GalaxyTL
I’ve arrived at the training grounds! I was so nervous the first time I came here. It was with Schlie-san, and we ate cream puffs… It wasn’t just about eating sweets! We did an important ritual so I could see spirits!
I still remember it. How moved I was when the world seemed to sparkle. From that day on, spirits became close to me, and Schlie-san became my mentor.
Dad, Gil-san, Kei-san, Juma-nii, so many people have taught me various things, but Schlie-san’s the only one I have a bond with that allows me to call them “master.” I think it has a lot to do with being the same race. Well, technically I’m a High Elf, but details, details.
“Oh, Meg! You’re here!”
“Juma-nii! I’m in your care!”
“Yeah, be prepared today!”
And so, today’s instructor is Juma-nii. You know, everyone was against it, having Juma-kun as my instructor. He can’t control his strength, and doesn’t really hold back even though it’s me, he gives orders without hesitation. Basically, his training method was considered too harsh for a little girl, and I wasn’t allowed to train with him for a while.
But actually… I wanted to be taught by Juma-nii. Because everyone else is too kind. They’re all so kind to me that they won’t let me do anything unreasonable, and they keep trying to make me take breaks, so it wasn’t really training.
Dad’s the one who’s the most balanced in his teaching. But he’s also the Don of Ortus. He’s busy, so he can’t train with me every day. It can’t be helped. I can’t be too selfish. …But lately, I haven’t even seen his face, let alone trained with him, so I’m a little lonely. I’m not crying though!
“Okay, then let’s start with the warm-up.”
“Okay!”
So the instructors change daily, but I had them add Juma-nii a while back. It only happened because I begged Saura-san. She was reluctant until the very end.
And because of that, or maybe for some other reason, Juma-nii gets scolded relentlessly whenever I get even a small scratch. Even though he’s the “oni”! I feel bad, so I’m being extra careful.
“You should actually get hurt every now and then. Scars are a badge of honor, right?”
“I guess a little injury is fine, but it’s not a badge of honor!”
But Juma-nii himself never learns, even after being scolded, so it’s probably pointless to even worry about it!
We do a thorough warm-up, since it’s after lunch. We had a 30 minute break, so I think it’ll be fine, but Juma-nii’s training is intense. It’ll be rough if I don’t get my body used to it. However! His training is harsh, right from the warm-up.
“Come on, you can do better than that. 10 more!”
“Uwaaaah, this isn’t even a warm-up anymore!”
I’m starting to wonder if we’ve transitioned to actual training without me noticing. What’s going on? I was just doing stretches, and now I’m doing sit-ups? And even though my stamina’s improved, I’m still a child, so even if I try my best, my limit is 20. You musclehead!
“Are you serious? That’s only five push-ups!”
“They’re tremblinggg!”
If I can do 10 push-ups, it’s a good day. It’s still like this, even after training every day, so I’m really suited for magic. No matter how hard I try, I can’t be a physical fighter. Sniff.
“Alright, let’s start training! …Ah, maybe we should take a break first.”
“P-P-Pleaseeee…”
And so, my child body’s exhausted from what Juma-nii calls “just a little warm-up”. He’s also been doing things like pushing down on my legs the moment I lift them during leg raises, and making me raise them again without touching the ground. That evil exercise was the worst… what’s Juma-nii’s goal for me?
Even though I’m complaining in my head, I don’t actually say anything. Because I’m the one who asked for Juma-nii’s harsh training. It would be wrong of me to complain. But… I wish he would consider, even just a little, that I’m still a child! Because I always become unable to move at this stage! It’s not training if I can’t even move, so I ask Shizuku-chan for help.
“Shizuku-chaaan…”
『Master, today’s a hard mode day, isn’t it? Your usual? Leave it to me.』
That’s right, it’s always like this with Juma-nii. He makes me barely able to move, and then I’m revived with a little bit of Shizuku-chan’s stamina recovery medicine. The reason she doesn’t completely heal me is because it wouldn’t be training then.
So basically, I can stand and exercise again, but I’m still tired. The large, light blue wolf Shizuku-chan spins around once, and then I’m enveloped in a mist of medicine and healed. Phew, I’m good now.
“Shizuku-chan, thank you!”
『Mmm, do your best, Master.』
I thanked Shizuku-chan as I stood up, and then bowed my head towards Juma-nii, saying, “Please.”
“Oh, are you good to go? Then let’s start!”
I trembled at the sight of Juma-nii, grinning mischievously as he held up a water gun. I-It’s just my fighting spirit!
A few hours later, I was collapsed on the training ground’s obstacle course, completely drenched. Ah, it’s a common occurrence, so don’t mind me.
What kind of training were we doing, you ask? Well, it’s nothing special. It was simply avoiding Juma-nii’s water gun attacks, with the added rule of not leaving the obstacle course. Basically, you don’t get wet if you don’t get hit. And here I am, drenched. As you can imagine.
“Well then, that’s all for today! You’re improving, Meg! You barely got hit during the first half!”
“R-Really…? Th-That’s… good…”
And then the strength drained from my body. Plop. I can’t do this anymore. I can’t even lift my head to talk. I’m not unconscious, but I don’t think I can move. Juma-nii lifted me up, laughing, “Uhaha.” Considering how he used to carry me under his arm, this is considerable progress, being cradled horizontally. Even Juma-nii learns.
“A while back, you needed a nap after this much. Thinking about that, you’re amazing, Meg. Seriously.”
Do you really think so? It gives me confidence when you say that. I was honestly getting depressed, wondering if there was even a point to all this since I was always losing. I smiled slightly, happy, my eyes still closed.
“You’re hopeless when it comes to anything other than magic, right? You don’t have any other means of attack or defense. So I want you to be able to reflexively dodge attacks, in case of emergency. You can figure something out if you don’t get hit, right?”
Juma-nii said this as he carried me out of the training grounds. I see, so that’s his intention with this training. Please forgive me for thinking it was just an extension of playtime, since you’re always getting so fired up when you’re targeting me, Juma-nii.
“But, conversely, it means that you’re done for if you even get hit once. You have a lot of barrier magic tools, so it’s unlikely your life will be in danger, but you shouldn’t rely on those too much. Depending on the location and opponent, magic tools don’t always react properly.”
I’m honestly surprised he was thinking that far ahead. No, seriously, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for thinking you were just bullying me! You’re so right I have nothing to refute!
I haven’t forgotten about that incident when I was teleported to the human continent, about twenty years ago. I was incredibly frustrated back then. I can’t count the number of times I thought… if only I was stronger.
“You can dodge attacks from weaklings now. You don’t have stamina or strength, but you’re incredibly agile. So be confident!”
Juma-nii’s saying this as he laughs, “Uhaha,” but I can’t believe it. Because I’m always losing. It’s only natural, since it’s Juma-nii I’m up against, but I won’t know how well I can actually fight unless I’m in a real battle.
But that’s right, Dad said I’d be allowed to do practical training soon. I need to brace myself, so I’m ready when that time comes! Slightly recovered in Juma-nii’s arms, I clenched my fists.
“Juma, you brought Meg back like this again…”
“Well, I can’t use magic.”
“There are many ways. Like wrapping her in a towel.”
When we arrived at the guild hall, I was transferred from Juma-nii to Schlie-san’s arms. Juma-nii was cheerfully laughing, unfazed by Schlie-san’s icy tone. As always, he has such a strong heart.
The moment I was embraced by Schlie-san, I was enveloped in a warm breeze. And thanks to that, my soaking wet clothes, even my underwear, were instantly dry. It felt as pleasant as basking in the sun, under gentle sunlight. As expected of Schlie-san. It’s probably a combination of his wind contract spirit, Nephry-chan, and the heat of a fire spirit.
“Schlie-san, thank you.”
“It’s nothing, Meg. But make sure to take a bath. I can’t warm you from the inside.”
“O-Okay…”
He’s cradling me so gently, I feel like falling asleep before I can even get to the bath. I couldn’t help but to yawn as I answered, opening my mouth wide. Sorry for the bad manners.
“Oh, dear. At this rate, should we have Maryla give you a bath again today?”
Schlie-san chuckled. Getting bathed by Maryla-san has also become a regular thing after Juma-nii’s training. I feel bad, but she’s incredibly happy about it. She even has it marked in her schedule as “Bath Day,” so I’ll gratefully accept her kindness.
“Yesh… pwease…”
“Fufu, it would be my pleasure. You’re always adorable, but the exhausted Meg is even cuter, like you’ve regressed back into a child.”
Because my words are slurring. I’m probably going to fall asleep without even dreaming today. It’s a shame that I probably won’t be able to eat dinner, but sleepiness wins out over hunger. Another common occurrence.
And so, I dreamily took a bath with Maryla-san, was diligently taken care of, and then before I knew it, I was tucked into bed, fast asleep. This is how quickly my day ends. Good night!