Elysia stood at the edge of the training yard, watching Hiro as he tirelessly practiced his sword techniques. His movements were fluid, showcasing the progress he had made with Specter Mirage. She admired his determination, feeling a mixture of inspiration and a hint of envy. Elysia had always looked up to Hiro, and while she knew he was training to become a master swordsman, she felt the fire of ambition growing inside her as well.
In their earlier training sessions, she had focused on basic combat techniques and building her strength. Now, she realized that if she wanted to keep up with Hiro, she would need to push herself harder. She approached the training yard and sought out Rose.
"Ms. Rose," Elysia called out, her voice steady, "I want to train harder. I want to become stronger, too. Can you help me?"
Rose turned, noticing the serious look on Elysia's face. "Of course, Elysia. You've made great progress already, what are you looking to achieve?"
"I want to be as strong as Hiro, at least to lessen the gap between us," Elysia said, "I want to be able to hold my own in battle."
Rose nodded, impressed by Elysia's mindset. "That's a commendable goal. Let's start with a training regimen that will help you build strength while also enhancing your agility and stamina. You'll need to focus on a mix of endurance and muscle training." Then Rose smirked and added, "Oh, perfect timing! Hiro is training for a new technique, so you can practice at the same time. Even with different weapons, the principles are the same."
After an hour of focused training, they transitioned to endurance exercises. Elysia took off running around the yard, her heart pounding and lungs burning as she pushed herself to maintain her pace. She focused on the rhythm of her steps, each footfall a reminder of her ambition.
As she ran, her mind drifted to Hiro, and she wanted to prove to him that she could stand by his side as an equal.
When she finished her laps, breathless and sweaty, Hiro was already there, practicing his footwork and movements with impressive speed.
"Hey, Elysia!" Hiro called out, noticing her return. "How's your training going?"
"Great!" she replied, her confidence shining through. "I'm working hard to catch up to you!"
Hiro smiled, clearly impressed. "You'll get there. Just keep pushing yourself. Want to spar for a bit?"
"Absolutely!" Elysia agreed, feeling her heart race with excitement.
They took their positions, Elysia wielding her bow while Hiro held his sword. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows as they began to spar. Elysia practiced her movements, shooting arrows while Hiro practiced his footwork and dodging.
"Nice move!" Hiro praised after she executed a successful parry. "You're improving! Keep practicing that technique; it'll help you when you need to defend against faster opponents."
Elysia beamed at his encouragement, fueled by his belief in her. They continued sparring, exchanging blows and learning from each other. Each clash was a lesson, and with every session, she felt more confident in her abilities.
Suddenly, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by the sound of shouting. A group of bandits burst into the training yard, their eyes gleaming with mischief. Elysia's heart dropped as she realized they were headed straight for her.
"Who would dare to attack a child in a mansion guarded by a B-rank adventurer?" she thought, fear gripping her. But then she noticed a smirk on Rose's face as she observed from a distance, and Elysia's confusion grew.
"Step aside, girl!" one of the bandits shouted. "We're here for some easy loot! Hand over your valuables, and we'll let you go unharmed!"
Elysia looked to Hiro, who immediately shifted into a defensive stance, ready to protect her. "Hiro, wait! We can't just let them—"
"No time for debate, Elysia! Get ready to move!" he commanded, his voice steady.
Elysia's heart raced, but she felt a flicker of defiance. This was her chance to prove herself. "I can help!" she shouted, reaching for her bow.
"Stay back!" Hiro urged, but Elysia ignored him, taking a deep breath to steady her trembling hands.
With her heart pounding, Elysia nocked an arrow and aimed it at the closest bandit. "I won't let you hurt anyone!" she declared, her voice strong despite her fear.
The bandits laughed, underestimating her resolve. "Look at the little girl trying to play hero!" one mocked.
Elysia released the arrow, and it soared through the air, striking the bandit's shoulder. He yelped in surprise, stumbling back. Hiro took advantage of the distraction, launching forward and engaging the other bandits in combat.
"Nice shot!" Hiro called out, momentarily distracted by Elysia's unexpected bravery. "Keep going!"
Feeling emboldened, Elysia aimed another arrow, this time focusing on a bandit attempting to flank Hiro. She released it, but her nerves got the better of her, and the shot went wide.
"Focus, Elysia!" she chastised herself, her heart racing. She had to remember Rose's teachings about staying calm under pressure.
As the fight continued, Elysia found herself backpedaling, trying to keep her distance from the remaining bandits. One lunged at her, and in that moment, she felt a rush of panic. But then, she remembered why she was fighting.
Elysia steadied her aim again, firing another arrow that struck true. The bandit stumbled, momentarily dazed, allowing Hiro to take him down with a swift strike.
"Good job!" Hiro shouted, his eyes shining with pride. "Keep it up! You're doing great!"
Elysia's will surged, and she aimed once more. She started to move, dodging and weaving, trying to keep her distance while landing her shots. The bandits, realizing they were losing ground, began to panic.
"Fall back!" one of the remaining bandits yelled, but it was too late. Hiro was already on them, and Elysia's arrows kept flying.
As the last bandit fell, the yard was silent except for their heavy breathing. Elysia looked at Hiro, her heart racing. She had done it. They had fought off the bandits together.
"I… I actually did it!" Elysia gasped, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
Hiro grinned, walking over to her. "You were amazing."
Elysia beamed at his praise, feeling a swell of pride. "Thanks! I wanted to show you that I'm strong too."
Just then, Rose approached, her expression a mix of amusement and satisfaction. "You handled that quite well, Elysia. I had my doubts about those bandits, but it seems you proved them wrong."
Elysia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she felt a new sense of confidence building inside her. She had faced her fear and come out stronger.
"I'm going to keep training, Ms. Rose. I want to be even stronger!" Elysia declared.
As they wrapped up for the day, Hiro turned to Elysia. "You're getting stronger every day, Elysia. Just keep it up."
Elysia smiled, her heart full of resolve.