The next day, we follow Naoto and the others to the training area. It’s not in the adventurer guild, it’s on the grounds here.
The beast king also uses it, along with the knights of the Beast Kingdom. I recognize some, and then I realize they took part in the battle in Elesya.
But well, we’re only really here today to see how Elsa and Alto move in their new equipment.
That was the idea anyway, but I guess Rurika and the others are getting the itch too, so they join the others in mock battles.
That leaves Mia and others to watch.
And me? I’m facing both with a shield in hand. But I’m not just defending, I counterattack here and there too.
I saw them doing mock battles on the way here too, but their moves really aren’t bad. They’re just a bit on the slow side. My experience tells me it comes down to their levels.
That can only be solved by fighting strong monsters.
Also, their stamina means their moves get worse the longer they fight.
We have to take breaks here and there, but still, after a couple of hours, they’re drenched in sweat, and they sit down on the ground, signaling the end.
Still, considering their age, that was plenty of exercise.
I cast Purification Magic on them, and they walk away with Mia and the others, who were watching us, and they go watch Hikari and the others fight.
“Wow.”
Elsa is surprised, as she watches Hikari face a big bear beast person, and play with him while going around striking at blind spots.
Since they’re using practice swords, there’s no real damage being done, but it would be a whole different story if this was a real fight, especially since Hikari’s dagger has a paralyzing effect that slowly eats away at people’s ability to move, unbeknownst to them.
Thinking about that gives me shivers. My skills really saved me back then.
That was a turning point of destiny in this world for me. It was then that I met Ignis too.
No, maybe the biggest turning point was meeting Rurika and Chris?
“What’s wrong Sora?”
Asks Mia while I reminisce.
She looks a bit worried. Did I look that serious?
“It’s nothing. More importantly… Aren’t they going a bit too hard?”
Today’s mock battles seem more intense than usual. But Miharu, who has been coming here for a while, says it’s always like this.
Incidentally, she comes to the training area as a healer, because Naoto and Shun asked.
Even in mock battles, a good attack can hurt. And from what I can see, it doesn’t feel like anyone’s holding back.
Actually, the person facing Hikari seems to be… But is that just me?
I ask about it, and apparently this is because of the beast king’s influence. And just as I hear that, the beast king arrives.
It feels like the entire atmosphere has changed in a second. But when the beast king sees us, he walks over with a smile on his face.
“Ou, you’re here too? Exercising really feels nice, uh!?”
It does feel nice as a change of pace, depending on the time and place.
“Wanna go at it with me?”
He asks with a smile, but his eyes aren’t smiling.
Ryuryu then comes running, but after looking at us, lets out a resigned sigh.
She puts her hands together like she’s pleading, but does she want me to do as he says?
Also, a lot of people watching the mock battles are now facing this way.
It feels like I can’t say no… Maybe I should fight the beast king just a little bit.
“All right, just once.”
I doubt he’s not going to ask for more after we fight once anyway.
“By the way, anything goes. Even magic! Ah, just don’t destroy buildings, or I’m the one who’s gonna be in trouble!!”
That’s quite the crazy thing to say just before we start.
People don’t use magic in mock battles… At least not in the ones I’ve seen.
I turn to Chris without thinking, but she looks perplexed. And the beast people around us all look like they think this is normal.
“It’s fine. In fact, it’d do him good to get hurt.”
Says Ryuryu.
The anything goes rules favor me, but I’d be at a disadvantage in a close quarters battle, so he might be allowing magic as a handicap for me.
Or maybe he wants me to be at my best, because he knows I have skills and magic.
I’ll try it with the weapon first, and see where it goes from there.
I hold up the training sword, and the beast king does too.
One of the beast people takes the role of referee, and signals for the mock battle to start.
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Thanks for the treat.