Chapter 12: Two Months Pass, Ti for Hands-On Training!
For the two months afterwards, that daily training continued. In Martial Arts, everyone passed the long distance running and practice swings, and finally managed to get to training basic forms. Yeah~, that was seriously rough. Though I can get through all of the practice swings now, there were a bunch of tis I thought I’d give up in the middle of it. If the training load’s increased any more than this though, I might feel like giving up again.
In Taming, we’ve been having sparring matches between our monsters. My thoughts aren’t getting through to Ruu and Li quite well yet, but it’s starting to take shape. Ruu’s so strong that it’s dangerous, so I’m fighting with Li. As of current, it’s undefeated. It gets most of my thoughts, and Li’s getting smarter as far as Li goes. It’s even begun thinking for itself as it fights.
As for Foreign Studies, I’m learning about detailed information and the histories of each country. Apparently, the History class studies the history of the Kingdom in detail. Guess it’s like the difference between “World History” and “Japanese History”.
In Magic, we’ve been divided into Offense, Recovery and Support to endeavor in our studies. The proportion appears to be Offense = Recovery >>> Support, because the people who are studying Support magic are considerably fewer. I was able to make friends with those within my group, but I was once again shown the unfortunate circumstances of Support magic. Next ti, I’ll have to ask the teacher about a few things huh. As I had read before, the classification of Support magic is ssy and ambiguous. So, it’s beco sothing like after deciding what system of magic you want to learn, you have the teacher teach you. The number of students is small, but the drawback is that the number of teachers is small too.
In Survival, it seems that a hands-on training exercise will be held soon. No matter how much you study, there’s no aning if you can’t use it in real life, so we’ll be doing a survival exercise in an inland forest a little further away from the school. While I hear that they’ll co save you if it gets too dangerous, it’s best for that not to happen. Gotta make sure to review. Looks like monsters will also appear, so gotta maintain my sword.
“A training camp on a real field, huh. So we’re doing it in a place where monsters co out after all, eh.” [Tsuchio]
“I guess so. But they say they’ll lead us just in case, so I don’t think any big problems will happen…” [Lucas]
“They’ll definitely make us fight monster, dude. Crap, Ruu’s strong, but it’ll be tough in a forest.” [Tsuchio]
“She can’t fly, huh. What about Li-chan, isn’t it getting pretty strong?” [Lucas]
“That un’s still inexperienced. It’s got combat experience, but it’s only ever fought in the woods near the town y’know. When’s it gonna be announced, where we’re going for training? ” [Tsuchio]
“…I think it’ll be soon, but…us students need ti to prepare too.” [Lucas]
As we practice swinging our swords, Lucas and I chat about the hands-on training. After swinging our swords for two months, the forms been ingrained into our bodies. Well, we’ll still have to practice more to learn how to hit harder and faster. Though I don’t have the skill, I to want to be able to fight to so extent.
“S’not good enough to just swing your sword! Ya gotta think as ya practice!”
so the teacher says. I look at the teacher’s form, and ponder ‘Is it like this?’ before imitating, but…
“Sighh, I want to train my martial arts too, but I gotta study magic. Besides that, I’ve gotta research different monsters, and do so many other things too…” [Tsuchio]
“I think that’s better than being bored, though. Oh right, could you teach more math later? I don’t get so of it.” [Lucas]
“All right, let’s shoot for after lunch.” [Tsuchio]
“Mkay!” [Lucas]
After finishing the Martial Arts class and lunch, I head towards the bestiary. Ruu probably hasn’t co back yet, so maybe I’ll practice a little bit of martial arts with Li.
The day after I asked for Ruu to bring back human-like monsters, Ruu’s started to bring back weird-looking rman-like monsters. It’s the kind that has a fish face with arms and legs growing out of them. Y’know, like a Sahagin. If I had to say though, it looks more like a Goblin than it does a human, I guess.
After feeding Li those for about 2 weeks, small changes have occurred. Li’s body has again grown a little larger, and its hands and legs have gotten longer. Its shape has gotten closer to a human.Its color has also beco more blue, and its beco able to use magic. It can only create balls of water now, but I can get excited about the future. I increased the solvent’s concentration further, so the ability to produce sothing like it should only be a matter of ti. It’s eating more tal, and is becoming able to turn the surfaces of its body hard. It’s also learned how to sharpen its nails, which have strengthened its claw attacks. Eventually though, I’d want it to be able to harden its complete body.
It looks like Ruu’s been working hard without my knowledge, as her fra’s grown slightly larger.She’s been strong from the get-go so her growth has been slower, but she is steadily building up experience and mana. As usual she can only fight close quarters, but if she trains her strengthening magic, I’m sure she’ll grow stronger.However, for now it doesn’t look like she’ll be turning human. Here’s about where we’d want to go BAM! and get experience in one go through y’know…
“Yo, ho, hah!”
“…!” purupuru!
Li dodges my wooden sword and cos at with both hands. I parry the its blows with my sword, and from ti to ti launch a counterattack. I’ve been thinking “When I’m in a one on one battle, how should I move?”. You don’t get better without training, and you can’t use just practice swings by themselves in a real fight. Those forms too, I can’t easily do them with my arms.
Up until recently I’ve just been taking Li’s attacks, but with its growth, I’ve started to throw out my own strikes. Li’s also learning, and it’s getting pretty into a pretty good shape with close quarters combat. Man, that ans I can’t sit on my ass anymore.
“Soiya!”
“…” purun!
I pretend to make an upward slash but sweep Li’s legs instead, and brandish my wooden sword where they’ve tripped. I sohow managed to win huh. I’ve never done martial arts, but I can replicate it to so degree. Only works with those weaker than though.
“Li’s grown stronger too huh. Like this, beating ’s only a matter of ti.”
“…” nod nod
“It’s sad that you agree with that…”
Well, can’t be helped if it’s true. I draw water with a ladle from the bucket I left nearby, and down it in one gulp. Hydration’s important.
“…” purupuru
“Li you wanna drink too?”
“…” nod
In the blink of an eye, the water I pour on it disappears. Not enough with only that huh; it’s jumped directly into the bucket to drink.
“…” purupuru
“You wanna eat tal right, I’ll bring so over”
As though its stomach empties as it exercises, Li is wanting for tal to eat. I wonder if the fact that water by itself isn’t satisfying enough is because its appetite has increased. Was it because it ate the Goblin or rman? It’s gestures have beco much more human-like too, so we’re getting closer. Really want them to evolve quickly.
I bring out several failed swords from Ruu and Li’s room. The supply’s gotten low, so gotta go get more. I’ve been asking for more and more each ti, so whether or not I’ll be able to keep getting so much is a worry.
“Here, I brought it over”
“…” slap slap
Li goes back to its original position, but it’s slapping the ground as if it’s saying it’s not enough….Have I been spoiling it a bit too much?
“Ruu’s gonna co ho soon y’know? What’re you gonna do if you can’t finish her souvenir.”
“…” furufuru
It’s shaking its head as if to say “Not gonna happen”. This is just like that, huh, when kids say they’ll make sure to eat all their dinner as they eat snacks right before. Even if you try to scold them, they eat dinner properly so you can’t even get mad. It’s kinda like that….Sighh, oh well.
“Fine, I’ll bring more. But, if you leave anything I definitely won’t give you snacks anymore.”
“…” Puru
Jeez, what am I gonna do with you. Even though I’m still young, I feel like I’ve co to understand the pains of being a parent…
Afterwards, Ruu brought back a giant squid, which Li ate in one bite.
A few days later, as everyone gathered in the classroom for a morning eting, our horoom teacher gave us the schedule for our hands-on training exercise.
“The practical training exercise will be held in three days ti! Finish your preparations tomorrow and the day after! We’re setting after right after breakfast, so don’t stuff yerselves!”
The sudden announcent of three days’ ti causes a stir in the classroom. Yeah, that’s a pretty rushed announcent. Couldn’t you have told us sooner?
“Also, group up for the activity by the end of today! Four people one party, alright!”
At those words, the stir takes a turn louder.Well, there are lots of things to think about when making a group.On top of that within the day; Hope there isn’t anyone left out….? No problem. After all,
“Tsuchio-kun, let’s partner up~”
“Tsuchio-dono, we are partnering-dearimasu!”
I have two friends who will call out to like so. Especially for Lucas, the fellas behind were right about to call out to him but have frozen. Man, this kid sure is popular with the boys. He should probably have a little bit more self-awareness about his looks.
“Sure, but what should we do about the last person? Anyone have an idea?”
“Mmm, everyone’s already pretty much tead up. I wonder if anyone is still not in a group yet?”
“My friends too, they’ve already solidified their own groups-dearimasu, so I don’t think there are any people not partied up-dearimasu.”
“Yeah, true. Alright well, please ask around to see if there’s anyone without a group. I’ll also ask people I know.”
After saying that, we part ways montarily. Technically, I have acquaintances that I take classes with but… Apparently, it seems they’ve all tead up with each other as a support magic group. My leads collapsed all at once…
In less than a minute, I’m back to where I started. Of course, the other two haven’t co back yet. Even though those around are gathered up and having a blast, I’m the only one all alone. How sad.
“Excuse ee….. Is it possible you’re not paired up yet?”
“Nna?”
As I was staring off into space, soone calls out to . When I looked to the direction of the voice, a small kid was looking up at . He’s got short reddish hair, with an aura that screams “I love exercise!”. And then there are the round, black ears hanging on top his head….Bear ears?
“Well, umm”
“Ah, ahh. We’ve only got three people right now.”
“Really!? Umm, if possible please let in your group!”
His bear ears are twitching. I would wonder about bear ears on a man, but they’re sure cute on a little boy….I’m not a shotacon, y’know?
“I can’t say anything without asking the others, but…Oh, they’re back.”
“Tsuchio-kun, how did it go on your end? On my end, nobody was left.”
“Sa here-dearimasuyo~… Oh, is that Mr. Beast Tsuchio-dono’s acquaintance-dearimasuka?”
“Nah, while I was waiting for you two, he ca asking to enter our party. You guys seed to have no luck either, so why don’t we let him in?”
“Please!”
The bear-eared boy bows deeply. In my case, I’m fine with him though. Though, it’d beco three guys (?).
“I don’t really mind, I don’t know anyone else after all.”
“That’s true-dearimasuna, he did co out of his way after all so I’d feel bad-dearimasuyo.”
“That so? There you have it, would you join our party?”
“Of, of course! Thank you!”
He lowers his head again. Even though you have to thank us so deeply.
“Lift your head, or the blood’s gonna rise up there. Rather than that, tell us your na.”
“Oh, that’s right!”
He lifts his head up energetically. How should I say it, his every action is so large.
“My na is Falchion! Please feel free to call Fal! Umm, and you all are…”
“I’m Lucas.Nice to et’cha, Fal-kun.”
“I am Tris-dearimasu. Pleasure, that it is-dearimasu!”
“I’m Tsuchio, and pleasure, Fal.”
“Yes, a pleasure to et you all!”
With this, our group has beco 4 people. Looks like I’ll finally have a male friend.
“Fal’s a beast, huh.”
“Yes, I’m from the Black Bear Clan.”
We finished pairing into a parties, but those around us were still having difficulties settling into parties. On the other hand, as though the teacher is sitting in a chair and watching with a bemused look, as though they intend to make all of the groups here and now. However, we ended up talking about ourselves until the groups were decided.
“Black Bear Clan huh~. Did you grow up in the Kingdom?”
“That’s right. I’d heard that my ancestors had originally served in the Empire, but after losing in a power struggle with the Grey Bear Tribe, ca to the Kingdom.”
By “grey bear” you an “grizzly bear” right, of course you’d lose.
“Are the Grey Bear Clan strong-dearimasuka?”
“They’re strong, but the Black Bear Clan is also just as strong! The reason they lost is because the Grey Bear Clan used underhanded tactics! The Black Bear Clan’s warriors are proud and courageous! If they had fought fair and square, it’s obvious the Black Bear Clan would have definitely won!”
“O, Okay.Okay we get it so calm down.”
“Huff huff….I, I’m sorry. I just got a little heated up.”
Guess that point’s non-negotiable for Fal. Well, not that I hate the way the Grey Bear Clan does things. It’s probably not chivalry, but just having sothing like that is heavy baggage.
“Umm, what kinds of things are you all studying?”
“I’d be Offensive Magic and Recovery Magic I guess. I can also do a little bit of Martial Arts.”
“I am Martial Arts all the way-dearimasuyo!”
“I use Ta to control monsters. I can also use a bit of Support Magic, but I don’t have that much mana.”
“So you’re a Tar. What kind of monsters are under your control?”
“Tsuchio-dono is amazing-dearimasuyo~. After all, he’s tad a dragon species-dearimasu!”
“Dragon species!? Eh, really!? ”
Fal leans over to ask . Dammit Triss, using such misleading words…
“Though you say Dragon species, it’s the lowest rank dragon and I didn’t ta her with my abilities. It was a coincidence, a fluke, a miracle.”
“Well, if you were to take her normally, you wouldn’t get that kind of affection right. It’s like she’s already head over heels for you.”
“Is that the case… Even by chance, to be able to ta a Dragon species is amazing. Could you please show later?”
“Sure, but will you be alright? Even if bad, it’s still a dragon y’know.”
“Not a problem! Soday, I want to be able to defeat a dragon alone, just like my father!”
Fal raises his fist. How passionate, as one’d expect of a boy. You gotta surpass your father.
“…Umm, Tsuchio-san? I’ve been wondering from a while ago but…”
“Nn, yeah?”
“Errr…Why do you keep patting my head?”
“No particular reason. If I had to say, it’s because I want to pet you.”
Are you saying I should be able to resist petting my heart’s desired animal ears when they’re in front of ? Nope, can’t do it. Ruu’s silky smooth scales or Li’s chilled skin are nice, but still fluffy things are sooo niiiiiice.
“That’s totally selfishness! Please stop, I’m not a kid!”
“To , Fal, you’re still a kid.”
“Saying such things… How old are you Tsuchio-san? ”
“16, I think”
“Eh!? 3 years older than !?”
No no, that shouldn’t be surprising right. I’m tall after all.
“I had thought you were older, but at most 1-2 years more… You have a baby face, huh.”
“I know right. I was surprised when I first heard it too~. You look younger.”
“Are you trying to say I have a babyface?”
In Japan, I’d have been mistaken to be a college student though…Guess it’s true that Japanese people look young to foreigners.
“…Wha-, that’s not a reason to be able to pet ?!”
“Oh co on, it’s fine isn’t it. Not like you’re losing anything.”
When I try pinching the bear ears, I get a soft plush feeling. It’s softer than I thought.
“Don’ touch my ears please-!”
“Ahh…”
Fal runs away towards Lucas’ side. My precious bear earsss…
“Please don’t make such a sad sound…. I’ll let you touch them if I feel like it.”
“Promise ok. If you don’t let touch’em, I’m gonna chase you all the way to your room.”
“That’s impossible, you don’t know where I live right.”
You’re only able to say that now. Next ti, I’ll ask the dorm mother. If I do that it’s a surefire win.
“Awwright, looks like all parties have been decided! Now then, write the nas of all people in your party on this paper!”
Finally decided huh, let’s hurry up to write our nas and go to class.
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