White Mask and I stood facing each other.

This was a private lesson near Londan Station, so White Mask had removed his mask for comfort.

As I prepared for the lesson, I felt a strange reluctance in my body, like it was twisting itself out of the desire to keep chatting instead.

For example, I wondered whether White Mask ever felt lonely spending so much time alone at Londan Station, despite his obsession with trains.

“Master.”

“Hm?”

“Do you have any stories about your first love?”

It might be an inappropriate question for someone with a scarred face, but that didn’t apply to me.

After all, he looked beautiful to me. And I’d already told him that.

And anyway, starting with a question like this is classic.

“…I can’t tell if you’re just rude or if you’ve really lost it,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me, then smiled.

“First love, huh? I’ve devoted my life to the railroad and the Knights, so I don’t have one of those.”

Ugh, trains again.

“But I did get a lot of love letters from fellow knights who liked me.”

“Ooh.”

Fortunately, his follow-up sounded much more interesting.

I mean, with a face like his, it would be odd if nothing happened.

“Of course, I never reciprocated. They were all too obvious about their intentions, so I wasn’t interested.”

‘Too obvious about their intentions’—that probably meant they were attracted to him for his looks alone.

But isn’t that often how romantic feelings begin?

Though, simply confessing to someone without even trying to get to know them just because they fit your type isn’t exactly ideal.

“Wasn’t there anyone you really liked among them?”

“Someone I really liked… Not really. My tastes are more particular than you might think.”

He flashed a playful smile, then sighed.

“Well, that was all in the past. With this face, I’m lucky if people don’t run away. You’re the strange one here, apprentice.”

White Mask pointed at me, scrunching his nose playfully.

It was probably my imagination, but there was something oddly lonely in his gesture.

“So if you could restore your face, you’d be confident enough to charm anyone?”

“Of course. If you’d seen me in my prime, you’d be shocked.”

Somehow, I doubted his “prime” looked much different from the way he appeared to me now.

He’d never believe me, though, so I let it go.

I realized I hadn’t had many casual conversations with White Mask before, but he seemed more cheerful than I’d expected.

Well, if he weren’t like this at all, the community wouldn’t call him one of the “Gall-Ju.”

Maybe I’d even find a way to restore his face someday.

Given how I’d inherited the Dragon Slayer’s power from my connection, the solution might be simpler than it seems.

Once things settle down, I’ll make it a priority to look into it.

“Enough chatter. Let’s start the lesson. Every second counts now.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, White Mask returned to his serious expression.

“Let’s begin by reviewing basic swordsmanship. Attack me first.”

Heh.

I’d already fought strange opponents barehanded, so handling a sword should be easy.

Time to show my talent.

“Ugh… ahh… whew…”

“I may have overestimated you, considering all you’ve done. My apologies.”

White Mask looked down at me, genuinely sorry.

Ah, my past self—how arrogant I was to think this would be easy!

If it were, there wouldn’t even be a job called ‘swordsman.’

Too embarrassed by my pathetic thoughts to lift my head, I reached for White Mask’s extended hand.

“Take my hand.”

“Yes.”

I got up, but my whole body ached from the beating I’d taken.

“Still, you’re not without talent.”

He smiled slightly as he spoke.

“If you had no talent, your posture would have been awkward and strange. But you managed to block some attacks. You may not reach the level of Meditation, but you can certainly grasp the basics.”

His detailed analysis cheered me up.

Right.

That was good enough for me.

Where I lack, I can rely on the Foreign Entities’ powers from the party whistle, as well as the Chef’s buffs and the dragon’s molecular strength.

“So, what now? We’ve met our quota for today.”

“No… We don’t have much time left. The Inquisitor declared we had 14 days.”

Fourteen days.

It wasn’t nearly enough time to master a martial art.

My muscles might give out after just a few days.

But who do I have on my side?

I have Mama.

「Oh, my.」

As long as I have her meals, I can do anything!

「Please… stop calling me that…」

Despite her words, she didn’t seem to mind, maybe happy to support me.

I had a feeling I’d continue needing the Chef’s help whenever I hit a wall.

「Grrr…」

Uh, Belle?

Calm down!

That’s not a look you should be giving!

I’ll play with you after this, okay?

「Hmph!」

Such a good girl, waiting so patiently.

If she hadn’t, she’d have every right to attack me with her claws by now.

“Train me until I’m at death’s door, if necessary.”

“…In all my time as a knight, I’ve never seen such a courageous display of chivalry, apprentice.”

White Mask grinned, raising his sword again, a determined look in his eyes.

“I’ve heard your resolve, Raedan Tanten. Then I shall teach you earnestly from this moment on.”

“Yes, thank you, Master!”

We charged at each other, and once more, the clash of swords filled the air.

“Ouch… my back…”

It felt like I’d thrown out a disc, my back hurt so much.

Not to mention my whole body felt bruised, like I’d been hit by a truck.

Without the Chef, I might have ended up bedridden for days.

But her food provided not just strength, but a degree of healing.

In other words, like a potion I could eat.

Not that I was just craving stir-fried pork or anything.

So I made my way to the underground area where we’d purged the cultists before.

The place felt even emptier than before, maybe because they’d lost faith after the Inquisitor attacked them.

Alright.

This will work.

With that thought, I blew the party whistle.

Focusing on one specific person, a single form gradually appeared.

As it fully took shape, it wobbled, leaning into me as it found its balance.

I caught her, and the Chef fully materialized.

“Are you okay?”

“This is something you never get used to, no matter how often you do it.”

She smiled sheepishly, looking up at me.

Still, I hoped she’d let go soon.

This position… made me feel things!

「…You were the last one I expected to do this…!」

「Woof! Hypocrite of the highest order, woof!」

Wait, where did Belle pick up that phrase?!

Maybe I should investigate who’s been teaching her these things.

Luckily, the Dragon Slayer was off somewhere bonding with the Record Keeper.

I’d be most embarrassed for her to see me like this.

“So, you called for me because…?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Chef beamed at me as she stepped back.

“Stir-fried pork, please, Chef!”

“Hehe, understood! One order coming right up!”

Then, Ria poked her head out of my pocket, looking a bit displeased, but her eyes betrayed a hint of hope.

Ah, I understood.

It must feel strange for her to be around after her mother caused such trouble, but her body reacted first at the mention of the Chef’s food.

She could never resist good food.

Ria looked at me a few times, covering her head with her hands as she shivered, then tried to retreat back into my pocket.

…She wasn’t at fault, but the guilt in her expression made my heart ache.

I swore to crush the Inquisitor and rid Ria of her guilt.

“Ria.”

Ria flinched, her teary eyes meeting mine with such a heartbreaking look that she almost seemed like a cartoon character.

“Go ahead and eat. Don’t mind me.”

Did my words reach her?

Ria sat beside me.

The Chef smiled as she watched us.

“Alright, two servings coming up!”

I gave the Chef a grateful smile.