Ever since I secured a date with the supervisor, I’ve been able to focus more on my training than before, as I no longer have anything to worry about.
You could say it’s just postponing the problem, but if I’ve managed to put it aside, I can just tell myself to leave it for now and be done with it.
I’ll just deal with it when the time comes, and for now, I’ll loosen up my body to prepare for what’s in front of me.
As I swayed my body side to side, my legs spread wide to a 180-degree angle, I recalled the results of my training so far.
What I’ve accomplished is knowledge in areas like the Demon Lord’s Army’s situation, general common sense, and aristocratic knowledge, as well as acquiring martial arts skills and learning magic.
I’ve heard that common sense cultivated in Japan doesn’t change much just by going abroad, but when you’re constantly experiencing such bizarre knowledge and experiences, it’s hard to stay the same as you were before.
A month feels incredibly short to adapt to this new common sense, and I figure it will probably take a little time for a makeshift measure to become a proper blade.
But, well, even a makeshift measure is a blade.
I can give its sharpness a certain evaluation.
“The supervisor has also found herself on the defensive more than the offensive recently.”
I need to maintain this knowledge so it doesn’t rust, but the time to use it will come eventually.
This time, it’s about the body before the head.
Stretching out my body, I felt it loosening up and compared the supervisor’s combat style from then to now.
Initially, she would often block my attacks with one hand and counter with her sword in the other.
Of course, that doesn’t mean my attacks were fully connecting with the supervisor.
Those exchanges felt like she was intentionally taking them, or rather, should I say she was taking them to guide me.
However, ever since the day I cut through her magic sword, she stopped taking hits intentionally.
She sees through everything and evades just at the last moment.
Those opportunities have increased.
Conversely, when she does take a hit, it’s a minimum necessary, and she often uses techniques to deflect rather than taking it head-on.
She only goes on the defensive when it’s genuinely when I made her do so.
That must be because she judged my attacks to be dangerous.
Is changing one’s fighting style based on the opponent common sense in battle?
I barely managed to keep up with that, and I thought I should pursue speed when I noticed the fact that the supervisor’s attacks were being received less often.
“Fufufufu! Today, I think I can surprise Senpai!!”
As I was thinking about such things and stretching, Kaidou approached me from behind, boasting and chuckling theatrically.
“Are you ready?”
“Of course! My body’s limber and I’m good to go! Kaidou Tadashi is in top condition!”
Today is the culmination of our training, and it seems to be me against the rest of the party members.
It’s a mock battle with the supervisor and instructors Kio and Fushio acting as referees.
The purpose is to confirm how much each of us has improved amongst ourselves.
“That’s right! I am also fully prepared! My stats have also greatly improved!! And I even have a new ultimate move I acquired during this training? Even you, my leader, should prepare yourself for defeat this time around~”
Judging by his confidence, Minami also approached, showing a suspicious grin.
Kio’s training must have been quite grueling, as he’s gained enough confidence to boast to me.
I wish he showed that much spirit normally, though.
“Is that so? Then it seems I should also go all out and not hold back.”
““Ugh, that…””
“Which is it?”
That confidence crumbled like a sandcastle when I declared I’d go all out.
I tried to respond with the usual passionate encouragement to make them put in more effort, but it seems it wasn’t very effective, and their confidence disappeared.
“Honestly, I told you so. It’s impossible to intimidate Jiro-san with words.”
“Hmm~ Jiro-san also worked hard with us, you know. It’s natural to be met with that kind of response, Kamo.”
Kitamiya and Amelia watched them with a look of exasperation, while what remained was…
“……”
He was dragging Minami away a short distance and scolding him.
I smirked, thinking he was probably telling him not to get carried away, and stood up.
“Well, I’d like to see how much stronger I’ve become. I’ll fight with all my might, are you ready?”
“Oh? Do you think we’re going to charge into battle without any preparation? Just like Minami and the others, those words are ours this time, aren’t they?”
“No? I’ve been telling you this repeatedly. I’m not worried about that. As the one who told you not to neglect preparation, I just wanted to confirm. I’m keen to see how much you’ve improved.”
“Those are our lines! We’ll show you the results of our practice!”
And then Kitamiya, perhaps having gained confidence, looked at me with a provocative smile, different from Minami’s.
Next to her, Amelia showed off her biceps, which didn’t bulge much due to her slender arms, and showed her resolve to show the results of her hard work.
“Is that so? Then I shall look forward to it.”
I, too, have things I want to show them.
In that case, I’ll just fight with all my might.
“It’s about time. Prepare yourselves.”
““““““Yes!””””””
Then, after being called by the supervisor, who was preparing the battle arena, we entered the prepared barrier.
“Whoa, this is quite something.”
“Indeed, this won’t be simple.”
“What do you think, Amelia-chan?”
“We can move three-dimensionally, so shall we move around? It looks like we can move quite interestingly.”
“Since visibility is poor, timing the healing will be difficult.”
Kaidou and the others voiced their thoughts on the scene that unfolded before them.
“What a strange space to fight in.”
Beside them, I muttered the same sentiment as Kaidou and the others.
I had assumed it wouldn’t be an ordinary place, given that it was prepared by the supervisor, Instructor Fushio, and Instructor Kio. But I never expected it to be this much.
At first glance, it looked like an arena’s layout, but it was closer to a dungeon.
The spectator seats surrounding the perimeter were a tiered wall.
There were rocks here and there that could be used for hiding, which would be good for looking down from above, but it would also make one stand out.
Although hiding spots are limited, it would be a good place for those with sniping capabilities to attack from a distance if they play their cards right.
And in the central plaza covered by it, there were countless stone pillars that could serve as obstacles, and they looked very sturdy given their thickness.
The placement and height differences varied, making it difficult to secure a clear view.
Furthermore, there were tunnel-like areas visible.
It seems that even if you occupy a high ground, you wouldn’t be found immediately.
A simple, non-complex maze.
That was my overall assessment.
I became somewhat excited thinking about how Kaidou and the others would move in a structure designed to simulate encounters within a dungeon.
While it’s true that I’m at a disadvantage with Amelia as a scout capable of detection and Minami as someone who can sense enemies, I, on the other hand, can engage in mobile warfare without worrying about my party members.
“Quite something, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I will enjoy it to my heart’s content.”
And the fact that wide-area magic can’t be easily used is also a plus.
Being at a numerical disadvantage, it’s somewhat difficult for me to be hit by unavoidable magic while I’m dealing with the frontliners.
The more shielding obstacles there are, the better.
Seeing this sight, I said I would enjoy it to my heart’s content, and the supervisor’s mouth curved into a pleased smile.
I’ve fought with Kaidou and the others in mock battles many times, but this is the first time for such a serious battle.
I can’t let this precious experience go to waste.
“Then, go and enjoy yourselves. All units, prepare! We will also take our positions!”
Snapping my fingers, teleportation circles were prepared next to me and on Kaidou’s side.
Presumably, that’s where we’ll use as our starting positions.
“I’m going ahead.”
“Senpai, Senpai! Whoever loses has to pay for the training celebration!”
“If I lose, you want me to pay for five people?”
“There’s no way that’ll happen.”
“Is that so?”
“You have to pay for eight people, including the instructors!”
“Alright, I understand. I’ll defeat you all with all my might and call Suella and the others to treat you.”
After exchanging those words, with Kaidou being scolded by Kitamiya for saying such a thing, I slipped into the gate.
The place I emerged into was somewhat dim.
“I suppose this is the entrance.”
Surrounded by walls, there was only one exit.
Beyond that light, it would undoubtedly lead to the arena.
“Kakakaka, is that all you have?”
Suddenly, a voice echoed in the space.
“Instructor, please don’t make such a horror-movie-like entrance, it’s creepy.”
“What? You’re not surprised at all? How boring.”
“I was trained in your dungeon, after all.”
“Is that so? Then I can’t help it.”
Instructor Fushio emerged from the dim darkness, his blue flames taking shape.
I inwardly scoffed, thinking how this was like a horror movie, and with a wry smile at the predictable development, I said that I possessed a mental fortitude that wouldn’t be shaken by such minor theatrics. He responded with a voice that sounded bored.
“So, do you need something? I believe you received the preliminary explanation.”
Normally, Instructor Fushio, as the referee, should be watching us from somewhere on the stage.
Yet, he came specifically to me, so he must have some business.
I have a hunch about what that business might be…
“What? Just thought you might be nervous?”
“Your honest opinion?”
“I was curious as to how far you’d gone with Evia.”
The person in front of me should know that I wasn’t trained to be so easily nervous at this point. After sighing at his blatant nosiness, I asked him about the real reason, and as expected, he inquired about my relationship progress with the supervisor.
“You’re just being a busybody. Please do things like that after there are results, honestly.”
“No matter how old I get, this kind of talk is always fun. But with that reaction, what, nothing at all?”
“You know you’re asking that, don’t you?”
“Kakakaka, it’s hard to get this kind of information lately, as Evia has become quite formidable. Part of it is that no men are approaching her, but still. How is it?”
It might be an exaggeration to say a skull’s eyes sparkle, but I figured he wouldn’t believe me if I said nothing, especially facing an instructor with such a meddlesome nature.
“…There is, but I’m just not telling you.”
My best course of action would be to remain silent. Of course, this is an instructor who wouldn’t back down that easily.
“Oh, you choose silence against me? How about we let off some steam before the match?”
He immediately resorts to drastic measures.
“Please spare me. I want to fight them in perfect condition.”
And as expected, that’s exactly what happened, but I sighed and gently refused, wishing he’d channel that enthusiasm in a different direction. I have a feeling these instructors tend to become overly interfering and protective when it comes to the supervisor. They’re a bit too overprotective with their proactive approach.
As blue flames lit up his white bone palm, I smiled and refused his offer of a fight. When he threatened me by saying, “Then tell me,” I said,
“Then, how about this. If you’ll open your secret stash of alcohol after something is over, I’ll let slip what that something is.”
“Hohoho, you’ve become quite bold. Negotiating with me, are you?”
I’ll try to handle this with delaying tactics. The most troublesome thing when dating the supervisor is the appearance of these instructors. They’d likely use obscure back alleys to run into me, even if such encounters are unlikely when I’m outside the company. However, if I say I’ll tell them later instead of hiding it, they’ll understand to some extent.
“You don’t like it?”
“Nay, I find it quite amusing. Very well, let’s set aside some time later. At that time, I’ll have you spill everything.”
“Then, I’ll be looking forward to some delicious sake that will make me slip up.”
“Kakakaka, very well. Then, Evia will probably notice soon, so I’m off. Don’t show me any disgraceful behavior.”
“Understood.”
I responded with a little joke. I was curious about Instructor Fushio’s reaction if he heard I was going on a date with the supervisor, but I played it safe because he might even show up to the date like an obnoxious bystander. That’s why I managed to conclude the exchange with a promise of reporting later. Watching his back as he left, clacking his jawbone in anticipation, I slightly regretted my decision and picked up an Ore Tree. There’s still a little time before the starting buzzer.
“Well then, let’s see how much they’ve grown.”
So, as a pre-work indulgence, I took one out. It was the last one I brought for this training. I slowly puffed on it, savoring it. The sound of the great bell tower echoing in the sky. It was the signal for battle.
“Well then, as usual, I’ll prioritize safety.”
It would be a waste to discard the cigarette I just lit, so I ended up stepping onto the battlefield with it still in my mouth.
A word for today: Confirmation work is important.
That’s all for today.
Thank you for your corrections and feedback.
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*The first volume of this novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content includes revisions and additions to the original text posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, along with the inclusion of unpublished interlude chapters. Please also check out the new releases!
The comic adaptation will be featured in Kodansha’s September issue of “Young Magazine The Third.” I hope you will enjoy that as well.
I ask for your continued support for this work.
