"…Say that one more time?"
When I approached her, she suddenly grabbed the collar of my clothes and whispered into my ears. I was about to retreat myself but what she said suddenly stopped me from moving.
"I-I said, I want to go in the capital with you." she whispered.
"…But, aren't you forbidden to go outside?"
"N-not at all! I can go outside if I have mother's approval but without it the maids especially Martha wouldn't budge!"
"Then isn't it a bad idea to go after all?"
"…we won't know until we try."
She started sulking. What's wrong with her? Suddenly wants to go outside.
"Hmm…"
I put my hand on my chin and think for a bit. I did say that I would do anything she wishes after all.
"…Then, do you want me to ask Martha-sensei to let you?"
"R-really?!"
"Yeah, so don't get down okay? But don't expect too much from me, its Martha-sensei were talking about after all."
"Yes!"
She perked up and showed a bright smile.
Please don't show that smile, I can't guarantee that I can convince Martha-sensei.
I thought inwardly while smiling awkwardly back at her.
We went to Martha-sensei and this is what she said.
"NO."
She flatly refused. Well, it's within our expectations.
"Won't you let her? At least once?"
"No offense but, can you protect her if anything happens?"
"Can't you come with us if that's the case?"
"I can but I won't. My mission is to keep Aloumine-sama from danger and simply going outside the protection of the forest without her mother's consent is something that must not be done."
"But―"
Before I could rebut, Alou walked forward and put both her hands on her waist.
"You won't budge no matter what?"
"That is correct. We've been in this conversation a lot of times before. If that's all you want from me then I'll be excusing mys―"
"He received a Magic Article personally from mother. Now can you still say that he is unworthy to protect me?"
"What did you say?!"
Martha is about to leave when Aloumine said that. She immediately turned back and ask in agitated manner.
"N-no, that can't be. I admit that he's growth is outstanding and he has talent it magic but I don't believe that Madam will―"
"Magic Article, you mean this dagger?"
"―give him….that…"
She stopped her sentence once she saw the dagger on my hand.
"T-that can't be…that bore the crest of 'the Queen'."
"So, do you believe me now?"
"…"
She just fell silent and looked down. We can't see her face so we don't know what she was thinking.
After a moment of thinking, she finally raised her head but her expression changed.
It was cold and expressionless. The pressure from her gaze was heavy.
"Fine, with one condition."
She said in a cold tone. The air around her changed and it's getting hard to breath.
"Uh, y-you can't be serious, Martha?"
Alou stumbled back and I supported her back.
"Of course I'm serious. This is definitely within the expectations of Madam after all."
"What condition are you talking about?"
I also changed gears and tried to withstand the pressure. I'm now having a stare down with Martha-sensei.
"That is of course, you'll have to defeat me."
"You say that even though you know the difference within our strength? You're unexpectedly stubborn huh. Do you really not want to have Alou go outside that much?"
"Oh~ I like that look in your eyes. Of course I want her to experience the life outside of this small forest but, the Madam's orders are absolute."
"A-Ares, let's stop here. You won't even be able to touch her with your current strength. She's a lot stronger than you can imagine."
Alou suddenly hugged me to stop me.
She's shaking.
"Then how about this? You can use that Magic Article as weapon. If you can land at least 1 clean hit on me, it's your win. I'll deem you worthy."
"I don't know how to use this one yet so, let's go without it."
"Hmm~ If that's what you want."
"A-Ares! Did you not hear me? You won't be able to do anything!"
Alou is desperately clinging on my clothes to stop me from advancing.
I held both her hands and shook it off gently.
"It's fine. I promised right?"
"This is just my own selfishness. Let's stop here."
"I know but I also want to test myself here. If I can't even touch Martha-sensei, then I won't even last for a day outside."
"That's true but―"
"It's fine. Trust me."
"…okay. Just be careful!"
"Yeah."
I brushed her head with my hand and stepped forward.
"Let's move on our training ground."
"Yeah."
We moved to the training grounds and when we get there, Espina and Leutte are already there.
"Leutte, Espina, erect an advance and master rank barrier. Aloumine-sama, stand outside the barrier."
"What?! Why would you need a master rank spell? You don't mean to use master rank magic right?!"
"Of course I do. Don't worry, I'll just knock him out and not kill him. His my student after all."
"You sure have absolute faith on your own strength, Sensei."
"But of course. Now get ready for your lesson."
"Then, I'll use all the knowledge and experience I gained for this 2 weeks of training."
"Arch Mage Class, Martha." "Advocate Mage Class, Ares!"
"Both are ready? Then begin!"
Espina said as she cast her hand downwards.
We both extended our hand in front of us at the same time, and so, the battle between the student and the teacher begins.