Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Tournament Preparation (1)
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Ceria drew her sword.
I tensed up at the sight.
“Come, I'll be your practice partner.”
“...”
I had a feeling this would happen.
She wanted to help her fiancé prepare for the tournament.
She was a ranker in the top 50.
And that probably wasn't even her full strength.
She was slated to become strong enough to face Jace when he became one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
‘Excluding the Hero candidates, she’s probably one of the strongest...’
She just hadn't bothered to maintain her rank.
If she put her mind to it, she could probably reach the top 20.
Needless to say, she was a more than worthy practice partner.
From that perspective alone, I should have been on my knees begging for the opportunity.
However.
The problem was that she knew Jace too well.
I’d managed to get by with his usual words and actions through improvisation.
But a spar, by its very nature, carried a high risk of her noticing something was off.
It was a time when one’s senses were at their sharpest.
I felt she wouldn't miss even the smallest detail.
Although he had rarely sparred after entering the academy.
They had been together since childhood, crossing swords several times a day.
In other words, the probability of her sensing something suspicious was very high.
She might dismiss it as her imagination, considering this body's current condition, but.
‘I don’t want to give her any reason for suspicion...’
If I could avoid it, that was the best course of action.
I feigned nonchalance and spoke.
“There's really no need...”
“Are you still self-conscious? No matter how weak you've become, my respect for you hasn't changed.”
“...”
To show respect despite being lovers.
Jace's original skill was truly something to be admired.
He should have been moderately talented! Why does this have to be so hard on poor me?
The scoundrel version of Jace.
The noble version of Jace.
I was being tormented by both sides.
“There's no one watching. Let's just have a comfortable match.”
Aruru was watching, but she was an exception.
Perhaps that was why Ceria was being so stubborn.
“I'm really sorry, but I'm not in the mood.”
“Even if I ask like this?”
“Hmm...”
“Just one match. If you do, I'll do something you like.”
“---??”
Something I like? What is it?
Just as a strange sense of anticipation began to build.
The girl gave a bewitching smile, as if to say, *you know what*.
“...”
A kiss. Or something of that nature...
Ahh, that's dirty! How can I refuse now?
It was worth the risk, and my heart wavered violently.
Meanwhile, our little cutie puffed up her cheeks.
She expressed her dissatisfaction as if to say, *here we go again*, and it was ridiculously cute.
Anyway.
I was a man, after all, and I couldn't refuse any longer.
Before doing anything, I decided to lay some groundwork.
“Actually, I have something to confess.”
“A confession?”
“I might be a little different from before. I'm researching various styles of swordsmanship.”
“Ah, I see what you mean.”
The look in Ceria's eyes changed subtly.
*As expected, my man is different. He's amazing!*
That seemed to be the feeling she got, as if I were trying to pioneer a new frontier.
That was more or less what I intended.
That misunderstanding would cover for any slight awkwardness.
In the end, I too gripped my sword.
As if lost in nostalgia, Ceria murmured quietly.
“It's been so long since we've faced each other like this...”
*This is my first time. Go easy on me!*
Setting aside the fact that she was strong, I felt disturbed.
I was about to swing a sword at a girl, and my fiancée at that.
It was just a spar, but still, I hesitated.
Well, whatever. I should know my place.
Right now, she was an opponent I couldn't beat even if I died and came back to life.
I had to show her my skills with all my might.
By doing so, I had to put Ceria at ease.
She hadn't said it, but she must have been worried deep down.
*Alright, let's do this!*
I slowly narrowed my eyes, searching for an opening in my fiancée's stance.
***
The flow of the fight was more or less even.
That was because Ceria was matching my level.
Her swordsmanship was soft and fluid.
She parried every attack as if it were flowing water.
A powerhouse close to the level of a Hero candidate.
No matter how I looked, there were no openings.
I felt a sense of helplessness, as if facing a giant wall.
I paid it no mind and entrusted my body to instinct.
As I exchanged blows with her, Jace's memories became clearer.
The various techniques they had researched together.
Techniques that had been refined through repeated failures unfolded in my hands.
Sword Ki, faster and sharper.
Even integrating offense and defense by shifting my center of gravity in an instant.
I was slowly getting the hang of it.
This spar was, unexpectedly, a great help.
When I was shaking down the point dispensers, I had to control my strength.
But Ceria was a powerhouse on another level, so it was fine to go all out.
No, wait a minute... Isn't this technically a married couple's fight?
We could laugh it off now, but later on, it felt like all our household belongings would be destroyed.
Well, that probably wouldn't happen. My Ceria is so kind, isn't she? As long as I behave myself, things will be peaceful.
“It won't do to lose your focus already.”
I'd only been lost in thought for a moment, but she noticed right away.
As if to scold me, her pressure began in earnest.
Aah, I don't like this dynamic! It feels like I'm being henpecked by my lovely girlfriend.
Her attacks looked light, but they were heavy when I blocked them.
She matched my level but occasionally threw in attacks of B-rank or higher.
So far, my instincts had managed to cope well enough.
By the way, why was she smiling as if she were enjoying this?
“It's just your imagination.”
I let her excuse go in one ear and out the other.
Maybe she had some pent-up frustration she wasn't aware of?
After all, I must have caused her so much worry.
When Jace was a scoundrel, she must have gone through a lot.
*I have to clean up his mess again... This won't do. I have to show her I've definitely changed.*
“Be a little more serious.”
“It might be dangerous... Well, I suppose I can just stop right before I hit you.”
At my request, she unleashed more mana.
She also began to mix in advanced techniques from time to time.
Her momentum was so sharp it sent a chill down my spine.
Every moment was perilous, but the thrill outweighed the fear.
How much time had passed?
Ceria's movements were gradually coming into focus.
As I began to block her attacks with relative ease.
She smiled with satisfaction, as if she could finally rest easy.
“Not bad.”
“I'm not done yet. I have more to show you.”
“You're not planning to overdo it, are you?”
“You'll see.”
“Hmm...”
She raised the level little by little.
Before long, her speed became impossible to follow with my eyes.
Now was the time to rely on my senses.
My Mind's Eye activated, predicting her movements.
“---!!”
I deflected her attack and counterattacked simultaneously.
The girl's eyes widened at the seamless process.
“Did you aim for that? At your current level, that should be impossible...”
“Keep going and you'll find out.”
“...”
She resumed her offensive with a hardened expression.
My Mind's Eye didn't always activate, so I tasted defeat a few times.
“You predicted it again...”
I managed to read Ceria's actions roughly once every five times.
Each time, she showed a surprised reaction, and a sense of pride swelled within me.
A short while later, the spar ended, and I learned an unexpected fact.
My dear Ceria... was surprisingly strict.
At the very end, she countered my Mind's Eye with her own.
“...”
I was momentarily choked up by her ruthlessness.
It was like a veteran crushing a fresh-faced newbie with pure power.
I was utterly helpless due to the difference in our proficiency.
*I'm hurt!*
I suppressed any sign of it.
It was too different from this body's concept.
I wanted to laugh it off, but the wound to my heart hurt too much.
So I closed my eyes and pretended to be deep in thought.
“As expected, you've surpassed my expectations. That was truly excellent!”
*Sorry. I'm just going to pout for ten minutes.*
*I was waiting for that reaction, but right now, I just don't feel like it!*
Contrary to my feelings, I couldn't even last a minute, let alone ten.
Ceria's heart was big enough to embrace even my pathetic side.
She literally wrapped her arms around my neck from behind.
My choked-up feelings melted away as if they had never existed.
She initiated skinship whenever she had the chance, so I couldn't resent her in the slightest.
“What should I do? I'm so proud of you.”
The sweet whisper echoing in my ear.
I should be getting used to it by now, but my heart still fluttered.
Just as my pounding heart began to calm down, the girl launched a surprise attack.
The soft sensation on my cheek.
It wasn't just a light touch; it lingered for quite a while.
It wasn't a kiss, but I had received a peck.
It felt nice, but... well, this was just a light display of affection.
*This isn't what I was expecting?*
As if sensing her lover's disappointment, she immediately fanned the flames.
“This doesn't count toward that. Let's continue next time. Right now is a bit...”
Ceria's gaze fell upon Aruru.
Our little cutie let out a deep sigh, as if she had finally given up.
“Ugh, I'm tired of reacting to every little thing...”
*Yes, you finally get it, don't you?*
*How can you stop lovers from showing affection? Just relax and enjoy the show.*
“I'll be going now.”
Was it because she had confirmed my skills?
Her expression was incredibly bright, as if all her worries had vanished.
I got through it safely again.
It seemed she hadn't felt anything out of place.
Since the person closest to me hadn't caught on, I could probably rest easy now.
‘I should get some rest...’
Ceria had gone easy on me, but still.
It was still like sparring with a top-tier B-rank.
I had so much to worry about that both my body and mind were exhausted.
Just as I sank powerlessly to the floor.
Our little cutie came scampering over.
*Why? To heal me? Hmm, something's a little strange.*
Unlike usual, she had a pout on her face.
She then thrust her head forward and asked forcefully.
“Who do you like more, me or Ceria?”
“...”
*Did she eat something bad? Is she sick somewhere?*
I was so flustered that such questions came to mind.
Of course, my fiancée comes first. Aruru is second.
*I have no idea what her intention is, but for now, I should just play along with her mood...*
“I like you both equally.”
“...”
She narrowed her eyes in displeasure.
*Hey! What am I supposed to do if you mark this as wrong too? I already compromised a lot, didn't I?*
In that moment, Aruru did something with the characteristic agility of a beastkin.
*Lick.*
As if tasting something, she licked my cheek with the tip of her tongue.
*What was that? A beastkin instinct?*
Mammals like dogs and cats often groom each other.
It's an act that shows intimacy, or something close to affection.
I thought it was something like that, but.
The girl's following remark was truly beyond imagination.
“This taste... is the taste of a liar!”
“---!!”
*Aah, what was this from? I definitely know it, but I can't quite remember.*
Soon, the system window reacted, and chaos descended.
[Achievement Unlocked: A Quote That Will Briefly Go Down in History]
[Reward: Achievement Score +10,000]
*Huh? What's with "briefly"? And I wasn't even the one who made the joke?*
As if it couldn't wait for my turn, it seemed to acknowledge jokes made by people around me too.
“...”
Well, it's nothing to be surprised about. It was a selfish system from the start.
If I had lost something, it would be different, but what's there to complain about when I've gained from it?
“Actually, I was just kidding!”
Aruru returned to normal.
She smiled brightly enough to show her teeth.
I should stop overthinking and just enjoy this healing moment.
“Kyahahaha...”
A girl weak to tickling.
We played together happily until it was time to eat.
***
Ceria hummed happily to herself.
Having confirmed it herself, Jace's level was by no means low.
‘He read my movements perfectly.’
He wasn't as good as before, but.
Just the fact that he had opened his Mind's Eye was incredibly marvelous.
It was something one could only acquire at the peak of A-rank, yet he had already done it.
Was it because he had once reached the pinnacle?
The speed at which he was recovering his strength was remarkably fast.
There was no need to wait until next year.
At this rate, he might regain his original power within the year.
‘I’m so happy I could go crazy...’
She could hardly contain her excitement.
Her respect and admiration for him grew even stronger.
The girl brought her hands together, then gently brushed them over her swelling chest.