White Mask and I stood facing each other.
This was a private lesson near Londan Station, so White Mask had removed his mask for comfort.
As I prepared for the lesson, I felt a strange reluctance in my body, like it was twisting itself out of the desire to keep chatting instead.
For example, I wondered whether White Mask ever felt lonely spending so much ti alone at Londan Station, despite his obsession with trains.
“Master.”
“Hm?”
“Do you have any stories about your first love?”
It might be an inappropriate question for soone with a scarred face, but that didn’t apply to .
After all, he looked beautiful to . And I’d already told him that.
And anyway, starting with a question like this is classic.
“…I can’t tell if you’re just rude or if you’ve really lost it,” he said, raising an eyebrow at , then smiled.
“First love, huh? I’ve devoted my life to the railroad and the Knights, so I don’t have one of those.”
Ugh, trains again.
“But I did get a lot of love letters from fellow knights who liked .”
“Ooh.”
Fortunately, his follow-up sounded much more interesting.
I an, with a face like his, it would be odd if nothing happened.
“Of course, I never reciprocated. They were all too obvious about their intentions, so I wasn’t interested.”
‘Too obvious about their intentions’—that probably ant they were attracted to him for his looks alone.
But isn’t that often how romantic feelings begin?
Though, simply confessing to soone without even trying to get to know them just because they fit your type isn’t exactly ideal.
“Wasn’t there anyone you really liked among them?”
“Soone I really liked… Not really. My tastes are more particular than you might think.”
He flashed a playful smile, then sighed.
“Well, that was all in the past. With this face, I’m lucky if people don’t run away. You’re the strange one here, apprentice.”
White Mask pointed at , scrunching his nose playfully.
It was probably my imagination, but there was sothing oddly lonely in his gesture.
“So if you could restore your face, you’d be confident enough to charm anyone?”
“Of course. If you’d seen in my pri, you’d be shocked.”
Sohow, I doubted his “pri” looked much different from the way he appeared to now.
He’d never believe , though, so I let it go.
I realized I hadn’t had many casual conversations with White Mask before, but he seed more cheerful than I’d expected.
Well, if he weren’t like this at all, the community wouldn’t call him one of the “Gall-Ju.”
Maybe I’d even find a way to restore his face soday.
Given how I’d inherited the Dragon Slayer’s power from my connection, the solution might be simpler than it seems.
Once things settle down, I’ll make it a priority to look into it.
“Enough chatter. Let’s start the lesson. Every second counts now.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, White Mask returned to his serious expression.
“Let’s begin by reviewing basic swordsmanship. Attack first.”
Heh.
I’d already fought strange opponents barehanded, so handling a sword should be easy.
Ti to show my talent.
“Ugh… ahh… whew…”
“I may have overestimated you, considering all you’ve done. My apologies.”
White Mask looked down at , genuinely sorry.
Ah, my past self—how arrogant I was to think this would be easy!
If it were, there wouldn’t even be a job called ‘swordsman.’
Too embarrassed by my pathetic thoughts to lift my head, I reached for White Mask’s extended hand.
“Take my hand.”
“Yes.”
I got up, but my whole body ached from the beating I’d taken.
“Still, you’re not without talent.”
He smiled slightly as he spoke.
“If you had no talent, your posture would have been awkward and strange. But you managed to block so attacks. You may not reach the level of ditation, but you can certainly grasp the basics.”
His detailed analysis cheered up.
Right.
That was good enough for .
Where I lack, I can rely on the Foreign Entities’ powers from the party whistle, as well as the Chef’s buffs and the dragon’s molecular strength.
“So, what now? We’ve t our quota for today.”
“No… We don’t have much ti left. The Inquisitor declared we had 14 days.”
Fourteen days.
It wasn’t nearly enough ti to master a martial art.
My muscles might give out after just a few days.
But who do I have on my side?
I have Mama.
「Oh, my.」
As long as I have her als, I can do anything!
「Please… stop calling that…」
Despite her words, she didn’t seem to mind, maybe happy to support .
I had a feeling I’d continue needing the Chef’s help whenever I hit a wall.
「Grrr…」
Uh, Belle?
Calm down!
That’s not a look you should be giving!
I’ll play with you after this, okay?
「Hmph!」
Such a good girl, waiting so patiently.
If she hadn’t, she’d have every right to attack with her claws by now.
“Train until I’m at death’s door, if necessary.”
“…In all my ti as a knight, I’ve never seen such a courageous display of chivalry, apprentice.”
White Mask grinned, raising his sword again, a determined look in his eyes.
“I’ve heard your resolve, Raedan Tanten. Then I shall teach you earnestly from this mont on.”
“Yes, thank you, Master!”
We charged at each other, and once more, the clash of swords filled the air.
“Ouch… my back…”
It felt like I’d thrown out a disc, my back hurt so much.
Not to ntion my whole body felt bruised, like I’d been hit by a truck.
Without the Chef, I might have ended up bedridden for days.
But her food provided not just strength, but a degree of healing.
In other words, like a potion I could eat.
Not that I was just craving stir-fried pork or anything.
So I made my way to the underground area where we’d purged the cultists before.
The place felt even emptier than before, maybe because they’d lost faith after the Inquisitor attacked them.
Alright.
This will work.
With that thought, I blew the party whistle.
Focusing on one specific person, a single form gradually appeared.
As it fully took shape, it wobbled, leaning into as it found its balance.
I caught her, and the Chef fully materialized.
“Are you okay?”
“This is sothing you never get used to, no matter how often you do it.”
She smiled sheepishly, looking up at .
Still, I hoped she’d let go soon.
This position… made feel things!
「…You were the last one I expected to do this…!」
「Woof! Hypocrite of the highest order, woof!」
Wait, where did Belle pick up that phrase?!
Maybe I should investigate who’s been teaching her these things.
Luckily, the Dragon Slayer was off sowhere bonding with the Record Keeper.
I’d be most embarrassed for her to see like this.
“So, you called for because…?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The Chef bead at as she stepped back.
“Stir-fried pork, please, Chef!”
“Hehe, understood! One order coming right up!”
Then, Ria poked her head out of my pocket, looking a bit displeased, but her eyes betrayed a hint of hope.
Ah, I understood.
It must feel strange for her to be around after her mother caused such trouble, but her body reacted first at the ntion of the Chef’s food.
She could never resist good food.
Ria looked at a few tis, covering her head with her hands as she shivered, then tried to retreat back into my pocket.
…She wasn’t at fault, but the guilt in her expression made my heart ache.
I swore to crush the Inquisitor and rid Ria of her guilt.
“Ria.”
Ria flinched, her teary eyes eting mine with such a heartbreaking look that she almost seed like a cartoon character.
“Go ahead and eat. Don’t mind .”
Did my words reach her?
Ria sat beside .
The Chef smiled as she watched us.
“Alright, two servings coming up!”
I gave the Chef a grateful smile.
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