Considering that I'll be fighting the boss monster anyway...
"I'll do it."
I decided to accept Ivan's request.
And imdiately after doing so, he smiled at .
Though, it's weird to see an almost-skeleton face smile.
Anyway...
"Can I ask sothing?"
I said to Ivan.
-Sure, what is it?
He responded.
And hearing that...
"Why are you so angry at the boss monster?"
I asked him that question.
-Yeah, I was wondering as well.
-ep...
Zephyrus and Pyro followed.
-...
Ivan beca quiet at my question, and it started to scare .
Though...
"..."
I didn't show it on my face.
Then finally, after a while...
-Rember when I said all the servants died?
Ivan finally spoke.
I just nodded at his question.
-It's not entirely true...
And then Ivan declared that!
-One of the servants survived.
He said.
Then suddenly, his already scary face beca even scarier as he got angry!
And with that face...
-He's the one that led the demon here. He conspired with them to destroy the territory!
Ivan exclaid in anger.
-For what?!
-For a fucking eternal life?!
His enraged voice sent shivers down my spine.
"..."
I just waited in silence, letting Ivan calm himself down.
-...
-...
Zephyrus and Pyro did the sa.
And after a while...
-Raye.
Ivan turned to face .
"Yeah?"
I responded.
-With your current strength, you can't win against that bitch.
He said.
'His words are starting to get more vile now.'
It's kinda funny seeing a skeleton curse.
Anyway...
"Well, I already kinda expected the boss to be stronger than ."
I replied.
Hearing my words, Ivan nodded his head.
And looking straight in the eyes...
-I'll help you get stronger.
Ivan said that seriously.
"Huh?"
I was stunned.
And before I could even respond properly...
-I'll teach you how to properly wield the sword. I'll be teaching you our family's techniques.
Ivan followed up.
"Wha...?"
*****
"Hup!"
Swoosh—
Swish—
Fwip—!
I swung my sword again and again.
And seeing do that...
-Wrong! Your posture, distribution of strength, hand and feet placent... all wrong!
Ivan shouted at .
"Ugh..."
We imdiately started training as soon as I accepted his suggestion to teach .
-Place your feet and hands like this, and swing like this...
SWISH—!
Ivan said, demonstrating a simple but clean vertical slash.
"..."
Fwip-
I imitated his stance and tried my best to copy his moves, and with that...
Swish—!
I swung my sword straight downward!
-That's better.
Ivan muttered.
And his words made smile.
Though...
-But that's not enough. Do it a few more tis.
My smile imdiately disappeared after hearing that.
And so...
Swish—
I continued swinging my sword again and again.
-ep!
Pyro cheered for .
-Do your best, young man. He might've lost a lot of his strength, but Ivan was a very strong swordmaster before.
And Zephyrus did the sa.
Swish—
-No! Your hand is holding the hilt too firmly!
Ivan exclaid.
"Ugh..."
And I just groaned in annoyance.
...
...
After about 8 hours...
"Haaa... haaa... huff..."
I was out of breath, tired from swinging my sword.
It felt like my arms were about to fall off.
And seeing like that...
-That's enough for today. You should rest first.
Ivan stopped our training.
'Thank god.'
I thought.
Clank—
And then I let go of my sword.
Thud—
I imdiately sat on the ground, catching my breath.
I was so exhausted, hungry, and thirsty.
-ep!
Pyro, concerned about my condition, quickly approached .
"Haaa... I'm... huff... fine..."
I said to reassure him, but he didn't seem to believe .
-Good work.
Zephyrus said as he flew over.
And looking at him...
"Thanks."
I simply replied and nodded my head.
...
...
After resting for a while, I headed out of the mansion with Zephyrus and Pyro.
I then drank a lot of water in the spring, and while I was there...
I also ate the last stock of Giant Boar at I had.
'Ugh, my body is killing ...'
I thought, feeling pain all over.
It felt like my muscles were complaining about being overworked.
But even though I want to stop the training...
I can't.
I need Ivan's teaching, after all.
'I need to get strong fast and leave this place.'
And so, I need to endure this.
*****
After eating and drinking on the 1st floor...
I cleaned up the left and middle rooms down there, killing the monster wolves and kobolds.
And after doing that...
I went back to where Ivan was.
-You should rest properly, and after that, we'll continue the training.
Ivan said that as soon as I ca back.
"Yeah, I'm just here to say see you later."
And I responded. Read exclusive content at empire
-ep!
-See you later, Ivan.
Pyro and Zephyrus followed.
And with a smile on his face...
-Haha, yeah, see you later.
Ivan replied.
"..."
Oddly enough, he didn't look scary anymore to .
And so, with that...
I went back to the 1st room on the left.
Though, before doing so...
"I'll be using your room."
I said to Ivan.
And with a laugh...
-Feel free to. So rest up properly.
Ivan said that to .
Creak—
Thud-
And I left the room.
...
...
And just like that, before I knew it...
10 days had already passed.
...
*****
Swoosh—
-You've really improved a lot.
Ivan said, seeing demonstrate the moves he taught these past days.
-You're not really talented, but you make up for it with hard work and pure dedication.
He added.
And hearing his words...
"Thanks."
All I could do was thank him.
"It's all because you're the one that taught ."
I added, smiling at him.
-Is that so? I'm flustered.
Ivan responded, smiling.
"Yeah, you don't really look like it."
And I jokingly added, seeing his creepy rotting face smile.
We'd gotten really close after spending so much ti with each other.
-ep ep!
Pyro then approached and congratulated on my improvent.
-You're not that weak anymore, huh.
And Zephyrus kind of did the sa.
And proudly...
"Haha, thanks."
I responded to both of them.
"Anyway, I should rest now."
I added.
Normally, I would train more until I was exhausted.
But today was different.
After all...
I'm gonna fight the Cannibal Tiger tomorrow!
-Rest well.
Ivan said.
And with that...
"Yeah, I will."
Creak—
Thud—
I left the room with Pyro on my shoulder and Zephyrus on my head.
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