Varis's Training
“Hmm hmm hmm~♪”
Eily looked happier than ever. The corners of her mouth curved up in contentment, and lovely creases formed at the corners of her eyes. The fresh aura radiating from her seemed capable of brightening the very air around her—like a fantastical illusion of a flower field unfolding right before my eyes.
“Master~”
Her cheerful voice drew my gaze unconsciously.
“Huh?”
But my face was stiff, my body heavy as if weighed down by an iron lump. Memories of last night flooded my mind again, bringing a fresh wave of self-loathing.
“Today is the happiest day of my life!”
I responded with a faint smile, but inside, I was filled with listlessness and confusion. The reason she was showing such unbridled joy was precisely because of what happened last night.
“Yeah… I’m glad…”
The memories of that dawn, which had dragged on all night and still haunted my thoughts. Just thinking about it made my face burn and cold sweat bead on my forehead.
“Yes~!”
I averted my eyes as I forced out the words. My mind was still captive to last night. The moment when she, who had been my loyal maid for so long, slipped me an aphrodisiac and forced herself on me. The helplessness I couldn’t resist, mixed with the uncontrollable thrill my body instinctively felt. Recalling how I’d been dragged along in endless waves of desire filled me with shame and misery.
The lingering echo deep in my heart hadn’t faded yet, but she seemed oblivious to my feelings.
“Hehe~”
Eily clung to my arm, rubbing her cheek against it with innocent delight. Like a puppy craving its favorite master’s warmth, she expressed her joy with her whole body. Her soft, glossy hair brushed against my arm, and a faint soap scent wafted to my nose.
“I wish this happiness could last forever.”
Her cheeks flushed pink—a mix of shyness and boldness. I fell silent, unsure what to say. Honestly, her reaction only complicated my emotions further. Did she have any idea of this tangled mess of embarrassment, self-reproach, and subtle affection?
“……”
I tried not to show it. Seeing her so happy, I couldn’t bring myself to reveal my discomfort. But that didn’t mean everything was resolved. Our relationship had already changed irreversibly after last night.
“Haa…”
I let out a deep sigh. The future felt distant and uncertain. She clearly loved me. Yet I couldn’t ignore her feelings outright, nor could I readily accept them. We’d come too far to simply revert to master and maid.
“I love you!”
Eily threw herself into my arms without hesitation, her face brimming with love. I gently stroked her hair, feeling compelled to say something. I had no idea how this moment would end or what our relationship would become, but for now, all I could do was gaze at her joyful expression.
“Haa—”
The weekend passed, and ordinary life returned. As usual, Eily and Varis were by my side, but today Varis was slumped over his desk, sighing deeply—unlike his usual bright self. Dark clouds seemed to hang over his face.
“What’s up? You look down today.”
When I asked, Varis scratched the back of his head roughly, as if struggling to sort out his thoughts.
“Ah, well… Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit disillusioned. I know you’re amazing, of course. But being around you makes me feel increasingly pathetic…”
He let out another heavy sigh and lowered his head. A profound sense of powerlessness emanated from him.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t really shone lately. Because of my interventions, most of the key events had flowed to me. In the original story, Varis should have grown by saving Elisha from monster threats or altering Melina’s fate of dying at the hands of an evil god. But those opportunities had vanished one after another, naturally stunting his growth.
And I bore some responsibility for that. After a moment’s hesitation, I spoke up.
“Got some time?”
Varis looked up at me.
“If you’re okay with it, how about I be your sparring partner?”
His eyes changed instantly. The faint spark returned to his face, his clear, earnest gaze sparkling.
“Really?! If the strong you spars with me… I couldn’t ask for more!”
Regaining his confidence, he clenched his fist tightly and grinned widely—like a shounen manga protagonist shining brightly.
“Then let’s head to the training grounds this afternoon if you’ve got time. But I’ve never really taught anyone, so I can only be a practice partner.”
His overly expectant gaze made me uneasy, so I added the caveat belatedly. But Varis shook his head dismissively.
“It’s fine! Sparring with a strong opponent is practice enough.”
It was so very Varis—like his positive attitude and challenging spirit from the original work.
“Oh, yeah?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. Seeing the Varis Arkerland I knew filled me with an odd sense of pride.
……
“Ready?”
Time passed, and Varis and I arrived at the empty training grounds. It was similar to the place where I’d sparred with Instructor Rilton during the entrance exam.
“Mm~!”
Geared up and in position, Varis did some light stretches to warm up.
“I’m always ready.”
I drew my sword with casual ease. Not to show off arrogance, but to keep things light since it was just practice.
Varis carefully adjusted his grip on his sword.
“Alright!”
His eyes were resolute, yet the mood was relaxed—purely a training mindset. But a hint of tension lurked beneath.
“Actually facing you makes me nervous~”
Though smiling, a serious intensity shone through. Even knowing it was a light spar, he admitted to the jitters.
“It’s just casual sparring, but I’m still a bit shaky?”
Varis tried to play it off with a joke, but his nerves were plain. He’d witnessed my strength up close and knew the gap in our abilities.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy. Just relax and come at me.”
I spun my sword lightly in one hand. Truthfully, I had no intention of going all out. What Varis needed was growth-oriented training, not a real fight. If I fought seriously, I might genuinely hurt him—not to belittle him, but because it could happen.
“Whenever you’re ready, come at me however you like.”
I pointed my sword at him—a mild provocation to ignite his fighting spirit.
“Then, let’s start?!”
The words barely left his mouth before Varis launched a preemptive strike. Fast and precise. He’d clearly been training hard.
“Haa!”
But by my standards, it was still slow. I sidestepped just before his blade reached me.
“Too slow.”
A simple remark. From Arnold’s superhuman reflexes, it felt like swinging a sword underwater.
“……!”
Varis’s face stiffened briefly. He shifted direction, unleashing a flurry of attacks.
“Then how about this!”
Slashes from left and right, a low thrust after stomping—clear signs of dedicated preparation.
“Good. Faster this time. But…”
I parried his blade lightly with mine and pushed it aside. His stance crumbled like a tower of matchsticks.
“Not enough power.”
Varis gritted his teeth. Passion burned in his eyes.
“Then I’ll show you power too!”
He swung with full force, a powerful overhead strike fueled by his body’s rotation. I blocked without moving. A clear metallic clang echoed across the grounds.
“You’re improving. But your moves are too predictable.”
He was addressing the issues I pointed out well. It might seem simple—just add power and speed—but refining physical motion is tough. He had talent.
“I can tell where it’s coming from.”
I deflected his attack and circled behind him effortlessly.
“To avoid prediction, add variety. And keep your center stable.”
As I spoke, I targeted his opening and halted my blade tip. It hovered far from his throat, but Varis froze.
“Ugh?!”
He looked up at me with a startled groan. Sweat already dripped from his brow. He looked exhausted, yet oddly, a smile crept onto his lips.
“You’re definitely strong. That’s why my heart’s racing!”
He wiped his forehead, shaking off doubt with a confident grin as he reset his stance.
“Here I go again!”
He swung once more, his bright face fueled by rising passion.
“Haa!!”
Same attack as before. I prepared to block similarly—until.
“Got you!”
“…?!”
Varis twisted his sword’s trajectory. An unexpected feint to break my guard. What should’ve hit my head curved toward my side.
Ting—!
“Nice one?”
Of course, Arnold’s reflexes handled it easily, but it was a solid ploy.
“Whoa?!”
But then.
“Varis?”
He hadn’t anticipated the block. His full-force swing rebounded, throwing his balance wildly.
“You okay?”
I instinctively grabbed him as he toppled. But I pulled too hard—he lurched toward me.
‘Ah, too strong?’
Splat—!
By the time I realized, my vision spun. Catching him sent us both tumbling to the ground.
“Ugh.”
The hard impact hit my back. My breath caught. Something heavy pinned me down.
I opened my eyes. Varis was sprawled on top of me.
The situation was bizarre, and the pressure unbearable. I groped blindly.
Then—
Squish—
The unfamiliar softness at my fingertips blanked my mind. Something plush and yielding.
‘Squish…?’
Before I could puzzle it out, Varis jolted upright in panic.
“W-whoa?!”
He recoiled like he’d seen a ghost, face pale—or was it flushed?
“A-are you okay?!”
The confusion passed; his face turned beet red. Pure embarrassment twisted his features.
“S-sorry! Arnold!”
He shot me a fearful glance and stammered.
“A-anyway!! Let’s call it here for today?! Yeah… that’s best!”
He scrambled up, brushing dirt from his hands and feet frantically. He seemed desperate to flee.
“And… yeah, let’s stop here……?”
Despite barely starting, he wanted to quit. His earlier passion vanished, replaced by flustered awkwardness.
“I-I’m heading out first!!”
He bolted for the exit, panting like he was escaping. That Varis showed a girlish side absent from the original story.