Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

“Oh, how cruel.”

Though quite a distance away, the last words Aira spoke to Riley reached his ears clearly.

Perhaps because of this, Christian couldn’t help but shudder and feel sorry for the guy called Riley.

Why would anyone claw at a person’s heart after already winning the fight?

“Was it really necessary to confirm the kill after beating him that much?”

The situation escalated dramatically, causing an uproar around Riley as he fell backward.

Sensing the urgency, McDowell picked Riley up and dashed straight to the infirmary.

“Who would have thought that master could knock people out with words…….”

Living a long life reveals many unexpected things. The master, who always led with fists more than words, made Christian all too aware of Aira’s unpredictable nature.

“Ah, this is already a problem if it’s happening now.”

For now, he was stronger than Aira, but who knew how much stronger she would become in the future.

Thinking of the days to come, he realized that he should start taking good care of Aira from now.

With such determination, Christian saw Aira approaching him. Her footsteps were light, starkly contrasting with the noisy surroundings.

“Did you see?”

Aira stopped in front of Christian, wearing a confident smile, and spoke to him.

“What is there to see… Oof?!”

“Why is there nothing to see?! There was so much! Successfully using adhesion, overlap, and even Extreme Trust, all of them!”

“But there were frequent mistakes too, weren’t there?”

“Mistakes?”

At Christian’s words, Aira tilted her head in confusion. Watching her, Christian pointed out the flaws meticulously.

“I understand you’re happy with your success, but your follow-up actions were too careless. Just because the opponent suddenly emits a wave doesn’t mean you should easily fall away. Isn’t that right?”

“…….”

“And the same applies to the overlap. Six overlaps? What do you mean six overlaps? Two of them flew off midway. Additionally, the casting time is lengthy. You should be quick about it, not act leisurely. If that’s the case, just use two or three overlaps. Don’t waste mana needlessly.”

“…….”

“And also, Extreme Trust. Sure, that’s the biggest problem. Why did you even use overlap? You should have utilized the essence of overlap with Extreme Trust. It seems you’re just using mana recklessly, am I right?”

“…….”

“Also, body activation. Even though you continuously use magical artifacts that apply gravity arrays, there are too many gaps in your movements. You’re not dragging it out for entertainment’s sake because you’re dueling against someone else, right?”

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

“Right, it must be my misunderstanding. Tonight, during the unlimited duel, we’ll see clearly whether it’s a misunderstanding.”

“You devilish bastard!”

Aira wished she could faint like Riley did.

Then she wouldn’t have to listen to her annoying brother’s nonsense, nor endure the all-night dueling.

*

“Ha ha, so Riley lost.”

Watching the duel, Gael let out a hollow laugh, feeling quite surprised. He had supported Riley due to his innate martial prowess, despite his lack of talent for commerce.

With Miles’ financial power, he could have bought any sword, but a sword connected by bloodlines wasn’t easily obtainable.

However, that child was now carried to the infirmary unconscious. What’s more, he was utterly defeated by someone much younger, a mere fifteen-year-old girl.

“What do you think? Was my grandson careless? If not…….”

The fierce exchange of blows and wave collisions was indeed a spectacle for Gael, but he needed an expert’s precise assessment.

Pascal, maintaining his upright posture, looked down at the training ground and said,
“It was rather your granddaughter who was careless. It’s simply a difference in skill.”

“Riley is turning twenty this year. Yet he was utterly defeated by a child five years younger, and that’s just a skill difference?”

“Indeed. The quality of mana, the capacity, the technique to handle waves, the completion of the physique, and even the strong will. It seems Count Worden has raised your granddaughter well.”

“Then, doesn’t it seem like my son neglected his child?”

“It doesn’t matter who provides more support or who puts in more effort. What matters, in the end, is the result, don’t you think?”

“The result, huh. Still, I thought he was quite talented with the sword…….”

Gael clicked his tongue, genuinely feeling sorry as he thought of Riley being carried away.

“Talent is ultimately relative. There’s nothing lacking in Young master Riley’s talent either.”

“Ultimately, isn’t it still a matter of falling behind someone?”

“…….”

Pascal remained silent in response to Gael’s blunt remark. The world was filled with people overflowing with talent.

Riley’s talent was undoubtedly outstanding, and it was known he put in the effort, but even so, he was just an ordinary person in front of a more exceptional genius.

“It’s indeed a rather complex feeling.”

Despite calling it a complicated feeling, Gael was smiling contentedly. The matter with his grandson wasn’t very significant to him anymore.

Currently, his interest was captivated by something new.

“Well, now that we’ve confirmed our granddaughter’s accomplishments…….”

Gael’s gaze shifted towards Christian, who was being approached by the eager Aira.

“I am truly eager to see what kind of spectacle that child will showcase.”

In truth, Gael had orchestrated this stage to accurately gauge Christian’s potential more than Aira’s.

In the significantly altered original plan, it was necessary to ascertain whether his granddaughter would step up as an heir, as initially intended, or if she too would encounter obstacles. That needed confirming.

*

Though the unexpected situation caused a delay, McDowell soon returned to the training ground and the duel resumed.

“Hey! I look forward to it!”

“Hmm….”

Lena, who ascended energetically, showed no sign of tension.

With her eyes sparkling energetically, even Christian found it quite impressive.

Once the two stood on the training ground facing each other, McDowell approached quietly. Just as McDowell was about to announce the start of the match, Lena spoke.

“We can use waves too, right?”

“Transformation is not allowed.”

“Of course not. I’m only going to use applications powpowpow.”

“I’m repeating myself, but transformations are absolutely prohibited.”

“Hey, I said I won’t use them.”

“…… It means not to use them even accidentally. Ten days ago, during the duel with Sir Velgarata, you received a punishment for breaking a leg due to negligence.”

“That was on purpose, actually.”

“…….”

Multiple jaw-dropping utterances left McDowell momentarily speechless. After regaining composure, he gritted his teeth and said,

“Remember this. You must not intentionally harm that Young master. This is the last warning.”

“Yay, yay, then why are we dueling?”

Pouting lips and muttering, Lena’s behavior caused McDowell to turn red with embarrassment.

He utterly failed to comprehend why Evan allowed Lena to participate in such an important duel.

Wishing fervently for no accidents, McDowell sighed deeply and declared.

“Begin.”

“Alright!”

Simultaneously, Lena dashed toward Christian, unleashing a wave at him.

‘Hmm? This is…….’

Much like the wave application sword dance shown by Riley earlier, mana branched out in multiple directions, surrounding Christian.

However, unlike Riley’s sword dance, each composed mana was rough and intricately linked, creating a unique application resembling a beast opening its jaws and pouncing.

‘Biting?’

And this was a technique quite familiar to Christian. Although the power was significantly lower, and its form was not complete, he had recognized it instantly.

Christian, stepping into the oncoming mana jaws with true intent, pinned down the top jaw with wave-laden sword strikes.

BAM!

“Yikes!”

“Huh?”

Although the wave technique was shattered, Lena displayed no signs of distress and changed her stance to aim for Christian’s left side with a sweeping attack.

As the sword moved, the waves condensed on it divided into three streams that rushed at Christian.

“Tearing Claw?”

The wave technique resembled a beast slashing its prey with claws, tearing it apart mercilessly.

“You, you, could it be?!”

Though still rough and imprecisely formed, Christian was momentarily shocked, leading him to blurt out.

“Nemea Robran?!”