Awakening in Haellagoria
"Huh."
When he opened his eyes, it wasn't the dusty battlefield swirling with dirt. There were no screams or battle cries, no sounds of flesh tearing or bones breaking. Yoahim sat up in the warmth of soft blankets.
For a moment, he couldn't grasp why he was here.
"I was definitely..."
He sifted through his hazy memories. He'd fought Hallidery, killed him, stolen his skills, and then... After recalling that much, he had a rough idea of what happened next.
Yoahim had passed out, and Aljes must have carried him somewhere safe.
And he knew why he'd blacked out, too. He stared intently at his still-tingling hand.
'My mana is still trembling.'
The problem was imitating Aljes, whose power was way beyond his level. He'd squeezed out an enormous amount of mana all at once and compressed it, pushing himself too hard. Mana exhaustion had done him in.
'It's fine. I just need to train it up.'
He fully acknowledged his weakness—no point in denying it. There was no reason to despair.
Yoahim slowly slid out of bed.
"So, where the hell is this?"
This didn't look like a tent in a camp. Sturdy wooden walls, ornate lamps on the ceiling, a plush bed. Anyone could tell this was inside a castle or mansion.
Maybe after wiping out Hallidery's remnants, they'd taken over the lord's palace?
"Doesn't feel like it, though."
Hallidery, lord of Levia Castle, had zero interest in interior decorating. He'd focused solely on swelling his undead ranks and war prep. The palace had been stark, almost gloomy.
No way Aljes had redecorated after the battle.
Carrying his questions, Yoahim stepped out into the hall—and bumped into someone.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"What kind of question is that? I'm not somewhere I'm not supposed to be."
The woman snapped back haughtily. Her face was pale, but not from surprise at seeing him—that was just her natural look. She was a banshee undead, after all.
Yoahim scowled at Tilia.
"What're you here for?"
"Scout report."
"To who?"
"Who else? The master."
Master? Tilia's master was Haellagos. So this place was...
"Wait, is this Haellagoria?"
"Where else would it be? Hit your head or something? Well, with how weak you are, running around like that, I guess it's no surprise."
Ignoring her jab, Yoahim pulled out his next question.
"Then where's Aljes? He came back with me, right?"
"No way Sir Aljes would return already. They just dumped you in the rear 'cause you're useless now."
What a way to put it. Yoahim cleared his throat awkwardly.
"So, what am I supposed to do now?"
Tilia snorted, tilting her head in obvious mockery.
"You're on indefinite standby. 'Cause you're weak."
Yoahim's face twitched, but he held his tongue. She wasn't wrong; nothing to argue.
"Anyway, the master wants to see you, so go. I'm busy, so later."
"Where you headed?"
"Back to the front lines, duh. I just came for the report. Can't lounge here while my scouts are suffering out there."
Yoahim nodded agreeably. Tilia said her goodbyes and vanished with light steps.
"Hm, Haellagos wants to see me..."
He could guess why. Rubbing the back of his neck, he started walking slowly.
He wasn't sure exactly where, but probably inside the Spire Tower. Given how tidy it was, maybe Halbert's floor?
Musing to himself, Yoahim boarded the elevator at the hall's end. He hit the button for Haellagos's floor and waited. The doors soon opened.
"You're finally awake, my apostle."
Haellagos was in his usual black mage form. Seated at the round table reviewing documents, he looked up at the footsteps, set the papers aside, and gestured for Yoahim to sit.
Yoahim walked over.
"Heard you were looking for me."
"Indeed. I heard about your exploits. You finished off Hallidery."
Yoahim shrugged.
"I just added the spoon to a fully set table. Aljes did most of it."
"That's why, my apostle." Haellagos smirked.
"What did you feel?"
The question about his fight with Hallidery—what he'd sensed there. Yoahim's face hardened.
"My own level."
"A revelation—fortunate. As reward for this exploit, I'll grant you a chance to learn."
Haellagos snapped his fingers with a click.
Yoahim quietly shifted his gaze. He'd sensed an extra listener since stepping off the elevator—someone suppressing their presence, awaiting orders. They emerged from behind a pillar.
"Greetings, Apostle! Infantry trainer Kelcia reporting!"
A tall demon woman in practical training gear. Her gait alone screamed rigorous conditioning.
"Kelcia handles recruit training in Halbert's infantry. She'll surely teach you much."
While listening, Yoahim eyed the text above her head.
'Lower than me?'
Plenty for training recruits, but that's it. What could he learn from someone at that level? Wasn't she weaker overall?
Yoahim narrowed his eyes at her. Sensing it, Kelcia flinched.
"A-Apostle. Did I do something to offend...?"
"Nah, no, nothing like that. Just sizing you up. Trainer, huh..."
He looked away to Haellagos. The demon lord chuckled knowingly.
"Doubts, my apostle?"
"Huh? No, not really..."
"I know what you're thinking. Nothing to learn from a recruit trainer. But apostle, trees with shallow roots topple easily."
"...Tch."
Haellagos wouldn't waste words. Yoahim decided to trust him.
"When's training start?"
Kelcia straightened at the sudden question.
"I heard you just woke, sir! To avoid strain, once you're fully recovered..."
"Nah, I'm good. Let's do rehab and spar now. Where's the training ground?"
"Right now, sir?"
She glanced at Haellagos, who grinned.
"Do as you like."
"You heard him. To the grounds. Check each other's skills while we're at it."
It sounded arrogant, but Kelcia didn't mind. She saluted sharply.
"Understood!"
They took the elevator out of the Spire Tower, Kelcia trailing like a servant.
"Kelcia."
"Yes, sir!"
"Don't walk behind. Come up beside."
"No, sir! How could I walk abreast of the Apostle?!"
That wasn't the issue... Yoahim sighed.
"I don't know where the grounds are. You're supposed to guide me."
"Ah! My ignorance! Sorry! Right this way!"
She led with exaggerated fuss. Watching, Yoahim wondered if this demon had anything to teach.
"Here we are! Oh, others already."
"Hm?"
Yoahim tilted his head at the sweating figures training.
He knew them.
"Leon, Sasha!"
"You're late, Apostle."
"You're up, sir. Feeling alright?"
Leon and Sasha wiped sweat from their brows, catching their breath. Their clothes were soaked—they'd been at it awhile.
"What're you guys doing here?"
With commander Yoahim back in Haellagoria, his aides naturally came too. But the training grounds?
"The Grand Lord sent us here. Said we need to get stronger for you."
Grand Lord meant Haellagos. He'd given his aides the same learning opportunity.
"Long time, sir. How's the body?"
Their instructor was Bille, knight commander's deputy. He grinned, flashing white teeth. Yoahim frowned.
"Bille? Where's Aljes? Why're you here?"
"I brought you back, sir. Our forces are resting two days at Levia Castle for resupply and regroup. Filling time teaching these two. As expected from your men—talented."
Bille could gate back to the front anytime. Yoahim nodded, inwardly envying Leon and Sasha. Bille seemed more worth learning from than Kelcia.
He cleared his throat and turned to her.
"Alright, shall we start? Light spar?"
"What weapons, sir?"
She's matching me? Yoahim smirked.
"What can you do?"
"Sword, spear, axe. Bow too, but not for sparring... Oh, unarmed a bit."
Basics covered, as expected from a trainer. Yoahim thought briefly.
"Unarmed, then."
Good for warming up. And it was his weak spot.
"Here I go."
They took positions at a proper distance.
'Let's see your stuff.'
Fists lightly clenched at chest height. Legs tensed, ready to spring. Unarmed combat was about the first strike. End it quick if you can. Eyes locked, missing no twitch.
Standoff ends—he kicks off like lightning. Fist aims for the head...
'Wha—?'
A chill hit him. Like leaping into a trap. Why? Yoahim shoved down the dread, thrusting forward anyway.
And then.
BAM.
"Huh?"
The world flipped. No—the world didn't. He did.
"What the—?!"
Why'd I lose? Yoahim lay stunned.