Training (1)
After a hearty lunch, we returned to the main academy building. Unlike the theoretical morning classes, the afternoon was for practical training. But as Marlboro had mentioned, it had been changed to self-directed training until the day of the sparring matches. Self-directed in name only—really, it was just attending morning classes and calling it a day. Sure enough, some students weren't showing up.
Mainly the mages using the private training rooms?
I followed Luna into the self-training grounds. Kara had stepped away briefly to change clothes. The self-training area I'd only seen in the game was impressively large in reality—far bigger than any gym. Exercise equipment for building physical prowess was laid out, along with simple sparring arenas. There were even private spaces for individual practice, making it top-notch facilities overall.
"Hmm... what should we start with?"
As I looked around the self-training grounds, Luna muttered thoughtfully. Normally, she'd dive straight into her solo routine. But today, I was here. She couldn't just leave me to my own devices, yet nothing suitable came to mind for training together.
I need skills more than anything.
My physical stats were already maxed out from survival. What I urgently needed now were techniques. I didn't even have basic starter skills like Fundamentals. This was a serious issue. How serious? Acquiring even basics required grueling effort. Most people never mastered them.
"I'm back."
"Ah. You're... here."
A familiar voice interrupted her deliberations. Luna turned toward it mid-sentence and trailed off. I slowly looked back too.
"Aren't you changing? Sivar's one thing, but uniforms are uncomfortable."
It was Kara. She stood confidently in an outfit that looked refreshingly cool: a tight black bra top and short shorts. It matched her straightforward vibe perfectly. Scars of various sizes dotted her abdomen and limbs, giving her a fierce impression—proof of her battle-hardened experience.
"...I'm fine. I plan to focus on swordsmanship today. What about you, Kara?"
"Physical conditioning... sort of."
She glanced at me as she spoke, pondering. I'd been observing her closely in the meantime. Her uniform had hidden it, but she was impressive in every way. From her tanned skin to the sharp 11-pack abs on her stomach. She embodied healthy beauty.
Desert nation— they're casual about exposure.
Hot climates meant less fuss over skin. I recalled she dressed like this on off-days or weekends. Soul World had plenty of attractive characters, but Kara stood out with her unique edge.
"What about him? Can't just leave him standing there."
While I was lost in thought, Kara pointed at me and asked. Luna, clearly stumped, replied awkwardly.
"Honestly, that's what I'm worried about too. Leaving him alone feels risky, but training him... I'm not sure."
"Mind if I take him along then?"
"Pardon?"
Luna blinked in surprise at Kara's offer, her face saying What?
"No, not sparring or anything. Just curious about a few things."
"Curious...?"
"Like strength, reaction speed. Top of my list is javelin throws. Yours looked no joke during the match."
During my duel with Elvin, I'd hurled a spear as a probe. A bit more force, and his head would've been skewered. Pure muscle, no mana. Kara was intrigued by that.
"Aren't you curious too?"
"His strength's obvious—no need to check. He snapped a monkey's leg clean with a stone axe."
"Cool. Still curious though. Let's test it. You watch too."
"Why me?"
"Wanna see power from those skinny arms."
"...Already picking fights with your sparring partner?"
While they bantered amiably(?), I scanned elsewhere. My eyes landed on a sparring arena. Students were gathered around a match. Curiosity piqued, I wandered over slowly. Luna and Kara were too busy bickering to notice.
Thwack!
A female student with a spear lunged swiftly. Her male opponent dodged by tilting his head, then slashed upward with his two-handed sword. Evasion into counter—perfect. She anticipated it, blocking effortlessly with the spear's shaft. Undeterred, he pressed with a shoulder barge, closing her range advantage.
Whoosh!
She twisted gracefully aside. He followed with a quick swing to prevent pursuit. All in under a second. Both knew their weapons' strengths and weaknesses inside out.
"That's enough."
"Good work."
I wanted to see more, but it ended. Onlookers applauded their skill. Should I clap too? I stood blankly when the student in front turned.
He eyed me curiously, then looked up.
"Eek?!"
"..."
Unique scream. He yelped uniquely upon seeing me. Eyes turned our way, all with Why's he here? faces. I'd snuck up quietly—habit to boost hunt success. Breath control was key.
No wonder Ambush hit Ex rank.
Match over anyway. Time to head back—wasting time here.
"There you are. What're you doing?"
"You really expect him to answer?"
"Quiet."
Luna noticed my "disappearance" right on cue. Kara's jab was bonus. I glanced at the bustling arena, then trailed Luna obediently. Weapon clashes echoed soon after—another match starting. I glanced back: fresh combatants exchanging blows.
"Sivar? What're you looking at?"
I stopped; Luna followed my gaze questioningly. She pondered, then asked hesitantly.
"Don't tell me... you want to spar?"
"What? For real?"
Luna might not get it, but why the excitement on your face? I shook my head at Kara's sparkling eyes.
Wished I could write "technique" on Luna's palm. But I didn't know the word.
"Shit."
I pointed at the clashing students, mimed gripping a sword. Luna blinked at the gesture, then Ah~ed in realization.
"Sword? You want to learn swordsmanship? Like this?"
She drew her training sword, demonstrating: light slashes, thrusts, high blocks. Basic, but flawless—no wasted motion. Even Kara watched intently.
"This right?"
"Shit."
I nodded. Key fact: most weapons became disposable in my hands. Better than nothing, so I asked anyway.
Luna scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Um... sorry. Probably can't. I'm not qualified to teach."
"Shit?"
Why? You're the protagonist! My mouth said no regardless. Luna was Soul World's heroine—talent for absorbing skills despite hardships. Reading my tone or frustration, she looked apologetic.
"Sorry. Teachers matter, but so do students. Not sure you'd get my explanations."
"Shit."
I can understand. I get all the words. I scowled frustratedly; her eyes widened in shock.
"Sivar. Are you... mad?"
"More frustrated than mad? Just teach him straight—he'll manage."
Kara's blunt verdict. Luna eyed suspiciously, then handed me a training sword from the rack. Iron, blunt-edged—purely for practice.
"Why sword all of a sudden?"
"Staring at that match earlier? Thought it looked cool, like kids playing knight?"
"They said Sivar's intelligence is normal for his age."
"Men stay boys forever."
Luna chuckled dryly at Kara's point, not denying. Honestly, their pure skill exchange was cool. Future events would top it in scale.
"Good chance to build patience too. Keep holding it."
"Shit?"
"My master said: sword must feel natural in hand first."
She got it instantly. I knew her master—grumbled inwardly but obeyed.
"Right-handed now? Wasn't he left?"
"Ambidextrous probably. Threw javelin right-handed in the match."
Forest drop: wolf bit left arm, forced right. By healing, right felt natural too. Now alternated freely—left slightly preferred.
"Even ambidextrous, dominant hand matters. Left better ideally."
"Yeah. Oh, gonna teach grappling too?"
"...Grappling?"
Luna blinked innocently at the word. Pure country girl vibe. Kara raised a brow suspiciously.
"You don't know grappling? Not even basics?"
"No."
"Aigoo."
Kara facepalmed. Luna tilted her head. Kara alternated glances, sighing deeply—frustration radiating.
"Nope. Drop everything—grapple first. You know what it is?"
"Essential for fighters alongside boxing."
"Not just fighters—all martial arts basics. Boosts movement and physique like nothing else."
Spot on. Grappling essential in Soul World. No deep dive needed, but basics mandatory.
Mount position? Game over.
Fighters mounting meant fists to face, HP shredded. Escape: overwhelming physique or technique.
"I mainly use sword—need grappling?"
"No real fights yet, right?"
"Yes."
"That's why. Close quarters or falls? Done. Builds balance too."
Echoed Marlboro's morning advice: good shoes prevent falls. Implies equal foes trip you once.
Soul World: downed hits always critical.
Realistic detail. Still, grappling's versatile—huge flexibility gain prevents falls. Game staple.
"No falling...?"
"Don't say just don't fall. Equals always scramble. So, learn?"
"...No."
Pride? Stubbornness? Luna refused, slightly miffed.
"Swordsmanship's tight already—no time. Sorry."
"Fine, your call. Won't teach later if you beg."
"Won't happen."
It will—post-match regret incoming. Kara shrugged indifferently, eyeing me brightly.
"You then? Grapple before sword? Better honestly."
"Wait—Sivar wants sword first."
"Sword schsword—movement basics first. I'll teach."
Bickering resumed. When would they bond? Shorter this time—parallel lines realized.
"Ask Sivar. Better?"
"Good idea. What first?"
Choice mine. I eyed them alternately. Side-by-side, size gap clear: Luna average height, Kara taller than most men.
Decision long made. I stepped toward Kara.
"S-Sivar? Why...?"
Luna disbelieving. Kara triumphant, slapping my shoulder.
"Heh! Guess I'm preferable?"
I'd picked Kara over Luna. Sword tempting, but grappling essential.
No durable weapons yet either.
Available arms: all disposables. Sword/spear skills wasted on breakage. Better swing axes.
Changing mind midstream—sorry, reed.
Might hurt Luna, but unavoidable. Grappling urgent—like vs. Porori, bare hands vs. equal.
Mana-aided, but fine.
"Okay, cutie? Want big sis lessons? Toss that sword far. Got it?"
Confident Kara tapped my sword arm. I scanned around. Training ground—surely "that" existed.
Luna, sulky, noticed oddity.
"...Wait, Kara."
"What? Wanna learn now...?"
"No. You said 'toss it far'?"
"Yeah. But...?"
Kara froze mid-sentence, eyeing me suspiciously. Too late—arm cocked.
She gestured frantically to stop.
Bang!
Sword flew first. Casual toss, but wind whipped Kara's red hair. Iron blade rocketed, then—
Crack!
—nailed the wall clock high up.
"..."
"..."
Noisy grounds fell silent. Everyone had been watching covertly.
"...I'll handle it."
"Y-Yeah. Gotta watch words from now on."
"Not your fault, Kara. Just..."
Luna eyed the impaled clock, glanced at me, stared complexly, then smirked.
"...Boys will be boys."
A bit guilty.
Luna trudged toward the clock. Whispers buzzed unheard. Sivar's antics were wild, but his choice nagged more.
Why not me?
Biggest question. She'd met him first with Ellie, built familiarity as guardian. Eager to teach sword too. Yet he chose Kara.
Why?
No way he knew grappling. Probably didn't even grasp it. What lacked?
Glancing back: Kara instructing Sivar. He stood blankly listening. Kara big, but Sivar beanpole-huge.
...Wait.
Then it hit: Kara's ample chest. Not Ellie-level bounty, but substantial. Hers? Decent, but paled comparatively.
Is that why he clings to Ellie too?
Looks no issue. Only curves differed. Hypothesis weirdly convincing—Luna scowled, pride bruised.
Now it clicks.
Master said: men retain boyish instincts, drawn to superior figures. Natural. Sivar, wild-raised, instinct-pure. Explains Kara pick.
What's good about fat lumps?
Pieces fit perfectly. Lips pursed. Without cave paintings, no guardian role. Still, prevent mishaps—purely protective, nothing else.
"Hmph."
She whipped around, snorting toward clock. Arriving, realized height: ~5m up.
Activating mana, she leaped—eye-level instantly. Blade buried to hilt. Casual toss, yet power/precision unreal.
Shunk!
Pulled sword, caught clock one-handed. Drop meant mess. Landed softly, inspected: jammed solid.
Odd pattern?
Clock's design unique—mistakable for magic circle. Monochrome, black-and-white only.
Scanning around, focused intently to analyze structure.
???
A magic circle created without using any color.
A magic circle made for a special purpose. Only one group avoids color.
Special Effect: ???
"?!"
Luna's face blanched in horror. Mouth agape, eyes wide—nearly dropped clock. World full of colors expressing life's beauty. But one stripped bare: demons, per Godin's lecture.
Not black-and-white... truly colorless.
Demons lost color post-war with gods, clinging to monochrome existence. Still "color." Hence their alien vibe. Circle seemed black-white superficially, but focused: hazy.
Demons infiltrated academy—real.
Face stiff, glanced aside. Kara drawing on Sivar's hand—teaching words.
This too? No, coincidence...?
Did Sivar know, target it? Or random? Did he paint cave truly? If so, knows future? Unclear, but certain: demons target academy.
"..."
Complex gaze on Sivar. Deeper probe, deeper suspicion. Communication possible now—time to probe paintings.
"Muscles rock-solid? Skip stamina, straight to skills."
"..."
Irrelevant, but annoying scene. Luna's eye twitched. Kara groped appraising: thighs up to abs, chest, shoulders. Bold contact; Sivar statue-still, blankly enduring.
Why stand there?
That close already? From class chit-chat? Wild senses hyper to touch—yet tolerant. Deems Kara safe.
...Paintings when alone.
Split from Kara first. For questioning only—no ulterior motives. Month-old guy? Handsome, but not that much.
Clock... trash bin first.
Tossed patterned clock. Incinerator risky—alert demons. Prove pure accident. Safer.
"I'm back."
"Ah, good. Clock?"
"Unfixable. Tossed it."
"Should ask about damages?"
"...Oh."
Students cover destruction. Sivar in adaptation—straying from normal enrollment. President'd sigh, clutching neck.
"...Sivar."
"?"
"You really... never mind."
Future darker. Bleak.