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After leaving the True Martial Palace, Raon headed straight for the Fifth Training Ground.
'Are they training?'
Although the rest period wasn't over yet, the sounds of exertion and swords cutting through the air could be heard from the Fifth Training Ground, suggesting that they were practicing.
-Well, it's a pleasant time to train.
Now that they had become Masters and could express their movements exactly as they wished, it seemed that the swordsmen would find training enjoyable.
-Only you find training fun, you idiot!
Wrath waved his hand dismissively, telling Raon to stop talking nonsense.
Seriously? I still find it enjoyable.
It wasn't a lie. Every time he swung his sword, he could feel his own level growing, making training so enjoyable that he looked forward to it.
-That's why you're crazy! You're the craziest human I've ever seen!
Wrath frowned and said that it seemed like half of Raon's brain was made of swords.
-That's not true. There are many strange people besides me. Like Balder, whom we just saw.
-Ah, that iron-headed guy was pretty extreme…
"And there's also Merlin."
-Ugh, that crazy woman…
He let out a low groan, seemingly unable to refute it.
'See?'
After convincing Wrath, Raon opened the door to the training ground and entered. As he had perceived from outside, all the swordsmen of the Light Wind division were practicing swordsmanship in their own spaces.
"Oh? Division Leader! Did you just arrive?"
Dorian ran towards Raon, smiling broadly.
"I ate well yesterday!"
He bowed his head and said it was truly delicious.
"Showing up after lunchtime, even the Division Leader slacks off sometimes. You have to get in shape… Ah!"
As Kerin clicked his tongue, Martha hit him on the back of the head, causing him to fall forward.
"Why?!" Why did you hit me?
He rubbed the back of his head, shedding a tear as if it really hurt.
"This guy is you?"
Martha frowned as she looked at Kerin.
"This monster gets up at dawn to train and then comes here to train again!"
She shook her head and said that he should have already finished both the dawn and morning training.
"Ah, yes? You've observed all that. Your interest in the Division Leader is immense? As expected…"
"Just die!"
"Argh!"
As Kerin laughed and mocked Martha, she stomped on him with her boot.
"No need to look. Even when I was an apprentice, I was the first to arrive and the last to leave."
Burren shuddered and said that he almost died trying to keep up with that schedule.
"I take pride in my perseverance, but he was relentless."
He shook his head and said that he still got cold sweats thinking about it.
"I just slept…"
Runaan said that he always slept soundly as he stretched with his fingers intertwined.
"We didn't expect anything from you, sleepyhead."
Martha wrinkled the bridge of her nose disdainfully.
"Now that I think about it, Miss Runaan sleeps a lot, so her training time is relatively short. But, since she's the strongest among the squad leaders, her talent must be incredible."
Dorian blinked and said that Runaan's talent was incredible.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, it seems that way."
Burren acknowledged Runaan's talent and said that it seemed so.
"Am I a genius…?"
Runaan made a V sign with her index and middle fingers as she looked at Raon.
"Well, you are a genius."
Raon nodded with a slight smile, finding Runaan's praise adorable.
"More of a genius than Miss Rakshasa."
Runaan turned her gaze towards Martha, slightly curving the corners of her mouth.
"Eek…"
As the usually expressionless Runaan mocked, Martha's complexion flushed.
"What a genius! If we really fought, I'd win!"
Martha drew her sword and said that they should fight right now.
"Challenging a genius?"
"You're not a genius!"
Runaan and Martha growled at each other with their foreheads together.
-Oh! Is this a duel between Miss Martha and Miss Runaan?
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Lately Runaan has been winning, hasn't she? I wonder how it'll go this time."
The swordsmen of the Light Wind division set up a temporary duel area, smiling in anticipation of the long-awaited duel.
"..."
Raon smiled slightly as he watched the Light Wind division chatting in small groups.
"It feels like we're back to the old days."
Seeing Martha and Runaan arguing, Kerin crawling on the ground after being hit, and Dorian providing supplies, it felt like watching the Fifth Training Ground when everyone was smiling before Rimmer's death.
Rimmer valued this place so much that he used "Fifth Training Ground" as the password for his personal safe.
It was reassuring to see his favorite fifth training ground returning to its original state.
"Attention for a moment."
Raon clapped his hands to get the attention of the rowdy swordsmen.
-You know we have to go to Sepia to return the Master's sword, right?
He nodded and looked around at the Light Wind division.
"Yes. We're prepared."
Burren lowered his hand, saying that he had finished the preparations to leave at any moment.
"You said this week. When are we leaving?"
Martha rotated her shoulders, asking about the date.
"Originally I was planning to go tomorrow…"
Raon twisted his lips as he examined the eyes of the Light Wind division swordsmen.
"But seeing your condition, I think we need to sharpen up a bit."
"Re-refining?"
Dorian's lips trembled as if his animal instincts sensed danger.
"You've all lost a lot of spirit. If your eyes are this dull when we meet the Guardian, the Master will be criticized, so let's have a little hello… No, let's fight."
Raon knocked on his scabbard, smiling dryly.
"You were going to-you were going to say 'beat' just now, weren't you? You were definitely going to say 'beat'…"
-So, do you want to go first, Kerin?
After nodding in agreement, he drew the Heavenly Drive with its scabbard and tossed it towards Kerin.
"Aaaaargh!"
Krein quickly drew his sword like a Master and took a defensive stance, but unable to withstand the power contained in the Heavenly Drive's scabbard, he fell to the ground.
"See. You can't concentrate."
-No, how could I…? Gak!
As he tried to argue, Raon punched him and he fell backward with his eyes rolling.
"Well, Kerin is finished."
Raon moved his finger, calling on the next person.
"T-this isn't a duel, it's just violence… Eek!"
Dorian lunged to the right as he muttered a complaint.
"Oh, is this the Mind's Eye?"
Raon chuckled as he remained motionless.
"I was sure you were going to hit my thigh…"
Dorian blinked, wondering why Raon wasn't moving even though he had seen him with his mind's eye.
"Don't rely too much on your senses. Even with the Mind's Eye, you can't see everything. Right now, you were scared by my murderous intent."
After giving him clear advice, Raon hit Dorian's waist as he was about to dodge to the left again.
"Puaj!"
Dorian clutched his waist and rolled on the ground.
"You've definitely weakened. A day or two won't be enough. Next!"
Raon moved his finger, calling on the third person.
"Ah…"
"Puaj!"
As Raon waved his long fingers, all the Light Wind division swordsmen had the same thought. The madman had returned. Their complexions paled as they realized that the duel-crazed ghost, who had been quiet for a while, had returned to training.
-It seems like the King's initial thought was right…
Wrath shook his head as he looked at Raon.
-You really are the craziest human the King has ever seen!
***
After finishing a light duel with the Light Wind division, Raon entered the office.
"So this is where you were."
He bowed his head to the Game Monster, who was drinking with his feet on the desk.
"You were killing the kids, so I ignored it and drank."
The Game Monster mumbled that it had been a long time since he felt at ease as he threw peanuts into his mouth.
-So, do you want me to keep you company and have a drink?
"You're not funny."
He waved his hand slightly.
"That damn gambler was good at drinking…"
The Game Monster clicked his tongue briefly and drank the little alcohol he had left.
"Is that so? Then I guess I'll have to return this alcohol."
Raon said it was a shame as he took a golden bottle of alcohol from his subspace bag. It was an expensive alcohol he had bought in the coastal city as a gift for the Game Monster.
"Alcohol? What kind of…? Eh? Ba-Barsian? How did you get something so valuable?"
"I went to a tavern to eat and it looked good, so I bought it."
He shook the bottle and said he thought the Game Monster would like it.
"Th-then hurry up…"
-But you said you didn't want to drink with me.
Raon sighed as he drank the alcohol.
"Y-you don't get drunk!"
The Game Monster quickly shook his head, saying it wasn't that he didn't want to drink.
"How can I show my face if I pass out first?!
He bit his lip, admitting that he was actually afraid of losing while drinking.
"I'm just kidding."
Raon smiled slightly as he handed the bottle to the Game Monster.
"Oooh!"
The Game Monster opened the bottle as soon as he received it and widened his nostrils.
"This is everything…"
He clicked his lips and said he felt drunk just from the smell.
"Well then…"
The Game Monster knocked the glass to clean it and slowly drank the alcohol that shone like a sunset-dyed sea.
"...It's good. It's perfectly aged."
He closed his eyes in satisfaction and sank deep into the chair.
"Would you pour me a glass too?"
Raon pulled a glass from the cabinet and offered it to him.
"It's a waste to give it to someone who doesn't even get drunk."
The Game Monster clicked his tongue briefly and poured alcohol into the glass.
"Thanks."
Raon smiled and drank the alcohol in one gulp. His expression involuntarily wrinkled at the strong alcohol that burned his throat.
"Here."
The Game Monster pushed forward the bowl of peanuts and gestured for him to eat some snacks.
"It's bitter. I guess I'm really not cut out to be a drinking buddy."
Raon chuckled as he ate a peanut. He still didn't understand the appeal of alcohol, but at that moment he wanted to share another drink with the Game Monster.
-Don't worry, I'm just kidding.
The Game Monster chuckled and said that just having someone present is enough for drinkers.
"Thanks."
Raon put down his glass and bowed his head to the Game Monster.
"Thanks to you keeping the position, it seems the kids have found some stability."
Even after Rimmer's death, the Game Monster continued to come to the Fifth Training Ground, absorbing the pain of the swordsmen who came here.
It must have been difficult for him too, but Raon was grateful that he had taken on everyone's emotions.
"...Did that guy really leave with a smile?"
The Game Monster frowned as he poured alcohol into the empty glass.
-Yes. He left with a radiant smile, without any regrets. I think it's because he trusted you.
Raon nodded, smiling.
"...You and that guy are really troublesome."
The Game Monster chewed peanuts brusquely, saying he was annoyed.
"Since you're annoyed, I have one more favor to ask of you."
"A favor?"
-Yes, it's an important matter.
Raon bowed his head as he looked into the Game Monster's eyes.
"From now on…"
***
"Sister, when you swing a sword, you shouldn't grip it too tightly."
Raon gently loosened Sia's fingers that were gripping the wooden sword.
"Use only your fingertips, not your whole hand. That way you'll be able to move the sword according to your will."
"Okay!"
Sia swung the sword with a relaxed grip as Raon had advised. Although her aura didn't move at all, a sound of air tearing could be heard, and a strong sword wind split the lake. This was possible because she still retained the body of a Grand Master.
"Wow! That feels great!"
Sia smiled and said it felt good.
"Well done."
Raon nodded and told her it was impressive.
"Now you'll be the one protecting this house. Can you do it?"
"Yes!"
Sia nodded and told him to leave it to her.
-But aren't you going to protect it too?
"I'm going to send the Master away for a while."
"Master?"
She blinked as if she wasn't familiar with the word.
"It's someone who made me a better person. He also helped me meet you."
"Then I want to greet him too!"
Sia raised her hand and said she wanted to greet him too.
"I'll let you meet him later."
Raon smiled slightly, saying it wasn't the right time now.
-Okay. I understand.
Even though she didn't fully understand, Sia seemed to perceive something in his expression and stopped, nodding her head.
-Then I'll protect the house! Come back soon!
She straightened her back proudly and said she would protect the annex.
"Thank you, sister."
After telling her he was counting on her, Raon approached Sylvia and Edgar, who were sitting at a table in the garden.
"I'm leaving now."
"Okay. Be careful as always."
Sylvia nodded as she held his hand.
"Give him a good send-off."
Edgar looked at Rimmer's blade sword stuck in his waist with bitter eyes.
"It's a shame I can't go with you."
Merlin, who was having tea between Sylvia and Edgar, sighed briefly, disappointed.
"Is that so…"
Raon chuckled as he looked at Merlin's bright eyes.
-What nonsense!
Wrath frowned deeply.
-That crazy woman is sure to follow us!
He lowered his eyebrows and said she would definitely follow him, though he wasn't sure what kind of animal she was.
'I agree...'
Raon nodded, chuckling. Although Merlin said she was tired and would rest, she would definitely follow him.
'By the way, where did Lust go?'
Since she hadn't appeared at all, it seemed she had completely lost her way and moved in a different direction.
'Can't she feel the energy in this bracelet and find her way?'
-No. That fool would feel it to the right and go to the left.
Wrath muttered that there was no need to worry about it, saying that Merlin was already troublesome enough.
'To that extent...'
However, Lust hadn't revealed her identity, and there were few who could defeat her in terms of martial prowess, so there didn't seem to be any need to worry.
"Well then."
After saying goodbye to the three, Raon entered the Fifth Training Ground.
The Light Wind division swordsmen were already in formation in front of the platform. Raon ascended the platform with heavy steps.
"This is…"
He opened his lips as he looked into the eyes of the swordsmen, sharp as blades.
"Our last journey with the Master."
He nodded as he gripped Rimmer's sword at his waist.
“It's not just a simple farewell, but a time to organize our hearts, hoping that we can meet again someday in a different way.”
"Yes!"
"It's also a path where we must show what kind of people we are, just as he left us behind. Let's strengthen our determination as if we were going to battle."
"We will!"
The Light Wind division swordsmen shouted a brief but firm response with their hands on their swords like Raon.
"Then let's go."
Raon descended, passing through the center of the Light Wind division as he emitted an intense aura. The Light Wind division swordsmen followed him, enveloped in sharp energy as if they didn't want to be outdone.
-
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