and scored another cut on my arm.
I fell to the ground as he stabbed his wooden blade into the dirt beside me.
"You're good, but not that good. Train harder, kid."
Ugh… his smirk, his comments—intolerable. I'd lost, and I could accept that, but the way he kept grinning…was getting on my nerves.
Then his expression shifted. He stared at my left arm—the one he'd cut—as if he'd seen something he shouldn't.
As soon as I realised it was the left arm,I quickly covered it with my right arm and got to my feet. He shouldn't know about it.
"You two had a pretty good fight."
Master Obrone's voice rang out.
"Rein, your evaluation?"
"She's lacking speed and her lower body's weak. Mana control's almost perfect, but she needs more strength."
Wait… this was all planned?!
"Good. Then we can move forward properly," Master Obrone nodded.
"It was a test?" I asked.
"I knew you'd figure it out. Yes, it was."
Woah… so that brat took advantage of it. Sigh.
"The good news," Obrone continued, "is you've mastered swordsmanship with mana control to a solid extent. Stay consistent and you'll be an expert in no time."
"Really? So I should focus on speed and strength now?"
"Exactly."
That was… relieving. I'm improving faster than I thought.
But Rein had gone quiet. The smirk was gone, replaced by something almost… worried? Sad?
I hated that look on him. It didn't suit him. What's with him today?
Master Obrone listed my new lower-body workouts. But—seriously—
Squats, sit-ups, deadlifts, walking lunges, reverse lunges, step-ups, leg lifts, hip thrusts,push-ups… 300 reps. Three sets. Daily.
Am I a robot? My soul was already waving goodbye to my body.
After a long day of training and lunch, everyone went to sleep. Shimi and I finished the remaining chores, and then she went to bed too.
I was setting up my bedding in the living room when something grabbed my arm—hard.
I spun around. Rein.
I hadn't even felt his presence.
"Can we talk for a moment?" he asked quietly.
What is up with him today?
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