Training Group Division
This chapter is from Alma's POV
It's been around an hour since Hikaru left flying away with Black Dragon.
We could hear booming sounds from all the way outside the city here before it finally quieted down just now.
Looks like they're done fighting. I can sense Hikaru and Black Dragon flying back here together.
...Both of them seem totally worn out, just how fierce the battle was anyway.
The reason why Hikaru is angry with Black Dragon seems to be because his handler let loose magic beasts that attacked me and a certain adventurer party during the Hunting Fest.
Hikaru is terrifying when he's mad because people close to him got hurt. Yet he never gets angry when he himself is hurt.
...Despite wanting him to let the matter go, is it wrong for me to feel happy about it somewhere in my heart.
The meeting closed not long after Hikaru left and we were led to another room where they explain about the training regimes to those who wish to participate.
Advanced and Special Job people serving as instructors have gathered in the room. It's the safest place in the world in a way.
There's ten of them. Two other went after Hikaru and Black Dragon.
Those two can't be...
The kingdom side is asking us, participants to choose which instructors we wish to study under.
Swordsmen go under Sword Saint's tutelage while those who use bows under Egoless Archer, Aina-san.
...The sword instructor is a Sword Saint, maybe I was mistaken.
Surprisingly, many who didn't get to the final rounds in the tourney have also chosen to join.
Wonder what should I do. No, I shouldn't decide on my own, I can always pick once Hikaru is back.
Once most people have picked their groups, there were only a few more people who haven't decided including me and Reina.
Me, Reina (and Hiyoko), Alancyan, the members who took part in our dinner party last night and also Baredrai and Rasfin.
Rather than them still being undecided, it looks more like they don't plan to train under the instructors present here.
"Err, have you not made your decision yet?"
"You are allowed to transfer to another instructor during early stages of your training. Please choose a temporary instructor if you could for now."
The staff responsible for grouping told us, but none of us moved.
They asked again looking troubled. Alancyan spoke back in a bad mood.
"Everybody standing here noticed. We've all made up our mind which instructors."
"I-I beg your pardon?"
"Those who don't notice can stay with those guys over there. I'mma wait till they're here, keep doing yer' thing."
He shooed away the troubled staff members and turned his sight at the door.
...They're arriving soon.
A few seconds later, the door flung open with a bam and a familiar couple made their entrance.
...I knew it would be those two.
The staff members were surprised and questioned them.
"W-who are you people!? Most of the participants have decided on--"
The couple ignored the pressing staff member and ran in my direction at lightning speed.
"ALMACHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!"
"MY DAUGHTEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!"
The two rushed straight at me.
...I'm gonna die if they hug me at that speed, I'll dodge it with energy-buffed Ground Shrink.
The two missed me and kept going till they hit the wall which crumbled down... They're completely unhurt, as tough as ever.
"Why did you dodge!?"
"I-is this the so called rebellious phase...!?"
"No, I think this is a normal reaction for anybody. Actually, doing that in front of so many people is embarrassing. Please don't."
"Ufufu, oh do forgive your silly mother. I couldn't help myself after so long not seeing you."
"To think you've gotten strong enough to dodge us. Alma, dad is elated."
This feels like that time at Daijel.
...They'd likely choke me to near death again if I let them hug me.
"C-could those two be, 'Sword King' and 'Archmage'!?"
"The strongest husband and wife in the world, and world-famous S-ranked adventurers...! You mean the kingdom also called those two here?"
"Wait, they said mom and dad, you're telling me Almatina is their daughter...!? No wonder she did amazingly at the tourney."
"She was incredible at both swords and magic..."
I knew it. My parents are celebrities among adventurers.
I'm both proud and kinda dislike the attentions I'm getting.
"What about Hika--Soarer?"
"Ah, he should be here soon... I suppose we got slightly overboard."
I heard sounds of flapping wings near the window.
...Black Dragon and Hikaru came back with far lower mana and energy reserves than before they left.
"O, ooh, they're back at last."
"U-uwaa, both the dragon and the masked man look all tattered up..."
Both look like they're hanging on by a thread as they barely manage to stay in the air.
How fierce the struggle was anyway...
『...I shan't apologize. You have yet to demonstrate your strength fully. Make me yield by force just like those two if you seek my apology.』
"...Fine by me. I'mma beat you to a bloody pulp one day."
The two cursed each other with listless voices as they landed... Really, what happened back then.
They look ready to jump at each other's throat. They're probably going to get in another fight one of these days.
"Now then, first, apologies for our tardiness. I'm 'Sword King' Dukeris, one of the instructors appointed to train you lot. Well met."
"Another instructor, 'Archmage' Lunatiara. Nice to meet you all."
The two bowed and briefly introduced themselves.
Those who have already picked their instructors spoke up after seeing them.
"E, err, I would love to study under these two instead."
"M-me too! Getting guidance from the real Sword King is an honor of a lifetime."
More and more people ask for the same thing as they edge up to the two.
...Rather than trying to get stronger, being able to study under them seems to be their main motive.
"Ooh, you do now. Excellent. Youngsters these days have lofty ambitions."
"Ufufu, it's so nice to watch so many tryhards."
In contrast, the two are all smile, on the surface.
Or so it seems.
"This is your first trial. Stay on your feet."
"...Eh?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
A moment later.
I got goosebumps all over my body.
Dad unleashed a pressuring intimidation that surpasses the one Hikaru let loose at the army men earlier.
It's like the roar of a fierce beast.
No, this pressure is sharp, like a thrust performed by a master.
There's neither bloodlust, rage or hostility contained within.
From dad's perspective, it must be more like a mere glare.
"A... ga..."
"Gobu..."
Yet to ordinary men, the impact feels like getting a strong punch to the guts, even staying conscious proves difficult.
In fact, the people who were drawing close to them fell down one after another.
...Yup, even those watching on the sidelines are turning into a quivering mess.
"Uumu, this won't do, this much should be nothing to you..."
"Those who went to sleep and those who are trembling over there may want to back down. You likely won't last long with our training regime. Ufufu."
Once dad undid his intimidation, several people still standing shook their heads while trembling hard.
That's true, people with half-baked resolve shouldn't attempt to train under these two. They might lose their life at worst.
But none of the people who haven't decided their group looks terrified despite frowning a bit.
We're facing the two bravely like saying this much is nothing to them.
"Fumu, this lot over here look promising. They've got quite the skills considering their ages."
"My they all look worth the training~. Isn't that nice~."
They muttered happily while looking our way.
Their eyes look simultaneously like parents warmly looking at their children and predators that have found their prey.
...What state of mind would give one those eyes anyway.
"...So yer the new Sword King that geezer mentioned."
"Hmu? Are you perhaps, Alancyan-kun? Ooh, you've grown so big."
"...You, knew me?"
"...You don't remember huh. Well I don't suppose you do. We only greeted your tiny version for a bit when you were training under Spadia-dono around ten years ago."
"Excuse me then. Heck, why'd ya remember some random brat."
"Hahaha, the sight of the tiny you crying your heart out at Spadia-dono is still vivid in my memories even now."
"...Gh."
Alancyan frowned as dad teasingly recalled his past.
I had no idea dad had met Alancyan before. Kinda surprising.
"Now then, I suppose we shall be in charge of training the people over here?"
"Ufufu, all of them have such a promising look. Some look overhasty too. I can't wait~."
Please stop looking our way with those glints in your eyes.
I have a foreboding this training is going to be far more severe than Hikaru's leveling sessions.
Some of us might die inside by the end.
...I must pull myself together.
『Ow ow ow... This is all because of what you said to that couple. Ah, my wound hurts.』
"None of this woulda happened if only your damned handler never butted in the Hunting Fest. Quit laying the blame on the wrong person, sh*tt* lizard."
『Hohou, you want to have another go right here and now? Hnn?』
"Aa? Come at me if you dare."
Also, you two verbally abusing each other by the window. Can't you stop now?
You're acting like delinquents and making several people here feeling awkward... Also, please don't get in another fight here.
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