Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Regression - 5
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Ariasfil Reinhardt.
She was what they called the elite, the quintessential genius.
Someone who could grow endlessly as long as she had the basic framework of theory—that was Ariasfil Reinhardt.
But unfortunately, she was a genius who surpassed all standards.
Theory was merely a broad framework, after all. If one's talent swelled beyond it, that theory became nothing more than shackles restraining growth.
That was why geniuses typically shattered theory and forged their own unique styles. They grew frustrated with the slow pace imposed by rigid doctrines.
But Ariasfil was different.
She never broke the theory she had learned.
And ironically, that too stemmed from her talent exceeding all norms.
'So strong... how at this age...'
'The young lady is a genius!! To grow this much already...!'
No matter how much theory tried to suppress her, she grew faster than other geniuses. Her transcendent talent leaped beyond theories that didn't match her level.
Thus, no one ever thought her talent was being held back.
Because she was always ahead of everyone else.
But...
'If you hate losing, call it a draw. Happy now?'
There was someone ahead of her.
'Then that's the problem.'
Someone who pinpointed her issue exactly.
Someone who would craft a framework suited to her,
'Now, give it a swing.'
A teacher—the first true one she would learn from.
Shwaaa...
The wind rustled the trees.
"...Huh...?"
Fallen leaves drifted down in sequence, carried by the wind from her own sword.
'My heart... it's pounding...'
Just like when she first met that boy, her chest swelled with emotion.
Yes, this was, in a word...
'A sense of accomplishment.'
For the first time, she felt true fulfillment in what she had done.
Not just mimicking easily, but properly learning from someone—actual learning.
'...Why?'
She had come to see the boy to calm her pounding heart,
'Why is it pounding even more...?'
I had no idea why he was throwing such a fit. Sure, it pissed me off too that she was a genius among geniuses.
I'd roughly shown her an appropriate stance matching her current growth level.
I figured she'd pick it up right away, but it happening exactly as expected was somehow more shocking.
"How is it? Not bad, right?"
"...Huh?! Y-Yeah... it's good!"
She stared at me with wide, surprised eyes. Her flushed cheeks and sparkling gaze were proof enough.
'No wonder she's stunned.'
That level of skill was something Jehard only achieved half a year after getting cut down, originally.
With a 1-star Mana Core, she couldn't fully replicate it yet, but judging by her earlier Mana Physical Training, that wouldn't take long either.
"Alright, head back. Your escort knight will worry."
The moon was already high in the sky. If she stayed out too long, who knew what kind of fuss that thug escort would kick up.
"Yeah, you're right..."
Shadows fell over Ariasfil's expressionless face. Even without much change, I could tell she was disappointed.
'Sad that training ends here?'
Well, I'd feel the same. Breaking through her limits and growing by leaps and bounds in one day, only for it to end abruptly—how frustrating would that be?
"Wanna come tomorrow too?"
"...Huh?"
"Around this time works. Don't wanna hear that escort knight complaining either."
"...I-Is that okay?"
"Sure. Training alone gets boring, and waiting around idly for a week feels aimless."
This was my way of being considerate.
It was also my respect for the rival who always ignited my competitive spirit.
"Don't want to?"
"...No. I do."
The corner of her mouth twitched upward subtly. It had been a while since I'd seen such an awkward smile.
"Then hurry back. Reinhardt, it's late—be careful."
"Got it. I won't be late."
Ariasfil turned to leave after saying that.
"...Oh."
Then she glanced back and added,
"You can call me Ariasfil. Leonardo."
With that, she was gone.
We're not like that with Ariasfil, I tell ya.
Damn eunuchs anyway.
"...He's asleep, right?"
Today too, she checked on the sleeping Jehard. Even with her voice, he slumbered soundly.
The training I'd assigned her was exhausting even for Jehard's level.
'Gotta go.'
But now, such lessons no longer satisfied her.
Ariasfil stepped out of the inn with buoyant steps.
'What'll I learn today? It'll be fun to learn again today, right?'
Various imaginings of the lesson bubbled up as she hurried along. Thinking of that boy, Leonardo, always made her head and heart race.
"...You're here?"
Today too, the boy swung his sword in the forest.
"Leonardo!"
"Alright, same as before?"
"Got it."
She drew her sword, as did Leo.
"Hup...!"
Then they began swinging, splitting surrounding mana to continue their physical training.
The Sage alternated glances between Leo and Ariasfil.
It looked that way. They weren't paying attention to each other, just swinging their swords independently.
As he said, with two splitting mana particles, their size had shrunk significantly. Absorption increased accordingly.
That was undeniable. Factoring it in, their mana absorption was roughly equal.
The Sage gave Leo a meaningful look. With the Sage's wisdom, he'd have figured it out long ago.
...The Sage's eyes blinked in surprise.
His blinking eyes cooled with disbelief.
Irritated, my voice rose. Ariasfil turned at my shout, pausing her sword swings.
"What? Eunuch?"
"Hahaha... slipped out. Let's get back to it."
"It's fine. But what's a eunuch?"
...I could explain, but I didn't want to. Especially not with the pinnacle of eunuch-kind, the idol of all eunuchs, right in front of my face.
"It's nothing. Let's continue."
Argh, that nasal tone was infuriating. If he weren't a ghost, I'd break his nose.
There was a clear reason. It just took time to pin it down concretely.
An utterly obvious reason and cause.
What Leo wanted was a duel with a genius equally strong.
Winning with such an overwhelming cheat—could he really take pride in that?
Genius or not, she was still a child.
Even a future great talent needed time to grow.
That day, when he refined her swordsmanship, Leo was certain.
Her growth potential hadn't fully unlocked yet.
With the right direction, she could grow incomparably faster than before regression.
Not just her peak—maybe even beyond. Then...
I doubted my ears, my hearing.
"Huh?"
This guy, really...
"How is that kid-grabbing!? It's a hopeful story about growing together!"
The overgrown geezer capped it off by sticking out his rotten tongue. I oughta rip out that three-inch tongue and stuff it in his ear.
"What'd you say?"
Oh crap. It slipped out again.
"...What's a kid-grabber?"
...I could explain, but I really didn't want to.
Just knowing the term felt shameful now.
"It's short for 'height-growth grabbing technique.' Delinquent slang—never use it."
"O-Okay... got it."
Using polite speech, she nodded reluctantly, convinced.
Yes, stay pure while you can.
Don't end up like me or that old fart who choked on age.
Please, just grow up like before.
"Leonardo, sorry to interrupt your muttering, but can you check that stance from earlier?"
"Sure. Come on! Let me see!"
I had to change the subject fast. No need for this innocent girl to learn sewer words like eunuch or kid-grabber.
"I think this part's the issue... I want combos as fast as yours."
"No need to copy me exactly. You've got good flexibility, so use muscle elasticity over raw strength..."
And so the training continued.
Night after night, Ariasfil snuck out past Jehard to meet Leonardo.
They practiced Mana Physical Training basics, and whenever her form faltered, Leo offered apt advice.
This went on for a week.
Leo perfectly completed his Mana Core in seven days, while Ariasfil compressed a year's worth of swordsmanship into that time.
And the final day arrived.
"...Ready?"
"Yeah. Today, I'll definitely..."
On the last day, determination burned in Ariasfil's eyes. A satisfying glint.
"Win."
She drew her longsword from her waist.
Using the 'technique' taught by the Sage wouldn't sit right with his current pride.
Winning that way would be even more humiliating.
"Doesn't mean I can let you win, though."
Leonardo drew his own sword from his waist.
"...Match."
Jehard stood at the center as referee.
"Begin!"
Clang!!