"It's because even though Sutra is the older sibling, Ars is way stronger than Sutra"
"Ehh?"
I got a bit surprised at his words.
"You mean to say that not only Sutra is weaker than Ars, but he is WAYYYY weaker than Ars?"
"Yes. Ars can probably shut Sutra down in a couple of minutes if he got serious"
"Whoa that's surprising..."
I muttered. It seems like I'm not the only one surprised as Sutra looks a bit shocked too.
"Then you should've partnered Jaesuk with Ars from the start. Wait a moment, since you partnered us at the start, you must've thought I was stronger than Jaesuk then?"
"Nah I did it randomly..."
"You could've said you thought so..."
"Well, anyway what do you think Jaesuk? Can you last for five minutes against Ars?"
Captain Morris then asked Jaesuk.
"Well, if he was serious like before, the answer is no"
"I thought so too. Don't feel too down though, you guys just lack experience. Think about it, how long have they been holding the sword and how long have you guys been doing it? You both are considered good for being able to come this far in just a month or so..."
He then continued to comfort us, then I asked.
"So, what do we do next? Just keep sparring?"
"Nope..."
With an evil smile, he told us.
"You guys need a beating..."
---
(clank clank clank)
"Ughh..."
"Ahkkk.."
"Ah shit!"
Sounds of groan keep on coming out of my mouth as captain Morris decided to spar with us one by one.
First up is me.
No, it can't be considered a spar anymore. It's simply a one-sided beating by captain Morris.
"Hey hey, defend properly...
"Deflect it, don't block!"
"Get up straight away after you fell! The opponent's not gonna wait for you to get up before finishing you off!"
He doesn't look like he's even fighting properly.
Holding the sword with one hand, walking step by step while pushing me back.
And I still get beaten down.
(thud)
"Huff.. huff..."
I fell to my butt and can't get up anymore.
"I give... huff.. so tired"
"As always, lots of wasted movement. Okay, next is Jaesuk"
Hearing that its his turn, Kim Jaesuk flinched before nodding.
"Ackk!"
And that's the first time I heard a groan coming out of him.
---
Days passed and its now day 37 since I arrived on this world.
After getting beaten by captain Morris that day, we spent each day training the sword.
Next to where we're training in the barrack lay a bunch of stamina and recovery potion made by Adrian.
He brought it home each night and told us to use it when we need it, as the one he made has no side effect so it can be used continuously, although it can't recover fatigue.
Just after we sat down to take a break, captain Morris came to inform us something.
"We're going to the forest"
"Eh??"
"We'll be accompanying the wizard to place a spell around the forest entrance, and you guys decide whether to join us or not"
It was so sudden that both me and Kim Jaesuk got very surprised.
Nodding at each other, we decided
"Can we actually come?"
"Of course, there's one thing you need to do before that"
"What is it?"
"You need to be able to hold a real sword"
"What?"
At my exclamation, Kim Jaesuk continued
"It's just holding a sword right?"
"Yep. A real sword, made of steel and used to kill something"
"Of course we can hold a steel sword. You make it sounds hard"
Taking a deep look at us, captain Morris then said
"You'll know when you hold it. Come with me..."
He then started walking to the field where people are currently sparring with each other, and some are training.
Grabbing a couple of swords from a nearby table, he handed it over to us.
"Here take it"
Holding the sword's grip with bold hand, I can feel that it's not as heavy as I thought it would be.
As if reading my expression, captain Morris then said
"Not as heavy as you thought right?"
"It's not. Is this all we need to do to enter the forest with you?"
"Now now... put your stance up first..."
I then held my sword in front of me just like usual.
Looking around, I realise everyone is watching us.
'It's like we're in a zoo'
"Okay, now imagine that you'll be slashing that thing at a living being"
As if realising what he's trying to convey, my expression turned grim.
"Of- of course I can"
"Yeah, I think I can manage as well"
Nodding his head, captain Morris then asked us
"Okay then... We'll be going on Monday, which is the day after tomorrow. It's in the morning and will take probably about a few hours. So, you don't need to pack anything"
"Okay"
After agreeing, captain Morris then sent us back saying that we don't need to train anymore for the rest of the week.
I went back to the barrack to pick up the potion we left behind before going home.
---
"What do you think?"
"Hmm? About what?"
Arriving at home, we went to my room first and I asked Kim Jaesuk.
"Do you think you can use the steel sword?"
"If need to, yes. I think I'll be able to for sure..."
"..."
"What about you?"
"I- I'm not really sure"
Sitting on my bed, I continued
"I've never done something like this before"
"We did, when we're about to leave the forest remember? We survived because of that"
"But at that time you're the one who stabbed the knife!"
"Yes, but since you've experienced fighting a wolf, you will be able to manage. Trust me"
He said with a slight smile.
Looking at that smile, I thought that it's very reassuring to have someone like Kim Jaesuk with me here.
"Thanks..."
Is all I can say.
---
"Hey, bring this with you"
"..."
"This too, and this as well..."
"Dude, don't you think its a bit too much?"
It's Monday morning and we're about to leave for the forest, and Adrian is packing a bag full of potions for us.
"We never know what's going to happen in the forest. Might as well be prepared..."
He said while handing me a small backpack filled with potions and water.
"Good luck, and come back safely"
Grandpa and grandma came to see us off as well.
"Come on, it's just accompanying them to the forest entrance. Nothing's gonna happen..."
After that, I started walking away while waving and Kim Jaesuk quickly followed after me.
"See you later!"
Arriving at the village entrance, there's about five people dressed in odd outfits.
Of course, I recognise that outfit straight away, especially with the hood on.
'It's a wizard's robe!'
Waving to us, captain Morris beckoned us to come closer.
"I'll introduce you to each other. These are the wizard apprentice that's going to place the talisman later"
One of the wizard then came to us extending his hand
"Nice to meet you, I'm the wizard's leader, Helemn"
"Ahh, I'm Alex and this is Jaesuk. Nice to meet you..."
Shaking his hand, I nodded to the other as well, which they returned the gesture.
"Okay, Ars and Sutra is waiting outside. You guys go ahead and be careful!"
"Eh? You're not coming with us?"
"Me? Of course not. I gotta take care of the village you know?"
"..."
"Okay take care!"
After saying that, he then walked away.
"Hey, let's go quickly!"
We then heard a shout from outside the village entrance.
It's Ars and Sutra.
"How long are you going to keep us waiting?"
Ars said, clearly upset.
"Sorry, we just arrived"
"Let's go..."
Sutra then lead the way together with Ars, while we followed further back.
"You guys are the new kid huh?"
Helemn asked us while we're walking.
"Ahh, yes. We just arrived a month ago..."
"Where you guys from? Very rare for people to enter the village"
"We actually didn't remember anything except for our names at that time, sorry..."
"Ahh I see. Sorry for being inconsiderate"
"No, it's fine"
"Then..."
It was very awkward at first, but after talking for a few minutes with Helemn, I found out that he's a very friendly guy.
The type that can make an awkward party becomes fun just by his presence.
After walking for roughly 15 minutes or so, we arrived in front of the forest entrance, which is covered with a fence.
"Hmm, I'm not sure this was here back when we arrived..."
I said quietly to Kim Jaesuk.
"Maybe it's newly built?"
"I don't think so... Look at this, it's very old..."
"..."
When we're talking, Sutra split us into two groups to settle each corner of the fence.
"Okay, I'll be going on the right with Jaesuk, and Alex will go to the other corner with Ars. Helemn can decide which wizards will go to which sides"
After saying that, we started walking onto the opposite way of each other, and Helemn decided to follow my group together with one other mage.
"..."
It was more awkward than earlier, especially as I and Ars didn't really get along with each other.
"Hey"
"A- ahh?"
I was deep in thought thinking how to break the ice, when he suddenly called out to me.
"Do you really don't know where you came from?"
"Umm, yes it's true"
"..."
After hearing that, he nodded
"I'm sorry..."
And started to apologise to me.