Nana and I stepped up and moved to the opening at the center.
Among all the junior apprentices, we are the strongest. Well, there's Hachiro, but he would never hit Nana—he won't even lift a finger against her.
Personally, I think that's a weakness, but I get it. Honestly, I wouldn't dare to hit my goddess either.
In terms of brute strength, Hachiro would take the top spot. Though he's airheaded and often clueless, he's strong. But his downside is that he lacks skills, and that's where I outshine him. In combat, skills are everything—brute strength without proper application is nothing more than dust.
Then there's Nana. Of the three of us, she's the weakest. I wouldn't call her weak exactly; she still has a long way to go.
Nana and I faced each other, with the senior apprentice standing between us.
"Remember, a safe match," she said, and it felt like she was speaking directly to me. She was definitely speaking to me.
In heaven's name, what did I do to these people? Should I tell them I got this mark from stealing, not from mass genocide?
That said, I was already pissed.
"Ready? Go!"
Nana kicked forward, throwing her right hand toward my face. I caught it. Next was a right kick aimed at my torso. I raised my left leg, blocking it, then used the same leg to brush her right leg aside. She slammed into the floor with her back, letting out a little whimper.
"Ohh!"
Everyone exclaimed in worry, and their gazes immediately turned hostile toward me.
I know she's a girl, but come on, guys—this is sexism. I'm certain if I were the one on the floor, there would be loud cheers.
I took a step back, knowing what was coming next.
Nana is sensitive, even though she hides it behind that stoic face. She hates losing and being looked down upon. Any second now, she'll go on a rampage.
Sure enough, she spun up from the ground and rushed at me, throwing punch after punch, all aimed at my face.
Being a berserker is good, but not when you have so many weaknesses.
I dodged her attacks, moving my head and body rhythmically. I wanted to end this without hurting her—before I became the talk of the house. Not to mention, I think her sister is coming back today.
I caught Nana's left hand, sidestepped to the left, and threw a light punch to her stomach. She gasped for air. With a quick motion, I moved my right leg behind her and knocked her back onto the wooden floor.
She stayed down, not getting up.
That wasn't too rough, right? Yeah, it wasn't. But the deadly stares I was getting said otherwise—not to mention the one I could feel from Hachiro.
"W-Winner, Tatsuya!" the senior announced. It was the same line I heard almost every time I sparred, except the first time I fought Hachiro. He caught me by surprise.
I offered Nana my hand, lifting her up. I didn't dare leave her on the ground—that would've been the end of me. What always bugged me, though, was her stoic face, despite everything. What's her deal?
***
After the training session, I went to freshen up. I used the chance to check my stats, but honestly, I hadn't made any progress since I came to this mansion.
NAME: Tatsuya Uzui
AGE: 9
LEVEL: 13
CLASS: LOCKED
ATTRIBUTES
STR: 15
SPE: 24
AGI: 23
STA: 47
I had only managed to level up to twelve after escaping that demon in the forest, and since coming to this mansion, I had only added one level.
It's safe to say battle experience plays a major role in my progress, but how can I gain any when I'm stuck in this small body? Strict training might help, but would Ms. Ayuma allow it?
Haaa... When I look at the bigger picture, life in this mansion is far too comfortable. There's no progress in comfort.
"Mmhm, I've decided on my next move…"
As I approached the entrance to the female apprentice quarters, I spotted Nana with a group of other girls—all juniors. I walked up to them without saying a word. As soon as they noticed me, they scattered, leaving Nana alone. They didn't say anything, but I wasn't bothered. Instead, I felt a strange sense of dominion in my chest.
Fufufufu.
Like I'm the boss.
"Here," I said, offering her tea in a bamboo cup.
"Why would you give me such—"
"It's for your stomach. Sorry for what I did earlier."
I wasn't sorry at all. I just wanted to make peace because I knew what was coming. I could sense its presence.
"Oh," she said, taking the tea and drinking it. "Thank you."
What amuses me the most is that the tea wasn't even my idea—it was Hachiro's. He was too scared to give it to Nana himself, so I got sent to do it.
Haa... Sometimes it's not so bad being the third wheel, especially when the couples are idiots.
I glanced back at Hachiro, who was hiding behind a pile of trees. I gave him a thumbs-up, and he reciprocated.
What a great day. I think I'll go meet Ms. Ayu—
"TATSUYA! WHERE IS THAT BOY?!"
Here it comes—the beast. The only being I fear in this world. It's terror cannot be compared to that of a mere demon. The one and only creature from the pits of hell I know that can slay Muzun...
Nana's senior sister.
[A/N: Getting to repeat the stats especially when there's little or no progress is stressful, so I'll tend to cut it short during those cases, please don't forget to giift me your stones, thanks]