There Are Many Ways to Grow Stronger
In the training hall of the Secree estate stood an old man and a young girl.
"First, I want to see exactly what you're capable of. Come at me with everything you have. I need to know how to teach you before we begin."
"Understood, sir. Then I'll start at full strength from the very first strike."
In that instant, an enormous surge of mana erupted from Iris's body.
Pour every drop of mana into the blade. And for the first strike — aim for the neck.
Iris charged. But her sword never reached Ramu's throat.
"Going straight for the neck from the opening move... bold of you. A shame, though. Your movements are far too large — I could read everything coming. Still, enchanting your mana directly into the blade like that is genuinely impressive."
He fell into thought for a long while, and at last he spoke.
"I am the greatest mage among humankind, but I must confess I know next to nothing about the sword. So you will learn swordsmanship from your mother. What I will teach you is wide-area magic, and how to compress and concentrate mana."
With that, Ramu glanced around the hall.
"But this place is far too cramped for your training. Your mother and I have already finished our discussion. You will come with me."
"If it's something I need to grow stronger, I'll do anything. Even if I have to fall into hell itself, I will become strong. I look forward to learning from you."
"Good. For such a little brat, you have remarkable resolve. I look forward to what you become. We leave now. Are you certain you don't wish to say farewell to your parents?"
"Mother would rather I were gone an hour from now, so I'll send her a letter separately."
"Hah. Shiina will like that answer even better, I imagine. Then we depart at once."
And so Ramu and Iris left the Secree estate behind. Meanwhile, in her own bedchamber, the head of the Secree family — Shiina Secree — lay wrapped around her husband.
"Erich. Now it's just the two of us left in this whole estate. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Wonderful? How in the world could this possibly be wonderful? Do you understand that the six years I've spent with you have been a living hell, day after day? You crushed an ordinary man who was simply living with the person he loved — crushed him with a ducal family's power, dragged me here by force, and I've survived these years being raped by you. How am I supposed to call that wonderful?!!"
"Sigh... Erich, I fail to see the problem. As the lady of a ducal house, you've enjoyed every privilege imaginable. That woman was nothing but a common adventurer, while I am the head of a ducal house of this kingdom. There is no comparison. Do you truly still not see it? Besides, you can't run from me anyway. Just give up — you couldn't escape if you tried. Not with your own daughter here."
At those words, Erich suddenly seized hold of Shiina and clung to her, weeping, holding her for a long, long time.
"You're right. I can't run. Even if I ran, it would be no use — Iris is here... Shiina, I can't leave you... so make me happy."
At his words, Shiina Secree felt a rush of euphoria.
It finally worked. The only woman in Erich's heart is me. That woman is gone now, once and for all.
"Of course, Erich. You are my man, and I will make you happy for all eternity. Trust me, Erich."
"Mm... I don't think I can ever forgive you. But still... make me happy..."
Yes. That's enough for now. Let him sink into me slowly, bit by bit, until he becomes someone who cannot live without me.
And so, deep into the night at the Secree estate, the darkness only grew deeper.
Two years had passed since Albert began studying magic under Yurihen. And in those two years, much had changed.
"Young master~ where are you? Teacher Yurihen will be arriving any moment now. Young master~"
"Lara, I'm in here. Stop shouting, you're being loud."
"Honestly, young master — practicing magic by yourself again? I've told you over and over to let someone know where you're going!"
"I'm not a little kid. Do I really have to announce everything I do?"
"You're seven years old, young master. You're exactly a little kid. Come on, back inside — Teacher Yurihen is about to arrive!"
"Is it that time already? Where's Luke?"
"My brother? He's probably with Lady Tiny about now."
Tiny Shadow. Tiny is my little sister, born at the start of this year. She's still a newborn, so our parents and Luke have been taking care of her around the clock.
"I see. That's fine, then. Let's go, Lara."
"Oh my? Oh my, my~ Young master, could it be you're jealous? Jealous that your little sister is hogging all of your brother's and your parents' love?"
"Shut up and hurry up, Lara."
In Arcana, the hidden forest near the village of Kurara, a tremendous blaze was at that very moment spreading in every direction.
"Waaaaaah, I'm sorry, Kuras! I didn't know it would get this big, I'm really sorry, waaaaaah!"
"It's all right, Yuna. Don't cry. Fire spirits, weaken the flames. Water spirits, focus on dousing the fire. And wind spirits — gather the breeze and keep it from spreading any further."
Unbelievable... I never imagined it would come to this. She's spent two whole years diligently practicing her mana control, and yet... I badly underestimated how much stronger Yuna gets every year. I'll have to be far more careful from now on.
It took a full thirty minutes before the fire was finally put out. And for a long while afterward, Yuna's sobs continued without pause.
"Hic... I'm sorry... Kuras, and everyone..."
It's fine, Yuna. We don't mind at all.
She's right, Yuna. These things happen. It's okay, it's okay.
Nobody got hurt. Just be more careful next time.
"That's right, Yuna — all the spirits and fairies are perfectly fine! You just need to be a little more careful from now on, and I'll teach you even more diligently! So don't let it crush your spirit!"
"Mm... okay. I'm sorry, Kuras..."
Whew... finally talked her down. But honestly, handling mana on this scale might be a bit much for me alone... It's been a while — I should call in a friend.
At the Shadow family estate, Albert was in the middle of a lesson with Yurihen — learning how to destroy demons.
"Are you following, Albert? A demon has no true body to speak of. The core of a demon is its lingering grudge — its dying obsession. Only by destroying that obsession can a demon truly be erased. Ordinary weapons cannot kill a demon. That is precisely why we must attack it with magic."
"So then, Teacher — is magic the only means of attacking a demon?"
"Not necessarily. If you infuse a weapon with mana, you can deal damage to a demon. But it remains true that magic — pure mana itself, wielded as a weapon — is considerably more effective."
"But there's a delay after casting a spell, isn't there... Is there any way to eliminate that?"
"There is — but it is a problem so difficult that most people would never even dare to attempt it. If you turn out to possess the talent and skill for it, Albert, I shall teach you one day."
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Then we shall end today's lesson here. Well done."
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Albert, it's Dad. May I come in?"
"Yes, Dad, the lesson's all finished. Come on in."
"Oh my, Teacher, you're here as well. I do hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Not at all. The lesson has just ended and I was on my way out. Please, attend to your business."
As Yurihen turned to leave the room, Isaac caught him.
"Um... if you wouldn't mind, why don't you join us for dinner as well, Teacher? I cooked for the first time in ages and came to fetch Albert — please, have some with us."
"Ah... you mean me, as well? That would be... rather awkward..."
"Oh come on, Teacher, eat with us! Our dad's cooking is really good. Unless... do you perhaps have somewhere to be?"
"It's not that I have plans, but... are you quite certain I may join?"
"Of course. Stay and eat with us."
Ah... damn it all, this is bad. Will I even be able to eat in peace? It's going to be unbearably awkward... but Albert asked me to join too, so I can hardly refuse... Nothing for it, then...
"Then, just this once, I shall impose upon your hospitality."
Meanwhile, in the dining hall, Sarah Shadow was waiting for her husband and son.
"Boss, the young master and the master of the house should be arriving shortly."
"Right. Understood. You're dismissed for today as well."
"Yes, Boss. And... one more thing I ought to report..."
"Hm? What is it? Out with it — no stalling."
"It seems Yurihen Hiridi will be joining them for dinner as well..."
"Ha... so he's coming along too, is he? Tonight's dinner is going to be rather uncomfortable..."
What on earth is Isaac thinking? Sigh... honestly, his sense of humor is far too cruel.
"Honey~ we're here! I brought Albert with me! Oh, and Teacher Hiridi will be joining us for dinner too~"
"Greetings, head of the house. It has been far too long."
"Indeed, it has been a while. Have you been keeping well, Teacher Hiridi?"
And with that exchange of empty formalities, a heavy silence descended...
What is with this atmosphere? Did something happen between Mom and Teacher Yurihen... What's going on?
Oh my... you couldn't script a situation like this if you tried. This is absolutely delightful. Khhm.
And so the excruciating dinner hour began.
Around that same time, at the Secree estate, Iris was once more taking stock of her own strength.
Good. This much isn't bad at all... Now it's time, little by little, to find Yuseong. Yuseong, I'm coming for you. Just wait a little longer.
"Beldes. I have a question for you. Who is your master?"
"My master is, naturally, the young lady. Command me in all things, my lady."
"Good. Here is my first command: I want my own personal magic tools and equipment. Can you look into obtaining them?"
"If it is your command, I shall obey."
"Good. Now go."
And so Iris began her final preparations.
At that same moment, in the Magic Tower, the Tower Master Arhen was seething over a letter she had just read.
"Two whole years without a word, and the moment she finally sends a letter, all it says is 'you're a busy man, so come to me'? Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. I am not letting this go."
And so Arhen Hiridi set out for the hidden forest of Arcana — to see an old friend.