It was the next morning, while the dungeon city still slept. Evan, who wouldn't miss the historic moment when the legendary Leo Arpeta and Bernard Garcia entered the dungeon once more, had woken up earlier than usual to see them off.
"Evan, take this."
"What is it?" But Bernard had handed some well-organized documents to Evan before heading inside with the group. Evan accepted it with a tilted head, but soon his expression stiffened. It was all of the information Bernard knew about the Elixir, including everything they had ever studied about it.
"You don't need to give this to me right now."
"It's just for in case, just in case," Bernard responded calmly, but emotions were warring on Evan's face. Of course, Bernard was saying just in case he died in the dungeon.
"You don't need to raise a death flag like that."
"I don't know if it's a death flag or whatever, I'm just taking care of all possibilities, so don't worry too much. I'm just afraid that I might fail to deliver on what we've been working on."
"You won't die." Evan was growing annoyed and responded strongly as Leo came up from behind to smack Bernard in the back of the head.
"This guy has always been a worrywart even since forty years ago. Don't worry, disciple. It's thanks to his preparations that we've been able to prevent all those bad situations."
"It hurts, damn it!"
"…No matter what, you won't die on the 60th floor. Not unless the floor itself comes to life to eat you." Leo grinned, and Bernard let out a faint laugh at Evan's words, causing him to become even more anxious.
'Why are you doing this…' Should he prepare and hand over something more to help them? Evan considered it seriously, but unfortunately, he didn't have time for that.
"Mister, don't worry. I'll watch Sir Bernard."
"The knight commander…" The knight commander raised his sword and declared so reliably. Evan wanted to tell him that he was the most dangerous but decided to bite his tongue.
"Yes. Then, I'll ask you a favour."
"Yes!"
"Who's going to die? He'd be embarrassed if he died in the dungeon, you know? I'd make fun of him in my autobiography if he did."
"Keep them safe and bring them back." Bernard did something he hadn't done before in his life. He approached Evan and lightly hugged him, the scent of medicinal herbs filling Evan's nose for a brief moment before Bernard pulled away.
"Uh…?"
"I'll be back." Then Bernard turned around and entered the dungeon with the rest of the group without anything further to say.
"…Another death flag." Evan stared blankly for a while after they disappeared but eventually had to make his way back to the mansion.
***
Leo Arpeta, who had become Evan and Shine's mentor, led Evan's other mentor, Bernard, and the knight commander into the dungeon. Evan wasn't taking a break just because his mentors were away, however. He intended to devote himself to training, having no intention of letting go of the title of the world's busiest 12-year-old.
"The master is here!"
"Captain!"
"Don't talk to everyone, get in formation! Formation!" However, the most important thing at the moment was the group training for the dungeon knights. The knight's HQ had just begun to be built, but training wasn't something that could be delayed. The children there had been trained by the Ironwall Knights, courtesy of Mikhail D. Airok, while Evan and his party had gone into the dungeon. The rookie training they had gone through with Shine was so thorough that they didn't fall behind despite their young age.
"Look, Captain! I've decided on the weapons I'll train with!"
"Ah…long sword and dagger?"
"Yep!" Although it was expected, Marie ended up choosing a two-handed technique using both a long sword and a dagger. It was a fairly popular sword technique.
"Marie likes to Shine a lot."
"I chose it to become strong." Evan just laughed as Marie squared her shoulders. The path she would walk was a difficult one, but if she succeeded, she would become a strong warrior.
"To become stronger now, you should start training right away. It will be two, no, three times more difficult."
"I'm prepared. Thank you, sir!"
"Okay, then let's start right away." To master the long sword and dagger, she would go through the same training Shine had in the past. Evan gave her sufficient knowledge of fast weapon skills.
"If those martial art skills rise above a certain level, then you can use them together."
"Okay."
"It'll be difficult, so prepare yourself."
"Yes!" Shine's swordsmanship was recognized as having the highest level of aptitude. It wasn't something that could be transmitted simply through teaching.
"But one thing is certain. Marie, if you can master them and use them together, you'll be much stronger than those trained in only one martial art."
"Yes! I will try my best!" Evan was cautiously optimistic about what Marie could do. In the Yo-ma Great War series, all of those who used different weapons in both hands were blessed by God in the dungeon to learn a specific and unique martial art. If Marie could perform well under Evan's early teachings, she would be capable of that as well.
'…Of course, it's not always possible to acquire a unique martial art just because your skill is excellent.' When it came down to it, luck was more of a factor in unique martial arts than skill, so the number who had actually acquired one from the dungeon could be easily counted. But, rather than giving Marie futile expectations, Evan decided to focus on congratulating her out loud when she actually got it. She was already so full of enthusiasm, so Evan did not need to interfere.
"Okay, then you're done with this…the next one? Everyone decided to learn how to fight together. If you want to stop, you can even now." Evan was teaching martial arts to the children because Ena, one of the girls, had pestered him to teach them, saying she wanted to learn how to use a spear. He couldn't refuse the request, as he already had plans to teach them the foundations. The other children had also heard, of course, and wanted to learn as well. He was thinking of giving the twin sisters, Lin and Ran, as well as Jin, a different option…
"I hate that you're only trying to get rid of us."
"I want to learn with Lin."
"If I can become strong, I'll learn anything."
"It looks fun."
"…"
"Please, Master." But, as expected, all of them wanted to learn martial arts. Evan was a bit embarrassed to see Arisha, Belois, and Shine standing there next to each other as well, wanting to be trained.
"Focus on what you are doing, you're already doing well."
"I should learn martial arts too, Master."
"I would like to learn self-defence techniques. It won't reduce my efforts in learning magic."
"I will learn."
"You…" They already had excuses prepared in advance.
"Can you do it? What you're already doing now is best suited for your aptitude. You shouldn't neglect it just for training your fighting skills."
"Of course, I can. Didn't you say that to Ena too, Master? I thought a lot after seeing Ena's determination. And, right now, you are doing not also martial arts but also alchemy and many other things. I can't be seen as pathetic in comparison."
"I would like options for situations that cannot be overcome by magic alone."
"I want to understand the reasons behind your strength a little more. Evan, you also promised to actively help me." Each of them had their reasons, but they were all serious. There was no way to stop them now. Evan was forced to nod along gently.
"Then it can't be helped…I won't let you quit, so be prepared."
"Yes!"
"I won't disappoint you." Shine was excited, and Belois quietly clenched their fist and pledged so. In this way, Evan's rigorous fighting classes began for all of the dungeon knights except for Raihan, who had no talent for all the combat skills in the first place.
"But Evan, is my rapier still not done?" No, before that, Arisha approached him.
"Don't worry, I'll get it to you somehow by your birthday."
"I'm excited… excited."
"Okay, okay, I can see it on your face." When Evan pushed away Arisha, he noticed the rest of the knights staring at him. Somehow, it felt like a bunch of baby birds waiting for food. It was almost cute.
"Okay, I'll make your weapons too. Alright, so don't act like Arisha."
"Hooray!"
"I love to master!"
Evan glared at Arisha, who had caused this situation, but she was quietly humming in excitement for the rapier Evan would make for her.