The Resurrected Immortal - Chapter 104: Training Camp (3)
"But, Hyeon. Is it really okay for us to keep staying here like this?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, Eira and I are still students, after all. I'm just worried that missing school for so long might cause problems...."
"You're an official member of this expedition, so of course I got proper permission from the school. Eira probably had Riod pull some strings too. She's on the verge of graduating anyway, so it wasn't an issue for her. More importantly."
Eunhyeon clenched his fist and flicked Erin's forehead with a knuckle rap.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"Focus. Your mana flow is getting disrupted again."
"Ughhh, you're so harsh only during training...."
Erin pouted and grumbled, but she quickly pulled herself together and began reactivating the circulation of mana through her body.
"Honestly, the most urgent thing right now is naturally drawing out that gumiho power inside you. Try pulling out a bit of the mana from your body and releasing it little by little. Maintain the image that comes to mind exactly as it is."
"The image in my head...."
Erin immediately recalled her appearance from the battle against the succubus.
The fox ears that had sprouted atop her head and the nine silver-white tails at her waist.
Reliving the state of overflowing power throughout her body back then, Erin was undergoing advanced training to manipulate her internal mana and recreate that form.
"Ughhh...."
As her concentration peaked and she squeezed out the power from within, beads of sweat began forming on Erin's forehead.
Soon, indigo fox ears materialized above her head, and Erin jumped up and down in delight.
"It worked! It worked!"
Spotting a single silver-white tail swaying from her waist, Erin tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? But this time, there's only one tail?"
"Ack! You scared me...."
Erin flinched, shoulders jumping at Miho's voice echoing in her mind.
"Looks like she spoke to you."
Eunhyeon couldn't hear Miho's voice—only Erin could—but he could easily guess from her reaction.
"Huh? You know her?"
"A little."
Erin, unaware that Eunhyeon had once fought the gumiho that had possessed her body, simply tilted her head.
"If she's speaking to you directly, you'll probably get the best guidance on this power from her."
"Okay!"
It wasn't part of the plan, but Erin's sudden awakening of the divine beast's power left her in an awkward spot where she couldn't properly wield it yet.
Still, this was a welcome surprise. Eunhyeon had no doubt that once she mastered it, her future growth would surpass even his expectations.
"Alright. Keep at it."
He chuckled and ruffled her hair roughly. Erin flashed a bright grin and nodded vigorously.
"Yeah!"
Eunhyeon turned next to Yuria, who was still sprawled out on the mat on the floor.
"How are you feeling? Better?"
"Not better, you son of a bitch...."
"That's some rough, unladylike language unbecoming of a princess. And now you're dropping the formalities?"
Eunhyeon let out a hollow laugh at Yuria, who was limp on the mat and hurling curses without restraint.
She must have built up too much resentment toward him; she'd apparently decided to ditch the formalities and pretenses entirely.
"Have you ever treated me like a princess? People keep promises, you know. What was that? Magic lessons? In your world, does military-style PT gymnastics count as magic training?"
"Shh, keep it down. I'd appreciate it if you refrained from talking about that."
"Uwaaaah! Why do I have to go through this? I'm a mage, damn it!"
She wailed so pitifully that she started openly sobbing. Elenoa, who had been tending to Yuria, was busy treating Alex and the others' wounds from their mock battle with Eunhyeon, leaving only him to witness her outburst.
"Even mages need stamina. I'm not asking you to swing a sword or weapon like the others—just basic physical training is essential for you too, Princess. You've clearly avoided exercise more than I thought."
"Why the hell would I need to train my stamina?! They never even mentioned that during my palace education!"
"That's their way. You chose to follow me, and you promised not to complain about my methods."
"......"
At a loss for words, Yuria just glared at him silently.
"Let me pose a hypothetical."
"What?"
"Right now, inside the palace, Dianne's faction dominates, and they're desperate to install her son, Damian, as crown prince. They're badmouthing you and Prince Evan—Helena's son and your brother—to undermine the second crown prince candidate. Right?"
"...So?"
"In that situation, you lack a solid support base and aren't truly free. If danger approaches and no one's around to protect you, you'll have to rely on yourself."
"Ah! Just say what you mean!"
Yuria shouted, as if she couldn't grasp his point.
"At least get to a level where you can protect your own life before complaining."
"Ugh...!"
She flinched as if struck where it hurt.
"That's why I said I wanted to learn magic."
"Mages in battle don't just focus on spells. Didn't you realize something during this expedition, marching with full gear for long hours? That your stamina is lacking. I know you've been educated only in the palace, raised like a flower in a greenhouse. But the fundamental reason you followed me was to escape that and prove your own worth, wasn't it?"
Not as the kingdom's princess, nor as Helena's daughter or Evan the crown prince candidate's sister—but as Yuria Pernias, to demonstrate her value to the world.
"......"
"You seem to be misunderstanding something, Princess. Alex and the guards can't always be by your side protecting you. That flashy position where knights shield you while you spam spells? The biggest reason Alex is guarding you is because his father, Abros, supports Helena."
Eunhyeon stuck to the political angle, avoiding Alex's personal feelings.
"The Cracir Royal Guard, veterans, and power-holders are all in Dianne's camp. It's impossible for you right now. Assume situations without escorts and build the strength to protect yourself. Stamina training is the start."
Faced with irrefutable logic, Yuria fell silent but voiced one thought.
"Then... what about Iliana?"
Eunhyeon's face soured instantly at the mention of the mage who hated even moving, let alone exercising.
"She's... honestly an exception."
"What happened to all that logic you just spouted?"
"Sigh... Iliana really is an exception. Know why? She's such a lazy genius that she self-taught teleportation—an absurdly mana-intensive spell with long casting times—just because going to the next village half a day's ride away was too bothersome. I've nagged her to exercise, but she never listens. I eventually gave up."
"Uh, um... r-really?"
Yuria awkwardly responded to Eunhyeon's sudden machine-gun rant, at a loss for words.
Her face soon paled.
"B-but... Iliana's an outstanding high-rank digit mage, right?"
"What good is that if she won't listen? She hates moving her body to an extreme degree, and as time goes on, she just gets more stubborn...."
"Oh? Didn't know you thought that way."
"......"
His face stiffened at the chilling voice by his ear.
"Oh... you're here? How's your body? Still hurting?"
He asked awkwardly about her condition, but Iliana wore a sullen expression, her body not fully recovered.
"Still aches, but I can bear it. More importantly, you were having an interesting conversation?"
"N-no, it's just...."
"It's fine. It's all true anyway. But not anymore."
"What?"
"I think I need to start exercising now too. Got a reason to."
"......"
Iliana approached slowly, grabbed Eunhyeon's collar, and pulled him close.
With no resistance, she whispered into his ear so only he could hear.
"Wait one month. I won't forget last night. Ever."
Her cheeks flushed as she glared daggers at Eunhyeon, who had inflicted unforgettable humiliation. She released his collar and turned to Yuria. Eunhyeon stared blankly after her.
"Now, shall we start the lesson?"
"W-wait, you're serious? I thought you were tricking me... Iliana's really going to teach me magic?!"
"I don't go easy on royalty. So, you in or not?"
"Y-yes! Please let me! Ughhh!"
Yuria jumped up in joy but groaned from the throbbing pain, struggling to her feet.
Eunhyeon sighed at the two, then turned his head.
"Alright, that leaves just Eira."
"P-please take care of me!"
Eira bowed her head tensely to Eunhyeon.
"Honestly, I don't know your exact skill level. Let's start with a simple spar."
"A s-spar...."
Eira glanced palely at Alex, and Eunhyeon chuckled, realizing her thoughts.
"I won't push you that hard. I'll just block. Attack without holding back."
He lightly tossed her a wooden sword. She caught it and replied energetically.
"Yes!"
Clang!
The wooden swords clashed. Eunhyeon blocked Eira's attacks, gauging her level.
Each clash gave him a strange sensation.
Claaang!
"Kyaa!"
He repelled her powered strike, sending her wooden sword—and body—flying into the air.
"Ugh, that hurts...."
Eira winced, rubbing her bruised butt after hitting the floor.
"You're using swift sword strikes. Hmm, Riod didn't teach you this.... Did you copy me?"
Eira looked stunned at his spot-on analysis.
"Y-yes."
"Since when?"
"W-well... I memorized your movements from when you fought the black mage before...."
"Ah."
Eunhyeon nodded as the memory surfaced.
It must have been during the investigation into Erin's disappearance, when he and Eira had confronted Elvin in the abandoned warehouse.
He smirked and aimed his wooden sword at her again.
"Interesting. Just from watching me back then. Your speed is definitely fast, but too fast isn't always good. Your strikes lack power. Light attacks like that get deflected blade-first, like just now."
"Yes...."
Eira looked downcast at his critique.
"Pick up the sword again. Let's match a few more times."
"Please!"