"Master! Today I'm definitely going to land a hit!"
"Today I'm gonna beat Master—!"
A few days had passed since the battle with "Amuntzares".
In the indoor training ground of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky", I faced Log and Carol together.
"Yeah, come at me."
At my words, the two sprang into action.
Log charged straight forward with thrusts and sweeping strikes.
(He's mixing in feints now too. His skills have improved even more in just these few days.)
While dodging or parrying Log's attacks with my sword, Carol—who'd circled behind me—swung in from the back.
—or so it seemed.
Instead of closing the distance, she threw the dagger in her hand toward my right shoulder.
By the way, all our weapons right now are blunted—no cutting, and even a hit won't cause serious injury.
(If it misses, it could hit Log. That's a bad move.)
While handling Log's attacks, I twist my body out of the dagger's path.
But the dagger doesn't pass by me—it stops in midair before reaching.
(This is [Object Float], huh?)
[Object Float] is a magic I taught the clan's magic development room when I joined: it levitates objects.
I didn't name it back then, but the development room gave it this name for public release.
(So they're restricting my movements while eliminating friendly fire risk. Interesting idea.)
If she aims for my right shoulder, I'd dodge left.
Knowing my next move makes hitting easier.
Taking advantage of my focus on the dagger, Log thrusts faster than before.
(Their mind games are getting sharper. Still not planning to let them win, though.)
I draw out the spear tip until it's almost touching me—long enough that even if Log reacts, he can't move in time.
At that perfect moment, I roll clockwise like a barrel turn, slipping into Log's guard.
Switching my sword to my left hand, I drive my right elbow into his solar plexus with the rotation's momentum.
"Guh...!"
Grabbing the staggering Log's collar with my right hand, I yank him backward hard.
Unable to brace or breathe properly, Log stumbles forward several steps as I pull.
"—Eh!?"
As a result, he collides with Carol—who'd been closing in from behind—and the two tangle and fall together.
Face right in Carol's chest, huh. Not bad, Log.
"Log— you're heavy—"
"—!? S-s-s-sorry!"
Log—who'd probably been dazed—snaps back at Carol's voice and hurriedly scrambles away.
"Boo... It was a good plan too..."
Carol stays lying down even after Log moves, grumbling.
"I think it was a solid plan. Did you two come up with it together?"
"Yes... We thought if we could predict Master's next move, we could land hits. Our physical abilities are higher than Master's right now, after all."
For this mock battle—since the martial arts tournament is coming up—I'm fighting without buffs.
Facing the two with buffs requires even more focus than usual, so it's great training.
"Well, it's experience difference. By the way, Carol—when did you learn [Object Float]? You weren't using magic before."
"Ehehe~ Rain-neesan taught me~ I wanted to surprise Master, but you handled it so normally. I wanted to see a more shocked face~!"
Actually, Carol and Rain-san are close.
They were friends even before I joined the clan—probably through Albert-san.
Carol calls Rain-san "big sis" and adores her, and someone as big-sisterly as Rain-san naturally dotes on her.
"No, I was plenty surprised. I just didn't show it during combat."
"Really~?"
"Really. But why did you decide to learn magic?"
At my question, Carol unusually turns serious.
"...Hmm—I used to think close combat was enough. I'm faster than most people and confident with blades. But against someone like that big guy, I couldn't even be a proper obstacle. I lost instantly. I won't change my core fighting style, but watching Master and Log made me think. I need more options in battle. Right now I can only charge in. But that alone can't protect everyone. So I decided to learn magic."
I'd already heard from them what happened during the fight with "Amuntzares" before I arrived.
It's different from the fighting style I imagined for Carol, but it's the answer she reached herself. I want to respect that.
My way isn't necessarily correct, and ultimately, these things should be decided by the person themselves.
(Magic, huh. Then maybe down the line I can teach her that magic.)
"I see. That's a good mindset. In that case, you'll want to master parallel construction. If you can build spell formulas while staying in close combat, it'll make fighting much easier."
"Yeah! Actually, Rain-neesan said the same thing. I'm practicing parallel construction before learning more spells! Right now I can only use [Object Float] and basic shock-type magic."
If Rain-san's teaching her, I shouldn't interfere too much.
Our training methods are probably different—trying both at once might slow her progress.
"Carol's amazing. I need to get way better with the spear!"
Log is impressed by Carol's thinking and burns with rivalry.
Yeah—this kind of relationship is good.
I hope the three of them keep pushing each other like this.
"Log, considering you only started with the spear a month ago, you're handling it surprisingly well."
"But compared to people who truly master spear arts, I'm still far behind, right?"
"That's true. Which means you have room to grow. There's still so much ahead. —By the way, are you two entering the martial arts tournament?"
The martial arts tournament is open to anyone.
I'm entering the high-rank-only section, but the regular unrestricted one is still happening as usual.
I hear lots of rookie explorers enter that one every year.
"No. I was planning to before, but now... I don't really want to fight anyone except Master or Will-san..."
"Me neither. I don't want to hurt people much, so I'm skipping~"
Yeah—after something like that, they wouldn't want to fight people.
"I see. Participation isn't mandatory. The clan has festival help duties anyway—no need to force it. Use your free time to enjoy the Gratitude Festival. There are all kinds of stalls and events. —Alright, one more short break, then another round. Think up your next strategy while resting. I'm going to check on Sophia."
"Got it!"
"Next time I won't lose~!"
◇
Moving to the edge of the indoor training ground, I see Sophia with a serious expression, right hand thrust forward.
"Suu... haa... —!"
After a big deep breath, Sophia clenches her open right hand.
A thin iron plate some distance away crumples like wadded paper.
"Excellent."
"Ah, Orun-san. Thank you."
"How's the fatigue?"
"Um... I still get out of breath really quick..."
It seems Sophia awakened her ability during the battle the other day.
Her ability is [Psychokinesis].
The power to physically affect objects.
It's pretty abstract—maybe because Sophia hasn't fully grasped it yet, or maybe that's really all it is.
If it's the latter, there could be many interpretations.
Just like my [Mana Convergence] has tons of applications.
Perhaps [Psychokinesis] can do more than just crush, blow away, or hold in place.
That's something to test going forward.
Either way, [Psychokinesis] is extremely versatile—useful in exploration and daily life.
Getting exhausted after just a few uses is probably because she's still not used to it.
Abilities generally become more familiar the more you use them.
And with the awakening, Sophia has learned parallel construction.
She can now construct up to seven spell formulas simultaneously.
This is likely a byproduct of the ability.
[Psychokinesis] probably requires massive brain processing—far more than spell construction.
Her brain capacity likely expanded to handle it.
Pure speculation, though.
The quick fatigue probably stems from that too.
Being able to construct seven at once is plenty for a magician. From here, priority is getting her used to using the ability.
I can't let her use something that exhausts her in just a few activations in real combat.
"I see. Well, right after awakening, a lot of people get overwhelmed by their ability. We'll take it slow and make it yours step by step."
"Yes—"
"Sophia!!"
While talking with Sophia, a loud voice comes from the training ground entrance.
Looking over, I see Selma-san—breathing hard.
She was supposed to return tomorrow.
She probably rushed back after hearing Sophia fought "Amuntzares".
Selma-san approaches quickly with a tense expression.
"Big sis? What's wro—"
"Sophia... Thank goodness..."
Selma-san hugs Sophia tightly without another word.
"Ow... tight, big sis..."
"Ah, sorry. But really—I'm so glad you're safe. When I heard you fought "Amuntzares", my heart nearly stopped."
"Sorry for worrying you. But Master saved us, so we're all okay."
"I see. Orun—I heard the outline. Thank you for saving Sophia and the rookies."
Selma-san turns to me with a gentle expression and thanks me.
"...No need. I didn't do anything worth thanking. —More importantly, Sophia—since Selma-san's back early, why don't we call it for today?"
"Thank you. But... I want to keep going a little longer!"
Still such a hard worker.
"Got it. But don't push until you collapse—keep it moderate."
The day before yesterday, she overdid ability training and passed out.
I gave her strict instructions not to overdo it—so she should be fine, but just in case.
"Collapse...?"
"O-Of course! I won't overdo it!"
"Selma-san, do you have time right now?"
I speak to Selma-san—who's looking puzzled at my "collapse" comment.
"Ah, yeah—no problem. I was planning to use today for travel anyway. But later, I'd like some time with you. I want details on what happened while I was gone."
"Understood. Then watch Sophia's training. You'll see something interesting."
"Interesting...?"
"You'll see. Alright, Sophia—I'm heading back to Log and Carol."
"Okay!"
I leave the two and return to where Log and Carol are.
◇
"I'm back. Break time's over. Resuming mock battle."
I call out as I approach the two who were discussing strategy.
"Got it. This time I'll land a hit!"
"Yeah—gonna beat Master this time~!"
◇
After knocking them down a few more times, training time was almost up—so we ended there.
"Alright, that's it for today—even though it's early. Good work, everyone."
"""Thank you very much!!!"""
I'd planned study sessions back in the usual room afterward, but I want to talk to Selma-san soon.
Plus, the three have been pushing themselves lately.
They need proper rest too.
I hate pouring cold water on their hard work, but injuries would make everything meaningless.