Their movements were grounded, but it was very obvious that Steinen's father was much stronger.
Still, I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that they both wore seemingly normal clothes in a noble sense, yet they still decided to wear helmets over their heads.
It must have been a family tradition.
Alleus and I covered our ears because of the echoing of heavy steel.
Jumping into the air, Steinen slashed downward but was met with an effortless counter using the back end of the long odachi.
His father's movements were elegant, unlike his son's ravaging fighting style.
Putting his hand on the back end of the odachi, his father—Thorac—slashed downward. Although this maneuver seemed unnecessary because he always swung with a single hand.
With every step of their exchange in combat, Steinen's capabilities slowly dwindled, being pushed ever so slightly back.
"Guragh!" Twisting his body all the way back, Steinen slashed with all his might. The force of the attack made me slightly stumble.
What a monster.
"My son, have you forgotten who taught you how to swing a blade? Do you forget who made you strong? Tell me, my son, who are you to leave yourself wide open to the man who had guided you?" Thorac's blade was rested on top of Steinen's head.
"You are no father. I resent the blade that you have engraved in me. I will walk a path of my own!" Grabbing his father's odachi with his bare hand, he shattered it. His hand didn't drip an ounce of blood. It must have been because of his heavily calloused hands.
Using the blade in his bare hand, Steinen then slashed down on his father, leaving a gaping diagonal waterfall of blood.
But his father did not falter, did not wane. He just stood there tall. Raising his hand, Thorac hugged his son tightly.
"You've passed."
Hearing a sniffle, I looked down at Alleus, who was using my pants as a tissue to wipe off her snot.
"Don't do that, you bastard!" I pulled my leg away, but she still hung on. With a sigh, I just let her be.
Squirming to get himself free from the hug, Steinen left the training auditorium and went to his knees before Incus.
"I apologize for making you come here. I vow my blade to your journey. No matter how dire the situation, I will be your sword."
Putting her hand on Steinen's head, she cleared her throat.
"Glad you are." But an eerie smile appeared on her face, making me tilt my head.
"Why can't they just kiss already?" Alleus blew loudly on my pants.
Okay, this was getting gross. I only had two pairs of clothes. Forcibly pushing Alleus' head off, she wrapped her limbs around my leg and wiped her tear-filled face from side to side.
When Incus and Steinen left the auditorium, walking with Alleus on my leg, I looked up at the window screen in the sky:
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Chapter 112: Father versus Son
…
"Glad you are." A gentle smile appeared on Incus' face.
***
In a room hidden away underneath the academy, a man was tapping on a large glass container that held a red demon inside—the leader who had led the charge during the raid.
"Your power will be mine…"
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I wondered who that could be. Whatever was happening, it was going to happen soon, and it wouldn't be pretty.
***
Training against Index, his expression grew much more lively.
"Good. I don't think I have much to teach you. All you need to do now is get physically stronger."
"What about me?" Alleus pointed at herself.
"There's not much to say, aside from the fact that you're really well rounded. However, I do feel that you've prematurely peaked."
Scratching her head, she asked:
"Is that bad?"
"It's not bad. It just means that you'll have to work much harder from now on if you want to grow."
"I see." Going back to her training, I sat on the bed and took a break.
Alleus had been improving her utility of her Truthseeker's Eye, throwing multiple inanimate objects in the air.
But because the eye only let her see the future movements of one target, she had to quickly shift her attention.
Not only that, but she now had a white eyepatch that had been bought by Index. Because of its bland design, she drew a pink flower on it.
"Geez, this is so frustrating."
Walking up to her, Index asked:
"What's wrong?"
"I just can't seem to catch them all. I sometimes catch too early and miss the target completely."
Picking up his short sword, he pointed the scabbard at her.
"Let's try improving by seeing the future of slower objects. Whenever you spar with me or Ring, you're seeing the future of fast strikes. And since the balls fall much slower than the stroke of a sword, you lack the ability to perceive much slower movements."
Rubbing her eyes, Alleus stared intently at the short sword.
"Let's get started then!"
Slowly swinging his blade, Alleus caught the scabbard. Index gradually picked up the pace and switched from slow to a tad bit faster.
I also learned how to use Kraken. Reading its ability description, I grimaced.
「Skills」
[Adept Sword Technique]
[Adept Practical Martial Arts]
[Basic Perception]
[Unique Skill: Kraken]
-Can absorb and release mana-based attacks three times.
"It's not bad, but its limited uses make it only usable during short bursts."
***
Classes at the academy had been quite entertaining because of the drama that had been happening.
Apparently, Incus had been exploiting students for money, which was what the recent chapters had been about.
Just shenanigans happening around the place.
But I didn't want to get robbed, so I watched from a distance away, just far enough that I wouldn't become a background character.
Occasionally, Incus would sneak out and practice her aim on practice targets outside of the auditorium, seemingly out of fear of destroying the place.
Slamming the door open, I demanded.
"Hey, Master Index, can you get us some equipment?"
"Hm? Why so?"
Looking at Alleus and then back at Index, I replied:
"There's going to be a raid soon, and it won't be a pretty one. It's going to be a raid by one of the Demon King's generals."
"Is that so? What is it that you want then?"
Grabbing a piece of paper, I began writing a list. Alleus wrote down what she wanted as well.
The list comprised the following:
- 2 light steel armors
- Multiple pairs of socks and clothes + a cute dress
- 2 Pouches with vial holders
- Multiple small mana and recovery potions (small so that they can fit in the vial holders on the pouch)
- Flask bottles (make sure they fit in the pouch)
- Dried meat and fruits + box of chocolate
- Books on war tactics + romance books
Handing over the piece of paper, Index left the door.
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Chapter 116: Unnamed
Man gets revealed as who he is.
Raid by the demon general, Dragonborn.
Note: Check discounts on meat.
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